Useful stuff

 
If you’re interested in writing and language like I am, take a brief look at this information that I’ve called ‘useful stuff’.
 
Each link will take you straight down to the relevant part of the page.
 
top ten tips for writing copy that sells
checklist for punchier copy
interesting links
the importance of punctuation

 
 

Carole is someone I always look forward to working with...”
Jez Paxman,
Creative Director, Sledge
Ten top tips for writing copy that sells
   
1. get a decent brief 6. write as you would say it
2. understand exactly who you are writing for   7. spend a lot of time on the headlines
3. be clear on why you are writing the piece   8. never use a single word more than you need to
4. determine your usp   9. make it clear what action you want the reader to take
5. write benefits, not features   10. edit and re-edit
         
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Checklist for punchier copy
 
Don't forget to:
 
get straight to the point
sell benefits not features
be concise
keep sentences and paragraphs short
keep words simple
use ‘carrier’ words
keep it strong, keep it interesting
use bullets to drive home points
focus on ‘you’ not ‘we’
show don’t tell
active not passive
include customer testimonials
And some things to avoid:
 
waffle
hype
unnecessary words
clichés
long, complicated sentences
long words
jargon
features
 
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Some interesting links
 
Word Related Links
The Linguistic Fun Page: www.ojohaven.com/fun/
Dictionary and Thesaurus: http://dictionary.reference.com/
Six dictionaries, including idioms and French/English: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

Other Links
thelefthandedsite.com: http://www.thelefthandedsite.com
The Left Hander: http://thelefthandedsite.blogspot.com
British Association of Communicators in Business: www.cib.uk.com
 
If you have any favourite language-related links, I’d love to know about them
 
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The importance of punctuation
 
Both paragraphs use exactly the same words. Just see how, by changing the punctuation, you can alter the sense completely:
 
Dear John,
 
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours?
 
Gloria
Dear John,
 
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?
 
Yours, Gloria

 
 
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© 2008 Carole Seawert
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