Tips for compelling writing

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by arctic_fox, Oct 26, 2011.

  1. #1
    Hi,

    Does anybody have any tips for writing compelling and interesting articles??

    Thanks

    Chris
     
    arctic_fox, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  2. contentboss

    contentboss Peon

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    #2
    Yeah.

    Tip 1. NEVER title a thread so it looks like you're about to offer some great free advice, and then produce a 'please give ME some free advice' thread.

    Tip 2. ALWAYS make it clear whether your thread is asking for advice, or offering it, otherwise people looking for the other thing you're talking about will get really pissed off at having their lives wasted.

    I realise that Tip 1 is basically the same as Tip 2, but it's such an important tip, I thought I'd stress it.

    Oh yeah, always make your title clear an unambiguous.

    And never forget that the thread title is vital - misleading titles REALLY piss people off.
     
    contentboss, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  3. sweetcrabhoney18

    sweetcrabhoney18 Banned

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    #3
    Practice makes perfect I think. Also knowing your target market. If you are writing blog articles then they need to draw the attention of readers. If however you are writing SEO article then they need to draw in search engine results. If you practice, read books and take the time to prefect your skill you can make compelling articles all the time.

    Good luck.
     
    sweetcrabhoney18, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  4. gregdavidson

    gregdavidson Well-Known Member

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    #4
    Read more. The more you read the better you can write.
     
    gregdavidson, Oct 28, 2011 IP
  5. Icecube_media

    Icecube_media Peon

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    #5
    hi
    more you write and read more you can develope as a writer, be orignal don't copy contenet one can take refrence but use your own words to discribe what you want to say..
     
    Icecube_media, Oct 29, 2011 IP
  6. healthdomainbuyer

    healthdomainbuyer Peon

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    #6
    I use expert sources and sometimes interview industry experts to give my content a little something extra. Look for industry association newsletters/websites, nonprofits dedicated to your topic and related sources.
     
    healthdomainbuyer, Oct 29, 2011 IP
  7. Seasidewriter

    Seasidewriter Peon

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    #7
    Use active voice. I'm working on that myself.

    Don't say, the red dress looked pretty on Alice. Say instead, Alice looked pretty in the red dress. Put the doer of the action first. This is a simple off the top of my head suggestion, but think about it.

    Also, lose the "had" Don't say, They had tried really hard to succeed. Say instead, They tried to succeed.

    Try starting your piece with a catcher. I'm working on this too. Sometimes I use a question. Did you know that an affordable vacation is within your grasp?

    Practice, practice, practice..

    When reading over your copy, take out any words that are not needed.
     
    Seasidewriter, Nov 8, 2011 IP
  8. jewel3000

    jewel3000 Peon

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    #8
    1. Take a controversial stance on an issue. People are riveted by bold articles that say what others are afraid to.

    2. Create an "open letter" to someone important, or about a popular issue. Either way, go on record with your views.
     
    jewel3000, Nov 12, 2011 IP
  9. simon101

    simon101 Peon

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    #9
    A good technique - if you don’t mind putting in some elbow grease - is to find an example of the kind of quality article you’d like to be producing yourself, then copy it out repeatedly. Do it long hand with a pen and paper, and do it at least 10 times. Laborious? Yes. But it’s an excellent way to really internalise the elements of good writing.

    Hope this helps.
     
    simon101, Nov 21, 2011 IP
  10. musicaltouch

    musicaltouch Member

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    #10
    Leverage technology and other people's money to gather strategic market insight.

    You need to:

    1. Identify your target audience and market. - Use twitter to learn demographics and age.

    2. Uncover their wants, desires, and feel their pain. - Use Google Search - "Your Keyword" "so bad" This will help identify emotions you need to target

    3. Start with what's already working - Look at other related sites and sales pages. Print every one out. Highlight the good with yellow and the bad with blue. Keep all yellow

    4. Use other people's money has already been invested to create a similar product or service. - Amazon books - look inside the cover and at the back of the book. That is where publishing companies spend their dough. on the bullets that make people buy...

    PM if you have any questions and Good Luck!
     
    musicaltouch, Nov 27, 2011 IP
  11. Davidisbest

    Davidisbest Peon

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    #11
    You will find places online that others are using, (just as musicaltouch said above) to find the gems that attract people. Go now to the "most wished for" tab for any niche in Amazon and see exactly what buyers want! Now read reviews on those items and market your sales copy to match the wishes and desires of those wishful eager buyers!

    Next, use Digg to see what articles are dugg the most. This shows you that the words shown in those titles got the most attention. Simply use the same words and tweak them to fit your copy. You are going to use this for any subject or title that you create for instant success!


    My words invigorate and energize the thoughts, actions, and emotions I desire them to achieve!

    Don't reinvent the wheel, just enjoy the ride!


    :)
    Good Luck!
     
    Davidisbest, Nov 30, 2011 IP
  12. 1cheapwebsite

    1cheapwebsite Peon

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    #12
    Disclaimer alert! Bare in mind I write books, NOT articles.

    Write.

    Sure, you can read, study, rehash and have your work edited by a professional editor, but the best way to write well, as with anything in life, is to do it.

