--- So, how do you know you're a real writer? ---

It has to be a certain look or smell that identifies you as a writer. Is it turtleneck and mothball odor that give it away, or perhaps its old blue jeans you wear for a week or two.

Generally, my rule of thumb is if you can sell your ideas and make money writing, you're "a writer!" If you sit and write all day long and never sell anything, then "you write." So, in summary: "you write until you become a writer!"

But, this is very true! To become a writer, you have to write every day. You should think of a dozen or so topics and write about them. This will help you learn your style and develop your skills.

If you write, but are not yet a writer, here's an objective! Write, until you sell something. Once you get money, pay your gas bill. Now, you're a writer! But, don't stop with just one article, keep going!

--- Hey Ed! Say something funny. ---

It just doesn't happen like that. I'm not a funny guy. If I sit down and design something funny, I can be hilarious. But, I can't just say something funny.

On other hand, ideas are things that just happen. But, developing and writing that idea takes work. The act of writing doesn't "just happen."

When writing about an idea, you have to research idea to determine if it's feasible. If it looks good, then you have to research it again to become an expert---or at least knowledgeable on topic.

The other point to writing is that, even as a Technical Writer, you have to feel writing. This goes back to one of my previous articles, "Natural Writing." You have to learn your verbal style before you can become comfortable with your written style. Once you understand your own style of communicating, stick with it as it's most comfortable place to start. Let it evolve, but stay with it to ensure that writing feels good and flows.

--- And, have I read something you've written? ---

I don't even know if they can read much less if they've ever read something I've written. If name rings a bell, probably so! The point is that most people won't know about you unless you write!

Because Copywriting techniques that work off-line, also work equally well on-line! We have to make some changes of course to accommodate restrictions imposed by computer screen, and problems that navigation sometimes presents.

But successful techniques for effective web copy remain same. And these techniques have been around for decades

Good web copy doesn't attract attention it deserves. Copy just isn't cool. Because good persuasive copy doesn't attract attention to itself. It sits there on page delivering its message skillfully and unobtrusively, focusing attention on PRODUCT and READER. And quietly doing its job of selling.

And most of really successful Internet marketers employ excellent, uncluttered copy on their sites.

That's why they are successful.

It's so easy and cheap to build a Website these days and set up a storefront. And that's great. There's room for small guy to compete alongside 'big guns'. And with no previous business or advertising experience he can build a 100 page super-duper animated site in minutes. But when sales don't come in answer seems to be to change animated GIFs, Java script, site banners and other gizmos to grab attention.

Meanwhile clever marketers, successful ones, rake in sales with strong, professionally crafted selling copy. And it's copy they've taken time to learn for themselves. Or they've employed a good professional copywriter to do it for them. They know it's WORDS that sell, not gizmos. Which words?

----- Words that SELL!

After you have drawn up approximate overall structure of your site, and BEFORE you design fine details, decide WHAT you're going to say and WHO you are going to say it to.

THEN begin writing your copy.

Write it, re-write it and cut out dead wood. Crystallize your message. Hone it, polish it, and examine every single word for relevancy and maximum effect. Keep re-writing it until you're sure it's a winner!