REALTOR^® University and the National Association of REALTORS^® partnered with Sandstorm’s Drupal development team to build their first ever master’s degree program. The web site was developed through a combination of marketing messaging, copywriting, tagline development, user interface design and implementation of the Drupal 7 CMS. Featured on the homepage are rotating graphics emphasizing the core advantages the university offers. We are so excited to announce this launch!

A recognizable voice and tone is as important to the brand identity as the logo. Think about Allstate, for example. You always know an ad is theirs long before you see their logo. That’s the brand in the copy. On your web site, blog, brochure and other marketing materials, the copywriting should capture your differentiator in the marketplace. Your content should reflect any marketing objectives and initiatives currently in place. (Are you reaching out to new audiences or offering new services? Is your voice changing to speak more directly to these new objectives?) And, of course, the voice and tone should be consistent.

To insure we build a complete brand, our copywriters are vital members of the marketing and creative teams here at Sandstorm Design. They work directly with designers during the branding phases, giving each company’s unique identity a unified presence—in the visual elements, the marketing copywriting, and everything in between.

We’re Hiring – Looking for an exceptional wordsmith who is a strategic thinker with a creative mind. User-experience marketing agency is looking for a talented and motivated full-time copywriter. Must play well with others and be willing to work in a team atmosphere to create unique, vibrant and strategic online and offline experiences. Some current projects include website writing and strategy, blog writing, ads and direct mail campaigns, marketing collateral, and conducting interviews. PR and social media experience a plus.

Applicant must be versatile and able to take on everything from script writing for an upcoming online experience to Facebook ads. Excellent grammar skills and proofreading abilities required. Must be a great communicator, and able to work directly with clients. Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years experience required.

Our firm is a thriving interactive agency with great clients in a variety of industries. Our team is a dedicated and hardworking bunch that enjoys witty banter, free snacks and takes the annual guacamole contest very seriously. Other perks of the job are 401k, profit sharing, health insurance, two paid volunteer days and birthdays are paid holidays! We are only steps away from the Metra and Brown lines.

If you are up for the challenge please send your cover letter, resume, writing samples and salary requirements to jobs@sandstormdesign.com with “Chicago Copywriter” in the subject. These materials are required for consideration. Local candidates only. No phone calls please.

If you truly love the freelance lifestyle and have excellent verbal and written skills with an agency point-of-view, email your resume, writing samples and hourly rate to jobs@sandstormdesign.com with ‘Chicago Contract Copywriter’ in the subject line.

Chicago area copywriters only, we need our freelancers to work on site at our office in Lakeview. Please, No Phone Calls. No Recruiters.

You can check out some of my work here:
http://www.karikuy.org/blog/

What attracted me most to the organization is that they truly want people to experience what life is like in Peru; and see, smell, touch, taste and hear everything that Peru has to offer. This is really rare in the tourism world, as most companies and organizations put their focus on Machu Picchu and the famous Inca Trail. And since Julio, the Program Director, is a native, he shares with the volunteers all of the hidden gems and lesser-known aspects of the Peruvian landscape, culture and life. (For instance, I learned that Peruvians are incredibly superstitious. The will not eat fish after 3pm (convinced it is no longer fresh), and believe that a red sunset means that there is going to be an earthquake.)

One of the greatest parts of the program was the people I was able to meet and share my travels with. There was not a single person I met that I didn’t like or have loads in common with. This was especially true with Elle, my roommate, who ironically enough also works for a boutique marketing and interactive firm specializing in user-centered design…all the way in Australia! :)

Overall, the experience was extremely rewarding and educational. I was able to familiarize myself with a country and a people in a way I never would have been able to on a typical vacation…and my life is forever changed for the better as a result.

Many people ask me where Sandstorm came from. I should come up with a highly conceptual meaning, but that’s not how it happened. Sandstorm was a nickname of mine from college so I went with it because it was fun yet strong, spontaneous and energetic. Plus my maiden name was very difficult to pronounce, spell and remember. When I started the company in 1998 I had no idea that someday I would have an incredible agency filled with Sandstormers. Still wows me today.

Coming to our web site soon. :)

I’m talking web site copy for the clients of our marketing and web design firm. We’ll beg, we’ll plead, we’ll keep our fingers crossed – just for the opportunity to write the content. And here is the number one reason why… so we can hit our deadlines.When we meet with a new client and they ask “What do you see that will hold up our deadline?” I’ll respond, start writing your content.

To help with this, we’re starting to put together content templates to help mitigate the random copywriting we get when multiple SME’s write for the same company. Erin Kissane wrote a great blog entry on content templates that goes into detail on how to use them. Thanks Erin!

Onward and upward at our marketing and web design firm! Congrats Holly :)