Professional Writing Benefits Your Readers

Compelling, easy to read professional writing that hooks and engages your reader will also benefit you.

You may be a professional, an entrepreneur, a coach or consultant, even an author. It's one thing to know your topic and business focus, but another to get your readers hooked, and ready to buy what you offer.

You need to know how to write crisp, compelling copy in your book so your audience will FINISH it and rave about it. Your website must educate your visitors so they will want to click over to read about your services and products. You need to write short articles like this one that are succinct, organized and offer something new and unique.

To sell well, your articles, reports, books, and copywriting need to pass the 5- item checklist below:

1.___ Make your book , article title or headlines grab your reader by the collar.

If your titles and headlines are ho hum, your prospective audience will leave you instantly. Headlines and titles are far more important than the copy that follows. A clever title is great, but an even better title is clever and clear.

Short titles with an abundance of key words in them sell best. The search engines love them and they are easy to remember. Make each word count because your potential buyer will spend only four-eight seconds on the book front cover.Your website sales letters and your home page headlines must grab your visitors' emotions and curiosity to lead them to buy. Make your headlines benefit driven and specific for more impact.

2.___ Create your opening paragraph of your book chapter, your article, your book's introduction, or your web copy to entice your reader to continue.

It's not the book, it's the hook. In fiction chapters, start with the most exciting and important incident first. For fiction and non-fiction, open with dialogue. It's more present and exciting. It shows rather than tells. In non-fiction chapters open with two or three compelling questions your reader can connect with. Point out your readers' challenges through them. Then follow with the thesis, a story and other solutions. Apply this to article and web writing.

3.___ Pursue savvy friends and associates to edit your work.

Send them a survey asking for their feedback on small amounts at a time. Always reward them with a free book at the finish, or a free special report you create from your longer pieces. Edit two times before you submit your piece to a professional editor or book coach.

4.___ Use strong, emotional or visual, power verbs rather than linking verbs like "is," "there is," "start to" or begin."

These linking verbs create passive, long sentences. They stop movement and slow readers down or bore them. Readers expect straightforward copy, and when they don't get it, they will put your book or other writing down, never to return. Not a good way to receive word of mouth referrals. Start your sentences with the subject, and then add a power, action verb.

5. ___ Stop loading your copy with telling words like adverbs.

Every time you see a "very" or an -ly ending in your work, rethink. Check with your Thesaurus to see the more compelling possibilities. Think corpulent instead of very fat. One specific word is always better than two mundane ones. When you see "suddenly," a favorite of most novice writers, map out a picture, dialogue, or emotion to show sudden movement.Your audience can relate to the picture or emotion, but not to -ly. This is how to engage your audience to stay with you.

Professional writing attracts contacts, clients, readers and web visitors because it is fresh, clear writing. Make a difference in others' lives using this "write like a pro" checklist.

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