Ten Ways How Professional Copywriting Services Can Brand Your Business!
1. A professional copywriting service can help you to formulate an immensely effective slogan for your site which will really be helpful to set you apart from other businesses.
2. A professional copywriting service can really help you to get the best taglines which will be unique for your website and for your business. That is another important way of branding your business and you must understand the fact that only a professional copywriter can help you in this regard. It is essential to mention that if you will go with some non-professional copywriter for slogans or taglines, it is highly probable that you will get something which will only be distracting for your visitors. This will hinder your sales, so, it is a critical issue and a professional should be hired for that.
3. A professional copywriter can help you to get some catchy and sophisticated descriptions for your products. It is an important thing as well, because, people like to learn about the products and if there will be something informative in a unique way, it will surely grip their attention.
4. Website content is extremely important to expand your business as it should not only be understandable, but also compelling enough to call an action from your visitor. That is where a professional copywriting service can make things work. All pages of your site should be written to depict the benefits of buying from you. However, it is essential to know that branding is not directly related to the contents that may call for action.
5. A professional copywriter can help you to combine branding with direct response techniques. It will make your business popular and ask for direct action to buy your products which is the ultimate objective.
6. Along with offering some unique and informative slogans and contents, a professional copywriter always tries to bring versatility in special offers. It means that it is not enough to place a special offer on your site; in fact, the more important thing is to write that in a unique way that may become a brand for your site.
7. A professional copywriting service is not all about producing a branding copy, but, it is also associated with making your business popular. SEO copywriting is one of the ways to achieve it.
8. Link building is another process with which a professional copywriting service can really make your business more accessible for different people.
9. By writing articles, a professional copywriter can build reputation for your business.
10. Last, but, certainly not the least, a professional copywriter can help you to build your brand by providing you a sophisticated advertorial.
So, the bottom line is that every business person do understands the importance of branding and that's exactly the point where a professional copywriting company comes into the picture.
Author Resource:- For more useful tips & hints, please browse for more information at our websites :-
www.thesearchengineprimer.com,
www.seo.reprintarticlesite.com
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SEO Copywriting Services Exclusively for You
SEO content writing owes a lot to a group of creative people called the content writers. This talented and experienced pool of web writers create copies for websites in different forms – blogs, articles, press releases, web page content and so on. They work for project based works as well as for SEO copywriting services providing companies. Also, freelancers for copywriting services are also there to help people out with their smart and effective services.
About the author:
This article is written by a technical writer, working at SynapseInteractive,, A Search Engine Optimization company in India. We offers SEO content writing and SEO copywriting services.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
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How to Build Your First Copywriting Portfolio
It's the old "What comes first? The chicken or the egg?", applied to a new career in copywriting.
One of the major hurdles faced by new copywriters is the book, or portfolio. Or more specifically, the fact that there is none.
How does a new copywriter get samples, and work, if he needs samples to get the work?
I know how it feels to be in that position,and so does every freelance copywriter! No one is born with samples.
But unlike the pre-Internet copywriters, who had to figure it out for themselves, YOU can ask your online colleagues!
So here it is in a nutshell: three ways you can blast past the number one obstacle to getting started as a copywriter and get work when you do not yet have aportfolio, or even one lousy sample.
Solution #1. This one is the easiest and may even have occurred to you.
Do it for free!
When I started out I quickly learned that small nonprofits were happy to accept free creative services. I also knew that I could bargain free for more control.
A common complaint among copywriters is that a well-meaning but misguided client can muck things up, and the end result may be nothing like what you envisioned.
So I told my non-profit client, a small women's shelter, that I'd do a package for free, but I had to have complete creative control.
This allowed me to show a piece in my portfolio that was really me. In fact, the photo on the front of the envelope WAS me!
Not only did the experience give me a substantial sample, but it also allowed me to test my direct marketing skills.
The package wasn't a blockbuster. But it didn't fail either. It did tell me how good I was, and I was slightly deflated with the results. But hey, back then NOT failing was kind of like winning!
Solution #2. Look at friends and family. I've never used this idea but many of my coaching students have. They look at friends, family, colleagues, whomever they know in life or business, and offer to do free work.
Actually, I advise my coaching students to offer to do free work and if the client likes it enough to use it, THEN they should get paid. It is a simple proposition:
"I believe I can help you get more leads, or sales. Let me write a promotion. If you also think it will work, use it. If you use it, you benefit from my work. Only then will you pay me."
Important: Get this agreement into a contract!
Solution #3. Hook up with a copywriter's coach and ask to see samples. I do this all the time with my coaching students who have no samples.
When the moment comes that the potential client asks for samples, send samples from your coach's portfolio.
Write in the email:
"Here are some copywriting samples. I work closely with veteran copywriter (name of coach) to ensure maximum results for your promotion, and this is the level of quality you can expect from working with me. My site isn't up right now but you can take a look at (name of coach)'s site."
