About Declan Morton, Copywriter

Your choice of writer

is important

It is a choice you need to make carefully. You'll want someone who will listen to what you need, and act upon it. Not only will I listen, I'll press you hard to be really clear about what you want, and then I will work consistently to deliver those outcomes.

You need someone you can work with, and someone you can trust. You need to be happy that they are the right person to work with you and for your business. I hope I'll be that writer; here's some more information to help you decide.

More about what makes me tick

Background

I'm driven by a fascination with the way words work, and the impact they can have. I have a love of language and a dislike of jargon and verbal ‘fluff’. I relish the challenge of capturing ideas in writing that engages the reader - and keeps them engaged. A solid base of repeat clients tells me I'm doing something right.

I have been writing for specific professional purposes most of my adult life, including several years at the heart of copywriting and brochure production for a major long-haul tour operator. After completing a law degree at King's College, London, I worked for twelve years in the travel industry. I really understand the time-sensitive nature of commercial publishing; I recognise the marked impact that can result from even small changes to copy.

When an opportunity came to move on, I re-trained as a primary school teacher and taught for sixteen years, with my last post as Deputy Headteacher at a large school in north Surrey. I loved the teaching – especially teaching writing – and enjoyed the multi-faceted roles in school leadership.

Over time I have written for many reasons; I have been just as at home synthesising a complex piece of research as writing a captivating description to entice travelers to far-off lands. As time went on, however, I felt an increasing frustration at not being able to write more – so now I do.

I live in Walton on Thames in Surrey, not far from London. My clients are are spread across the UK and beyond. I like to travel, and I love to sit down with a good book or a sketch pad. I read widely and keep up to date with current affairs. Good conversation with friends, old and new, is real pleasure.

Tone of Voice and Style

I have considerable experience in adapting my style and tone of voice to different readerships. I’ll ensure impact by pitching the style and content accurately for the audience, using a friendly style without dumbing down. Thus I write with varying degrees of formality, as fits both the target reader and the image my client wishes to project.

And yes, I do like sentences to be complete and the writing to comply with the rules of grammar – but I’ll make more or less any compromise in order to communicate clearly.

Availability

I have a strong work ethic and a habit of getting things done. I am used to meeting deadlines and thrive on challenge. I don’t promise things that can’t be done, so must occasionally turn down work if expectations are unrealistic. If I can start work on a commission as soon as it comes in, I always will; otherwise I work on a first come first served basis.

Charges

I prefer to work on a fixed fee for each commission, agreed in advance. My charges are based on £400 per day, although this is not ‘one size fits all’. Look at my pricing page for more details.