Five Keys To Leaner and Meaner Copywriting
Grab 'em and don't lose 'em. Every marketer knows that one. Human beings have very short attention spans, so you can't afford to waste your prospect's time - give them the good stuff and then let them go as soon as you can. Writing effective marketing material is all about writing crisply with just a handful of words.Clean writing isn't an accident, but is instead the result of the careful application of certain principles and tools. Try these five techniques for crafting leaner, meaner, more effective business copy:Avoid modifiers.
Modifiers change the meaning of other words; the most common of these are adverbs and adjectives (words that describe verbs and nouns, respectively). They're used when the writer feels that the noun or verb needs a little something extra: "the shining sun", "run quickly", etc. Get rid of as many modifiers as you can and choose nouns and verbs that stand on their own.No lazy words. Every word should be doing real work, conveying necessary information and supporting other parts of the piece. Think of your sentences as support beams and rafters in a building, and analyze the piece word-by-word: are there any nails sticking out of boards? Anything that's there purely for show? Anything that doesn't strengthen your writing weakens it.
Strip your copy down to its most essential parts, and throw out the words that are sleeping on the job.Reduce it to a single sentence. Do you really know what you want to say? You might be surprised - try phrasing your entire piece into one simple sentence. Can you do it, or are you insisting that your message is too in-depth? Taking your point down to a single statement can give your copy new focus and clarity.One thought per sentence. Sentences and paragraphs are different things. Avoid long, complex sentences built up of multiple thoughts.
Keep your sentences to one thought each, keep them short and simple, and use your paragraphs for the complex ideas.When in doubt, cut it out. Every writer has written the perfect sentence that just doesn't play along well with others. Hemingway was right - kill your darlings. If you can't figure out how to ease that bit of poetry in with the rest of your marketing piece, cut it completely and don't look back. Be merciless.
You'll be surprised how often that's the best solution..
Robert Warren (www.rswarren.com) is a Florida-based freelance copywriter specializing in the unique marketing needs of independent professionals.writer@rswarren.comBrady Bunch Made it Look Easy
Salt Lake City, Utah (ContentDesk) March 30, 2006 --
At least one-third of all children in the U.S. are expected to live in a stepfamily before they reach age 18.
In a blended or stepfamily, one or both partners have been married before.
At least one has lost a spouse through divorce or death.
One or both of them have children from their previous marriage.
The blended family is becoming more of a norm than an aberration.
Statistics tell us that children in blended families are at greater risk of living in high conflict homes where sixty percent are in danger of once again falling apart.
Relationships are so important to parenting that Klayne Rasmussen, Ph.D., LMFT, from IntraLife Systems (http://www.intralifesystems.com) included a section on Parenting as a Team in the new Romantic Rendezvous Home Edition DVD series. (http://www.intralifesystems.com)The...
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New DVD Training Series Cuts Months Off Avid Editing Learning Curve - Avid Industry Veteran Steve Bayes Quickly Replaces Mystery with Mastery
Desktop Images, a leading provider of visual training programs for the worldwide creative community, today announced the release of The Avid Editing Essentials Series, an extensive 4-DVD training series for Avid Xpress Pro & Xpress DV featuring the expert instruction of Steve Bayes, former Principle Product Designer for Avid Technology and author of the Avid Handbook. This new DVD series provides "Visual Training" specifically designed to cut months off of the Avid learning curve by providing the ultimate visual learning resource and reference guide for Avid Xpress Pro and Xpress DV as well as Avid Xpress, Media Composer, Media Composer Adrenaline, and Symphony."We are thrilled to provide both novice and professional Avid video editors with the expert instruction of Steve Bayes on the Avid Editing with Xpress Pro & Xpress DV series," said Rex Olson, president and co-founder of Desktop Images. "With 8 years as the Product Designer for Media Composer, Symphony and DS Nitris at Avid Technology,...
New DVD Training Series Cuts Months Off Avid Editing Learning Curve - Avid Industry Veteran Steve Bayes Quickly Replaces Mystery with Mastery
Dvd copy > New DVD Training Series Cuts Months Off Avid Editing Learning Curve - Avid Industry Veteran Steve Bayes Quickly Replaces Mystery with Mastery
CDstands.com Launches Wholesale Division For Its CD - DVD Counter Display Boxes and Trophy CD Stands.
CDstands.com now offers price discounts based on quantity of its 1 Tier and 2 Tier CD display boxes to
accommodate the demand from larger companies inside and outside of the independent music industry.In March of 2003, CDstands.com released its own design of CD Counter Display Boxes.
Unlike
traditionally thin CD display boxes, CDstands.com created an extra thick and sturdy CD display box made specifically to handle the punishing conditions that occur when independent artists go on the road.Scott Clark, President of CDstands.com, stated:
"Our original game plan was to cater to the needs of the independent artist by designing an extra strong CD display for the same price as the thinner CD displays on the market today.
We expected artists to buy in small quantities and therefore set up our online ordering system accordingly.????However, our CD boxes have been catching the attention of larger companies requesting anywhere from 100 to a few thousand...
Dvd copy > CDstands.com Launches Wholesale Division For Its CD - DVD Counter Display Boxes and Trophy CD Stands.
New DVD Training Series Cuts Months Off Avid Editing Learning Curve - Avid Industry Veteran Steve Bayes Quickly Replaces Mystery with Mastery
Desktop Images, a leading provider of visual training programs for the worldwide creative community, today announced the release of The Avid Editing Essentials Series, an extensive 4-DVD training series for Avid Xpress Pro & Xpress DV featuring the expert instruction of Steve Bayes, former Principle Product Designer for Avid Technology and author of the Avid Handbook. This new DVD series provides "Visual Training" specifically designed to cut months off of the Avid learning curve by providing the ultimate visual learning resource and reference guide for Avid Xpress Pro and Xpress DV as well as Avid Xpress, Media Composer, Media Composer Adrenaline, and Symphony."We are thrilled to provide both novice and professional Avid video editors with the expert instruction of Steve Bayes on the Avid Editing with Xpress Pro & Xpress DV series," said Rex Olson, president and co-founder of Desktop Images. "With 8 years as the Product Designer for Media Composer, Symphony and DS Nitris at Avid Technology,...
New DVD Training Series Cuts Months Off Avid Editing Learning Curve - Avid Industry Veteran Steve Bayes Quickly Replaces Mystery with Mastery
Dvd copy > New DVD Training Series Cuts Months Off Avid Editing Learning Curve - Avid Industry Veteran Steve Bayes Quickly Replaces Mystery with Mastery
DVDO iScan? HD+ Now Shipping ? High Resolution Video Scaling Engine
Building on the momentum from the award-winning iScan? HD, the iScan HD+ adds scaling of high definition sources (720p, 1080i), and HDCP support over DVI.
It utilizes Anchor Bay Technology's Precision Video Scaling? technology, and incorporates other digital video and audio technologies such as Automatic Chroma Upsampling Error Correction AutoCUE-C? and Precision AV Lipsync. The DVDO iScan? HD+ sets a new standard for upconverting, cross-converting and even downconverting all your video sources. Whether it's your VCR outputting 480i, your DVD player at 480p, or your Set-top-box at 720p or 1080i, the iScan? HD+ will scale the output to perfectly match the optimum resolution of your display - 720p, 1080i, or any user-defined resolution up to 1080p including many preset resolutions (1366 x 768, 1280 x 720, etc.) for popular projectors and display panels.
It is HDCP compliant over DVI, and also accepts your legacy 480i/480p analog sources.In addition to providing greatly...
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?Super Adjectives? Boost the Power of Your Copy
Pretty or elegant? Good or scrumptious? Nice or delightful? There is power in the adjectives you choose. Just like Clark Kent and Superman or Bruce Wayne and Batman, some adjectives are plain, ordinary, everyday words. Others are alter-ego Super Adjectives that leap into your customers' minds in a single bound. Adjectives are boring, but Super Adjectives impress, inspire, and convince your customers more effectively.Look at these examples to see what I mean:BeforeGreat Top for Hot Summer DaysWhen it's hot outside, this top will help keep you cool. Made of cool nylon, you'll love how it sheds moisture.
Available in four pastel colors.AfterPerfect Tank Top for Hot Summer DaysWhen the temperatures are steamy outside, this tank will help keep you remarkably cool. Made of breathable 100% nylon, you'll love how it sheds moisture. Available in four spring-fresh colors.See the difference? The latter paints a more vivid picture of the tank top than the former.Try this?BeforeThe Prestige...
?Super Adjectives? Boost the Power of Your Copy
Dvd copy > ?Super Adjectives? Boost the Power of Your Copy
Reasons Why People Don't Buy From You
1. You don't make people feel safe when they order.Remind people that they are ordering through a secureserver. Tell them you won't sell their e-mail addressand all their information will be kept confidential.