It works like a charm.
This approach works best when you are working with a coach who has worked in many, most, or all niche markets, like me.
So this is my unplanned opportunity for a bit of self-promotion. Hey, I'm a direct marketer after all!
So if you find yourself in a bind, guess what. You're not!
Just contact me. You can use an hour of my coaching to get past the #1 hurdle of all new copywriters, getting good samples that get you good work.
We don't lie; I never lie. All we do is "bridge" using my samples, your coach, mentor, colleague, and friend.
Source: Free Articles
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8 Reasons You Need SEO Copywriting Services
SEO copywriting is one of the most powerful tools to increase your exposure on the Internet and reach your target audience quickly and more effectively. When you regularly post new, compelling, and relevant information online, you dramatically improve your ability to be found by both inquiring search engines and human readers. You can dominate your competition in a short matter of time.
So, what’s the best way to achieve this online domination in your niche or industry? The first step is finding a firm you can trust that specializes in SEO copywriting services. If you’re reading this, you’ve already completed the first step. The next step is developing and implementing an SEO copywriting strategy. Novo Writing can help you realize your marketing goals every step of the way with our comprehensive SEO copywriting services.
8 Reasons Why SEO Copywriting Services Make Sense for Your Business
1. Contracting with an SEO copywriting services firm is more cost-effective than hiring a marketing firm that may require high monthly expenditures to manage a campaign. To put it simply, you get more “bang for your buck” with an SEO copywriting services company like Novo Writing.
2. We know how to write persuasive copy to get your company and your products/services noticed by the search engines as well as human readers. Our SEO copywriting services and strategies attract the search engines to your optimized Web site, article, press release, blog, etc. Once they arrive, our persuasive SEO copy compels them to take action.
3. Consistency is key. Regular, relevant SEO copy increases your credibility with the search engines, expands your exposure, demonstrates your expertise in your field, and attracts more qualified prospects to your Web site.
4. Outsource and succeed. You get all of the benefits of exceptional SEO copywriting services without having to learn SEO copywriting techniques and strategies yourself. And you don’t have to worry about being a professional writer. We do it all for you.
5. Submitting and posting SEO articles, SEO press releases, blogs, etc. is included as part of our SEO copywriting services. We know all of the best directories to maximize your exposure online.
6. Link-building is critical. One of our most popular SEO copywriting services is article marketing. We’ll help build your link popularity and improve your search engine rankings through several proven SEO copywriting strategies.
7. In the long-term, SEO is far more effective than PPC (pay per click) advertising. Since SEO articles, SEO press releases, SEO blogs, etc. appear in organic search results, they “live” online forever. You only pay once for an SEO article to be crafted (and submitted to gain maximum exposure), for instance, whereas PPC inevitably forces you to pay for unqualified leads. These PPC visitors may only remain on your site for three seconds and then disappear. You pay anyway—every click, every time. With SEO copywriting services, you only pay once. Why pay for visitors when you can get regular traffic for a reasonable, one-time fee with reliable SEO copywriting services?
8. SEO copywriting services translate into proven marketing results. Novo Writing has a knack for getting our clients on page one of Google and other search engines for their targeted keywords. See what clients say about Novo Writing’s SEO copywriting services.
That’s eight. But it’s only the beginning. To learn more about the many benefits and various kinds of SEO copywriting services, contact Novo Writing at 714.335.5677 or via email at info@novowriting.com. Visit us online at www.novowriting.com.
# # #
About Novo Writing:
Based in Long Beach, California, Novo, Inc. is a full-service copywriting firm specializing in marketing. Novo helps companies get more exposure online by writing compelling copy for search engine optimization (SEO), Web sites, SEO press releases, article marketing, blogs, email marketing, and more. Novo brings creative thinking, persuasive writing, and tangible results together to make businesses stand out from the crowd. The firm’s strategic copywriting solutions help companies reach their target audience quickly and more effectively, communicate their brand and value to the marketplace, and sell more products and services.
Copywriting and Advertising: 20 Ways to Increase Response Rates
1. Is it clear what you're offering? Show the communication to someone who's had nothing to do with it and see if they understand it. And understand it quickly!
2. Is it equally clear what you want your prospect to do? Order your product, send for more info, return the questionnaire, visit your website.
3. Does your communication have a single strong idea? More than one idea can confuse and lose your prospect. And the best idea is of course linked to your strongest product or service benefit.
4. Have you shown an obvious advantage over your competition? This could be a unique benefit, lower price, better quality or else your incentive.
5. Can you make your offer seem exclusive? Prospects feel flattered if they can be among the chosen few.
6. If there's an incentive, is it brought into the communication early? And is it justified? The incentive is an added reason to buy. In a crowded market it can be the only reason to buy. So get it up there quick. And justify it. For example, "End of Season Sale" is more credible than simply "Sale".
