Top Tips for Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is an incredibly useful skill in business, and one that can help anyone to increase their salary or the success of their business ventures. The most obvious use of persuasive writing for business is of course for a sales script, and if you can make anything sound like it's an amazing purchase and exactly what your customers need - well then you can sell an awful lot of products and make a lot of money.
But at the same time persuasive writing can be useful in a range of other situations. If you are writing e-mails to clients for instance and you want them to start using one of your other services with a higher profit margin - persuasive writing will help a great deal. Likewise if you are applying for a job, then when you write your covering letter and your CV itself, those too will be essentially forms of persuasive writing. If you have the ability, then you can make yourself sound like the perfect candidate for any job, even if you're technically lacking the qualifications or experience.
Here then we will look at some quick tips that can help your persuasive writing and increase your ability to draw in a reader, show them why they should care about what you have to say and then get them to agree with that.
Catch Attention
The first and most important tip is to capture the attention of your readers as quickly as you can. This means you should use a bold statement, perhaps capitals and you should address the reader directly.
'Now YOU Can Get the Body You Want'
Works much better than
'a quick workout for burning fat'
Personal Interest
Addressing the reader directly is particularly useful because we have evolved to pay attention to things that we think concern us. At the same time though you should also take this further by thinking of more ways that you can make your text personal. In particular, this means using a personal interest story - explaining how your product works by saying how it has helped someone else, or even you. This works much better because it means that the reader will be able to imagine how it is going to affect their life, and because they'll be more likely to connect with what you're offering on an emotional level.
Addressing Concerns
When someone reads your text they are going to know you're trying to persuade them and so be on the defensive. They'll thus be thinking of all the reasons that what you're saying probably isn't true, but you can combat this by addressing each concern in your text. Try and second guess what the reader might be thinking and then explain why this needn't be a concern. If it's a CV you're worried about, then try to give examples of the things your skills and experience are useful for, and why you're better than the other candidates.
Tailor Your Text
You should also make sure to tailor your pros for your audience. This means having more than one landing page if you're selling a product online, more than one version of your product packaging to sell in different stores and more than one CV for different jobs.

Warning Signs Your Marketing (and Copy) Isn't Right

"This time it will be different. You are a copywriting genius." This is usually a warning sign that no matter how good the copy produced it will not turn into a result.
There is a lot involved in producing winning marketing - the copy is a big piece of it but it isn't all of it.
Over time, working with clients you can get a bit of a sixth sense for when your client's ideas about marketing and copy will lead to non-results.
There are three all too common signs that your marketing is not going to work.
1) Naivety of the Business Owner. This is the first sign that there will be marketing problems. Business Owners either are marketers or they aren't.
You can turn yourself into a marketer over time but it takes work and commitment to education. And it is important to learn marketing - at least to the point where you can identify and retain talented people to oversee your marketing.
Otherwise you'll just be a marketing victim.
But at any given time a business owner either is or isn't a marketer and when they aren't they are often deluded by business opportunity level sales pitches about how better ads will magically turn them into a millionaire - with dollar signs in their eyes they will fall for anything.
Conversely, when the business owner is intelligent gets what can and can't be realistically done by with a marketing strategist or copywriter they are often not patient enough to keep working with them beyond that first project because it takes a couple of goes to get it right. They've exhausted that bright shiny object and are on to the next one.
2) Poor Market Selection. When I meet a potential client who tells me that their business is 'anybody with a heartbeat' or some variation of that, I despair. This ties into number 1 but it is so important it warrants its own section.
Without fail there is a sweet spot in the market that is more valuable to you and you are more valuable to them - where you can command and receive higher fees. It is worth searching for and finding these sweet spots.
I was talking to a potential client recently who was trying to market to everyone but was also secretly hoping that one or two industry segments responded because they were so valuable. I should have made him write me a check for what I said next but I asked him"
"Why don't you just get a list of industry segments you want and customise your marketing for each of these?"
Light bulb goes on over the client's head.
3) Over reliance of benefits and feature driven copy.Most good copywriters will tell you that selling is all about benefits but it isn't. More accurately, it is all about the benefits being able to solve the problems your market has. For this reason the best copy actually is problem focused and story-driven about the solution to those problems.
The product's features and benefits can almost be an afterthought. I wrote an advertorial where the product basically isn't mentioned. It is all about the problems that the audience faces and the missed opportunities that arise from not addressing the problem - only in the final 10% of the advertorial is the specifics of the product mentioned.

Copywriting Master Class: Influence The Psychology of Persuasion (Have You Mastered This Book?)