2. You don't make your ad copy attractive.
Your adlists features instead of benefits. The headline doesnot attract at your target audience. You don't list anytestimonials or guarantees included in your ad.
3. You don't remind people to come back and visit.People usually don't purchase the first time they visit.The more times they visit your site, the greater thechance they will buy.
The most effective way is to givethem a free subscription to your e-zine.
4. You don't let people know anything about yourbusiness. They will feel more comfortable if they knowwho they are buying from. Publish a section called"About Us" on your web site.
Include your businesshistory, profile of employees, contact information etc.
5. You don't...
Dvd copy > Reasons Why People Don't Buy From You
How To Create Successful Advertising Copy
Writing effective copy for ads, web pages, sales letters and other marketing communications isn't difficult when you know what works. After many years of trial and error I developed a checklist of 7 "rules" I follow to create successful advertising copy. These rules apply to writing copy for any type of marketing communication.1. DEFINE THE GOAL OF YOUR MESSAGEDefine what you want your message to accomplish before you begin writing. Do you want to generate inquiries (leads)? Do you want to get orders? What action do you want readers to take? How do you want them to respond? Put your goal in writing and refer to it often as you develop your message.
Everything you write should directly support this goal. Get rid of anything that doesn't.2. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE AND WHAT THEY WANTMaybe everybody CAN use what you sell. But one targeted group WILL be most likely to buy it. You can discover that group by defining the characteristics of your best customers.
Once you know your audience...
How To Create Successful Advertising Copy
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Vehicle Recycling Partnership and USCAR Initiated Tests by Cooper-Standard Show Cost Reduction Potentials Using More than 25 Percent Recycled Content in Automotive Rubber Parts have been Repeated in Europe
Recent tests in Europe duplicated the previous tests conducted by Cooper-Standard Automotive initiated by the Vehicle Recycling Partnership of USCAR (United States Council for Automotive Research). These independent tests reported at the European Tyre Recycling Conference (ETRA) confirmed the consistent production repeatability of the generic CBp Europe technology to recover and upgrade the carbon black and mineral fillers, including silica, from pyrolysed scrap tires and rubber into a competitive...
Dvd copy Five Keys To Leaner and Meaner Copywriting Vehicle Recycling Partnership and USCAR Initiated Tests by Cooper-Standard Show Cost Reduction Potentials Using More than 25 Percent Recycled Content in Automotive Rubber Parts have been Repeated in Europe toyo tires
Dvd copy > Vehicle Recycling Partnership and USCAR Initiated Tests by Cooper-Standard Show Cost Reduction Potentials Using More than 25 Percent Recycled Content in Automotive Rubber Parts have been Repeated in Europe
Wearing Contact Lenses
If you've never worn contact lenses, you may not appreciate the amazing selection available on today's market. Be glad: you have much more choice than in the past. With so many options, how do you choose the right type of contact lenses?
Your doctor can probably help you figure out which contact lenses are best for you. Some contact lenses are suited to certain vision problems, like astigmatism. Others, like extended-wear contact lenses, are marketed to suit certain lifestyles....
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Why You Should Demand A Plastic Surgery Specialist?
Copyright 2006 Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery
What makes a doctor a plastic surgery specialist? Does it take special requirements, or is it an easy process?
It starts with education and training. If a doctor chooses to become a plastic surgery specialist, he should focus his education and skills on this specialty. The surgeon should have completed an accredited residency program in plastic surgery, and have a number of years of intensive training and experience covering...
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Flavored Coffee Syrup Adds A New Dimension To Beans
Flavored coffee syrup is a popular addition to any coffee beverage and a welcome change for any regular coffee drinker. Whether you are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth or just want something different, flavored coffee syrups put a great kick into any drink. If you own a coffee business, these syrups are another great way to attract customers, allowing them to customize their own drinks so they can enjoy exactly the flavors that their taste buds desire. Coffee, of course, has a wonderful taste...
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Dvd copy > Flavored Coffee Syrup Adds A New Dimension To Beans
Fitness-Web.com 13 Week Winter Shape Up Program
(ContentDesk) January 11, 2006 -- Fitness-Web.com announces its 13 week Shape Up Program to help you get a jump start on your fitness program for the New Year. Start 2006 by getting into shape and making healthy choices -- let fitness.web.com show you how.The 13 week program will bring you a new fitness article each week , each one focusing on a particular aspect of healthy living - from diets and healthy eating habits to exercise and workout tips and techniques. Topics include "How to Choose...
diets
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