Tanner Larsson
Introduction
In the 21st century, one of the most important venues where copywriting has become a vital commodity is on the World Wide Web and Internet. As a result, it has become imperative for any person interested in either writing or in developing a bona fide Internet business presence to develop solid and exceptional copywriting skills.
There are a number of techniques that a person can follow in order to better and best his or her own skills as a copywriter creatively developing web content. Four techniques that have proved valuable to a wide range of writers are examined in this article:
- Read more than you write
- Write about what you know
The principles of the good society call for a concern with an order of being—which cannot be proved existentially to the sense organs—where it matters supremely that the human person is inviolable, that reason shall regulate the will, that truth shall prevail over error.
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974)
- Educate yourself
- Proofread and re-write
Read More Than You Write
One of the most notable person of letters in the past century was F. Scott Fitzgerald. When asked about the profession of the writer, he advised that it is imperative for a good writer to read more than he writes. This thoughtful comment by the author of such works as "The Great Gatsby" is applicable to those men and women interested in writing effective web copy as well.
Certainly, nothing in this article should be construed as an endorsement of plagiarism. Rather, we believe that a person can learn valuable writing techniques and practices by examining the works of others. Quite like the painter who spends a good deal of time in the museum exploring the works of master artists, so should a dedicated copywriter spend time regularly analyzing the writings of other skilled copywriters.
Write About What You Know
Shame is closely related to guilt, but there is a key qualitative difference. No audience is needed for feelings of guilt, no one else need know, for the guilty person is his own judge. Not so for shame. The humiliation of shame requires disapproval or ridicule by others. If no one ever learns of a misdeed there will be no shame, but there still might be guilt. Of course, there may be both. The distinction between shame and guilt is very important, since these two emotions may tear a person in opposite directions. The wish to relieve guilt may motivate a confession, but the wish to avoid the humiliation of shame may prevent it.
—Paul Ekman, U. S. psychologist, educator. Telling Lies: Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage, ch. 3, Norton (1985)
One of the most common mistakes a copywriter makes, including those copywriters specializing in web content, is trying to write about topics that he or she does not understand or have any real concept of at the time. Thus, it is vital for a capable copywriter to stick to those topics on which he or she has knowledge.
Naturally, a person can always expand his or her areas of expertise. But, when taking on writing assignments for a client or another person, a reliable copywriter will make certain that he has credible experience in the topic area that can be translated into valuable and useful copy content.
Educate Yourself
About the author:
Tanner Larsson is a veteran entrepreneur and the publisher of the award winning Work At Home Success Newsletter. Subscribe to his newsletter and recieve 4 EXCLUSIVE Bonuses valued at $276. http://www.work-at-home-resource-center.com