The Up Side of Mailings-Brent Brotine

Unsolicited mail? Brent Brotine knows there is an upside to all the print and Internet mailings being sent out. The pieces are being sent more frequently, are longer in length, and are more plentiful. That means more words.

The interview with Brent Brotine has been posted at WaukTOWN Radio.

It’s all terrific news to Brent. As a freelance direct mail copywriter for financial and other markets, Brent is the person who puts the words down on paper that entice a prospective consumer to respond. He says there are some good opportunities available in direct market (DM) for writers. But, even though more mailings may mean more writing opportunities, a good portfolio is what gets you the job, according to Brent.

But how do you get the samples to show the samples to get the work?

A good place to start to gather samples is to work for a temporary agency, Brent said. He mentioned Artisan, Paladin, Copy Desk, and City Staffing as possible companies to consider. He also suggested the Independent Writer’s of Chicago (IWOC) as a resource. IWOC has meetings and presentations for writers to network and gather information, plus a job board that is only open to members.

Brent is a past president of IWOC and also teaches public relations for the University of Phoenix. While developing portfolio samples, Brent said it’s still important to remember the basics and make sure your skills are polished. Grammar skills and clear writing are always the foundation of any piece, he said, no mater if the material is for DM or new media.