To cut my teeth as a copywriter, I found a site where I could write and sell radio & podcast ads for local businesses and national brands.
Below are a few of my favorite examples of the ones that sold.
(NOTE: Per NDA agreements, all business names had to be removed. I plugged in fake names where necessary to keep the read clean.)
"ACHOO"
PERSONAL INJURY LAW, 15 second radio ad
SOUND EFFECT: Recording booth atmosphere.
VOICE ACTOR (V.O.)
--Again, that number is One eight hundred "Ouch Law--"
--Again, that number is One eight hundred "Ouch Law--"
SOUND EFFECT: Voice actor SNEEZES.
VOICE ACTOR (V.O.)
Sorry, can we take it from the top?
Sorry, can we take it from the top?
MUSIC: SOFT PIANO.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
No need. Accidents happen. Life is unpredictable. But your personal injury lawyer shouldn't be...
No need. Accidents happen. Life is unpredictable. But your personal injury lawyer shouldn't be...
"D-I-Y HARD"
HARDWARE RENTALS, 30 second radio ad
MUSIC BED: Thrilling Hans Zimmer-y music.
VOICE DIRECTION: Booming action movie trailer announcer.
ANNOUNCER (V.O)
This summer, witness the transformative quest of an average dude fed up with projects around the house...
This summer, witness the transformative quest of an average dude fed up with projects around the house...
HOMEOWNER (V.O.)
Looks like I've got my work cut out for me.
Looks like I've got my work cut out for me.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
A totally average guy with zero handy skills, who's sick and tired of pesky, overpriced handyman quotes, ready to take matters -- and tools -- into his own hands and become...
(booming and reverb-y)
THE HANDYMAN!
A totally average guy with zero handy skills, who's sick and tired of pesky, overpriced handyman quotes, ready to take matters -- and tools -- into his own hands and become...
(booming and reverb-y)
THE HANDYMAN!
HOMEOWNER (V.O.)
How's this for a handyman quote? "Thanks Hardware Rentals."
How's this for a handyman quote? "Thanks Hardware Rentals."
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Thanks, Hardware Rentals, indeed. Now he, and you, can easily rent all the tools you need to get the job done. So visit their website today.
Thanks, Hardware Rentals, indeed. Now he, and you, can easily rent all the tools you need to get the job done. So visit their website today.
HOMEOWNER (V.O.)
Say your prayers, list of home projects!
Say your prayers, list of home projects!
"ROOFSTRUCK"
ROOFERS, 30 second radio ad
SOUND EFFECT: Evening SUBURBAN SOUNDS.
DAD (V.O.)
Isn't this romantic? The two of us up here, alone, under the stars... You are truly stunning in the moonlight. It really accentuates your form. Am I the luckiest guy on the block OR WHAT? Know what? You deserve a spa day. Tomorrow, I'll break out the power washer --
Isn't this romantic? The two of us up here, alone, under the stars... You are truly stunning in the moonlight. It really accentuates your form. Am I the luckiest guy on the block OR WHAT? Know what? You deserve a spa day. Tomorrow, I'll break out the power washer --
SON (V.O.)
Dad? Are you talking to the new roof again?
Dad? Are you talking to the new roof again?
DAD (V.O.)
(annoyed)
Be down in a minute!
(confidentially, to roof)
Forgive him. He couldn't possibly understand the love between a homeowner and their roof.
(annoyed)
Be down in a minute!
(confidentially, to roof)
Forgive him. He couldn't possibly understand the love between a homeowner and their roof.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Want to love your roof? Our roofers can help you with that. Visit us online today at...
Want to love your roof? Our roofers can help you with that. Visit us online today at...
"BONE TO PICK"
FAMILY DINNER TO-GO DEAL, :30 Radio Ad
SOUND EFFECT: TELEPHONE RINGS.
YOUNG MAN (V.O.)
(answering phone)
Takeout Restaurant.
(answering phone)
Takeout Restaurant.
VOICE DIRECTION: Through the phone, crotchety.
GRANDMA (V.O.)
It's Grandma. Again. Now listen here. I've got a bone to pick with the wisenheimer who came up with this family dinner to-go deal! Enough mouth-watering steak, tasty sides, and ooey-gooey biscuits to feed a family of six, for under fifty bucks?! Why I oughtta! How in the sam hill can I compete with that?!
It's Grandma. Again. Now listen here. I've got a bone to pick with the wisenheimer who came up with this family dinner to-go deal! Enough mouth-watering steak, tasty sides, and ooey-gooey biscuits to feed a family of six, for under fifty bucks?! Why I oughtta! How in the sam hill can I compete with that?!
VOICE DIRECTION: Her tone shifts into a warmer, grandmotherly tone.
GRANDMA (V.O.)
Now that I've got that out of my system, I'd like to order one family dinner deal to-go. Please and thank you.
Now that I've got that out of my system, I'd like to order one family dinner deal to-go. Please and thank you.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Take it from Grandma. Head over for our family dinner to-go deal and feed a family of six, for under fifty bucks.
Take it from Grandma. Head over for our family dinner to-go deal and feed a family of six, for under fifty bucks.
"HOME RUN"
"SMARTMOUTH" CHEW ALTERNATIVE, :30 Radio Ad
MUSIC: SPORTY ORGAN.
VOICE DIRECTION: Fast-talking 50s-style SPORTS ANNOUNCERS.
AL (V.O.)
Today's game is brought to you by Smartmouth chew alternative.
Today's game is brought to you by Smartmouth chew alternative.
VOICE DIRECTION: Mesmerized by the action on the field.
ED (V.O.)
Here comes the pitch...
Here comes the pitch...
AL (V.O.)
How's this for a pitch, Ed? Smartmouth pouches are a chew alternative that have been --
How's this for a pitch, Ed? Smartmouth pouches are a chew alternative that have been --
SOUND EFFECT: CRACK OF THE BAT.
AL (V.O.)
A hit in the majors for years!
A hit in the majors for years!
ED (V.O.)
(re: game)
It's a double!
(re: game)
It's a double!
AL (V.O.)
How's this for a double, Ed? Smartmouth can be an alternative for coffee AND smoking, too. Got an itch for a puff or a brew? Give Smartmouth a chew. Phew. I really can't say enough about Smartmouth, Ed.
How's this for a double, Ed? Smartmouth can be an alternative for coffee AND smoking, too. Got an itch for a puff or a brew? Give Smartmouth a chew. Phew. I really can't say enough about Smartmouth, Ed.
ED (V.O.)
I've noticed, Al.
I've noticed, Al.
SOUND EFFECT: CROWD WOOS.
ED (V.O.)
(re: game)
Now that's what I call a steal!
(re: game)
Now that's what I call a steal!
AL (V.O.)
You wanna talk about a steal? How about the deal Smartmouth has going on right now? Visit Smartmouth online and get 50% OFF your first order! Now THAT'S what I call a --
You wanna talk about a steal? How about the deal Smartmouth has going on right now? Visit Smartmouth online and get 50% OFF your first order! Now THAT'S what I call a --
SOUND EFFECT: BAT HITS BALL, CROWD ROARS...
ED & AL (V.O.)
HOME RUN!
HOME RUN!