Copywriter in UAE completes four years of advertising blogging January 27, 2010
Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising , trackbackIt’s a special day for CopywriterJournalist.com – one of the first English advertising and copywriting blogs in the Middle East. My blog. Today this blog has completed four fruitful years.
This blog started its journey on 26 January 2006. Then, 98 posts and more than 2800 comments later, it’s still going strong.
The Guardian, UK has cited this blog. Regional ad publications and editors follow my blog and stories. Most have approached me to write for them at one point or another – and often, I have.
I was the first blogger to receive an official Press Accreditation for Cannes Awards managed Dubai Lynx, a great win for the ad blogging community in the Middle East. Numerous requests for insights, comment, reports, research and collaboration came my way through this blog.
There was even a time when I had to remove my telephone number from the pages here because my colleagues at work found my incoming calls ‘disturbing’. Needless to say – I loved it. To me, it is proof that my copy works. And I am always happy to help an ad friend in need.
My readers usually got immediate responses over the phone and as I write this, I think I have answered more than a thousand comments on my blog. Hard work? Yes. Waste of time, definitely not.
During these four years, creatives found jobs through this blog. Companies found talent. Freshers got guidance. Researchers picked up useful nuggets. Ad veterans found a place to share their wisdom. And rant too. Freelancers found amazing gigs.
Spammers found another place to sell more Viagra – but of course got caught by my spam filter. Sorry guys – I don’t need it. Yet.
Advertising icons of our time honoured this blog with their comments and feedback. People like the copywriting legend and Booker-nominated Indra Sinha and Drayton Bird – the king of Direct Marketing. I am humbled!
All of this has been possible thanks to you, dear readers.
Most blogs die when passion demands its price – hard, gruelling, selfless commitment. My posts were few and far between too at times when I just didn’t have the time.
But you, dear reader, kept coming back to my blog. Reading, commenting, checking if all was well. And asking for more.
You made me come back and write for you – and I was happy to do so. Even during the days when my personal life was falling apart and my career was going through its most challenging year. You kept the faith. So, I did too.
Thank you.
Here’s my tribute to you – your feedback and comments on my copywriting blog <— click here to read
As for all those people who thought I was a fool spending too much time on this ‘blogging thing’, here’s my answer to why I blog and hope to continue doing so…
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And in passing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;Footprints that perhaps another
Sailing over life’s solemn main
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother
Seeing, shall take heart again.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Dear readers, once again, thank you for keeping this blog and me going… stay that way!
As always – your comments are invited and looked forward to – comment on this post by clicking here
farrukh
Comments»
Hi Farrukh,
Ive only recently discovered your blog, and have been checking it every few days; you are right to be proud its a great resource for people like me. I sent you an email a while back about some tips or contacts for a young English copywriter to get some work out there but so far there has been no reply. I know you are a busy dude, and you probably get a lot of emails, but I was just wondering if you had a chance to read it yet. If not, shall I send it again?
Anyway, I just wanted to give you my congratulations on your website, and commend you for the time you spend helping and giving advice to total strangers.
Hi Henry,
I try to answer all my emails. But some slip by or get filtered by my overworked spam filter.
Have been busy setting up my consulting business.
It’d be great if you could please resend me your email please.
Always glad to help – creative people are fraternity to me, not total strangers
farrukh
Hi Farrukh,
It is with astounding surprise I discovered your blog. I am overwhelmed at your success and reaching heights so far. To be frank I was trying to find a source from the middle east to break into a freelancing as a technical/content/creative writer. I had been an established writer myself with a few credits (will send you if you shown any interest). But I got your site the first to appear on google. I don’t regret that at all, but rather feel good to see a good writer on the prowl. Good work. Keep it up. I would be elated to hear from you.
Hi Farrukh,
You have a fantastic blog.
After breaking out of the corporate world, I am just starting out as a freelance copywriter in Dubai. Are there any SEO copywriting courses you can recommend in Dubai?
Thanks!
Shane
Hi Farrukh,
Great post and loved to hear that how successful your blog became and I am happy to be one of those “Early Reader” for http://www.copywriterjournalist.com wishing you all the best and will peep time to time to experience the wordsmith magic here. Between wish to see you at Dubai Lynx this year:)
Regards
Mahi
Hi Farrukh,
I’m a trainee Journalist from Aberdeen, UK. I lived in Abu Dhabi for a couple of years during my school days and my father still works out there.
I’m considering a job in the UAE and was wondering if you could give me some pointers on what to look for?
This is the first time I’ve come across your blog but you seem to be doing great work. Any reply would be great.
Thanks!
Kyle Sinclair
Hey Farrukh,
I just read your blog, and must appreciate your input.
I look forward to reading more from your end.
Cheers,
Hetal
.
I was just looking for some good blogs through Google and I found yours. I can find much stuff here for me but I have waited too long for your next post. When is that expected?
Thanks for your visit Sara – I’m back, replying to comments first.
Thanks Hetal – I am glad if my inputs helped you in some way.
Hi Kyle,
I went to school in Abu Dhabi too. I’d think you could try The National newspaper. ITP, Motivate and MediaQuest would be the places to go for magazine journalism.
farrukh
Hey Mahi – yes, you are one of the earliest readers of this blog. We met because of this blog. Had been in India to celebrate fatherhood so missed the Dubai Lynx for the first time since it first started. Hope you had a good time there.
Hi Shane,
I think you’d be wasting your money on a SEO copywriting course in Dubai. Better, invest in an online SEO community, forum or masterminds group.
Also, I recommend keeping an eye on internet marketers like Howie Shwartz for SEO. Paid courses and programs but worth it.
farrukh
Hi David,
Do send me links to your work at farrukh.copywriter(at)gmail – I am building a team of writers currently.
farrukh