Author: Johnrille Manalo

  • Forget “Hook Formulas.” Ask This Question Instead to Hit The Money Shot.

    There’s this old viral video of trolley bag salesmen at a department store somewhere going full WWE over a single customer.

    The customer? A mom and her 10-year-old daughter.

    And when I say WWE…  I mean real WWE-style throwdown.

    One guy literally lays his trolley bag on the ground and starts STOMPING on it like it did something bad to his dog.

    Then the other guy’s scrambling to win the mom’s attention, stuttering through his pitch, trying to act calm.

    Meanwhile… The customers.

    You could see in the video that the little girl’s frozen, mouth wide open. And probably wondering if this is how adults buy their stuff.

    And then the mom, frozen as well, but trying to cover her sweet daughter’s ears just to save what’s left of her innocence.

    But the clowns are just there yapping, one of them ready to throw hands over a trolley bag.

    A freakin bag.

    A kid’s pink Barbie trolley bag.

    Now I don’t know exactly what happened, but here’s what I saw in that chaos:

    The kid had already chosen. She wanted the calm-er dude’s bag.

    So the hot-headed salesman? Poor guy couldn’t let it go. Maybe it’s quota season.

    Maybe he overheard the mom saying “yung heavy-duty ha?” and thought, 

    “This is my shot!”

    So he kept hammering the “durability” angle, literally trying to destroy his own product to prove his claim.

    But bottom line…

    It probably wasn’t about durability.

    It was about what the kid wanted. And she already made her choice.

    See, prospects will tell you what they “want.” But the truth is, 99.9% of the time (made-up number, just tryna prove a point), that’s just surface talk.

    What matters is what
    they actually desire.

    And you’ll find that by watching a pro salesman work.

    They always ask,

    “What do you like the most about what you have right now?”

    Boom. That’s the money shot.

    So when you write your ad, lead with whatever the market says they desire.

    And that stuff that they say (or think) they want? Use it to support the main hook.

    Because if you miss that? If you go stomping and screaming the wrong idea?

    You’ll end up like the wraith king in the video… putting on a show, and still walking away without the sale.

    Good thing you’re already here.

    If you wanna know more how I do stuff, check this out: https://johnrillemanalo.com/

  • This is why your funny videos aren’t making you money!

    If you’ve been browsing social media lately (of course you have, you potato), chances are, you’ve seen a handful of businesses trying desperately to be funny. 

    (Just like that potato joke I made)

    From small cafes borrowing punchlines from other cafes, to marketers creating skits they saw from other marketers.

    Now, some of them hit the jackpot.

    It went viral… made sales.

    But did you know almost NONE of that jackpot comes from the joke? It’s true. Most successful businesses don’t even need post 3 funny reels and 58 stories a day.

    What hits the jackpot comes from them putting salt in the market’s wound and telling them how they can cure it. 

    Simple.

    That’s why I don’t know how this make-jokes-all-day krap started.

    Although I can picture the meeting where some well-meaning genius raised their hand and said, 

    “Sir, what if you do this skit with the team? Para maging relatable yung brand.” 

    Or maybe it was the young, eager intern who pitched,

    “Bro, we gotta hop on this trend! Brand awareness yan!”

    Then the biz owner was like…  

    😲👍

    So what’s this got to do with you? 

    Well, I can hear you thinking about doing a trending dance for your biz because the ghost month has hit you hard. So I’m here to save your eass for the sake of your grandkids and dogs.

    You’re welcome.

    Now let’s be clear.

    This relentless pursuit of being “funny” is a trap. 

    If you’re a comedy club, knock yourself out. If you’re a food influencer who gets paid to eat a 6,000-calorie breakfast, by all means, lead the way. Your business model is entertainment.

    But if you’re not? 

    If you sell coaching services, or you own a fitness studio, a hobby shop, or a simple karaoke hub?

    Your job isn’t to rack up claps and dopamine likes. 

    You’re here to solve a problem.

