35 Quick Tips for Writing A Press Release
by: Catherine Franz
Layout
1. 1-2 pages in length.
2. Double-space.
3. 1.5 to 2 inch margins.
4. Use company stationary with logo and slogan.
5. Avoid bright or dark-colored paper.
6. Center "News Release" at top.
7. Place a "release date" under "News Release".
8. On second page, type "page 2".
9. Use company stationary with logo and slogan on page 2.
10. Leave out "release after" date on second page, all
else should be the same.
11. At end of press release, type "-30-" or "# # #".
12. Include both black & white, color, and a variety of font
sizes (but no more than four).
Format
13. Inverted pyramid (biggest point or major message first).
14. Straight to the point at the beginning.
15. First and second paragraphs devoted to your main
message.
16. Secondary information comes AFTER main message.
17. No pussyfooting around, be clear up front, at the very
beginning.
18. Don't go on and on.
19. In the third section, establish a connection with you.
20. Use a problem/solution format.
21. Comparing and contrasting ideas can be inside the
problem/solution format.
22. Be careful of your facts, spelling and grammar
23. Only one news release per e-mail or envelope.
Information to Include
24. Newsworthy information, not sales copy
25. All the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How elements.
Their order depends on level of importance.
26. Enticing headline which summarize the material/news.
27. Photos if available, or where they can be accessed
in press section of your web site. No stock images.
28. No cover letter.
Distribution
29. Don't send press release out in a mass e-mailing
30. Don't pester contacts
31. Editors will not distribute anything sloppy, difficult
to read, or understand.
32. Mail release by first class mail.
33. Don't use any type of labels, including your return
address.
34. Add "PRESS RELEASE" and "Release Date:" on outside of
envelope.
35. Places to send press releases: writers@[magazines];
writers@[newspapers]; trade journals in your industry;
print magazines on the topic; online agencies that
distribute news releases.
About the author:
Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Coach, specializes
in infoproduct development. Newsletters and additional
articles available: http://www.abundancecenter.com
blog: http://abundance.blogs.com/inthelight
A First Time Author's Publicity Kit Material Tips
by: Laura Hickey
If you're a new author that has been requested to send publicist materials, you may feel left in the dark on what to send. Here's a list of the usual items.
1. Author Bio
This is no place for modesty. You're competing with many other authors out there and need to show how your hot and worth it. Remember to include your accomplishments and give a little background information. Often readers want to know about the author's interests..
2. A photo
This is optional, but if you want to get your face out there, this could help. Keep in mind that not every editor will use your photo.
3. Interviews
Any newspaper/magazine clippings may be include if it's related to you and your writing, awards an accomplishments. Clippings about your personal life may bore the editor requesting your materials.
4. Reviews
If you have any reviews for your latest release, have them printed on clear 8.5 X 11 paper and include them in your kit.
5. Promotional Items
It may also be requested that you send any promotional items. Examples would be: Posters, pens with your web address, buttons, bookmarks,etc...
As time goes on, you'll expand your PR kit. A great idea is to have a press kit right on your website to save editors time and money. You may want to have all your current materials in one easy to download PDF file. Each time you have something new to add update the file.
About the author:
About the Author: Laura Hickey is an up and coming author. Her works include Mysterious Chills and Thrills for Kids and a co-writer position for the TV pilot, Officially Lush. You can read more free articles by Ms. Hickey on her homepage:
http://www.laurahickey.com
A Writing Exercise That Increases Awareness And Description Skills
by: Catherine Franz
Practice attaching words to feelings requires time to do.Without a system that helps you monitor that time, the minutes or hours could feel unproductive. With the right exercise, you can then use that time wisely, as well as save.
you time and frustration.Learning to apply the right words to our six senses is a top ingredient to the mixture of writing. Its language brings the reader into the story. All of us easily know how we feel, or what we're seeing (okay, most of the time), what we're hearing, smelling, tasting, and sensing, and can usually explain it in 50 words if pushed to do it. But, how do you describe it in one or two words without the pushing?
Also, by beginning with good material, the remaining part of the writing process becomes easier. This exercise will help you improve your beginning.
This is a simple exercise that you can do anywhere, anytime,in a space of minutes or longer. You can practice Monday mornings in the garden, the doctor’s waiting room, or in the lunchroom. It can last as long as a television commercial (oops those aren't short any longer), or you more aggressively with a devoted 30-minutes a day. Whatever length of time or place you have, it will always improve your skill.
You will want to sit while completing this exercise.
Okay, let's start with the most difficult spot, your supplies -- paper and your writing instruments. Landscape,portrait, small, or regular size sheet of paper doesn't matter. I define what paper size to use by the amount of time available and my location. If I'm mobile, I use my small journal. If I'm at my desk or at home, I use a
regular size paper. Sometimes lines, sometimes not. Sometimes the exercise flows over to two or three sheets.Don't limit the experience by paper size. Have fun with the recording tools as well. Experimentation is the key to our curiosity. And, curiosity is the foundation of a writer.
Draw a circle on the page and place your name in the center.Large, small, in color, black, or blue, again it doesn't matter. Use whatever flips your pancakes at that moment.In other words, whatever feels good at the time.
Your objective is to describe your five senses, six if you have that gift, with words. Write the words that express that sense in the space inside the circle randomly around your name.
Here is how you would use this exercise to increase environment awareness and description. Write your words in the location on the paper relevant to the direction it appears. For example: I'm sitting outside my office on a 9th floor balcony at the moment, I hear a heavy humming from the tires on the wet pavement below and birds chirping above me to the right. I would place the words for the tires on the bottom left and the chirping on the upper right on my page.
Here are nine prompts to help you expand your experience.
* Write words describing your atmosphere--the quality of air.
* What are the clouds doing? Can you see animals in their shapes?
* The temperature of your location.
* The source of light and its quality.
* Where are people standing or sitting?
* Shadows, are they're any? Where and how do they fall?
* Predominant colors, wall colors, wallpaper, molding, chair railing, textured ceiling.
* What do you smell? Using comparisons are a great way to relate to your reader. The air feels like just getting out of the fogged shower stall.
* Are there other people around you? How do they smell, their clothes, their shoes? Guess at what they might do for a living. Are they dressed like someone on their way to work, doesn't work, a mom, dad, baker, or what?
