Want your website critiqued? Ask at a forum. Want to know how to salvage Outlook? Ask at a forum. Want to know if a particular book is worth buying? Ask at a forum.

Almost anything is fair game - providing it is reasonably on topic. And dropping in to forums is a great way for newcomers to a field to rub shoulders with old hands.

This openness leads to a temptation that is repeated over and over again. "Ah," many people think, "a highly targeted market! I must post an ad for my site and watch them beat my door down to buy my wares."

Wrong. That is fastest way to oblivion.

Forums are not advertising notice boards. They are not like pin board in kitchen that anyone can put up a 'for sale' ad on.

Forums are much more like coffee machine or water cooler. People hang out, swap ideas, chat for a while. They don't want someone popping up every five minutes trying to sell them something. They are trying to chill out.

That is warning. But like all warnings, it has a caveat: there are ways to get your advertising message across - if you follow unwritten rules.

So I figured I'd write those unwritten rules down.

The key to 'advertising' on forums and newsgroups is not to.

As soon as you put up a post that even looks remotely like an ad, you will usually either be removed by a moderator or flamed by incensed members. Quite right. They didn't ask for your commercial break and they certainly don't appreciate your intrusion.

Use in opt-in publications, or on Web sites, but please include resource box. If you could send a copy to me at email address: mailto:ab@digital-e.biz , I appreciate it. Many thanks. **

Summary: Writing is hard, even for writers. These five techniques will make your writing chores easier, and your writing livelier.

Total words: 800

Category: Small Business

Five easy ways to add punch to your words

Copyright (c) 2002 by Angela Booth

Writing is hard, even for writers. These five techniques will make your writing chores easier, and your writing livelier.

It's time to write something important, and your palms sweat. You force yourself to write, while gritting your teeth and hating every moment of process. Your palms sweat some more. And your head aches, because you realize that your words have all life of roadkill. Why is it that more important writing task, more lifeless your words? Maybe it's performance anxiety. You tense up, instead of letting words flow.

Try these five easy ways to add punch to your words:

1. Get conversational, and write fast

When you're writing, imagine you're talking to someone. Just having a quiet chat. You want to tell them about whatever it is you're writing about.

To make this easier, write in form of a letter: "Dear Joanne Let me tell you about..."

Write quickly, exactly as you'd speak. Don't worry about grammar, spelling and typos. Just blurt out whatever you have to say.

Force yourself to do this by setting a time limit. Set a timer for five minutes. Tap out (or write, if you're using pen and paper) any kind of gibberish at all for five minutes. Turning off your monitor helps, because it stops you seeing words and going back to correct typos.

2. Get specific

Want to write waffle? Generalize. Like in this sentence from a real estate agent's ad for a house:

"You are certain to be impressed by space in this three bedroom family home."

I looked at photo of house, and wrote:

"Shaded by palms and eucalypts and surrounded by a well- maintained garden, this three bedroom, honey-gold brick mini- mansion offers your family space to play and grow. "

Not Shakespeare, but words describe this house specifically.

3. Get sensuous

Be a reporter. Use your senses. What can you see, hear, smell, touch and taste?