Copywriting Information

Tomorrow's Clichés Today


I went to Google and entered a couple of different search terms.

The first was, to my mind, the cliché of all cliché's: "Tomorrow's Solutions Today".

And yes, there are a few companies out there that feel this is the most useful way to describe their services.

To broaden my search, I tried: "Tomorrow's * Today".

Here is a small sample of what I found.

Tomorrow's Technology Today

Tomorrow's Market Today

Tomorrow's Sounds Today

Tomorrow's News Today

Tomorrow's Computing today

Tomorrow's Superstars Today

Tomorrow's Consumer Today

Is there a problem here? Of course there is. Each of these sites, as well as being satisfied with using a truly awful cliché, is failing to serve the needs of its visitors.

When a person comes to your site for the very first time, they are looking for a fast and simple way to find out whether your site can give them what they're looking for.

Remember, in most cases the majority of new visitors arrive through search engines. They have a task in mind. There is something they are looking for.

Does a copy line on the first screen of your homepage help visitors quickly determine whether your site can help them?

Saying 'Tomorrow's Widgets Today' doesn't do it.

Here are three examples of copy lines that really do help the visitor conclude that he or she is in the right place:

Meetup.com - Meetup organizes local interest groups

WebEx.com - Web Conferencing, Video Conferencing and Online Meeting Services

GoToMyPC.com - Access and Control Your PC from Anywhere

In all these examples the site writers have chosen to write a very clear, simple message that tells the first-time visitor what he or she can expect from the site.

Nothing fancy. No award-winning copywriting. Just simple text that communicates clearly.

And yes, much more useful to the reader than some tired cliché that helps not one little bit, and makes your company look ridiculous at the same time.

Let people know what they can expect from your site. Keep the text simple. And avoid clichés. Always.

Nick Usborne is a copywriter, author, speaker and advocat of good writing. You can access all his archived newsletter articles on copywriting and writing for the web at his Excess Voice site. You'll find more articles and resources on how to make money as a freelance writer at his Freelance Writing Success site.


MORE RESOURCES:

Vocational Copywriting
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - Aug 27, 2008
by Ray Edwards Copywriting as a trade carries with it a great number of benefits. A copywriter will earn more than the average salary in the United States. ...


Neighborhood America's New Partnership with The Content Factor ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 2 hours ago
Neighborhood America partners with The Content Factor, an Atlanta-based marketing and copywriting agency, to compliment its award-winning social networking ...


How “Copywriting†Got Its Name
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - Aug 27, 2008
by Darrel Hawes Some may be rather confused by the word “copywritingâ€. After all, what does copying have to do with writing? Here’s perhaps the simplest way ...


Appeal to Consumers' Five Senses
MSNBC - Aug 27, 2008
Copywriters use a wealth of adjectives and descriptive phrases to personalize a product and give it meaning. The most successful copywriting uses ...


Rates for Copywriting
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - Aug 26, 2008
by Ray Edwards If you’re an employed copywriter, you can make a little or a lot of money depending on your skill level and how well you advertise yourself. ...


The Necessity Of Business Writing
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - 22 hours ago
The greatest material is created when the copywriting and visual teams join forces and work in agreement. Writing is an integral component of the publicity ...


The Ultimate Web Copywriting Secret
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 26, 2008
And it is often so obvious, many copywriters forget about it. Or ignore it. Or do not pay enough attention to it. No, it's not having great bonuses. ...


** AWAI's Monthly Copywriting Genius features Leon Altman ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Aug 25, 2008
Monthly Copywriting Genius (www.monthlycopywritinggenius.com), a publication by AWAI (American Writers and Artists Institute), which focuses on top direct ...


Copywriting Procedures and Structures
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - Aug 24, 2008
This article will specifically cover the sales letter because of its greatest impact, especially if you decide to do SEO copywriting. ...


American Chronicle

Retractable Awnings 101 - What Are They?
American Chronicle, CA - Aug 27, 2008
AJ Vanderhorst owns Words w/ Verve, a freelance copywriting business. He grew up reading compulsively and writing numerous articles and stories. ...

Copywriting - Google News

home | site map
© 2006