7. Can you strengthen the communication by quoting testimonials or independent research? Satisfied customers or an objective point of view are powerful ways to persuade new prospects to buy.
8. Can you offer a guarantee to increase buyer confidence? Guarantees are as old as advertising itself - for good reason.
9. Have you made your prospect the most important part of the communication? Not your company, not even your product or service, but the improved quality of life that your prospect will enjoy if they respond.
10. If your brand is well known, is it featured strongly? Your name adds reassurance.
11. Have you given every reason to respond and, consequently, overcome any normal objections? Your communication - whether it be online, print or broadcast - has to do the work of a salesman. But as it can't hear the particular objection in your prospect's head, you need to cover all possibilities.
12. Have you made it easy to respond (and pay)? A choice of channels usually increases response.
13. Is it written in a friendly tone? It should sound as if you're talking to your prospect face to face.
14. Is the tone of voice appropriate for your target audience? Talk to consumers as if you were chatting at their kitchen table. For B2B imagine you're in their office.
15. Have you matched benefits to features? (Here's the feature) "The Golden Fund invests in China's top twenty companies... (Now the benefit) ...giving your portfolio exposure to massive growth potential."
16. Have you been specific in your claims? Not "a great choice of insurance plans" but "a choice of 17 insurance plans, allowing you to..."
17. Are words, sentences and paragraphs short and easy to read? Choose simple words. Sentences with eight words are easiest to read. Paragraphs should be bite size.
18. Do your visuals emphasize a benefit? Put captions to your visuals as they are almost always read.
19. In the case of ads and mailings, have you restated the benefits near the coupon or phone number? Or at the checkout for your website? For ads and mailings people sometimes rip out coupons to complete later. If they can't remember why they did so, it's a lost sale. Online it's at the checkout where they sometimes have a change of heart; your main benefit can keep them reassured.
20. In print and screen media, is your font easy to read? Newspapers use a serif typeface because it's easy to read. If you use sans-serif make sure there's enough space between the lines.
Copyright 2006 by Tony Brecher
Article Source: http://www.articleshine.com
Tony Brecher has over 19 years experience as a copywriter and creative director at some of the best direct agencies in London and Sydney. He now runs Adwriter and creates advertising, direct mail and web content for clients large and small. For more information on how he can help you create successful advertising visit www.adwriter.com.au
5 Best Copywriting Tips: To Eliminate Your Copywriting Errors
The following mentioned are some of the best copywriting tips. They are easy to learn and anyone can grasp these copyrighting tips efficiently.
1. We would advice you to keep reading your written material over and over again. You will not come up with errors in continuous seven to eight glances. Try taking a break of a few minutes before you read your copy again. You will surely come across a few minor or major errors.
2. No one expects you to be a “GRAMMAR NERD”. Allow the content to flow smoothly with simple words and precise content. Avoid using really strong and difficult words.
3. It is always better to construct short and sweet sentences. Allow each idea to have a separate paragraph for itself, so your content does not read like one big jumble. This will generate interest in the reader and they might just want to read some more through your web pages.
4. Try not to loose the main focus of your content. Enhance your main theme may it be a product that you are selling or virtual services that you are planning to offer. If you drift away from your main focal point, you will also loose the customer.
5. When you are about to do the copywriting, we would recommend you to talk in specific yet friendly language. If you make use of a very corporate language, you might just scare the customer away. The content should be interactive.
Author Resource:- Alakh Arpan is the author of this article on Seo
Copywriting. Find more information about Seo
Copywriting Services at seocopywritingservices.net.
Article From ArticlesRFree.com
The Art of Freelance Copywriting
Almost all the businesses have their web pages and they need to keep their page rankings. Unless and until the web pages are refreshed with new contents, they cannot keep their page rankings high. Failing to keep the content refreshed might also result in a setback to the business as the ranking might drop. There are millions of such websites, which require the assistance of the freelance copywriters. Imagine the scope for copywriting profession for yourself. Freelance copywriting requires a bit of imagination and creativity to excel in the field. The first step is to find companies, which can pay the freelance copywriters adequately for writing their content. The topic should be understood properly, and then the information necessary for it needs to be collected. Organizing the facts and presenting it with originality is the secret of success of a freelance copywriter.
Copywriting portfolio of the freelance copywriter is very crucial in getting good assignments, as the copywriting portfolio will consist of the materials he has written like the brochures, direct mailer samples, advertisements, web sales pages etc. It is always good to get the consent of the client before adding the work to your portfolio, the one you wrote for them.
The legitimate way of building the portfolio of the freelance copywriter is to work for a local agency as an intern copywriter. Even though the money gained during such period is of less value, the experience gained will be of great value. Also the person will get good contacts, which can be useful while becoming a freelance copywriter.