After you are comfortable describing your environment, spice the exercise up another notch. Compare your descriptive words to something else. For example: The room you are sitting in feels like a sauna with my clothes on.
Continue spicing up the exercise to increase your awareness and descriptive powers--use people and objects. Since you are most familiar with yourself, begin there.
After practicing on the most familiar subject, yourself, create a list of other familiar people in your life. Then sort the list from most familiar to least. Continue down the list. Somewhere during these lists and practice sessions, you will begin to feel comfortable with your skill.
You can continue taking the exercise to another level. This time you are ready to expand your awareness and adaptation to words. Visit the local mall; sit in the food court for smorgasbord of new enriching thoughts-to-words experiences.
Here are 11 prompts to help you expand your levels:
* Describe what you are wearing.
* How does your body feel?
* What are your hands doing?
* How does your throat feel?
* How are you holding your mouth?
* Eye movement
* Breathing
* How do you feel in general, in detail?
* Name your mood. Does it have a flavor and color?
* Describe your feelings with reference to music. A certain song or type of music.
* How does your hair smell, clothes, the chair you're sitting on, the book you're reading?
Be patient with yourself while practicing. This exercise isn't the easiest to complete, however, it is the most effective. Even if you aren't a writer, this exercise will help you triple your awareness skills in a short time period1. This exercise also helps police officers, speakers, judges, attorneys, or anyone else that uses their awareness skills to see and put it into words. This is also a NLP--neurolinguistics programming skill--for those aware of this process.
About the author:
Catherine Franz provides writing and marketing assistance to individuals who want to write and businesses that want to increase business. For more ideas and programs, visit The Abundance Center at: http://www.abundancecenter.com
Baby Steps To Writing Success
Summary: Take baby seteps to writing success. One step after another, and you're a success, right now.
Baby Steps To Writing Success
After a lifetime's worth of writing, I can file these baby steps under the "wish I'd known when I started" category. They're vital. If you follow them, not only will you be successful at writing at some time in the future, you'll be successful right now.
=> One: Write every day Writers write. That's all. And they write every day, just like plumbers fix taps and electricians wire houses. Writers write.
It's a process. You can outline and plan your writing all you want, but at some stage, every day, you must sit down and write.
=> Two: Pay attention to what you love
You'll write best about what you love. So take note of the things you love. Make a list. Don't ever think that no one else is interested in what turns you on. Enthusiasm is contagious.
=> Three: It's the journey…
Beware of fantasies like: "When this is published", "when I get an agent", "when I hold my first book in my hand".
When your fantasies come true, and after the warm glow wears off, you won’t feel all that different (in fact, you won't feel any different) to the way you feel right now. (I hope I'm not trampling your favourite fantasy into dust.)
Take comfort from this: the joy is in the journey, in the writing. When your fantasy comes true, the glow will last for a short time. What lasts longer, is your memory of the pleasure the writing brought you, while you were writing.
So since the joy of writing is your takeaway, take that joy right now. It's yours already.
=> Four: Be courageous: submit your work
The final baby step is submitting your work. Consider yourself a success as soon as you've submitted your work. You don’t have any control over whether someone buys it, but you do have control over the submission process.
There's only one guarantee: if you keep writing and keep submitting, sooner or later you will sell your work.
What happens then? You repeat Steps One, Two, Three, and Four. See? It's just baby steps. Start stepping!
***Resource box***
Veteran multi-published author and copywriter Angela Booth crafts
words for your business --- words to sell, educate or persuade.
E-books and e-courses on Web site. FREE ezines for writers and
small biz: http://www.digital-e.biz
Becoming A Ghostwriter
by: Lorraine Cote
Ghostwriting can be rewarding in two ways.
a) You get a chance to research and write about all types of topics that you wouldn't normally have a chance to learn about. The old theory in writing "write what you know" doesn't apply to ghostwriting since your clients will dictate what topic you will write about.
b) You can make a decent living at it.If you're new to writing, it may take a while to get clients but it is possible. It just takes a little hard work and perserverance. There are several ways to get clients. Here are a few.
1. Bid on writing jobs on contracted work site such as Elance.com, Guru.com and Getafreelancer.com
You basically signup as a service provider to begin bidding on projects posted by clients. If you win the bid, you do the writing project as a ghostwriter.
2. Place ads for your ghostwriting service on free classified ad sites. It doesn't cost anything to post ads on these sites and is a good way to get your services out there in front of potential
clients.
3. Post responses in forums with a signature that defines your ghostwriting service and an email address or website URL. Something along the lines of "Affordable Ghostwriting Services,[your website url] or email for more details [your email address].
4. Introduce your services in forums where you are allowed to do this. Many forums have a section where you can introduce your business. See out writing forums for this.
5. Have business cards created showcasing your ghostwriting business. Pass them out every chance you get. Put them on bulletin boards in supermarkets etc. You can create your own or have them made.
6 Write a press release announcing your services. There are plenty of no-cost or low-cost distribution services on the web to get the message out for you. Ghostwriting may not be for everyone because you don't get credit for your work, the client does. If that doesn't matter to you and you like writing on a variety of topics, it can be an enjoyable way to earn some money.
Copyright 2005 Lorraine Cote
About the author:
Lorraine Cote is the CEO and Owner of The Write Touch 4U, Copywriting Service. She is also a published freelance writer who has written over 100 ebooks on various topics for clients as well as all types of other written materials. She also has 16 years experience in the corporate world as a Trainer and Business Writer and is an Internet Marketer as well. Visit her at http://www.thewritetouch4u.comor visit her blog at http://writetouch4u.blogspot.com
Freelance Copywriting: How to Negotiate Rates
by: Dina Giolitto
Lots of people who seek out my copywriting services are concerned about money. Rightfully so. I’m a small business owner too, and I know what it is to have that do-it-yourself mindset. (It’s exhausting!) But entrepreneurs like you and I often overlook the very reason to contract a job out in the first place. Which is: the terms of the contract and the amount of money spent are totally controlled by you!
The contracted project affords a win-win situation. This is not You vs. a Corporation; this is just an individual with a need, and a single service provider who can answer that need. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to negotiate a terrific deal on a job that’s done to their exact specifications?
