Groupon Copywriter Job

[MattyO]

Dear Improv world.

I'm working at Groupon, a super cool company that is looking for copywriters. You all know you write, so pony up and put it out there.

I'm just on envoy here, so don't blow up my inbox with bribes and pleas. On second thought the bribes are fine, you just won't get anything from them.


Here's the job listing with info on how to apply:


Groupon is a locally focused site that features a daily offer on something to experience, eat, drink, or buy in each city. We're a rapidly growing Chicago-based company with a presence in nearly 50 cities, and adding more each week. We are looking for full-time, in-house writers to join the team, which is located in Chicago's River North neighborhood.

Each day's Groupon features a write-up describing the deal with thoroughly researched, informative selling points that range from the straightforward to the whimsical and bizarre. We strive to avoid marketing clichés, shooting instead for vivid description rooted in complete transparency and embellished with well-crafted absurdities.

This position writes the first 3–4 grafs that explain the deal, which we refer to as the details section. The details section must achieve two things: first, it must clearly explain the deal and present compelling imagery of what the customer experience will be; second, it must be entertaining to read and void of marketing clichés. Copywriters inject creative, humorous tangents that are short, well-timed, and within Groupon Voice (link to guidance on Groupon Voice is below).

Experience is a plus, but not necessarily required if you have compelling samples. We'll work with anyone who can write succinctly, persuasively, and intelligently. Groupon writers are held not only to a high quality standard, but must also show a willingness and ability to generate a high volume of copy on a daily basis. Fast typing and web savvy are critical. Salary is commensurate with experience and ranges from $30K on up; we'll discuss salary together if we like your samples.

* We are especially interested in seeing submissions from local writers who have native knowledge of, or who have lived extensively in London or Nicaragua.

To apply:

Prep the below samples, add them to your resume, then click here.

-- Send us brief samples from your portfolio. Ideally we'd like to see 1–2 samples showing your ability to be thorough, concise, and descriptive, as well as 1–2 samples demonstrating your capacity for creative writing and your sense of humor.

-- Compose a Groupon write-up (3 paragraphs or less, plus the reviews section). The deal is $20 for $50 worth of services at Aura Hair & Body Studio in Salt Lake City, UT.

Seven Groupon Style Essentials To Get You Started

1. Include all info you feel separates this business from any of its competitors.

2. Avoid marketing cliches such as:

* Got X problem? This deal is your answer!

* exclamation points

* slogans, branding language from the featured business's website broad, unsubstantiated claims (superlatives, etc)

3. Write in 3rd person as much as possible.

4. For humor, use absurd, unexpected imagery.

5. Avoid humor that solely relies on pop culture, topical, or celebrity references.

6. Avoid calling out humor with devices such as quotes, parentheses, and adding language that draws attention to the joke.
7. Shoot for 80% informative content, 20% creative content.


If you'd like more guidance on our style, you can peruse our Details Section Guide (especially the part about balance and the exemplary write-ups linked from that page) and Groupon Voice Guide.

[MattyO]

I'm bumping this. Lots of people have applied, thank you.

[Kristin]

Not to be crass, but any idea of how high they are willing to negotiate with salary? $30k would be a massive pay cut for me that I can't afford, but the position sounds great.