Copywriting - Getting the Sale: Science Proves People Make Emotional Decisions

By Carol Bentley

In any sales situation; whether face-to-face, on the web, in an advertisement or through direct response letters, the experts have always maintained that decisions to buy are emotional justified by logic. Painting the picture of the pleasure or satisfaction a purchaser gains or the problem or pain they avoid or cure is the most powerful way of persuading people to buy and is frequently used in marketing material.

Now our inherent experience and knowledge has been proven scientifically by Dr Joe Arvai, who is a professor of judgement and decision making and heads up the Skunkworks Lab at Michigan University.

As part of his research he and Dr Robyn Wilson ran a study on decision making, asking 210 participants to judge how much of a budget should be allocated to risk prevention in two areas in a National Park; Mugging and Bag Snatching or Accidents Caused by Wandering Deer within the park. The published results in March 2006 showed that, in spite of statistics indicating the deer problem actually had a slightly higher risk, the volunteers judged it as lower and therefore a higher budget allocation was given to the emotive problem of mugging.

So how does this impact on our marketing material? It demonstrates that emotion, experience and perception all affect our decisions. Which is why it is so important to really understand your target prospect. What are their experiences; what appeals to them; what excites them; what angers them; what worries them; what do they REALLY WANT - rather than need? People take more notice of their emotions than any logical argument.

And of course we see this all the time; otherwise why do people buy high-status cars or houses or designer clothing when a cheaper unbranded item does the job just as well? They want to enjoy the status, and maybe even envy, in the eyes of their friends and colleagues.

Before sitting down to write any sales letter, advert, brochure, email, web page or even an article like this, describe your ideal customer. Then when you craft your message keep this picture in mind and clearly show the results they can expect to enjoy.

Once your prospect has made a decision to buy they will need to justify the purchase to themselves - and perhaps other people - especially if your product or service has a high-ticket price. You can help them do this by describing the features of your offer and reasons-why they made a decision in your favour.

Having trouble describing or picturing your target prospect? Look at your existing customers; why did they buy from you? What influenced their decision? Is it something you can use to encourage other prospects to make a good buying choice?

©2007 Original Work by Carol Bentley

Learn more about Persuading People to Buy... Subscribe to your free reports, with no commitment, at http://www.CarolBentley.com

Carol, who is the author of 'I Want to Buy Your Product... Have You Sent Me a Letter Yet? (Rated 5-star on Amazon), is launching a unique copywriting programme in the UK. Download a 17-page interview transcript where she reveals more about these powerful techniques and register your interest with no commitment. Visit http://www.WriteLettersWinSales.co.uk

Carol has extensive experience in writing copy for direct response campaigns. If you would like to talk to Carol's office about having her work on your current or next sales project you can use the contact form on her website.

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

19 secrets to making your ad copy more effective

Are Web Users Dense?

By Rick Sloboda

Clients and students frequently question why website writing should hover around a grade eight level.

The purpose is to promote readability.

It’s well known in the web writing community that the vast majority of online visitors don’t read word-by-word -- they scan.

That’s why plain language works well on the Web.

When you present clear web writing, you get your message across, connect with your audience and promote positive online experiences.

So how do you gauge the grade level of your web writing? Consider the following chart as a guide:

Grade Publication

6 TV Guide

8 Reader’s Digest
10 Time, Newsweek
11 Wall Street Journal

You can also use the Flesch-Kincaid readability statistics formula, which rates writing on a U.S. grade school level based on the average number of syllables per word and words per sentence. This article, as an example, scores 7.0.

You can determine the Flesch-Kincaid grade level of your web writing with MS Word by selecting the ‘Check grammar with spelling’ and ‘Show readability statistics’ options in the Spelling and Grammar tab (go to Tools, Options). Then do a spell check to view your readability score.

In addition to ‘plain language’, here are other web writing tips to promote website readability and usability:

• Keep a consistent style

• Use active voice versus passive voice.

• Passive voice: the subject is acted upon. It’s impersonal and static: “a delightful pizza was made by the chef.”

• Active voice: the subject takes the action. It’s strong, dynamic and direct: “the chef made a delightful pizza.”

• Use second-person narration (“you” and “we”) rather than first person (“I”).

• Keep it personal and informal -- speak “to” your audience, not “at” them.

At the end of the day, web users are definitely not dense. We’re just not willing to waste time on convoluted websites when there are more than 100 million other sites eager to serve us.

Rick Sloboda is with http://www.webcopyplus.com Free website writing tool http://www.webcopyplus.com/tools More website writing tips http://www.webcopyplus.com/faqs

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

Diaries

Develop Site Content

By Bharat Bista

This lesson is designed to help you develop and gather content for a Web site. In this lesson, you will learn about content and how to organize it as well as what questions to ask your client. It is recommended that you attend the classroom lectures to get the full understanding of this lesson.

Web site content and structure Determine your menu and content for your site by deciding what service, product or type of site your client is needing. Some clients have no idea what they want, it's up to the designer to help the client understand the types of Web sites there are and how to get started. Clients you're working with usually have a better understanding of their business than you do. You will need your client to provide as much information about what they do as possible - have them provide samples of brochures, business cards, newspaper ads, yellow page ads or anything else you can think of hat will help you design and structure their site.