    And this is not me being a tito who hadn’t drank his morning coffee yet.

    I LOVE stupid-funny stuff. I dreamt of having dinner with Adam Sandler and Conan O’Brien and even Babalou since I started watching them. (Fun fact: Conan and I have the same birthday)

    Anyway.

    The point of all this is to tell you this cold, unsexy truth…

    If you want sales, sell.

    The real reason a customer gives you their hard-earned money isn’t because you made them chuckle once or twice. 

    They pay you because you make them less hungry, less confused, less stuck. 

    The market has a tangible problem, and you have the specific answer. That is the core transaction.

    “So do we have to get serious all the time?”

    No, god, no. Dayum. That’s a sad world you’re mentioning.

    Just think of entertainment as the sugar, not the medicine. The lemon, not the tequila(?).

    Instead of spending hours trying to go viral on TikTok, what if you spent that time talking to the market and learning their woes? 

    And then that’s what you put on the content you create.

    Because that’s what makes your brand relatable. They have to know that you know them. Like you’re a tita that brings all the goods. 

    This is why these kinds of ad materials are money-makers:

    • Advertorials that made them realize there’s an answer to their pain
    • Video Sales Letters that talk to them like they know them
    • Emails that make you their friend from afar

    They don’t get a million views and a thousand likes.

    They’re not inherently flashy. 

    But it does something far more important: it builds trust and demonstrates competence.

    So, by all means, sprinkle in some personality. Be human. But don’t ever forget what you’re really here to do…

    SELL.

    And for me, I’m here to make you curious about what I do.

    So… Did I do it right, or do you want me to dance? 

    Go here: https://johnrillemanalo.com

  • How I’ll Use Email Marketing to Make a Small Business in a Saturated Market Profitable

    I wanna make a real-life case study of how my email copy chops work on a small business… so I’ll co-found a cookie biz in Manila.

    Here’s the story:

    My girlfriend started a cookie biz during the pandemic (but was also put to a halt after the series of lockdowns). She sold it on Facebook and IG, but we both have no idea how to run social media marketing.

    So as a direct-response marketer, I suggested we focus on Facebook Marketplace. (Right after selling to friends and fam).

    It turned out to be a good decision.

    I was a complete rookie in the copy game that time, but I stuck with a few old-school principles.

    • Know who you’re selling to
    • Emphasize what sets you apart from the crowd
    • Give proof of your claim
    • Give social proof
    • Add a touch of personality

    Surprise, surprise, sales went up. We even managed to add a few pastries to the menu.

    If life didn’t get in our way, who knows what could have happened to that biz…

    Well…

    We’ll find out because we’re a couple of steps away in (re)launching that same biz.

    It’s a highly saturated market, especially with the rise of Tiktok marketplace or whatever that’s trending right now. And yes, we still don’t have the guts to slave away from the social media marketing grind.

    So the plan is:

    1. Start building a list of people who want that sweet little piece of heaven that she bakes (COOKIES). We’re doing this by tapping old customers, letting friends take part in the taste-testing process in exchange for their emails, tapping our pseudo-influencer circle, plugging the biz on my other email lists, and eventually, paid ads.
    2. Make a simple opt-in bribe to entice cold traffic on her list. We’re leaning heavily on a simple discount-on-first-order tactic, but we’re open to more ideas. A few on the list are free shipping coupons, curiosity/FOMO heavy stories, digital goodies, or I don’t know, maybe prayer intentions.
    3. Create a sales page/product page that focuses on word-painting to make the readers drool over the cookies. We’re selling consumer goods, and consumer goods need to have this veil of awesomeness that sets them apart from similar products. (A good example of this is the brand Last Crumb.)
    4. But we won’t just paint the cookies. We’re going to paint a world. And we’ll do it via email. This is where all the fun and selling will happen. Every single email has 2 goals: entertain and sell.
    5. Figure out a back-end offer. Now, this is a must-have. The front-end offer is the cookies. Once people are on the list, we’ll sell premium offers that only they, as a part of the list, can enjoy. But we won’t talk about the specifics here. List members only.

