Writing With Purpose

Every time I sit down to write a post, I try to think of something helpful, a current issue, or a topic that simply might be of interest. As you can tell, I have dropped the ball in the last couple of weeks. I got busy and the blog took the back burner. I need to be better about that. Once I get a few readers that are brave enough to make comments or ask questions, then I can write about exactly what you want to know.

For those of you that don’t know, the terms freelance writing and copywriting are basically the same thing. In most cases, you and I will be writing copy that it meant to sell someone a product, an idea, or a passion.

Today, I was reading an article by another copywriter, and the last sentence is what intrigued me the most: “Now, go sell ice cream to Eskimos”. How cool is that! (pun intended).

She had some really good advice for people that want to become better freelance writers/copywriters. I want to share parts of it with you:

Now in the 5 years I’ve been in this business I’ve read a LOT of copy and written quite a bit as well. Most of it sucks. Certain things sell plain and simple and it’s aparent a lot of people don’t know what they are. . . So how do we get that emotion and feelings involved in our copy?

To effectively bring emotion into our copy we’re typically going to lean towards using a lot more words that involve the senses. Do you know what the primary senses that most people operate by? Did you know if you speak to these senses, all of them, you’re going to connect with most people better? Here is a list of the big 3 senses that most people run through the world with:

Feeling
Audio
Visual
Take a look at those and digest them for a minute. Sure there is more senses then that but most people use these to reference the world. You’ll find certain people stronger towards one then the other. Listen to the language people use when you’re talking with them. I bet after a bit once you get and accute ear you’ll be able to pickup what someones dominant sense is. And get this did you know that men and women are different? Hhahahah of course. Here’s a short cut to get you started with what to focus one depending on what sex you’re writing for.

Most men are strong on the Visual sense. They’re going to say things like: I see what you’re talking about. I can definately picture what you’re saying. When you’re selling to men the more visual you can make your pitch in your copy the more you’re going to connect and the more emotion you’re going to bring out. On an interesting topic when it comes to something that sexually arouses someone guess what men go for? Is it the penthouse forum magazine with the emotional stories? Now of course not it’s the visual picture stimulus.

So have you guessed what drives most women? If you haven’t it’s pretty easy “Feeling”. Think heartfelt stories on lifetime movie network.

So lets take a couple of these ideas and put them into play on some short snippets of copy. We’ll start with a statement like:

“I was in so much debt I didn’t know what to do.”

This sounds pretty bland right but it’s not really touching on any sense or emotions. There’s honestly nothing to pull anyone in. But lets take this and write it for a strong visual sensing person:

“Every day I closed my eyes as I opened the door beacuse i knew I’d see the stacks of bills sitting there piling up to the ceiling.”

How about one for a strong audio sensing person:

“everytime the heard the mail slot open all i could say to myself was, I don’t want to look, because I knew exactly what was there.”

And one last one for for the feeling people:

“I used to cringe every day stewing over all those bills piling up and weighing on me.”

Pretty cool huh. Which one did you connect with the most?

The ideal copy weaves between all these senses almost like a web. The more you can hit on each of the sense types the more you’re going to connect with each type of person. If you’re going to be targeting one sex more specifically I’d highly suggest going about double on the keywords tha appeal to them.

As a teacher, I always told students to be as descriptive as possible. Do not say empty words like “things”, when you can describe what those are, with the power of your words. The same can be said for freelance writers/copywriters. You have great power in your words. Use them! Who knows who you can sell ice cream to, or anything else for that matter?

You can even sell yourself and what you do for your clients on a daily basis.

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Especially if you are just getting started in freelance writing, free deals for copywriters sounds pretty good. But, in your haste to become better educated in the business, make sure the incentive is a good enough reason to opt into whatever is being offered.

For example, I recently read a tag line that a freelance writer is offering free PDF for anyone that purchases what he has to sell. Since you will likely need to make PDF files at one time or another, it does sound like a good deal. But, I have a PDF program that I use at least twice a week; and, it does not cost me one red penny. Two pop ups come up while it is making the PDF; but, it is no big deal-especially for a FREE PDF.

Another Great FREE Deal

I received an unexpected gift this Christmas. My good friend and fellow freelancer sent me the book I mentioned in a previous post called New Path to Riches by Nick Osborne. It is a good book. In fact, I only have a couple more chapters to read. It has a lot of information for beginning freelancers and those of us who have been doing it for years, yet want to grow our businesses.

