Write Right

Write Right

by: Brian Grinonneau

The rich and colorful descriptors flowing from your deft digits on a seasoned keyboard will tantalize and transform your rapt audience. What?! That line may be too flowery but does show how important it is to write advertising copy that demands to be noticed.

There are two considerations in creating compelling copy. You don’t have much time to get noticed and the words have to be exactly right. You get one chance. Be clear and creative. And get to the point.

List your benefit early in the copy. Don’t make your prospect guess. If you’re selling fuel sipping automobiles, say soin the beginning.

Tell prospects what they need to knowThe who, what, where,why and when of your offering.

Economize your words. Go through copy and eliminate that not needed. You can say a lot with few words. Think Nike and กjust do itก. Too many descriptors cloud your theme and confuse the message.

Write like you talk. Phrases are OK. Forget what an English teacher would say. Ad copy has a singular goalto compel people to act.

Get creative with words. If you sell chairs, maybe customers tell you the chair is comfortable. You tell prospects the silken, smooth fabric created on old world looms will embrace them and create a safe harbor from the ravages of a stressful world. As you ponder your copy, consult a thesaurus for words that are more rich, descriptive and compelling.

After youกve crafted copy that meets your approval, show it around. Ask those you trust to read and react to it. Listen to their suggestions. Rewrite. Rewrite some more. Put it aside and look at it in the morning. The words have to be right.

About The Author

Brian Grinonneau is the general manager of McMann and Tate Advertising in Perrysburg, Ohio, and agency that works exclusively with small business owners helping them stand out in a crowded marketplace.

mcmannandtatesite.com

[email protected]

This article was posted on August 27

by Brian Grinonneau

How To Avoid Email Filters That Prevent Responsibl

How To Avoid Email Filters That Prevent Responsible Emails

by: Dave Tan

Email is no doubt one of the most effective form of communication. Virtually anyone with Internet Access must have at least an email account. Email messages can be sent to anywhere in the world, to any email address, and cost almost next to nothing except for your Internet access fee.

This form of communication certainly gives small / home business owners a highly advantageous point to compete with larger corporation on the net for a piece of their well deserved share of the market.

In case you haven’t notice already, itกs getting harder than ever to get your email messages or newsletters delivered correctly to your subscribers now. With all those fancy spamkiller and antispam filter softwares, as a legitimate and responsible webmaster / publisher we are seriously affected in the process and thus have to do double work just to get our newsletters delivered properly. Why?

Recipients with SPAM filter software installed in their email accounts will filter out any messages that it *think* may be SPAM. The filter software will scan through your messages and search for the most obvious trigger (SPAM) words like: money, sex, guarantee, unsubscribe, etc…Iกm sure you get the idea.

This is actually very outrageous as most of the words filtered our are actually important words that are indispensable to writing an effective email messages / newsletter. If your email messages contained any trigger words, the spam filter software will either put your email messages into the bulk folder or bounce back entirely. Seriously, who will even bother to open the bulk folder and read through each messages?

Fortunately, thereกs a workable solution to this problem…letกs take a look at the following examples.

Example 1: FREE is one of the trigger words you should avoid using.

Get your FREE report on how to avoid spam filters.

Example 2: FR*EE however is not same as FREE, is it?

Get your FR*EE report on how to avoid spam filters.

Thatกs right, you can disguise those important triggers words just by inserting a simple keyboard symbol but be sure that you do not overdo it and make it too cryptic that your readers can’t understand.

Note: This is not a 100 percent solution that your email will not be filtered out but itกs sure better than using the word FREE directly only to have your email sent to the bulk folder and deleted later. Thatกs why itกs always better to test your email messages / newsletter thoroughly before sending them to your subscribers. Luckily Iกve recently came across a website that will check your email message content for FREE and tells you how it ranks in Spam Assassin.

The site name is Lyrisก Content Checker http://www.lyris.com/contentchecker/

All you have to do is copy your email messages and paste it into the huge textbox. They will check your email messages and send you an email report within minutes.

You can learn a lot more about following up on your subscribers with Autoresponder Magic. http://www.ebookok.com/products/autoresponder.html

If you’re serious about writing moneymaking emails, you should try Million Dollar Emails http://www.ebookok.com/products/million_emails.html

And EMail Marketing Strategies Revealed http://www.ebookok.com/products/email_strategies.html

Thatกs all for this article, good luck at getting a lower score in Spam Assassin by the way! 🙂

Best Regards,

Dave Tan

www.eBookOK.com

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A courtesy copy of the URL, ezine, newsletter or eBook where or how you have used the articles would be great.

