One of biggest stumbling blocks for a writer is "fear." Don't be afraid to send your work out. People will compliment you and criticize you. In all cases, take feedback, positive or negative, graciously!

--- I write stuff, too. ---

When I was young, I wrote on bathroom stalls in Catholic elementary school. I created some spectacular poetry! When Sister Butch, of Order of Most Vicious Blood, caught me, that was end of my career, and nearly my life. Everybody can write, but not everybody can be a writer.

Being a writer is not just putting words on paper. It involves research, organization, thought, creative wordplay, and ability to sit still long enough to put it all together.

This short article is a reasonable example. It started out in my head as "Why write?" and evolved based on some thought. Writing is evolution of ideas into something between fact and fiction. It's evolution of presentation into something coherent to largest audience. It's a fantasy that turns into a reality once you figure out what it is that you're trying to say!

--- And, what made you write? ---

It wasn't some miracle or premonition. Honestly. Someone made me madder than a hornet. To make a long story short, I designed and developed an idea for a product that would save a previous employer a lot money. I did all of financial work, software engineering, implementation, and testing to prove idea.

During my presentation, senior engineers scoffed at idea. So I took my notes, wrote a manuscript, and submitted it to various publishers. A month later, a publisher picked up manuscript and we signed a contract to publish it. It all took off from there! That's it!

There are a million reasons to write, but I found later that you don't need a reason if you love it. It takes just one situation to get you started into addictive world of writing! But, all you really have to do is ...

--- Just write! ---

I don't write on bathroom walls anymore because it's too hard for our housekeeper to keep up with work. But, I do carry around a palmtop just in case I get an idea! For now ... just write everything you can as often as possible. Once you get hang of it, writing becomes an addiction. Write because you can take an idea and tell it to rest of world. Write because your wife has another headache. Write because you can make money. Write so that next time someone asks what you do, you can say, "I'm a writer!"

---------- Here's An Excellent Tip.

Print out your copy and read it out loud. If it doesn't sound like an everyday conversation there's something wrong. Have a friend read it out to you. If she stumbles over any words, or has to re-read a sentence, you'll know it needs re-writing.

Then build Web site around your copy.

Only add pictures and graphics if you are convinced they enhance and support your copy! That way you will see that most of beautifully designed logos, banners and gizmos you had in mind, will simply distract your readers from one most important thing on your site - your sales message.

---------- Here's A Few Other Important Points.

1) Far too many web sites have no headline. If your Web pages haven't got headlines, give them one NOW.

Just because your reader is already at your page doesn't necessarily mean he knows what to expect. A headline TELLS him what to expect. It also gives you, your company, and your site an identity that hopefully your reader will remember.

2) Fire your BIGGEST GUN first - in your headline.

3) Push your USP into your reader's face.

4) Pack your message with benefits, benefits and more benefits.

5) Use plenty of white space.

6) Break your copy up into bite-sized chunks.

7) Make it easy to contact you from every page.

8) Place a 'HOME' button on every page.

9) Make your copy as long as it needs to be to get your WHOLE message across.

10) EMPHASIZE your key points.

11) Use Testimonials with imagination. Don't just list them on a separate page. Your readers won't look for them.

12) TELL your reader what to do. (e.g. Order Now!)

13) Make it extremely easy to order.

14) SHOW your reader how to order.

15) At ordering stage re-state your guarantee.

16) After she has submitted her order make sure she is told order has been received. Then send her a Thank you email. She needs to be re-assured she has made right decision. Prevent 'Buyers Remorse' or she may cancel!

17) Be totally professional about absolutely everything.

So there you have it. A very brief summary of copywriting techniques used by most successful Marketers and Copywriters on and off Web!

Just ordinary people with good sense to stick to PROVEN methods which achieve EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS!