how to write effective sales copy part three
By admin | November 14, 2008
internet marketing – sales letters, effective sales letters, effective sales copy
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USB Flash Wrist Band
By admin | November 11, 2008
This USB flash band is a simple, secure and lightweight removable mass storage device. When plugged into the USB port, your computer will automatically detect and configure the disk without the need to restart the computer. You can read, write, copy and delete files in exactly the same way as you would with a floppy diskette or hard drive. You can even play Mp3 files, run applications or play video directly from the USB flash band.
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Unbridled Writing: 6 Ways to Make Your Copy Flow
By fthomas | November 10, 2008
Writing copy can be like driving a car. There are days when everything is smooth and continuous, some days it can be boring, some days you can get lost and have to find your way back. There will also be days when you run out of gas and can go no further. When or if this happens, it can be very troublesome, particularly if you have a deadline to meet. So how do you make your copy flow? Here are ways you can use:
Use an outline
Before you begin a writing project or an article, write a short, simple outline about the topic. Use headlines, sub-headings and a list of topics under each one. This will serve as a map to help guide you on what to write. This is also a good reference if you wish to have an overview of how the write-up will progress and be unveiled to the reader. This will help make your copy flow just when you need it most.
The outline will also help control your writing. Sometimes you can get carried away by emotions, mood or inspiration. The result – you produce too much content that you probably won't need to make your copy worthwhile. With an outline, you know exactly the kind of ideas you want to use and exclude those that do not belong.
Use an idea book
Inspiration can strike from anywhere. When it does, you can't really choose the time or the location. It happened to Michael Jackson once, when he was on board a plane. The music and lyrics to a song came to him but since he couldn't write music and had no recording device with him, he had to endure the long flight with the music ringing in his head.
It was only when the plane touched down and he could finally record the music that he was able to write the song. The song, titled 'Muscles', later on became a hit for diva Diana Ross.
Like Jackson, how often have you been touched by the Muses only to find out that you have nothing to write with because you're in the middle of a party or putting on make-up in the bathroom?
Make sure that when you're blessed with an idea, you're ready. Keep a small notepad in your purse or around your work area. When an idea comes, write it down immediately. Don't wait. Memory can be very slippery and confusing so don't rely on it too much. Write the idea down, record it, paint it, illustrate it – anything that will help remind you later. So when it's time to write, you can make copy flow and not have any problems producing a write-up.
Allow topics to transition
To make copy flow when writing, allow relational progression from one topic to the next. If you have an outline, this is rather easy to do because you have a sense of which topic to write about in the next sentence or paragraph.
Don't try to impress or worry about grammar… yet
You cannot make your copy flow if you keep getting distracted by other tasks such as editing or proofreading. Forget about these things at first. Your job is to write, so do it and stop worrying about correct grammar or spelling. If you're using a word processor, making the corrections will be a breeze later. Write as the thoughts come to you and don't interrupt.
Review what you've written
In many cases, when you're stumped in the middle of an article, you could refresh your mind by going through what you have already written. This will help remind your brain of the message you're trying to get across.
Write. Just write
Oftentimes, the best way to make your copy flow is to keep writing. Again, worry about the outcome later. You can always go back and make revisions. For now, write what you know, unleash your creativity and keep writing.
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Copywriting Secrets
By admin | November 9, 2008
Ted Cantu and Joseph Dadich talk about how to write dynamic sales copy. They break down secret techniques to write effective sales copy. More from www.911copywriters.com
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Tips for Setting Your Copywriting Rates
By fthomas | November 7, 2008
A copywriting job can mean brisk business, especially for writers who have the skills and experience. However, that is only if the writer knows how to strategically price his copywriting services, something that can be very tricky, especially for beginners. Setting a rate for copywriting can be confusing, particularly because you don't want to overcharge and turn away prospects or undercharge and not be paid what you deserve. Here are some of the most important things that you should consider when setting your copywriting rates:
Different copywriters charge different rates
This is due mainly to the type of skills you have, your writing expertise and experience. Beginner copywriters, for example, cannot charge the same rates as more experienced ones.
The key here is to prove that you can deliver. Even if you have the skills but don't have the experience, it can take a while before you can charge a rate as high as those charged by a copywriter with more experience than you do. This, even if you will be writing on the same topic. A Web article, for example, may cost only $75 for a beginner copywriter while a more experienced copywriter may charge at least $120.
The type of writing and topic
The type of writing project and its topic will also affect copywriting rates. An article written on a general topic, for example, may be charged at a lower rate than a write-up about a project with a specialized topic. Article writing, newsletters, brochures, ads, ghostwriting a book, news stories, press releases, etc. – require different types of research and styles of writing.
The type of research that has to go into writing will also influence the rates – the more difficult, intricate and technical the writing needs to be, the higher its rate. Extras that add value to a copywriting service such as search engine optimization or writing using HTML can also allow a writer to charge more.
