December 2007

3 places you can start writing

Whether you’re writing a blog or a best-seller, you need to know where to make a start. Should it be at the beginning? Not necessarily. There are good arguments for starting in the middle, or even at the end.

Click here for more →

Happy Christmas – and let's get planning for the New Year

Christmas break 2007

Click here for more →

Easy on the adverbs, says Elmore

Elmore Leonard in the NYT

Click here for more →

Before you hit 'publish' … 10 editing tips for crafting better copy

Editing is a core skill for a writer. Get into the practice of giving your copy a good edit before releasing it into the wild.

Click here for more →

Seven quick ways to improve your writing

Here at some quick tips about writing in general that will help you keep your copy on track. 1. Know your big idea Is there a single idea you’re trying to get across? If there is, make a note of it, and use it as a reminder to keep your writing focused.

Click here for more →

There are two types of advert – here's how to write them

One of the most best little summaries of advertising technique that I’ve come across, especially from the copywriter’s perspective, comes in The craft of copywriting: How to write great copy that sells by Alastair Crompton. In the book, the author points out that there are two types of advertising – ads where there is something [...]

Click here for more →

Quick tip: purge your commas

Purge commas and turn them into stops. It makes your writing punchier and gives it more pace.

Click here for more →

Upload the facts before you download the words

Writers need to do their research and learn everything they can about the subject in hand before they start to put words on paper.

Click here for more →

Hot for words

Check out the HotForWords videos on YouTube

Click here for more →

Who writes articles for $1. And why?

Writers should not work for ridiculously low rates of pay. If you need experience and a portfolio, get a blog.

Click here for more →

10 things readers crave in bed

10 things readers crave in bed – the copyblogger cosmo headline challenge

Click here for more →

Write as you talk – copyblogger agrees with me?

Write in a conversational style – copyblogger agrees with me?

Click here for more →

Writing to persuade – get to know the structure of advertising copy

The AIDA formula for writing advertising copy: attention, interest, desire, action

Click here for more →

Your readers want information

One of the keys to writing well is to understand your reader. You need to know what they want. If you’re writing for an online audience, remember that generally people go to websites to get things done.

Click here for more →

If you want more readers, write fewer words

Being concise is an art in itself. Keep sentences short so they can be easily understood. Write only what is needed. If there are excess words, hack, prune and tear them out. Leave room for some colourful language to add interest and style. But kill the fluff. Then, when have it just right, when it’s [...]

Click here for more →