Yes, you know your subject. You also need to think about entertaining your audience, and making your book or other writing easy to read. If your writing lacks organization and compelling, vital sentences that convince your readers to keep reading, they will leave your book or Web site immediately. There goes your "word-of-mouth" promotion.
Try my "Check and Correct" for These Top Five Mistakes
1. Stop passive sentence construction.
When you write in passive voice, your writing slides along into long sentences that slow your readers down, even bore them.
Before you put your final stamp of approval on your writing, circle all the "is," "was" and other passive verbs like: begin, start to, seems, appears, have, and could. Use your grammar check to count your passives. Aim for 2-4% only.
Correct: "Make sure that your name is included on all your household accounts and investments." "Make" and "is included" --the culprits. Create more clarity with this revision," Include your name on all household accounts and investments to keep your own credit alive after your divorce."
2. Stop all pompous language and phrases.
Well-meaning professionals often use the word, "utilize." You see this criminal in resumes, military directives and medical or lawyer documents. "Utilize" not only puts people off because we don't relate to "jargoneze," but because we want simple language. Think of Hemingway who knew that one or two syllable-words work better than longer ones.
When you aim at 10th grade level, you make it easy for your audience to "buy." Attempts to impress your audience with research babble or long words fail because they sound unreal and create a distance from the audience. Your reader wants a savvy friend, not an expert.
3. Show, don't tell to keep your audience reading.
When you take the lazy shortcut using -ly words like suddenly, or the adverb "very," your telling makes your reader yawn a "ho hum" and stop reading. Instead show "suddenly." For example, "When she saw the pistol, she ran and slammed the door behind her," shows "suddenly." Instead of "Alice was fat," say "Alice's girth prevented her from buying just one airline seat."
Circle the -ly and very words and sit down with your Thesaurus and replace them with power words that describe or show emotion.
4. Reduce your passive -ing constructions.
Think of a title that inspired you in the past. I like "Jump Start your Book Sales" by Marilyn and Tom Ross. "Jump Starting" lacks power because it doesn't ask for action. "-Ing" construction implies passive. Next time you think heading, title, or even compelling copy, think command verbs as sentence starters as well as using other strong verbs and nouns. Keep your sentences active using verbs in either present or past tense.
5. Take the "I" out of your writing to satisfy your reader
Whether you write a book introduction, biography, chapter or web sales message (did you know these are part of the essential "hot-selling points?"), keep the "I's" to a minimum. Your audience doesn't care about you, only what you can do for them.
Think about where your audience is now--their challenges or concerns. Remember to answer their question, "Why should I buy this from you?" Put a big YOU at the top of each page you write. Write three or four paragraphs. Then, circle the "I's" and vow to replace them with a "you" centered sentence or question.
So instead of telling your story, (I know that's important to you) put your story in the third person. Use another name, maybe a client's or friend's. If you think your bio is important, instead of placing a long passage on your home page, place it instead, on your "About Us" page. On your book's back cover, put your longer bio and photo inside the back cover page, so you can put more of what sells on your back cover--testimonials and benefits. Get everything you write checked by a book or writing coach to make sure it sells.
You cannot only get more sales from what you write, you can put yourself out there as the savvy friend to your audience who wants a problem solved. In the long run, these satisfied readers will return to you again and again--even buy your products and services.
Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 140 free articles. Email her at mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com
If you are looking for copywriter books, you'll want to... Read More
Do you have a problem creating a focus in your... Read More
Writing papers and book reports has long been the bane... Read More
Productivity begins by recognizing and valuing your brilliance, time, and... Read More
We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. We... Read More
You know you've got writing talent. Others enjoy your work... Read More
Winning writing contests can provide several advantages to writers. For... Read More
Mix a martini, don't forget the olives, or pour yourself... Read More
Reading through a writer's notebook or journal is like discovering... Read More
Most books aren't rejected because the stories are "bad." They're... Read More
Op-ed articles, also known as opinion/editorial articles, are a great... Read More
There is an image most people carry of the artist... Read More
For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More
If you find your sentences filled with commas, and they... Read More
I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an... Read More
By far, I have found that the lack of discipline... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?The writer, who doesn't have the time... Read More
Sometimes I can be dense when it comes to realizing... Read More
You've finished your story, and you're pretty happy with it.... Read More
Calling all publishers, editors, journalists and freelance writers. It's time... Read More
What to do when you get rejected.You've just finished your... Read More
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a... Read More
Why is it that so many people don't take writing-as-a-job... Read More
Want to write an article or book, but are stuck... Read More
9 out of 10 professionals and small business owners have... Read More
What do you mean, you don't have a website yet?... Read More
Today I took the dog for a walk and realized... Read More
You have a new website, or a new business, or... Read More
Without denigrating the work and contribution of Syd Field to... Read More
Here are 3 journaling or diary ideas that can contribute... Read More
You may wonder why I have chosen this title of... Read More
Want to write your book? But, need a blueprint on... Read More
The creativity of Jaisini is not designed to be preaching... Read More
Questions and answers on writing life experiences for ourselves and... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips -We've established what a title should... Read More
So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to... Read More
As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a... Read More
So, the decision is final. I am a writer.Actually, I... Read More
If you're targeting an educated, more affluent audience with your... Read More
You've decided to write your very own Newsletter to promote... Read More
An island in the Mediterranean. A beach in Africa. The... Read More
About two weeks ago I received an article submissionthat immediately... Read More
I'm willing to bet that quite a number of you... Read More
Ever wonder why we refer to convincing an editor a... Read More
There's nothing that kills a scene like hackneyed dialogue. Just... Read More
Freelance editing opportunities are out there, you just need to... Read More
Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having... Read More
It's 6:00 p.m. You're dead tired, but instead of an... Read More
When attempting to understand Creativity and Innovation, it pays to... Read More
It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More
Whether you keep a separate spiritual journal or just want... Read More
Take out a white piece of paper and place it... Read More
Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More
Good writing requires self-examination. Why is one writing? What part... Read More
WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT TO GET INTO UK UNIVERSITYHOW DO... Read More
Not long ago, I went to an Internet Marketing Seminar.... Read More
You know, I really hate it when someone catches me... Read More
Most writers are familiar with first and third points of... Read More
There is a psychological nuisance so powerful that can deflate... Read More
I'm a writing fool! 2 book proposals, 1 user's guide,... Read More
Do you love someone very deeply? A spouse, son, daughter,... Read More
Think of writing like karate...it's about DISCIPLINE.Writing, like other forms... Read More
Compiling a list of the history's ten best writers is... Read More
Writing engaging articles and energizing ad copy takes... Read More
Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More
What does one do as a writer who loves writing... Read More
Writing |