Rockin' Writing with Tim Nelson Design

Tim Nelson of Tim Nelson Design

If you're looking for a rockstar designer...look no further than Tim Nelson Design. Not only is HE a rockstar of the hip variety, but his designs are years ahead of the trends which means if you choose him to transform your sorry, old logos and websites, you'll get sites and branding that are evergreen in your market (let alone fresh and tasty).

This was a particularly tasty project for me since I had the great and fun pleasure of working alongside Tim as he blasted his own site so people like you can experience his prowess first-hand.

He sent me some history on all of his clients--what he'd been commissioned to do, who he worked with, maybe a tidbit or two of fun info. Then I wrote the descriptive copy. He wanted the copy to be to-the-point, quirky but not what I like to call sour creative (you know that kind of creativity that's kind of almost too clever it makes you roll your eyes and pucker). Anyway, I shifted and shaped and massaged and wrote the descriptions so he could launch his new site.

It was great! He had good, tight deadlines (I always love a yummy deadline) and he was honest and hilarious which makes every project fun for me. In the end, this copy was probably my favorite to write (if I do say so myself):

A super talented marketing executive found me and asked if I would create a brand ID logo. Her name is Karen V. Carbone, I think she's Italian because she made me a design offer I couldn't refuse. I'm joking. She wanted something light and airy. So this is what I came up with and she loved it (and so did her extended Italian family, thank goodness). Here's Tim's final design for Karen.


We've worked on a variety of projects together for different clients, but this one was especially fun. Tim's portfolio is fantastic. (I'm secretly jealous of it!)

Contact Tim Nelson Design right now! Really...but only if you want phenomenal design made with thoughtful, careful, sick talent.

Writing the Web Copy for the Grains for Health Foundation

The NEW Grains for Health Foundation homepage!

It was a sincere honor to be asked to write all the website copy for Grains for Health Foundation. Not only is their staff hardworking and passionate about their cause, they're also bright and witty and honest. It isn't often I get to work with such amazing minds. I felt encouraged by their mission and welcomed into their fold.

Here's how we worked as a team to complete the monumental task of taking a functioning site and turning into a beautiful, easy-to-read, smart site:

• Project Timeline: One of the many hats I don is that of Project Manager and the skill of calendar flow, timelines and due dates helps me and every client with whom I work see clearly what piece of writing will come when. Clear expectations make EVERYONE happier. In the case of Grains for Health, Len and Denise were so grateful to have a shared timeline to which everyone could refer.
• Test pages: Often with clients I'll write a "test" page of copy. If they're happy with the tone and language, I can continue moving full-speed ahead on the rest of the pages. If I haven't hit the mark exactly, the test page is the perfect time to make necessary tweaks---brilliant especially before doing an entire site and THEN having to revise. Len and Denise worked from the very beginning with me on the intricate place they stand in their industry--as a powerful and necessary liaison between two huge industries: grains and policymakers. I remember the conference call we had when they exclaimed..."You got it!" and I was off to writing!
• Final pages: Once a page's copy is finalized it needs insertion into the developer's or programmer's coding. As a copywriter, knowing even the smallest bit of html and programmer-speak makes this part of the process much easier for everyone involved (designers, writer, client). Grains for Health were quick with their approvals, fully trusting my writing. We were able to meet the originally-planned deadline and after 26+ pages of new copy, the final site was truly lovely.
• Review: Seeing the pages in preview is very crucial before a site is fully launched live to the public. Because I have a bullet list of things to check for (html title tags, unique URLs, h1 headers, h2 headers, copy, copyright info, the friendliness of the interface, etc) I can quickly ascertain a list of final, quick edits for the programmers. Having this kind of knowledge took the pressure off of Grains for Health. Afterall, they're professionals in making real change in an industry that desperately requires their knowledge and tenacity...we creatives will handle the rest when it comes to launching a site.

This project alone re-shaped my thinking on what I feed my family (yeah, Grains for Health is that amazing!). Consider supporting them since, in essence, they're supporting all of us by working to make availble the healthiest grains possible.