At this point, you may need to hire a copywriter to produce text for the site. If the client does not have this in their budget, then have the client provide text for you based on your guidelines. Some clients already have an idea of what they want. Use what they have and enhance it when necessary. The following are types of questions and information to get from your client. These questions will help you in the design process and better enable you to build a site map. Join Creative public and download the Web site questionnaire and use this form to interview your clients needs and wants.

Questions to ask

Purpose of Web site:
Ask your client what they plan to do with the site. In other words, are they selling a product like nuts and bolts or is this more of an information site, like a brochure.

Audience:
Who's the target audience? Who's most likely to visit this site? What age group are you targeting?

Type of Web site:
Make sure your client understands the types of sites that are out there. Help the client determine what they need, based on the "Purpose" of their site. Will this site be a portal, promotional, ecommerce, or a content site? It's up to you to educate your client so they can better understand what you are talking about.

Page links and page content:
Once you have a basic understanding of what the client's needs are, then it's time to determine links, content and how many pages the site will be. Each link will have to have content based on the information you gathered from the client. For example, the home page of the Web site will have the majority of the links. It's always best to start off with the "Home" page first and then follow with other pages.

For each page, you may want to add separate sheets of paper and write down the links they may have. Some site's "secondary pages" have links to other pages within the site. Later, you'll transfer this to a site map for a visual layout and structure of the site. Remember that you don't have to use these link names. Be creative with your link names, but keep them clear and understandable to your visitor. Suggested links for the "Home" page.

Company (about us):
Discuss company information. Tell how the company got started and how long they have been in business. Possibly list awards and business partner relationships.

Contact:
Information on how clients can contact you. Make sure to include email, phone, etc.

Services:
List what the company does, what services are offered, and possibly include a pricing section.

Product or project showcase:
Have a showcase for the client to display their projects. Whether it's art or construction, an area for displaying projects is essential.

Secondary page links "Product Page":
Let's say this site is a hardware store. For this example, you will have three links to three different product pages.
- Nuts and Bolts
- Tools
- Wood

Now for each product, you'll need to consult your client and have information provided to you on each of these areas.

Technical support questions:
You will need to find out who your client is using for a hosting provider. You may want to offer them a great hosting plan yourself or guide them to a company to get hosting services. Keep in mind that most clients are coming to you for full service. Most clients don't understand how the Internet works, they just want their Web site to work. Research hosting plans and come up with a list of ays to make money for yourself or find an easy way for clients to handle it.

Hosting (service provider)
Who's the client's hosting company. Discuss plans and costs for services needed.

FTP (file transfer protocol)
Get your server information from the service provider providing the hosting service, including username and password to access the site upload area.

Domain name
Find out if your client already has a domain name. You will need to get that account information to forward any domains to a new server location.

Keywords
Think of keywords that you want the search engines to be able to search for. For example, use words like: tools, nuts, bolts, wood, and hardware. These keywords ill help you set up the Meta Tag section of the site, which enables search engines to locate the page. Overall, this lesson will help you determine the client's needs. After asking these questions and getting all the necessary information, it's time to put it all together and create a site map. Once this is done, get with your client to approve copy and site structure. After that approval process is done, then move onto design.

Author: Jason Vaughn/ Posted & Edited by Bharat Bista

References: Dallas Graphic Design -Dallas Website Design -Website Design Dallas

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

Creatively using Blogs; Massive SEO Beinifits

Become A Copywriter - 10 Steps to a Great Offline Copywriting Portfolio

By W Allen

1. If you visit your local office supplies store or an art supply shop you can find a standard balck portfolio case for around $20 to $30 dollars. You will find them in varios sizes but you don't need a large one. A medium sized one should be sufficient.

2.You will need to purchzse additional portfolio starter pages so you won't run out. The portfolio starter pages are protective plastic that goes over your work and over a black page. It's always a good idea to have extra pages on hand because you never know when you may want to quickly add an additional page.

3. Always include your resume as the very first page of your portfilio. It's true that you will be sending your resume first to potential clients or employers but you still want to include it on your first page. There may be many prospects aside from yourself who are vying for the position so you want to make sure that they know who you are when they see your portfolio.

4. This is very important---> Make sure you pick out your very best work for your portfolio!!! If you don't have many samples to show you can use text on paper as a writing sample.

Choose the work that best shows your copywriting talent, even if it is simple text on a piece of paper.

If you don't have samples then don't worry. There are many times when copywriters have a great project they've finished but the project is still in production and hasn't gone to print so they don't have the finished product to show off. That's ok. If this is the case then simply use the copy. If the person hiring you has any sense at all they won't be looking at the design (they're not hiring you for that!) they will be reading the copy to see if it flows, if it sells.

This is also true for beginning copywriters. The beginning freelance copywriter who has no samples at all to showcase can create SPEC ADS. A SPEC AD is an ad that you create on your own. You can take an ad for a major company you see in a magazine or a newspaper and rewrite it using your own style, label it a SPEC AD, and those who are looking over your portfolio will know that you are showcasing your abilities.

5. In your portfolio create divider sections to divide your work into the proper categories. Let's say that you have brochure copy, print ads, newsletter copy, and a radio script. You would want to create divider sections to make your work stand out and not seem jumbled and unorganized.

