Last week I went over crafting effective titles and how a title can be used to qualify a buyer. This week I'm going to cover creating copy that sells.

After you've gone through the trouble of getting the surfer to your page you want to keep them there for as long as it takes to get them to buy. This can take two minutes, or twenty. Your goal is create copy that sells to the impulse buyer as effectively as it sells to the discerning buyer.

First I'll go over the basics of copywriting. Members of the supporters forums, skip this if you've read it.

As a copywriter you have two objectives. Convince and stimulate. You must convince your reader that you have something distinctive to offer and stimulate them to purchase it. You can use the hard sell approach or the informational brochure technique but your goal will remain the same. Convince and stimulate.

Never lose sight of that goal.

Now I'll address the things you should do before you begin to write.

1. Ready your work area. Gather your notes, a dictionary and a thesaurus.

2. Research your product or service. You must define the product and determine which features and benefits will interest your buyers. Make a numbered list of the features and benefits the product offers. Evaluate the product as if you were the consumer. Query users of the product if possible.

3. Position the product. Determine how the product relates to similar products. Note different features and benefits. Make a list of what makes your product better. Are your competitors offering something you aren't?

4. Define your target market. You must tailor your writing to the taste of your readers. Are you targeting young adults or bank presidents? Housewives or cost conscious small business owners? Define your demographic target.

5. Decide on your marketing strategy. This is where you determine whether you want to use the hard sell approach or use the informational brochure technique or combine both techniques. Determine the length of your copy. If you can sell the product in 500 words, write 500. If you can sell the product in 100 words, write 100.

You need to remember these points while you write;

1. Your goal is to convince and stimulate. This is not the time to see how much prose you can write nor is it the time to impress the reader with your vocabulary.

2. Write in an active voice.

3.. Be truthful. Do not make false claims. Emphasize the selling points while sticking to the facts.

4. Be specific. Our widget software will work on most operating systems is bad. Our widget software will work on Win95, Win98, Win2000, WinMe and Mac versions OS8/OS9 is good.

5. Stay organized. Everything you write should flow from the first sentence to a logical conclusion. Don't refer to a point you made in a previous paragraph, simply repeat what you want to say.

6. Do not be afraid to repeat yourself. You want the reader to remember what you write. Do not be afraid to repeat yourself.

7. Write with clarity. Avoid long or complex sentences.

8. Use a bold font to highlight important divisions in your copy. Do not use multiple exclamation points to express excitement about your product's benefits.

9. Do not use humor to sell unless you are really good at it. You do not know if you are really good at it, only your readers will know.

10. Don't lose sight of your goal, which is to convince and stimulate.

Writing Copy That Sells

Before you write a single word learn the AIDA Formula.

Attention, Interest, Desire, Action

Attention - Every page you create offers an opportunity for you to grab the reader's attention. There are several common techniques you can use that are effective. You can use attention grabbing words like Free or Stop. You can draw the reader in by forming a question or you can rely on a simple factual sentence that appeals to their interest.

Stop! Don't Read This Unless You Plan on Traveling to Spain This Year

Free Ebook - Build Your Own Dollhouse Following These Simple Plans

Do you know what to do if you're arrested in a foreign country?

Turn Yard Clippings Into Compost

No matter what technique you use you must follow it up by maintaining their interest.

Interest - Now you need to deliver on the promise you implied in your header. This is where a lot of writers get it wrong. This isn't where you describe the product, your business or yourself. This is where you create interest and the easiest way to do that is by remembering that the reader is most interested in himself.

You've found the best price on Cuban cigars on the internet and just like us, you may be wondering why they're so cheap. Do you know that almost half of the Cuban cigars sold in the world are counterfeit? Are you wondering how you can tell the difference between the real thing and a fake? Do you know what to look for? Would you like to know?

We've created this Counterfeit Cuban Cigar Guide just for you so you can enjoy a fine Cuban cigar without falling victim to counterfeiters. This quide will help you spot the fakes at a glance. We've even included a price guide to help you recognize those deals that are just too good to be true. We know you don't mind spending money on real Cuban cigars but why take a chance on buying a fake?

Once you have their interest, it's time to move on to desire.

Desire - You've got their interest, now you have to create the desire for them to buy what you're selling. In simple words list facts, features and benefits. Give the reader reasons to buy your product or order your service. If your product will save them money, tell them that. Then tell them how it will save money. If your service will save them some time, tell them that but stick to the facts. Avoid words like mega, supreme or phenomenal.

Now all that's left is ask for an action.

Action - If you want the reader to act, you have to let them know. The action can be a purchase or you might simply be asking them to sign up for your newsletter or download an e-book. Your call to action can be as simple as a button that says, "Buy Now", or you can give the reader another reason to buy. Order Today and Shipping is Free or Act Now And We'll Take 50% Off The Purchase Price.

No matter what method you choose as your call-to-action make it prominent. Never make the reader search for a way to buy.

You need to remember these items after you have finished writing.

1. Use spell checking software.

2. You must get someone to proofread your copy.

3. You can't proofread your own copy.

4. You must revise and edit your copy. Check your facts, check your grammar and cut out every unnecessary word. Each word should serve a purpose. If you find a word that is not working, remove it. Replace expressions like, by virtue of the fact that, with the much shorter, because.

5. When you are finished with your revisions and editing you must revise and edit again.

6. When you are completely finished with all your revisions and editing, read your copy aloud. Make sure you kept your voice and tone consistent throughout you copy. This is especially important for large sites in which you write the copy over a period of several days or weeks. Revise and edit again.