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Writing Articles |
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Sometimes learning what not to do is as important as learning what to do. Copywriting is no exception. I oftentimes see copy that is well written, but obviously created by an amateur. How do I know? One or more of the following five mistakes was made and they killed the copy.
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It’s a term that’s used by virtually everyone involved with Internet marketing: target customer. You’ve heard it a million times. You may even be able to define its meaning. But, are you actually focusing on this target when you write copy, or are you missing the mark?
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One of the most common book writing challenges is getting started—taking action on your book idea and actually sitting down at the computer to write. But for every aspiring author who never starts writing their book, there's probably one that's been started and never finished. As a person who has devoted her entire business to helping people get their books written, I'm not satisfied with either situation.
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What's the point of writing a book? Publishing it. However, although publication is the ultimate goal, focusing too heavily on that—particularly when your book idea isn't fully formed, let alone written—can prevent you from ever getting it done.
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When writing a book, you can do it the hard way or the easy way. This article explains the difference, and offers tips on how to get your book done as easily as possible.
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Whether you're working on a book or your next blog post, writing is a practice. It's not about being good or bad--it's about constantly seeking ways to improve, no matter where you are with your skills. These five strategies are an easy place to start.
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Discover three powerful formulas for creating website copy headlines that get your content read - and raise interest in your products and services!
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If you’ve been publishing your ezine or newsletter for a while – or if you’re just gearing up to start one – you may be concerned about keeping your publication fresh and interesting. There’s not much reason to work hard to build a mailing list if what you are publishing is uninteresting or boring to your readers. Here are three strategies to help you keep yours fresh and exciting.
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Writing and distributing articles is an extremely effective way of generating leads and building your business. Article marketing is a term that means that you write articles on topics that your target market is interested in and submit them online to search engines. When people search for advice or information online regarding your topic, a link to your article will pop up. If you are already writing articles for your ezine, you can easily leverage your work by submitting your articles online. Here's how it works.
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As a business owner, you probably know that writing articles on your topic of expertise and distributing them online is great way to publicize your business, increase your expert status and increase your newsletter/ezine list. If you like the idea of article marketing but don't fancy yourself a writer, I have a simple technique that I use myself to create 11 articles from just one idea.
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Imagine a crowd of people—your ideal clients and readers—reading your book and loving every word of it. Imagine them devouring every page, reading it again, telling everyone they know about how fabulous and life-changing it is, and then passing your book on to their friends and colleagues. Sounds great, doesn't it? And, believe it or not, every author can have it. Connection is the key.
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When an aspiring author is thinking about writing and publishing their book, the question of cost inevitably comes up. All books are different, though, so asking how much it costs to publish a book is like asking how much a house or a car costs. The price depends on the book itself. With that said, I’ve put together this list of expenses you should budget for when writing and publishing your book.
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If you're a coach, service professional, or consultant dedicated to making positive change in the world, then writing a book can do big things for your career. But that's not really what it's all about. Writing a book is about helping others and making positive change, and it's one of the most powerful ways to achieve that.
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As a writer, you have to keep in mind the fact that if you don’t take your writing and your book seriously, no one else will either. So do you really take your writing and your book seriously? Are you really committed to writing a great book?
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Are you struggling to get your book done? If you're motivated by more than the typical reasons--"It will help me grow my business," or, "It will establish my expertise," or, "It will help me reach new audiences of potential clients"--then your book is more than JUST a book. And writing it is inherently more difficult. But it doesn't have to be.
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If you’re like most people that are trying to write a book, you started off strong and very excited and motivated to write—you couldn’t wait to sit down and start plugging away. You finished the outline and maybe even got through the first chapter without a problem. Then life happened. It happens to thousands of writers—after the initial motivation wanes, finding time to write gets more and more difficult. But if you don’t want your book to become just used space on your hard drive, you need to stop procrastinating and get motivated to write that book.
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Millions of American women loved Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. Chances are you're one of them because her story was so inspirational. How can you weave your personal experiences into a story that inspires others? This article includes a few tips.