For this example you would want to create a divider page with a heading for Brochures, one for Newsletter copy, one for Print Ads, and finally one for Radio Script.

And always remember when working on anything from your portfolio to your website, copywriting is a very creative field so do not be afraid to get creative with your own marketing.

Try something interesting. Create a collage from pictures cut out of magazines. Anything to differentiate your work from others. You want your work to stand out and your want your creativity and talent to shine through. This will greatly increase your chances of landing good clients.

6. Don't be afraid to inlcude your text ads in your portfolio. You can dress up these ads and make them every bit as appealing as a full-color ad.

If you have a page of text and it's not in it's final post production form simply entitle the top of the page "In Production". If you have written a SPEC AD you would want to write at the top of the page "SPEC AD."

Just remember when putting together your portfolio or any other form of self marketing - potential clients or employers are reading your material to evaluate your ability to write. They are not hiring you as a graphic designer so the design of your work is irrelevant. Don't waste too much time trying to create copy that looks finalized. Just make sure the copy you do have is your best work. Work that you are proud of and shows how you can really sell a product.

Even veteran copywriters include plain text copy in their portfolio. It's the writing that counts in copywriting.

Always use professional quality paper to dress up your plain text ads. This is the same paper you would use to put a resume on.

If you really want your text ad to stand out buy a decorative background paper and offset the two by about an inch. A little extra effort can go a long way!

7. Make sure you don't glue your brochure down to the portfolio page and then stash it behind the protective plastic. Cut into the portfolio page so that the potential client or employer who is looking at your portfolio can have easy access to your copy. This means you may have a brochure flap sticking out of the protective plastic but your prospect can easily see your work.

Your work is protected by your portfolio pages. That is what the portfolio is designed to do. The last thing you want is a potential client trying to take a closer look so they start trying to feel the protective plastic back to get their hands on your copy.

8. Always try to adapt your portfolio's pages to a client or employer's specific needs. If you know in advance that the company you're submitting your portfolio too exclusively handles direct mail then you should include in your portfolio as many direct mail samples as you can. An assortment of many different types of copy won't be as effective as a specifically targeted group of your best copy aimed at whatever your prospet company mainly creates.

Your offline portfolio should be constantly changing to meet the needs of those prospects you are trying to work for.

9. Ok. Now you're in the employer's or potential client's office because he or she looked at your resume and called you in for an interview. Don't get too excited at this point. You could be just one of many, many other copywriter's vying for the same job. Make sure to put some extra copies of your resume into the back flap of your portfolio case. This is handy in case your potential client or employer has lost yours or would like an extra copy.

10. Remember this...

No matter what compliment a potential employer or client gives you about your resume - never leave it with them. EVER! Even if they promise with all their hart that nothing bad will happen to it. The reason you don't ever, ever want to leave your portfolio behind is that once your portfolio is out of your hands, you have no idea how it's going to be handled. They can easily be damaged, lost, or used as a coffee cup coaster.

The best way to handle a situation if a potential client loves your portfolio and wants to keep it is to say that you are available for a second appointment. You can also say that it would be a sinch to fax your samples over to them as soon as you get home. This way everyone gets what they want.

Become a copywriter today.com has great articles, copywriting products to give you an edge over your competition, product reviews, free newsletter, free ebooks, free copywriting documents (email sales letters, invoice, copy contract and more), an online copywriter's store, how to's and much more. This is the ultimate web site for anyone aspiring to work from home in the exciting and lucrative field of freelance copywriting.

Visit http://www.become-a-copywriter-today.com and learn how you can become a copywriter today!

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

7 Steps to Better Business Blogging

Copywriting - Destroy Writer's Block Part 1

By Clark Beltron and Kirsten Fjordlake, Bahador Dillinger

It happens to all sooner or later... we sit there staring at a blank screen... and dreaded “copywriting block” hits ... grabs us by the throat & won't let go.

Suddenly, our creativity's gone ... our thoughts dry up, the finger's won't move... the screen remains blank. Copywriting Writer's Block has invaded full force. Oh poop.

Fear not... there are ways to resurrect your magical copywriting creativity again... quickly.

The first copywriting resurrection tool is the Self-Doubt Destroyer. It goes by a lot of other names too... procrastination destroyer, fear destroyer, paralysis destroyer... etc. Different names... same tool.... it rips away fear.

Self-Doubt, left to its own devices, will destroy your copywriting attempts... you'll soon be mumbling... “Why am I doing this... It's pretty clear my writing stinks”... “My parents were idiots to have me”... and all sorts of other whiperings calculated to keep you in a funk.

But you have a handy trusted ally in the Self-Doubt Destroyer tool... it'll have you writing again in merely minutes.

So, what is it? It's a tool so simple you'll want to slap your forehead.

JUST LET YOURSELF BE STUPID!

Yes, that's all. Just let yourself be stupid...

You can now give yourself permission to be stupid. Begin by saying to yourself... “Let's see how how stupid my copywriting can be”... or “I'm going to show people the depths of my stupidity”... or “I will now begin writing stupidly & moronically!...

That's your goal now... To be king (or queen) of the idiots... to show people how stupid you can be. So...begin writing away, keeping in mind that stupid is fine.