    Pretty simple, right?

    This is pretty much just an upgrade on what we did on our first try. We just have a few new tools to use and a whole lot of marketing experience.

    But basically, the strategy this time is STILL to stick to what we know and what we enjoy doing.

    We just have to do the work and follow the proven principles.

    Have any questions about what I do in the copywriting realm? Go here: https://johnrillemanalo.com/

  • Day 20: Akbay

    Ah, I’m back. Let’s go nudging. Today’s brand is something I’ve been seeing a lot– on screen and in the wild.

    Akbay sells these unique 3-way bags with a minimalistic design. You’ve probably seen one of their bags worn by the guy in front of you on the escalator, and you thought,

    “hey what bag is he wearing”.

    I sure have. Couple times already. They’re really eye-catching.

    Now onto their brand. They’re proudly local and I like that.

    I also like what they do on social media. They do the funny skit stuff like everyone, but they’re not just using every joke and bits that are out there. They still have unique takes on their humor.

    But what caught my attention is that they’re telling their story. The CEO’s story. Yes, they do funny stuff, but Akbay has a lot of heart at its core. I think this is the type of biz where the founders are still involved in the marketing side. Really great job.

    Then I looked at their online shop.

    Aw man, the heart and humor weren’t there… Especially on the product descriptions.

    Poor product descriptions. You can always hear them scream, “What about me??”

    So I guess that’s what I’ll try to do here.

    The Axis Multi-Way Bag

    “Look at me. Yes, yes, me. Do I look familiar?

    Yeah… You know I do… We go wayyyy back dude! Look at the shape, the curve at the top. Ako to! The one you always carry on your back before. Hope you don’t blame me for the back pains. But hey, I’ve gotten better! This time, I’ve got your back.”

    This is Axis. Our take on the classic backpack design!

    He took his time to get better. He’s built like a tank (as usual), able to carry whatever you need for the day. But he always felt guilty for those back pains he might’ve given you before.

    Back then, he knew he should be more versatile. Well, he is now– such a lovable stand-up guy.

    Whenever your back needs a break, he’d transform into anything that makes you comfortable. Just look at the pictures!

    The Profile:

    Mileage: Rain or shine, Axis can come with you to keep everything you have safe and dry. And inside? He’s tougher. You could bring your laptop, books, notebook, tumbler, as long as he can keep them in, he won’t easily tear up just because the load is heavy.

    Sexiness: Oh, when the name is Axis, you already know he’s got the goods that match up to yours. Simple but classy. Fresh but familiar. And that suede leather he got going on? That fuzzy, velvety elegance? It’s the icing on the bottom. Really, the kind of dude you can take anywhere and you know he won’t mess with your aura… He’ll expand it.

    Ride-or-die material: Axis says it best. “I’ve got your back”. No need to stress out finding pens, keys, coins, IDs– he got it organized. He also got extra pockets on the side ready for your place-and-pull stuff. Definitely a trusted friend who gives you space. Priceless.

    The heart: Axis had a lot of help to be the buddy that you need. He’s crafted by the hands that have been doing the art of bag making for 12 years. Every stitch, every fabric that was hemmed to perfection, was proudly done by Pilipino artists and makers. He didn’t want to be better just to keep up with the trends; he became a multi-way bag because you deserve a precious and timeless piece that’s always ready to give you a warm Akbay. Kaya, tara…


    Original copy (at the time of revamp):

    Overall: I liked this one. Akbay already has a nice voice and vision, and they also know how to be fun and relatable. So I also gave their product the same stuff. I (literally) gave it a voice and surrounded it with a fun, relatable vibe with a lot of heart. (Although I admit using Tagalog here is a lot better for a more solid branding. They use Tagalog on social media).

    Yes, I didn’t put the measurements and the specific materials, but that could easily be added at the bottom of this product description.

