My persuasive writing eBook is currently in the operating room undergoing surgery. The different parts didn’t assemble as neatly as I’d hoped. I started off discussing business writing in general but by chapter seven I’d started focusing on sales letter and landing page copywriting. So I’m now in the process of cutting unwanted material with […]
Blogger in chief at The Copywriter's Crucible. A blog focused on helping other copywriters to enhance their skillset and be of more value to clients, and thus push up their pay grade. Also dabbles in internet marketing, cycling and jaunts abroad, in no particular order.
Persuasive Writing 7 – Editing Your Writing
It’s believed that procrastination and writer’s block are caused by the writer’s desire to achieve perfection. The fear of composing an awkward sentence or weak turn of phrase can be so paralysing that many writers simply can’t face the simple act of typing words into their keyboard. But it’s also believed that writer’s block is […]
Persuasive Writing 6 – Using Metaphors to Spark Imagination
“Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space.” – Orson Scott Card Whether in Homer’s Iliad, Shakespeare’s plays or Rowling’s Harry Potter, fictional writing is packed with metaphors because they’re so effective at stimulating a reader’s imagination. Metaphors are powerful because by transferring the qualities of one object onto another […]
Persuasive Writing 5 – Writing Headlines that Reel in Readers
“On the average, five times as many people read the headlines as read the body copy. It follows that, unless your headline sells your product, you have wasted 90 percent of your money.†– David Ogilvy You might be a copywriting genius, and composed a sales letter that can sell carpets to Egyptians. But if […]
That’s it, I give in…I’ve joined Twitter!
I’ve been able to avoid it up until now, thinking it would just be another time waster and excuse to procrastinate (up there with checking my site stats every two minutes). However, after listening to the Freelance Radio podcast (recommended listening to anyone navigating the freelance, remote working world) I decided to give Twitter a […]
Persuasive Writing 4 – Structure
In earlier chapters you identified how to appeal to your target audience and compiled a list of your product’s benefits. Now you need to plan how to structure your writing so it leads your reader along a logical path of thought towards taking action. Just like how a seasoned debater or lawyer prepares to argue […]
Welcome to 2009 Crucible Readers
Now the holidays are behind us, I hope you’re as ready as I am to get stuck into 2009 and to take advantage of every opportunity offered by the net for marketing and growing your business. It’s certainly going to be a tough year for many people; I’ve started hearing the ‘d’ word mentioned in […]
Happy Holidays Crucible Readers
I’d imagine you’re too excited about the holidays to concentrate on a persuasive writing lesson this week. So instead I’m going to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you all with your pens ready in a week or so. In the meantime I’ll leave you with this informative video […]
Writing Persuasively 3 – Features Tell, Benefits Sell
“In our factory, we make lipstick. In our advertising, we sell hope.” – Charles Revson Whenever someone reads your website’s landing page or sales letter they’re not thinking about how clever the wordplay is but ‘what’s in it for me?’ They want to know how your product can solve their problem and benefit them personally, […]
Writing Persuasively 2 – Planning Why You Are Writing, Who To And What Action You Want Them To Take
“The more informative your advertising, the more persuasive it will be.†– David Ogilvy As any lawyer knows, it’s not the strength of your words but the strength of your arguments that wins. The same rule applies to persuasive writing. Dazzling the reader with your use of a thesaurus or adopting a pushy tone isn’t […]