FAQ: What is Search Engine Optimization?

Review of The Step-by-Step Copywriting Course by Karon Thackston

The Step-By-Step™ Copywriting Course "Karon doesn't just *tell* you how to write great copy; she explains why certain techniques work and why others don't, and provides stunning examples to back it all up." - Jill Whalen - Author of The Nitty-gritty of Writing for the Search Engines "I was amazed at how you were able to analyze each behavior type and show exactly how to write to suit each one! " - Ron Knowlton www.soaringprofits.com

A few questions to ponder:

• Are you proud of your web site’s copy?
• Did you put more time and money into your site’s design than the copy?
• Does your site’s copy speak to your target customer and motivate them to buy?

No, No, and No? You’re not alone. I felt the same way about my web site’s copy. However, like many web site owners, I found that the biggest challenge to writing compelling copy was figuring out where to start.

As you probably already know, copywriting is all about getting people to do what you want them do to. With web sites that may be selling a product, filling out a contact form, or downloading your latest eBook.

Personally, I learned how to write web copy through a combination of mimicking writing I liked on other web sites (not to be confused with stealing copy, which is obviously a bad idea) but I didn’t have a structured copywriting process that would help generate a clear and consistent message for my prospective customers.

It turns out that there is a systematic approach to professional copywriting, and Karon Thackston or Marketing Words has laid it out in her eBook, “The Step-by-Step Copywriting Course.” Karon is a professional copywriter who writes copy for online businesses and is president of www.MarketingWords.com. Her writing skills have helped hundreds of businesses over the past 20 years.

Karon’s course breaks down the methods used by a professional copywriter into ten easy lessons that will help you channel your knowledge in to sales copy your customers will find compelling.

Valuable Lessons

Karon will bring structure to the writing process and confidence to your writing by walking you through the process of deciding:

• Who is my target customer? Karon has a great process for identifying who your target customer really is and what motivates them. Without this, how can you write appropriate copy?
• Should I use long or short copy? Different customers or products are sold most effectively with different styles. Do you know what’s more appropriate for your business?
• How should you adjust your writing style for men and women? It goes without saying that men and women are different, but how should that influence your writing?
• How do I write good headlines? What draws people in?
• How do I add emotion to my writing? Emotions build relationships features alone simply can’t.

How to use the book?

Thackston opens the book with some great ideas on how her book could be used to best improve your writings. My own suggestion is to consume one lesson a day for 10 days so you have time to digest what you’ve learned. Assuming you do that, your writing power and confidence will increase and sales will follow.

More Information:

Visit www.CopywritingCourse.com for more information.

Ed Kohler is the President of Haystack In A Needle, Inc., a web marketing firm in Minneapolis, MN, offering search engine optimization and pay per click advertising consulting services.

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