Profitable Copyrighting

How to Become a Great Copywriter

Copywriting skill is a vital tool in the armory of every webmaster. Besides providing relevant content, copywriting also plays a crucial role in promotion of the products and services. The growing population of websites has led to a demand for copywriters; but this is not just for any copywriter, but a great copywriter.

Value of Strong Copywriting Skill for the Web: Irrespective of whether you are an experienced or novice copywriter the emphasis should be on your editorial skills. Your command over grammar, spellings, and sentence structure along with seasoned email marketing communications will play a significant role in your development as a copywriter to be reckoned with. A good copy is the bridge between the readers and the company and the copywriter plays the all-important role of an experienced professional who is adept at building strong and long-lasting bridges.

Secrets to Becoming a Great Copywriter: You need to practice some rules if you want to become a great copywriter. Here are the top 5:

- Always be original. We can't emphasize enough the importance of being original in your copywriting.

- Always try to write as simplistically as possible. Use a regular but strong story to highlight the benefits and advantages for a greater impact.

- Always KISS - Keep it short and simple. Use one great idea per copy, one significant testimonial, one huge promise, one...

- Always write detailed copies. Your copy should not be superfluous. Validate your facts before writing.

- And finally, convey your message as economically as possible.

Tip: Doing your job, copywriting, correctly should allow you to nail the last three rules. While the top two rules are important not just because they have legal implications, but also because they exemplify your knowledge, experience, and command as a pro.

5 Commandments for Great Copywriting on the Web:

Let me share with you 5 of the best copywriting commandments for the web ever! Though these suggestions are viable for offline medium as well, we are writing specifically in relation to web copywriting. These commandments are sure to help you create a compelling copy that is bound to engage your readers while convey your business message as well as create effective "calls for action."

Commandment 1: Get to know your audience. Before you begin to write a copy, ask yourself this one question - who is going to read this copy? Now picture this average person and try to put yourself in their shoes. Try to figure out what would be important to them, what makes them cry out with passion, what age group do they belong to etc. Remember, the more you learn about the readers you are writing for, the more effective and targeted your copy is going to be.

Commandment 2: Establish your value proposition. Determine the answers to these vital questions: why should the consumer buy your service/product? What kind of benefits are they likely to get? What makes your service/product better than the other product on the shelves? What is your unique to your service/product?

Commandment 3: Conceptualizing a USP (unique selling proposition). What is the best way to get a response from your audience? Be different! Yes, the more unique or different you are from your competition, the better your chances of soliciting a good response. Your company's unique selling proposition must be strong enough to impact the new customers and attract them to the service/product. The trick is to offer something that your competitors don't offer!

Commandment 4: Establish an objective. Start by defining the purpose of the copy. Then ask yourself, "What do I really want my readers to do after reading my copy?" Be crystal clear on the objective before starting the copy. After all, if you have doubts about the objective, the reader is bound to be confused as well.

Commandment 5: Write an extraordinary caption. The caption of your copy needs to be extraordinary to grab the attention of the audience. Try to use summarize your offering using some buzzwords that convey the "what's in it for the reader" message across with conviction. The caption is your ONLY chance to grab the audiences' attention! So take full advantage.

Finally, always believe in yourself. Great copywriting is well within your reach if you keep these rules and tops in mind when writing your next copy!

Learn how to build a website like a marketing pro. Also, read this free make money online guide.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/how-to-become-a-great-copywriter-296171.html

Copywriting Checklist To Bulletproof Your Copy

Here is a checklist of things that you need to include in your copy. It is a good idea to go through this checklist to see whether you have included all the necessary items.

Have you included the word you in your headline, or at least implied it?
Does your headline grab attention and shout out strong benefits?
Is your headline relating to the needs of your reader?
In your headline, have you flagged the specific group you are marketing to?
Does your second paragraph or subheading flow on from the headline, hinting at a solution to the problem?
Is your copy addressing the fears, wants and needs of your buyer and does it show them how to achieve the best results?
If youve made some claims, have you shown them why it should get results?
Did you start off with the most powerful benefit?
Did you give your reader all the details and benefits that they need when making their buying decision?
In your copy, did you address all potential objections?
Did you include case studies and testimonials?
Did you include a guarantee?
Did you include a limited offer?
Have you included an offer that has a high perceived value to the reader? Will it be of interest to them?
Did you tell your reader the reasons why you are making this offer?
In your last paragraph, do you summarise the most powerful sales appeal and create a sense of urgency?
In your copy, have you told your reader what to do e.g. "Call now on,,,,,,,,,,,,, to get your free copy etc. ..?
Is it easy for your reader to respond to your copy?
Is your copy following the flow of Problem, Agitation and Solution"?
Is your copy written in a friendly, conversational tone that is easy to understand?
Have you used short paragraphs with short words and short sentences?
Is there any word that you need to replace with a more punchy word?
Does the copy you have written flow well?
Are the important words highlighted?
Have you written your copy so it is easy to understand?
Have you scrapped all redundant words?
Have you used the word "you" twice as much as you used "we" or "I"?
Have you used the active voice in your copy (and not the passive voice)?

