From the category archives:

Copywriting

5 Simple Steps to writing more powerful copy

by Fiona Humberstone on September 13, 2009 · 0 comments

The sad truth is that most business writing fails to pull a response. Often it's self absorbed: focusing too much on the company's history and 'benefits' rather than what the client really needs. Sometimes it's too generic and doesn't ask for a response. And sometimes it just misses the mark that the reader (assuming they get to the end…) is left thinking "so what?".

If you're going to invest your time and money in marketing your business then it's essential that you maximise your response with powerful copy. I've recently written an email for my Copywriting Workshop on 24th September that's already pulled in 18 sales from just ONE email. Many people running workshops struggle to sell more than three or four full price places. So how did I do it? Let me share the formula with you. You can choose whether you come and learn how to put it into practice on the 24th or whether you use this process to simply improve your own copy. Whatever you do, please do let me know how you get on!

Five Simple Steps to writing more powerful copy

1. Focus: establish what you're trying to achieve
2. Find the pain: Use SPIN (situation, problem, implication, need) to get to your client's pain. Argue with yourself or a friend to get to the root of the clients problem and how you solve it. Once you/ they can "feel" the pain in your gut you know you're on to a winner.
3. Create a powerful Headline. I have a formula for creating 13 different types which I share on the copywriting workshop. If you don't have that, write as many different types as you can.
4. Use AIDCA to create a strong structure: Attention (the headline), Interest, Desire, Conviction, Action. I've put plenty of AIDCA explanations on the blog…
5. Review, revise, chop, take a break. Rinse and repeat. 

Do let me know how you get on! And if you'd like some feedback on copy you've written – either with or without the help of my winning formula then book a place on the Copywriting Workshop on the 24th September and you can claim free feedback and two weeks of free email support while you sculpt and tone your winning copy.

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in Copywriting

It’s the last copywriting workshop of the year!

by Fiona Humberstone on August 12, 2009 · 0 comments

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Does your writing win you business?


Simple, powerful copywriting techniques to help you sell more

Most websites, leaflets and emails are so badly written that they lose companies business. Can you afford to miss sales opportunities at the moment?

As a business owner you’ll probably spend a lot of your time writing. Wouldn’t it help if you knew some shortcuts to more profitable results? 

Gain confidence in your ability and learn how to sell more just through your writing.

Join us for a Copywriting Essentials marketing workshop in Ripley, Surrey on 24th September and you’ll discover how to write to sell. I’ll show you how others get it wrong so that you don’t make the same mistakes, and I’ll give you all the tips, tricks and techniques I employed to get one of my clients a 24% response rate through their direct mail campaign.

You’ll leave with an armful of notes, a head full of ideas and complete confidence that you now have the tools to be able to create writing that sells.

This is one of our most popular live workshops, book now to secure your place! http://www.marvellousworkshops.co.uk/copywriting.html

Here’s how others have benefitted from this workshop:

"Very concise, informative and useful."
Aaron Salins, University of Surrey Students Union


"I came away with a stock of superb headlines and the absolute confidence that this weekend I can create a powerful sales letter. Money and time well spent."
Stephen Hillier, Hillier Associates

"The '13 headlines' section is potentially life changing!"
Matt Pereira

This is my last copywriting workshop of 2009! Make sure you book your place today and get your business ready to gain more business.

Book online at http://www.marvellousworkshops.co.uk/copywriting.html

I look forward to seeing you there!

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in Copywriting, Low Cost Marketing, Marketing, Networking, Websites, Workshops

Why does most copy fail to pull the response it should?

April 14, 2009

Leaflets or website not bringing you in enough business?
Don’t be too quick to blame the design. It’s just as likely to be what and how
you’re saying what you’re saying! Here’s my list of the top 7 clangers most
businesses make when creating copy and how to avoid making the same mistake
yourself.

It’s
boring: your leaflets or website
might be [...]

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Americanised, dan kennedy style copy. Lots of shouting and hyperbole – the only copy that works?

April 8, 2009

I've blogged on this before, but as I now have a lot more copywriters following me via twitter I'd be really interested to know what you all think.

This morning I received this link to a page by Paul Fuggle, guru of Total Business Cart.com and the shopping cart I use for my workshops. Now I [...]

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Writing copy for your website? Don’t we all over the internet!

April 6, 2009

One of the biggest mistakes lots of companies make when writing for their website is to write all about themselves. Well, newsflash! Your clients don't want to hear about you on your homepage. They want to hear all about the solutions you provide to help them with their problems. So think from a different angle. [...]

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Writing a sales letter? Don’t confuse readers with more than one call to action

April 1, 2009

When you're writing a sales letter you need to be incredibly focused on what you want people to do. Want to write a letter to introduce your business? Great, go ahead! But don't be surprised when you get no response. Why? Because you haven't asked for a response.

Powerful sales letters are focused. The writer starts [...]

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Copywriting – it’s the difference between telling people about something and compelling them to take action

March 6, 2009

A couple of weeks ago I had an email from a client asking me to quote on some leaflets. And as always, I couldn't resist having a quick read through her copy. It's like an addiction for me. I simply cannot stop reading copy and thinking about how I might improve it. Some people choose [...]

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In the studio this week… A brand identity for a new Italian deli, antipasto and sandwich bar in Guildford

March 4, 2009

What do you think of the leaflets we've just created for Vero Cibo? I'm particularly proud of them because it's a brand we've created from scratch.

Vero Cibo is an Italian deli, antipasto and sandwich bar that's going to be opening at the end of the month. And it's all systems go to create a fabulous [...]

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Wow! Thanks Bernay!

January 7, 2009

Over the past couple of months we've been working with the very fabulous Bernay Laity at in:colour. in:colour is the UK's leading colour consultancy and helps individuals and companies communicate more effectively through colour. I have to say, it's been absolutely fascinating stuff, and we shall be signing up to Bernay's next Colour in:communication course!
Anyway, [...]

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One quick and easy copywriting tip anyone can master

January 5, 2009

I'm just copywriting the seminars for this year's Grow Your Business event (details to follow soon…) and you know what keeps popping up? Make your copy active. What do I mean by that? Don't talk about they, talk about you. Talk directly to your customer and you'll find it much more powerful.

So… every time you [...]

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