After being sick of being a victim of sales people and by extension marketers and advertisers, Robert Cialdini penned the book, 'Influence: The Psychology Of Persuasion.' Cialdini believed that by writing this book he could educate consumers and buyers in all walks of life on the ways sales people and marketers are able to persuade them to buy.
Unfortunately for Cialdini the book didn't sell well to its intended audience. Consumers voting with their wallets as they always do and voting for 'ignorance is bliss.'
Cialdini never thought about the other market that would find this information useful - US. The people who sell to consumers. We voted with our wallets and bought a great many copies between us. This is a book in macro tactics for effective copywriting. This goes above do I say "50% off" or "two for one." This book is about the hardwired triggers in customers brains that can persuade them to buy your product.
Here are the three most important lessons contained in Cialdini's book.
"Logical Consistency" We like to behave logically. So if we say we are generous it is likely that we will then give to charity in front of the same people we told we are generous. This trait in people is often used to create trapping questions by sales people in face to face selling situations. But it also goes a long way to explaining why people who buy products from a certain category consume a lot of them at the same time. Hence, why buyer lists are so valuable in the world of direct marketing?
"Authority" You'd be amazed what we will do if we believe that the person telling us to do them has some sort of authority over us. Eric Hoffer talks about this in 'The True Believer' we will do what are told by someone we believe is an authority on the subject. For example, if while having dinner you experience chest pains and the friend you are having dinner with tells you to get a quadruple by-pass surgery you aren't likely to believe them.
Conversely if you go and see your doctor who tells you to go and see a cardiologist and the cardiologist runs a battery of tests and then tells you need a quadruple by-pass then you are far more likely to believe him because he has layers of authority that your friend just doesn't have.
'Scarcity'In "Influence" Cialdini recounts are humorous anecdote about banned laundry detergents in Miami - the government banned the type with non-biodegradable phosphates or something in them. Despite the presence of cheaper and more effective detergents on the supermarket shelf, (logically the better choice) an entire black market sprung up running the banned detergents in from out of state and selling them at a major mark-up...
All because of the ban and our innate desire to want what we can't have.

Why You Should Always Trust Your Copywriter

Ask yourself this question: why did you hire a copywriter?
I'm guessing your answer is one or more of the following:

• Because you wanted someone with sales writing experience
• You need someone who is an expert in their field
• You don't have the time to do it yourself
• Your other attempts at DIY copy have been less than successful
• You wanted to make sure you got results

Every business owner knows they can't be an expert in everything, which is why it makes sound economic sense to bring in expertise as and when it is needed.
The role of your copywriter
Once you've provided your copywriter with an in depth brief, do you know what they do?
Not many people do, so let's clear up the mystery.
First off, they don't just go away and write; there's a lot more to it than that. They will spend a lot of time getting to know:

• About you
• Your company
• Your customers
• Your style
• Your products and services
• Your brand and voice
• How you want to be perceived by your market place
• What's happening in your market

Once they've done all that, they'll return to your original brief and, if necessary, challenge your aims and objectives, making suggestions on how your project can be improved.
Only once all that background research has been done will they start to write.
Every word they use will have been carefully thought through to make sure it is relevant, resonates with the reader and remains firmly focused on your customers' needs.
The layout would have been carefully constructed to lead the reader through the benefits of your product and service and steer them to making a buying decision.
It will then be checked to make sure every word used adds value to the project.
You see, there's an awful lot of work that goes into every copywriting job - a copywriter doesn't just write.
Presenting the first draft
Finally, the first draft is ready. And despite everything you've just read, you'll turn round and say:

"Oh, I think it would sound better if you just... "

You'll criticise the layout because it's not what you have in mind, you'll change the wording because you think it would sound better another way, you'll strip out all the "yous" and change them for "we" altering the entire focus from your potential customer and placing it firmly on you and your business.
OK, the first draft is unlikely to be perfect and there will be a few changes that need making, but in general these will be very minor (unless of course you forget to mention something in the original briefing).
The layout, voice, approach and 2nd person writing is all there for a reason - because experience has shown your copywriter that it works. Remember they are the expert writer in this partnership, not you.
Working with the right copywriter
Copywriting takes time, so don't leave your search for a copywriter until the last minute.
Shop around, ask for recommendations, read some websites and look at their portfolios and make a short list. Oh, by the way, a good copywriter can write anything, so if their portfolio doesn't show an example of exactly what you're looking for, it doesn't matter.
Once you have a short list, give them a call and have a chat. Invite them to meet with you so they can get to know you as well. Obviously the price has to be right for you, but good professional copywriting costs - if you want experience it won't be cheap. Remember you're hiring a professional so expect to pay professional fees.
It's also important you get on with them as copywriting is a very collaborative process. If you can't stand the sight of them, it ain't gonna work.
You see copywriting is a lot more than just stringing a few words together. It's a lengthy, involved process that demands the attention of a professional. So next time you work with your copywriter just think about what's gone into the work they produce and learn from them to understand how writing can be used to persuade and influence your audience.