For more copywriting tips and information about how we can help you with write fantastic copy, or if youd just like a second opinion on copy youve written, visit the Words that Sell website: http://www.wordsthatsell.com.au/adtrackz/go.php?c=wordsthatsell

Article Source:http://www.articles321.com

Shane Mills - Words that Sell Words that Sell services and products include: Secrets of Freelance Copywriting Success course Website Copywriting Mastery course Direct Mail Copywriting Mastery course Press Release writing Direct Response Copywriting Proposal writing Yellow Pages ads Website and SEO content writing Newsletter writing http://www.wordsthatsell.com.au

Targeted Copywriting - Making an Excellent Move To Copywriting

Copywriting is one of the essential pillars in the field of marketing. Many successful businessmen have utilized the copywriting method in ensuring that the marketing mechanism is built in optimal. Copywriting has always been a potentially powerful tool for businesses because of its undoubted capacity to goad people towards purchasing of the product. However, as time passes by, copywriting needed to evolve, too. Below are some of the excellent tips that one can use in order to excel in copywriting.

a. Always make your website contain a powerful and ultra appealing subject line. The subject is usually the initial thing that a lot of people look at when they get to receive a copywriting material. It is for this reason that the headline should be as effective as possible because it is where you normally catch the attention of your prospective clients. Be bold and daring but remain exciting in drafting your headline. It is after all the main window of your copywriting material.

b. If you are using the copywriting as your means to build up your list, then it is necessary that you make up a way on how you can motivate your prospective clients to entrust and leave their e-mail address to you. Usually, a freebie or a give away gift entices and appeals prospective clients towards leaving his or her e-mail address. So get into the bandwagon and earn all those e-mail addresses to build up your list.

c. Always be on the look out on how other copywriters are actually doing their copywriting materials. They usually have something new to offer in terms of their writings. Make sure that you do not just copy. Make an enhancement on how these copywriting materials can be better. Better not to be regarded as someone who just copies; maintain originality and refrain from plagiarizing.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article writing success, 'Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide'

Download it free here: Secrets of Article Writing

Do you want to learn how to build a big online subscriber list fast? Click here: Secrets of List Building

Sean Mize is a full time internet marketer who has written over 9034 articles in print and 14 published ebooks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

5 Keys to Make Money With Copywriting for the Web

To make more money with copywriting for the web you have to perform better in copywriting. For profitable copywriting for the web, you should be able to use certain keys in copywriting. These keys can help in making more money with copywriting for the web.

Copy writing – The first key is the copywriting itself. You should be able to provide copywriting of a higher quality for profitable copywriting for the web. The content you write should be a good quality content with the relevant information. IF the content needed is SEO content, then you should add relevant keywords in the content. Good quality content can make you popular and people will like to offer their projects to you.

Article marketing – Market your articles to create a good name for you and your writing. Article marketing will get more visitors and readers of your copywriting content. You will get more business from such readers and visitors.

Ezines- Use ezines, to make yourself a trusted source for different types of copywriting jobs. Ezines can spread your work and your name to so many people.

Testimonials – Use testimonials to show about your competence, experience and past performance with achievements. These testimonials will help you to get more and more business and links for future use. Profitable copywriting for the web will be possible with more and more copywriting jobs.

Negotiate price – Negotiate the fee you want for copywriting. Depending on the project, project originators and the quality needed, you can negotiate the price for your profit.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? Secrets of Article Marketing

Raymond Nesa is an experienced web marketer specializing in article marketing, traffic generation, and list building.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raymond_Nesa

6 Quick Tips for Writing a Good Copy Headline

Writing an effective copy headline is a challenge if you know you’re going to issue a call to action in the end, and that action is something that people will be initially reluctant to do like subscribing to an e-newsletter or buying a product. If you want your readers to do something, you need to convince them right away and starting with the very first word of your headline.

Offer Something Right Away

If you have something to offer to your readers, something they need and in exchange for what you’re going to ask them to do, make it immediately clear with your headline. When people start reading something online and they aren’t actively seeking information, they want to know what they’re going to get if they continue reading and they want to know what it is right away.

Make It Urgent

People are generally prone to take action if they know they’re running against time. Create a sense of urgency with your headline by telling your readers that your offer only stands up to a certain date or that you’re fast running out of stocks. You can also make it a do-or-die offer; if they let this opportunity slip them by, it’s gone forever.

Take care, however, when using this type of headline as it comes with certain responsibilities. Make sure you withdraw your offer at the stated time. If you’re going to extend the deadline, you better have a good explanation ready so as not to lose your credibility.

Keep It Simple and Powerful

Online copies have to be simple and as headlines are a part of the copy, it stands to reason that they have to be simple as well.

Don’t bother using long and difficult words. They won’t make a difference if no one comprehends them. Aim for powerful words instead. These words inspire action and call strong images immediately to mind. “Make Your Business Live Longer” as a copy headline can be improved, for instance, if you replace passive-sounding words with forceful ones. “Make Your Business Survive” has greater impact compared to the previous headline, don’t you think?

Keep It Short

Yet another requirement for online copies is brevity and naturally, headlines must follow the same rule. As a rule, online readers scan what they read and consequently, they’ll be able to understand a five-word-headline more quickly than a ten-word one.

For a good copy headline, try to lessen the use of particles, prepositions, linking verbs, and other words that won’t make a difference to your readers.

Don’t Try Too Hard

Naturally, funny and witty headlines are better but trying too hard could backfire on you. If there’s no way to make a headline funny or clever then leave it simple. If you manage to get your message across then you’ve done your job.

