Request Newsletter | Business Online Website | Government Information | Submit Articles and News | Return To Main Page

Copywriting Information


Getting Over Copy Shock


A few weeks ago I wrote some copy for a business owner "Marvin." My copy was hard-hitting but honest and down-to-earth. He's really good in his field, so coming up with benefits was easy. What wasn't easy was convincing him to run with the copy on his duller-than-dust website.

"It's ­ well, sales!" Marvin said.

"That's the idea," I replied.

"It makes me sound really great!"

"You ARE really great. I've seen your work."

Finally, I showed the copy to a friend who needed Marvin's services. She was ready to pick up the phone. Then I showed her Marvin's original website. She made a face. "Boh-ring!"

She hired Marvin and told him why. Marvin's about 90% convinced.

I understand where Marvin was coming from. When I created my first website, I practically begged people to go away. But when I began revising my sales pages, and people began buying, I saw the light. People who buy from me are smart professionals. Many have advanced degrees. They're not the type to be suckered in by a snake-oil sales pitch.

And now I encourage clients to understand what good marketing copy can do for a business.

Let's face it, most of us were taught, "Don't brag. Don't show off." And in truth, there's no need for hype and absolutely no reason to exaggerate what you can do. But clients want to buy from strong, confident business people. And if you don't have anything to brag about, why are you in business?

Alas, many of us experience a form of copy shock, similar to what happens when we hire a professional resume writer.

"Is that really me? I don't want to exaggerate," we say.

But the whole idea of hiring someone to promote ourselves is to, well, promote. Sell! Get excited! Share the good stuff!

Whether I'm working on a resume or a piece of copy, I've learned a trick for helping clients defuse copy shock.

Show a trusted friend what your hired gun promotional consultant has written.

"A little strong isn't it?" you'll say nervously.

Almost always your friend will say, "Not at all. That's really who you are. Very accurate."

"Not too sales-y, is it?"

"Not hardly. This is what I'd call gentle persuasion. Get a life!"

A few iterations and copy shock goes away. Soon you'll be plastering "My business rocks!" posters all over town. And you'll believe it.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294


MORE RESOURCES:

Search Engine Journal

5+ SEO Text Analyzers for SEO Diagnostics & Copywriting
Search Engine Journal - 6 hours ago
Both with on-page SEO diagnostics and SEO copywriting, we often need to perform various types of text analysis. Here is the collection of tools that should ...


Keyword Density in Copywriting: The Important Aspect of SEO
Promotion World (press release), CA - 21 hours ago
by Amber Smith Before venturing into the issue of what the ideal keyword density should be, let us understand the exact meaning of keyword and keyword ...


Copywriting Summit Targets Writers Seeking Higher-Paying Business ...
Emediawire (press release), WA - Sep 2, 2008
Copywriting Summit 2008 dates announced -- will feature leading copywriters on how to break into the lucrative copywriting arena. Features Michael Stelzner ...


Online Marketers Seek Performance Boosts at Online Market World
MarketWatch - Sep 3, 2008
... become a necessity to take the guess work out of such things as site design, advertising campaigns, email campaigns, copywriting, and graphic design. ...


Titan launches copywriting contest for massive billboard
Brand Republic, UK - Sep 1, 2008
by Anne Cassidy Campaign 01-Sep-08, 16:15 LONDON - Titan Outdoor is launching what it terms "the biggest copywriting competition in the world" to promote ...
Creatives urged to think big by Titan Outdoor How Do
all 2 news articles


American Chronicle

3 Ways Retractable Awnings Can Help Your Business
American Chronicle, CA - 23 hours ago
AJ Vanderhorst owns Words w/ Verve, a freelance copywriting business. He grew up reading compulsively and writing numerous articles and stories. ...


Tips for helping your Copywriting Business
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - Aug 29, 2008
by Ray Edwards Improving these two skills will help you become far more successful as a copywriter. There are many good copywriters out there that do not ...


Market to the Moment Announces Product Development Consultation ...
Newswire Today (press release), UK - Sep 2, 2008
Pamela Weir, owner of the marketing and copywriting company Market to the Moment, is adding product development and sales campaign writing to the company’s ...


American Chronicle

4 Reasons to Buy a New Wood Stove
American Chronicle, CA - Sep 2, 2008
AJ Vanderhorst owns Words w/ Verve, a freelance copywriting business. He grew up reading compulsively and writing numerous articles and stories. ...


SEO Peace, Inc. Launches 100percent Result Oriented SEO Services ...
PRarticle.com (press release), Canada - Sep 2, 2008
The trial SEO Campaign on sister copywriting company website www.eContentAxis.com brought it in top 5 positions within less than 2 months for many targeted ...
SEO In Singapore In Hot Demand As More Business Owners Realize ... PRarticle.com (press release)
all 3 news articles

Copywriting - Google News

home | site map

Site Map | Site Map | Links

© 2006