Article Source: http://articlekarma.com
S. Geetha regularly contributes informative articles to web guides on freelance and work from home jobs - www.perfectjobsportal.com and www.myhomebizguide.com
How To Test Your Copywriting Skills in the ClickBank Marketplace Without a Reseller Account
So many webmasters overlook this critical component of a successful site. However, it is one that is easily corrected. A complete course in copywriting is outside the scope of this article, but to point you in the right direction, I would suggest that you start with "Tested Advertising Methods" by John Caples, followed by "Web Copy That Sells" by Maria Veloso.
Once you are comfortable with the fundamentals of copywriting, it's time to test your new skill. I have discovered a simple, yet brutally accurate way to measure your progress.
Go to the ClickBank marketplace at marketplace.clickbank.net and choose a product you'd like to promote. Then, if you haven't already done so, go ahead and sign up for a ClickBank Affiliate ID.
Next, create your landing page somewhere on your site, and write your sales letter. If you really want to get creative, write two versions of your sales letter and use your tracking software to conduct an A/B split-test between the two.
In order to test the effectiveness of your letter, you'll need to send people directly to ClickBank's purchase page. Although it isn't advertised, ClickBank has provided a way for you to do this. Your purchase page link will look like this:
ITEM.AFFILIATE_VENDOR.pay.clickbank.net
Where the item is the item number of the product that you are promoting. Find this number by clicking on the vendor's purchase link, landing on the ClickBank purchase page and viewing the source code in your browser. You are looking for a line that says:
(input type=hidden name=item value="item#") where item# is a number.
So, to recap, you've got the Item number, your affiliate ID, and the vendor ID (if you don't know the vendor id, go back the the source code above and look two lines up from the item number for the vendor ID). Now put them all together to create the purchase link above.
There is a caveat here you must be aware of; this method does not embed your affiliate commission, so if the purchase is not made right there, you will not get the credit.
Track the number of visitors to your sales page, and the number of sales that you get credit for. In this manner, you'll be able to judge the effectiveness of your copywriting skills.
Article Source: http://www.articleshine.com
Create sales letters instantly with this amazing tool.
Ron Jones is the owner of www.internetprofit101.com
Learn the Fundamentals of Internet Marketing and Build a Sustainable, Income Producing, Online Business.
Courtesy of: The Free Internet Marketing Resource
Article Submission made possible by: www.articles-submit.com
Writing Copy? Why Grammar Is Not Everything and What You Should Do About It
Content matters, first and foremost
Content in this context refers to substance – the overall worth of the write-up. It doesn’t refer to the number of words used or type of words you chose to use. What does your write-up say? What value can the readers get out of it? Are you substituting good grammar and big words because you have nothing else to say?
Although you shouldn’t be afraid of big words, it's always better not to complicate things for your readers. Determine your target audience first – their interests, capacity, what they find useful and interesting – and then write for them. By placing more importance on what your readers can get out of your write-up, you will be producing more substance out of your copy. After all, what's great grammar if there's nothing good in what you have to say?
Focusing solely on grammar is distracting
One common mistake among writers is obsessing about grammar when they begin to write. As a result, they get distracted, derailed from their train of thought. Imagine having a really terrific idea and then worrying over where to place a comma or which clause to use first. The great ideas and content that could have come out of you as a writer and made your writing better can get lost or confused with other ideas and concerns.
When writing, don't worry too much about grammar, at least at first. Write down words as they come to you. Don't let the subject of grammar bother you when inspiration strikes. Only when you're done should you then go over what you have written to check and improve it. Only then should grammar be a concern. After all, how can you proofread something you haven't even written yet?
Even the greatest focused on substance and not on form
The great American writers Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner had a famous rivalry. Faulkner, a writer praised for his intricate prose style (that initially confused his readers), criticized Hemingway's trademark simplicity.
Hemingway fired back, saying that there are 'simpler and better words', even saying that Faulkner shouldn’t think that 'big emotions come from big words'. Refusing to give in and use what he called '10-dollar words', Hemingway continued to write in his simple, easy style. He is still a well-loved and much-admired author today.
Grammar is not everything, but...
Grammar may not be everything but it is still a major component of good copy. You can't just ignore the value of good grammar because it isn't the be-all and end-all of writing.
Good grammar is equated to professionalism and is considered the true sign of a skilled and experienced professional. Furthermore, it's also considered as one of the signs that what you have written is reliable. Bad grammar, on the other hand, is for amateurs, lazy writers and scammers.
Although grammar is not everything in writing copy, don't ignore it. Use it as a means to improve what you have already written and progress as a writer.
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6 Practical Tips for Effective Headline Development
Outline your article.