You can get New Path to Riches free, and it will not cost you any money. All you need to do is follow the link, read the blog entry, and see if that is something you would like to do. You do not have to spend any money to get something free in return. I already received my copy for Christmas, so I am doing nothing more than suggesting a good read.

Before Signing on the Dotted Line

In short, before opting into some product or service costing you money, in order to get the freebie, make sure it is something that you really want and need. A lot of the time, you can find the same product or service free, if you know where to look.

If you have any questions or suggestions for future post ideas, please contact me. If I do not know the answer, I will find it. Remember: I always welcome polite comments, even if you disagree. It makes for great dialog, and we can learn together.

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Recently, I posted a blog about a new website I found that was sponsored by Digg.com. Although I still think the site has some value, my estimation of the Digg site has gone downhill. Today, in my Google alerts, I came across an article about a freelancing scam. Always looking for helpful information for this blog, I clicked the link.

I am sorry to say, I was more concerned about the non-writing skill of this freelancer than the scam she was writing about. In fact, I was appalled! She left out words, did not even capitalize her ‘I’s’, and her English skills were nothing less than deplorable! What happened to good grammar being essential to writing well?

In all fairness, I realize that English is a second language for many people. I admire people with the ability to learn a second, third, or fourth language. But, unless you have the skills of a professional writer, in that language, you should not embark on copywriting, freelancing, or any other professional writing venture.

Although I am not going to rip apart this woman’s paragraph like an English teacher, I do want you to be aware that anyone can post on Digg.com. It may still be a good resource for providing links back to your website or blog. It may also help get your name out to the Internet public. But you will be mixed among a lot of people who simply have no business freelance writing.

In further checking out Digg.com, I found this:

Digg is a place for people to discover and share content from anywhere on the web. From the biggest online destinations to the most obscure blog, Digg surfaces the best stuff as voted on by our users. You won’t find editors at Digg — we’re here to provide a place where people can collectively determine the value of content and we’re changing the way people consume information online.

Great! No one will make sure the writing is quality work. Anyone can post anything. Personally, I think it is a disservice to the freelance writers that strive for excellence.

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Although I have been a professional freelance writer for almost four years, I am constantly learning and trying to find new resources and connections to improve my business and the bottom line. With that idea in mind, I started this blog for a two-fold purpose.

With my first love being education, I want to provide other freelance writers with some of the information I could have used when I first started writing. When you work at home, it is very nice to know that you are truly not alone. In fact, there are many people out there that have traveled this road before, and they really want to help.

I also want to let individuals know that I am available to provide services to both buyers and writers. Buyers can hire me to write for them, and freelancers can come to me for help in becoming better writers.

Google Alerts

A good friend and freelancer emailed me recently to let me know that this website has been picked up by Google. Although it is a constant work in progress, it means that I can grow my web presence and actual start helping people reading this blog. But, I did have a question (after all the best teacher is always learning): How did she find out the blog was showing up already?

Then, she told me about Google alerts. She requests alerts on articles that use specific keywords and she receives daily alerts about potentially beneficial information that has been posted. It really is a cool tool! So, I put in ‘Freelance Writing’ for Google Alerts. Ever day, I receive an email with the top posts regarding freelance writing.

Google Alert Resource Site

Today, as I was checking out the alerts, I came across a wonderful resource site for writers of all sorts. Whether you are writing a term paper for school, a dissertation, a book, or you are a freelance copywriter, there is at least one link that might provide you with helpful resources, important connections, opportunities and more.

Admittedly, a site called Fast Cash Freelance put me off at first. It was probably one of those sites giving the freelancer unrealistic hopes for success-at a price. But, since Digg.com has it in their news, I thought maybe it was worth checking out. So, I went straight to the resources page provided in the link. It is more of an information site, rather than a ‘take your money’ venture.

So, I know I am going to further explore these resources and see if any of them will be of benefit to you and me. I also might add more Google alerts to show up in my inbox in the morning. You never know what writing resource might pop up to help freelance writers and copywriters to improve their work at home businesses.