Use Numbers

They’re easier to recall and they sound more impressive. Instead of simply headlining a copy with “Tips for Gardening”, you can substantially improve it just by adding a digit. “6 Tips for Gardening” encourage people to read more because they know they have six (more than one’s many!) tips to look forward to in a single article.

Review and Revise

You may think you’ve made a perfect headline upon typing the last word, but give it a minute or two and you’ll be able to view it more objectively. Good luck on writing those headlines!

The Essence of Research to Your Copy Content

Internet users desire quality web content; approximately 1million sites surface and only a few are being spotted and read by prospective clients. Do you know the reason why? The primary reason is the content. Sites may contain contents which are not empowering and enticing.

One of the nightmares of copy writers is acquiring enough information for their web site to have sufficient and real contents. You can develop a very beautiful site but if it’s poorly edited or has no useful content, it will be worthless and your prospects may just dump it. All your hardships and money will be put to trash only because of the lack of quality content.

Research is the most important tool if you want to have a well-structured, good and informative content. This can be a major tool to have higher web positions and guaranteed clients. Statistics are telling that professionally written copy content can boost up to 30% sales.

Where can you research for your copy content? You can look into a review or page. Just look for statement saying that it’s free to use or it’s commercial. Be careful not to plagiarize works. This can be an advantage on the part of the sources or contributors since the information you’ll be getting from them will be listed on your “Resources” part.

Another option is researching through affiliate programs like the descriptions, reviews and images of Amazon. They are allowing copying of these items. They even permit and suggest everyone to do so. They give database access and tools to help users with the process.

Some sites give information to people through contents. For example, if a person is looking for a particular product on a particular area, and if the most possible thing to do is to look for cities providing information for that area, the site can display details about a city. This will be shown to the page where viewers can see. It will always be a good step to ask or wait for permission first if you’ll be using someone else’s researches. Always refer to the usage policy and state your type of entity so that they will know.

You can also incorporate articles to add content to your copy. There are three levels of articles you can research on. The first level is professional; the articles under this level are all written wholly from scratch and composed of 1,000 words. The second level is authoritative. This is also written from scratch and is consists of 2,000 words. The third level is the super authority which is composed of 3 thousand words.

If you still find it hard to research on the most fitting copy content, you can always ask for those professional content researchers but be ready to pay for them. There are also online companies accepting this kind of job like the Contentwriter.In. Consisting of professional writers, they will help you write from scratch by analyzing your goals first.

These companies will assist you by researching on your market in connection with your service and product offerings. Through a meticulous background research, they will give your copy the required focus. Your site will not only be filled with quality content, it will also have a touch of professionalism.

Original and high quality content is essential for a worthwhile copy. Since your aim is to entice your prospects to read your copy, you must infuse them with useful facts that are real and up to date. Researching for the copy content is thus a very important tool to encourage your prospects and create sales thereafter!

6 Ways to Make Your Copy Upbeat and Fun

You've probably read enough articles, news stories, press releases and books to distinguish different tones and moods in the writing style used by the copywriter or author. Simply by changing a few words, adding punctuation and pauses for effect and using a different way to separate related topics, a writer is able to change how the reader feels about the write-up. So you think you're too serious, businesslike and 'heavy'? Here are ways you can make your copy upbeat and fun:

Don't assume

When writing copy, avoid wrapping your content in a veil of secrecy and enigma. Being mysterious is fine for puzzle makers and fortune tellers but it doesn’t always work with writers. Use an unassuming tone in writing instead. Avoid being overbearing or condescending. Just write clearly and use a light, undemanding tone.

Use humor

Humor is very nearly a universal language, which means that with the right words, you can affect the way people see things and even cause them to break into a smile or even laughter.

To make your copy upbeat and fun, inject humor into your writing. Be lively and write with enthusiasm. If you're bored, it will be reflected in your finished copy. Don’t be afraid to make people laugh because it's often the easiest way to show them what you mean.

Don't overdo the words

Some of the best and well-loved writers of the past and present centuries used simple, easy to read language. Anne Rice, Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Paulo Coelho and Isabel Allende are the kind of writers that did not require their readers to read their works with a dictionary next to them. As a result, their readers find it easier to understand and appreciate their efforts.

To keep the mood of your copy upbeat and fun, don't try to exert too much effort to impress your readers. They want to be entertained and to be informed – not bewildered or confused. Don't make it too hard for them. Use long, complicated words only when necessary or as a requisite in the article you're writing.

Lighten up the language

Very often, to make your copy upbeat and fun, you might have to use colloquial terms or slang. This is often the case when the term you're considering is too technical for your readers to appreciate.

Do not use offensive words

Sometimes, in an attempt to make writing upbeat and fun, some writers make the mistake of using words that are entertaining only to a few but highly offensive to the majority. Words that reflect bigotry, hatred or prejudice can seem upbeat but may not be effective in the context of the whole write-up. Avoid these words.

Don't try to please everyone.
There is no way your writing will be able to appeal to every reader. Not even the best and brightest writers have been able to do that. This is why writers have target audiences or niches and why write-ups are characterized by genre.

Can you imagine if horror master Stephen King wrote a romance novel in the style of Harlequin books? Of course not. Writers will always have their own styles and a segment of the audience who admire them.

To keep your copy upbeat and fun, avoid trying to cover several genres or styles of writing in one article. Use one or two at most. Whether you're writing a humorous story, a satire, a critique or are simply offering your opinion, stick to a tone of voice that is the best vehicle for the message you want to share.