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When you want to write a book, figuring out where to start is one of the most problematic obstacles. You know writing your book will be good for you--it will attract more ideal clients to you, it will make your business more visible, it will allow you to make more money, and it will get your message out to much bigger audiences. But when you sit down to do it, you just can't seem to get anything done.
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Ninety-six percent of authors make more money and get more clients. Today, for many self-employed professionals, the biggest priority on our list is getting clients and taking action to ensure our business stays successful for the long-term. Authoring a well-written, compelling book is one of the best ways to ensure your business grows now and in the future.
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Are you committed to writing your book? Or merely interested? The difference will make or break your success. Millions of people want to write a book. However, less than 10 percent of them actually accomplish that goal. The reason, I'm willing to bet, is that the other 90 percent of aspiring authors are not truly committed to the project, and so they never get it done.
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We often resist traditional marketing methods because they just don’t feel good or we feel we‘re losing ourselves and what’s important to us in those methods. It’s time for a new way of marketing, and I’m going to let my Inner Business Goddess lead the way with a basic marketing tool like sales pages.
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Ever wonder why you don't get the response you want from your ads or mailers? The answer is simple. You're not including the 5 critical steps to make your ad or mailer "Pull." I guarantee you there is a lot of money being spent on ads that don't work or mailers that don't sell--don't fall into this trap. Here are 5 simple steps to write an Ad that will pull for you.
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What if no one likes the book? What if I never sell a copy? What if it comes from the printer riddled with errors? Tears, depression, horror—these are common reactions to such a profound moment in life, and even experienced authors feel queasy on publication day. These tips can help manage some of the most common new-author fears.
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Sharing what you know in a book helps everyone. But if you have a business to run, a job to do, or a household to maintain, then putting off writing a book is easy--even if you really want to become a published author. Sometimes it's easier just to keep doing what you're doing. But that's no fun--and it's no way to grow as a person and professional, either. If you've been procrastinating writing your book, consider these benefits of getting it done.
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Visualizing goals is one of the most important foundations of human achievement. By using your imagination, and envisioning life after your dreams have come true, you can actually attract what you want into your life. And just like athletes are trained to visualize victory, aspiring authors can use this powerful technique to get them excited and motivated about writing their book, and to help ensure it actually gets done. These tips will show you how.
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When a person with little or no writing experience decides they want to write a book, their first instinct is often to find someone with writing skills to do it for them. It sounds easy enough, right? However, a lot more goes into finding and working with a ghostwriter than most people think. So if you're considering hiring a ghostwriter to write your book, this article covers the basics you need to know.
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Every writer has different habits, unique strengths, and mistakes they always make in their work. And in some cases, these quirks severely limit a writer’s success. Knowing your own habits, flaws, mistakes, and strengths can help you compensate for your limitations, and work with your own natural strengths and rhythms. Use these tips to better know your writer-self.
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Book titles are the first thing a potential reader will see, and some book biz experts even believe that a title can make or break a book. Therefore, your title should accurately reflect what your book is about and what it offers readers. And if possible, it should do it in a catchy way. Consider these title-writing tips.
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When you’re working on a book, the question, “Will people actually want to buy this?” inevitably comes up. Although in most cases this is your inner critic trying to sideswipe your creative efforts, the question is valid. Will people actually see the value in the information you’re providing? To make your book more marketable, consider these seven ways to add value.
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Everyone has at least one book in them. But bookstore shelves are packed with titles, all competing for readers’ attention. So how can you tell if your book idea is ready for the competitive publishing business? These tips will help.
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Writing for print and online publications can generate new business leads, drive traffic to your site, build relationships with your clients and prospects, and attract an audience. If you need to grow your business, here are eight ways writing and publishing can help you do it.
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If you're writing a business, self-help, or other instructional book, then it may not seem important to share information about your personal experiences. The purpose of your book is to give people strategies and tips they can use, right? Well, yes, but sharing your background is a powerful way to connect with your readers and show them how your material can help them when they apply it. These tips will get you started.
