.: How To Write Copy That Sells
Copyright 2006 Alicia M Forest and ClientAbundance.com
One of the most expensive business tasks to outsource is hiring a copywriter to write the sales copy for your products and services. Fortunately, you can learn to write effective sales copy yourself, and the strategies below will help you get off to a great start.
By the way, you can apply these proven techniques to any copy where you're asking your reader to do something, whether that's to sign up for your newsletter or purchase your product. Apply them to your web pages, sales letters, email promotions, and other marketing materials to more effectively reach your reader.
1. Create a Strong Headline
Your headline can make or break your sales copy. Besides being the first thing your reader sees, it also must be strong enough to compel the reader to continue reading the rest of your copy.
Collect samples of headlines that you've come across that have struck a chord with you and use them as a model when you're creating your own compelling headlines.
If you're a complete novice when it comes to writing headline copy, a great tool to get you started is Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero's Instant Headline Creator.
2. Include Subheads
When people read online, they tend to skim. Having subheads that stand out, by being bolded or in a different color than the rest of the copy, can help you make a stronger case for your offering, if used correctly.
Include the most compelling of your benefits in your subheads. And make sure that they do the same thing that your headline does - engages the reader enough so they continue reading.
3. Make Your Copy Easy on the Eyes
Like using subheads, also include white space, bulleted lists, and some graphics (go easy here!) to break up your copy to make it easier for your reader to read online.
4. Turn All Your Features Into Benefits
Take out a sheet of paper and list as many features of your offering that you can possibly think of. Then, in your copy, turn each of these into a benefit for your prospect.
For example, if one of your features is "four coaching sessions a month" say something like, "you get weekly access to coaching with me, so we can make sure you stay on track toward your goals."
5. Give Them the Good Stuff First
Unlike in an informercial, you don't want to wait until the end of your copy to reveal the biggest and best asset of your offering. Tell your reader the most compelling benefit to them of your offering first, then talk about the rest of your benefits throughout your copy.
6. Use "You" Not "I"
As you're creating your copy, write as though you're having a conversation with your potential client or customer. Keeping your copy in a conversational style will help to engage the reader, and make them feel as though you're really talking to them.
Instead of saying "I teach..." say "You'll learn...". Make it about them by continuously answering the question in your prospect's mind, "What in it for me?" and you'll have winning copy every time.
7. Include Testimonials
Scattered throughout your copy, include testimonials to increase your credibility with your prospects. If it's a new product or service, you can use testimonials from some of your other offerings, making sure you indicate what product or service the testimonials are talking about so as not to confuse the reader.
The most effective testimonials include the giver's full name and website address or city and state. Include a photo and/or audio to increase your credibility even more.
8. Make it ABUNDANTLY clear what your reader should do.
Make sure you tell your reader exactly what it that you want them to do. If you want them to sign up for your newsletter, say, "Enter your email address below to sign up for the newsletter." If you want them to purchase your product, say "Click here to place your order."
If your copy is long, tell your reader what they should do scattered at regular intervals throughout the page.
9. Proofread.
Make sure someone other than you takes a good look at your final draft - even if it's your mother. :) People do make buying decisions based on good grammar, believe it or not, so have your virtual assistant review your copy or hire a professional to do so before you put it out in the marketplace.
Follow these tips and I guarantee you'll engage your reader and entice them to do whatever it is that you're asking them to, whether it's to sign up for your newsletter, hire you for your services, or buy your product.
Article keywords: online marketing, email list, mailing list, small business marketing, internet marketing, coaches and consultants, entrepreneurs, ezine marketing, online business
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
WANT TO REPRINT THIS ARTICLE? You may, as long as it remains intact and you include this complete blurb with it: Alicia M Forest, MBA, Multiple Streams Queen & Coach™, founder of www.ClientAbundance.com , and creator of "21 Easy & Essential Steps to Online Success System™, teaches self-employed service professionals how to attract more clients, create profit-making products and services, make more sales, and ultimately live the life they desire and deserve. For FREE tips on how to create abundance in your business, visit www.ClientAbundance.com
.: New Writing Articles
1). The Secret Behind Ghost Writers
Ghost writers perform a valuable service to busy writers as well as use the opportunity to get their own works published.
2). Proofing - A Critical Function Not to be Overlooked
Business people universally agree that mechanical mistakes detract from the professionalism of communications.
3). Tidbits On Monetizing Blogs
Blogging for profit has increased in popularity since its inception. The irony is that the original blogs were not at all designed with profit in mind.
4). Blogging Communities Bring Benefits To Bloggers
Blogging communities can be extremely difficult to understand.
5). A High Percentage Method to Get Published
One way of getting your written word published is to be a contract writer.
6). How To Find Freelance Writing Jobs
Whether you are a seasoned writer or an aspiring writer freelance writing is a great way to get more writing work. Find out how you can go about getting freelance writing jobs.
7). Techniques For Writing A Great Eulogy
Before you start to write the eulogy, think about the person and their life. You might want to include a memorable event you shared or mention their passions in life - or not...
.: Top Writing Articles
1). Letters of Recommendation – Writing Tips and Strategies
Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett
In addition to standard letter-writing dos and don'ts, there are a number of basic guidelines that apply specifically to most situations related to the writing of letters of recommendation. These are usually more "situational" than "how-to" in nature.
These recommendation letter guidelines are important to both note and apply, since writing letters of recommendation is always a somewhat tricky and delicate matter.
2). Go With the Flow: Write With Transition Words and Phrases
Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett
One of the most common weaknesses I see in day-to-day writing is poor logical flow from one idea or point to the next. This usually takes the form of a bunch of seemingly unrelated phrases thrown together with little or no sense of sequence, continuity, or relativity.
Although the overall subject may be obvious, the words to describe it seem to be scattered on the page like an almost random set of unconnected thoughts.
3). Letters of Recommendation Defined
Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett
As I point out on the main page of my recommendation-reference-central.com Web site there is a great deal of general confusion about the differences and similarities between letters of recommendation and letters of reference. For instance; which is which, and why? How are they different? In what ways are they similar?
It's confusing enough for the average person who only has to write one of these letters every once in a while.
4). Letters of Recommendation - Writing Power Phrases
Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett
As a result of writing literally hundreds of letters of recommendation over the years, I have learned that there are certain common elements and approaches that are applicable to almost all such letters.
If you look closely at most recommendation and reference letters you will notice that there are certain "types" of phrases that recur over and over again, throughout the various letters.
5). Techniques For Writing A Great Eulogy
Before you start to write the eulogy, think about the person and their life. You might want to include a memorable event you shared or mention their passions in life - or not...
6). Letters of Reference Defined
Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett
As I point out on the main page of my Web site, recommendation-reference-central.com, there is a great deal of general confusion about the differences and similarities between letters of reference and letters of recommendation. For instance; which is which, and why? How are they different? In what ways are they similar?
It's confusing enough for the average person who only has to write one of these letters every once in a while.
7). Improve Your Writing in Eight Simple Steps
This articles explains how a student can improve his or her writing by following eight simple steps.