Garth
December 12, 2006, 02:53 PM
There's a joke about old age... thank goodness it doesn't last forever!
then there's the joke about death...it's not funny
Anyway,
Many say Hugh Massingbird (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obituary) was the king of obituary copywriting.
It is even said that Massingbird's own obit should've won a Golden Casket (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/03/08/db0803.xml).
It's beautifully written with wit and compassion.
I just love the crack about American arrogance!
I don't know if other countries get into obits but it seems Americans and most especially the British get into to it.
Probably can learn a thing or two about copywriting as you read the masters like Massingbird.
But that's not all..maybe you can make a business out of it as well.
Maybe Dien has brought this up in his newsletter but some thoughts came to mind.
How about a hotsheet solely dedicated to celebrity obits?
Or,
How about a business as an Online Obituary Concierge? (http://www.wikihow.com/Share-Your-Obituary-With-Your-Online-Friends)
Speaking of death and jokes I came across a good book on a dead man where you could write in his obit that his mentors were Borat And Dale Carnegie (http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0671751085?tag2=santannajams).
Yes, it's Lenny Bruce again. Don't you love how they twisted the classic Dale Carnegie book title and turned it blue but yet seems highly relevant doesn't it?
It's a good read especially if you want to learn about the background for his wit. Pay attention to his jokes about religion and Ray Charles I cracked up!
Can you imagine if he were alive today?
He would've twisted Bush so Blue even Blue Cross Blue Shield couldn't nurse him back to health.
Finally obits can be a great way to grab attention for your product now of course you'll be dead but hey if you write a good one you could set your offspring up for a nice royalty check.
Here's an audio clip on NPR about the Beer Orgy Obit (http://www.obitcentral.com/obitsearch/ssdi.htm) that got a popular bar lots of publicity.
then there's the joke about death...it's not funny
Anyway,
Many say Hugh Massingbird (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obituary) was the king of obituary copywriting.
It is even said that Massingbird's own obit should've won a Golden Casket (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/03/08/db0803.xml).
It's beautifully written with wit and compassion.
I just love the crack about American arrogance!
I don't know if other countries get into obits but it seems Americans and most especially the British get into to it.
Probably can learn a thing or two about copywriting as you read the masters like Massingbird.
But that's not all..maybe you can make a business out of it as well.
Maybe Dien has brought this up in his newsletter but some thoughts came to mind.
How about a hotsheet solely dedicated to celebrity obits?
Or,
How about a business as an Online Obituary Concierge? (http://www.wikihow.com/Share-Your-Obituary-With-Your-Online-Friends)
Speaking of death and jokes I came across a good book on a dead man where you could write in his obit that his mentors were Borat And Dale Carnegie (http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0671751085?tag2=santannajams).
Yes, it's Lenny Bruce again. Don't you love how they twisted the classic Dale Carnegie book title and turned it blue but yet seems highly relevant doesn't it?
It's a good read especially if you want to learn about the background for his wit. Pay attention to his jokes about religion and Ray Charles I cracked up!
Can you imagine if he were alive today?
He would've twisted Bush so Blue even Blue Cross Blue Shield couldn't nurse him back to health.
Finally obits can be a great way to grab attention for your product now of course you'll be dead but hey if you write a good one you could set your offspring up for a nice royalty check.
Here's an audio clip on NPR about the Beer Orgy Obit (http://www.obitcentral.com/obitsearch/ssdi.htm) that got a popular bar lots of publicity.