The Power of Short Sentences

It’s a norm for business owners to painstakingly work to generate traffic to keep visitors coming back. Producing a copy in the web is crucial since you want your viewers to understand what you’re trying to convey. Since you don’t have the luxury of time to do this, you must use short but powerful sentences.

One of the most celebrated minimalist writers is Ernest Hemmingway. He was so dense on writing flowery adjective and gets straight to the point. The finest demonstration of his intellect is when he was challenged to write an entire story and he wrote it in just 6 words. He wrote: “For sale baby shoes never used.” And one of his tips to write effectively is to write in short sentences. To help you more, here are some tips to guide you in doing your copy.

Longer sentences will bore readers so maintain directness through short paragraphs. The average length of your short sentence must not exceed 23 – 25 words. The average reduction of sentences on English prose during Elizabethan times to 19th century is ½ to 2/3. This trend still continues although in a slower phase.

Always remember that readers easily get tired on what they’re reading; short sentences are sufficient on themselves. Avoid being stuffy so that sentences will be easier to read. Most letters can be lessened and can still express the same thing. Since fuzzy words hinder clarity and make your copy difficult to understand and read, trim unessential terms on your writing. It will be good to spend a minute to organize complex details and minimize lengthy sentences.

Manage sentence length by looking into the number of lines on each sentence. A line of an average handwriting or typewritten line consists of 10 – 12 words on the average. Maintain varied sentence lengths but be wary of those which run more than 2 lines. Short sentences between longer ones can break up your copy and can present a chatty style of writing. This will also help you vary your copy’s pace and can hold the reader’s interest.

To have short sentences, use shorter words. This is the rule that is oftentimes being violated. Writers use 3 words when only 1 can explain it. Writers cannot avoid the use of 4-syllable words. Saxon words are shorter and can be a replacement to multi-syllable Latin words. Instead of using “use” and “change”, “utilize” and “modify” has commonly been used. Complicating a sentence is more of a habit which is too hard to overcome since people are unconsciously doing it.

You can also try numbered points or tick bullets. Tick bullets are more eye-catching than bullet points and can present only the most important terms on the sentences. This can thus appear only as checklist. Numbered points are also effective and serve as an introduction.

Use simple tense and avoid complicated syntax. Phrases which use future tense will let the readers read slower and tend to feel clunky. Pretend you’re writing as an English learner and avoid using continuous past tense and sophisticated grammar structures.

Make sure that your copy is simple yet understandable and this will be done by using shorter sentences. Your aim must be to keep control of your readers so that they will not switch off you. Always aim to produce a copy that conveys your message clearly to entice the readers. Use powerful short sentences and watch the success of your site from now on.

7 Ways to Show Authority in Writing a Copy

One of the goals a writer has in copywriting is to convince the reader. Good, authoritative copy is very easy for readers to trust because it sounds more truthful and caters to their wants, needs and interests. As a result, response rates are better and there is a higher likelihood that the desired results are achieved. Integrating a tone of authority in writing a copy is a studied process but it is not entirely impossible. Here are the top 7 ways you can improve your copy and make it more influential and convincing:

Know your topic

Never write copy about a subject you have little or no knowledge about. If you want to prove you have authority in writing that copy, you should be able to show your audience or readers that you know exactly what you are writing about. Your readers can tell if you're only bluffing.

Prove your experience

Another way to show you have authority in writing copy is by proving you have the correct experience about the subject. You can't write about rocket science with authority if the closest you've ever come close to a rocket is by watching a fireworks display.

Use your USP

Every product, idea or statement has a USP or unique sales proposition. Find out what yours is when writing copy. The USP will help define your statement and make you stand out from write-ups that have a similar idea. You can use this to your advantage to create authority.

Make the statement clear so your readers will understand immediately the message you are trying to put across.

State the benefits and advantages

There will always be disadvantages or limitations to your product, idea or statement. Instead of detailing them to your readers, focus on the advantages and benefits. Tell your readers what it can do and what it can't do.

If you're promoting a bicycle, for example, you don't have to state that it's not as fast as a car. It can't fly but it can help its user reach his destination. It's cheap, doesn't pollute the environment and can even be an instrument of fitness.

Use facts

Embellishing your statements may sound harmless but the effect on your readers may not be advantageous to you. Consumers and readers are a bit sensitive and they will take it personally if they find that you were pulling the wool over their eyes. There is nothing that works as fast as an overstatement to decrease your credibility.

If you want to have authority in writing copy, state only the facts – statements that are easily verifiable.

Back up your claims

Authority in writing copy is similar to writing news stories – you need proof of your statements. If you make one, make sure it's backed up by details and figures that may be corroborated. If there is a study, research or statement made by an expert that will support your claim, use that as well. So in case someone asks, you can point them to the reference that will support what you said.

Don’t mess with the language

If you want to be trusted as an authority in writing a copy, make sure you take care to show good grammatical and spelling skills. Nothing destroys an authoritative position than bad language because it speaks of carelessness and a lack of knowledge. If you want to be seen and accepted as an expert, show respect for your readers and write well.

Tips for Setting Your Copywriting Rates

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.

