Write On ~ Creative Writing Services

Written by: Lisa Manyon www.WriteOnCreative.com

Copy (the written part of any marketing material) is the secret to sales success. So, is long copy or short copy more effective? The answer is both are effective when well written. Publishers Clearinghouse wouldn’t send out long sales letters if they didn’t work and coincidentally, newspapers wouldn’t sell small space ads if no results were seen.  Bottom line, it’s the copy inside the ads that makes the difference.

As a marketer it’s important to realize that there will be a difference of opinion from consumers regarding what is more effective (this mostly depends on where they are in the decision making process regarding purchase).

There’s also an age old debate about long copy versus short copy. The long and the short of it is that both are effective when incorporated in your overall strategy. Some marketing strategies will call for longer copy while other will call for shorter copy. This is often determined by price point, delivery method and market. For example: You probably don’t need a 19 page sales letter to sell an item that retails for less than $100.00.  If you’re offering a high-end coaching program a small space ad is not likely going to answer all the questions your prospects might have let alone overcome any objections to empower a well-educated buying decision.

Determining the length of your copy will really depend on your market and where you’re placing your ads. Depending on your strategy you may need to masterfully blend long and short copy techniques to customize messages per medium while incorporating direct response techniques. While typically higher-end products warrant longer copy, the emerging trends of social media may force punchier, more concise pitches upfront to create interest and lead to longer, more informative messages. Think pithy Tweets and Facebook status updates or longer Facebook notes, depending on the message. Carefully gauge the approach that gets the most response and blend long and short copy techniques to continue to increase response rates.

Take a moment to review your marketing materials today. Ask yourself the following questions regarding your content (copy):

How does your marketing message measure up?

Are you skillfully matching your message to market?

What’s your copywriting style?

Are you getting results?

A Review of Peter Bowerman’s — The Well-Fed Writer

In 2003 my life changed dramatically. I made some BIG decisions and one of these decisions was starting Write On ~ Creative Writing Services, LLC.

I had always dreamed of being a writer and I’d written in some capacity in all facets of my career. I read The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman and my passion for writing was reignited. The book was one of the catalysts to making the best career moves I’ve ever made.

Eventually Peter Bowerman released The Well-Fed Writer Back for Seconds. I devoured that book, too.

Now he’s released a new edition of The Well-Fed Writer ~ Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelancer in Six Months or Less. This book is chockfull of updated content from both of his original titles. It includes new information and tried and true tactics to truly succeed as a freelance writer. If you’ve been dreaming of the writer’s lifestyle but you’re afraid of the “starving writer” myths, you must grab a copy of this book.

Peter skillfully outlines his proven techniques, methods and systems to freelance success.

The book includes:

• A realistic look at the life of a FLCW (FreeLance Commercial Writer)
• Reasons to live the writers dream
• Tips to be successful
• First steps when starting out
• Sales and marketing strategies
• Templates, letters and proven marketing materials to get clients
• Well Fed Resources and connections to fast-track success

There are also several appendixes including Well-Fed Success Stories. I’m proud to say from the time I read the first edition of The Well-Fed Writer till now; I’ve become one of the featured success stories. I only mention this because if I can do it, so can you and this book will give you a solid foundation to determine if you really want to live the writers life.

I’ll admit there are a few areas where Peter and I agree to disagree but nothing major and really it’s all about finding your own groove. You’ll do that with the guidance of The Well-Fed Writer.

Grab your copy here

[tags] copy writing, freelance writing, copywriting, copy, how to be a freelance writer, freelance success, Peter Bowerman, The Well-Fed Writer, Lisa Manyon, www.LisaManyon.com [/tags]

Manyon Marketing Makeover 8 ~ The Long & Short of It…

Read article about long and short copy here

[tags] long sales copy, short sales copy, copy debates, copy that works, copywriting, copywriter, copy writer, Lisa Manyon, www.LisaManyon, www.WriteOnCreative.com [/tags]

Manyon Marketing Makeover 7 – What Are You asking?

[tags] effective copy, connecting with customers, matching your message to market, copywriting, copywriter, copy writer, copy that works, marketing, ask for action, www.LisaManyon.com, Lisa Manyon, www.Writeoncreative.com [/tags]