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Have you been struggling to finish your book? If you’ve been working on the project for what seems like forever, and made little or no progress, you might need to reconsider your motive for taking on the project in the first place. People write books for a variety of reasons, and in reality, as long as your reason keeps you writing, that’s great. But when you can’t seem to stay motivated, then maybe you’re not interested because you’re writing for the wrong reason.
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Over 80% of the population wants to write a book someday. However, only 1% will ever attempt it. That's a huge opportunity for ghostwriting! So, if you're a freelance writer, chances are you can make a lot more money as a ghostwriter. Even if you're not a writer, but an expert in your field, you can still profit handsomely as a ghostwriter.
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Many savvy business owners know that a book can be the ultimate marketing tool. However, you can’t just write ANY book. You need to strategically design your book to attract the right kind of leads and clients to your business. This article tells you where to start.
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Millions of people visit Facebook every day, making it one of the best viral marketing opportunities for authors online. If you have a book to sell (or one on the way), consider these tips to establish your book’s Facebook presence.
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Congratulations, you've finished your first draft of your book! Take a day or two to celebrate your accomplishment. Then, get back to work—you have a manuscript to edit. Every writer needs an editor, but all writers can use the following ten self-editing questions to think critically and objectively about their own work.
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It may come before you even write a word, or it may come well into your draft, but when it does, your progress completely stalls. If you’ve been writing happily and productively on your book, and suddenly found yourself unable to move forward, consider these tips for overcoming the most common reasons aspiring business and self-help authors often find themselves stuck.
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If you're marketing your books online, then you've probably heard of Twitter. It was all the rage last year in social media, and millions of people have joined this micro-blogging community. With so many users, Twitter is a great place to find an audience of readers. These tips will help you get the word out about your book without tweeting your day away.
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Giving pages to non-writer friends and family to critique is not a good idea. So what can you do to get constructive feedback on your work? Consider the following options.
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So we find ourselves at the beginning of the New Year and thinking about streamlining systems and the question arises - Should we have our Facebook updates, blog posts and our Tweets ghostwritten? Would it mean more social media interaction with our readers, since most of us find ourselves so busy when it comes to keeping up with our social media or is it just a ‘cheat’?
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Copywriting is a team sport. There is you (the writer) and the reader. But the reader has all the power. She gets to decide when the game's over. As soon as the reader is gone, no one is there to read the copy! So anticipate what's going to keep her interested and intrigued ahead of time. Here's how it's done.
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Do you find yourself needing to write more and more? Here are 7 quick tips to get you writing effective articles.
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Words on the web are a different animal than words in print. Studies show a full 79% of Internet users SCAN the page rather than read word for word. Here are 7 web copy mistakes you need to avoid.
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The late, great Gary Halbert once said something like copy can never be too long, only too boring. That is why you need to infuse it with character! Don't be afraid to put a little stand-out language in your copy. Know why? Because we are so bombarded with marketing messages all the time, now more than ever we need copy that is a little - no, A LOT more interesting. But how do you get a sparkling personality down on paper?
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Here is a method guaranteed to get your copy razor sharp in a hurry. It's an old journalism school trick and it works great to get those creative juices flowing.
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We all experience a drought of ideas once in awhile, even those of us who consider ourselves pretty creative. For myself, I used to think something drastic or out of the ordinary had to happen for me to get back on track. Lately I have realized that seemingly small things in everyday life can help give me a jump start. Here are some of the simple ideas which have worked for me.
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Copy is salesmanship in print, but does it have to be a greasy used-car salesman? The answer is, "No!" Follow these 5 tips and watch your prospects' trust level rise.
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To make sales, your target market must get emotionally charged and motivated to respond to your sales offers. The problem is much of the sales copy written falls flat. Great sales copy addresses results, potential objections, and contains strong emotional hooks. Learn about five writing tips you can use immediately to increase the emotional impact of your offers, and make them more compelling to prospects.
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Writing articles is one of the top 5 marketing tools I used when I first started my business 10 years ago and it’s one I continue to use today. Why do I love it so much? It’s free, I can leverage the information and use it in several places, it allows me to give something of value to my readers and I build relationships. Here’s four tips to help you become a successful article marketer.