5 Ways You (Yes, You) Can Make Copy Good

Everything about a write-up – its perceived value, efficacy and message – rests upon good copy. Copy is substance and without it, even the most skilled and well-meaning writer and his article will be ignored or derided, the article's message lost and considered worthless. Is it still any wonder why people go through great lengths in order to produce a good piece of writing? Learn the ways you, too, can make copy good:

Know what you'll be writing about.
There is nothing worse or even more pathetic than a writer who bluffs. True, many writers have written well-fabricated tales and passed them off as genuine but they were able to do so only because they backed up their writing with plenty of research.

If you were asked to write about cryptozoology right now, for example, how much would you be able to produce without using a single reference? Probably not a lot even to convince your 7-year-old niece.

To avoid groping blindly about regarding your subject and make your copy good, do research. Use at least three good references for your write-up. If you have to interview someone for it or try something yourself, then do so. This will allow you to gather enough information to use with your write-up.

Think about your readers

Your readers or audience have different voices. To make your copy good, consider carefully what it is they like and are interested in and then zero in on those. Speak their language so they become much more comfortable with what you have to say.

If you're writing for kids aged 9 to 12, for example, you wouldn’t use the kind of language you write with if your audience were men and women in their 20s and 40s, right? Remember that you're trying to sell an idea through your writing, so speak to your readers in a way they can easily relate to.

Watch your grammar

If you were a good listener during your grammar class, you might want to heave a sigh of relief. A high premium is placed on good grammar and if you want to make copy good, make sure you avoid hideous grammatical and spelling mistakes.

Be careful with subject-verb agreement, punctuation marks, tenses, sentence completion and clauses. Bad grammar is never viewed as good copy and is even dismissed as very amateurish and unreliable, even if it's an expert talking.

Mind the headline

The headline serves as the introductory statement to your write-up. Without a good headline, there's a good chance your target readers might ignore your article and look somewhere else. This is something you can't allow to happen. Imagine having to miss 7 out of 10 readers just because your headline doesn’t work.

Make sure your headline is effective, clear and concise. It should interest the reader, make them wonder, raise their curiosity, even intrigue them so that they have enough reasons to want to read more.

Make copy easy to read

Finally, to make copy good, it has to be relatable and easy to read. If you're writing about planting roses for beginner gardeners, for example, don't make it sound like an instructional material for producing fossil fuel. Read your work out loud – if it sounds like normal speech, then you're on the right track.

Mind your readers. They are, after all, the end users of your work and they should be able to like what you offer them.

How to Plan Your Copy

Having great website content is a must in today’s crowded Internet arena. You always need to write well, and present a lot of information in a manner that will not only allow people to learn, but give them some amusement and entertainment as well. This latter part is very important: amusement and entertainment keep people glued to a website and can keep them coming back.

Therefore, you need to plan your website content so that it catches your prospective visitors’ eyes. In particular, you need to plan your copy: this is what will meet your visitors when they get onto your website, and you need to hook them at first glance.

You may be raring to put pencil to paper or start typing your website away. However, the problem with writing for the web is that it is built for people who do not read word for word: web writing must be done with the thought in mind that the target audience will skim through the sea of words and look for something interesting. You must be of the mindset, therefore, to attract your customers’ attention.

When you are starting off your plans, you also need to remember that you are after a certain segment of the market, or your target audience. This member of the target audience is going to be far more focused than any ordinary person hopping onto your website out of curiosity: this member of the target audience is expecting something, and has specific questions that need answering. You are to provide those answers.

When planning your copy, you need to practice targeting: this means that you have to fashion your statement so that visitors of a specific demographic and with specific needs can have these same needs filled by the products and services that you provide. You need to have this target market in mind: when you know what your target market is like, you will better know how to fashion your statement. How is this so? When you know your target market, you can step into its shoes better. You will know where to look for it online. This includes going to the proper online forums and mailing lists in order to see what your target market wants, how much money it’s willing to spend for certain products and services, and the language that it speaks.

It is this language and attitude that is especially important for you. You need this information in order to get a profile of your market, and know what your prospective customers should be like. When you have this profile, you can better make web copy that is targeted toward the needs and tastes of this target market. So now that you have the target, you can start sharpening weapons: you can outline your plan for making that precious web copy.

Remember: you need to catch attention within seconds, so get straight to the point. Keep your tone even, and make sure that it adheres to the tastes of your target market. This will make you appear as though you are engaging them in convincing, enlightening conversation. Moreover, don’t beat around the bush: be straightforward and easy to understand. The key is to talk to your target market and meet its needs, and to be in this specific mindset at the very beginning.

If you plan your copy right, you will be able to come up with great content that will not only get you visitors, but have you keep them coming back to your home online.

How to Review Your Copy

So you’ve written your web copy, and you’ve got it ready to review. You’re ready to post it online and you want to start selling your product and service. However, you are not sure if it is ready to go online – and you are not sure if you have the best copy that fully and accurately describes you, your product and service, and what you feel about it. It’s time to review it: but how?

First, you need to remember that you need to shed the skin of the writer and put on the fur of the reader. You, the Internet reader, are not interested in every single word of the copy: you need to get the information at one click, at one go, and get a lot of this information without having to go through every single word, but by looking quickly through the copy. In order to test this, you may need to have a few friends on hand. Skim the copy and see if you get the information immediately. Does the copy interest you at first glance? Don’t read into the sentences too much: see if the copy stands out and if it entices you to start at the beginning and read more.