My guess is, the biggest reason people shy away from contracted jobs is the same reason people don’t do a lot of things: Fear of the Unfamiliar. Allow me to familiarize you with the ways of the freelance writing world. Here’s how to curb copywriting costs while getting the most bang for your buck!
Thoroughly research prospective candidates for the job. Seek out four or five different writers, carefully examine their work and ask about their qualifications. Request samples from each writer. Check for accuracy, language mastery and appropriate use of tone. Compare rates. You may discover, to your delight, that there are some really talented “newish writers” who will offer you a much better deal than some old veterans out there!
Consider hiring someone who has never written for your field before. Yes, you heard right. So many people shy away from a writer who hasn’t done exactly what they’re looking for. Unless you’re in a really specialized area, there is no reason why a well-rounded writer can’t easily adopt to your tone and style of communication. Let’s say you were looking for someone to write a manual on "how to get through your first year as a corporate professional." You find a writer who’s written a slew of great articles and a smattering of e-books, but never an exact match of your project. Here are three reasons to hire her: 1. She’s an excellent writer, 2. It’s likely she’s worked for a corporation at one time or another, and 2. She’s probably willing to offer a reduced rate because she’d love to add this project to her repetoire.
Fill in all the details beforehand. Give the copywriter a project overview, some background information on your business, and examples of past projects or a competitor’s work that you’d like to emulate. Make sure you thoroughly describe the habits and attitudes of your target audience. Why do this? It’s the quickest way to help her understand what you need... and the quicker she grasps what you’d like to have her create, the faster the job will get done to your satisfaction. The faster the job gets done, the sooner you’re on your way to making big money with your advertising effort!
Expect to haggle. I'm astonished that so many people just turn away from a potentially great working relationship because they’re afraid to make their budgetary needs known. Here’s a little secret about independent contractors: we’re always going to try for the highest going rate we can get. Why? We expect YOU to haggle! Shopping for freelance services is a little like going to a peddler’s market. There’s no big scary corporation to call the shots and set the prices in stone. It’s just you and me playing Let’s Make a Deal. So don’t be intimidated by a freelancer’s “advertised rates.” You’re always welcome to come back with a counter-offer. That’s what we expect you to do!
If you’re not sure of a copywriter’s abilities, give him a few small jobs to start. This is one of the greatest advantages of hiring a contractor. You can test him out with a few projects, and if you like his style, hire him back to do more work. If you don’t care for the way he handles your projects, you’re free to seek help elsewhere. What are some small jobs you can offer as a trial-run? A press release, a company tagline, a corporate mission statement, a newspaper ad, some headlines for your website.
Offer your writer a weekly rate. A project here, a project there... boy, those hourly fees add up fast! If you know there’s a crunch coming up and you have a trusted writer in mind, contract the job out "by the week." Ask the writer if she’s willing to devote 40 hours a week to researching and writing marketing materials for your company. Define her expected responsibilities ahead of time, agree on a set fee for five consecutive days of work, and make sure she’s easily accessible by phone and email. Most freelancers are willing to accept a much lower rate of pay if they know they're guaranteed a steady gig. Get it in writing, and bam, you’ve hired your first temp and saved a ton of money in the process!
Hire someone to “clean up” your written materials. Don’t have the money to spend on a full-scale ad campaign? Do the work yourself, but have a seasoned writer critique it for you. Ask the copywriter what his proofreading rates are, and then send a few drafts his way for a quick revamp. You won't believe how much better your ads can look when you spend just a few dollars on an expert proofreader.
Ask the copywriter if she’ll give you a reduced rate for just one written draft. Lots of writers factor multiple draft revisions into their fees. But what if they knew going in that they only had to write one draft? The price would likely be considerably lower because of significantly less time spent on the work. When it comes to copy, do you like to “have it your way,” same as your Burger King? Then a single-draft copywriter might be the way to go. You’ll save a ton of money on copy revisions, and you can use what the writer creates and "make it your own."
Get a written estimation of the time it will take to complete a project. What’s your biggest fear about copywriting jobs that are charged by the hour? That the writer will spend hours longer than you expected on it, and as a result, charge you an arm and a leg. Eliminate that fear by asking for an estimated project time up-front. The more clarification, the better. Don’t just say, “I need 4 pages of website copy written” and expect her to know how long it will take. Instead, map out the work plan. Will she be responsible for research? Project outlines? Phone interviews? Multiple draft revisions? Knowing the process will help her figure out a fair price for the work. In the end, you’ll both feel more comfortable settling on a price.
If there ever was a doubt in your mind about hiring a freelance copywriter, hopefully this article will allay your fears! Contracting work out to a specialist is one of the best things you can do for your business and for your sanity. Negotiating with another sole proprietor is actually quite easy, and affords you the greatest control over project terms and spending. More often than not, other entrepreneurs are looking for the same things you are: intelligent, honest people willing to collaborate talent. So, what are you waiting for? Hire a writer who can help you grow your business!
About the author:
Dina Giolitto is a New-Jersey based Copywriting Consultant with nine years' industry experience. Her current focus is web content and web marketing for a multitude of products and services although the bulk of her experience lies in retail for big-name companies like Toys"R"Us. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.comfor rates and samples.
How New Authors Can Keep Their Manuscripts Coherent
by: Marvin D. Cloud
In large publishing houses, many manuscripts penned by first-time authors, never make it past the "first reader" who for all practical purposes is a gatekeeper of sorts. This person's job is to weed out manuscripts that do not fit certain established submission criteria. However, many never make it to the editor's desk, simply because they are badly disorganized and downright incoherent.
But even if you are self-publishing, you owe it to yourself as well as your readers to develop a theme. Not only will a theme tell what your book is about, it also serves to hold your book together. Every other element — your chapters, for example — should support your theme. It is what keeps you from rambling all over the place, and if you should stray, it is what can bring you back — if you keep it in front of you.
That’s literally, as well as figuratively. I wouldn’t begin to write or give a talk without having a developed theme. Have you ever been to a banquet or meeting where the speaker went on and on with a speech that was all over the place, talking about everything under the sun, except the topic the audience was waiting to hear about? Most likely it wasn’t because the speaker didn’t have a topic, but rather it was because the speaker didn’t have or didn’t take the time to develop a theme. If you want your story to be just as disjointed —then don’t develop a theme for it.
