Vintage Print Ads
Countless old print ads pop up on sites like Ebay every day. Other popular sites for print ads are AdAholic and AdClassix.com.
Make your print ad gift even more perfect by choosing one directly related to your friend or loved one. A Mustang buff born in 1965 would love a Mustang print ad from the year he was born. A copywriter for Van Heusen's ad agency might like a classic Van Heusen print ad from the 50s. If you're buying for your significant other, get a brand's print ad from the year you were born and the year your sweetie was born.
Have your vintage ads framed for a special touch. With most print ads going for a few bucks, you can turn a little extra effort on your part into a cherished gift they'll appreciate for years to come.
Quirky Desk Gadgets
If you've never worked at an ad agency, you'd be surprised how crazy things can get. Deadlines, long nights and creative brainstorming can really take a toll on your favorite ad exec or creative director.
Whether they work in a cubicle or have a cushy office with a view, give them some quirky gadgets for their desk. A sproutlet to decorate their desk. A Captain Smiley stress toy wearing an "I Love Work" shirt. Even a Mini Deluxe Zen Garden or an Office Voodoo Kit are fun additions to any ad junkie's desk.
The best part is, you don't have to spend a fortune. The office toys listed here are under $10.
Homemade Slogan Generator
This is a fun one for crafty people who are on a budget. It also helps if you like to get silly!
Buy two small baskets, vases or jars. You're looking for a small container you can drop bits of paper into that can be accessed easily. Decorate your containers any way you like.
One will serve as your brand name container. Fill it with real brand names, wacky words, city names, whatever you want. For example, let's say you write the word, "Blackmail," and drop it into your brand name container.
For your second container, you'll write slogans and catchphrases. You can write real slogans or make up your own. Let's say we write down the Geico ad slogan, "So Easy a Caveman Can Do It," and drop it into your second container.
Keep adding words/brand names and real or fictitious slogans. Now you have a wacky advertising game for that special someone.
From our example, we pull from the two containers and have:
Blackmail
So Easy a Caveman Can Do It
You would be surprised how much fun you can have with this one! Use your favorite search engine to find old advertising slogans if you choose to use real slogans for your game.
Words That Sell, Revised and Expanded Edition by Richard Bayan
This updated book is a must for any budding copywriter but even more seasoned ad pros can use this on their bookshelf. The book contains lists of powerful words, phrases and other persuasive words anyone creating ads can use.
If you put this on your buying list, be sure you buy the "Revised and Expanded" edition. It's 160 pages and was published in March 2006.
The Copywriter's Hanbdbook by Robert W. Bly
You can't go wrong with any book by Robert W. Bly. This particular title contains key info that is perfect for the copywriter new to the business or the freelance copywriter just starting out.
More experienced copywriters can use this book as a refresher course. It not only covers the art of copywriting but also the business behind it.