Joanna Penn reports with a guest post by Nina Amir:
"[M]ost writers, when struck by a good idea and the desire to write, simply begin writing. However, an even better reason exists to take a bit of time before you beginning writing to evaluate your idea—at least if you want your book to be successful...If you simply want to write the book of your heart and you don’t care how many copies you sell, great. Go for it. If you want to write a successful book, meaning one that sells to lots of readers or to a traditional publisher and to lots of readers, however, it behooves you to take the time to consider if your idea is a good one by industry standards. To do this, I suggest you discover nine things about your book idea...Before beginning to write your nonfiction book, hone your topic and its angle. Figure out why someone would want to read your book rather than someone else’s book on the same topic. Write a pitch or elevator speech, a short statement that describes the essence of your book, and follow it with some bulleted points—the added value readers will take away from its pages. Think of this exercise like writing back cover copy...Make sure you know your average reader—that one person you are writing for—as well as the size of your book’s market. Who wants to read your book, and where do you find them? How many of these people exist in the world? Are there enough of them to justify writing your book?...Make sure the book you plan on adding to the mix is not only unique compared to the other books in your niche or category but also necessary before you add one more title to the staggering number of books in print. Take a good hard look at what other authors have already written and published...Sometimes writers think they have enough material for a book when really they only have enough for an article, or a couple of articles. Or they think they know what content they are going to include in the book, but when they finish the first draft, they discover they produced a manuscript that is scattered, rambl[es], misses the point, or leaves out essential information. Avoid these problems by mapping out your content first. Actually do a mind mapping exercise, which entails brainstorming while creating a large diagram of all your possible content and then organizing all these ideas into a table of contents or an outline...Bring your book to life with a short synopsis for each chapter...[Y]ou will need to promote your book. And promotion does not begin after the book lands in your hands as a finished product. It begins the moment that light bulb goes off in your head. Spend some time considering all the options you have to build awareness for yourself and your book as you begin the writing process as well as after you launch the book...Decide if you are the expert on your topic, how you will become the expert, or if you might need to bring in other experts...[D]oes writing this book fulfill a sense of mission for you? If so, you might want to consider how to get that message across in the book and in your promotional efforts. Plus, in this step, it’s important to ask yourself if you have what’s called an 'author’s platform.' Do you have a fan base or a large, loyal following of people who know you in relationship to the topic about which you plan to write? If not, you need to consider how you will begin building that built-in readership for your book...[I]t’s a good idea to spend a moment brainstorming other 'spin-off' books on your topic. This is especially important if you want to create a business around your book or attract a traditional publisher. As an expert author, if you have more books, you can create more products and services to sell to readers. And publishers like to take on multiple-book authors...[I]f you decided your book is marketable and has a chance of succeeding, you can begin writing your book—with one caveat. You need to know what publishing route you plan to take. If you plan on self-publishing, you can go ahead and write the whole book. If you plan on approaching traditional publishers, you only need to write 25-30 pages, or about two chapters, but you also need to write a book proposal, which includes all the information you just compiled. You then will submit the proposal to agents and publishers[.]" Outbrain reports:
"While not new to the marketing landscape, press releases are still one of the best ways to convey information about your product or service, to generate awareness, or to support your sales team. And PR writing is still a highly coveted skill that marketers must deal with all the time...Are you targeting a certain demographic? Is your release intended for a specific segment of your industry? Should your language be suited for the general public, or are you hoping to speak to business insiders? The more clearly you define your audience, the better chance you’ll have to craft a release that truly connects...The most effective press releases communicate the information clearly and succinctly. You’ll want to answer the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How as soon as possible, making clear why your event or update is newsworthy...The concise nature of press releases mean[s] you should be up front about your main objective, but you should also build room for some measure of conversion. The best press releases not only offer information about the new product but [also] convince readers to click through to your website, blog, or social profile, and eventually become loyal customers...