Remember, a copy is your magic ticket to getting a casual reader to start reading your work and going through your website. It could well be your magic ticket turning that same casual reader into a buyer! So be careful with your review. Ask yourself: if I had only five minutes to spare, would I read this? Is it too long and daunting? Is it too short and careless? There’s nothing wrong with a moderately-sized copy: it shows that you have a lot to say, but you know your stuff well enough so that you don’t need a lot of flowery words to get your point across.

Do you have all your facts straight, and all of them written into your copy in a concise manner? This means that you need to deliver your key points through a single line or two, at the most, of text. If you keep on going for far longer, you may as well write a blog entry about your day and all your feelings: the longer you go, the easier it will be for you to lose your visitor.

Is the copy written with the right grammar and syntax? You might be surprised: people will communicate via text shortcuts on your local forum or mailing list, but they will demand that they be written to in proper English. The right grammar and syntax will also show how professional you are: if you can’t take care of something as basic as grammar, then how can your customers trust you to take care of their needs and wants? How can customers trust you to have a product or service that actually will help them?

Is the copy formatted well, with a lot of white space? White space will give your readers’ eyes some respite from the text, and it will actually invite people to read your copy. Moreover, avoid putting text in daunting, big seas of paragraphs: break these paragraphs down. Put text in narrow columns so that your customers do not strain their eyes. Not only should your copy be suited to match a certain professional tone, it should also have the appearance of being something that should be read at all.

These are only a few tips that you should remember when reviewing your copy. If you have a well-written copy, you will find it easier to get more customers and catch people’s attention.

How to Set Up Your Copy

Writing web copy can be tricky: you need to set it up in such a way that you are able to address the needs of your target market. Moreover, web copy is not like any other written or printed piece of writing: it has to be written concisely, with all the pertinent details shown so that the person reading the copy will pick up all the main ideas immediately. In the world of the Internet, writing the right web copy is important: people do not visit a website and read every single word in it, but they do need to get the right information in the least amount of time. You, as a copywriter, need to address their needs.

In particular, you need to answer four basic questions when writing web copy. First, why are your visitors at that website and why should they be there? Are they in need of a product or service? Do they fit a particular demographic that needs your help? Second, what should they do? Should they buy your product or service? Should they call you? Provide your visitors with a road on which to travel instead of telling them that they should get to a destination by their own terms.

Third, answer why your visitors should even do anything. Should they buy a product or service to get themselves out of a financial rut? Should they buy something from you so that they can enjoy life better? Finally, what should they do next? Should they go out and buy things, save money, ask for more help? What should they expect from you?

Remember these four basic questions when you set up your copy. You will need maintain consistency in your look and tone, moreover, so that when people read through your copy, they will feel comfortable and not have their brains scattering all over the place, what with the multitude of ideas that you present.

When setting up your copy, remember that you need to keep it from looking like a sea of text. Break up your pages and format information your information into smaller pieces of text. If you have a well-formatted page in a single font that is easy to read, it can be more inviting, and can actually beckon potential customers to start reading. Moreover, provide some white space: don’t have very large paragraphs so that your customers’ eyes can be soothed and relaxed as they skim over the page.

When formatting between paragraphs, leave two empty lines beneath the paragraph, as well as after every title and heading, in order to mark off and delineate ideas. This can provide white space, as well as a logical division of information that can tell your customers what to think and how to organize their thoughts. If you must use large amounts of text, keep them in narrow columns so that your customers do not have to read from one end of their computer screens to the other.

Subheadings can help you out and make your work more interesting and accommodating. In fact, they can aid visitors in scanning through the text and knowing what ideas to expect and where to find something that they are looking for. Have attractive titles, too, so that you can better catch your visitors’ attention.

These are only a few tips that you may want to use in setting up your copy. For more tips, look through effective web copies and see what makes them tick. Moreover, practice so that you can produce better copies every time.

6 Writing Tips for an Amazing Teaser Copy

A teaser copy is made of two to three short but carefully composed sentences and is similar to blurbs and extracts. In direct mail, they on the outside of a letter while in online copies, they commonly appear right after the headline. If your headline for your online copy isn’t able to do justice to the rest of your article, a teaser copy is definitely called for.

Introduce Yourself

If yours is a new company, your teaser copy could do with a bit more information about your business. If you have certain facts or figures to make your company more memorable, like having a product that’s the first of its kind in the market, or being the industry leader in a specific region, so much the better!

Remember: if you’re going to use a teaser copy to introduce your business, be sure to do so with a bang!

Be Entertaining

It’s hard to be funny, witty, or clever when you’re limited to just one sentence, and that’s often the case with headlines. You have greater leeway, however, with teaser copies so take advantage of it if you dare.

If you’re going to use humor, make sure that it’s in the sense that your target market – and not just you – stands to appreciate.

What? There’s More?

If you think that your products or services are very attractive to your target market and they just need that extra push to make a purchase, your teaser copy can give them just that. For this purpose, your teaser copy must include details that will not just complement but enhance what your headline said about your product.

If it’s a headline’s job to state the main benefit of your product, let your teaser be responsible for stating the additional but much-wanted benefits that only your product can offer and your target market is sure to desire.

Make a Connection

Headlines make people pay attention and teasers build on that by making a connection with the readers. Teasers can be used to create relationships between readers and the products or services you’re promoting.

If this is what you want a teaser for, it’s important to see the bigger picture. Imagine how a person’s life can change – gradually or maybe even instantly – simply by taking you up on your offer. Whatever it is, that’s what your teaser should contain!

