What do you think of these articles on text writing

[chemicaleyes]

aimed at newbies:
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We speak to each other with ease. Some of us are more vocal; but, we all use language with which to communicate. When you're sitting in front of your computer, wrestling with your first gallery or free site, I can see your fingers freeze when it comes to page layout and that foreign concept of writing marketing text.

To those of you who are new to this industry, you're not selling sex. You're selling a fantasy. When it comes to marketing, words and graphics are all you have to convey a message. The words you choose will mean the difference between selling and applying for a job at McDonalds. I know we all joke about newbies and the fast food industry; but, in all truth, text is what separates the sales person from someone who doesn't belong in this business. It's a harsh statement, to be sure; however, it's one which needs to be said. Out loud.

Here are a few marketing text tips for those of you who are poised over your keyboards, trying to think of what to say.

Never ask a question to which you don't already know the answer. Plus, you don't want to ever ask a question, for which the answer might be no. It's called a closed ended question and only allows for two responses, yes or no. Any questions you do ask should have built in answers. For instance, instead of saying:

"Don't you love sexy babes?"

You may, instead, want to say:

"Which sexy babe do you want to fuck? Jessica or Kat?"

When a question is asked this way, the surfer feels they have a choice; but, the choices are already fixed in their heads because you've manipulated the possible answer. This way, the surfer chooses which girl, not whether or not he wants to fuck. You can already assume they want something with which to masturbate, so why ask them if they want an orgasm, when that answer is already obvious. Asking them a yes or no question allows them to say no, close out your browser and leave. This means no possibility of sales.

Never ever use the word 'if'. The idea is to manipulate your surfer and convince him to click, so he will spend money. When you use the word 'if', again, you're allowing him to think about whether or not he wants what you're offering.

I've seen this too many times:

"If you're into dirty, nasty porn, you really want to click here".

No. A resounding no.

Tell them what they want. Plant the seed inside their heads.

"You love nasty, dirty porn, just like I do. Click here. THIS is what I'm talking about".

When writing sales text, the idea is to make statements which tickle the fancy of the particular audience you are targeting. When you write text to sell a mature audience, make sure the words you're using are not condescending toward those who love older women. Understand the guys who are into mature ladies really, really like them, for reasons which may be beyond your scope of understanding or preference. This being the case leaves you with two choices. Either research the niche for which you want to earn revenue or don't create sites for that niche.

If heavy, BBW women are a turn off for you, then, don't create the site. You won't be able to come up with marketable text, so why try to create words for a niche you don't understand or like.

When writing text for any kind of site, the goal is to find the words which jump off the page and grab the surfer by his proverbial balls. Graphics designers are always striving for the graphical look, which is different and interesting and spicy. Text design follows the same principles. The words you use are part and parcel of your communication with the surfer, something we need to do with specific, targeted words, since we do not have body language nor do we have hand gestures or facial expressions.

Punctuation gives inflection to our sentences. Use of periods and commas and exclamation points allow us to show emotions.

There must also be a careful balance between too much text and not enough text. Too many words will bore them, especially words using a size one font. For pity's sake, remember there is money to be spent by folks who wear reading glasses. They need to see. Conversely, size 300 is condescending and takes up too much space. Many people still have their browsers set for 800 x 600, so accommodate the size of your text toward your audience.

The site which has the best chance of selling is one which marries graphics and words, targeted to a specific audience, keyword rich and spicy. The goal of those who are new to the industry is to learn that balance.

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aimed at veterans:
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Every webmaster faces the daunting task of writing marketing text. An Internet web page has all the graphics necessary for visual stimulation; but, to complete the site, you have to talk to the surfer. Webmasters who have been in the industry for longer than a minute know how important text is. Words give a web page added dimension and its own distinctive flavour. Text completes the site and is essential for any chance of earning revenue.

Search engines cannot help but spider text. No matter what the dance is for the day, no matter how often the algorithms change, words get spidered. The utilization of keyword rich, emotion evoking sentences, or phrases can mean the difference between selling and not selling.

Each and every niche demands usage of certain words and a style of language, which, if successfully executed, will attract and entice the surfer. The ultimate goal of every web site, whether it be free or member based, is to lure the surfer in, manipulate their senses, and get them to spend money.

