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Writing Information |
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Top Ten Ways to Write Like a Pro Checklist
Sure you can write, but can you write crisp, compelling copy that To sell well, your articles, reports, books, and copywriting need to pass the checklist below: 1.___Make your book or article title or headlines grab your reader by the collar. If your titles and headlines are ho hum, your prospective audience will leave you instantly. Headlines and titles are far more important than the copy that follows. A clever title is great, but an even better title is clever and clear. Shorter titles sell better than longer ones, because they are easier to remember. Make each word count because your potential buyer will spend only four-eight seconds on the book front cover. On your Web site sales letters and your Web home page, your headlines must grab your visitors' emotions and curiosity to lead them to buy. While some long titles have succeeded, usually the shorter, the better. 2.___Create your opening paragraph of your book chapter, your introduction, or your web copy to entice your reader continue. It's not the book, it's the hook. In fiction, start with the most exciting and important incident first. For fiction and non-fiction, open with dialogue. It's more present and exciting. It shows rather than tells. In non-fiction open with two or three compelling questions your reader can connect with. Point out your readers' challenges through them. Then follow with the thesis, a story and other solutions. 3.___Make each part of your non-fiction book, report, article, or sales letter support the thesis. For instance, the thesis of this article is "You will sell more books or services when you use these 10 ways to write like a pro." Once you give each book, each chapter, each article a thesis, you'll write more compelling, organized, and easy-to-read copy. 4.___Pursue friends and associates to edit your work. Send them a survey asking for their feedback on small amounts at a time. Always reward them with a free book at the finish, or a free special report you create from your longer pieces. Edit three times before you submit your piece to a professional editor or book coach. . 6.___Use strong, emotional or visual, power verbs rather than These linking verbs create passive, long sentences. They stop movement and slow readers down or bore them. Readers 7. Stop loading your copy with telling words like adverbs. Every time you see a "very" or an -ly ending in your work, rethink. Check with your Thesaurus to see the more compelling possibilities. Think corpulent instead of very fat. One specific word is always better than two mundane ones. When you see "suddenly," a favorite of most writers, map out a picture, dialogue, or emotion to show sudden movement. 8. ___Corral your writing into concise, compelling sentences. 9. ___Make sure your piece is coherent. Test whether it flows 10.___Make your dialogues believable. No long speeches, please. Short dialogue reflects real life situations. . Use "said" rather than "screamed," "pouted." Show these in your character's action. "Said" is like a comma, and readers don't like to be slowed or talked down to. Attract contacts, sales, clients, and make a difference in other's lives using this "write like a pro" checklist. Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 140 free articles. Email her at mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com
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