Explain the Image

If a particular image is accompanying your online copy and it’s critical to what you’re offering, use the teaser to further explain what that image is about. Pictures may speak a thousand words, but these words can be used to create different meanings. Use your teaser to ensure you’re getting the right image across.

Tease

Last but not the least, use the teaser copy to tease. Give them a taste, but don’t give them all. Let them have a peek, but don’t let them see everything. Use the teaser to give readers tantalizing snippets of information, making it very clear all the while that the only way to get more is by reading the rest of your copy.

Teasers, like every other aspect of online copywriting, adhere to the same guidelines. As such, you need to keep it short, simple, but powerful. Do that and your teaser copy is sure to convince your readers to heed your call to action in the end.

10 Quick Tips for Proofreading Your Copy

Proofreading is more often than not a neglected responsibility by many copywriters. If you value, however, the opinion of your readers then proofreading is but a small price to pay for the success you enjoy because of them.

Knowing What to Look for

Before anything else, proofreading can only be made possible if you know what to look for. This means having a considerable grasp of all the intricacies of proper grammar and punctuation as well as solid knowledge on spelling. If you fail in any of these counts, you need to work on them because they can make a huge difference with the quality of your copies as well.

Appropriate Environment

Proofreading is a job that requires great concentration, so find an environment suitable for the job. Get rid of all possible sources of distraction as well.

On Paper

It’s easier to overlook errors when you are proofreading with your computer so do print your copy on paper whenever possible. It might be more costly this way, but don’t you think the sales you can generate for a well-written copy can easily offset the expense?

The Right Mindset

The best way to proofread your copy is to have clear expectations of finding errors. If you think of your work as flawless, you’re more liable to overlook errors. Remember: a positive outlook – even if it means finding errors in this case – always helps in getting a positive outcome.

Read

Resist the temptation to read in the pace that you’re used to. Instead, read your copy slowly and read it out loud if possible. Reading will help you find errors in the style and cohesion of your writing.

When you’re done reading from start to finish, try reading it backwards. The brain tries to automatically correct any spotted error in the content, making you read what you think you see instead of what you’re actually seeing. By reading backwards, you prevent your brain from correcting on auto-mode and view your work for what it really is.

Appearance

Proofread includes correcting the look of your copy. Pay attention to wrong spacing and margins, irregular font styling, and improperly capitalized words. Indeed, pay greater attention to words in uppercase as it’s more difficult to see errors in that format.

Consistency

Proofreading includes making sure that everything about your copy is consistent. Uniformity, after all, makes a web copy more attractive. If you use a certain name for reference, be sure to use that name at all times rather than confuse your readers with various synonyms sprinkled across your text.

Grammar and Spell Check

The options for these mechanisms provided by your processor are not always right. And no, this doesn’t mean that you’re smarter but they’re probably not configured correctly. In any case, don’t rely on them to do your work for you.

Over and Over

Proofreading is not a one-time process. You need to do it over and over and at properly spaced intervals to make sure your copy is entirely error-free.

Another Point of the View

Last but not the least, have someone else – preferably one with the necessary knowledge and experience – proofread your work. You don’t have to pay a professional to do it. If you know other copywriters, you can strike a deal and proofread each other’s work.

A fresh pair of eyes, not to mention unbiased as well, can help find the last few errors in your copy.

Steps on How to Put Action on Your Copy

Your brochures and catalogs are great. Your site is superbly designed and constructed; the content is simple and enticing. You just wait for your visitors to flood in but after long waiting hours, no one is still registering. You may now be asking yourself: “Why aren’t there any sales?” Think again! You maybe missing an important an important area which is: THE CALL TO ACTION.

A call to action is a web copy which instructs a reader on what you wanted him to do. This call to action can be in the form of a declarative, imperative and a command statement or just mere suggestions. With any marketing materials, it’s important to get your prospective clients to act… NOW! Here are several steps to follow to make a call to action that will definitely have your phones ringing and your sales increasing.

The first step is to do your research on the terms to be used for your call to action. The term must be associated with what your content is advertising. Chances are, the terms you maybe thinking had already been used by other copywriters and you should pay attention to this.

The second step is to write your content to lead to a straight call to action. Write the call to action clearly so that your visitors will know precisely what to do and how. Use phrases like “Register Now” or Click here” at an exact location where there is a button or a click through. Tell readers to call a toll number that is correct and still available.

Third step is to try to put your call to action on several locations on the web site, especially if there’s a lot of copy on your page. You can put the call to action after an introductory paragraph, the top of the page, and other parts of the site.

The fourth step is to make your site as direct as possible. Your visitors will want to know what they’re getting from your page as soon as they land on it. Get straight to the point immediately without having making your copy awkward.

The call to action may include a registration blank which ask for information such as the email address. The fifth step is to link these details to a shopping cart or an autoresponder to create your mailing list. Once you add a centered call to action to your copy, your efforts will make your web visitors to take your call to action.

As a word of advice, there are certain tips that you can apply. One is to start your call to action with a verb. To achieve clarity, keep the subject and verb close together; for example: “Ask your sales representative for details”. You must keep your call to action on your screen the entire time. If this would not be possible, you must let it pop several times so that irregular viewers may have a chance to see it. Lastly, inform yourself more about contextual relevance, serial position effect and chunking and coding.