[B]efore you start writing first figure out which type [of press release] does the best job of framing your announcement to the audience you are targeting...Whichever type you choose, the release should never be longer than one page. The point of a press release is to entice the reader[s] and leave them wanting more. So be concise and to the point...[I]f you’ve been looking for a way to show your personality, the title is where it’s at. The best press release headlines are explicit and informative while still maintaining a sense of cleverness. They shouldn’t undercut the material, but since the subject line is often the only part of the release a reporter will see, do your best to craft compelling and timely headlines. In addition, make sure the most important part of your headline is clearly visible in email or when sharing...Personally send your press release to as many relevant journalists as possible...Once several journalists have published stories about your announcement, don’t let the story stop with just the reach of that particular publisher. Send these articles to your clients, your newsletter list, [and] your [T]witter and [F]acebook followers. If it’s a really great article you should even consider paying to drive traffic to it with a service like Outbrain Amplify...In addition, make sure your press release is hosted on your website or blog, and you have included the proper keywords in the title tag as well as written a great meta description. Your meta description [is] what will show up in the Google search results describing your content. So if you expect people to click, it [had] better be exciting." A Brief Tip on Why Your Headlines Are Important to Keep Your Readers Interested in Your Content7/15/2015 Brian Clark reports:
"Your headline is the first, and perhaps only, impression you make on a prospective reader. Without a compelling promise that turns a browser into a reader, the rest of your words may as well not even exist...On average, 8 out of 10 people will read headline copy, but only 2 out of 10 will read the rest. This is the secret to the power of your title, and why it so highly determines the effectiveness of the entire piece. Remember, every element of compelling copy has just one purpose — to get the next sentence read. And then the sentence after that, and so on...[I]t’s fairly obvious that if people stop at the headline, you’re already dead in the water. The better your headline, the better your odds of beating the averages and getting what you’ve written read by a larger percentage of people." William Henderson reports:
"Before lawyers can start practicing law, they must pass a bar exam and be admitted to the bar in the state where they wish to practice. Part of the admission process includes submitting letters of recommendation, references and other personal information...After you’re asked to write a letter of recommendation supporting an applicant’s admission to the state bar, make sure you have as much information about the applicant as possible...When writing your recommendation letter, make sure you supplement the information the applicant will provide with information not otherwise available, such as your opinion about the applicant’s likely success as a lawyer...[Y]our letter should spell out your relationship with the applicant, such as how long you’ve known each other and the nature of your relationship. You should also address the applicant’s fitness to practice law or personal knowledge you have about law he has practiced...Don’t focus solely on the applicant’s strengths in your letter. Including some mild criticism, such as the flip side of a strength, can help give bar examiners a fuller picture of the applicant. You may also want to address how the applicant worked to correct or overcome the weakness...[I]nclude the author’s complete mailing address and contact information. Some state bars require these letters be dated within a specific period of time...Authors should also sign their letters of recommendation, asserting their ability to adequately present information about the applicant. Some bar examiners also specify the type of paper you should use, such as plain white letterhead, and require you to use a specific font, such as no less than 12 point...[A]n applicant may need to include a specific number of letters with an application. While someone who knows the applicant well should write these recommendation letters, family members or relatives are discouraged, and in some states barred, from doing so. Some states let the attorney who signs an applicant’s petition for admission to the bar also write a letter of recommendation." Halina Zakowicz reports:
