Write On ~ Creative Writing Services

By Lisa Manyon, www.lisamanyon.com

I’m off to see the Wizard. The Wizard of Ads that is…

Even though my business is primarily internet based there are tried and true advertising methods that span the mediums. One of my all time favorite reads is no exception.

Roy Williams aka The Wizard of Ads is an absolute marketing genius in my book.

The Secret Formulas of the Wizard of Ads is not a new release but the contents are timeless.

I love the wacky approaches Williams uses in his own marketing strategies. In chapter 29 “Sing a Little Song, Dance a Little Dance” he shares the story of his not so conventional appearance at an American Marketing Association meeting held at a country club. He rolls in wearing jeans and turtle neck. Realizes he’s clearly under dressed for this crowd and doesn’t bat an eye. During his speech, he pitches his book. He tells the crowd it’s different than any book they’ve ever read. Goes on to say, “It’s hilariously funny in some parts and heartbreakingly sad in other parts, and it’s for sale in the back of the room.”

Williams is right on target. What he says is true and he doesn’t leave it at that. He raises the book above his head, leans into the microphone and whispers, (you know how a whisper gets attention, right?), he whispers “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll kiss seventeen bucks goodbye!”

He then gets all James Brown on everyone, starts clapping and chanting “I’ll laugh! I’ll cry!, I’ll kiss seventeen bucks goodbye!” Almost the entire room of stuffy suits follows his lead…

He sells out. Not a single copy is left in the back of the room when he is done.

I share this excerpt because Williams connects with his core audience. He does it in ways that get results and are unexpected. He knows exactly what he is doing.

Williams is aware that:

1) Surprise causes delight and begins to persuade
2) Follow through occurs when people hear themselves say they are going to do something
3) Speaking to needs sells especially when your audience can envision the end result (in this case, kissing seventeen bucks goodbye)

Williams shares golden nuggets throughout the book. Things really get rolling beginning with chapter 36 when he highlights the Six Tugs-of-War relating to advertising.

1) Intellect vs. Emotion
2) Time vs. Money
3) Opportunity vs. Security
4) Style vs. Substance
5) Pain vs. Gain
6) Sight vs. Sound

I’m not going to spoil the suspense by telling you what he has to say. I’ll simply recommend that you grab a copy today and set aside some time to read it.

Secret Formulas of the Wizard of Ads is a must have for any marketer. Williams discusses a myriad of topics to be considered when implementing your advertising and marketing efforts. His advice is solid and experience based. You won’t be disappointed.

Check out his book here.

[tags]Roy Williams, Wizard of Ads, Secret Formulas of the Wizard of Ads, advertising, marketing[/tags]

By Lisa Manyon, www.lisamanyon.com

If you’ve seen the new Mac Airbook commercial, you’ve probably heard a snippet of Yael Naim. In fact, that’s how I became slightly obsessed with the song (and I’m not even a Mac user).

Then, while in Europe, I heard the entire song on the radio and had to find out more.

A quick Google search provided the info I wanted. Yael Naim receives two thumbs up from me. The song “New Soul” has a sassy groove.

Other tracks on her album feature singing in her native tongue as well as additional songs with English lyrics.

This is definitely worth a listen. Check her out here.

Discover Yael here~

[tags]Write On Creative, Lisa Manyon, Facebook, Yael Naim, New Soul, www.lisamanyon.com, www.writeoncreative.com, copywriting, copywriter[/tags]

By Lisa Manyon, www.writeoncreative.com?

Just One Article Can Make a Difference (but don’t stop there…)

Article Marketing is here to stay. In fact, it’s one of the quickest ways to gain notoriety on the web, get picked up in various publications, increase ezine (electronic newsletter) subscriptions and boost the “I’ve heard about you somewhere” factor.

If you are not currently including article marketing in your plan, here are some quick tips and techniques to get you started.

1. EVERYONE is an expert at something. What knowledge can you leverage to help others and increase interest in your products or services?
2. Creating articles is a cost effective way to market your business. Think about it, you can re-purpose the content (for example: I first publish articles in my ezine and then post them on my blog and article marketing sites once my ezine subscribers have the privilege of reading them first).
3. Each article includes a signature block. This is where you tout your expertise and include a link to drive traffic to your website or email address.
4. Invest in an editor or proofreader before you submit your articles.
5. Hire a virtual assistant to submit your articles to various article marketing directories (my favorite is ezinearticles.com).

