11 Ways To Get An Editors Attention
|
|
I worked as a business magazine editor for about 20 years. During that time, thousands of news stories and press releases crossed my desk.
How does an editor decide what stories to run, and which ones to throw away? If you know what an editor looks for, you've got a better chance to see your work in print.
Not all editors are like me. But the following items attracted my attention:
1. A great headline ? I always looked for (1) unique news or (2) something that solved a problem.
If you can combine the two, that's even better. Example: "Local man alleviates mosquitoes with homemade organic remedy."
2. Expert advice ? What do you know a lot about? Can you write about it from a READER'S perspective? (I discuss that in Chapter Two of my book "Words That Stick.")
If your writing can reflect your expertise about a subject, this can give your story added status.
3. A local viewpoint ? Does your story discuss local people? Or, if you're writing to an industry magazine, does your story carry the names of industry leaders?
4. A 1-2-3 approach ? Does your story offer a methodology to solve a problem? Example: "Five steps to a more beautiful yard."
5. Shortcuts ? Most readers look for faster, easier ways to accomplish various tasks. Does your story show them that shortcut?
6. History ? Have you found an ancient plate in your back yard? Is your office located in a hundred-year-old building? Stories with historical significance generally get good readership.
7. Predictions ? Many readers love features like this, and you see a bunch of them around the first of each year. However, I think they're appropriate anytime. Example: "Writing coach predicts e-mail letters will become shorter."
8. Redemption ? OK, this is one of my favorites! Examples: "The worst mistake I ever made."
These stories generally talk about how a mistake led to a great success.
9. Odd items ? Can your dog bark the alphabet? Can your cat predict the weather? Stories like this often get amazing readership.
10. Short paragraphs ? Personal opinion: I love short paragraphs of one or two sentences. Longer ones make my eyes ? and my mind ? stray.
11. Summation ? A good story generally offers a logical conclusion. It helps me if the last paragraph emphasizes the main point of what I've just read.
Rix Quinn's book "Words That Stick" offers all sorts of ideas to make your writing more effective. It's available from your local bookstore, or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580085768/qid/
For details on group discounts or speaking engagements, e-mail Rix at mailto:rixquinn@charter.net
|
|
|
Created & Maintained by Empower! CMS Web Sites
Host2Sell Web Hosting | Emarketing Workshops | Site SEO Review | FREE NewsletterSeo Copywriting: 7 Tips
So you finally built a website for your home-based business. How exciting is that!? Now you just have to let people know you're out there. The best method is to use an SEO copywriting strategy, which optimizes your web content using popular keywords.SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. You want to fill your website with the most commonly searched words within your industry. These words are called ...(related: Copywriting)
Top 8 Techniques - Secrets - Create Ad Copy For Your Business To Sky Rocket
Perhaps the most important benefit in the material that follows is its ability to provide you with the necessary concepts and constructs which are critical for becomingsuccessful by utilizing m...(related: Copywriting)
Copywriting Tricks: Nailing The Voice
Professional copywriters are well-familiar with what's commonly referred to as "the voice." What is this exactly, and why do you need to master it in your writing?If writing is icecream, then "the voice" is the flavor in your scoop. You may be slurping on mellow vanilla, while I'm over here crunching Rocky Road. Sure, we're bothing having a cold and creamy treat, but our wa...(related: Copywriting)
12 Copywriting Tips To Make Your Advertising More Profitable
Year after year people make the same mistakes in direct-response copy and advertising. You can avoidthe most common and costly blunders by following these profit-enhancing tips...1. WRITE IN DIRECT RESPONSE LANGUAGE:* Use short paragraphs and short words. This articlehas 68% short words-five letters or less. Strive forat least 65%-75%. Never go under 50% unless you arewriting to Ph.D's.* Make your sentences and paragraphs flow like a breeze.* Ignore good grammar when you have a good reason.* Keep the bucket brigade going: Start paragraphs withAnd, But..., ...(related: Copywriting)
How To Develop A Killer News Hook
When you are going to write a press release probably the most important thing you can do is create a killer news hook. A press release without a news hook is just blatant advertising, plain and simple. There is nothing that turns off journalists more than a press release that's just advertising, and when you turn them off, they're often off for good.So, with this in mind, creating a news hook for your press release and media plan in general is probably the most important thing that you can do. But, how do you do it?A...(related: Copywriting)
Copywriting: Secrets Of A Freelancer
Lately, I've been getting emails from other copywriters who ask me questions like "What's your secret?" and "How did you do it?" and "Can I be your apprentice?"Aw, heck, are you serious? People are talking to me like I'm some kind of demi-goddess... when really, I'm just a humble girl from Jersey who's having a fun time running a freelance copywriting business.I take that back. Freelancing isn't fun. It's AMAZING. Brilliant marketing, like beautiful music, makes my arm hairs stand up. Meeting people who share my passion for writing and dreaming up clever advertising strategies exhilarates me. Connecting with entrepreneurial geniuses who can teach me things I didn't know before is such an incredible privilege. Having the option to walk away from people I don't respect... well, ...(related: Copywriting)
How To Write Direct Mail That Really, Really Works!
So, you have something you want to sell. It may be a product, a service, or a cause. It could be a membership, a subscription, or a motor car. It might be paper, health products or the idea that the humane society or the Alzheimer's association is worth giving money to. It could be comput...(related: Copywriting)
Writing For Sex Markets
Many professional freelancers will go their entire career without ever once writing a story about sex. Oh, they may craft a racy sc...(related: Copywriting)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 Empower! Web Design | All Rights Reserved. | Copywriting