The headline and the article body feed off each other. One must reflect, promote and support the other in order to be effective. As such, it's important that you build a relationship at the very beginning so your readers won't be confused at the progression.
To make sure you don't get lost, write a short outline of the article. This can be in the form of notes to help guide you on the topics you will be covering for the article and the succession of these topics. That way, you will have a reference on how the article will appear, something you can use for effective headline development.
Decide on the tone you will use
The tone of your article should be reflected by your headline. An optimistic, happy headline may not work with an article that is written in a serious, businesslike tone. Conversely, a formal headline may seem ill-conceived when used with an upbeat article.
Develop your headline based on the type of article you will be using
Ever read headlines developed by researchers for a certain scientific or medical study? They're not exactly the kind of headlines you'll find in a write-up for topics such as sports, personal care or relationships. These headlines tend to be formal and technical and there are no colloquial or slang terms used with them.
When developing headlines for your article, make sure it's a good match to the type of write-up you will be doing. If it's more technical, consider using a more structured headline. If it's more upbeat, then do the same with your title.
Offer an overview.
Your article has to compete with others in the market. This is especially true if you will be writing for the Web, where for a single topic alone, readers will find thousands of sources, all of them original.
For effective headline development, make sure to write a title that offers your readers a good idea of what the article contains – and then interest them enough so they read the rest of the article.
Headline too long? Consider a sub-headline
Sometimes in order to grab the attention of your readers, you will be stuck with a headline that's too long to be effective. If this happens, consider cutting the headline into two: one as the main headline and the other as the sub-headline. Readers can easily focus on these headlines and find the most interesting, salient points of the article.
Or, you could cut a long headline, use a provocative or interesting word or phrase followed by a colon and then write the rest of the headline. Some examples are below:
Game Hacks: How to Be a Master of Every Video Game You Play
Earth Angel: One Woman's Journey to Becoming a Celebrated Environmentalist
Birds of a Feather: How Your Friends Affect Your Luck in Life
Use intrigue
Notice how successful many of the marketing campaigns and promotions have been in the past? It's because the copywriter was able to stir up intrigue and grab attention by using their headlines well.
An excellent method of headline development is using teasers that create intrigue. Words such as 'secret to', 'little known ways' 'lazy man's guide to', 'beginner's guide to', 'you don't have to be ___ to be ___' and 'methods you never knew existed' can be quite effective for making the readers wonder and want to read more.
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SEO Copywriting Service
| There are a great many companies that offer SEO copywriting service. This is a very competitive field but it is a growing field due to the demand and need for good web content. This article will focus on how you can sell SEO copywriting service. The first key when talking about SEO copywriting service is to make sure that you have a good understanding of copywriting and experience within the field. Copywriting is a subject that takes a great deal of time to learn so you want to make sure that you have some experience and education before you start to go the route of SEO copywriting service. SEO copywriting is a little different and more difficult than many other forms of copywriting due to the demands placed upon the writer. Often when you're writing copy you are writing for a particular audience and know what the audience wants. This is where SEO copywriting can be a little more difficult is because you are writing for a couple of different audiences at the same time. You must walk the tightrope in being sure that the web content that you develop fits with what the search engines search bots are looking for when indexing sites but your web content must also entice your target audience to buy your products or services. To become good at SEO copywriting service, you will want to focus on learning what the important keys to building a good website are. The first key is being sure that you have very good web content that the search bots are looking for and that your audience desires. The second key one is to make sure that you develop good back links. Back links are developed when other web sites link back to your web site. This helps the search bots find your website and index it potentially higher in the search engine rankings. There are many other factors that go into having a high page rank and being noticed by search engines but these are the two factors that stand out most in importance. There are many different companies that offer this service so you will want to develop a particular niche in which you can focus. By learning the common steps of SEO copywriting, you will have a general basis to focus on many different industries but if you focused on one particular niche, this could allow you to have specialized knowledge in a competitive advantage over many other competing firms. Hopefully this article on SEO copywriting service has been beneficial to you. This field can be difficult to learn about because you have to make sure that you know about copywriting but also how to put it in a format that fits for the Internet and allows your copy to excel. There's a great deal more competition potentially on the Internet due to the fact that there are over 4 billion web pages out there. It can take a great deal of work to get a website indexed and noticed and this is where good SEO copywriting service comes into play |
| Author Resource:- Ronald Piper is an online researcher who publishes new information on specialized topics. He provides daily, relevant information and updated content on your favorite interests. To view more articles related to this particular subject, please visit his website at:ronaldpiper.com |
| Article From New Ezine Articles |
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Copywriting Tips To Market Your Small Business
Those catchy phrases on that brochure are copywriting.
The content of that sales letterare copywriting.
The direct-mail packet you received in the mail with discounts to area businesses- Yep. You got it that's copywriting.