Unlike a working title that may change to something else entirely different or even several times before a manuscript is finished, a theme shouldn’t change during the course of your writing. It may become more obvious during the writing process, but I advise writers to spend serious time developing their theme so that they are clear about the message they are trying to convey. If it is not clear to you, how can you write it in such a way that it is clear to your readers?
Unfortunately, you cannot find the answer to why you are writing your story in this article, or in any book for that matter. You cannot even find it in a classroom setting. Books and classes can only serve to help you bring the reason(s) to the surface, but the answer must come from you. How then, do you determine your book’s purpose? How can you be certain that it is more than a good story? Your book’s purpose is, to a great degree, intertwined with your purpose.
Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the Chicken Soup series suggests meditation, or deep, controlled, concentrated thought. He says, "Relax and tap into your mind, way back there in the deepest, secret compartment of your mind, by asking yourself this question: ‘If I knew my life purpose, what would it be?’ Don’t just ask it once. Keep asking this question until you get the answer. It may not come the first day, or even the first week. But it’s there, and it will show its face if you earnestly ask."
Hansen states that this should be repeated every morning and every night for 15 minutes until the answer comes to you, and then write it down. He continues, “Be open to the answer, no matter when it comes to you. Remember, it wants you just as much as you want it.”
A good theme does three things: 1) it describes the story or book; 2) it captures the uniqueness of the story or book; 3) it motivates the author. If it accomplishes these three things, it will also make your outline easier to create. In business-speak, an “elevator speech” is a brief description about your company that you should be able to give to someone in the time it would take to ride up an elevator. I hold that everyone writing a book needs an elevator speech, or theme, for it.
About the author:
Marvin D. Cloud is founder of mybestseller.com and author of "Get Off The Pot: How to Stop Procrastinating and Write Your Personal Bestseller in 90 Days." Visit http.//www.mybestseller.com and grab a free copy of the "Get Off The Pot" newsletter, dedicated to motivating ordinary people to write, publish and sell their books faster, efficient, and more cost-effective.
How To Use Punctuation
by: Rumki Sen
The most common mistake people tend to make while writing is in the use of Punctuation. Wrong punctuation can damage the flow of ideas and change meaning, but properly used punctuation not only helps readers understand your meaning but also makes them engrossed in your writing. The following discussion is about some of the frequently misused punctuation marks and what actually their correct application should be.
Use of Apostrophe - Use an apostrophe to show possession, but never put apostrophe in case of possessive pronouns. Always remember that when the word "it's" is used, it is actually for the contraction for the two words: "it has" or "it is". On the other hand, "its" is a possessive pronoun, and the word being already possessive should not contain an apostrophe in it.
Example
It's the same thing happening over and over again.
(Contraction of It and is: It is the same thing happening over and over again).
Wrong: That car is your's.
Right: That car is yours.
Note: Rewriting is sometimes the solution for an awkward possessive.
Awkward: A friend of mine's cap.
Better: A friend's cap (or the cap of a friend of mine).
To show possession in the case of singular nouns, add 's, and for plural words that end in s, add only an apostrophe. Don't forget to put 's with plural words not ending in s.
Example
Singular: nurse's uniform
Plural: nurses' uniforms (plural word ending in s)
Plural: children's uniforms (plural word not ending in s)
Use of Comma - Use commas to separate three or more items in a list. Though journalists most of the times omit the final comma before the word "and", but retaining the final comma avoids confusion.
Example
Poor: In this website, you can read articles about how to do business online, the woman who daily eats 45 eggs and Tom Cruise.
Better: In this website, you can read articles about how to do business online, the woman who daily eats 45 eggs, and Tom Cruise.
Use a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions.
Example
Wrong: I am not good in writing but I love writing.
Wrong: I am not good in writing, but, I love writing.
Right: I am not good in writing, but I love writing.
Note: If the clauses are long and already contain commas, separate them with a semicolon rather than a comma.
Wrong: If a man begins with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties. - Francis Bacon
Right: If a man begins with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties. - Francis Bacon
Run-on sentences - Where Run-on sentences are concerned (in case you don't know what it is, a run-on occurs when two independent clauses are not separated by punctuation or conjunction), add a period, or a semi colon, or a comma in places of separation.
Example
Wrong: A good student can score full marks in Mathematics it's his analytical ability that will help him achieve that.
Right: A good student can score full marks in Mathematics. It's his analytical ability that will help him achieve that.
Use of Quotation Marks - Use quotation marks to indicate direct quotation.
Example
"That guy knows me," Mr. Wong said, "very well."
Note: Never use it for indirect quotation (a restatement of someone’s words).
According to Mr. Wong, that guy knows him very well.
Use single quotation marks to indicate a quote within a quote.
Example
Wrong: Richard wrote, "When Berkeley said, "esse est percipii", he meant that the existence of a thing consists in its being perceived."
Right: Richard wrote, "When Berkeley said, 'esse est percipii,' he meant that the existence of a thing consists in its being perceived."
Note: Always put the comma and final period inside the quotation marks, and put other punctuation marks outside unless they are part of the thing being quoted.
There are many other frequently used punctuation errors, but the above-discussed ones are those I have mostly encountered in several writings. Before putting punctuation marks in your sentences, always ask yourself what meaning you want to convey to the readers. Accordingly, put the marks. In case the sentence becomes difficult to punctuate, consider rewriting it, because when a sentence is well written, it almost punctuates itself.
About the author:
Rumki Sen is the founder of Perfect Editing Solutions (www.perfectediting.com), a professional firm providing a Proofreading and Copyediting service to websites and online documents. She corrects and edits English grammar, punctuation, spelling, links and a lot more for mainly websites, letters, applications, CVs / resumes, advertisements, manuals, brochures, e-newsletters, articles and e-mail messages. Her company also offers resume-writing services. Whether you're a student, webmaster, or business owner, your written work will be improved immediately after you get her company's service. Contact Rumki Sen at rumki[at]perfectediting[dot]com
How To Use Quotations Effectively?
by: Brenda Wilson
Quotations are the repetition of words used by somebody in the past. When you repeat the speech or spoken words of a character from a play or novel, you are said to be quoting that character. Use of quotes requires quotation marks, speech marks or inverted commas to denote repetition.
