Showing posts with label Arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arts. Show all posts
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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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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5 Ways to Write Copy and Avoid Being Clever and Critical
Being overly clever is seen as arrogance
You've probably come across writers who try too hard to impress their audience. You will agree that they often seem condescending and annoying. The reader's usual reaction is often, 'What, does this writer think I'm dumb?'
By being too clever, you'll alienate your audience, who won't be too pleased at being subjected to a write-up that seems to insinuate that they are ignorant. Instead, speak to them the way you would to a respected colleague and don't simply assume that you know better.
Being critical can ruffle the wrong feathers
There are writing styles and topics that call for a writer to use a critical tone. Satire, for example, is very often critical. However, really great writers still manage to inject good humor into the writing, which is actually a sign of genuine talent.
When writing reviews, for example, you also need to be critical in order to inform the reader the positive and negative points of the person, event or product being reviewed. Being critical could be harsh but if you can phrase your sentences well, your write-up will be easier and more fun to read.
Be like Shakespeare
No, it's not about iambic pentameters and rhymes but being able to state the obvious without doing so. Instead of confronting the issue upfront by being clever and critical, find ways to describe, illustrate, critique or opine. You can add words, omit some, use metaphors and other tricks of the language. The key here is to produce a well-written piece. Just don't overdo it, though or people will know you're trying to be clever.
Avoid strong language
You don't have to be offensive just so people will know that you have something to say. Sometimes, writers can't help using strong language when trying to be critical about something.
Some writers may even use strong language in the hopes of preventing boredom in their readers. However, this trick often backfires since not everyone is appreciative of language used only in B action movies and street fights. If you use strong language out of context, your readers might think that you are either trying to be clever or being overly critical.
Instead of falling into this trap, turn to useful references such as a dictionary or a thesaurus for better alternatives. You'd be surprised at how well you can write copy that expresses exactly what you want to say using well-chosen words. You'll gain more respect for it.
Use humor instead
Instead of being clever and critical when writing copy, consider appealing to your readers' funny side. Some of the best writing ever produced used humor to express opinions and ideas even about the most serious of topics. Doing so will allow you to explore a different aspect of your subject and to offer your readers a means to see things in a different light.
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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!
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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.
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Simplicity Rules in Copy Writing
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!
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