About The Author

Get fresh, weekly, uptodate Internet Marketing Power Tips and Exclusive eBooks that will give you an unfair edge over your competitors here: http://www.ebookok.com/

This article was posted on April 29, 2004

by Dave Tan

Winning Words for the Web

Winning Words for the Web

by: Oscar Bruce

Give Your Web Site The Verbal Advantage

Have you ever sat down to create that winning ad, publicity release or newsletter and couldn’t come up with the right words or phrases? You will never make your fortune until you cure this dialog dilemma. You must enlarge your powers of expression, acquire precision and persuasion. You need a powerhouse of color, flavor and tone to highlight your message. This applies to personal conversations, writing promotional material or creating a productive web site.

The Internet Is A Money Maker

In many ways the Web is the ultimate medium, but only for those who can deliver their message persuasively and convincingly. In the end it will be your siteกs ability to create desire and compel action that will bring real wealth. Those not possessing the necessary verbal skills will experience perpetual disappointment. They can not create the success they desire, socially or financially.

Winning Words

How do you make your web site dazzle, charm and seduce? For your site to be truly distinctive and compelling it will rely on successful semantics. Words and phrases carefully selected, then orchestrated to create feeling, then desire, and finally กaction.ก In the end, the success of your site rests entirely on your visitorกs decision to purchase and do it กnow.ก Great graphics can’t get that decision. Dazzling colors will not. Only moving and inspiring words can accomplish that mission.

You may have magical powers when you are there in person…Think you can charm a dog off a meat wagon in person…Then on the other hand, perhaps not. In either case, your words and phrases must carry your message without benefit of your presence. You can’t rely on your great smile or your winning body language. Only the siteกs words will tell the world who you are, what you do and what you stand for.

So, expand your inventory of words and phrases, and then choose them with precision. You will be amazed at the difference it will make.

About The Author

Oscar Bruce is considered the ultimate personal communications guru. His dynamic books are considered field manuals for mastering conversation and confrontations. His website offers several verbal strategies that can add power to your conversations at no cost. HIS FREE NEWSLETTER and other products are available at http:///www.oscarbruce.com

Copyright: 2005

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This article was posted on March 25

by Oscar Bruce

Your Personal Fortune Is In Your Words!

Your Personal Fortune Is In Your Words!

by: Ron Pioneer

What is the most important skill you can possess as an Internet Marketer?

Your words!

The words you choose to use in your ad copy, in your sales letters and on your website will determine your success in sales!

Improve your กwordก skills daily. Read the ads that come to your mailbox (spam) and learn what words others are using to SELL their product. More important read your competitors ads. What words do they use to SELL their product?

Carl Jung did a study and has determined people fall into one of 4 groups:

1. Thinkers

2. Feelers

3. Sensors

4. Intuitors

Thinkers are detailed oriented, logical and their fear is criticism. They will check and recheck facts. Targeting this group you will need to use factual numbers, precise words outlining benefits of saving money and value for money spent. Be professional and conservative giving the thinker facts and space to make their decision.

Feelers are risk takers and highly competitive. Entrepreneurs and investors fall into this category. They are assertive and confident and do not have time to waste time. To target this group you will need to use กstrengthก words, saving time, money and appeal to health related issues. Be quick and confident with your words to attract a กfeelerก.

Sensors are idea people, advertising, writers…anything creative. People of this group are prone to buy กstatusก. Use words that will make them feel important, well liked, and recognized. The sensors are into things that will help them become more organized, they like software and books. Approach this group with friendship, show you are not กall businessก.

The Intuitors are excellent listeners and patient. They are slow in making decisions. They are กcomfortก people and if they are comfortable with you, will purchase from you. They are turned off by fast talking salespeople so you will need to make friends with them first, selling yourself and finding a common ground between you and them. Use comfort words.

Look at your product. Think about the above groups and write down words you feel would attract each group. Go to http://www.dictionary.com and http://www.thesaurus.com, expand on the words you have written down. Avoid hype but find some words that will spice up your adcopy.

Do not try to sell your product in your ad. You are only writing to your target group to get them to take the next step. Use your email address or set up an autoresponder so you can capture the email address of your prospect, and to send them a more details of your offer. Use words that will appeal to each target group.

Create a picture in the readers mind. Itกs like telling a story, you have a beginning, a middle and an end. Your ad is a ‘teaserก to get them to WANT to read your story. (know more about your product)

Finally, please follow ‘truth in advertisingก. Educate yourself on the FTC guidelines. http://www.ftc.gov Your product must be legal and you must be ethical and honest promoting your product. No amount of words can fix that!

The words you choose WILL sell your product…choose them well!