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Who of us hasn't written advertising copy that we thought was great only to find out it flopped big time? Why? When you wrote it, it seemed very persuasive. You included lots of benefits and even gave a money back guarantee. It got YOU up and moving so why did your customers turn their heads?
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Whether you love to write or not, the written word is still one of the most influential ways to reach your audience, get your message out to the world and give people an opportunity to resonate with you.
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Regardless of some nay sayers, the long copy sales letter continues to be the hub of all direct response copy. But long copy does not work on its own. Much like a wheel, a sales letter won't do its job without its support spokes. Each of these spokes requires specific copy. Here is how you use the Sales Letter Copy Wheel to get that sales letter rolling along . . . and boost your bank account at the same time!
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One of the biggest online marketing challenges is getting enough visitors to your site. Attracting traffic isn't a cut and dry process - there isn't one perfect way to do it. But there are many ways that, when used collaboratively, will build you a nice stream of visitors.
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When you can identify powerful copy you get your message NOTICED, READ and RESPONDED TO. Whether you write the check for a copywriter, pass it off to someone on your staff or do it yourself - you need to be able to look at your copy from an expert angle and evaluate it to see if it's doing the job, which is bring more dollars into your business.
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All successful marketers know the sale comes from the words or the copy. While the traditional definition of copy is salesmanship in print Lorrie actually takes a broader approach. Copy is used in ALL your promotional sales and marketing material. That means any place there are words about your business there is copy. So it's EVERYWHERE. Some people will drop loads of cash on website design or graphics, but balk at learning the one skill that's a veritable silver bullet when it comes to boosting income fast - tweaking the copy. Don't make that mistake. Your business is too important.
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Lorrie gets asked all the time, "Lorrie, how can I make my copy more persuasive?" Well frankly it helps if you can speak your prospect's language. But writing persuasively is more involved than just saying the right words. You need to say them in the right order . . . and in a way that lowers resistance to new information and is acceptable to his or her mind. One discipline that translates to writing persuasive copy is NLP or Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP).
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Have you ever been to one of those sites that has obviously been written to get high search engine rankings? Copy that simply doesn’t sound “real.” So just how do you get your keywords and phrases into your copy and still have a nice, flowing sales message? It’s really easier than you might think. Here are a couple of strategies I use when writing SEO copy.
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As a copywriter, Karon would love to tell you that every site on the Web needs tons of copy. However, the simple truth is not all do. Many sites simply produce better sales when they use more graphics than words. Since search engines are hungry for words you simply have to use copy if you plan to get ranked high. Quite a dilemma, isn’t it?
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Karon has always loved scented candles. They help create a cozy atmosphere. They give you a relaxed feeling. And - most importantly - they make your home smell wonderful! So, naturally, Karon was excited when she was approached to rewrite the index (front) page for an online retailer who made specialty, soy scented candles.
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There seems to be a common myth regarding site visitors and the buying process these days. Karon has heard this statement more than a few times over the last several months: “My visitors find me when they use search engines. They type in the exact keyphrases I’m listed under. So when they get to my site why aren’t they buying?” The simple answer is that they aren’t ready to buy yet.
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Want to know the secret for creating promotional materials that make sales? It starts with the headline. So how can you craft a headline that persuades your prospects to keep reading? Here are 3 tips to get you started.
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Ever sit down to write an article for your ezine and be at a loss as to what to say? It happens to the best of us, so I thought I'd share some of the ways that I get unstuck when that happens to me.
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Brochures have held an important place in marketing plans for longer than most of us can remember. There is no doubt that they have the ability to generate sales and increase revenues. Why then do so many of them fail?
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There are some definite strategies you need to use when writing a press release that gets results. There are also some long-standing, proven ways to completely and totally ruin your release. In an effort to help you get what you want out of your next press campaign, Karon would like to share the top three “bombs” with you.
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In its most basic form, copywriting is, among other things, the art of conveying a message in writing for the purpose of persuading someone to do something. This is especially true when writing descriptive copy. Why? Because your customer’s five senses don’t work on paper… they only work in person. That’s why we, as copywriters, have to create a sensory experience for our customers through our words.