    What I did was to focus on making the bag more valuable.

    The big idea I used here is that the classic backpack we’ve all known and love wanted to be better for its owner.

    See, there’s a story. And a story adds value to anything. When a customer looks the product on your online shop, this is the nudge that you need. It’s now a conversation between the customer and the product. It’s not all about “do I need this product” anymore. It’s now more like “Is this the one I should buy?”

    And when you speak to the customer like this, then you’ll stand out like a 7-footer in a Quezon City crossroad.

    But of course, this will work better if your brand already has a voice and vision.

    If you do, and you think your products or sales message needs to adapt that voice and vision? Click this:

  • Day 19: Breatheasy

    I’ve been seeing a lot from today’s brand, Breatheasy, which is kind of weird. They sell clean replacements for vapes and cigarettes, but I’ve never used either.

    Then I realized, my cousins were talking about quitting smoking recently. That’s probably why the algo’s pushing these ads to me. Makes sense (and really smart!) I’ve mentioned this product to them a couple of times just because I keep seeing it.

    Anyway, enough about their ad strategy. You’re not here for that.

    What I do want to talk about is this: Breatheasy is the first brand I’ve seen with a Tagalog word on their website. LOVE IT. Filipino is beautiful. Maybe I’ll start doing rewrites in Tagalog one of these days. Or maybe today. We’ll see.

    If it fits what they’re trying to do, why not?

    Speaking of which—what are they trying to do? From their copy, I can see they’re going for a ‘friendly concierge’ vibe. Very helpful, but not a lot of personality. You ask, they answer.

    It’s not a bad approach. Clear and direct will never hurt. But for a product that helps people quit smoking? If you connect to the market on a personal level, it could do a lot more.

    Breatheasy Pro Device

    The realest way to quit — but now in a sleek, premium build that helps you stay committed.

    Yes, this is an upgrade to the classic Breatheasy. The most advanced version yet.

    Same promise as before:

    No smoke, no vape, no nicotine. Nothing to recharge, nothing to refill.

    What’s new?

    A medical-grade metal body that feels cool and solid when you pick it up. Sleek enough to slip in your pocket, sturdy enough to remind you you’re actually doing this.

    Because sometimes, cravings still show up on drives, during late nights, or after lunch tambays. Yes, you’re not looking to slip back. You just want something in your hand that helps you stand your ground.

    So you place it between your lips and take a breath. You feel a clean pull of mint, citrus, or something bright settling in your chest. It feels familiar. Only this time, it’s clean. You’re clean.

    That’s why we made it this way.

    You deserve something that feels built to last. Something you can trust, just like you’re learning to trust yourself to keep going until that “kaya ko pala” moment.

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):

    Overall: Can’t place this one. I think it’s because this kind of product is something that you should do a lot of research first, because of the science and all that. And of course, I’m not doing that kind of research for this ✌️I just went with whatever I found on their website and from the little stuff I learned from my cousins.

    I stuck with the friendly and helpful tone, but I placed a lot of personality and a little bit of a familiar feel. This is sometimes what it takes to push people to hit that buy button.


    Total time spent writing: 1 hour. It was a tough one. I kept changing my mind about what angle to take. At first, I wanted to go for a story-focused approach, but I realized a product like this needs its benefits and features highlighted clearly.

    The usual story-based product descriptions work best with commodity-type products. This isn’t a movie where a character tells a random story just to prove a point. You need context.

    That’s also why I didn’t use Tagalog here—except for the word “tambay.” Since the product already has a dedicated product page, dropping Tagalog sentences would feel out of place, and we don’t want that.

    We also don’t want your product pages (or any of your marketing pieces) to feel off. These things need structure and planning.

    I can take that off your plate.

  • Day 18: The Modern Gentleman

    Gah. Missed a day. Busy Sunday. But hey, I said 30 days, not 30 consecutive days…

    Anyway.

    Today’s brand: The Modern Gentleman.

