11/26/2008
Stick to the basics.
| Remember in grade school when you learned about the who, what, where, when and why of each story? Well, there are actually times when school lessons have real-world applications, and your marketing writing falls under this category. Don’t assume people know what you mean – tell them clearly, succinctly, memorably, respectfully and often. Does the copy pass the “Aunt Ethel” test? Aunt Ethel is the proverbial simple-and-to-the-point person in your audience. If she doesn’t get what you are doing and selling, chances are that most won’t. Ask yourself if your message is clear and if you are making springing to action easy for your potential customers. Labels: clear for your audience, copywriting, marketing copy, target audience |
11/25/2008
Action, action, we want action.
| Active beats passive – every single time. Choose words – especially verbs – that are active, visual and powerful. Your writing will be far more vibrant and convincing if you use active rather than passive verbs. Passive verbs tend to be wordy, unnatural and, frankly, downright dull. Consider these two sentences: Passive: The book proposal was given to the publisher by Lisa. Active: Lisa presented her book proposal to the publisher. By the way, some of you have heard this story before but it is worth repeating: I once had a client who forbade me from using any form of the verb “to be.” This means I couldn’t use is, are, am, were, etc. At first I thought he was out of his mind, but you know what? The end product was all the more strong, forceful and effective. The verbs were impactful and had more meaning than those dreaded-but-necessary “to be” verbs. Although not markedly different, the active sentence simply sounds more interesting. And interesting is good! Labels: active writing, copywriting, marketing copy |
11/18/2008
Finally, a Book That Makes Business Planning Easy, Fast and Fun!
| Throughout the course of my career I have always found stress to be most manageable when I feel as though I am focused and following through with the plan I have laid out for myself and my business. Conversely, when I get off course, and neglect to plan and analyze my business goals, I tend to feel disorganized and then the stress begins to mount. You likely can relate! That is why I am excited to tell you about a new book called Business Plan Or BUST that is hitting the stands today. Written by Dan Boudreau,an experienced business owner for the last 30 years, this book provides techniques and principles to help you: 1. Prove your business case 2. Establish yourself as the expert for your business, and 3. Start or grow your very own business, doing work you love to do. If you order the book today, now available through Amazon, you will have access to hundreds of dollars worth of FREE bonuses that will skyrocket your business to the next level! For more information and to view the entire FREE bonus gift offer, please visit the Business Plan Or BUST site today. Labels: allison nazarian, amazon, business plan or bust, Business planning, business writing, Dan Boudreau |
11/14/2008
Do you want to share your marketing expertise?
| If so, my 2009 Do-It-Yourself Marketing Teleseminar series will be a great opportunity for you. Once per month through all of 2009, I will be interviewing marketing experts so that they can share their knowledge, experience and expertise with a captive audience of entrepreneurs and professionals of all kinds. The calls will be held on the last Thursday of each month and will feature an expert (like you?) on a one-hour phone call with an audience skewed toward small/medium businesses, entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches and many others concerned with on-line marketing trends. At this point, have just a few spots left to fill with experts. The calls will give you and your company excellent exposure -- and you will have an opportunity to "show your stuff' in terms of your area of expertise and promote your own services, products, website, giveaways, etc. I am especially looking for experts in blog-related issues, SEO, websites (from the design/development perspective), list-building and information product marketing/development. I am also somewhat open to a new area I haven't yet considered. Please e-mail (here) some suggested titles for your hour/session, your bio and (this part is optional but if you are chosen, I would need them) some suggested questions. Technorati Tags: DIY Marketing Teleseminars, Allison Nazarian, marketing interview, marketing experts pr Labels: allison nazarian, do-it-yourseslf marketing teleseminar, marketing experts, marketing interview, marketing teleseminar |
11/12/2008
The One Minute Coach
| This morning in my newsletter I spoke about how we naturally pay close attention to developing, tweaking and closely following our marketing plans. You know, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail? And while that is true, I am equally as convinced that going with the flow is just as important to your marketing efforts. There are times when effective marketing only happens when we take off the blinders that a plan can sometimes firmly place on you. Be open and aware of what’s out there and be nimble enough to change course and jump in when needed. You have to be able to handle adversity head on especially with the potential challenges that could lie ahead as a result of our uncertain economy. It is for that reason that I, along with 91 other experts, am recommending Masha Malka’s new book The One Minute Coach: change your life one minute at a time. This book, now available at Amazon, can be purchased here. And once purchased, as a special bonus you will have the opportunity to download 91 FREE bonuses from industry experts in marketing, copywriting, self-improvement, coaching and the list goes on and on. Within The One Minute Coach you will discover: o The secrets of people who are successful o How to get what you want o What it takes to be a great leader o Time management and decision making tools that can transform your life o The best source of wealth that is available to anyone o The most important job you have been given o The secret to a great life o PLUS another 42 chapters filled with inspiring and valuable information all followed by specific action steps and engaging images! Technorati Tags: marketing, Allison Nazarian, Masha Malka, The One Minute Coach Labels: allison nazarian, coach, economy, marketing, Masha Malka, The One Minute Coach |
11/07/2008
Do what you say and say what you mean
| Sounds like a simple approach, right? Maybe someone (a parent or teacher, perhaps) gave you similar advice years ago. In marketing and with your copywriting, this is also very powerful advice. Why pretend to be something you’re not, or confuse your market so much they don’t know who you are or try too hard to be like everyone else? Here are some tips to do what you say and say what you mean in your marketing: • Be clear, simple and direct. Don’t make people guess or re-read. Explain clearly, use real language and be consistent. • If you make a promise, stick to it. If you offer something for free, or an added extra or a particular benefit to your product or service, make sure you deliver. Usually, you’ll have just one shot to get this right. • Be humble. Don’t over-promise or make unrealistic claims. If you can’t do or don’t know something, say so. “I don’t know” or “Let me refer you to someone who can better help you” are actually very powerful sales (and confidence-building) tools. Really! Technorati Tags: Get It In Writing, Allison Nazarian, marketing, copywriting, marketing copy Labels: allison nazarian, copywriting, get it in writing, marketing, marketing copy |
11/05/2008
What is the most effective book marketing tool?
I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with Yvonne Perry of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services and wanted to share some of what we discussed. What inspired or motivated you to write this new eBook to help authors with online book promotion? Yvonne launched an e-book that targets getting visitors to your site and other great tools to accelerate on-line book promotions. I have found it to be an invaluable tool and believe you will as well. You can purchase the e-book here. Enjoy! Technorati Tags: promoting an e-book, seo, seo copywriting, search engine marketing, e-book marketing, Yvonne Perry, Allison Nazarian, social network, social media Labels: allison nazarian, book marketing, nashville writers meetup group, promoting an e-book, search engine marketing, seo, seo copywriting, social media, social network, Yvonne Perry |
11/03/2008
How to create more, more and more copy and content for your website and blog
 The key to creating content (copy) for your website, blog and press materials is to consider your audience. You must give your readers fresh, useful, newsworthy information that they’ll use.
Technorati Tags: website content, blog content, press materials, business press release content, article content, writing business content, Allison Nazarian Labels: article content, blog content, business press release content, press materials, website content, writing business content |