Archive for the ‘Bus. Writing’ Category
Social Media Yes…But Keep Your Focus
August 30th, 2009 at 6:36 pm by Livvie
With all the buzz about social media, social networking, and other social sites, it can get very frustrating not to mention distracting.
Since attending the Social Media Success Summit’09, I’ve also started coaching with Chris Marlow, the Copywriters Coach and more recently am half way through a course for becoming a Certified Social Media Specialist! Whew…I just got tired typing it all out.
All of this with social media is good, but be careful. This is about being social yes…but you must keep your focus.
Facebook has many distractions. Applications, games, surveys, sending cards and flowers, joining different groups…etc. Twitter can be distracting as well with all the tweets coming through, applications, responses, direct messages… etc
Posted in Blogging, Bus. Writing, Copywriting, Mktg-Internet, Social Media | 
Tags: Facebook, LinkedIn, social media marketing, Twitter | 
Comments Closed
Stop Your Readers In Their Tracks!
July 13th, 2009 at 10:04 pm by Livvie
Studies have shown that while 75% of the people read headlines, only 25 % keep reading “the rest of the story”. Breaking it down even further, you have about 4 seconds to convince that reader to read on!
When writing, the two most important elements are your headline and your opening statement. These two elements must stop your readers in their tracks!
Headlines must grab your readers attention. Just as you only get one chance to make a good first impression, you only get once chance to grab your reader’s attention!
For example,when you read an ad, you don’t read it just to be reading, you read it because you are interested in what’s being said. Something about it grabbed your attention. Read the rest of this entry »
I’ve Written An Article. Now What Do I Do?
June 5th, 2009 at 12:13 pm by Livvie
You’ve finally done it! You’ve written your article, looked it over, tweaked it, and looked it over again, and now you are ready to publish! Now what do you do?
Two things needed to be added to your article. A how to publish statement that is added just before your article and your resource box or bio added at the end of your article.
Here is an example of a how to publish statement:
“Please feel free to publish this article on your website,
your blog, and/or in your e-book or newsletters with the authors
resource box included and without any changes to the
article. (Add your contact e-mail)”
If you would like to be notified if they are using your article, add “A complimentary copy of your ezine or notification you are using this article would be appreciated.”
How To Write Articles When You Are Stumped!
June 5th, 2009 at 11:54 am by Livvie
Let’s face it, we all get writers block from time to time. You sit there with your fingers on the keyboard, your eyes on the monitor, and you’re waiting on…go! But nothing happens, you’re stumped!
Here are some ideas to help you get those creative juices flowing again.
Explore Article Directories:
The Internet is packed with article directories that store articles written on every subject you can think of. It’s a virtual gold mine of information for writers.
Find your niche or targeted audience and sarting with the newest articles posted, read some of the articles written by other writers, then expand on the subject or point using another angle, your own ideas, or your experiences. *Caution: Never plagiarize the actual article.
http://www.ezinearticles.com
http://www.goarticles.com
http://www.ideamarketers.com
Try Blog Hopping
Visit your favorite bloggs and see what topics they are blogging about. Find out what’s of interest to their readers and to the blogger. What’s the “hot topic” or “topic interest of the day”. If you find it of interest, write an article on the subject. While you at the blog, post a view point comment and let them know you found the subject interesting.
Listen To What People Are Actually Saying
Listening is a lost art. When you are around a group of people, try listening to what they are talking about and if it’s an interesting subject, do your research and write an article on the topic answering some of their conerns or posing some questions with you providing the answers as well.
Use Your Own Blog or Previously Written Articles
Don’t overlook the information you already have on hand. Your blog, previously written articles, and any information stored related to your target audience or niche. Reread your information and expand on previously made points or subjects by taking it one step further. this works especially well with articles written a few years back for updating and expanding. You’ll be amazed how far you have come and how much you have learned in such a short period of time.
Polls and Surveys
Polls and surveys can also be an interesting source of information for articles, data in the articles, and/or research. They can provide feedback, story ideas, marketing opportunities, and intersting information.
Relax! Go With the Flow and Enjoy It!
Nothing creative will come from a mind that’s bogged down and not relaxed. If writing has become a chore, a burden, an imposition on your time, you aren’t going to enjoy what you’re doing.
Creative ideas and words come from relaxed minds and from someone who is enjoying what they do AND it’s reflected in your writing. Just like being on a phone, you can ”hear” if someone is upbeat or just going though the motions. Your written words are the same. Your audience can “hear” creative, upbeat, enjoying what you do OR they can “hear” you are just going through the motions.
So there you have it! Five simple ideas to show you ….How to Write Articles When You Are Stumped!
Is There A Copywriter In The House?
July 18th, 2008 at 5:25 pm by Livvie
Everywhere we look it seems we see higher prices and lower morales. Although initally it started with rising gas prices, it now incorporates everything and has touched all businesses.
With layoffs and cutbacks in our workplaces it’s put pressure on companies to make sure their marketing materials maintain the professional image the public is use to seeing and to complicate matters it’s put pressure on those left in the workplace to pick up the slack.
Your written materials are powerful, cost effective marketing tools to clearly communicate your companies strategic message and are critical to your professional image.
With many business operating with fewer employees and remaining employees already under a heavier work load, becoming a wordsmith and a written content specialist with all the material deadlines needed just seems impossible. In fact you find yourself saying more and more “So much to do and so little time!”
Enter the freelance copywriter. A professional copywriter can:
1) Learn your product quickly
2) Discover all its features and benefits
3) Define who your target market is
4) Get a lead on the competion
5) Figure the best strategy to lift your product above the competion with quality wrtten content
Individual projects or multiple projects – from marketing brochures to website content, newsletters to articles, reports to white pages and all materials in between – a freelance copywriter can be the extra set of hands needed to keep that critical professional image and is as close as your “Send” button!
So the next time you’re in a crunch or about to miss a deadline, remember…Yes, there IS a copywriter in the house!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Livvie Matthews, freelance writing services/Owner of Write Business has been helping businesses with their online and printed marketing content including Brochures, Web Site content, White Pages, e-mail Marketing, and Newsletters since the late ’90’s. e-mail Livvie@writebusiness.net or Visit http://www.writebusiness.net.