Keep going.

You might notice along the way... that you're finding that your stress is dissolving, inner pressures are deflating and your personal angst (the bugger) is fleeing.

And, your copywriting is flowing. Woo hoo.

That happens when it doesn't matter whether you stink up the joint or not.

And, surprisingly... when you later look back over your newly created copywriting piece... you'll end saying “not bad”!...

It ended up better than you thought... now, just go back and review it... and edit out any writing or thoughts that are too out there.

That's it. You're done! Now... how hard was that?

After you're done, ramp up the word power of your newly created copy easily... just run it through a copywriting software called Glyphius... http://www.plentyofchange.com/recommends/Glyphius. It'll point out weak sales words in your copy... so you can replace them with more powerful ones.

I use it all the time... and, in my opinion it's a word processor's best friend. And it's not only for writing copy... any writing that needs some “punch”... speeches, fiction, ads, screenplays & more... will benefit by being tweaked with this little “language polisher”.

I'm really high on it... and I recommend it for you...Glyphius.

For some freebie pointers on using this software, feel free to email me... I'll send you some quick & dirty tips... address is in the info box below...

A second copywriting tool is the Subject-Hater Destroyer... this tool works well where you have no flippin' interest in the damn thing you're supposed to be writing about.

Or, to put it another way... you hate your subject area. There's no question that that can be a powerful copywriting block)... and block you from moving forward.

Here's what to do if your subject matter leaves you cold... ”twist” around the subject you're copywriting on to find some joy.

For example, if it's copywriting on ice hockey, and the game absolutely makes you want to puke (sorry, hockey fans)... do the “twist”... talk about player's uniforms... or the rules of the game... the history of the ice hockey arenas... any aspect of the subject area that piques your interest.

You could even discuss all the variations of “pucking”. Tsk. Tsk

No.. no.. not what you're thinking... there's Wolfgang... there Robin Goodfellow... there's the Marvel Comics superhero... there's many ways to puck... google it for yourself. You could easily write a nice (& hugely interesting piece) on the word “puck” alone.

Anyway, you get the idea... by applying either of these two copywriting “tools”, you gain control of your copy— and writing becomes effortless again.

Okay... now just DO IT... Say Goodbye to Copywriting Block forever!...

P.S. Can't find Part 2 of “Destroy Writer's Block”? Go here =>http://www.plentyofchange.com/artcopyban2.html

You may not sell this article, but you may print it, share it by email, place it on your website &/or otherwise use it in any way you wish, provided you do not change or alter it in any way.

© 2007 by Plenty of Change. All Rights Reserved.

____________________________________________________

Produced by the creative copywriting stable at Plenty of Change. Kirsten Fjordlake, Bahador Dillinger & Clark Beltron... info@plentyofchange.com For all your persuasive copy needs, visit http://www.plentyofchange.com

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

"How To Get Started With A Career In Copywriting"

Writing For Money: Five Super-Quick Ways To Build Your Copywriting Income

By Angela Booth

If you're just developing your copywriting career, gigs can be few and far between. However, there are many ways you can build your career quickly. Newbie, or experienced writing pro, you need to pay attention to marketing your work.

** By the way, "copywriting" is just writing for business - copywriters usually write marketing collateral (brochures, advertising, Web sites, and sales letters), but they also write product information and manuals. **

No one knows that you're available for writing projects until you tell them, and then you'll have to remind them regularly. It's been said that people have to see your name seven times before they contact you, and even when they do know your name and have bought your writing, you lose top-of-mind awareness very quickly.

The following are five super-quick ways to build your copywriting income. You will be able to build a full-time income within three months, if you stick to this schedule.

One: Carve Out Time For Marketing - Schedule It In

Make time for marketing every day. This is important - and it's vital when you're starting out. Aim to spend at least an hour a day on your marketing activities. When I mentor new copywriters, I insist that they spend at least an hour a day - and two hours if they can manage it.

It's all numbers - it's very simple: the more people who hear your name, or who hear from you in person, the more copywriting gigs you'll get. So spread the news!

Two: Cold Calls, Telemarketing - It Works

"Cold calling" is my number one tip for you to get work fast. I once recommended to a new copywriter who needed money fast that he make 200 calls. I promised him he'd have enough work to keep him busy for months. He complained, but he did it. And of course it worked for him. He got so busy that he was able to raise his rates, and hire an assistant.

Three: Create A Web Site - Global Marketing Made Easy

Web sites are gold to a copywriter. Where else can you go on at length about yourself and the services you offer, and have your information disseminated to the world, by clicking your keyboard's keys? And have it cost you next to nothing?

Four: Call Local Agencies - Let The Locals Know You're Around

Call your local advertising, graphic design, marketing and public relations agencies. When they get busy (as an agency does after winning a new contract) they're looking for willing hands.

Five: Send Out A Press Release

Press release are like Web sites. Post them on the Web and they keep marketing for you forever. Send them to your local media outlets, and you get stories about you written in your local press.

So, now you've got five ways to build your copywriting career fast. Get building!

