Issue 149 of the Excess Voice newsletter for online copywriters

For information on my coaching service for freelancers copywriters, visit:

Excess Voice Newsletter
February 2007, Issue # 149

In this issue:

>> Intro: Thanks!
>> Review: Writing Rituals - and stress
>> Article: What kind of place is this anyway?
>> Survey: Do you get stressed?

===============================================

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

===============================================

Greetings,

Thanks for all the great feedback over the last few issues...and for the comments about my new guide, Writing Rituals.

In this issue the article returns to the topic of writing for the web, with a look at how we judge the character of the sites we work on.

Plus I have included some feedback on Writing Rituals, revealing a whole new aspect to the challenge of writing for a living...stress.

Until next time,

Nick

Nick Usborne

>> Feedback: mailto:nick@excessvoice.com

===============================================

REVIEW: Writing Rituals - And procrastination-induced stress.

If you had a chance to read my email last week, you'll know about the new guide I just wrote and published - Writing Rituals.

I have had some great feedback on the guide, and particularly appreciated the comments from Ray Edwards. He was complimentary, which is nice. But he also pointed out an aspect of writers' procrastination that I hadn't thought about. If I had, I would have included it in the guide.

Here's what he wrote:

"I just wanted to drop you a line and say "thanks" for the Rituals. Although I have been very blessed in my writing practice, and I love what I do... I find myself constantly struggling with distraction.

I've never missed a deadline... but I have probably shaved a few years off my life because of procrastination-induced stress.

Now, thanks to your book, I have an understanding of why I behave this way. Even better, I now know how to overcome this problem once and for all. I really appreciate this book -- so again, thank you!"

He's right. When we procrastinate, we are simply setting ourselves up for tighter deadlines and a great deal more stress.

You can learn more about Writing Rituals here:
http://www.writingrituals.com/excess.html

(This is the url with the discount for Excess Voice readers. It will be up for a few more days only.)

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

===============================================

ARTICLE: What kind of place is this anyway?

That's one of the first questions I ask myself when asked to do any work on a web site.

What do I mean by that phrase?

In my mind I categorize a site. I try to place it within some kind of broad, recognized model.

I might think:

- This is a regular online store.

- This is a formal information site, with an archive of content.

- This is a fairly static services-for-sale site, like a realtor's site or a consultant's site etc.

- This is an online store, or information site, or services-for-sale site, but with a difference. (Tightly niched or with a particular attitude.)

And so on.

But over the last year or so I have had to broaden my list of categories to include descriptions like:

- This is a visitor-driven online store. (Tons of buyer feedback and ratings etc.)

- This is an information site which is driven by its readers. (Wikis, customer-generated content, comment fields.)

- This is a services-for-sale site that invites reader participation.

And in a couple more years, I imagine I'll be broadening these rough categories even more.

Why do I try to get a sense of what kind of "place" each site represents?

Because it's going to have a big impact on how I write for it.

Every site has its own character. It has a feel that is created both by the site's design and its text.

After reading a few pages, you get a pretty good idea of how you should be writing if you want your new copy or content to fit in with what is already there.

And what kind of place could or should this be?

As the web evolves and becomes more interactive, I find myself being asked to write for sites which are stuck somewhere in the late 1990's.

So instead of simply getting a feel for the site and then writing copy that matches, I raise my hand and suggest to the client that its time to start creating a different kind of place.

Maybe this will involve adding elements that invite visitor interaction and contributions.

Or maybe I'll feel that the audience of the site has evolved over recent years, and it's time to start interacting with them in a different way.

Or maybe the market has changed, and it's time to shift the focus of the site.

I'm working right now on a project which fits into this last category. The site is focused on its market as if it were still 1999.

The market has changed. As have the scope and priorities of its customers.

What I'm trying to say...

For writers and copywriters it's sometimes tempting simply to follow the brief and start writing. And getting a sense of place is a good place to start when doing that.

But there is another service we can offer our clients.

We can help our clients evolve their sites, so they become better matched to the constantly changing needs and demands of their audiences.

In other words, we can help our clients create a better place for their customers.

>> Feedback: mailto:nick@excessvoice.com

===============================================

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/

===============================================

SURVEY: Do you get stressed?

Writing and copywriting, whether for a company or as a freelancer, can be stressful. Do you find your writing work stressful at times?

[ ] Yes, sometimes

[ ] Yes, most of the time

[ ] No, it's happy time from dawn to dusk

If Yes, what causes you the most stress? .......................

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

===============================================

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

Ask me to write for your site, emails and newsletters.
http://www.nickusborne.com/copywriting.htm

Ask me to optimize your key offer pages...
http://www.nickusborne.com/consulting.htm

Writing For the Web #1

7 Challenges every Writer and Copywriter faces when writing for the Web

Sign up NOW and I'll send you the link where you can download this 35-page guide...

(Your email address will be used only for the purpose of sending you this newsletter, and you'll be free to unsubscribe at any time.)

7 Ways to Optimize the Performance of Your Home Page

7 Ways to Power Up Your Landing Page Headlines

The 6 Elements of a Content-Rich, Money-Making eNewsletter

6 Questions to Ask Yourself when Writing Subject Lines for Your Emails and eNewsletters

Get ahead faster by networking with influential people in your industry