And while you may appreciate the value in hiring a professional to write an effective sales letter, benefit-laden brochure, or have-to-have-it internet ad, professional copywriting services may be out of the price range of your small business.
It's impossible to gain the expertise in a short amount of time that a professional copywriter has earned through years of training and experience. That said, there are a number of quick and easy things you can do to make your content stand out - and more importantly, to sell your product or service for immediate revenue.
Headlines
In almost every case, headlines are a quick and effective way to grab your reader's attention. However exciting the information that follows, it's not going to do you any good unless you can pull your prospective client in immediately by making them want to read more.
In the age of email, IM-ing and video conferencing, people want information fast. If you bore them they'll move onto something else, and you'll lose an opportunity to tell them why your product or service will change their life for the better.
The headline is usually in a larger and/or bolder font than the text directly below it. This enables your promise to stand out more and to get the readers attention. The idea is to make your prospective client want to keep reading.
You may have seen headlines like these
"Lose 20 pounds in Two Weeks - And Eat all You Want!"
"Make $5,000 - with Nothing More than a Computer and 5 hours a Week!"
"Save Thousands on Heating Oil This Winter!" (an ad for a woodstove)
In virtually every business, even those often deemed "professional", your message will be more urgent and compelling with a headline. Consider the following example for a technology consulting company:
"Finish Your Projects On Time and Under Budget - Without Hiring a Single New Employee!"
See what I mean? Headlines work. Start by defining your company's promise. Every small business has one - all you have to do is tell your customer what it is.
Bullets and Fonts
Especially with a very technical subject matter, or with a product or service that requires a lot of information, bulleting out the finer points of your small business benefits can break down large blocks of information into an easy-to-read format.
When faced with a page full of text, the eye tends to drift to areas of interest - things that stand out from the rest of the text. For this reason, varying your font style and size just a tiny bit can make a real difference.
If I bold this sentence, you will likely pay special attention to it.
If I use italics to make my point here, it will be the rare individual who doesn't notice - not the italics, but what's been written in them.
The key here is not to go overboard. You don't want to make your letter or brochure look like an advertisement for the circus (well, unless your small business is a circus). Just create enough interest to keep them reading and keep them invested in learning more about your small business.
Do-It-Yourself?
You'd probably prefer to contract out your copywriting services. Hiring someone else means you get a professional and can move onto matters that fall more clearly within your area of expertise.
But the reality is that many small businesses simply do not have money in the budget to hire a professional copywriter - at least not in the beginning.
In this case, try coming up with some material of your own using these tips. Who knows? You might even discover a talent you didn't know you had.
BlueWaterArticles.com: - Copywriting Tips To Market Your Small Business
About the Author
John Edmond worked for many years in insurance and finance and now writes on Small Business Marketing. For a range of ebooks on Copywriting for Profits both on and off the web go to OneClickBooks.com where all single ebooks are just 99p
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Freelance Copywriting: What Services Can You Offer?
Copywriters write many different kinds of business documents, usually to do with advertising and promotion.
Here are several kinds of copywriting services you could offer your clients:
1. Advertising copy - every business needs to advertise
Promotional copywriting includes all forms of advertising, as well as other marketing collateral for companies large and small.
Many copywriters start their careers creating the text for brochures, and for print display and classified advertisements. Since all businesses need to create advertising, this is a lucrative form of copywriting.
2. Direct sales copy - someone has to write junk mail, it might as well be you
Direct response means exactly what it says: your words - in a sales letter, whether online or offline - will sell a product or service. Your words must sell. This is specialized copywriting, and highly lucrative, so many copywriters specialize in direct response.
You can practice your direct response copywriting skills writing for small local firms. As your skills grow, you will be hired by larger companies.
3. Internet copy - for Web sites and advertising
As more businesses develop Web sites, copywriters are needed to write many different types of Web pages. Some of these pages are promotional, others are informative. Many experienced copywriters are specializing in Internet copy, because of the on-going work which company Web sites offer.
4. Public Relations copywriting: you're a spin doctor
Companies rely on Public Relations copywriters to help them to inform their various publics - current clients and future clients, and shareholders. So when a company hires a PR person, he's usually on a retainer, on call to provide the company with PR copy as required.
As more companies appreciate the benefits of online Public Relations, the frequency with which they release press releases has been stepped up. Press releases offer a way to attract new clients, as well as keep current clients informed.
So there you have four broad areas in which you can offer your copywriting services, and build a large and lucrative copywriting practice.
Article Source: http://www.articlenorth.com
Angela Booth is an expert copywriter who can help you to develop a fantastic copywriting career in just seven days. Her Copywriting Master Class teaches you many different forms of copywriting.
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Four Ways to Personalize Your Copy and Capture the Readers Attention
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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Online Copywriting: Make It Short and Simple
Why It Has to Be Short and Simple
You can blame it on various factors, but regardless of the reason behind it, online readers tend to be more demanding and impatient. A short and simple copy is able to give them what they want quickly and easily. A longer and more in-depth one can’t.