Link lists and TGPs are now determining which words they don't want, such as 'young' and 'teen'. It's only a matter of time before VISA begins its witch hunt for terms they deem inappropriate. There are influences present in today's society, making it a higher risk when describing that succulent young teen model, while, at the same time, making sure the world knows she's over the age of consent for US audiences.

It sounds pretty easy. It's not. The ability to talk blindly to a target audience, whose age is only surmised, but necessarily known, is difficult on the best of days. When you're in a bar, you've got body language and facial expressions to convey what you mean. When you're cranking out hundreds of sites a day, creativity with words becomes tedious. Marketing text has to 'speak' to the specific surfer, which means you, the webmaster, must learn the vernacular of that particular group. If the niche is for those in the forty and up crowd, gangsta Ebonics is going to be a turn off. Smack talk doesn't always work, either. There is a growing group of people who are tired of hahahaha talk, that harsh 'fuck' language, which is designed to shock.

It's imperative to research your niche. Use the phrases which trigger a buying response from your surfer, which means calling a BBW a humongous whale will not get your audience in the mood.

Believe it or not, I read personal ads. It's amazing what you'll find written by surfers for surfers. I also surf the message boards. Just type in a keyword and add the word 'forum' and you can find all kinds of message boards where ordinary people hang out. As you sift through their messages, you can get a feel for what turns them on, what makes them horny.

When writing a bio for a chick, don't try to sound like the girl, if you're a guy. You're a guy. You can't be a girl. It takes a special kind of talent to be multi-gendered when writing advertising copy. It's difficult to write; it's impossible to be someone you're not. Just talk. Tell the surfer what you want him to know. Pretend you're standing in front of a group, describing this really cool site you found. Talk out loud, as you're typing. You'll be able to hear the inflection in your own voice, which will give you the areas necessary for punctuation, such as commas and periods.

Shouting tends to turn off surfers, so be careful with capitalisations and exclamation points. Font size does not have to be huge; it takes up too much space and even new surfers will find where you want them to click. Conversely, small fonts may just lose an important segment of the population. Those who are far sighted need glasses to read. Font size one is too tiny for anyone. Remember. We want to give the surfer a hard on, not a headache.

Visit chat rooms to see how people talk to each other. I've gotten many great text ideas from AOL chat rooms.

Playboy and Penthouse and Hustler used to be great sources for text. I don't use them much anymore, because they are all beginning to sound the same.

I think the most important factor in writing marketable text is the relationship your words form with the surfer. Appeal to his desires and you've increased your chances of selling. Make sure you're using the language which will provoke or evoke the response. Otherwise, you're just publishing another web site, indistinguishable from all the others.

[404]

err, surfers actually read the text?

[Tala]

Originally posted by 404
err, surfers actually read the text?

errr YES.

Nicely written stuff chemicaleyes.

[twistyneck]

Nice but needs to be edited to about 50% of what you have. The first paragraph for example could be cut by about 3/4.

[Basic_man]

Originally posted by 404
err, surfers actually read the text?

We think yes..!

[maxjohan]

Big?


Increase the sales of big wine or
champagne bottles with 70%...


Good text, think like a surfer.




*Back to work and my headache.

[$5 submissions]

Originally posted by 404
err, surfers actually read the text?

You better believe it.

A good design and great content may OPEN an opportunity for a signup but great text CLOSES the deal.

[KraZ]

Hey, chemicaleyes... CONGRATS on being the #1 thread - mail [email protected] for the prize

[Mishi]

I think Ra- er, she - er, the author is one of the most brilliant marketers in this business. And thanks for reminding me I need to listen to her more often.

[chemicaleyes]

Originally posted by KraZ
Hey, chemicaleyes... CONGRATS on being the #1 thread - mail [email protected] for the prize

thanks for the heads up

[chemicaleyes]

Originally posted by Tala
Nicely written stuff chemicaleyes.

cheers, these were not writen by me, but for me/urlsx

[bluff]

nice text

[Chris E]

Great articles mate.

[CrazyNakedChick]

great article!

[Raf1]

good stuff to read

[rabbit]

lots of good tips, thanx!

rabbit

[chemicaleyes]

one bump for anyone that missed these and might find them helpful

[johnbosh]

Originally posted by 404
err, surfers actually read the text?

[chemicaleyes]

Originally posted by johnbosh

If you don't know that surfers read text by now, you have a problem. IMO