    They’re an e-commerce brand selling those sleek, compact cardholder wallets—the type you get when you’re done with the classic dad wallet. Aeriel gave me one, and honestly, it’s comfortable, sturdy, and I get why people switch.

    Now, about their copy. To be honest, there’s not much going on over at their website. It’s hard to tell what voice or tone they’re aiming for because there’s barely any text. But judging by the name and the aesthetic, they’re going for that manly man vibe. So that’s where I’ll focus.

    The current product description mainly lists features which can work for a product like this. I’d know—I went down the rabbit hole when I was wallet-hunting before.

    Alright, let’s see what we can do here.

    Vintage Dark Blue

    Do not (we repeat, do not) approach the modern gentleman with an offer of just any wallet. He’s a discerning man, a man of quiet confidence.

    The type who believes in the importance of clean shoes and showing up on time. The type who thinks “classic” is a compliment, not a constraint.

    But even he knows that times change.

    If the world asks him to adapt? He does. But without losing who he is. 

    When it comes to what he carries, he still values tradition. But now, he wants it without the bulk. He doesn’t need to announce he cares for craftsmanship, or that he knows the feel of good leather.

    If he sees it’s made from cowhide leather? He doesn’t need to ask much.

    He just needs to feel it in his hand and slip it into his pocket. Sometimes, he just knows when something will last.

    Because for him, it’s simple: as he steps forward, he carries only what matters, without letting go of where he’s been.

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):


    Absolute Black

    He didn’t plan on replacing it.

    The old wallet had been with him for a decade. Through first apartments and first promotions, bus rides home after long days, receipts from dinners he could finally afford, and the quiet pride of paying for coffee without checking his balance.

    The leather was worn, and the color dulled from years in his pocket. But it had held up. And that mattered to him.

    Because he’s the kind of man who believes in things that last, the one who knows that good leather isn’t just about how it looks on day one. It’s all about how it ages.

    So when it was finally time, he didn’t rush. Because when it comes to the important decisions, he chooses what’s absolute.

    That’s when he found it.

    Cowhide, absolute black. The kind of leather that softens with years, not months. The kind that earns its place in your pocket—and stays there.

    Because for him, it’s simple: If it’s going to be with him every day, it better be built to last.

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):

    Overall: It’s nice. Because there’s not much message and personality on the website, aside from the instant market filter of the name “The Modern Gentleman,” I went all in on painting a picture of a gentleman.

    If you look at the typical product descriptions for wallets and card holders, most brands just rattle off “premium leather, slim profile, functional slots.” Nothing wrong with that. In fact this is what The Modern Gentleman has on their website.

    But it’s flat. It doesn’t make you feel anything.

    What I did here, as usual, was I framed it as something more meaningful. Like a “companion in a man’s journey,” something that earns its place in your pocket and your life.

    And since the features are straight to the point, you can pretty much just add them after this, and boom, you already have a complete product description.


    Total time spent on writing: 50 minutes. Wrote this one pretty fast because again, I was part of their market. I can see exactly the type of people who’ll buy this. Not just the manly men, or the gentlemen. These are the kinds of wallets you’d give to your dad, husband, or boyfriend. Someone close to you.

    So when they read that story, they see him in it. Or themselves.

    Again, it’s about deepening the story and sharpening the message. Only this time, it came faster because I could pretty much just describe myself, or my papa, or my kuya.

    Wallets matter to us the way your time matters to you.

    So let me take care of making your product felt—so you can focus on everything else you need to do.

    Send me a message if you want your product stories to resonate like this.

  • Day 17: Suroy Wear

    I caught something new for today’s challenge: Suroy Wear. This clothing line wants to tell stories in every piece, which is my kind of thing.

    They have this ‘optimistic missionary’ kind of voice. Perfect for the designs they create. When you spend time on their website, you’ll see what they want to do. They want to share stories, and their designs represent the beauty and culture of the Philippines. Again, my kind of thing.