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It only makes sense. You have an e-commerce catalog site. You want lots of visitors to come to your site and buy. The best (and most cost-effective) way to do that is with great search engine placement. However, search engines are text machines, and most catalogs don’t have a lot of text, so herein lies the problem.
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One of the best ways to stay in the eye of the public is through the power of the press. Writing a press release about your business is a formal way of letting the public know that you are up and running and ready for clients.
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Do you like to watch home makeover shows? It's kind of fun to see radical transformation happen fast (if only because it NEVER seems to work that way in real life, ) and, as a marketer, I find it interesting to see all the different ways you can 'merchandise' a space to make it more appealing.
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In part one of this article series, Karon introduced a client of hers (AEwebworks) who suffered from some copywriting traumas. The basic diagnosis was a lack of synergy within the copy, ineffective use of testimonials, a lack of focus on the target customer’s buying process, and the inability of the current copy to support the search engine goals of AEwebworks.
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When you begin to write copy for any product or service, there are a few things you have to take into consideration. The first is always your target audience: who you’ll be writing to. Finding out about the needs and wants of the audience members, their communication styles, their lifestyles, and a multitude of other elements are “musts” before writing one word of copy.
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It took Karon a while to get started on this copy. Before she began writing, she wanted to really be in the mood. Karon played around on the vacation search feature of CVC’s site and read all about some of the places she has always wanted to go. Karon took the time and let her imagination run wild while reading about the ports-of-call, the activities, and the ship’s amenities.
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One statistic shows that over 80% of all buying decisions are emotional. That means your copywriting should be, too. This is something Karon firmly believes in and has preached for most of her copywriting career. However, all too often, she finds people skipping the vital step of making an emotional connection with their customers. That can be a tragic, and costly, mistake.
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I shake my head every time I read one of these blanket statements. I'm amazed at how so many people still think that one size of copy still fits everyone. It's just not true, find out why...
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In the movie, The Prestige, one of the main characters dissects the elements of a magic trick. You start by showing the object you’re going to manipulate in some way (i.e. make disappear. You manipulate the object, in this case you make it disappear. Then, you bring it back. This is the prestige. It’s not enough to make something disappear. You need to bring it back. Learn how this relates to copywriting.
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Effective copywriting (articles, press releases, email, etc.) is one of the simplest ways to leverage your time and reach large numbers of people with your passionate message - so they can experience the transformation you offer. And the top copywriters agree that the best way to improve your copy is paying close attention to headlines and titles. The job of any headline or title is to induce the reader to keep reading. If the headline doesn't grab'em, they'll never get to the message itself. Fortunately, writing a snappy headline doesn't have to be a mystery. All you really need to know are 3 things.
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Here are some rules of thumb I've noticed by stretching myself in my Hip Hop class that apply to others stretching themselves in copywriting (or just about anything).
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If you’re an author, speaker, coach or consultant, it’s likely you know how important it is to market your products and services. The challenge for many professionals is not only what to do, but how to do it. Additionally, knowing what is a wise investment in their marketing and what is not.
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Marketing plans are great guides for business owners, and a book marketing plan is the specific tool you will use to find and create places to sell your book(s). Learn how to develop a smart marketing plan that will help you sell more books.
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I’ve successfully submitted 6 book proposals now (for publishers such as Wiley and McGraw-Hill) and I’ve learned a ton about what agents and editors look for and what lands your hard work in the recycling bin. These ideas will also help you create a bestselling book.
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How many times have you sat down at your PC all ready to write your newsletter article, only to be faced with that dreaded writer's block? You're sat there and can't think of a single thing to write about. In this article I'm going to share with you my top three tips for overcoming writer's block, and show you how easy it is to write your own articles.
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Learn how to melt that writer's freeze and actually have fun with S.E.X.Y. marketing.
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I’m all for having a reason for a sale. I think having a reason for why you’re knocking the price down or adding an extra bonus makes it that much more compelling for people to actually buy. But, there are good reasons and not-so-good reasons.