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In all honesty, not everyone is cut out to be a good freelance copywriter. It takes much more than the ability to tell a good story, or even put it down on paper. It takes specific talents to be a good writer, especially when you are selling your end product to a client.

7 Traits of a Good Freelance Copywriter

1. Ideas
2. Organization
3. Voice
4. Word Choice
5. Sentence Fluency
6. Conventions
7. Presentation

Ideas

Most of the time, copywriters will get the foundation of their ideas from the buyer. He/she needs copy that will promote their product, service, or information on the Internet. In the simplest of terms, freelance copywriters specialize in advertising products, services, or ideals.

However, there will be times that the freelance writer is called upon to continuously write about the same subject over and over again. Some writers will actually spin the same article 100 times, with special software, to provide many articles on the same subject.

However, I do not recommend this tactic, nor do I use it. If the search engines figure out that spinning is being practiced, the site will be classified as spam, and the client will lose his/her Internet presence. So, it is up the copywriter to come up with fresh and new ideas, even when it seems like every creative bone in the body has turned to mush.

Organization

Good organization is an essential trait for the freelance writer. For example, it is important to grab the attention of the reader in the first few sentences. The idea is to make sure he/she wants to read further information.

But, in freelancing, organization also means using the keywords effectively in the first sentence or two. Plus, it is helpful to break the material down in bit size pieces. Readers are more likely to stick with the material if it is separated by bullet points, subheadings, and other tactics that make the material easier to understand quickly.

Voice

In writing, every author has a different voice. How I write is different than how another freelancer may approach the same exact topic. I have my own voice. To be the best freelance copywriter I can be, I need to be true to that voice. I can change that voice, if I must. But, my repeat clients like my relaxed style of ‘talking’ to the reader and not just sounding like I am trying to write a term paper.

As a writer, you will also have your own voice. Be true to the style that makes you most comfortable. You will have clients that come to you because they prefer how you write. Once you figure out your voice, you will be surprised. You will recognize your writing, even if the buyer takes your work and puts their own pseudonym on the writing. You will recognize it as your own.

Word Choice

Word choice in freelance copywriting can be a challenge. The words you use will largely depend on the client. Of course, if you are writing for a doctor, the words will be vastly differently than if you are promoting high end lingerie. However, you need to be careful not to use the same words too often. Frequently, when I write an article or a blog, I will proof it and realize I have used a particular word or phrase too often. I need to go back and change it.

Also, you do not want to talk down to the reader; but, you do not want to sound like an encyclopedia either. If you use too many big words, it just makes the material sound ’stuck up’. What you write needs to be comfortable for the average reader, unless you are writing for a specific audience like doctors.

Either way, change up your words and exercise your vocabulary. If you get stuck, this is the time to get out that thesaurus you need to keep handy.

Sentence Fluency

Sentence fluency is pretty simple and straightforward. Vary your sentences. You will want to use sentences that are wordy and seem to carry the entire paragraph. You will need medium-sized sentences and short ones too. Long sentences are usually over 15 words in length; medium are five to ten; short may only be one or two-for dramatic effect-even if it is not technically grammatically correct it is still okay on occasion.

Conventions

Proper conventions are a must. If you do not spell correctly, use proper grammar, and implement the necessary punctuation, it might be time to consider starting some other kind of business. If you want to get paid to be a professional writer, you must have the most basic of writing skills to start with, at the very least, and grow from there.

Presentation

Finally, what does your end product look like? Does it look like professional writing? Will it be easy for the Internet visitor to read and understand. Are the paragraphs a few sentences, rather than half a page? Do subheadings and bullet points emphasize the important ideas expressed in the writing? In other words, you may be a good writer; but, unless it looks good to the reader, they may never stop to see what you have to say.

Have or Have Not

Do you have the 7 traits of a good freelance copywriter. If you want help or would like to learn how to become a better copywriter, contact me for more information.

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Freelance writing involves so much more than putting words in a document and sending it to the client. It takes an understanding on how the Internet Marketplace works. Network and freelance writing success go hand-in-hand. If you want to be among those individuals that work at home full-time and make a good living, you need to know how to spread the word about your talent and what you have to offer other entrepreneurs.

Growing your Presence

When you are trying to establish yourself as a successful freelance writer, you need to envision the Internet as a literal worldwide web. The bigger the web, the broader your potential client base. Even well-seasoned and successful copywriters are constantly working to build an even bigger web.