Top Tips for Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is an incredibly useful skill in business, and one that can help anyone to increase their salary or the success of their business ventures. The most obvious use of persuasive writing for business is of course for a sales script, and if you can make anything sound like it's an amazing purchase and exactly what your customers need - well then you can sell an awful lot of products and make a lot of money.
But at the same time persuasive writing can be useful in a range of other situations. If you are writing e-mails to clients for instance and you want them to start using one of your other services with a higher profit margin - persuasive writing will help a great deal. Likewise if you are applying for a job, then when you write your covering letter and your CV itself, those too will be essentially forms of persuasive writing. If you have the ability, then you can make yourself sound like the perfect candidate for any job, even if you're technically lacking the qualifications or experience.
Here then we will look at some quick tips that can help your persuasive writing and increase your ability to draw in a reader, show them why they should care about what you have to say and then get them to agree with that.
Catch Attention
The first and most important tip is to capture the attention of your readers as quickly as you can. This means you should use a bold statement, perhaps capitals and you should address the reader directly.
'Now YOU Can Get the Body You Want'
Works much better than
'a quick workout for burning fat'
Personal Interest
Addressing the reader directly is particularly useful because we have evolved to pay attention to things that we think concern us. At the same time though you should also take this further by thinking of more ways that you can make your text personal. In particular, this means using a personal interest story - explaining how your product works by saying how it has helped someone else, or even you. This works much better because it means that the reader will be able to imagine how it is going to affect their life, and because they'll be more likely to connect with what you're offering on an emotional level.
Addressing Concerns
When someone reads your text they are going to know you're trying to persuade them and so be on the defensive. They'll thus be thinking of all the reasons that what you're saying probably isn't true, but you can combat this by addressing each concern in your text. Try and second guess what the reader might be thinking and then explain why this needn't be a concern. If it's a CV you're worried about, then try to give examples of the things your skills and experience are useful for, and why you're better than the other candidates.
Tailor Your Text
You should also make sure to tailor your pros for your audience. This means having more than one landing page if you're selling a product online, more than one version of your product packaging to sell in different stores and more than one CV for different jobs

Writing Copy That Converts Into Dollars

We've all heard the saying that people buy based on emotional impulses. I tested it myself as an outside sales rep selling office supplies which is not really the most interesting thing to pitch. Anyhow, there were customers who I caught in a good mood that day and placed an order on the spot. Then there were the customers that I had developed a "story" with.
What do I mean by "story"? Well, simply put, it is an emotional connection. It could be an experience that a customer relates to puts them in a certain mood. Empathy can usually get a good sale. For example, one of my first sales was at a pharmacy. I mentioned it was my first week on the job and the owner said they had just opened up this month. Being in similar circumstances helped me relate to him and build a small "story". We were both fairly new to our respective positions and were more than willing to help each other out.
Human psychology is a subject that's often overlooked. However, an adequate understanding is important if you want to have any success with sales or even with building relationships. As different as we would like to think we are, we usually act in accordance with the majority.
What are some noticeable buying tendencies customers exhibit?
Customers tend to value the price of an item as being definitive of its quality. They look at the price and judge how good it is depending on how expensive it is. The reasoning behind it is that if it cost more, it must cost more to make and thus have higher quality parts.
Americans are extravagant. People like to wear expensive clothes, drive expensive cars, and live luxuriously. There's a negative sting associated with anything being considered as "cheap". People would rather you say that it is a more economical alternative rather than "cheap". Therefore, a product/service must make the customer feel as if they are receiving something luxurious.
Customers would give a specific detail about your product more weight than if you said something extreme and vague like "best product on the market". Instead, try to be more specific and explain why the product is the best. Does it save 30% more energy than its competitor? Does your service guarantee at least 30% earnings increase? Include that in the advertisement and remember to be as specific as possible because people will give you the benefit of the doubt that you have done your research. Not only do you come off as more credible, but your customers have some facts that they can justify their purchasing decision with.
Tastes between customers differ. One product my be so laughable to you but it performs well in the market. On the other hand, you might think a product is the best thing in the world and it won't sell at all. In advertising, there is a saying that you have to let the thousands decide what the millions will do. You create a small test campaign and see the reaction of a large sample size. We have to know our cost, know our sale, and from that we gather our profit and loss from the campaign. Thus, we should constantly seek for better methods of advertising if one proves to be unsuccessful.
Psychological tendencies between customers can be recognized and used in our advertising campaigns. We discover how people react to our ads and our claims and we capitalize on it. Advertising is a science and if we treat it that way, we can come up with verifiable results. In today's age, nothing is more important than a well thought out plan.