    Which leads us to their product description. They technically have 2. One is like a teaser, and then the other, a full description that tells a story behind the design. Nice. But I think I’m just gonna rewrite them as a single long piece.

    Now, you might think,

    “So what’s he gonna do if Suroy already has the story in the description?”

    Ha! I asked myself the same question.

    Well, let’s find out what the hello I’m gonna do.

    Island Series – 7641 Islands Tee

    Scientists say that it takes millions of years to form an archipelago. Millions of years of collisions and eruptions just to scatter a handful of islands across the ocean.

    And 15 million years ago, under what’s now the Pacific Ocean, that’s exactly what happened.

    Nature started a story.

    The Earth cracked, and mountains rose. Then, over time, slowly but relentlessly, a new archipelago emerged from the sea.

    It’s not one island. Not ten. There are thousands. Each island, a product of nature and time.

    Today, we count 7,641 of them. It’s called the Philippines.

    Every single one of them has a story waiting to be told. Every single one has a whisper of adventure calling.

    This shirt is a quiet tribute to that history.

    A shirt to remember an eons-old storyline that birthed not just natural wonders in the Philippine Archipelago, but colorful cultures and wonderful people above all else.

    The design.

    We kept it simple:

    • On the back, a clean map design with subtle wave details to show the result of nature’s artistry that took eons to make.
    • Above it, the coordinates of the archipelago’s center: 12°N, 121°E. Numbers and letters that symbolize home.
    • And in front, over the heart: 7641. Figures that mark where we’re at in the story that keeps on growing.

    The purpose.

    The 7641 Island Tee is soft, breathable, and unisex—made for movement, made for meaning.

    It’s meant to be worn on the trail, at the airport, or during quiet moments at home. Whatever activity, this is a reminder of the pride of being a part of this majestic story still unfolding.

    (click here to see the original copy)

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):

    Overall: Man, this is a challenging one. But I love how it turned out. If you looked at the original copy made by Suroy, there’s already a story.

    They already did a nice job engraving a vibe on their product. Then that vibe matches well with their brand story. Really like that.

    So, back to the question, how else should I improve this?

    Simple, by improving the story and the message.

    The existing copy makes the shirt more than a shirt. It painted it as a symbol of pride. A lot better than most brands are doing out there.

    So what I did with my version is to elevate that message. Instead of just “wearing a symbol of pride,” I made it “wearing it to symbolize that I’m a part of something beautiful and bigger than me.”

    And that way, for me, it just elevates the product.

    Nice right?


    Total time spent writing: 2 hours. Yup. It’s freakin hard to improve what’s already effective. I honestly thought of finding a new brand in the middle of drafting. But my competitiveness kicked in, so I managed to push through.

    I think it took me this long because I have a lot of ideas that I wanted to put in, but don’t know where to put them. So again, I had to scrap and rewrite a bunch.

    (Plus, it’s the weekend. My mind just wanted to turn on some movies.)

    Anyway, the lesson I preached here is a really valuable one. Something high-level. (I learned it from top-tier marketers.) So if you could apply it to your “commodity” products, it’s really worth testing out. But if a writer like me took 2 hours to write just one product, then you’d better ask for assistance. Someone who knows how to do it.

  • Day 16: Lunas PH

    This brand is quite aggressive with its ads. I’ve been seeing them since I did the Pilates gym a couple days ago, but it’s the first time that they popped up first. So here we are.

    I’m talking about Lunas. They’re an e-commerce brand selling therapeutic items. You know, products that are meant to bring the spa into your home.

    Honestly, I didn’t quite get their voice and tone. And I think that’s because of the lack of personality. I mean, the message is there, like they want peace and relaxation to be around, but I didn’t really buy it because they bombarded me with benefits. It was too much for me.

    What I kinda like, tho is their product page. They have proofs, they have stories. So I think I don’t really need to highlight stuff on the description.

    The whole page does the selling in this case.

    Trigger Points® Acupressure Set

    No one knows your body more than you do. Until now.