Creating a simple, smooth and effective call to action is still an art. A straightforward and strong call to action can really bring a difference to your copy content and can convert it. The message on your call to action is really vital to the performance of your website. As an end note, always remember that a good copywriting will always include a call to action.

Simplicity Rules in Copy Writing

The adage”Simplicity is Beauty” does not only apply to individuals but it will also benefit you if you’re into copy writing. The simplicity rule should also apply on your copy. You can be a learned writer from your school but the style can be that which is impersonal, rigidly structured and formal.

To attract visitors to your site, being simple is good. Since readers are primarily interested on what you have to say, you may entice them to read on or discourage them and give up. Creating a simple yet concise and clear copy that is easy to read and comprehend is the best way to inform your clients of your point. Here are some easy tips to simplify your website and make it a winner:

1. Create simple and clean designs with a clear navigation system. You can repeat the images, colors, formatting and text throughout the site since guests will not wonder if they have unintentionally left your site.

2. For your background, use contrasting colors and avoid using light texts on light backgrounds. Dark texts are easier to read on a light background. Be careful with your background patterns since they can obscure the site’s content instead of flattering it. Avoid underlined or blinking texts. These texts may annoy and distract visitors. Your hyperlinks must be the only documents underlined on your site.

3. Make your copy easy to read, understand and use. Try your best to be lucid. Use simple words; those that are used for everyday speech. Use terms that are not to vague and very understandable. Don’t be too stuffy; remove pompous words and replace it with plain words. Minimize complicated gimmicks and constructions. If you can’t give the information directly and briefly, you must consider writing the copy again.

There are multi-syllable words that can be replaced by simple terms. For example, information can be replaced by a simpler word “facts”, demonstrate can be replaced with “show”, gratis with “free”, regarding with “about”, etc. Check each word and ask yourself if there are words that can still be simplified to lessen the syllable length. By this method, the words can easily roll off the readers’ tongue and they can easily remember them as they read.

4. Check your spelling and check spelling errors. This will not earn your site too many visitors. because this will make your page look unprofessional. You can utilize a spell checker such as the HTML Toolbox.

5. Don’t be over chatty and suspense killer. Surprises in the middle of one sentence is not informative, rather very irritating. Do not be too arrogant as well; don’t be too boastful in presenting your visitors of your intelligence and cleverness. This will not impress them but will surely bore them. Remember that your aim here is not only to present the readers of what you have but also to encourage them.

6. Do not be overly instructive. If you have so many words beginning with expect, consider, compare and imagine, the readers might think that what they’re reading are stylebooks or textbooks.

Writing a simple copy is vital since your goal is let your visitors understand what you’re trying to inform them with less effort on their part. The visitors wouldn’t want to spend long hours just figuring out what your site is all about.

You should aim to entice visitors to immediately click the order button without second thoughts. So write simple and win them all!

8 Types of Headlines That Sell

There are effective ways on how to infuse your visitors the sense of urgency your page is trying to convey. Since the most crucial part of your site is the part where the visitors land, headlines are very vital to bring to them your point at the most immediate time possible.

Writing the best headline is not too complicated as many marketers would think; it can be simple if you will follow the right process. Rather than thinking of how you should write your headline, think of what it should say to your visitors. To help you think about a possible headline, listed here are the types of headlines to choose from:

1.News Headline. If your service or product proposes something newsworthy, publicize it on your headline. You’ll naturally use this to present your new product or an enhancement on your existing product. You can make use of words like Now, New, Introducing, Just Released, Finally, At Last or Announcing to make your News Headline more appealing. For example: Finally! A New Diet Pill that Can Work For Just Seven Days!

2.Benefit Headline. Features do not sell but benefits do. To compose a winning benefit headline, you must be overly familiar with your market. This will let you offer them a compelling and powerful benefit driven headline that will easily entice your audience. Research on every little benefit that your prospects are looking for on a product or service. En example of a benefit headline is: Cleans and Whiten Your Teeth…

3.Guarantee Headline. These are headlines which present appealing benefits and guarantee results. If your product or service gives powerful guarantee, let your would-be customers know it by showing it on your headline. For example: Whitens your Skin in just 10 days… Money Back Guarantee!

4.How to Headline. There are many “How Tos” present either in books or sites so you wouldn’t be wrong on this type. Try placing “how to” on your headline and it will really be enticing for your prospects to know what solutions, information and advices you have for their problems. For example: How to Win Back Your Husband…

5.Testimonial Headline. This type of headline utilizes testimonials of customers for the headline. Your customers will sell for you since they will be talking of the benefits they gain from your products. For Example: I Earn A Lot By Just Purchasing this Self-Help Book

6.Question Headline. You must be cautious when using this type. You must be well informed of your market or you may blow your chances of winning them by this advertising drive. The good types of question headlines are those that encourage your prospects to be involved. For example: Have You Turned Your First Date into Disaster?

7.Command Headline. The type of headline which instructs your costumers on what they will do. The command must encourage action through benefit offerings that will really help them. Most effective headlines must start with action verbs. For example: Stop Your Financial Problems!

8.Reason Why Headline. This headline will give your prospective costumers particular reasons why they need to read your sales letter, your website or your ad. These headlines are effective since they include specific numbers and facts. For example: Easy and Fun Ways to Earn $500 From Home.

You can model your headline from the types listed above; but be sure to sizzle your headlines to compel your prospects to read your site. Move beyond the usual and create your headline at a different angle. Add up some new attention grabbing terms and see your sales surge up!

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