To give you an idea how much copywriters charge for their services, here are some ballpark figures you might find useful:
For articles that will appear on a website, copywriters charge anywhere from $100 to $400 per write-up. If you choose to charge by the hour, the range can be anywhere from a low of $50 to around $85. For Web content that will fill 10 pages, you might want to charge for about $1,000 to $1,500, depending on the type of content.
For press releases, copywriters often charge from $300 to around $600 while others may charge lower, starting at around $100 or $150.
For sales letters, freelance copywriters usually charge a whopping $1,000 to around $2,000 per letter. Some, such as those still building their portfolio, can charge from a low of $200 to around $500.
The number of wordS
Many copywriters charge per word while others prefer a set number of minimum words per write-up. These become the basis of their copywriting rates. For example, a copywriter may charge a lower rate for a 300-word write-up than he would for a 500-word article.
The frequency of the writing project
There are different copywriting rates set for one-time writing projects and for continuous assignments. Copywriters will generally charge a slightly lower copywriting rate for continuous projects than for one-time only articles.
After service
As part of their copywriting services, copywriters often allow one revision per article which is included in the set rate. Further revisions and additions are sometimes billed extra or based on a per hour rate. Copywriters may charge from about $30 to $70 an hour to make their revisions.
Self-marketing
Believe it or not, how much you can charge for your copywriting rates will also depend on how well you can sell your writing skills. If you're unsure of what to charge and less confident about your writing, you're likely to charge a rate that is less than what's reasonable for your level of skills and experience. Know your skills and be confident so you will never have to charge an unreasonable rate.
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How to Speak the Reader's Language in Writing Copy
By fthomas | November 5, 2008
A common mistake that many people make when writing web copy or website content online is to assume that all their readers have all the time in the world to read a lot of words and go through an entire sea of text. Another common assumption is that people believe and remember everything that they learn online. However, the online writing arena is so much more competitive than the offline world: printed words are meant to be read, but online words are meant to be skimmed.
When you are writing copy, you need to speak your reader's language. This requires knowledge of both tone and structure. In terms of structure, you need to follow your reader's thoughts: your reader is thinking in terms of ideas, so present them quickly and in palatable shots. Have all your salient points ready and available in subheadings or bullet points. This can make it easier for your reader to skim through your copy and find what he or she needs. This also makes it more inviting for your reader to actually go through the work: by providing white space, you also give your readers' eyes the chance to rest once in a while.
Now that you have drawn your readers in and made them stay, it's time for you to speak their language. Now this is a rather tricky deal: a lot of different parts of the population speak language differently, and every single person has his or her own native language that he or she is most fluent in or most comfortable using. You will need to tap into the most general of these languages: this means research on your part, say by doing a marketing study by looking at how people talk in different forums and mailing lists. You need to look at how people talk and find a way for you to sound like them, but not too much: remember, if you try too hard, your writing will show it.
Here are a few more tips on how to make your readers hear themselves in you:
- You need to make your visitors excited about your products and services, so excited that they will shell out some of their hard-earned money to buy them. This means that you need to keep your copy excited: be upbeat and enthusiastic, and avoid language that is depressing or dull, or that is bland and commonplace. Avoid going for negative statements: say what a thing is, not what it is not; better yet, say what a thing can offer. Give statements of potential and promise, and entice your reader.
However, be careful, as being too exciting can actually make you look desperate and hard selling. Desperation shows up easily online, so don't be too uppity-up. Upbeat does not mean hyperactive, and neither does it mean reckless excitement.
- Grab attention at the beginning of your copy and do not beat around the bush. You will reinforce this at the end, but start your copy so that people know the point of it immediately. The best content, therefore, should be at the start and end of your web page, in order to grab attention, and then keep it and allow your visitors to take something home. Moreover, keep your ending memorable and upbeat, as this is what your visitors will remember about you.
- Keep it short and simple. If you are able to get the ideas out in a few words without your website visitors having to scroll ever so many times to get what you mean, then you have it made.
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How To Write An Ebook For Next To Nothing
By admin | November 5, 2008
http://moneywithinfo.com – Part 6 of 10 of an Interview with Kevin Riley of Product Creation Labs. Being a Scrooge, Kevin knows how to write an ebook for very little cost. In this series, Kevin answers the questions:
21. Did you use any software products to create your site (html editors, autoresponders, etc…)? If so, what programs are you using? Do you outsource them?
22. How many hours per week does it take on average to operate the business?
Start now! Write an ebook for next to nothing – click here now, and get your FREE copy of “How Do You Make Money With Information Products”:
http://moneywithinfo.com
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Four Ways to Personalize Your Copy and Capture the Readers Attention
By fthomas | November 3, 2008
Your writing success has a lot to do with how people react to copy that you produce. People like to read what speaks to them directly because it's the kind of writing they can relate to. This is why many writers take great pains to ensure that their copy is personalized so that readers will feel that it was written with their interests and needs specifically in mind.
Being able to personalize your copy means that what you will produce is unique – a testament to your skills and talent. If you want to personalize your copy, here are 4 ways you can use your one-of-a-kind style to write copy that truly stands out:
Know who you are
Psychologists, writers and marketers from Hippocrates to Brian Tracy have created labels to categorize each person's personality. That's why you get words such as Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic and Phlegmatic and the more recent Driver, Analytical, Amiable and Expressive. What about you? Are you upbeat? Assertive? Aggressive? Optimistic? Laid Back?