Take the example of a lawyer who is trying to convince the jury of his argument in an essay. No matter how convincing he is, without evidence the jury cannot be completely influenced. The same applies to quotations, which like evidence convince the audience of the truth in your theory.
Therefore quotations have the purpose of backing a person’s ideas but not as replacement of the ideas or the means of telling a story. Quotes help in exploring the usage of themes, characters and language in a play or novel. Normally there needs to be some sort of context to accompany the quote, explaining the intrigue involved.
Use of quotes can be compared to the preparation of a sandwich or burger.
The introduction to the quote is like the bread that is required. Once the idea is conveyed, some context for the quote should explain its relevance.
The quote itself is like the meat content in a sandwich. Though tasty, it is enhanced when two pieces of bread accompany it.
The second piece of bread is equivalent to a comment on the quote explaining its interest factor and significance in elaborating a certain aspect or character.
As a rule, avoid excessive use of quotations as it may suggest that original ideas on the subject are lacking. Otherwise quotations can be handy in adding emphasis to the ideas, instead of replacing them. This is especially the case if the quotation is attributed to a noted name, sounds unique or outstanding or if it is being used in elaborating a rather unusual or controversial subject.
It is not advisable to use a quotation solely by itself in the assumption that it would be self-explanatory. The essence of the quotation needs to be specified, as does the explanation about its relevance to the subject involved. It may also be necessary to convey one’s interpretation or perspective on it. Quotations can be considered very similar to examples in their use for clarifying an idea. It is essential to realize that the role of quotations is limited to adding support and helping to elaborate the ideas being dealt with. What they are not meant to do is to act as substitutes for the ideas as they are useless by themselves. Quotations usually require some sort of interpretive phrasing following the quotation to indicate that the meaning of the quotation is being explained and how it helps in establishing a certain viewpoint. These phrases include: Thus it is clear, therefore it is apparent, and consequently it can be seen, etc.
Quotations work best when the original words are accurately reproduced. Proper punctuation is a must for quotations. At times quotations require acknowledgement of any omissions from the original words and editorial comments to clarify vague ideas and correct grammar. Like in the case of paraphrasing and summarizing, there needs to be an introduction to the quotation, apart from explanation of its relevance by merging the quotation within the text and naming the source involved.
Search for Famous Quotations Online at www.quotedb.com
About the author:
Brenda Wilson is a professional speech writer since 1985. She has worked with people from various professions and helped them sound like professional speakers. She is in the process of writing a book that will help thousands of people become more effective in their speeches and presentations. Please visit http://www.quotedb.com
Some FAQs for Aspiring Copywriters
by: Glenn Murray
I get an email at least once a week from aspiring copywriters seeking advice on how to get a foothold in the industry. It's obviously a popular topic, so I thought I'd put some of the more common questions and answers on paper in the hopes that it might provide a bit of an insight.
Q: What does a copywriter do in a typical day?
A: This question is very comprehensively answered in http://www.divinewrite.com/adayinthelifeof.htm , to summaries, copywriters do some or all of the following:
„X meet with prospective clients ("prospects") or talk with them on the phone to sell your services to them (freelancers only)
„X liaise with clients to take a brief (learn what the client needs from the copy, who the audience is, what benefits the client offers their customers, etc.)
„X research the subject matter
„X plan the structure and approach of the writing
„X write the piece
„X liaise with the client through the review process (the client reviews the work and the copywriter fixes whatever needs fixing - so long as it's not out of scope, e.g. a new requirement)
„X get the client to sign off (approve) the job
„X invoice the client (freelancers only)
„X chase payment of invoice (freelancers only)
„X process the payment using an accounts package (freelancers only)
„X keep detailed records of all correspondence and activities throughout the process
„X manage the business (freelancers only - including manage your IT systems, accounting, create and maintain a website, create advertising materials, writing proposals, generate a search engine ranking, maintain a database of contacts, etc.)
Q: What are the working conditions like?
A: Most copywriters work either for themselves ("freelancing") or for advertising or web design agencies ("employees"). Freelancers tend to work from home, but may sometimes work at the client's workplace. Employees almost always work at the client's workplace. Conditions for freelancers tend to be pretty relaxed (they're at home, after all!!!). I haven't worked at an agency, but I suspect things are a little different there.
Q: What is the pay like?
A: I've heard of freelance copywriters being paid by the article at a rate of USD $12 per 600 word article (seems ridiculous to me!). I believe these people were college students looking for a way into the copywriting industry. At the other end of the spectrum, talented freelancers who treat writing as a serious business can earn in excess of USD $100,000 per year. I think that agency copywriters tend to earn somewhere in between these figures, maybe averaging between USD $35,000 - $70,000.
Q: What skills do I need?
A: A copywriter needs to be able to write very well in many different styles (from short 1-2 line ads through to long 3000 word articles). They also need to be able to adapt to heaps of different subjects (from IT to kitchen surfaces to accounting to nutritional supplements to cars). They need to be organized and hard-working, with an eye for detail and an understanding of writing for different media (website, brochures, radio, TV, etc.). Freelancers need good business sense, an understanding of search engines, some ability with IT systems, and patience. They also need to accept that they're gonna be poor for the first 2 years!
Q: What education do I need?
A: Formal education never hurts, and often helps. But it's no guarantee of success. If a copywriter has all of the above skills, they won't need formal training in writing. Also, in my humble opinion, you can't train to become a writer; you're either a writer or you're not. Training can sharpen certain skills, and teach new styles, etc., but if you don't have 'the flow' when you start the course, it's unlikely you'll have it when you finish.
Q: Do I need a website?
A: Yes! The best place for any freelance advertising copywriter or website copywriter to start is to fork out for a website. A website is invaluable because when you cold call and email prospects, you¡¦ll need to direct them somewhere that gives them more information.
Q: What should I include on my website?
A: Keep it simple, include a portfolio page, add any samples of any sort of copywriting you've done, talk about the places you've worked, the clients you¡¦ve written for, and include any testimonials you¡¦ve received. Make sure you include your address and contact details as well, so people don't think you're a fly-by-night operation. Of course, it doesn't hurt to include a photo either. If you can't say much about your experience, don't say much. It doesn't even really matter if you don't say anything. Remember, just like any other form of advertising copywriting, writing about yourself requires the art of subtlety. If you lack experience, but you¡¦re confident you can do the job, you can be very clever in what you don't say, and most people will read it the way you intended.
