Archive for On Writing Better – Page 25

Writing for the Web Resources: Ask the English Teacher

By Patsi Krakoff
Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

Red-apple
I got a Google alert today to say my name appeared on a blog site. I was delighted to discover this blog: Ask the English Teacher. Crawford Kilian is a retired professor who's an avid blogger.

This Ask the English Teacher blog came about when he corresponded with an English teacher in China over common confusions in English grammar.

The blog is full of great resources on writing. I recommend you visit. The list of other blogs comprise some of the most useful resources on the Web when it comes to Internet usage.

Crawford "gets it:" using good grammar isn't about being perfect. It's all about the readers and making it easy for them to understand you.

"I've taught my students that the writer's job is to make the reader's job effortless. Anything that makes the reader wonder what I really mean is a distraction and a burden. That includes mistakes in spelling (their or they're?), punctuation, and anything else that slows down understanding."

I've known about Crawford for some time and bought his book Writing for the Web 3.0. His other blog is similar in name to this blog, Writing for the Web.com. One more resource you can use for better writing…

Categories : Content Marketing, On Writing Better, Writing for the Web

8 + 2 Classic Writing Keys for Better Business Blogging

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, December 15th, 2008

Blog_RSS
If you want good advice, refer to the classics. There's no better writing advice than The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B.White. Here's a post that adapts Strunk and White's advice to blog writing.

This post comes from Dean Rieck over on Copyblogger and is titled The Ultimate Blogger Writing Guide

  1. Put the reader first
  2. Organize your thoughts
  3. Use short paragraphs 
  4. Use short sentences
  5. Use simple words
  6. Be specific 
  7. Write in a conversational style 
  8. Be clear

The number 1 error I see professionals make when it comes to business blog writing is that they are frequently ego-centric. And this isn't necessarily in a bad way, it simply doesn't bring the results they expect.

They are so passionate about their message and their expertise, they preach. They shout. They proclaim. They implore. They explain. They document and support their logic.

But they forget about that old background tune that repeats in the head of all readers: "What's in this for me?" They assume that their readers are like them and interested in the same things.

Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, On Writing Better, Writing Great Blog Content

Personal Stories on Your Business Blogs: the fine line

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, December 8th, 2008

Short-story
James Chartrand writes a great post on Copyblogger about Why You Need to Transform Your Website Into a Story. He says,

"Effective web writers are moving away from bland, factual information. Readers won’t settle for that anymore.

It isn’t interesting. It isn’t compelling.

Facts don’t stir emotions and encourage people to take action. Facts don’t sell until people look to rationalize the buying decision they’ve made at an emotional level."

I agree. People do business with people, not companies.

So when I left on vacation I wrote a post in which I expressed gratitude, shared some personal information, and explained I would be re-publishing an important series about better business blog writing.

But I got a critical email from a reader who thought this was inappropriate. Here's what happened:

Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, On Writing Better, Writing Great Blog Content

Content Marketing: Is Your Blog Like a Hungry Dragon?

By Patsi Krakoff
Friday, November 21st, 2008

Little_dragon
Is Content Marketing with a business blog like a hungry dragon you must constantly keep feeding?

Denise and I were teaching better business blogging to a group of savvy professionals at Kim Duke's Prosperity Cafe yesterday. Kim, the Sales Diva, mentioned many of her people are intimidated by taking up blogging because of the fear of not being able to come up with good content on a regular basis.

When you think about it that way, yes, I can see where someone might imagine facing the daunting task of feeding the hungry blogging dragon every morning. You must write frequently, and provide valuable content otherwise your blog doesn't work like it should.

Denise and I tried to explain, it's really not that bad. And yes, you do have to feed the damn beast if you want your biz blog readers to keep coming back for more.

And then I read a superb post by the brilliantly talented Sonia Simone over on Copyblogger, The Matrix Guide to Content Marketing. Even if you're not a fan of The Matrix, think of the four quadrants used by consulting firms to look at 4 aspects of your business.

Everything you do with your blog and your business goes into one of these sectors:

Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, On Writing Better

3 Contest Winners Announced for ‘Make Me Think’ Ideas

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, November 10th, 2008

Confused_mind
Cheryl, Kevin and Lisa@Serahs are winners in our contest to contribute ideas to the post 10 Ways to Write to Make Readers Think. And I’m throwing in a bonus question winner: Monica.

Please email me to tell me which book you want from the list of marketing books and where to send it.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to give ideas, they are all valuable. I’ll still send you a free book from the list if you agree to pay for the shipping. (Subject to what’s left on the list, of course.)

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, On Writing Better, Online Marketing

10 Ways to Write to Make Readers Think

By Patsi Krakoff
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Confused_mind
When it comes to content marketing, there are ways to write content so
it actively markets you and your business without being “in-your-face”
sales copy or boring product reviews or press releases.

