So, you want some copy. Maybe you're after addictive features, a laugh-out-loud blog, someone to make a difficult subject readable, or simply strong, informative web content, or a newsletter to keep customers big fans. Whether you need a press release that'll grab media coverage or you want to see your clients totally engrossed in your next company brochure, you're looking for a star copywriter, and I'd love to help.
Or do you have your draft written already, but wish someone could wave a magic wand and make it read like a dream? I copy edit too, transforming the messiest ideas into powerful, coherent text to get your message across loud and clear.
As a skilled freelance journalist writing for national papers and magazines, you can count on me to come up with fresh ideas, and make any subject grab the reader. And as you'd expect of a trained and experienced journalist, my work is always expertly researched, accurate and on brief, to deadline.
I work with both small start-up businesses and big hitters. My portfolio of copywriting/editing clients has included:
Guardian Creative (for clients including innocent, Courvoisier, Zizzi, Mercedes-Benz, Crowne Plaza hotels, Visit Flanders, Colgate and Enjoy England)
Entice Communications (for clients including Power Plate International, David Marshall, Star Trac, Chung Shi and Trixter)
NHS Counter Fraud & Security Management Service
Dietdiaries.co.uk features (for client alli)
Cow PR (for client The Flower Council of Holland)
Emap Advertising (for client Transform Medical Group)
Telegraph Create (for clients Visit England and Travelmood)
The Association of Graduate Recruiters
International Chamber of Commerce
plus confidential work for magic circle London law firms, major high street stores and individual authors whose books and theses I have copyedited.
But that's not all I do for companies...As a trained proofreader, I also offer a proofreading service. Plus I write and edit for a wide variety of customer magazines and websites - these have included Design Council Magazine, Ethos Journal, CAM (Cambridge University alumni magazine), PC World magazine and BMI Voyager magazine.
Want to see a recent sample of my copywriting? Take a peek at this Colgate advertorial I wrote (print version in Observer Woman Magazine, 26 September 2009), this sponsored feature for alli or this advertorial for Zizzi restaurants (print version published 10 June 2010 in The Guardian).
I write and edit anything involving words and am happy to give a competitive quote for work either by the hour, day or per project. Please contact me to discuss any editorial requirements by emailing me at editorial@oliviagordon.com.
Case study: BMI Healthcare Healthy Living Guide
I wrote a 100-page consumer health guide for patients at this private healthcare company, presenting medical information on everything from cancer to sensible weight loss in a friendly, accessible style.
"Thanks so much for your help - you were our knight in shining armour. Not only did you manage to produce this on time and with references (which pleased the clinicians!) but everyone has commented on the style - not too formal, not patronising, but engaging and easy to understand. Right on brand - perfect! It was a real pleasure working with you, and I really hope we can use you for more copywriting in future."
Sarah Huckle, Product Manager, BMI Healthcare
Case study: Oxford University brochures
I did the copywriting and copyediting for two substantial brochures for the university's publications office - one on Oxford University's architectural estate, and the other on its community engagement.
"Olivia Gordon has worked for the university in a copywriting capacity on a number of projects. She was both easy to work with and extremely professional in her approach. In addition, she worked to our schedules and has never sent in work late. I would have no hesitation in recommending her for future work."
Anne Brunner-Ellis, Head of Publications and Web Office, University of Oxford Public Affairs Directorate
Case study: weddings website
Writing 'give me more' features on everything a modern bride needs to know, for the articles section of a start-up weddings website, as well as advertorial copy to spread the word about the site in wedding magazines.
"Olivia has been inspirational and reliable. Olivia has taken on board the brief she has been given and has produced excellent editorial for my wedding site. She has also added her own thoughts and ideas. Would highly recommend her work."
Lynne Standish, Director
Case study: Entice Communications copywriting
"We're a very busy full-service PR and marketing agency. We needed someone who could hit the ground running and be relied upon, and Olivia was a great choice. Olivia helped us with copywriting and proofreading all kinds of marketing and advertising materials, from press releases to a company brochure to advertisements to newsletters, for several major clients, including Power Plate International. She was able to pick up what was needed quickly - including a strict house style - and juggle a sometimes hectic flow of different kinds of urgent, often complex medical copy. Her work was professional, creative and reliable and she worked very well with everyone in our team as well as our clients.
"My team has also consulted Olivia on our general media strategies for working with the press and maximising coverage for our clients - as a successful consumer journalist who writes on health, lifestyle and beauty, her advice has been extremely helpful and we hope to use her for media training in future. We will definitely call on her again when we need assistance, and I highly recommend her."
Laura Nathan, Managing Director, Entice Communications, London