A Big Mistake

One of the biggest mistakes that many freelance writers make is failing to sell themselves. They do not realize that it takes time and effort to build that Internet Web presence. Writers may not get paid for the work they do for their business today; but, the time they spend in getting the word out will pay off tomorrow. Still others are afraid of what the Internet has to offer. For example, panic spread on Facebook this week. I must have gotten 10-15 messages that read:

If you don’t know, as of today, Facebook will automatically index all your info on Google, which allows everyone to view it. To change this option, go to Settings –> Privacy Settings –> Search –> then UN-CLICK the box that says ‘Allow indexing’. Facebook kept this one quiet. Copy and paste onto your status for all your friends ASA

I must admit that after the umteenth time, I told friends to quit sending this message already. Has anyone ever heard of overkill? Then, I explained that for freelance writers and other home business operators, this is not something to worry about. In fact, if Facebook sends my blog posts and messages about my business throughout the Web, it can only help me. I want more than my Facebook friends to know that I write for a living. If I get a new client on the other side of the planet or next door because of a Facebook post, I will consider it a success.

For those folks that simply want Facebook as a social venue for chatting with friends and family, there is only one thing to say. Simply do not post anything that the general public should not read! In fact, no one should ever put anything on the Web that they do not want the world to see from now until eternity.

So, think of networking and freelance writing success as partners. Go ahead. Get the word out via Facebook, Twitter, article marketing, websites, blogs, and more. Sell yourself and your talent. If you are a good writer, let the world know it!

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Yesterday in the blog, I talked about working at home alone is not necessary. In fact, if you really want to become a successful copywriter, you need to learn how to network and work at home together. Today, I received and email from one of the co-founders of the Copywriters Business Network. I want to share it will you:

There are a number of ways that you can grow as a copywriter and increase your business by leveraging the capabilities on The Copywriters Business Network.

Before I list the different opportunities, the key to any networking (whether in person or online) is to stay active, identify complimentary members (mentors and joint venture partners) for your business and engage them with forum / blog posts and comments on their contributions while avoiding shameless spamming.

Here are the various options on the site:

1. Complete an effective profile.

I recommend that you upload a profile picture. People like knowing who they are connecting; seeing a picture helps. There should be a section on your page to add text in a Text Box. Write something there about who you are, your experience as a copywriter and your niche. Re-arrange the order of information in your profile. If you take a look at my profile page, you will see that I have the write-up on who I am followed by my “Profile Information” section and then my “Latest Activity” section. I recommend this order because people can quickly see who you are without scrolling down.

2. Say hello to new members and send them an invite to “friend” you.

As new members join, I recommend that you leave a comment for them welcoming them to the network and then click on the link under their profile picture to add them as a friend. You will have a better chance of meeting people and connecting with them if you make them feel welcome when they join the group.

3. Join Groups.

You should see the link to Groups in the navigation bar under the tagline for the site towards the top. By joining groups, you can add appropriate questions and posts, plus you will be able to see updates as people post their own messages. When other people add posts, respond with comments. People appreciate when you take an active interest in what they say. Add your own perspective to a discussion thread that they started.

4. Add appropriate content to your Groups.

While inside a Group section, you will see a link under the Group information titled, Discussion Forum. Click on the Start Discussion link in this section to create a new post or ask a question.

5. Add articles or stories to the “Forum” section.

If you have a general question, comment or article for the network, post it by clicking on Forum in the navigation bar followed by clicking on “Add a Discussion” in the upper right corner.

6. Add blog posts.

Copy and paste blog posts that you have on TheWritingWithPurpose.com.

7. Invite other copywriters to join.

The more people that you bring to the network and communicate with, the more other people will see your activity and recognize you.

When you create posts in any of these sections, you will see the chain symbol allowing you to create links to your blog, other web sites, or articles and blog posts you’ve written or articles and sites by other people that you want to share with the group. Creating links to your site, articles and posts will help with your search engine ranking.

By staying active, you create the opportunity to gain insight from other members and show off your expertise.

I sincerely wish that this type of resource was available when I first became a freelance writer. It would have cleared up a lot of questions and confusion to be able to connect with other copywriters from around the world. I look forward to the potential for personal and professional growth for all copywriters.

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