Find out which personality type you are if it's still unclear to you. Taking tests or asking close friends for their opinions will help. You could also check your writings in the past so you can compare how you have progressed over time.
Be who you are
One common mistake among writers is that they try to be something they are not, thinking that readers will appreciate the effort. Wrong. Readers can be quite clever at spotting fakes so the tone and manner of your writing will tell them whether you're bluffing or not.
Instead of pretending to be someone else, use your own quirks and personal ways of expression to write your copy. You'll find that it will be easier to write and the flow of the copy will be looser and more effortless.
Speak to your readers through your writing
Writing is a means of expression, so it has the same function as speech – to communicate and reach out. Instead of agonizing over how to personalize your copy, try to speak to your readers through your writing but use the tone and style that you would use if you were speaking.
Try using the first and second person when writing. If you want to personalize your copy when writing about organic vegetable planting, for example, avoid using third person nouns such as 'the gardener', 'they' or 'them'. Use 'I', 'my', 'you' or 'your' to make it sound as if you're talking directly to the person.
Imagine that you and your reader are engaged in a real discussion. How would you talk? How would you present your ideas? What words would you use? By writing an article that sounds as if you were speaking to the reader directly, you will be able to produce a highly personalized copy. The flow of ideas will be much more natural and easy to relate to.
Personalize your copy but be useful
There is a point in a writer's work where he or she must compromise. After all, the end user of a write-up is not the writer but his readers. If your readers cannot relate to or understand what you have to say, then all your efforts would be in vain.
Try to write copy that your readers will find interesting and useful, something that will allow your personality to shine through at the same time. Personalize your copy by making sure that readers equate you to quality write-ups and information that they can truly make use of and value.
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How To Write Headlines That Could Make You Rich!
By admin | November 2, 2008
Now, you may be asking, “What is an Extreme Headline Makeover™ really like?”
In this clip, Dan Lok discusses, tears down and rewrites the site’s headline. This video is an example of what it’s like to “get inside the head” of a top copywriter.
Dan Lok is widely known as “The World’s #1 Website Conversion Expert!”
But what do you care? Well, if you rush over to his site… I think you’ll come to your own conclusion that he’s the real deal when you see how much FREE (yet extremely valuable!) profit-producing info he’s giving away.
You can visit Dan at:
http://www.websiteconversionexpert.com
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5 Ways to Write Copy and Avoid Being Clever and Critical
By fthomas | November 1, 2008
There are times when writing can inspire such strong emotions that you find yourself becoming critical or overly clever. While it may sound or look good to you and a few people who know you, it may not always have the same kind of reception with the rest of your audience. By using a tone of writing carelessly, you might not get the kind of results you want. Here are reasons why you should avoid being clever and critical just to write copy and how to improve your writing instead:
Being overly clever is seen as arrogance
You've probably come across writers who try too hard to impress their audience. You will agree that they often seem condescending and annoying. The reader's usual reaction is often, 'What, does this writer think I'm dumb?'
By being too clever, you'll alienate your audience, who won't be too pleased at being subjected to a write-up that seems to insinuate that they are ignorant. Instead, speak to them the way you would to a respected colleague and don't simply assume that you know better.
Being critical can ruffle the wrong feathers
There are writing styles and topics that call for a writer to use a critical tone. Satire, for example, is very often critical. However, really great writers still manage to inject good humor into the writing, which is actually a sign of genuine talent.
When writing reviews, for example, you also need to be critical in order to inform the reader the positive and negative points of the person, event or product being reviewed. Being critical could be harsh but if you can phrase your sentences well, your write-up will be easier and more fun to read.
Be like Shakespeare
No, it's not about iambic pentameters and rhymes but being able to state the obvious without doing so. Instead of confronting the issue upfront by being clever and critical, find ways to describe, illustrate, critique or opine. You can add words, omit some, use metaphors and other tricks of the language. The key here is to produce a well-written piece. Just don't overdo it, though or people will know you're trying to be clever.
Avoid strong language
You don't have to be offensive just so people will know that you have something to say. Sometimes, writers can't help using strong language when trying to be critical about something.
Some writers may even use strong language in the hopes of preventing boredom in their readers. However, this trick often backfires since not everyone is appreciative of language used only in B action movies and street fights. If you use strong language out of context, your readers might think that you are either trying to be clever or being overly critical.
Instead of falling into this trap, turn to useful references such as a dictionary or a thesaurus for better alternatives. You'd be surprised at how well you can write copy that expresses exactly what you want to say using well-chosen words. You'll gain more respect for it.
Use humor instead
Instead of being clever and critical when writing copy, consider appealing to your readers' funny side. Some of the best writing ever produced used humor to express opinions and ideas even about the most serious of topics. Doing so will allow you to explore a different aspect of your subject and to offer your readers a means to see things in a different light.
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