It’s also best to think of online readers as having tunnel vision. They have a one-track mind, and if the first instance that they suspect your copy of being unable to give them what they want, they’ll immediately switch to the next website in their list.
If you want to please online readers with your copy, you need to give them what they want without any delay. If they want you to explain in greater detail, they’ll only have to click the link you’ve thoughtfully provided for them. But until they do that, it’s better to stick with the plain but effective short-and-simple format.
No Fancy Words
Online readers skim and when they happen to skim right to the part you’ve used a fancy word they don’t comprehend, you stand to lose not just their attention but their presence in your website. And all of that is just because you took pains to use a fancy word. Such effort will remain unappreciated by online readers so don’t bother wasting your time with it.
Stick to the Facts and Figures
Online readers aren’t interested in things that haven’t yet been proven. What they want are statistics and the more impressive they are, the better! In this case, you’ll have the type of reader who doesn’t mind but in fact prefers that you brag. If there’s data you can share to convince your reader of buying your product or service, share it.
Don’t Overwhelm
Online readers are easy to scare. Give them an online copy that’s longer than a full-length page or two and they won’t even try to read it. Effective online copies never overwhelm their readers. Their sentences are simple and basic. Their paragraphs are the same and composed of not more than four or five sentences.
If a few sentences or a single paragraph are not enough to explain a particular concept, break it into several paragraphs instead. If you want to be a good copywriter, the first thing you have to understand is avoid doing anything that scares off your readers.
One Idea at a Time
Don’t make your readers frown in puzzlement. They want information given to them in a smooth-flowing manner, preferably in a step-by-step method. As such, you need to stick to one idea per paragraph. Given the ideal length for paragraphs, doing otherwise is foolhardy anyway.
Use Proper Formatting
Making your online copy convenient for your readers is another sign of good copywriting. One way of doing that is to use proper formatting. Subheading, large and legible fonts, and bullet points are just a few ways to make reading – or skimming – easier for your customers.
Keep these tips in mind the next time you write an online copy!
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The Importance of Research for Effective Copywriting
"An important first task when you are planning a piece of written work is to think carefully about its purpose." (1). Start by identifying your reader, bearing in mind these three simple questions:
* Who is my reader? * Will they read this? * What value is being created? (2)
If, for example, your brief is to write a 1000 word ‘business to consumer' brochure on a new range of motorized mobility scooters – the language, tone and style of your piece should not be targeted towards the youth audience. Sounds too obvious? Look in any newspaper, magazine or at any website, and you'll soon find countless examples of advertisements for products that seem to be incongruously addressing a completely irrelevant market. This accounts for the irritation or amusement you feel when viewing a TV advert not aimed at you. When this happens, the audience feels disconnected straight away, and the intended message of the content falls between the cracks. It's one of the biggest reasons sales copy and adverts fail.
In our example, after you've identified your main ‘mobility scooter' readership as senior citizens, you then have a very compelling reason why they will want to read about your new products. But it's a competitive market and the scooters won't sell themselves. So the next part of the process is to ask yourself, ‘What's in it for my intended readers – what benefits will our products give these readers over and above those of our competitors – and how do I communicate this to them in a language they will appreciate?'
Consider benefits, not just features
This is when the ‘analysis' stage of the research process kicks in – when you go back to your product and set out all the features it offers your target reader, listing the corresponding benefits. Think about everything your product can do, and how this will help the reader – how this will create value for them within the content you are about to write.
If at this stage you need to clarify certain product features or specifications, or identify more generalized subject matter that reinforces your point – go onto the Internet and Google your key topics, read up on relevant details that will put your claims into an authoritative context. Imagine yourself in the mindset of your target reader, and search for examples of similar products directed at them. Note the language used to talk to them, and consider what works and what doesn't in terms of tone.
The more detailed your research at this stage, the more rounded and effective your writing will be. You might think you're collecting superfluous details, but when it comes to actually writing your content, you'll find you're already a ‘mini expert' on the subject, and can cherry pick the best facts, stats and juicy pieces of information to back up your message.
The final stage of your research should take the form of collating your rough notes into a definitive structure. This structure will depend on the media in which your content will be published - for example, writing for the Web is very different than writing a sales letter or brochure – but if your research is sound you'll put yourself on a solid footing for actually structuring and writing effective content.
Sources
1. Prof. Gail Huon, The University of New South Wales, Writing Workshop, 2006 2. Gerry McGovern and Rob Norton, ‘Content Critical', Financial Times Prentice Hall, 2002
About The Author
An English graduate from the University of Birmingham and professionally trained journalist at postgraduate level, Laurence James has been copywriting for over ten years. A Member of The Institute of Direct Marketing, he is also founder of The Copy Box - http://www.thecopybox.com
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Headlines and Tone Testing: Are You Able to Get Your Message Across?