Q: Should I target agencies?
A: If you¡¦ve never worked as an advertising copywriter or website copywriter before, don¡¦t target advertising agencies and web design agencies. They know exactly what they¡¦re after, so if you don¡¦t have a portfolio, you won¡¦t stand a chance. Target end-clients directly.
Q: Should I cold call?
A: Yes. One of the best ways of generating business in the early days is to cold call potential end-clients. It¡¦s hard work and very time consuming, but you can generate some very qualified leads. For more information on cold calling, take a look at http://www.divinewrite.com/coldcallingcopywriter.htm .
Q: Should I write samples?
A: Yes. If you¡¦re targeting specific clients or industries, don¡¦t be afraid to write a few samples and send them through. You can offer the pieces free of charge (everyone likes something for nothing) or at a discount, or you can use it as an incentive to sign them up for future work. It all depends on the type of work and the type of client. The important thing to remember is that samples are virtually as good as a portfolio to most prospective clients.
Q: Do I need an accounts package?
A: Yes! Don¡¦t be fooled into thinking you can handle your accounts manually (or with Microsoft Excel). Even if you only have a few clients, you NEED a proper accounts package like MYOB or Quicken (they both offer small business versions). You¡¦ll understand why the first time you do your GST reports or annual taxes. In fact, you¡¦ll understand why whenever you need to chase down outstanding invoices.
About the author:
* Glenn Murray is a website copywriter, SEO copywriter, and article submission and article PR specialist. He owns article submission service Article PR and copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn[at]divinewrite[dot]com Visit http://www.DivineWrite.comor http://www.ArticlePR.comfor further details, more FREE articles, or to download his FREE SEO e-book.
The Psychology Of Effortless Writing
by: Saleem Rana
I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions. ~James Michener
Writing has always been a highly pleasurable form of art for me. I find it surprising that many people view it as something to avoid as much as possible. The most baffling thing to me is how people complain of "writer's block." I've also heard of metaphors like "squeezing blood from a stone."
Not only is it a delicious experience to read and to write, but it's really easy. After all, it's talking and expressing your view of the world. Sometimes your views, like that of Nelson Mandela’s, can even change the course of history.
Through writing I can convey my entire experience so that someone else can benefit from it and learn from that experience without having had to be there. So, by writing I can give others much more than I can in person. In addition, writing bends time and I can convey my experience to someone centuries away.
Anyway my point is not to wax eloquent on the joy and gift of self-expression. Rather it is to demonstrate how easy it is to write quickly and with delight.
Here are five simple things that you can do to make your writing effortless.
1. Read. Enjoy your favorite book, luxuriate in the imagery, and allow yourself to drift into someone else's experience of the world. When you read, your brain starts to warm up. It starts to hum and sing. It discovers the pleasure of its own function.
2. Write. After getting inspired by the writings of others, it's time to cut your own piece of the pie. Sit down and write. Let the words flow; fall into a reverie; and go swimming in the river of your own cogitations.
3. Edit. Go over what you've written. Cut out extra words and tighten sentences and rearrange paragraphs. Make it a game. Play with the idea of how you can make it shorter, simpler, or more expressive.
4. Proof. Read over what you've written. See if there are any typos or spelling mistakes. See if there are any grammatical errors or awkward sentences. Prune, correct, and shear.
5. Publish. Get it out there. Do a blog. Post a letter. Gather it into a volume and pack it off to a publishing house or post it as an e-book.
Finally, bless the work and let it go. Don't be attached to the outcome. Your pleasure was in writing. You can't do anything about how others respond or fail to respond.
Writing can be a chore only if you set about it the wrong way.
Here are five ways that people like to turn pleasure into pain:
1. When you confuse the inner editor with the inner writer, you feel confused and pained and blocked. First, let the writer show up. Then, the editor can do its thing. Keep both functions separate.
2. When you write under pressure, with no sense of beauty, and with no sense of magic within. This is easily cured by reading a good book. Let the flow of language carry you. Your subconscious will then be attuned to replicating the beauty.
3. When you spend hours editing, trying to get it perfect, and upsetting yourself because it's impossible to read it through and not make a correction. Words are plastic and they can always be molded better, and each time you read you can see more to shape. Hence, just edit it once and let it go.
4. When you cling to the outcome. When your work is not published and you feel rejected. When it is read by “friends” who make comments that have nothing to do with what you wrote. When you expect something for your efforts and nothing comes back to you. After you write and send it out, let it go.
5. And when you're unclear on an idea and it never comes out right. You can’t get it right because your thoughts are all jumbled up. In this case, outline or wait for inspiration.
In conclusion, write. It will do your soul a world of good.
About the author:
Saleem Rana got his masters in psychotherapy from California Lutheran University. His articles on the internet have inspired over ten thousand people from around the world. Discover how to create a remarkable life. Free information.
http://theempoweredsoul.com/enter.html
Copyright 2005 Saleem Rana. Please feel free to pass this
article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or
newsletter. It's a shareware article.
What’s Wrong With Proofreading?
by: Elaine Currie
More Tips For New Writers (Part III)
Writing for your home based business just as important as any other kind of business writing. When you have an online business, you will be judged by the quality of your emails, advertisements, articles etc as well as by the textual content of your website.
I recently read an article in which the author encouraged people to write articles in order to promote their home based internet business. The writer of this article was of the opinion that punctuation, spelling etc, were not particularly important. His advice was to give your article a quick once-over with your PC’s spellchecker and then submit it without spending too much time on it or worrying unduly about the finer details. To him, the important thing was that you should write whether or not you had reached the appropriate educational standard to be able to write correctly.
In an effort to keep up with modern trends, I considered this premise and attempted to embrace it. Maybe I am totally old-fashioned but, I couldn’t do it. I simply cannot accept this idea that we should treat business writing as a casual pastime, where articles are to be carelessly and quickly executed because they are of limited importance. Of course I believe that people should be free to express themselves in writing even if they lack formal education but I don’t believe we are helping them or ourselves by lowering our standards.