Check out the NEW Grains for Health Foundation website!

I think I'll go have a bowl of oatmeal to celebrate! 

Writing for SuperMoves--Physical Education Curriculum for Preschool Children

I had such a great experience writing for the new Play With A Purpose SuperMoves website and curriculum.

There is so much this curriculum offers childcare centers. The activities are fun, bright, meaningful and most importantly: get children moving so physical activity becomes a normal part of their lives--not just a one-time event.

I wish you could see the adorable activity card box the educators get. I wrote the copy for that, too, which was both challenging and fun.

Maybe you know a childcare or daycare center that could use a smart new physical education program. If you do...send them over to SuperMoves!

Writing for GENT: the Barbershop Come Men's Salon

I had a blast writing all the copy for this website. The client wanted to get across that men are overlooked in the world of salons. He fused the old, English-style barbering with the swank, hip desires of the urban male to create GENT.

The cuts at GENT are never inflated like they are at some top salons for women. And that's the point: GENT isn't targeting women (though they're welcome!) but instead GENT provides an atmosphere directed at the creature comforts of a savvy gentlemen. There are iPads in place of ratty, wilted issues of Elle and Cosmopolitan. There's a fridge loaded with soda instead of Dixie cups of water and the leather chairs...fuhgettaboudit! Amazing.

I got a great tour of the new space with the owner and designer and even relaxed with an iPad whilst chilling in an overstuffed leather waiting chair. GENT is nestled in Victoria Crossing in St. Paul. It is the perfect place for men to get a little sophisticated pampering without getting blasted with overpriced fees (and without having to pass the nail polish carts).

Pop over to the store for their Grand Opening event on Saturday, August 6. Get those details and other nitty gritties (including copy from yours truly) on the GENT website.

Quit Yer Bellyachin' (or: How to Write a Book)

This is what I look like when I first thought of writing a book..."YEAH RIIIIGHT."

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously. Quit yer bellyachin' about book writing! Anyone can do it. I used to say that very thing to people about running marathons: Anyone can run one if you want to. Key word: WANT. You have to really want to run a marathon or write a book or get that job or lose that weight. 

I was reminded of all the time I put into training for a marathon. 16 weeks, 500 miles, marathon. Done. If I could do that, I could certainly write a book in a month. At least that's what Victoria Lynn Schmidt tells me in her book Book in a Month. (Except, PS: there are so many spelling errors I've caught that it kind of turns my stomach, but that's for another rant.)

I thought back to 3 years ago when I was training for the Twin Cities Marathon and how I used to wake at ungodly hours (no seriously UNGODLY because no god would wake that early to save his planet) in order to go running with my dog in the middle of winter. In the dark. 10 degrees below zero. Naked.

Okay, not really naked, but you get it. Something was getting me out of my nice, warm bed into the ice, cold tundra which is Minneapolis in December. What was getting me out? My personal insanity? My pure and powerful will? My need for bragging rights? I don't know for certain, but no matter...I did it.

And I ran a marathon and did pretty fair (I didn't qualify for Boston [like I did previously] though I managed a sub-4 hour race which I wear as a banner of awesome).

So I decided to transfer all that time and energy into writing my book. Afterall I did include that fact in my 2011 Valentine's card to all my friends and family, so they're waiting to read my book.

Now I wake up at 5:45 each week day morning, hit my snooze until 6:00 and drag my fingers to my computer and tickle the chicklets for 2 hours everyday. With 16 days under my belt and 126 pages, I feel basically like a rock star. Or to play up the marathon analogy, I feel like a competitor.

This mid-month reflection has me turning my neandrathal look of angst into this:

Thanks Well-Fed!

Find my contribution to the Well-Fed Writers enewsletter under "Desserts" in the May issue.

Leek Love

What is a leek in the first place? A mild, green onion...and a veggie to include in your dishes for its fresh, sweet flavor, like in this recipe on Simply Potatoes: Leek & Potato Soup Recipe