3 Mistakes Online Entrepreneurs Make With Content Marketing

Do you know the 3 biggest mistakes coaches, authors, and online entrepreneurs make with content marketing that kill their results?
If you want to more traffic, subscribers and sales all while avoiding the content marketing mistakes that stop most people dead in their tracks read this immediately because the mistakes and what to do instead are inside this article.
Mistake #1: It's only for the big gurus and big companies
What is the mistake? The mistake here is to believe that the benefits of Content Marketing are only for others - big companies and big time "gurus."
Why is it a mistake? This one is a mistake because currently 9 out of 10 marketers are using this content strategy to promote their businesses, from solo-preneurs to large companies.
What should you do instead? Commit to learning the basics of Content Marketing and using it every day.
Mistake #2: Creating only one or 2 pieces of content and then giving up
What is the mistake? The mistake here is to create a couple of pieces of content believing you're going to reap all the rewards of Content Marketing right away. Then when you don't, give up saying that it doesn't work.
Why is it a mistake? This is a big mistake because to win at Content Marketing you want to create a consistent volume of laser focused content your prospects will dive into.
What should you do instead? Consistency is the key here. Create at least one piece of content each day, from social media updates to content videos.
Mistake #3: Failure to properly distribute your content
What is the mistake? The mistake here is to publish or distribute your content in only one or two places.
Why is it a mistake? This is a mistake because you then fail to get enough new traffic, subscribers and sales.
What should you do instead? Repurpose your content to as many channels as possible. Blog posts, articles, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are all great places to publish your content to get the most new prospects and profits.

Now that you know the top 3 content marketing mistakes and how to avoid them, I'd like to invite you to take your next success steps and watch this mercifully brief 8+ minute video about how you can create all the content you need for blog posts, articles, social media and videos you need...

5 Things a Good Copywriter Can Do For Your Small Business

In this age of digital marketing there's an added emphasis on more content, so it seems that some companies, big ones included, are making an attempt at writing their own copy and not getting any outside help.
Apparently, some folks are thinking that it can't be that hard. Why can't we just do it ourselves? Interestingly, while some people are viewing themselves as copywriters, fewer see themselves as designers. Hmmmm!
Unfortunately, the results we're seeing aren't justifying this new view.
We all need to write and today's needs are even greater than ever before. But, regardless of how good you are at something, nothing beats doing it for a living. One of the biggest reasons to hire a copywriter is because they do it every day. But, just exactly what do you think a professional writer adds to your advertising and content, in addition to the fact that they know how to write?
For starters, here are 5 things that a good copywriter can bring to the table:
1. They'll figure out exactly what you're selling
This sounds strange, but this is a common area where we see problems. I don't mean understanding the features of the product. People buy on emotion. A good copywriter will come up with lots of ways of writing it. Like the angle, the sell and just what are you really selling? How will it affect people's lives? Is it based on money? Happiness? Prestige? Remember, McDonald's doesn't just sell hamburgers.
2. They'll help you find your audience
Just who is the audience? How do they think? How about fears and desires? What's their voice? A good copywriter can tailor the message for any audience.
3. They'll help refine your narrative
Every company and product has a story. Look at Nike and Apple. Writing compelling copy of any length, from advertorial to PPC copy requires a similar skill. Sometimes the shortest requires the most effort. The narrative for a single ad might take a couple of weeks and end up with only 10 words of copy. If asked by the client why they have to pay so much for 10 words, the answer could be that the copywriter had the training and talent to recognize the right 10 words.
4. They'll keep your message simple
Many product messages can get very complex when being explained to their audience. A good story can magically simplify the message. And a good copywriter has the ability to do that, even when the message is far from it. The most sophisticated concepts can be explained simply.
5. They'll do the unexpected
Have you ever heard anyone say they want to look and sound just like their competitor? Why? A good copywriter will dig and find out what's different when comparing to the competitor and position you differently. If you do everything just like your competitor, you're inviting a commodity situation. Then you'll have to compete on price. Is that what you want? A good copywriter will find an interesting way to get your message across. As they say, "Familiarity breeds contempt."