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Because the Web is a visual environment, most everybody is quite clear they want an eye-catching site. But the point of your website is to get visitors to take action. What people often fail to understand is that it’s vital to have a marriage between your design and your content. Beautiful design and fancy graphics alone can’t do the actual “selling.” Your copy has to do that.
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Your biography (or resume) has one goal: to get more clients or customers. With thousands of biographies competing for position, your resume must be more than good it, should be outstanding! Marketing your skills and qualifications with effective wording will make your skills and accomplishments leap off the page and into the minds of your readers.
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If you’d like to make this year the year you finally write your book, these 10 tips to getting your book done can help.
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Whether you're selling a product or service, these 10 tips are your keys to writing great copy that communicates and persuades ... to get results! These guidelines can apply to Web copy, e-mail, sales letters, brochures, direct mail, and more. As long as your goal is to elicit a reaction from your reader, you've come to the right place.
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If you’ve always wanted to be an author, you’re not alone! However, most people don’t have the time or the know-how, and many simply don’t know where to begin. Fortunately, there are numerous options available to would-be authors who want to publish their own book. If you choose to write your book on your own, here are some additional tips and tactics for finally getting your book written.
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Writing a book gives you instant credibility with clients and prospects, solidifies your expert status and builds your personal or corporate brand. However, most aspiring writers cite lack of time, lack of focus or lack of knowing how to physically undertake such an ambitious project. So, many individuals call upon ghostwriters to write for them simply because they don’t have the time or resources to do it on their own. Learn more.
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One of the fastest ways to transform your web site and promotional materials into a client magnet is to add your personality. There are many ways to do this, but here are 5 ways to do this through your writing.
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As a professional copywriter, I'm often asked by aspiring copywriters what they need to do to succeed.
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Nothing beats major magazine coverage for sheer credibility. Being able to say you've been written up in SELF, Time, or even that star of the supermarket check out line, Woman's World, helps gain client clout. And it helps you get more media, because editors and writers see one write-up as a flag that you're worth paying attention to ... and many follow suit.
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The idea of publishing a newsletter can feel daunting, even for a successful entrepreneur. The secret that I’ve revealed to my marketing coaching clients is: you need a good system for creating fresh content. If you feel like you're scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to fresh article ideas, then these five tips will be a life saver.
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Between creating an e-newsletter, writing email promotions, building stronger copy for your website, developing an information product, and writing articles promoting your next teleseminar, copywriting is a major part of internet marketing for your business. Below are 5 secrets to get you started.
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When you create a small space ad remember this: nobody cares what you look like, how many degrees you have, or how great you think your service is. If it doesn't offer some compelling benefit, they won't call and they won't buy! Here are a few things to consider when writing your next ad that will increase your chances of having a winner.
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Here are 5 tips that can help you improve the conversions of your marketing materials.
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Here are some tips that will help your search for a literary agent.
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As humans, we tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain. The same holds true in your marketing. If you can touch upon your target market's pain, address what it is that they are most struggling with, and offer the solution to them - well, it's a winning formula every time.
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There are a two main reasons why I think small business owners like you and I need to learn how to write our own effective copy. One is because it's one of the most expensive tasks to outsource and the other is that no one knows your business better than you.
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One of the hallmarks of a platform-rich site is your Media Page - and the star of that page is always a compelling bio. Here are a few key tips to help you build credibility.
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You may think you can't write a book. Think again. If you have an uncanny ability to speak eloquently (or at least semi-intelligently) off the top of your head, then you can write a book. In this article, you'll learn the seven simple steps to "speaking" your book.
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White papers are documents that influence key decision-makers in making a decision to buy your services or programs. White papers are a write-once, use-many-times document that provides valuable information to your prospects. Why do you want to spend time learning about white papers? Because, used correctly, white papers bring qualified prospects and clients to you.
Report by Rose Hill of Team Solo-E and SoloBizU.com.
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I don't know if I have the absolute secret to overcoming *marketer's writing block* but I do know that it rarely happens to me anymore. I have a simple formula that always seems to work. In fact I generate so many ideas that I don't have time to implement them all. And it's really not because I'm any more creative than the average person. Perhaps I just stumbled on this very simple but very effective formula.
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