You can develop a great copywriting business. Angela Booth's Seven Days To Easy Money: Copywriting Success at http://abmagic.com/Copywriting/copywriting.html shows you how to develop a six-figure income. If you want to write from home, writing copy (business writing) is the easiest way to do it. Read Angela's writing blog for daily writing help and information at http://copywriter.typepad.com/ All that's standing between you and a great writing career is some help and information - get it, and watch your career take off.

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

Copywriting Tips That Will Boost Your Profits

By Mark A. Abrahams

Copywriting, the core of an internet marketing business, most internet marketers fail because they fail to master the two basic skills essential for success. Generating traffic and monetizing the traffic. Follow these copywriting tips and stand a much better chance of monetizing your targeted traffic.

Create an attention grabbing headline. A good headline will state a benefit and then a measurable result for example "Discover How To Lose 20 Pounds In 10 Days".

You need to make the visitor aware of a problem. So for example you can make the visitor aware of all the health dangers of being overweight.

You need to present a solution to how they can solve there problem. So say for example to lose weight you can explain scientifically how a high protein diet builds up more muscle and increases the metabolism to burn fat.

You need to present your unique solution to solve the problem based on the scientific evidence you presented so far. So to lose weight this could mean protein shakes that will increase the protein intake thereby increasing the metabolism and burn more fat.

You need to tell your visitor what to do next. Use words like click here or call this number. People like to procrastinate. A time sensitive offer will make them more likely to take action.

In the PS section you would describe a wonderful life without the problem.

With so many scams and junk on the internet a no questions money back guarantee will set a prospective buyer's mind at ease and make them more likely to purchase.

Use these copywriting tips and watch your profits increase. Master the skill of copywriting and you can become very wealthy.

Would you like to know more about the techniques that have helped me to quit my day job? I have just completed my new guide.

Download it free here: Secrets Of Internet Marketing here.

Mark Abrahams is a full time internet marketer who has helped others to earn a living online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_A._Abrahams

"How To Get Started With A Career In Copywriting"

How To Become A Copywriter - How Freelance Copywriters Should Charge Their Clients

By W Allen

There are two ways in which to charge a client for your freelance copywriting services:

1. Flat rate

2. By the hour

I recommend that you do a flat rate. This prevents anyone from second guessing how long a project will take. If you do decide to charge by the hour then you must decide what your hourly rate will be. The range for copywriters varies from $50 an hour all the way up to $125 an hour. I wouldn’t recommend that a beginning copywriter charge $125 an hour, but it’s entirely up to you. Some businesses may not flinch if you charge a high amount. Some may head for the hills. I recommend that you get a feeling for how much they are willing to spend. You can also ask what the budget is on that particular project and this will give you an idea of how much they can afford. Also, when you are beginning, I recommend that you keep your rates negotiable. You may have to take a fee cut, but when you are first starting out any work you can get will benefit you with experience and give you a great sample to enter into your portfolio.

Flat rates are much simpler. It’s a standard fee that you charge for any particular service. If you write a brochure you can charge a flat rate fee based on the length and complexity of the brochure. If it’s a simple 3 page brochure you can charge anywhere from $100 to $400 dollars. If it’s a more complicated 7 to 10 page brochure then you can charge anywhere from $500 to $1000 dollars. And again this is based on how much you think they are willing to pay and what their budget can afford. You can always negotiate if they are unwilling to pay a higher fee. Once you get more established and have steady work coming in you can pass on projects altogether if the prospect can’t meet your fee. Just a side note here: When you do land a project and complete it, ask them if it would be ok if you could have a sample of the work when it is fully completed. That way you can use it in your portfolio (include a stipulation in your copy contract that allows you to use any work you do for a client in your portfolio).

Also ask your client for a testimonial. This is where the client writes a short sentence or two about the job you did for them and how it helped meet their communication needs. Most people will oblige you and write something complimentary about you and your work. Put it on your website and let it work for you because nothing sells quite as well as a customer testimonial. It shows others who are looking to hire a freelancer that you can fulfill a client’s requests.

Receiving Payment

To keep track of your clients and payments owed I suggest you use a simple computer program. I use QuickBooks to handle all of my invoices and balances due, overdue, and paid. It even has a feature that allows me to send an email invoice directly to my client’s email address.

There are many other options available to you if you decide against a software program. If you have a really tight budget and don’t want to spend money on a computer program you can simply use paper and manila folders or a program like Excel. But just make sure you use a program. You want to be able to keep track of who owes you and when it.s due.

Also, I advise that you develop some sort of system to keep track of your projects. I recommend you use a folder/file based method. You can use simple, labeled manila folders filed in a filing cabinet or in a cardboard box or anything else that allows you to keep your work organized when handling multiple projects. This is a great way to prevent any deadlines from being missed.

For more information about copywriting fees and receiving payment visit http://www.become-a-copywriter-today.com

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

Become A Copywriter In Less Than Seven Days

By Angela Booth

If you write marketing communications and other sales material for your current job, you're already a copywriter. To become a copywriter, all you need to do is decide that you will put your skills to work for others.

I've always said that if you can write letter that people can understand, you can write copy and make a great living as a copywriter. We're all surrounded by copy - on the Web, in print, on TV and radio - so you already know how to persuade, and it's just a matter of putting your knowledge to work.