    The Trigger Points® Acupressure Set is designed to hit where it hurts. But it won’t hurt for long.

    It knows your body well enough to press on the precise points that need it most. Then, it stimulates them. It holds the spot that banishes the pain in your back and your neck.

    When you think that’s enough, its 6,700 pressure points are always there, ready to drain away the stress. Every point, every squeeze, made to tease out those endorphins that tell you ‘everything’s going to be fine’.

    Then comes the cherry on top. Wrapped in flax so soft it could whisper to your skin, packed with coconut fiber that cradles you, firm and earthy. This doesn’t just hold you, it grounds you.

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):


    Alona™ Smart Cupper

    Any bed can be a massage bed on the beaches of Siargao.

    But only if you have this.

    The Alona® Smart Cupper loves to be on spots that ache. It wants to hold them and tell them it’s okay to let go.

    If this thing could talk, it would be your new best friend.

    But we’re not there yet. Just enjoy how it melts stiff necks and tired backs, how it butters up the blood to flow where it’s been stuck, how it smooths out the knots that keep you up at night.

    In short, all it knows to do right now is to make you feel light again. That’s why it’s on your side when you battle colds, headaches, and rough sleep. If there’s something your body doesn’t need, it wants to flush it out. 

    Because both of you know what matters most: feeling good. As good as a sweet, tender massage in Siargo. 

    (click here to see the original copy)

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):

    Overall: It’s pretty okay. Again, I let my imagination run wild here. I based everything on the existing product description. Instead of straight up describing and laying out every single benefit, I painted a picture. 

    I’ve built a connection with the buyer by teasing how they’ll feel when they use the products. It sets the tone and brings the emotion. Because you want the emotion to come first, and then follow it up with logic. Which turned out pretty good because they already took care of the logic part of buying with the rest of the product page


    Total time spent writing: 47 minutes. Another quick turnaround. Again, I didn’t need to write so much for this one. The existing product description already has A LOT of benefits, so it’s just a matter of laying them out creatively. 

    This shows that giving out benefits instead of features is not enough. You still have to figure out how to execute it well and weave in personality. This is another deeper knowledge for you, dear biz owner. And you know what? I still have a lot of that in the bag. I could use them for your biz when you need it. Just let me know.

  • Day 15: Burst Creative Studio

    I was just talking to Aeriel about potentially hiring help for product photography yesterday, and then this brand showed up. That was quick, Meta.

    I’m talking about Burst Creative Studio. They’re an all-around media partner and service provider. Like, really all-around. They rent out studios for shoots, take care of your social media content, and even cover events.

    When you visit their website, you’ll get what they do right away. They have this direct-to-the-point, no BS voice and tone on their message, which is good. But I think it could use more personality.

    Being clear and professional is solid, but adding personality? That’s what makes people care.

    Content Creation and Social Media Management

    Your brand is awesome, but you need the right eyes to see it. We plan, create, and manage content that attracts those eyes. It’s a structured approach that embraces your authenticity and stays attuned to your audience. It’s the digital presence you need. But without the burnout.

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):


    Product Photography

    Videos hook people in, but images sell your products. We know how to make them look their absolute best. Simply submit your products, we’ll talk about it, we’ll work on it, then we’ll give you ready-to-use and ready-to-convert marketing assets.

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):


    Creative Studio Rental

    Creativity doesn’t wait for the perfect place. But if it did, this would be it. A state-of-the-art studio. Top-tier equipment and resources. Staffed by seasoned industry pros. This is where creative ideas come to life.

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):


    Event Coverage

    In every event, there’s a different energy, a different vibe. Whether you’re the event planner or a plus one, we want you to feel it and be part of it. In case you need to remember, worry not. We’ll deliver a polished product that tells the story of that night.

    Original copy (at the time of copy):

    Overall: It’s okay. My general goal with Burst is to add the personality, and I think I did it here. I wanted to keep the voice of a “direct-to-the-point professional,” so I didn’t put any twist on the service title.

