Issue 147 of the Excess Voice newsletter for online copywriters

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Excess Voice Newsletter
January 2007, Issue # 147

In this issue:

>> Intro: Reading backwards
>> Review: Search Marketing Benchmark Guide 2008
>> Article: Are you sure you can't start work on that job?
>> Survey: Do have trouble starting?

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Ask me to give a training seminar or webinar for your writers or web team.
http://www.nickusborne.com/speaking.htm

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Greetings,

First, I owe a big thank-you to the many people who responded to the last issue's survey about proofreading.

I received some great feedback, including two tips which weren't included in my article.

1. Read your copy backwards, word by word. It won't make any sense, but it's a great way to help you spot spelling errors.

2. Use a text-to-voice program and have your computer read your copy to you. This may work even better than having a friend or colleague read it, because your computer will provide a straight delivery of your writing, and won't have the capacity to compensate for errors in typing or flow.

This issue's article is also about the practice of writing, and takes a look at one of my own weaknesses when starting out on a new project.

And, if you think the economy going to soften up a bit this year, be sure to take a look at this issue's review.

Until next time,

Nick

Nick Usborne

>> Feedback: mailto:nick@excessvoice.com

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REVIEW: Search Marketing Benchmark Guide 2008 from MarketingSherpa

Save 10%....(Excess Voice subscribers only.)

In the face of a softening economy, or a recession even, it makes a lot of sense to pay close attention to search marketing.

By building more expertise in-house, many companies will be able to extend their marketing reach through increased search exposure, with fewer dollars.

If that sounds like a smart way forward, then your company's first investment should be to get a copy of the Search Marketing Benchmark Guide 2008 from MarketingSherpa.

As I mentioned in the last issue, this is a heavyweight guide for serious search engine marketers, revealing the latest facts, figures and trends in the broader world of search marketing.

SEM includes organic search, PPC, video search and more.

With 275 pages and 184 charts and tables, this report provides an unrivalled insight into where SEM money is being spent, what's working best and where the latest trends are taking us, worldwide.

By following the links below, you'll be entitled to a 10% discount, available only to Excess Voice Subscribers (Until January 31 only).

Learn more and save 10% here:
http://SearchMktgBenchmarks.MarketingSherpa.com

Or read my review here:
http://www.excessvoice.com/search-marketing-2008.htm

Previous reviews:

#1. The 2008 Landing Page Handbook from MarketingSherpa

Whether you purchased the first edition of this handbook or not, you should be running to get a copy of this latest edition. It reveals the latest best practices for optimizing a broad range of landing pages, with data drawn from over 3,000 online marketers.

Read my review:
http://www.excessvoice.com/landing-page.htm

#2. Desktop Marketing

A course for freelancers who want to increase their income by offering writing AND design services. For writers with even basic design skills, this is a great way maximize revenues from every job you do.

Read my review:
http://www.excessvoice.com/desktop-marketing.htm

#3. The Freelance Copywriter Fee & Compensation Survey, Volume 2.

This is the second volume of this survey, fully up to date, and with a lot more information on what to charge for 40 different types of freelance copywriting work, how to find new assignments, and more.

Read my review...
http://www.excessvoice.com/copywriting-fees-survey.htm

#4. Michael Masterson's Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting

This is the only copywriting course I wholeheartedly recommend to any copywriter who wants to write copy that drives results.

Read my review:
http://www.excessvoice.com/michael-masterson.htm

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ARTICLE: Are you sure you can't start work on that job?

This article isn't about writing for the web. It's about a little productivity issue that can trip us up when working on any writing task.

Come to think about it, it may well apply to a lot of other professions as well. But let's stick to writing.

Here's my own experience of how I sometime sabotage my own attempts to get a task completed.

I'll be briefed on a particular task. It could be a web page that needs writing, a series of emails, or an e-newsletter.

I gather together all the information I need in order to get started.

But sometimes there's some information missing.

Maybe a small part of the brief is missing. Or an emailed question remains unanswered.

The missing element can be quite small, but the effect its absence has on me can be quite large.

Here's what happens. I stall. I come to a halt. The dumb part of my brain says, "Hey, we can't start on that project because we're still missing an important piece of information."

Naturally, I believe the dumb part of my brain.

Then I start to get stressed and slightly annoyed. I had planned to do that job today, and if I have to do it tomorrow it will mess up my schedule for the rest of the week.

So now I'm feeling a little stressed, a little annoyed and a little distracted.

Clearly, this is not a good thing.

And the dumb part of my brain is not correct in telling me I can't get started. I can.

I can do all the research on the job. I can start taking notes. I can add the client/job/date/draft# header information on the Word documents I'll be opening for the copy.

And depending on the nature of the missing information, I can start writing a first draft of various elements on the page or the email.

So what's going on here?

It's probably a stubborn streak in me. Or copywriter's vanity. Or just plain ego.

I LIKE to get all the information in hand before I start on a job. I like to know I am working with people who provide me with everything I need.

But that shouldn't mean that I become inflexible.

And it certainly doesn't mean I should shoot myself in the foot.

What have I learned from this flaw in my professional character?

I have learned to recognize the voice of the dumb part in my brain. Now, when I hear it, I pause. And I ask myself whether I should take any notice of what it says.

Usually, I shouldn't.

>> Feedback: mailto:nick@excessvoice.com

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JOB BOARD

** Looking for an online copywriter or web content writer?

Post your job on the Excess Voice Job Board and reach over 15,000 copywriters a month.
http://excessvoice.jobcoin.com/

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SURVEY: Do you have trouble starting?

In this issue's article I described one little trick my brain plays on me. How about you? Do you ever have trouble getting started on a new project? If so, do you know why?

[ ] Yes
[ ] No

Comments:

(NOTE: Any comments and your name may be published in the next issue, or on the Excess Voice web site.)

Cut and paste your replies to me at mailto:nick@excessvoice.com

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NICK USBORNE'S SERVICES:

Yes, I do more than write articles and publish newsletters.

Ask me to give a training seminar or webinar for your writers or web team.

http://www.nickusborne.com/speaking.htm

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http://www.nickusborne.com/copywriting.htm

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