    OK - how can I improve?
    You need a measure for your improvement, so have people read your work... but...

    Make sure the readers aren't friends.
    Why? Friends lie, family lie. They don't want to hurt your feelings.

    Get the opinions of people interested in the topic you are writing about.

    Google "critique sites" or "how to improve my writing" (in both cases, ignore results that are those sales landing pages)

    Good luck!

    Oh and BTW...
    WRITE :D
     
    1cheapwebsite, Nov 30, 2011 IP
  13. 913imer

    913imer Member

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    #13
    Read a couple of articles. Use the techniques from the ones you find most compelling or attention grabbing. Use the ones you find to be poor to avoid their mistakes.
    Compelling writing is easy to read, simple to understand, and makes bold claims that are backed by evidence.
    Poor writing is unorganized, has no real sense of direction and may lack in relevancy.
     
    913imer, Dec 1, 2011 IP
  14. Sam Gilmore

    Sam Gilmore Peon

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    #14
    • Neither the outline nor the summary for your article has to be in traditional I, II, III format. The point of formatting is to help you. If you feel you can find your focus by writing a list of incomplete sentences, then go for it. Later, if your teacher wants a formal outline, you can create one from the article itself.
    • By checking grammar and spelling errors last in the editing process, you won't waste any time by correcting those on something you may delete.
    • If you're writing for a newspaper or magazine and are new to professional writing, it's customary to introduce yourself and your story in a query or pitch letter. Find the name of the editor who will be handling your piece (i.e.; if you're writing an article about cars for a newspaper, find the name of the car-section editor). This information can be found in the masthead, a box containing the names of the editors, usually found near the front or comment pages of a publication. Write a catchy but brief outline of what your story is about and why that publication's readership would be interested in it. Also include a few lines about your experience as a writer. The tone of this letter should be professional, but affable and friendly. It is not the place to make demands, or admit your shortcomings as a professional writer. Discussing wages and freelance fees should come after the editor has accepted your pitch.
    • If you have no experience as a professional writer, do not start off pitching columns (opinion pieces). Columns are generally reserved for people who have either been working at a publication for a very long time, or for people who have a particular expertise in a field. If you're new to writing, start small. Think obituaries, human-interest stories and simple news articles. It's generally easier to start with newspapers than with magazines. Try writing for life, fashion, arts, cars or travel sections before pitching stories to news. These sections tend to be understaffed and therefore have a greater budget for freelance writers.
    • If you're interested in pursuing a career as a writer, be realistic. People who make their living as writers generally start to build their portfolio of published work as early as high school. It generally takes even the most dedicated writer several years before he can make a living off of the trade. In other words, don't quit your day job. Ease into writing gradually, perhaps doing freelance pieces while maintaining a more stable job part-time.
    • Take some courses in both non-fiction and fiction writing. Not only will they help with your work, but also you can make contacts in the business by getting to know your professors and fellow writers. This will help you to be taken seriously when you start pitching articles for publication. Being a good freelance writer means knowing how to write and how to network.
    • Make sure your article answers five "w" and one"h" questions: who,why, where, when, what and how.
    • You can also research online articles and help info (like this one).
     
    Sam Gilmore, Mar 27, 2012 IP
  15. jamesdeser

    jamesdeser Peon

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    #15
    You want your web writing to make visitors want to read everything that you have to say. Web writing is personal and informal. Your job is to make sure that it is also compelling.
     
    jamesdeser, Apr 18, 2012 IP
  16. erichmond

    erichmond Peon

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    #16
    Break your idea into 4 elements...
    headline - choose something compelling to draw your audience in.
    question - ask your audience the question that you are about to write about.
    content - your take on the subject.
    conclusion - bring a conclusion to the content and invite your audience to ask questions.

    hope this helps.
     
    erichmond, Apr 18, 2012 IP
  17. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #17
    There are some basic commonsense tips you ought to follow,such as:
    (1) Choose your target demographic wisely.
    (2) Grab the readers attention with a "catchy" 1st paragraph.
    (3) Find a good publisher or a trusted fellow writer you can interact and run things by with,to help keep you on track.
    (4) Don't get carried away with long boring paragraphs,brevity does work.
    (5) Use humor whenever possible as research proves this sells what you are writing about.
    (6) Don't stray from topic,focus.
    But when all is said and done,nothing will help you if you lack imagination and a certain writing style. You either have these or you don't.
     
    Spoiltdiva, Apr 19, 2012 IP
  18. Fahey

    Fahey Peon

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    #18
    Totally agree with you, most annoying thing ever
     
    Fahey, Apr 19, 2012 IP
  19. MIAADCO

    MIAADCO Greenhorn

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    #19
    Write like your speaking to the person. Compelling content attracts the reader and keeps them attentive!
     
    MIAADCO, Apr 19, 2012 IP
  20. ArticFoxx

    ArticFoxx Peon

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    #20
    Start with the end in mind. Know where your going before you write it makes the writing process go smoother. Rarely would you jump in your car and start driving with out figuring out where your heading. Would you? (rhetorical) With that said the depth of research done can help as well.
     
    ArticFoxx, Apr 19, 2012 IP