Do You "Do" Voices?

Written by Jessica Albon


Continued from page 1

Use a resource. "Lots of people like ProfNet.com, because it's online," David, a journalist, says. "But I prefer [the printed version of] The Yearbook because I can skim through it and something always catches my eye."

Ask someone else. For myself, I often find allrepparttar leads I turn up doing research lead to more leads. The trick is to end each interview with a request for another source. "Who knows almost as much about this topic as you do?" or "Who hasrepparttar 108159 worst argument for why you're wrong?" often work well. Make sure you're talking to people on both sides ofrepparttar 108160 issue so that your article will be well-balanced.

Quotes arerepparttar 108161 spice for your piece. The, as Marjorie said, "texture." They show you've done your research and that you're notrepparttar 108162 only one who feels a certain way. They also add visual interest. In fact, some readers only read articles with quotation marks in them. So go torepparttar 108163 trouble to find a few extra quotes. Your reader will appreciate it.

Is it your job to increase company profits? The Write Exposure offers the resources you need to do just that at http://www.designdoodles.com


How to Write Content That Matters, a conversation with Sean D'Souza

Written by Jessica Albon


Continued from page 1

Jessica: So, you start your articles with a great headline?

Sean: Firstrepparttar headline, thenrepparttar 108158 outline ofrepparttar 108159 story. Then you think about it, createrepparttar 108160 story in your brain while you're walking or doing something else. Then flesh it out. Then edit, edit, edit, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. (You're gettingrepparttar 108161 picture.)

Headline writing is a skill developed like everything else. You can't find it. Write dumb headlines to start with. Then look around and see what headlines grab your attention. Headlines with questions always do. Headlines with curiosity do. Headlines that have nothing to do withrepparttar 108162 subject like "Why do twins haverepparttar 108163 same last name, and different first names" work. That's because people are intensely curious. If you appeal to their curiosity, they will pounce on your headline.

But far byrepparttar 108164 biggest headline attention getter isrepparttar 108165 one with a problem in it. Problems are whirlpools. Do you make these mistakes in English? Are you struggling to attract CEOs? These are absolute killers. Identifyingrepparttar 108166 biggest problem your client has and then putting that inrepparttar 108167 headline. I can assure you,repparttar 108168 attention will be yours to keep.

Jessica: After you've gotrepparttar 108169 headline written, how do you keep your articles appealing?

Sean: Break up paragraphs. Write good subheads. Keep it flowing.

Use lots of examples. Finish with a flourish. Write like you're going to say it in a speech.

The purpose ofrepparttar 108170 every line is to make you readrepparttar 108171 next line. All communication must lead to change. That'srepparttar 108172 biggest lesson of all.

Readers are deadly. The unsubscribe is only an email away. You can't fool them withrepparttar 108173 word Free. It has no meaning. I don't want Free. I want good stuff. Readers can be quite demanding even when there's no charge. It keeps you on your toes.

Jessica: And part ofrepparttar 108174 "good stuff" readers want in a newsletter is about personality, right?

Sean: Personality is everything. What are you without your personality? What is your product, your service and your brand without one?

Be pink or orange or purple, and let that show through. If you're a serious number cruncher, be dead serious. Give only figures and serious statistics. There will be a niche for you.

If you are a mad Psychotic like me, don't be afraid to show that through. That's literally your thumbprint. It's got to shine with a million watts. Remember, that a billion people are vying forrepparttar 108175 same spot.

As Dire Straits sang, "Sitting onrepparttar 108176 fence is a dangerous course. You could get a bullet fromrepparttar 108177 peace keeping force."

Jessica: We're just about out of time. Earlier, you mentioned ending with a flourish, so, I'm curious, how do you write great endings?

Sean: The ending is a not just a wrap up of sorts. It is a clear reflection ofrepparttar 108178 headline.

Different words. Same stuff. It can be again, like a movie. Sad, dramatic, unexpected etc. but it is always a mirror ofrepparttar 108179 start.

If you write a great headline, you have a great ending. They're twins. They just sit on either side ofrepparttar 108180 bookshelf. Sometimes, it helps to start withrepparttar 108181 end in mind. If you can turn out articles withrepparttar 108182 last line first, you'd become a bloody genius!

If you'd like to see more of Sean, visit him at his site http://www.psychotactics.com where he shares specific techniques for engaging buyers online and off. His insight into buyer's brains will make you wonder if he's got any cadavers inrepparttar 108183 basement.

Is it your job to increase company profits? The Write Exposure offers the resources you need to do just that at http://www.designdoodles.com


    <Back to Page 1
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use