3 Mistakes Online Entrepreneurs Make With Content Marketing

Do you know the 3 biggest mistakes coaches, authors, and online entrepreneurs make with content marketing that kill their results?
If you want to more traffic, subscribers and sales all while avoiding the content marketing mistakes that stop most people dead in their tracks read this immediately because the mistakes and what to do instead are inside this article.
Mistake #1: It's only for the big gurus and big companies
What is the mistake? The mistake here is to believe that the benefits of Content Marketing are only for others - big companies and big time "gurus."
Why is it a mistake? This one is a mistake because currently 9 out of 10 marketers are using this content strategy to promote their businesses, from solo-preneurs to large companies.
What should you do instead? Commit to learning the basics of Content Marketing and using it every day.
Mistake #2: Creating only one or 2 pieces of content and then giving up
What is the mistake? The mistake here is to create a couple of pieces of content believing you're going to reap all the rewards of Content Marketing right away. Then when you don't, give up saying that it doesn't work.
Why is it a mistake? This is a big mistake because to win at Content Marketing you want to create a consistent volume of laser focused content your prospects will dive into.
What should you do instead? Consistency is the key here. Create at least one piece of content each day, from social media updates to content videos.
Mistake #3: Failure to properly distribute your content
What is the mistake? The mistake here is to publish or distribute your content in only one or two places.
Why is it a mistake? This is a mistake because you then fail to get enough new traffic, subscribers and sales.
What should you do instead? Repurpose your content to as many channels as possible. Blog posts, articles, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are all great places to publish your content to get the most new prospects and profits.

Now that you know the top 3 content marketing mistakes and how to avoid them, I'd like to invite you to take your next success steps and watch this mercifully brief 8+ minute video about how you can create all the content you need for blog posts, articles, social media and videos you need...

How to Write Headlines for Your Advertisements

Why are headlines so important?
How do we go about targeting the people who would be interested in our offer? A salesman can prospect hundreds of people and hope to find a few that match his product/service. However, an ad can reach millions of people at one time but can only appeal to a select few.
It is our job as copywriters and advertisers to tailor a specific ad for a specific target market. We do this through our first interaction with our prospective customers, the headline.
We see headlines everywhere. The newspapers we read are filled with them. Facebook posts have headlines which draw readers in. Simply put, headlines are our first method of contact with our customers. People virtually never read an entire newspaper. They skim through the pages and more specifically the headlines. They stop at the ones that they find interesting. So, it isn't far fetched to say that headlines are single most important piece in an advertisement. After all, what good is an advertisement if it fails its number one job, to bring in new customers.
A great headline in itself should sell your product. It should be specifically created to draw in the one person that NEEDS what you have to sell. It is your qualifying phase of salesmanship. The first phase of selling is to qualify your prospect. You want to make sure that what you are offering is a perfect solution for your consumer.
A single word in a headline can change the success rate of the whole advertisement. Cases have shown that replacing certain words in headlines can grab a person's interest more often. Hence, it is critical to understand what makes a good headline. We're often browsing online when we come across something that grabs our interest. We click on the link because the headline sounds appealing to us, as if it can offer us something we've been looking for.
Have I convinced you yet about how important it is to make sure you've got the best headline?
Good, because we'll now begin to discuss what exactly makes a good headline.
101: How to write attention grabbing headlines
The first step is of course writing a headline that draws people in and motivates them to read your sales copy. However, there are several conditions that must be met in order for a headline to be considered effective.
This goes without saying, but headlines should be unique. You don't want to be put in the same context as your competitors and so you should try to stand out. You want to position yourself in the minds' of your customers as THE authoritative figure in the market. You want to be known as the best option there is. How can you accomplish this when your headline sounds like the next person's.
Also, try to be as specific with your offer as possible. There is no room for error here because you can write the best sales letter ever and still not get many conversions simply because the people reading your ad don't know that the product is for them! Instead of a vague headline, try to outline exactly what your product will do and for whom. Someone should stumble upon your headline and be able to decide right then and there if that product will help them. For example, "How to raise conversions by 30% in just a month" is a decent headline because we can see what we're going to get out of the offer. This headline targets people who want higher conversions and tells them that they'll be able to get 30% more in a certain time.

How to Write Sales Letters That Actually Get Results!

To have any success with a sales letter you must learn to use methods that have been proven successful. There are specific reasons why certain letters outperform others and the top copywriters have caught on to these gems. Every single sentence, word, or space on a sales letter matters and you cannot afford to waste any chance to intrigue a customer.

The first thing before you write a sales letter is getting to know your target market and what they want. Many agencies conduct surveys and tests so they know exactly what their market is saying. They know their needs, their objections, and their desires and hope to provide adequate solutions. Also, you have to know whether it is worth the cost of advertising in pursuing certain customers. For example, if you have a product for college students and your advertisement lists the price too high, it may disqualify your target market from buying and in the process costing you a lot of potential sales.
Now, before you begin to write your sales letter, you would be wise to come up with a game plan. This game plan is essentially delving into the minds of your customers. Address any objections that may come to their minds. Just like in face to face sales, customers have buying resistances which are holding them back from taking action and buying your product. If you are able to squash away these objections, you'll be one step closer to the sale. One customer might be worried that the product won't work out as good as you say it would. Another customer might be worried that a competitor's product is superior and that they'd be making a wrong decision. People never want to accept that they've made a wrong decision. Hence, it is imperative to make sure that we address all objections in our sales letters.
A sales letter must appeal to the emotions of people. We've often heard that people are motivated to buy based on their emotions and then justify the purchase through logic afterwards. Therefore, its crucial that we inject some emotion in our writing. People are either motivated to gain or motivated to avoid pain and reduce suffering. Between these two states of mind, the latter is the most commonly sought.
We've just covered some important psychological tips which if implemented in sales letter writing, would greatly improve the conversions and response rates for your old letters. The following section will outline the exact steps you need to take from start to finish.
The steps for writing effective sales letter
1. The very first thing that needs to get accomplished is to grab attention. Readers see your headline before anything. Hence, the most important part of a sales letter is the headline. The reason is that if you can't grab the attention of the target market that you want, you might get a lot of clicks but no targeted customers. Success with sales letters is determined by how many of those clicks become paying customers. Results is the king of all advertising. Without results, its money down the drain.
2. The next step is defining the problem. You have to outline the problem that your product solves. Since sales is an emotional game, you have to remind your customers of how it feels to experience the problem again. Our job is to paint the clearest picture of the solution we can offer with our product/service.
3. Introduce the solution. After outlining the problem, we want to WOW them with our offer. This part is crucial because we have to establish ourselves as THE authority figure on the subject. No one wants advice from someone who is good. We'd rather get our advice from someone who is dominating in their field, someone who is at the top. So, the moment we introduce ourselves is the moment we make it or break it. Establish authority and WOW them and you'll soon get the sale.
4. How to establish authority? We can usually easily accomplish this with positive feedback. People want reassurance from others before they dig into their wallets. Also, talking about why you're the qualified person to help can create that authority image in their mind. Just by teaching someone something that they don't know, we can begin to position ourselves as the leader in our fields.
5. Testimonials. This part of the sales letter is where we gain the most credibility. The more quality testimonials you have, the better your results.
6. The close. Just like in every sales situation, there has to be a close involved. As obvious as it sounds, we don't put as much effort as we can into the close. Because of this, we lose out on sales because the offer doesn't sound as good to the customer as it does to us. Hence, we have to craft our close carefully. Our offer should guarantee something because we feel we've made a better decision when something is guaranteed. The customer can't walk away feeling like a loser in the deal. They have to walk away feeling they just made the wisest decision in their life.
Sales letters act as our virtual salesmen and so we want to tailor them in the same way we would tailor a face to face pitch. Selling can really be broken down into an exact science and the same can be said about sales letters. Hence, we want to make sure we put in as much effort as possible when it comes to writing them.

How To Write Adverts That Sell - 9 Tips

Advertising is a great way to get traffic onto your site or feet through your offline door. However, learning how to write adverts that get attention is key to making this work for you. Too many entrepreneurs throw money away when advertising because there is a lack of knowledge of what needs to be done to create an eye-catching and effective advert.
So, here are a few ideas for you to work with and get started producing adverts that sell.
1. Remember it is all about the headline
If your headline is not constructed to get attention then you are already in trouble. If you are using pay-per click advertising, then mostly, you just have the headline and not much else. So, it becomes doubly important to make sure that your headline is specifically speaking to the person whose attention you want to attract.
Even when taking part in offline advertising, know that the headline is what entices your prospects to take a deeper look. Hint - Using your business name as a headline is not a good idea.
2. Consider your customer avatar
What do they want? Have a list of some of the pains or desires and use that to construct an advert that gets attention.
3. Lead With A Question
Ask a question to get their attention
"Need More Prospects?"
"Want To Work From Home?"
"Do You Have Kids?"
Using questions means that only people who can say yes to this are likely to click through or take the action you propose in the advert.
4. Call Them Out by name
"Attn: Business Owners!"
Are you speaking to a specific group of people? Then call them out by name and get only their attention. Let go of all concern about cutting other people off. That is the best way to do things. You cannot market to everyone.
5. Personalise it with 'You'
Use words like you, yours, your. It makes your prospects feel they are being spoken to personally.
6. Tell them what to do
"Sign up here"
"Download Here Now"
"Enter Your email"
Make sure there is a clear call to action on the advert. Your adverts are not there solely to brand you so make sure there is a next step for each advert. Never assume the customers know what to do nest, they mostly don't. Be very clear about what you want.
7. "Free" is a great word
Easy and Simple are great words to use as well in your advertisements.
8. Shock/Negativity
"The MLM Scam"
This can also be used to get attention.
9. Numbers work well in adverts
"7865 people have used this"
For some reason, numbers grab the eye so take advantage of that in your adverts.

Writing Copy That Converts Into Dollars

We've all heard the saying that people buy based on emotional impulses. I tested it myself as an outside sales rep selling office supplies which is not really the most interesting thing to pitch. Anyhow, there were customers who I caught in a good mood that day and placed an order on the spot. Then there were the customers that I had developed a "story" with.
What do I mean by "story"? Well, simply put, it is an emotional connection. It could be an experience that a customer relates to puts them in a certain mood. Empathy can usually get a good sale. For example, one of my first sales was at a pharmacy. I mentioned it was my first week on the job and the owner said they had just opened up this month. Being in similar circumstances helped me relate to him and build a small "story". We were both fairly new to our respective positions and were more than willing to help each other out.
Human psychology is a subject that's often overlooked. However, an adequate understanding is important if you want to have any success with sales or even with building relationships. As different as we would like to think we are, we usually act in accordance with the majority.
What are some noticeable buying tendencies customers exhibit?
Customers tend to value the price of an item as being definitive of its quality. They look at the price and judge how good it is depending on how expensive it is. The reasoning behind it is that if it cost more, it must cost more to make and thus have higher quality parts.
Americans are extravagant. People like to wear expensive clothes, drive expensive cars, and live luxuriously. There's a negative sting associated with anything being considered as "cheap". People would rather you say that it is a more economical alternative rather than "cheap". Therefore, a product/service must make the customer feel as if they are receiving something luxurious.
Customers would give a specific detail about your product more weight than if you said something extreme and vague like "best product on the market". Instead, try to be more specific and explain why the product is the best. Does it save 30% more energy than its competitor? Does your service guarantee at least 30% earnings increase? Include that in the advertisement and remember to be as specific as possible because people will give you the benefit of the doubt that you have done your research. Not only do you come off as more credible, but your customers have some facts that they can justify their purchasing decision with.
Tastes between customers differ. One product my be so laughable to you but it performs well in the market. On the other hand, you might think a product is the best thing in the world and it won't sell at all. In advertising, there is a saying that you have to let the thousands decide what the millions will do. You create a small test campaign and see the reaction of a large sample size. We have to know our cost, know our sale, and from that we gather our profit and loss from the campaign. Thus, we should constantly seek for better methods of advertising if one proves to be unsuccessful.
Psychological tendencies between customers can be recognized and used in our advertising campaigns. We discover how people react to our ads and our claims and we capitalize on it. Advertising is a science and if we treat it that way, we can come up with verifiable results. In today's age, nothing is more important than a well thought out plan.

Writing Copy That Converts Into Dollars

We've all heard the saying that people buy based on emotional impulses. I tested it myself as an outside sales rep selling office supplies which is not really the most interesting thing to pitch. Anyhow, there were customers who I caught in a good mood that day and placed an order on the spot. Then there were the customers that I had developed a "story" with.
What do I mean by "story"? Well, simply put, it is an emotional connection. It could be an experience that a customer relates to puts them in a certain mood. Empathy can usually get a good sale. For example, one of my first sales was at a pharmacy. I mentioned it was my first week on the job and the owner said they had just opened up this month. Being in similar circumstances helped me relate to him and build a small "story". We were both fairly new to our respective positions and were more than willing to help each other out.
Human psychology is a subject that's often overlooked. However, an adequate understanding is important if you want to have any success with sales or even with building relationships. As different as we would like to think we are, we usually act in accordance with the majority.
What are some noticeable buying tendencies customers exhibit?
Customers tend to value the price of an item as being definitive of its quality. They look at the price and judge how good it is depending on how expensive it is. The reasoning behind it is that if it cost more, it must cost more to make and thus have higher quality parts.
Americans are extravagant. People like to wear expensive clothes, drive expensive cars, and live luxuriously. There's a negative sting associated with anything being considered as "cheap". People would rather you say that it is a more economical alternative rather than "cheap". Therefore, a product/service must make the customer feel as if they are receiving something luxurious.
Customers would give a specific detail about your product more weight than if you said something extreme and vague like "best product on the market". Instead, try to be more specific and explain why the product is the best. Does it save 30% more energy than its competitor? Does your service guarantee at least 30% earnings increase? Include that in the advertisement and remember to be as specific as possible because people will give you the benefit of the doubt that you have done your research. Not only do you come off as more credible, but your customers have some facts that they can justify their purchasing decision with.
Tastes between customers differ. One product my be so laughable to you but it performs well in the market. On the other hand, you might think a product is the best thing in the world and it won't sell at all. In advertising, there is a saying that you have to let the thousands decide what the millions will do. You create a small test campaign and see the reaction of a large sample size. We have to know our cost, know our sale, and from that we gather our profit and loss from the campaign. Thus, we should constantly seek for better methods of advertising if one proves to be unsuccessful.
Psychological tendencies between customers can be recognized and used in our advertising campaigns. We discover how people react to our ads and our claims and we capitalize on it. Advertising is a science and if we treat it that way, we can come up with verifiable results. In today's age, nothing is more important than a well thought out plan.

http://ceesty.com/wWZIhK

Creating a Writing Discipline

Man is a creature of habit. We all may have experienced in our own lives at one stage or the other we get so accustomed to the habits we develop over a period of time and can't get rid of some despite knowing that they are bad habits. It is not an easy task to get out of those not so useful habits just as quickly as you can develop them. Doing an action repeatedly will develop eventually into a habit. That action is the one that drives your good or bad habits, so the first action or the few first actions albeit hard can be developed over a period of time. This process of developing good habits is just not limited to writing discipline alone, but is applicable to absolutely any focus area.
A few steps to achieve this discipline
1. Keep a realistic and achievable goal: As a very first step, we have to start noting down what a realistic or achievable goal is for you. This varies at an individual level. So, sit down and think what that would be for you and make sure you write it down at some place so you will be able to revisit.
2. Progress in smaller chunks: Now that you have the first realistic goal, go ahead and start marching towards achieving that goal. Basically putting yourself into action in the direction of the goal you have set for yourself. Don't fret if you are unable to progress even at the level of 50% because, even a 10% progress is still a progress. You will slowly get there.
3. Track your progress: After allowing some time to wiggle and adjust yourself, track your progress. Note down the numbers. Is the progress showing completion of 50% or 80% or even 10%?
4. Increase or decrease your goal: Based on the percentages achieved; revisit the goals set in the beginning and try to gauge. Now, set them based on the progress you are able to make, so they become more owning and achievable.
5. Develop the final goal and schedule: It could be writing 1,000 words a day or 3,000 words or day or even just 200 words a day. That is one example, you could also develop schedule around your marketing/social networking or researching for your book. The homework that needs be done should be accounted and incorporated into your schedule.
6. Write down and stick to it: Wow, you have reached the final step. Write down and make details around your final schedule and stick to it. Try your best to keep up to your schedule as much possible, of course we all have our down times and days that are not as energetic as the others, but you can cover up later. Having a schedule is the most important step to a successful writing career.

7 Magazines That Pay You $500 to Write

How good is your writing skill? Do you want to make money writing?
The following is a list of seven print and digital magazines that pay up to $500 per article, sometimes more, sometimes less. Some of the payment information is gleaned from payment reports; some it is clearly found by the publisher on their submission guideline pages. Keep in mind that you may still need to negotiate the rate of pay.
MEL is a men's website created by the Dollar Shave Club. They cover "sex, relationships, health, money and culture from a male point of view even though we're not all male (and aren't always sure what that means)." Payment reports indicate rates between 30 and 50 cents per word. Though it appears the editorial assistant's email address is the only one listed. It's a foot in the door, at least.
The New Food Economy is a nonprofit website. They are interested "in new business and funding models, food safety, nutrition, economics, policy and the great, wide-open middle of the food supply chain: everything that happens between farm and fork." One payment report indicates a rate of around $500 for a feature article. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.
Racked covers shopping, with a particular interest in "the intersection of politics and fashion and beauty." They also pay for personal essays. Reports indicate they pay over $500 for feature articles. To learn more, read their contributor guidelines.
YAM Magazine is a regional magazine covering the greater Victoria, B.C. area. They pay 40 cents per word for features between 1,200 and 3,000 words. To learn more, read their submission guidelines. This is just the type of local magazine many writers build their career with --to learn more about breaking into this type of publication, I recommend searching How to Become a Local Freelance Journalist.
Boys' Life is a monthly magazine published by the Boy Scouts of America. Articles should interest and entertain boys of 6-17. They cover a broad range of non-fiction, from professional sports to American history. Department pieces include nature, aviation, health, pets, history and music. Fiction is assignment-only; do not query. Query by mail for non-fiction. Word count: 500-1,500 for major non-fiction articles; up to 600 for departments. Pay: $500-1,500 for major non-fiction articles; $100-600 for departments.
HOW is a magazine for graphic designers that discusses the business and industry. Since it's 675% freelance written, the publication is always seeking articles that discuss industry figures, trends, issues, and more. They accept both queries and unsolicited manuscripts via postal mail. According to a previous version of their submission guidelines, they pay $250 to $800, depending on complexity and experience. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.
Smarter Travel publishes slideshows and feature length stories on a"range of consumer travel topics, including booking strategies, saving money, avoiding scams, packing tips, best places to go, travel tech, travel trends, and travel tips that represent all kinds of travelers and travel experiences." They pay $500 for long-form articles and $100 to $250 for shorter posts. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.