When my friend emailed me about his recent Craigslist posting (he deleted it but basically it just said "gold ring for sale"), asking if I had any advice about changes he should make, I'm sure he had no idea what he was up against.
Change the title to include Antique and Vintage. Maybe retro too? Think key words! Make it funny. "I'm so broke I'm pawning my dead grandmothers ring. Help a brother out." Make it sad. "I just lost my job. I'm so broke I'm pawning my death grandmothers ring. Help a desperate person out." Make it human. "I'm so broke I'm pawning my death grandmothers ring. Oh the humanity."
When he replied back that it wasn't really antique and that he didn't want to lie, well, I couldn't let that stand. It's not lying. It's marketing! Who says stuff from the 80s isn't antique? Not me. Old, antique. It's all semantics.
So I went ahead and made a new and improved version. Can I interest anyone in a retro cocktail ring once worn by someone's dead grandmother? Anyone, anyone, Bueller?
Holy moley - that's quite the many rocks. I actually like it a lot but would have to have a major bake sale to fund that one. I'm sure someone else will love it. Sweet ad by the way ...
Posted by: Katy | Tuesday, 27 November 2007 at 04:10 PM
Really? I'm not a fan. Then again I'm not really into sparkley things because they're super awesome at destroying sweaters, if you're klutzy like I am. Plus, it has 80s written all over it. (No offense dead grandma. P.S. You have an awesome grandson.)
Posted by: sprizee | Tuesday, 27 November 2007 at 04:17 PM
Your talent is much too great for slinging computer thingies or whatever. You should become a copywriter for people's eBay or CL entries. I'd love to see what you could do with the personals section.
Posted by: kirk | Tuesday, 27 November 2007 at 04:21 PM
That sounds like an awesome job. Where do I apply?
Posted by: sprizee | Tuesday, 27 November 2007 at 04:22 PM
I need a laugh, very funny. It's true about the sweaters.
Posted by: Chris | Tuesday, 27 November 2007 at 05:07 PM
HAHAH:
they're super awesome at destroying sweaters
It sorta reminds me of a ring I found in a Pizza Hut in Baton Rouge when I was 16. I bet it's still sitting on my dresser back home.
Posted by: sally simpleton | Wednesday, 28 November 2007 at 12:26 AM
sprizee, you had me at marketing.
Posted by: JohnnyDc | Wednesday, 28 November 2007 at 04:40 AM
Damn, you're good.
Posted by: chez shoes | Wednesday, 28 November 2007 at 03:02 PM
It is ALL about semantics!
You did a beautiful job. Now I need help selling my dining room table. ha ha
Posted by: Eunice | Wednesday, 28 November 2007 at 03:16 PM