Although I applaud him for encouraging people to write, I simply cannot agree with this author’s notion that correct grammar and punctuation are unimportant. Even slightly faulty grammar can render a written work incomprehensible. The phrase "Content is king" is overused nowadays. Although content is often high in a list of important elements, I cannot agree that content alone will make up for poor craftsmanship when it comes to writing. Offering slapdash work is an insult to the reader; the implication is that the reader either will not know any better, or is not sufficiently important to bother about. I would like to make it clear that I am not referring to the unfortunate mistake that slips through the proofreading net. There is nobody on this planet who has never made a mistake. Publishing an error takes a bit of living down but the only sure way of avoiding mistakes is by doing absolutely nothing. The thing that offends me is the "doesn’t matter", "It’ll do" sloppy attitude.
I have seen emails and web pages written by people for whom English is obviously not their first language. While I greatly admire these people for learning a second language to a standard where they can write it fluently (not something I can do), I cannot overlook the errors. Some made me laugh whilst others were embarrassing. Publication of these errors could, with proper editing, have been avoided without losing the fresh content and individuality of the writing. Proofreading, copywriting and editing services are not hard to find, they are widely advertised on the Internet. A little money spent on these services can make a life or death difference to an email campaign or website.
Although I try to make allowances, be more modern in outlook, take a more relaxed attitude, and so on, I keep coming back to the fact that writing is about communication. In order to communicate effectively, writing must be performed correctly and there is nothing wrong in employing a professional to add the final polish.
If all else fails, I will rely on the old adage that if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.
About the author:
Elaine Currie, BA (Hons), is a writer and internet marketer. She came to the internet after a 25 year career at a London law firm, seeking a new career path. Knowing only that she wanted the opportunity to spend more time writing and to be her own boss, Elaine discovered the concept of the "pluginprofitsite" (details can be seen at http://www.huntingvenus.com/pips.htmland at Elaine‘s website http://www.huntingvenus.com).
Your Writing Anxiety - 10 Ways to Bring Relief
by: Lynda Blake
Anxiety, apprehension, cold feet, consternation, dismay, distress, dread, fear, fright, horror, nervousness, panic, scare, strain, stress, tension, terror, trepidation, unease or uneasiness: whatever it's called, you've got it.
And the reason is ... you've got to write an article!
Writing anxiety or 'writer's block' happens to all writers at some point in their writing lives. It may be that you don't know what to write about or, with your topic firmly in place, you don't know where to start.
At this point, procrastination sets in.
Doing anything, rather than actually writing, seems a whole lot better than putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard. Even walking the dog, in pouring rain and gale-force winds, has higher priority!
Try some of these ways to restore your writing equilibrium:
1. Avoid starting with a blank page. There's nothing more daunting than beginning from nothing. Work with a template. This will help you to stay focused on your topic. Download and print out some appropriate free graphic organizers from the Internet or use graphic organizer software, like NotateIt, that will help you to rearrange and organise your thoughts in freestyle format.
2. Brainstorm your topic. Take some time out for creative thinking with a friend or colleague. You'll get some new twists on the theme, especially if they're not 'experts' in your subject matter!
3. Write an outline. Just set out a list of headings. They don't even have to be in order - you can always rearrange them later. Write each heading on a separate card or piece of paper and shuffle the result. A new order may emerge that you hadn't thought of, giving you a new slant on your topic.
4. Use a whiteboard. Fix a large magnetic whiteboard on your wall and use it to rearrange your ideas. If a whiteboard on the wall feels too intrusive, try some inexpensive whiteboard software on your PC instead.
5. Break your task down into smaller chunks. From your outline, choose one heading and write. Then go on to another heading and write. It doesn't matter which order you write in, because it can all be rearranged later. Not only that, you're achieving your larger goal in a series of smaller steps and that makes it much more manageable.
6. Write in the way that you speak. It's friendlier to read and it's an easier and more natural way for you to write.
7. Don't worry about perfection too soon. Spell checking, indenting paragraphs, changing font size - this is the icing on the cake. Just let your writing flow and, just for once, forget the grammar. Perfection can come later - at the redrafting stage.
8. Think about your readers in a different way. You may be anxious that your article is not "good enough" to be read by your peers. Remember, even if your audience are "experts", they don't know what you think about your subject. Nor does it mean that they know everything there is to know about a subject area. Target your writing towards an intelligent, enthusiastic, but non-expert, reader and your writing confidence will grow.
9. You've completed your writing. This is your first draft. The secret, now, is to redraft and redraft again. You'd be surprised at just how many things you'll want to say differently when the sun rises tomorrow! Read your article once a day, make changes then put it aside until the next day. In a few days, you'll read your article and find nothing to change. That's when you're ready to publish!
10. Believe in yourself. The first articles you write may not be perfect but the more you write, the better your style will become. It's like learning to walk - all it takes is a little time and lots of practice.
(c) 2005 Lynda Blake
You're welcome to reprint this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered, including the "About the Author" info at the end.
About the author:
Lynda Blake is a UK freelance writer
Resources used in preparing this article:
Whiteboard Software: http://www.notateit.com
Free Graphic Organizers: http://www.nutsinmay.com
Art of Essay Writing
by: Susan Kassel
I love essays! I enjoy reading them, checking them, teaching my students how to generate them, but most of all I enjoy writing them! You want to ask why. I hope after reading my article you will understand. And I so much believe that you will also fall in love with the incredible world of essays. Let’s start our trip from a short background. The word “essay” originated from French word “essai” which means “attempt, effort, sketch”. And this translation reflects the essence of the task you are assigned at your college. Really, it is your personal attempt to give a challenging sketch on some engrossing issue. Unlike other academic assignments, essay suggests freedom of your creative work. Its main advantage is that you can write it on any topic, in any style. Essay is your own point of view on something you have heard, read, seen etc. The forefront of the essay is your personality, your thoughts, feelings and your life position. You have a unique chance to enter a reasonable controversy with other authors, as the teacher expects you to show your erudition in the subject. However, you should remember that regardless freedom of the writing process, it is not that easy at all. Because you are expected to find an original and capturing idea (even in the traditional context) and exceptional opinion on some problem.
The title of essay does not strictly depend on the essay topic: the title can also serve as a starting point in your reflection; it can express the relation of the whole and the parts. A free composition of essay is subject to its inner logic, it is an emphasized position of the author.
