Posts Tagged ‘Copy Writing’
7 Rules of Great Copy Writing
by Bob Bly Author of Best Kept Copy Writing Secrets Numbers gain attention, arouse curiosity, and add credibility to product claims. Here are 7 ways to use numbers to increase the power of your next sales promotion: 1 – Make percentages look larger. Taking percentages out to the second decimal place makes them look bigger,…
Read MoreTechnical & Copy Writing – Be Specific
Generality is the enemy of good writing. Sparkle your copy by getting as specific as you can. EXAMPLE: She bought food items. BETTER: She bought canned sardines, a pound of aged Swiss cheese, three 75-watt bulbs, and the latest issue of Time magazine with Bill Gate’s face on the cover. EXAMPLE: The train stopped in…
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How to Repeat Your Main Idea 4 Times in Technical Article Writing
If you’re arguing a point or making a thesis, use the Golden Rule of technical article writing: remind your main thesis or subject matter 4 times. 1) Your main subject matter (“keywords” in SEO parlance) should be a part of your TITLE. 2) The subject matter should be explained right away in the FIRST PARAGRAPH.…
Read MoreOneLook Dictionary: An Amazing Word Tool for All Writers
© Ugur Akinci Sometimes I come across an online tool so different, useful and imaginative that I can’t help but sing its praises. The OneLook Dictionary (www.onelook.com) is one such application, available for free to all English writers of the world. Imagine you are describing the way a room is furnished but you do not…
Read MoreTechnical & Copy Writing – Write Fast
© Ugur Akinci Writing is rewriting. That’s true. But the better you write, more enjoyable and productive the rewrite will be. And here’s my rule for writing well the first time: whether it’s a novel, ad copy, movie review, or a user’s guide, try to write AS FAST AS YOU CAN. You do your research…
Read MoreTechnical & Copy Writing – Write As You Speak
Easy does it. There is no need to write with $100 words if you’re trying to get understood by as many people as possible. EXAMPLE: We terminated our cruising episode briefly around noon to satisfy the gastronomic call of nature. BETTER: We stopped for a quick lunch. EXAMPLE: He actuated the initiation button to activate…
Read MoreA Golden Formula for Clarity in Technical and Copy Writing
© Ugur Akinci To write in simple sentences that anybody can understand, try to stick to this Golden Formula: SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT If a sentence does not have this structure, try to rearrange the “furniture” so that it reads better and faster. ORIGINAL: The temptation to do it should be resisted. BETTER: Don’t…
Read MoreEliminate Adverbs and Improve Your Writing
© Ugur Akinci You can improve your writing right away by eliminating all the unnecessary adverbs. 1) Eliminate adverbs by using a correct verb instead. EXAMPLE: “He walked into the room cockily.” BETTER: “He swaggered into the room.” EXAMPLE “She walked into the room confidently.” BETTER: “She sashayed into the room.” EXAMPLE: “He looked threateningly.”…
Read MoreA Top Copywriter on the Importance of Loving What You Do
by Bob Bly www.themillionairewriter.com In his book “Confessions of an Advertising Man,” David Ogilvy quotes an old Scottish proverb about happiness: “Be happy while you’re living, for you’re a long time dead.” The idea is that you should do everything in your power to be happy now, because tomorrow you might not be here. Given…
Read MoreWhat's the Difference Between Copy and Technical Writing?
© Ugur Akinci There are four different goals of writing, depending on the writer and the assignment in question. Writers try to 1) sell 2) teach 3) move emotionally, or 4) administer others. And these goals give rise to the following four types of writing: 1) Copy writing (sell) 2) Technical writing (teach) 3) Fiction/Creative…
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