How Can I Write Better Marketing Materials?

I just heard from one of the participants in two of my free workshops ("Write to Sell" and "Blogging Made Easy"). Her marketing materials are bringing her more success, and she is overjoyed at her progress with the blog that she's ready to launch. You are welcome to attend any of my writing sessions in Keene, Jaffrey or Peterborough, NH (see the Upcoming Events posted on this page). But here are a few do-it-yourself writing techniques that you can use right now in improve your brochure, newsletter, blog and website content:

• Talk before you write. You are an expert at talking about your product or service in clear, exciting, everyday language. Listen to yourself--and write down those words. Your marketing message works in speech; it will work in print.
• Keep words, sentences and paragraphs short. Research has shown: no one can remember a 34 word sentence filled with 4-syllable words. Try to write your entire marketing piece in 1 or 2-syllable words, with sentences 18 words long or shorter. It's a difficult task, but you will create livelier, more memorable content.
• Be specific. Every product in the world is state-of-the-art. Every service provider is honest, customer-focused and innovative. Explain what you mean by those adjectives. What makes you stand out from the competition? What proof can you offer of your innovation and honesty? Awards, customer testimonials, statistics, conformance to national standards?
• Proofread--do not rely on your computer's spell checker and stay far far away from the grammar checker. Recruit a fresh pair of eyes to proofread for you. If you have just finished your website, take advantage of my summer special on a website review (just $45/page, 4 page minimum) to make sure your website content is complete, accurate, clear and exciting.

Need more help? Send me an write [at] twriteplus [dot] com (email) or come to my session, "Put WOW in Your Content" at BizConNH on October 1 in Peterborough, NH.