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!

--- The Battle for Content ---

The competition for content is fierce. Every Web site owner wants content and hundreds of writers want their content visible on Web. There are so many free Web sites that you can literally advertise your goods, services, and knowledge globally for years without spending a penny.

Of course, there is a cost involved in writing free content---time. However, cost in time units is only a fraction of money that would otherwise be spent in getting kind of coverage available by supporting content sites with free articles.

--- What about my income producing articles? ---

The idea is not to spend all day writing free content. Generally, once you've completed your articles for paying markets, take an idea and generate one free content article. I usually select a topic about which I can generate an article in a few hours. Don't spend more than two hours on article over an entire day---use it as a gap-filler.

The point is to be able to generate a short article that provides a general overview of your knowledge or work---don't dive too deep. If someone likes your work or idea, let them come to you and pay you for a more, in-depth version. Call it "testing waters."

--- Exercise Your Brain ---

One of benefits I've found to writing free content is in exercising my brain. I get a chance to generate a short article about something I know without added pressure of acceptance and deadlines. This is where you get to write for fun of it and be able to produce industry contacts and resume fodder.

--- Resume Fodder ---