About The Author

Ron Pioneer

Learn more secrets in my website..

http://www.affila.com/

[email protected]

This article was posted on December 26, 2003

by Ron Pioneer

The Top 10 The Top Ten Signs That Your Marketing M

The Top 10 The Top Ten Signs That Your Marketing Message Needs a Facelift

by: Bea Fields

Is your marketing plan dull, flat, and downright boring? Is it lacking the zest and appeal which can penetrate the consciousness of your buyers? If so, you may be driving away folks who could easily buy your products or services. If so, these ten signs from The 90 Day Marketing Marathon Blunders from A to Z: B is for Boring will support you in raising your awareness of what drives folks away and tips on how you can create a message which will catch fire in the market place.

1. Itกs all about you.

Folks are not interested in you and your accolades. They want to know what you can do to solve their problem of the day. Drop the focus on you, and turn the spotlight on what is important to your buyer.

2. It is filled with details and research.

People are bogged down in details and statistics. They are much more interested in buying from someone who shares their personal experiences and who is willing to build an open and honest relationship.

3. It lacks actionoriented words.

People love to buy Nike products, because the words กJust Do Itก communicate action. By using words such as run, dance, live, sing, move, or play, you will get your potential clients moving, excited about buying your product or service.

4. You have nothing new to offer.

People are bored with the same old same old. Put yourself on the bleeding edge of your profession by taking advantage of the new tools and resources which are out of the norm. (Example: In Coaching, we take advantage of modern online survey tools and blogging tools which breathe new life into our businesses.)

5. Your message drips of กneediness.ก

If your marketing message is focused on กsell, sell, sell,ก you will send the message that you are needy, which will drive customers away. Communicate your willingness to provide value, and you will develop raving fans.

6. Your message lacks กcolor.ก

An advertisement can be delivered in black and white, still have กcolor,ก and paint an amazing picture. Use powerful words which will grab the attention of your potential customers such as discover (suggests excitement), proven (sends a message of peace of mind), and savings (everyone wants more money and more time).

7. You are marketing on the surface.

People buy based on emotions. If you are selling shampoo, don’t just sell shampoo…sell beautiful hair. If you are selling heating and air units, sell comfort and warmth. If you are selling a vacation, sell a luxurious day on the beach and romantic walks under the stars.

8. It lacks your personality.

Even if you are selling widgets, folks want to know who is selling the widgets. Why? Because they want to know you can be trusted to deliver as promised. Use fun photographs and life stories so that your buyers can get a closer look at your life. The connection you will make will be unforgettable.

9. Your message lacks กadded value.ก

Studies show that people will buy if the value perceived is worth the investment. If you are charging nickels and dimes for small extras, you will quickly drive buyers away. People who กnit pickก over incidentals are often considered to be กuptightก and กinflexible.ก Yawn!!! Drop the nitpicking, and over deliver by adding extra value. Folks will love you for it!

10. You are playing กFollow the Leader.ก

People want to buy from people who are leaders. Be bold and unique in what you stand for in your business, and make this known on your website, in your brochures, and in the articles you write. You will position yourself as someone who is unique, confident, and someone who is worthy of trust.

Copyright 2004 Five Star Leader Coaching and Training

About The Author

Bea Fields is an Executive Coach and the President of Five Star Leader Coaching and Training. She is a Consultant, Trainer, Public Speaker and Visionary for the Personal Environments Community for www.CoachVille.com. Along with Mitch Meyerson, Founder of Guerrilla Marketing Coach, she is the coleader of the Guerrilla Marketing Coach Certification program. She is the coauthor of the 90Day Marathon Marketing ECourse for Coaches and Business Owners.

This article was posted on October 13, 2004

by Bea Fields

Simple Steps to a Great Banner Ad

Simple Steps to a Great Banner Ad

by: Kelly Paal

Everyone is using them now and if you’re planning on creating your own banner ad then there are some things that you should know.

Standard Size

I’ll admit I made this mistake. I was too caught up in creating a really nice looking design that I made something that was not the standard size. Now it wasn’t much off the norm but when I found out I promptly changed the size. Keep to standards. I know that if your ad is slightly larger it may get more attention but if we all start doing this where will it stop? Creating an ad that is larger than standard is not the way to get attention. And in many places they will require you to keep to the industry standard.

Content

This must be short, simple, and very direct. You’ve really got to simplify this. I know that this is hard but there is not a lot of room on these banner ads and the more information that you try to cram on there the less likely that someone will read, or try to read it. Keep it to a few words, if you can’t manage to say what you want in a few words enlist the help of friends and family, ask them to define what it is that you do, or sell in five words or less. You may get a really clever saying to use by doing this.

Color and Animation

Keep colors eye catching but easy to look at and make sure that they match your site. Maybe it’s just me that prefers this but I’ve clicked on banner ads that looked really great and ended up on these hideous web pages. Try to match your ads to the look of your website.

Animation, please, please, please keep this simple and a short download. I don’t know how many times I’ve clicked off a page before the banner ad animation even started. Please make sure that you run your ad several times. Have others watch it, make sure that the download is reasonable. Don’t assume that everyone has DSL. Now you also don’t have to make allowances for older computers or bad connections but most of the country now has enhanced or accelerated connections. Make sure that your ad downloads quickly on an accelerated connection and you’re doing fine.

Call to Action

Apparently we’re all still highly suggestible since studies show that call to action words still work. Things like: call now, click here, and buy now. Try to work some call to action words into your content if you can, it won’t hurt.

Lastly for those of you working at home, or running your own business. Never underestimate the value of family and friends for critiques. They may not be able to tell you what is wrong with the way your ad looks but if they look at it and only say, ขEh, it’s okay.ข Then don’t use it. We all instinctively know what looks right or wrong. If you ask around and don’t get positive feedback from family and friends who love you and want your business to succeed then what do you think that a total stranger is going to think? Also before you even start creating your own ad, look around at what everyone else is doing. Decide what you like and don’t like about other ads that you see. And then don’t make the same mistakes.

About The Author

Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal

Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.

This article was posted on August 03, 2004

by Kelly Paal

Five and a Half Ways to Amp Up Your Search EngineO

Five and a Half Ways to Amp Up Your Search EngineOptimization

by: Dave Carlson

Statistics show that 85% of pages visited on the Internet come from people who have gotten there from a search engine. Statistically, people look first at the top of the first page of the regular search results, then the bottom, and then they go to the sponsored listings.

There is an art and science to being ranked highly on the search engines. The science is formatting the pages with the right meta tags and submitting them in the right way to the search engines. The art is to make the site look and read normal in spite of filling it with key words.

Here are five and a half ways to get a higher ranking and more visitors:

1. Pick the right Key Words and Phrases

These are the words and phrases that people will put into search engines to try to find your product, business or organization. Having good key words and phrases is foundational to have good optimization. This takes research using such tools at Wordtracker and Overture’s Keyword Suggestion Tool. They give you a good idea of what people are searching for and what you should focus on.

2. Use Good Header Tags

Header tags are hidden in the code within your Web page. The most important one is the ‘titleก tag, which isn’t considered a META tag. It tells what’s within your page and it’s important to have your keyphrases in it. It is also good to have keyphrases in your กdescriptionก META tag, though it doesn’t rank nearly as high as the ‘titleก tag.

3. Use Keyphrases in Your Visible Page Title

Provide a unique title to each page on your site that is chock full of key words and phrases. Search engines like this because it means that there is a higher probability that your site is a good match for what people are looking for. This is should be placed within the H1 tag (top heading) of your page and is visible to the visitor. It also pays to have your keyphrases in subtitles on the page.

4. Provide Plenty of Content on Your Site

Shoot to have at least 450 characters on your page. Concentrate on putting key words and phrases in the first paragraph and last paragraphs.

5. Secure a Lot of Related Incoming Links

The more sites linked to your site, the higher you will be ranked by the search engines. These links can be from strategic partners, vendors, directories or other types of sites with whom you exchange links.

If you are a web site developer, put in your contract that you are going to put a developer’s link at the bottom of the site, such as, กWeb site design by Green Chair Marketing Group,ก with an active link to your site. This will help your site grow in its link popularity.

5.5 Keep Optimizing Your Site

The more content on your site, the better. I suggest adding a couple pages a month, whether it’s case studies, more product information, testimonials, articles, press releases, etc. If you add just five new pages a month, you will have 60 new pages by the end of the year, and over 100 pages by the end of the second year.

You are bound to catch some people you would have missed because there is more content to choose from. And your site will be more highly ranked by Google, because they highly weigh sites that have more content.

While you’re at it, continue to get relevant links coming into your site. Google loves incoming links. And you might have people click through to your site from these other places.

If you don’t have time to work on the optimization or would feel more comfortable having someone else do it, consider strongly hiring a professional to do your search engine optimization. That way you can focus your energies on sales or creating more and better product.

One caveat, I would stay away from companies that initiate contact with you through emails or phone calls. They often use techniques that can get your severely penalized by the search engines. Ask people you know who have been successful in their search engine positioning who they use.

About The Author

Dave Carlson owns Green Chair Marketing Group, an Internet marketing firm specializing in driving visitors to web sites by search engine optimization, pay per click, and web design/redesign. 7204275660 Visit his site at http//:www.GreenChair.net.

