About Rocket Words

Here's everything you need to know about Jerry Karp and Rocket Words, including a brief bio and a list of frequently asked questions. Please feel free to contact Jerry if there's anything further you'd like to know.

Meet Jerry Karp

Frequently Asked Questions

Meet Jerry Karp

Jerry Karp is an experienced and versatile writer with a unique combination of communications and arts experience. Through Rocket Words, Jerry writes effective and creative website content, marketing copy and press material for individual artists and arts and service businesses of all kinds. An accomplished feature writer, Jerry also produces enjoyable, informative articles for music, arts and design-related publications.

In his 15 years as a copywriter, Jerry has written successfully for a wide variety of clients — artists, musicians, small businesses, corporations, non-profits, newspapers, magazines and websites. He understands how to find the exact style and message to most powerfully describe your art, your services and your business, and reach your audience directly. Recent Rocket Words projects have included:

Delivering content for the launch of a website showcasing the art and services of a metal jewelry design studio with a worldwide clientele.
Providing clear, accessible web content for an employment agency specializing in the legal field.
Serving as public relations representative for a prominent San Francisco jazz club.
Writing a series of articles showcasing local and nationally-known musicians for the San Francisco Chronicle and Down Beat Magazine.
Authoring voice-over scripts for interactive online videos for a software application designed to streamline construction project management.
Producing a feature story for Meyer Sound laboratories highlighting the role of the company's speaker technology in the renovation of Meyerhoff Hall, home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Jerry's communications career includes six years as a jazz radio producer at WWNO, New Orleans' NPR affiliate, four years as a marketing writer and copy editor for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, four years teaching English and Creative Writing at San Francisco State University and elsewhere. Jerry has an MA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and a BS in Public Communications from Boston University.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are your primary clients?
Why does Rocket Words emphasize working with these groups?
Where do you get your experience in the arts?
How long have you been a professional copywriter?
Can you help me if you’ve never written about my field or discipline?
Can you work in partnership with web or print designers?
How much do you charge?
Why do you charge by the project rather than by the hour?
Do you ever take payment in trade?
What was your favorite rejected Rocket Words tagline?

Who are your primary clients?

I provide writing services for artists, musicians, arts businesses and service firms of all kinds. I also produce entertaining, informative articles for music, arts and design-related publications.

Why does Rocket Words emphasize working with these groups?

Because I love working with creative, passionate people who are driven by their muse and by their entrepreneurial spirit. I get a great sense of fulfillment from helping artists and small to medium-sized businesses succeed.

Where do you get your experience in the arts?

As a producer of jazz programming for New Orleans’ NPR affiliate, interviewing jazz and blues musicians; as a fiction writer with an MA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State; as a teacher of creative writing at SF State; and as a feature writer in New Orleans and San Francisco.

How long have you been a professional copywriter?

Since 1995, although I began writing articles and reviews for Wavelength, a New Orleans music magazine, in 1984. Along with my clients in the arts and in service businesses, I’ve written for a variety of corporate clients, so I’ve learned commercial writing from all angles. I combine that knowledge with my understanding of, and love for, the artistic process to offer a powerful blend of expertise and experience.

Can you help me if you’ve never written about my field or discipline?

No problem. I’m a skilled researcher and interviewer and a quick study. It’s a question of learning what I need to know to describe the features that make your art or your business shine so brightly.

Can you work in partnership with web or print designers?

Sure. And I know some great ones to suggest if you’d like. I’m also happy to partner with any design or marketing professional you’ve got on board. Either way, you’ll find me to be a great team player.

How much do you charge?

Prices vary depending on the size and nature of the project. My fees are competitive, and I try to work within each client’s budgetary framework. Please contact me for specific information about your writing project.

Why do you charge by the project rather than by the hour?

I’ve found that setting an exact budget and specifying the work to be done up front provides the most equitable and productive arrangement for everyone.

Do you ever take payment in trade?

Sometimes. What have you got?

What was your favorite rejected Rocket Words tagline?

It was a tie between “We make ‘em show up and shell out,” and “A verb and a noun walk into a bar.”