I’m reminded of an excellent book on creating effective website design called Don’t Make Me Think.
The premise is that a customer searching for products and services
online shouldn’t have to figure out how to find what they’re looking
for on your website.

When it comes to reading your blog, however, please, please DO make me
think! Your blog posts should have meaty content that stimulates
readers to ask questions, to comment, to agree wholeheartedly, or
disagree vociferously.

How can you do that? Ahhh, let me think about that a minute here… Wait! I’ve got an idea. I’ll build a list of ideas to make readers think. And, YOU can contribute to the list!

Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, How to...Tips, On Writing Better, Writing Great Blog Content

Content Marketing at Its Finest: Pronouns!

By Patsi Krakoff
Thursday, October 30th, 2008

I + YOU  –When it comes to content marketing, there’s a fine line between good writing and great writing. The difference is in the 1% nuances…

If I could put my finger on one element of great content marketing and blog writing, it would be in the simple use of ‘I’ and ‘you’ pronouns. This is the mark of a good conversation and you can do the same thing with your writing style to create conversational marketing in your blog posts.

Here’s an email review of one of our client’s blogs that I wrote that explains what I mean:

Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, On Writing Better

Writing on the Web: A few “what if’s” to consider…

By Patsi Krakoff
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

Questionmark
What if you could spend 20-30 minutes a day writing 200-300 words on your blog and bring in hordes of first time visitors and regular subscribers?

What if your words happen to resonate with someone who at that particular moment in time was really suffering. .. and what if your words saved them from despair? Gave them hope? Offered solutions?

And what if you were able to offer solutions, products and services that could change the lives of 5-7 times as many people as you did last year?

What if people came to you, read what you have to say, then felt instant connection with you? These people might pick up the phone and call you, already convinced they want to work with you.

All this is possible when you write on the Web. I am living proof.

Along with my partner Denise Wakeman, we’ve started a new Facebook group called Massive Visibility Mastermind to gather together like-minded professionals who want to learn how this works.

Please join if you’re interested by going here: Massive Visibility Mastermind.

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, On Writing Better, Online Marketing

Client Stories Make the Best Content for Marketing

By Patsi Krakoff
Sunday, October 5th, 2008

Donnamariacolesjohnson
Donna Maria Cole Johnson writes a terrific blog called the Indie Business Blog, and never runs out of ideas for what to write. She says,

“…it’s not about me. It’s about my audience, my listeners. I love them
and I am here to serve them. I think they sense that and it keeps them
coming back.”

Featuring stories about the people in her network, her readers say “…it reminds them that they are not alone and lets them see real
life details of how other Indies handle the same problems they have.”

What a terrific way to develop content that attracts like minded people and to build a huge community of fans. I recently interviewed Donna Maria about her use of content for marketing, and her responses are enlightening. She maintains an active participation online through Twitter and Facebook besides her blog and radio show. Here’s her interview:

Read More→

Categories : Content Marketing, On Writing Better, Online Marketing

Top 10 Writing Blogs Announced

By Patsi Krakoff
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

Red_ribbon
Top 10 writing blogs? Not an easy task, because there are so many different kinds of writing blogs as there are so many different kinds of writers.

But here’s what readers of Michael Stelzner’s Writing White Papers blog voted for. Check these resources out, you’ll find good inspiration no matter what, how, or why you write.

  1. Copyblogger: As the undefeated champ, this blog has held the number-one spot for three straight years!  The baby of Brian Clark, this blog keeps winning because of its excellent and educational articles.
  2. Men With Pens: James Chartrand and Harry McLeod are the dynamic duo who continue to deliver rich content and community discussion.
  3. Freelance Writing Jobs: Founded by Deb Ng, this site is the first stop for freelance writers seeking new work and great articles (and it remains a top winner since this contest began).
  4. Write to Done: This blog delivers a steady stream of excellent articles for all writers and is the product of top blogger Leo Babauta.
  5. Confident Writing:  Looking for encouragement? Joanna Young will help you take your writing to the next level.
  6. The Renegade Writer: Linda Formichelli and Diana Burell, authors of a book by the same name, help freelance journalists find inspiration.
  7. Remarkable Communication: One part writing, one part marketing and one part selling, this excellent blog by Sonia Simone will help any writer succeed.
  8. Writing Journey: Looking for a great stop on your writing journey? Bob Younce’s blog will refresh and energize you.
  9. Freelance Parent: Two moms, Lorna Doone Brewer and Tamara Berry, provide excellent perspective on writing while balancing time with little ones.
  10. Urban Muse: Susan Johnson covers a wide range of excellent topics that all writers will enjoy.

Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, On Writing Better
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