Copywriting Information

5 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Copy


1. Isolation technique

It doesn't matter how good your copy is if they don't read it. Put blinders on and read each line (including the headlines and subheads) as if they exist in total isolation. Ask yourself if it makes sense on its own. For example, I was looking through Esquire Magazine and saw an article on a celebrity. The headline was "That Voice." Does that headline compel you to read on? It didn't do it for me. A mistake many copywriters make is to write too cleverly, insisting that "if you only read the rest of the copy, you will understand my masterful headline." Uh - wrong. Make it clear enough to stand on its own.

2. Hire child labor

It's okay if little Johnny isn't old enough to vote. If he's old enough to read, he has the potential to work under you as a mini entrepreneur. Here's what you do. Find a child between 8 and 12 years old (much younger or older and this trick won't work). Have him or her read your copy out loud. Every time little Mary stumbles or doesn't know a word, pay her a buck. If the prospect has to think about what a word means, you risk taking him or her out of the "reader's trance" and losing the prospect forever. Use short words and sentences and you'll save a lot of money with this test.

3. Show it happening NOW

Use active voice rather than passive. In other words, make your subject do things rather than have things done to him or her. The copy reads more dynamically that way.

Example of passive:

"Over 500 qualified prospects were sent an invitation to the meeting."

Example of active:

"We sent out over 500 invitations to qualified prospects."

4. Get headlines and subheads to work harder

Sometimes you only need to change a word or two to vastly increase your conversion rate (the number of online visitors who convert to buyers).

I've seldom seen one that couldn't be tweaked for more impact.

Example,

"Put music in your life"

Versus

"Puts music in your life"

Simply adding the "s" increased conversion over 400%. Do the isolation technique on those heads and subheads. Then ask yourself after each one, "So what?" If it makes you want to read further, good. You're on the right track.

5. Add lists

Some of the most highly read parts of any copy are the bullets or numbered lists. They are bite-sized and easy to understand with one quick glance. (Whether online or offline). So make it easier on your prospect by spoon feeding him or her Here's a tip. Be put your strongest bullet first and last. When a prospect scans, those are the two most thoroughly read positions. the information. Hey, you're reading one now!

Special Requirements for Reprint: we ask only that you include Lorrie's name and resource box, and keep all hyperlinks as live links.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

World class copywriter, Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero of Red Hot Copy educates entrepreneurs in the art of increasing sales with powerful copy. She has been interviewed by the Christian Science Monitor, Studio City Sun and many national radio stations. Get f*ree copywriting tips from her weekly ezine http://www.red-hot-copy.com/ezine.htm.


MORE RESOURCES:

Learn How to Write Web Copy and Develop an Online Marketing ...
PR.com (press release), NY - 12 hours ago
As an accredited Better Business Bureau (http://tinyurl.com/5m8hpw) publisher of direct-response copywriting and graphic design home-study programs, ...


Michelle Salater Writing and Editorial, LLC Launches New Website ...
Newswire Today (press release), UK - 11 hours ago
As a leading copywriting and online marketing company located in the Charleston, South Carolina, metro area, Michelle Salater Writing and Editorial, LLC, ...


Briar Copywriting Announces the Launch of a New eBook
UKPRwire (press release), UK - Nov 20, 2008
The UK's leading copywriter, Briar Copywriting, announces the launch of their new eBook '5 Simple Steps to Sensational Marketing'. ...


Small Businesses: Keep Ad Budgets Intact During a Recession
PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro - 9 hours ago
Businesses can still advertise and save money, however, by using less expensive marketing methods such as hiring a freelance copywriter to create online ads ...


Copywriting Grammar Ain't Perfect
MSNBC - Nov 10, 2008
The secret to copywriting success is adjusting your voice to match that of your target audience, and with that adjustment also comes changes in the grammar ...


Briar Copywriting Announces the Launch of a New eBook
Free press releases (press release), UK - Nov 20, 2008
The UK's leading freelance copywriter, Briar Copwyriting, has announced the launch of a new eBook, '5 Simple Steps to Sensational Marketing'. ...


AMV BBDO wins copywriting contest for Euston billboard
Brand Republic, UK - Nov 18, 2008
by Anne Cassidy, Campaign 18-Nov-08, 14:35 LONDON - A creative team from Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO has won Titan Outdoor's copywriting competition for the ...


Providence Journal

‘Mogul mom’ blogs on blending work, family
Providence Journal, RI - Nov 21, 2008
Allard said there are two basic kinds of mom-owned businesses, one selling a business service, such as copywriting or marketing, and the other trying to ...


International Business Times

VistaPrint Takes Creative Services Online With Website Design
MarketWatch - Nov 13, 2008
Website design integrates VistaPrint's renowned creative and copywriting services with the company's first electronic product. ...
A Timely New Book for the Recession - How to Get a Successful ... PR Web (press release)
all 14 news articles


Writing Great Web Copy: Copywriting for Search Engines
Multichannel Merchant, CT - Oct 31, 2008
When writing Website copy, thinking like a search engine is usually a good thing. Go too far with it, though, and you can end up with spam-flavored Web ...

Copywriting - Google News

home | site map
© 2008