Become A Copywriter In Three Steps - And In Less Than Seven Days

Here are three steps that you can follow to become a copywriter:

1. Create A Portfolio Of Writing Samples

When you sell your writing skills, your clients want to see samples of your work. Once you've written a couple of brochures, or the content for a Web site, you have ready-made samples. When you're starting out, just pick a product and write the copy (the text) for a brochure. Copywriters just write, they don't design, so the graphics and the layout for a brochure are all you need to create.

2. Create A Small Web Site

A Web site is the world's easiest marketing tool. Before Web sites, copywriters had to send out thick packets of portfolio material to prospective clients. Nowadays, you can set up a simple site, post your portfolio, and direct your prospects to it.

3. Send Out A News Release To Your Local Media

News releases (also known as press or media releases) are golden - they're your secret weapon to getting all the copywriting gigs you can handle now and in the future. When you're starting out, send your releases to your local media. Some 80 per cent of all material in newspapers and magazines started out as a press release. Your local newspaper will be happy to write a story on you. Then, sit back and enjoy - you've started your copywriting career.

Could copywriting really be so simple? Yes, it can. There's nothing mysterious about writing copy. If you write at work, you may already be writing copy. All you need to do is announce to businesses that you're happy to write for them.

Discover how you can turn your writing skills into a fabulous career. Angela Booth's ebook "Seven Days To Easy Money: Copywriting Success" at http://abmagic.com/Copywriting/copywriting.html takes you from novice to pro copywriter in seven days. Visit the book's blog at http://www.sevendayscopywriting.com/ Yes, you really can become a copywriter in seven short days.

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

The Top Ten Tips for Effective Sales Letter Writing

By Mario D. Churchill

The global marketplace is fast becoming a real marketplace: it is growing noisier and even more crowded, with vendors all racing to sell their wares to the nearest customer, and with marketing techniques that can be clever, if not downright ridiculous. Indeed, marketing campaigns are becoming more and more hard sell, annoying customers rather than attracting them.

Despite the good efforts of advertising companies, customers are now inundated with information and saturated with images. Many companies, moreover, are employing tactics that alienate rather than attract customers. This may be due to the fact that hard sell marketing methods tend to make companies appear impersonal, when customers first need to know that they are cared for.

In other words, customers need to know that you care, before they care what you know (or want to sell). A good sales letter might accomplish such a feat. A sales letter is simply a letter showing your company’s credibility, the effectiveness of your product or service, and persuasive words for the recipient to buy the product or service. Although this appears to be simple, writing an effective sales letter is easier said than done: it should be worded simply but convincingly, and it should be personal, but not intrusive.

If you want to write an effective sales letter, take note of these tips before you start writing or typing it out.

• A sales letter need not be filled with clever words, puns, or jokes. In fact, it should not employ any ridiculous tactics to attract customers. The best sales letters are in fact terse, simply worded, and free from jargon or acronyms that the prospective customer will not be able to understand.

• Address your customer directly, and by name. If you avoid addressing them as simply “Dear Sir or Madame” or “To Whom it May Concern,” then you will have taken the first step in convincing them of the goodness of your company, and the greatness of your products or services. A personal address makes customers feel that they are cared for.

• A good sales letter is always worded clearly, especially when you mention how the product or service will directly benefit the recipient. If you are selling computer parts, mention how the customer needs the parts, and how important a computer is in today’s society. If you are selling an encyclopedia set, mention how important reading still is, even with the Internet; mention how people always need to learn facts from a reputable source. As long as you make sure that your customers feel cared for, then you are on the right track.

• Build trust in your prospective customers. If you have testimonials from satisfied customers, or quotes from respected people in your business, then use them in your letter. Use them sparingly, however, as quotes and testimonials can make your marketing appear too aggressive.

• Maintain your company’s credibility. In as few words as possible, tell the recipient something about your company. If you are selling food products, you may want to state the safety standards to which you comply, or you may want to mention awards that your products received. Again, do not overdo this portion of the sales letter, since over-praising yourself will alienate, if not annoy your sales letter recipients.

• Make your sales letter attractive. Print the letter on high quality paper with good ink. A poorly printed or produced letter will turn customers away, no matter how good your product or service is. Remember, the quality of the letter represents your company’s capabilities, so invest in good printing.

• If you can, include useful tips or facts in boxes or sidebars along with the letter. If you cannot make these boxes or sidebars fit, then enclose a brochure that the prospective customer could use. For instance, if you are selling vacation packages to Europe, you can enclose a brochure on the top ten European destinations, along with a list of places to visit. Such a brochure can be attractive, and may find itself on the refrigerator door, where your name can be exhibited for all to see.

• Deliver firm instructions on what the letter recipient should do. Should they call you to buy your product? Should they email you to avail of your services? Provide your contact information, but be prepared to field calls and respond to emails.

• Include incentives with the products and services that you are offering. Studies show that customers respond to offers of gifts and discounts, so make your offers as attractive as possible.

• Have the boss sign the letter personally. This lends a personal touch to the letter, and will look better than a signature that has been printed out.

As long as you reach out to your customers and know their needs, you will make your voice heard in the crowded global marketplace. Write a good sales letter, and you can see your profits rise.

Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on copywriting or becoming a copywriter checkout his recommended websites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_D._Churchill

The Sales Letter Is Mightier Than The Sword - The Psychology Of Sales Copy

By Jessalynn Coolbaugh

You’ve got a fantastic new product that you just know everyone needs. You’ve spent thousands on a beautiful website to promote your great new product. You’re marketing in all the right channels, with thousands of affiliates promoting your product.

But you haven’t made a single sale.

You don’t understand it; this is something that should be selling out, not collecting dust. You were just positive that people would be chomping at the bit to get their hands on this, but you haven’t had even a nibble.

You’re asking yourself, “Where did I go wrong?”

Chin up, my friend, the problem may well not lie in your product or marketing methods, but in your sales letter.

There is a certain psychology to writing an effective sales letter. While your sales copy should be informative, yes, it’s primary goal should be to gently manipulate potential customers into believing they cannot live without your product. It’s sole purpose is to produce impulse driven sales.

When marketing any product, it is imperative that you focus on the psychological aspect of your target audience. For example: if your target customer is a housewife, you should first and foremost let her know how your product is kid-safe and family-friendly. Then, make her believe that by purchasing your product, her housework load will be lighter, or that she will look and feel more attractive.

A weekend fisherman does not care about the technology you have used to make your new fishing pole lighter and more aerodynamic, he wants to be told that by purchasing your pole he’s going to catch more and bigger fish than his buddies.

Always be mindful of your audience. A good sales letter should seduce your target customers into believing that the only way to achieve satisfaction is through the purchase of your product or service.

The subtle psychological makeup of your sales letter can mean the difference between success and failure for your company. If you’re not seeing the results you think you should be, maybe it’s time for a change.

Copyright 2007 Jessalynn Coolbaugh all rights reserved

Jessalynn Coolbaugh is the owner of Coolbaugh Copywriting Services, and has been writing for more than twenty years. You can visit CCS at http://coolbaughcopywriting.blogspot.com

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

The Write Stuff - Home Office Supplies For Freelance Copywriters

By W Allen

There are certain things you need to have to be able to effectively do your work as a professional freelance copywriter. Now, some of this stuff is expensive, so if you’re running on a tight budget then it would make sense for you to try and buy some of these items used. As long as it is functional then you’re alright. Once you begin to pull in more clients you’ll be able to afford an upgrade.

As a Freelance Copywriter You’re going to need:

1. A Computer. You can buy a laptop or a PC. These days you can find a pretty reliable laptop for cheap. Most places even offer some sort of monthly payment plan. I know my first laptop cost over $1,000 but I only ended up making monthly payments of about $27. PCs are no different. The big retail electronic chain stores have reliable PCs for less than $500. And I’m sure they also offer payment plans. The computer is your life in this business. Without my laptop I’d probably just waste away. It is the core. And always make sure to back up your information. I had a computer crash on me and I lost about 7 months worth of work because I hadn’t backed it up. So make sure you back it up.

2. The Internet. I prefer high speed internet access because I do a lot of my research online and with anything less I feel I wouldn’t be able to be as productive. However as budget allows, you may not be able to afford it at first. Some cable providers have specials where you can sign up for so many moths at a discounted rate. I suggest you check and see. DSL is also an option. It’s cheaper than cable (in most areas) and is more widely available. Faster internet access is great for my business but it’s not a necessity. Once again if you are running under a tight budget then you can go with less expensive options. There are many dial up services that cost less than 20 dollars and some that are free. The main problem with the free services is that they tend to run constant advertising messages across your screen while you are connected. This could be very distracting.

3. A Telephone. You need a phone to make and accept calls to and from your clients. I think that’s fairly obvious. I have two phones--a cell phone and a home phone. I use the home phone when I’m doing business from my home office and when I’m out during business hours (at a coffee shop or library) I have my calls forwarded to my cell phone. That way I don’t miss any important calls.

4. A Fax Machine. A fax machine is optional. But if you decide to purchase one it can help you be more productive. If you plan on using a copywriter’s contract (discussed later in the manual) that you want signed by the client then it really helps to have a fax machine to send and receive it. Plus some clients haven’t fully grasped attaching documents to emails so they insist on sending them via fax instead. If you have a document store nearby you can always use their fax

machine, but it is a slight hassle to have to go there. It takes away from time you could use to be more productive.

5. Various office supplies:
• Desk
• Paper
• Pens
• File Cabinet
• Folders
• Envelopes
• Pads of paper (I like to use legal pads to take notes while on the phone with a client. Also when doing research)
• Comfortable chair
• A motivational poster or two (to keep the spirit up and focus on the task at hand)

For more information on freelance copywriting home office supplies or the business of freelance copywriting in general visit http://www.become-a-copywriter-today.com/page/page/4298993.htm

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

Copywriting -- Two Golden Rules of Sales Copy

By Ugur Akinci

No matter what type of sales copy you are writing (catalog copy, newspaper display ad, e-mail pitch, hand flyer, highway billboard, radio commercial, etc.) there are two rules that you should never violate if you need good results:

1) Focus on the "Maddening Problem"

If you can identify why people are frustrated and upset, you've got a sale. And for that, you need to observe the world without any prejudices or preconceived notions of what gets people upset.

One good way to do that is to watch the popular TV shows and read the best selling main-stream publications because there is a reason why these media products got to be the monsters that they are.