"The key to getting potential licensees interested in your invention idea is to create a spectacular sell sheet...The sell sheet is a marketing piece that promotes your invention in a [one-page] ad format by describing the product, its features and benefits, and whom the product can be purchased from. A sell sheet is supposed to take no more than a minute to look over and understand, so it needs to be brief and to the point. There are sell sheets for companies, hospitals, books, kitchen gadgets, and software programs...At its basic level, the sell sheet contains four areas, which are the product description, photo(s)/diagram(s), features/benefits, and the inventor contact information...While there is a section for all the features/benefits of an invention idea, there should also be a separate and overarching benefits statement. This statement should be no longer than a single line and should succinctly pitch your idea to your prospects. Finally, the sell sheet should also contain either a 'Patent Pending' statement or patent number...[A] sell sheet is much cheaper and easier to create than a physical prototype of your invention idea. The sell sheet effectively combines words and images into a kind of virtual prototype of your product, enabling you to submit that idea quickly and easily to potential licensees. Even better, whereas in the past you’d be sending out numerous glossy (i.e., expensive) photocopies of your sell sheet, nowadays you can just email your prospects with the sell sheet in an enclosed attachment. You can even set up a website that describes your invention idea, dedicating one page of that website to your sell sheet...The sell sheet gives prospects a good enough idea about your invention…but that’s as far as it should go. Your sell sheet should provide only enough information to pique reader interest, not include specifics on every individual nut and bolt...[B]y sticking to the basics and emphasizing your [single-line] benefits statement...you allow your potential licensee to fit your invention idea into the scope of her existing product line and manufacturing processes...Sites like eLance, Freelancer.com, Guru.com and oDesk are filled with reasonably priced freelancers who can make several different iterations of your invention idea and save you the headache and expense of learning a program like InDesign or SolidWorks (a CAD program). You might also consider working with a local community college or a design/trade school to produce more complex drawings or scale models of your invention idea...After you have the sell sheet generated, it’s time to start soliciting companies and individuals with whom you could see working and actually building your invention. If you spark their interest, you can offer to send them your sell sheet, plus your business card and a cover letter...[Y]ou should never send unsolicited materials to a prospect, even if you deem...her a perfect match for your idea. Without a proper introduction and invitation, your unsolicited materials will simply get tossed in the trash. If you get a 'no thanks' after sending out your materials, try to find out why your idea was rejected. It will be immensely useful for you as you hone your idea and decide whether to take it to a different company or market segment...[D]o not become discouraged if your first few attempts at contacting and finding potential licensees [don't] work out or [produce] only rejections. It takes time and continued effort to place an invention idea with an appropriate company or manufacturer. But once you get the green light, you will find the process infinitely easier to repeat, leading to a series of licensed invention ideas that generate a steady passive income for you." Mark Wilson, Esq. reports:
"The cover letter -- which you should be sending even if a job description doesn't ask for it -- is your time to shine, to separate yourself from all the other lawyers blindly sending their resumes into the ether....Reference specific events from your work history. If a job description calls out a specific skill or responsibility as a requirement, you absolutely must mention it in your cover letter...Like peeling an apple or waging a war, there are many different theories about how...best to get the job done...In a three-part letter, the first part consists of your qualifications, the second your reasons for wanting to work there, and the third the specific qualifications you have. Or, you could use up to three of the desired qualifications from the job posting and provide examples of how you meet those qualifications, weaving your enthusiasm for the job in between...A cover letter must be framed in terms of how you can help the employer, never focusing on how working for the employer will benefit you. And please, skip any mention of 'improving' your skills with this prospective employer; that says only that your skills aren't already up to snuff...[A] cover letter should really only be a page long. There are very few instances in which a cover letter should go beyond a page. For example, an academic position or a judicial clerkship might warrant two pages, but not a private practice job...If you put on your resume that you 'pay attention to detail,'...but your cover letter contains typos, it's going into the cylindrical file. Or perhaps be burned to keep warm during this chilly winter." Go Government reports:
"You may be tempted to submit your standard resume to a wide variety of positions and ultimately become frustrated when you don’t advance in the hiring process. However, if you tailor your resume to a specific job description, your chances of moving to the next stage in the application process will drastically increase...Focus on the ‘duties,’ ‘qualifications’ and ‘requirements’ sections and include keywords and phrases in your tailored resume. Make sure that you demonstrate how you have developed the specific skills required by the agency. Your final resume should be tailored so that it mirrors the language used to describe the position. The federal resume is becoming even more important as agencies try to simplify their applications. Emphasize and re-emphasize areas where your previous experience or education overlaps with