Twitter Copywriting Tips of the Week:
May 21, 2010
I thought I’d round up and share a few of the best copywriting tips found on Twitter over the past few days. Even implementing a few of these tips and techniques will make you a stronger writer–and more cognizant of how to communicate to your audience. The last one is my favorite. Enjoy!
From @webseoanalytics: Tip: The 5 basic rules of SEO copywriting. http://bit.ly/KvXH7
From @guspim: The Small Print: Writing UI Instructions -> http://bit.ly/9NvnCX
From @dotjenna: 25 Words to Improve Your Copy http://tinyurl.com/26hz24n
From @farhadkhurshed: Tip: Want to write a killer sales letter? Then you need to create an irresistible offer first.
From @GranerCreative: Use Story Elements in B2B Marketing Content http://bit.ly/bNR1QI
From @karriflatla: Everyone is operating on information overload. Get to the point quickly.
Know any other good tips? Share them in the comments box, please!
Career and Entrepreneurship Advice from Marvin Hamlisch
May 10, 2010
I came across a great interview with legendary American composer, Marvin Hamlisch. When people as successful as him give career information, it behooves us all to sit up and pay attention. Although the article focuses on a career in the arts, it is very relevant to general entrepreneurship. He gives great advice on jumping up when opportunity knocks, making money from your passion, and that it takes more than talent. I thought I’d share my favorite excerpts from the article:
“I have a notion about the whole world of college education… it leaves out one course: “How do you pay the rent?”
“What you have to understand is the line to your plan is never straight. It strays among the different avenues. I always envision an eight-lane highway eventually going to the same tunnel. Eventually, you get to that place you want to get to, but getting there requires a lot of lane changes.”
“The way people in the arts get into it is very simple: if they would rather die than not do what they want to do, then they have to be in the industry. It’s like saying to someone who wants to be in ballet that their career will be over by 35. If they say they don’t care, then they have to do it.”
“And I also think your ego and your love of it has a lot to do with it, not just your talent. Because I know people a lot more talented than I am, but they don’t have the ego or the drive.”
“I don’t have e-mail. You wanna know why? People say to me: “I wake up in the morning and I’m already 65 e-mails behind.” I don’t want to live like that.”
For the full interview, click here.
Can Considerate Be Controversial?
May 4, 2010
I know the title of this blog post is a little confusing but bear with me just one moment. I have a question for you that I’d like to put out there: is it possible to be considerate AND controversial? I am having a hard time with this. Let me explain.
In college I was working on a project and it required me to find out more about my style of leadership. I asked my roommate for five adjectives that described me. One of the words she used has stuck with me to this day: Considerate. That description meant a lot to me. I sincerely care about others and have tried to show that all my life. For example, I don’t like talking about marital bliss with single friends. I don’t like to talk incessantly about my baby when childless people are around. I want everybody to like me. I don’t try to purposely stir the pot. And I have a hard time with confrontation. So, why is that a problem?
Because I want to be a successful author, speaker, freelancer and entrepreneur. And I know that to be successful, I need to stand out, differentiate myself, and perhaps bring a little controversy to the table. But – how do I do that and be vocal without alienating people and potential clients?
“But Jenny,” my colleague Sherry explained, “You can’t be all things to all people. It actually ends up having the opposite effect and you’ll never get a great following by anyone.” That makes sense. But it’s still hard pick a topic and express views knowing I’m going to get dissention.
Take this guy, John Rosemond, for example. As a family psychologist, he probably says a lot of the same things that other psychologists say. BUT – he has stood out by taking issue on one topic: he doesn’t believe that fathers should high-five their children. This psychologist believes that it undermines a father’s role as an authority. Parents should be leaders, not buddies to their children. And he has gotten a lot of favorable feedback from parents and media attention in the form of quotes and interviews because of this. And it has helped him sell books. All because he is taking a controversial stance, encouraging debate, and standing up for something.
So I ask you-how can someone be controversial BUT still be considerate and nice? Is it possible?
Subscribe to this site's RSS feed.