The style of the essay is marked by its aphoristic, paradoxical and figurative character. To convey your personal perception of the world you should: employ a lot of capturing examples, draw parallels, choose analogies, use various associations. One of the characteristic features of essay is the wide usage of numerous expressive means, such as metaphors, parable and allegoric figures, symbols and comparisons. Your can enrich and make your essay more interesting if you include in it: unpredictable conclusions, unexpected turning points, interesting clutches of events.Essay presents a dynamic interchange of author’s arguments, supporting evidence and questions.
Be brief, but at the same time avoid absolute simplicity. No one will like reading a monotonous narration. Completing the draft of your essay, read it aloud, yes, aloud. You will be struck by the number of rough details in your essay. You should get rid of them with no regret. If you have to say something new, original and exclusive, then the genre of essay is your genre. Be creative, free your mind and may be you will reveal a great essayist in yourself.
5 Easy Steps To Writing Your Appealing Letter
by: Jian Wang
You must write a hypnotic persuasion letter to help you achieve all your goals! Get the boss to give your a raise, induce that beautiful blue-eyed girl to be your lover and persuade your mother to buy a BMW Z3 for you this summer.
Give me twenty minutes and I'll teach you step-by-step my secret writing your own success system. If you follow this 5 steps formula of writing, you'll never fail in this age of persuasion. Keep reading!
My 5-step formula consists of
1. Find Your Goal and Purpose for Writing
2. Write Down Your Goal
3. Visualization
4. Write Like You Talk (KISS rule)
5. Make It Perfect
Let me explain it to you step by step!
1. Find Your Goal and Purpose for Writing
Every success begins with a simple goal which includes hypnotic writing. You should come up with your main goal for writing. SUCCESS=GOAL+DEADLINE. Once you set your writing goal in your mind, you'll know the path to success. You must hold that point when you want to really achieve something valuable. Please see the example below.
Bad: I just write.
Good: I want to write this letter to persuade Joe to give me a book for free!
Better: I certainly CAN write a hypnotic letter to persuade Joe to give me a book for free before 01 July 2001.
2. Write Your Goal Down
Have you ever read the story of John in Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's original Chicken Soup for the Soul? On one rainy day, when it was too wet outside to play, he decided to write a list of goals. John continued writing until he had 127 goals. These goals included exploring the Nile River, climbing high mountain peaks around the world and learning 3 foreign languages. Do you know the result?
Of the 127 goals that he listed over 60 years ago, John has achieved 108.
Why?
Because he Wrote It Down!
You must write it down on your desk, your wallet, your bath room and even on the wall in your men's room. Every time you see that bold goal, you'll notice you must take action now. With many repetitions, the words themselves will send a mighty command to your subconscious mind to make your dream into reality. Try it today!
3. Visualization
In the Bible it is written "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." (Psalm 37:4) Also it says to us "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee." (Proverbs 23:7)
You mind think uses images instead of words. Therefore, Imagination X Vividness = Reality.
Learn to meditate. Then do it. No miracle will ever happen if you neglect this step. You can practice writing and persuasion skills in your mind. Practice makes perfect!
4. Write Like You Talk (KISS rule)
You can't write one sentence, right?
But you CAN talk non-stop about anything for a whole day, right?
Put your talk in writing. That's your masterpiece.
Simple, right?
It works! Keep It Simple Stupid. Write like you talk. Wite to your best friend. Write to your dream lover! You aren't afraid where to start, go and stop. What you say to your listeners is hypnotic and magic in print.
5. Make It Perfect
You can't achieve your goal with just one word or an attractive headline, right?
You can persuade anybody with your whole message. The sentence, structure and word combination make you a winner. You must think about the organization of your material. Every word. Every sentence. Every punctuation mark. Remember everything has a common function for your result. You are not training a MVP of the year. You must own a Dream Team.
About The Author
Author Jian Wang is a master in the art of persuasion. His ebook, "Hypnotic Persuasion: How to Get Anything You Want," is a truly inspirational read, filled with the wisdom to help you gain control of your own mind and convince others without resistance. These techniques can be used to improve business, sales, relationships, and your overall well-being. For more information, visit http://www.mrchange.com Reach Jian at calljian[at]263[dot]net.
Are Writing Exercises Effective?
by: Lana Hampton
It was reported that the great American author Sinclair Lewis was once asked to give a lecture on writing to a group of college students: "Looking out at this gathering," he said to the assembled students, "makes me want to know how many of you really and truly wish to become writers?" Every hand in the room went up. Lewis looked at them for a moment and then folded his notes and put them away. "If that's true," he said, "then the best advice I can give you is to go home and start writing." He then turned and left the room.
If the first secret of writing is to write and if you've set up some sort of writing schedule, the next step is to figure out what to write.
Opening a brand new file and looking at a blank screen often results in a kind of brain-freeze; we feel as idea-less as the empty screen we're staring at. Writing exercises can help us thaw our idea bank. The goal of a writing exercise is to open your mind and allow you to hone your skills and experiment. The joy of such an exercise is it's not 'for real.' That is, there's no thought of pleasing an editor or finding a publisher or meeting a deadline or getting paid. You're just writing, with your internal editor turned off.
Some freelancers find writing exercises so effective and freeing they actually begin every writing session with a 10 or 15-minute exercise. Others use them more sporadically. But however you do it, writing exercises will help you with your writing. Use writing exercises in your writing schedule, as a natural part of your writing discipline; use the exercises often and watch your writing improve.
Ideally, a writing exercise is short, requiring you to spend no more than 10 or 15 minutes writing, thinking and feeling about something that's unrelated to the rest of your writing work. In a way, they are like mini-meditations and mini-vacations because they clear out the cobwebs and give you a new view.
It's that new view, that different way of seeing, of expressing, that's the key to a good writing exercise. Naturally, not every exercise blows your mind every time. Sometimes you are just not ready for the challenge presented, but even then, the seed is planted. Sometimes you are simply not up for doing a writing exercise, which is okay too. Again, simply reading can set some new thoughts in motion.
About The Author
Lana Hampton makes it easy to improve your writing skills. Visit http://www.yowswriting.com today for the latest writing tips and information.