[email protected]

This article was posted on September 15, 2004

by Dave Carlson

Powerful Direct Marketing Numbers

Powerful Direct Marketing Numbers

by: Larry Brophy

Direct Marketing works!
Why? It works because itกs personal. It carries a message, answers questions and gets orders. Direct Response Marketing works because it is กconversation in writingก.
It works because, no matter what you have heard, read or believe … most people look forward to personal communication. They like being treated as a person as an individual.
So, if Direct Response Marketing is so powerful, how can we as marketers use it effectively? To keep the business we have … to find new business?
As with most disciplines, these powerful กDirect Marketing Numbersก are common sense. Hereกs a list of a few กNumbersก to make your Direct Response Marketing work for you:
60 30 10
A full 60% of your Direct Marketing success is making certain your message gets to the person who can buy what you have to sell. Itกs very easy for the wrong person to say กnoก.
An offer will be 30% of your Direct Marketing success.
Whatกs an offer? It is a reason for your prospect to do business with you. Itกs the urge to action. Itกs an incentive to get your audience to raise their hand. To indicate a willingness to talk with you. Itกs a reason to respond.
The 10% remaining is creative. Not unimportant … certainly less important. And although it is the fun part of marketing without a clearly identified audience and a sound offer your creative has little chance of giving you a winner.
Now, once youกve clearly identified your marketplace and put together an offer of interest how DO you get your Direct Marketing message read, heard, seen, understood and acted upon?
A few more กPowerful Numbersก
Lucky 13
Write your message for a 13 year old reading level.
Television news, the morning newspaper and by far the majority of our conversation is at a 13 year old reading level.
Exceptions? Sure. The Wall Street Journal is written at a 17 year reading level.
11
Keep your opening paragraph to 11 words or less.
Yes, I did say paragraph!
Why? Because, by opening quickly you slip your reader into your full message. Make your letter, your brochure, the print advertisement everything you write easy to read. A quick beginning helps.
14
All your sentences should average 14 words or less.
The best way to write short: use a period. Yes, every so often insert the กdotก. It works. And it will help you get read.
1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Use words of 5 letters or less. About 70% of all your words should be 5 letter words, or less.
Why? Because they are easy to read easy to understand. Your message will be quickly absorbed.
The 500 most common words in English have 13,000 meanings. No wonder we have trouble with basic communication. One answer is to go short. It pays with results.
7
Keep ALL paragraphs to a maximum of 7 lines. Never more than 7…and sometimes just 1 or 2. i.e., short paragraphs.
Again, why? Because a large block of copy looks tough, even if it is not. The tactic of short makes your message look more inviting.
1
A postscript (P.S.) is mandatory in every direct mail letter. Because 4 of 5 of your readers will read the P.S. first … before they read anything else in your letter.
5
Indent every paragraph 5 spaces.
This กNumberก is really physiology not marketing. Our eyes pull us กinก when we see indents. They pull us to a point and while we’re there, we read. It works. Indent all paragraphs.
On the other side of the paragraph the right side use the ragged right design. Do not justify margins! Do not proportionally space your sentences. Ragged right increases readership.
1/2
Whenever you go to a second page in a letter split the last sentence in half.
Begin it at the bottom of the first page…end it at the top of the next page. Why? To pulllll the reader with you. กMakeก them turn the page. Keep them reading.
The same tactic works in anything printed with columns. Such as brochures, reply forms, print ads…anything. Split the last sentence…the last paragraph in two. And move the reader to the next column.
481
Be specific. The number 481 is much more specific and much more believable! than saying กalmost 500ก.
Odd numbers get more attention than even. Use 3 5 7 9 and you are more likely to be noticed. A list of 11 is better than a list of 10. 99 or 101 ideas is better than an even 100.
One more thing on numbers; use the number not the word. As I have done in this article. The number 3 or 7 is easier to see, read and understand than the word three or seven.
30
Offers with a date work to get more action more response. Try a Limited Time Offer.
Good for only 30 days…or better yet, ‘this offer good only until August 31ก gets action. Test making your offer a Limited Time Offer. It can increase your response.
There are many more กPowerful Numbersก in Direct Marketing. This list will get you going to make your mail, your print, your collateral materials all your written communication just that much better. Good writing!

About The Author

Larry Brophy has helped thousands of businesses find more buyers for their products and services the past 20+ years. Heกs the resident webmaster at: http://findmorebuyers.com, your TOP source of targeted sales leads.
Read additional marketing articles by Larry Brophy at http://findmorebuyers.com/page.cfm/15

This article was posted on June 17, 2004

by Larry Brophy