    Instead, the main focus of the revamp was placed on making the reader feel like the brand will take a lot of weight off their shoulders. I wanted to make them feel like ‘Burst Creative Studio takes it from here, just do your thing, be creative.’


    Total time spent on writing: 55 minutes. Pretty quick, since all I really did was layer on what was already there.

    I wanted to include more specific benefits—like what the service covers or what the process looks like—but those details weren’t on the current site. And of course, I’m not one to make things up.

    That kind of info would make a big difference, tho. Adding just a bit of structure to the service descriptions wouldn’t just save your team time when talking to clients—it would also build trust with every visitor who lands on the page.

    Because in any biz, the most important currency (next to cash) is trust. Earn them, and that cash will slide down your pocket without extra hitch.

    I happen to know how to do that through writing marketing pieces. If you need it, slide down my email.

  • Day 14: Flowerstore.ph

    Today’s brand has been a staple on my feed. Flowerstore.ph. They’re everywhere on regular days, then turn into an omniscient entity on Valentine’s.

    I think everybody who wants to give a gift to somebody has seen this brand at least once… A day.

    Okay, you get the joke.

    Anyway, they already have a nice message going on each product. I actually like it because, although their brand sells “show me a picture” type of product, they still put an effort to write clearly and with enough details.

    That got me thinking…

    What do I write when all the customers want to see is how the item looks? AND it already has a good description.

    Let’s see.

    Pixie Dream

    Not every date is a romantic night with a candlelit dinner. Sometimes, the most memorable ones are the ones without plans.

    Spontaneous coffee runs. Takeouts from your favorite burger place. Sharing fries, sitting on the floor, wondering if it’s too soon to say, “I really like you.”

    This bouquet fits those nights perfectly.

    A casual gesture with real feelings behind it.

    No pressure. No grand speeches. Just something pretty to hold while she laughs at your terrible song choices.

    Something nice. Something sweet.

    Our Pixie Dreams have 3 white pingpong blooms—clean, round, charmingly awkward, and 3 pink carnations—sweet and soft (in the best way). Height is approximately 19 inches (48cm). Just right to have something adorable to hold.

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):


    Beautiful You (12 Roses)

    Nothing beats the classics when you’re trying to go for romantic. And nothing’s more classic than 12 red roses.

    12 just makes every gesture more romantic.

    Yes, twelve..

    Not one. One is “I panicked.”

    Not three. That’s a graduation bouquet.

    Not six. That’s just a sweet surprise.

    Twelve.

    Because twelve means you meant it.

    Hand them over on a random Tuesday, or just ask her sister to place them on her bed — no explanations, no words, just 1 dozen gorgeous red roses — she’ll get it.

    But in case she asks, just say, “One for every hour I missed you today.”

    Now that’s romantic.

    Beautiful You, of course, has 12 gorgeous red roses with rose eucalyptus leaves. It stands at 19 inches tall. Not towering. But definitely expressive.

    Original copy (at the time of revamp):

    Overall: I think it turned out fine. This is quite different from most product descriptions. Since picking flowers is naturally a visual activity, I didn’t try to paint a picture of the flower. Instead, I painted a scene. (I was heavily inspired by a brand called J. Peterman and their awesome product stories.)

    This way, as the customer examines the beauty of each bouquet, they can imagine a scenario where they’re giving the gift and everything feels right. That’s what will push them to buy.


    Total time spent writing: 1 hour. I channeled my inner Mr. Romantico for this one. I’m not an expert on flowers, I just let my imagination take the wheel.

    You know what I did? I stared at both bouquets for a while… then asked myself ,

    “Just based on how they look, when’s the best time to give this kind to Aeriel?”

    I saw her face, and I knew it right away.

    She really makes everything easier.

    But you know who else makes everything easier? Me. 😌

    You’ve got a million things on your plate. If you ever need help writing your marketing pieces — the sweet stuff and the “OMG I’m sold” kind of stuff — let me hear from you.