Writers often depend on headlines to create appeal for their write-ups. Headlines, after all, are often the first line of writing that a person reads when he comes across an article, news story or book. A headline can create curiosity, stir up interest and generate wonder. The tone of the headline also affects the readers' response and elicits reactions right then and there. For proper headline creation and tone testing, here are some things to keep in mind:
The headline should set the tone
Whether your write-up is upbeat, formal, businesslike, provocative, engaging or a call-to-arms kind of thing, the tone of your headline should reflect it. Very often, your goal as a writer helps set the tone of the headline and the subsequent body of the write-up.
Are you trying to give information? Raise a question? Intrigue the reader? Create a sense of urgency? Decide on the goal of your write-up first and this will help guide you on finding the tone for your headline.
Write down the keywords that define your article
This is especially important if you will be writing for the Web and quite useful even if you will be writing for print. Keywords are words that reflect or represent the main idea or topics that will be found in your article. These keywords should then be found in your headline.
Although some keywords are rather neutral in tone, there are some that best express the feelings or emotions that you might find appropriate for your write-up. Write these words down so you can decide later which one to use to achieve the best effect. When you go through tone testing later, this effect will be easier to determine.
Write down the words that reflect the tone of your headline
Some words, like adjectives such as 'truly', 'really' and 'absolutely' set the tone of the headline, making it seem like what you have to offer is the ultimate. These words give a sense of exclusivity and can help your headline stand out. 'How to', 'Guide to' and 'Tips for' are often used in headlines to set the tone for an instructional article. Action words, on the other hand, set the tone for enthusiasm, making the headline sound urgent.
Tone testing
So how do you know that you truly have the right tone for your headline? Test it. Go online, use at least three search engines and type the headline you're planning to use. Use the exact words initially to test the headline.
Once the search engine has produced a listing of results, go to the top 3 or 5 of these links and check how relevant your headline is. Read the articles as well and check if the tone is similar to the tone of writing you wish to use.
As part of the audience, you should be able to tell if the tone of the headline works. Test it against your reaction and how you responded to the headline and the subsequent body of the article. Check reader reactions in the comment section as well. There's a good chance you'll find frank assessment of the write-up there. Then use what you've learned to apply in your own writing.
Test the tone with a limited audience. Try showing the headline to friends and ask them what they think. More importantly, ask them what kind of emotion/s the headline produces. If the answer is exactly what you intend the headline to create, you're on the right track. If not, revise the headline.
You could also tone test the headline by posting it online. Then change the words strategically to see the kind of reaction you receive. Once you achieve what you want, stick to that headline.
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Unbridled Writing: 6 Ways to Make Your Copy Flow
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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How to Show the Importance of Your Readers in Online Copywriting
The online arena is different: you do not know who visits your website, and you do not even know if the person claiming to be part of your target market is truly part of it, or is in need of free samples and is in another demographic altogether. The online arena offers a blanket of anonymity that affects even you: trust is so low online, so that when presented with information, people tend to shy away and be even more cautious. This can make for even more challenging copywriting, but if you are able to talk to people and show your readers that the copy is for them and intends to help them meet their goals, then you will have an easier time with your marketing efforts.
Why should you show your readers how important they are? For one, the online arena also offers the illusion of being part of an often large crowd, and it is this membership which, if saturated with too much togetherness, can make your website visitors and prospective clients feel alienated from you. In other words, you need to personalize your copy; but how can you personalize something when you have thousands of different tastes and inclinations out there? You therefore need to target your market: you need to talk to people as though you knew every single need that they have.
You will also need to answer four main questions when you are creating a web copy. If you are able to answer these questions, then you will be able to show your readers that they are important to you; if you show them that they are important to you, then there is a greater likelihood that they will buy something from you. After all, if you care about them, then you can better be trusted, right?
First, answer why your visitor has stumbled upon that site. Has that person looked for something that could augment his or her family income? Does that person belong to a certain demographic? Does that person enjoy a certain show or have fun in a certain hobby? This serves to identify the person, not to label him or her, so be careful about being too hard selling in this area, or you risk turning off your reader immediately.
Second, when you have started endorsing your product or service, be sure to tell your customer what to do. It makes no sense for you to have a load of marketing hoopla, only to leave your customer wondering what he or she needs to do. However, you are not here to control the customer: you are here as a guide, so avoid being too pushy.
Third, answer why the customer should do it. This is where you conjure up your persuasive powers, so be prudent. Why should your customer buy the product? Provide evidence that your product or service is the best and will meet that person’s needs and wants.
Lastly, tell your customer what he or she should expect from you, the product or service, or from the company, if updates should be made.
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