Once you’ve written, proofed and submitted your articles, the web begins working for you. You can access article statistics on ezinearticles.com and see how many people are accessing your valuable information. Believe it or not, even the presence of one article in the world of online article marketing can help make you a difference. Of course, the more articles you submit, the more web traffic and exposure you’ll receive.

If you’re curious about how article marketing can help you but don’t have time to investigate the platform let alone write the article, consider investing in a ghostwriter to do it for you. Just make sure the writer can capture your voice and represent your business in support of your brand.

More and more busy entrepreneurs and business owners are investing in copywriters to boost their business. For many, it just makes good business sense. After all, we should all focus on what we do best and outsource the rest!

By: Lisa Manyon, www.lisamanyon.com

Internet marketing aside, one of the most effective marketing methods I use is direct mail. In fact, my personalized direct mail program Write On Contacts can help you do the same. I find snail mail is a great way to keep in touch and generate revenue.

Even though postage has increased again, my return on investment is WAY worth it. Plus, I thoroughly understand the cost of doing business. And, I fully respect US postal employees who are dedicated to delivering.

I was also delighted to receive a message from my Write On Contacts service provider about specific postage increases affecting my direct mail program.

Here?€™s what I learned:

There has been a standard postage increase for U.S. First Class stamps for several mailings:

• Greeting card postal rate has increased from $0.41 to $0.42

• When inserting newspapers or DVDs, the rate will increase by $0.02

• The postcard rate has changed from $0.26 to $0.27

• Cards to Mexico increase $0.03 and other International cards to $0.04

• The change does not affect cards sent to Canada.

Why does this matter? First, it impacts my budget for direct mail. It won?€™t change my efforts; it will only change how I calculate return on investment. Second, I don?€™t have time to track all of this information and they do! Win! Win! for me.

If you haven?€™t incorporated direct mail in your marketing mix, consider it today. Feel free to check out my program here (of course, I highly recommend it): http://www.sendoutcards.com/writeoncontacts

Happy mailings!!!

P.S. While we?€™re discussing effectiveness and ROI, grab some Forever stamps at the post office and you?€™ll never have to worry about future increases on regular mail.

[tags]US Postal Service, USPS, postal service, postage rates, postage, Lisa Manyon, Write On Creative, www.lisamanyon.com, www.writeoncreative.com, copywriting, copywriter, internet marketing, direct mail, direct mail marketing[/tags]

by Lisa Manyon, www.lisamanyon.com

It’s official! I LOVE Facebook!

Coming from a traditional media background, it took me a while to fully catch on.

I read about Facebook months ago. Set up an account and then did nothing with it. Then, the buzz picked up again and I decided to check it out.

Here’s what I found:

1. Facebook is a great place to get to know people on a “real” level (if you choose to do so)
2. There are tons of valuable resources right at your fingertips
3. It’s a great place to upload photos while you’re on vacation so everyone can enjoy your trip
4. There are certain rules of etiquette you should acquaint yourself with before randomly adding friends
5. You can start your own Green Patch and help save the rain forests
6. Cultivating genuine, social relationships does equate to tangible business opportunities
7. It’s fun! Follow your favorite musicians and become a fan today!

This is just a short list of what Facebook has to offer. Go forth and explore and let me know what you discover.

I urge you to check it out (if you haven’t already) and definitely become my friend online (I know, we’re already friends here but we can really learn more about one another on Facebook).

So go ahead, be SOCIAL. Join a group, start a fan page and discover how many of your friends and mentors are already tapped into this medium.

[tags]Write On Creative, Lisa Manyon, Facebook, social media, social networking, Facebook uses, www.lisamanyon.com, www.writeoncreative.com, copywriting, copywriter[/tags]

The Art of Valuing Your Worth and Dealing with Lack of Response.

As a professional copywriter I create proposals on a regular basis. Although I have an online shopping cart and clients can readily buy packages there, (at the time of this writing), I still provide individualized proposals upon request.

Proposals take time. Time is money. I don?€™t charge for the proposal process but I am seriously rethinking that.

In the past year I?€™ve been contacted by dozens of (and this is conservative) ?€?tire kickers.?€? Well, there aren?€™t really any ?€?tire kickers?€? in copywriting. So, I guess I?€™ll call them ?€?price shoppers.?€? After taking my time to assess their needs, craft a customized proposal and follow up, very few have the courtesy to respond. (more…)