Start off 2012 positively, with a bang, by checking out this quick tip that will help you avoid this common copywriting mistake.
First… What’s the first thing that crossed your mind when you read this blog headline?
Most likely, you’re gonna think one of these two things…
“Oh yeah – you’re full of crap buddy – just watch me!”
You see it as a challenge, and you just love a good challenge.
Or… you think…
“Yeah… you’re right… I suck at writing copy that gets customers and prospects to respond”
Negative copy is bad
It’s such a negative statement, telling you what you can’t do. I don’t know about you, but I get tired and depressed with “negative” all the time.
Sure… it may have got your attention in the headline. But what if you saw negative statements like that in a letter (doesn’t even have to be a sales letter)?
Would it turn you off? Maybe enough to stop reading? Certainly enough to not take the action the letter writer wanted you to take?
Now you might be thinking… “Ok Mr. smart guy copywriter… what’s another way to write the same headline – in a positive way that would increase the odds someone would continue to read and take action?”
Here’s the original:
You cannot write good
marketing copy for your business
Let me think for a second … Ok… how about?
You, too, can write great sales copy…
Even if you’ve never written a letter in your life!
Do you see the difference?
Original – You can’t (negative, turn-off) vs. the new and improved (positive) – You, too can…
- Positive works better!
You see, just like speaking, there are usually several different ways to say the same thing. As the saying goes (which is true)…
“It’s not necessarily what you say – but how you say it.”
.
And positive words are generally more effective at getting a response from the reader than negative words.
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It all goes back to who your reader is, the point you want them to get, and the action you want them to take.
So… go back through your copy, and rewrite any sentences or statements that sound negative, and put a positive twist on it.
Have a positively GREAT 2012!
If you need help with website design, writing SEO optimized web copy, email marketing, or other online marketing strategies, I can help!
To your marketing success!
Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter
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