WayneSpeak

Happy Campers: Life, Love and Communicatin' at the 2011 AIGA Austin Design Ranch

2011-04-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

I had no idea what to expect from my "Copy Around the Campfire" workshops at the 2011 AIGA Austin Design Ranch. I had hopes. I had fears. I had not a lot of planning. But I had an idea.The premise was as simple: There are parallels between copywriting and country music lyrics. And I figured that by writing a catchy little ditty about logo revisions or a love song to a typeface, graphic designers

A Good Sandwich Was Had by All

2011-02-23T12:03:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone who packed the Clampitt Creative Center for yesterday's DSVC Working Lunch. Good times. For those who couldn't attend, couldn't write fast enough or were too busy chewing, stay tuned for a recap.Mean time, please allow me to shamelessly plug my upcoming workshop:"Write More Good"The Smart Center Santa FeMay 30 - June 1, 2011Click here for detailsNext, please take a moment to

"Why Go to Santa Fe," and Other Ridiculous Questions

2011-02-09T05:11:00.000-08:00

1. "Why should I sign up for Wayne Geyer's copywriting workshop at The Smart Center Santa Fe?" Because you value the relationship between words and images. Because you believe in honing your craft. And because you believe in the power of design as a means of communicating.2. "Why should I fork over my hard-earned cash to sit in a meeting room and write for three days?"Because the meeting room is

De-jargonize Your Writing The Wayne Geyer Way!

2010-11-11T07:25:00.000-08:00

In December 2008, I visited Detroit to discuss jargon with a group of business communicators. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves in writing — and apparently I'm not alone. The room was filled with sole proprietors and marketing directors eager to strengthen their brands and free their communication from the clutter of jargon. This is a summary of our meeting. Jargon: What is

The Other Reason: Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.

2010-10-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

There are lots of reasons to go to the 2011 AIGA Austin Design Ranch. Odds are you know several of them. But if you're like me, you're discovering new ones every day.This evening I poked around Kennedy Prints! — the online home of workshop leader Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.I have no idea how Mr. Kennedy plans to haul a Vandercook 325G to the Texas hill country, and I don't care. I'm good with just

A Bunch of Rock Stars (and Wayne Geyer)

2010-10-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

AIGA Austin Design Ranch announced its workshop leaders for 2011. Also, registration is officially open.Details here.As a presenter, I was just as excited to see the list as any soon-to-be-participant. I'm in great company.

Hot Diggity Dadgummed Dog!

2010-09-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

Howdy, Folks!I'm pleased to announce that I've been invited to lead a creativity workshop at the 2011 AIGA Austin Design Ranch.Read all about it here. And mark your calendar for April 14–17, 2011.Registration begins October 1, 2010 — so go ahead and start figuring out what you're gonna tell your boss.This is the 11th year for the Design Ranch, and it draws about 150 attendees. Past workshop

Hello, IADT San Antonio

2010-05-10T13:41:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to announce that I've been invited to give a lecture and host a workshop at the International Academy of Design and Technology in San Antonio.It's good to see a graphic design program devoting valuable time and resources to the importance of writing in the communications process. As communicators, it's our responsibility to convey messages as clearly and directly as possible — using

Thanks a Lot, Economy

2010-03-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to once again EXTEND THE DEADLINE for the "Write More Good" workshop at The Smart Center Santa Fe!Of course, we know we have to contact Smart Center founder Jack Sprague directly to discuss special late registration terms. But hey, that's just an opportunity to talk to a live human about a fantastic continuing education program in scenic New Mexico!Thanks to

Extended Deadline for The Smart Center Workshop

2010-03-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

The Smart Center Santa Fe will allow late registration for "Write More Good" until FRIDAY, MARCH 5.Just register here before Friday.Hope to see you there.

Good Grammar Costs Nothing (Almost)

2010-02-25T13:18:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have yet to sign up for a "Write More Good" copywriting workshop (like the one at The Smart Center Santa Fe June 21–25), here's a bit of free knowledge from me to you. For those who've already made a financial commitment to improving your writing skills, don't worry. We don't cover this stuff much in the workshop, so you'll still get your money's worth with tons of fresh

We Still Can't Describe What We Do for a Living

2010-02-17T14:23:00.000-08:00

In my bio, I introduce myself as (among other things) a "creative problem-solver." Sometimes, I think of my job as that of a "commercial translator" — sort of like an interpreter at a UN meeting. In my lectures, I describe myself (and you) as "a communicator". Here's an interesting take from another copywriter and creative director, Austin Howe. In his book, "Designers Don't Read" (see

Refer a Friend, Get $50. How's That for a Headline?

2010-02-05T04:51:00.000-08:00

Refer a friend, coworker or colleague to the "Write More Good" workshop, and Wayne Geyer will send you a $50 gift card from the retailer of your choice.Just email Wayne Geyer with your friend's name and contact information. Your friend just needs to sign up, attend the workshop and verify your existence.Budgets are tight, so not everyone can make the trip to Santa Fe. But chances are, you know a

I Signed Up for "Write More Good," and All I Got Was This Awesome Free Book!

2010-02-01T13:35:00.000-08:00

Sign up for the "Write More Good" workshop before February 15th, and receive your choice of one book from Wayne's recommended reading list (right-hand column of this blog).Books will be delivered after the workshop (meaning you have to show up to claim your book).Just sign up, and we'll work out the details.And stay tuned for more incentives!

Why Take a Copywriting Workshop in Santa Fe?

2010-01-28T08:15:00.000-08:00

Visual Communicators:1. Show off for your clients. Prove to them that it's not all about decoration. Give them great-looking work that's strategically sound.2. Lose the fear of the blank Word document. Learn tips and techniques for solving creative problems verbally — one baby step at a time.3. It's in Santa Fe.Marketing Professionals:1. Make better connections with your customers. Focus your

Okay, So There's This Workshop...

2010-01-26T20:28:00.000-08:00

Those who have just now found this blog probably did so because they've learned about some guy named Wayne Geyer giving a copywriting workshop at someplace called The Smart Center Santa Fe.That's me. It's my workshop. And this is a blog about it.Basically, I think I'll try posting about the content and structure of the workshop as it develops. And, if the comments are... ahem... robust... you

Wayne Geyer at The Smart Center Santa Fe

2010-01-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

Workshop Details Betsy Ehrenberg, marketing and admin