Useful writing techniques....

> Does anyone have any good writing techniques
> to share?

Here's what I do whenever I have to write a sales letter, advert copy, newsletter ....

I get a tape recorder, grab the product I want to talk about, hit the record button and do a verbal sales presentation.

I pretend to talk to another person and "sell them" the product I am trying to promote. I usually take about 3-4 dry runs, then record one.

I then transcribe word for word my recording and sit down and ruthlesly edit, taking out anything I have said more than once (unless I want to say it twice for emphisis).

This way my sales letters have structure. An opening, grounding with the reader, selling the company, USB (unique selling benefits), and finally the close or call to action!

This method works well if yo have some sales skills, as "advertising is salesmanship in print".

Similar with a newsletter or book. I imagine sitting with a friend and trying to explain and convince them of something on a particular subject, and just record my speech. Somtimes I actually get a friend to listen so It's a sort of a two way conversaion. This way your friend may ask questions and I find the answers you give to those questions make great bullet points in your writing.

I'm not saying this is the easiest method, but I use it and find it gets the creative juices flowing.

I'm interested to hear any other methods too ...

Have a happy day!
Jason van Hooft




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