Consider Oprah… or the National Enquirer… why is the former the top TV talk show and the latter the best selling periodical in the United States? Because they both address people's frustrations and they do it well.

They correctly identify what bothers tens of millions of people the most and then they either suggest solutions (Oprah) or, as in the case of the National Enquirer, they assuage that frustration by assuring the readers that "the rich and famous are not that happy and classy at all."

For example, if you are writing copy to sell a home-based business opportunity, don't tell your prospective buyers that now through this opportunity they can visit all the foreign countries that they always wanted to visit.

Instead, focus on the overworked wage earner's top frustration that they cannot spend more time with their families and enjoy life together. That's why a number of successful and long-running home business advertisements draw a warm picture of "ideal balance" where you can earn good money "while still wearing your pajamas," with your kids and loved ones "in the next room."

2) Stress Benefits, not Features

The average car buyer could care less if that new model has a Xenon Carbide headlights that won the French Concorde Award last year and is 37.2% brighter than the traditional highlights, or, it has a HB-22 Generation Four auto-combustion cycle regulator under the hood designed by none other than the "one and only" August Rochelle.

But what they care about is if the new model can parallel park automatically, with no manual steering, and save you the anxiety of parking in tight spaces and busy traffic; or if it switches on a sonar radar to warn you against collisions when the road visibility drops below a certain threshold and thus secure your family's safety under hazardous conditions.

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Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a writer with 20 years of experience. He is available for a wide variety of freelance assignments. Visit his web site http://www.writer111.com for more information on his services.

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

Copywriters - How To Promote Your Copywriting Business Online

By Biana Babinsky

Are you a copywriter who runs a copywriting business? Do you need to find more clients? Do you want your target customers finding your web site online and contacting you through your web site to hire you? You can accomplish this if you have an effective online marketing system for your copywriting business.

Here is how you can create a marketing plan for your business to get more clients and make more money online:

- Find a target market for your copywriting business. It is extremely important to know who your target market is when you start marketing it. If you do not know who your target market is, you will not be able to promote your business online effectively.

- Create a professional web site for your business. When people hire a copywriter, they hire a professional. Therefore, if you want to get clients online for your business, you need to present a professional business image.

Your web site should have professional look and feel and it should have information about your business and the products and services that you offer to your customers. It should be easy for your potential customers to contact you through your web site.

- Use your web site to explain what you do. Copywriters can perform different services. Some ghostwrite. Others write articles. Yet others write web copy only.

Make sure that you discuss the copywriting that you do on your web site. This way your potential clients can read this information and decide whether they need your services or not.

- Publish a newsletter for potential customers. Your customers might not hire you immediately. Therefore, you need to be able to keep in touch with your potential customers, so that when they are ready to outsource copywriting, they can hire you.

Publishing a newsletter is the best way to keep in touch with your potential customers and let them know about your business.

- Publish your articles online. You are a copywriter, so you should be able to write articles for publishing them online. You should do that because publishing articles is a great way to promote your expertise and get more web site traffic.

Your articles are great for getting links to your web site. Getting links to your web site is extremely valuable in online marketing, because they help drive additional traffic to your web site.

If you need more clients for your copywriting business, use the online marketing techniques we discuss in this article.

Biana Babinsky is the online business coach and expert, who helps copywriters get more clients online. Get her FREE Special Report, Top 5 Strategies To Get More Clients Online at http://www.EffectiveOnlineMarketing.com/report to learn how to get more clients for your copywriting business.

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

Find Out How A Writing and Blogging Campaign Can Help You

By Kathi Dameron

Find out how a writing and blogging campaign can help you to achieve uncommon results.

Are you using the power of content-rich articles and blogs to deliver more bang for your buck?

You should be!

Traditional advertising is expensive and often fails to deliver the desired results.

I've been there and done that. I have sunk countless dollars into advertising that literally did not do diddly squat for me or my business. In essence, the only one who benefited was the publisher and sales rep who sold me the ads.

There is only one reason to advertise- to make money.

Anyway that you look at it, advertising is an investment that should yield a measurable return to your bottom line and not just to the bottom line of the publication.

Uncommon results are achievable. But you need to employ uncommon practices to release them.

You need to think outside of the box of traditional advertising.

With content-rich articles and blog postings, you can accomplish so much more for so much less.

Don't you owe it to yourself to step beyond the ordinary into the land of the extraordinary?

Five Ways To Add More Bang To What You Are Currently Doing

1. Write content-rich articles and post them to top Internet article sites, like ezinearticles which is considered the best article resource on the Internet.

2. Write and post your articles on a regular basis. Develop a strategy and follow through on it.

3. Start a blog and post daily with content-rich postings relevant to your niche.

4. Create additional blogs that are specifically niched to your targeted markets.

5. Ping your blogs with google and technorati.

(c) Kathi Dameron, Kathi Dameron and Associates www.kathidameron.com

For more information on how you can create a customized and measurable marketing campaign contact Kathi Dameron askkathidameron@aol.com

Kathi Dameron owns Kathi Dameron and Associates, a Writing and Blogging Boutique located in Tallahassee, Florida. http://www.kathidameron.com

She can be reached at 850-422-3599

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

"How To Get Started With A Career In Copywriting"