the duties and qualifications listed in the job opportunity announcement...Use the duties and accomplishments section of your federal resume to highlight your performance metrics. Percentages, numbers and data can be a great way to describe the specific impact you had in a particular job. Listing actual measures will go a long way with hiring officials...Don't be shy about showing your knowledge, skills and accomplishments in your federal resume. Give the agency representative a reason to make you one of his or her top candidates...Think about all of your activities that might qualify you for a job, such as: involvement in social or religious organizations, volunteer experiences, unique projects or interests, awards or certificates and subjects mastered...Use a word processor or ask a peer or professional to check your spelling and grammar. Doing so may help you avoid being overlooked when it comes time for an agency to select candidates for an interview...Some agencies...may require a different kind of resume. If you have any questions about what documents to send, contact the agency’s human resources representative for clarification...Provide as much detail as possible, but be concise...When tailoring your resume, delete education or experiences that do not relate to the position. Do not assume the reader is familiar with organizations in your resume. Provide context when appropriate, and avoid acronyms. Omit unnecessary details. You should provide enough information to demonstrate your qualifications, without overwhelming the reader." Alex Painter reports:
"[M]ost organizations appreciate their importance. When mistakes do occur, it's rarely because people don't care. More often than not, it's a combination of a lack of skills and inadequate processes that gets in the way. So here are five tips that will help you to avoid those embarrassing errors...[C]reate a house style for your organization...[T]his is really about consistency, and it's especially important in larger organizations, where brochures, catalogues, websites and ads may be written by teams of different people, some from external organizations, such as advertising or PR agencies. The point is that, by and large, all these communications should share a single 'voice'. They should read pretty much as though they were all written by the same person...Much depends on the audience and the medium. But there are some basic things that should always be consistent...People often check the fine details meticulously, while missing mistakes that, on the face of it, should be obvious. So, for example, when you're proofreading advertising copy, pay particular attention to headlines. It's all too easy to skip over them, assuming that there can't be a mistake in the headline because someone would have noticed...Very broadly, proofreading is mainly about checking for mistakes that might have crept in between the editing stage and the design / typesetting stage. The proofreader is also expected to pick up clear errors that were missed during editing. Copy-editing is also about picking up errors, but in addition it can involve rewriting parts of the text (e.g. to make it clearer). Why is it so important to know the difference? It's partly to do with drawing a line under the editing process...but it's also to ensure that each task is done by the person best suited to it...It's important to understand that changes late in document production are likely to be more costly than those made early on...[I]t's worth getting copy and design signed off separately. Most organizations require a sign-off from a senior member of staff, such as a director. Often this happens only right at the end of the process, when a printer's proof is available. If that director then decides to make sweeping changes, it can create terrible headaches, as well as risk missing deadlines and exceeding budgets...When you read back something you wrote, you tend to see what you intended to write, not what is actually on the page. It's therefore easy to miss errors in your own writing, no matter how careful you are. If at all possible, find somebody else to check your writing." Laws.com reports with three steps for writing an appeal letter in case of a court decision you disagree with:
"Within the opening paragraph of an Appeal Letter, the applicant will be required to present pertinent biographical information with regard to themselves, as well as the mention of any or all legal institutions utilized during the initial trial...the lower court participatory in the passing of the initial decision [which]...should include the names of any applicable court officers, attorneys, and justices...[and] the case number of the court case in dispute...[I]ndividual applicants are encouraged to include...[m]ention of the decision passed down by the presiding justice...[and a] Motion for reconsideration [which] is perhaps...one of the most crucial illustrations within an Appeal Letter...Objectivity – in lieu of subjectivity – has been considered to be a useful approach with the regard to the construction of an Appeal Letter...[P]ersonal opinion and bias should be omitted from an Appeal Letter...The final paragraph is suggested to not only convey the urgency of the applicant with regard to the receipt of an appellate hearing, but also outline the inherent defects latent within the decision...[T]he applicant is encouraged to thank the recipient for reading, as well as provide the reader with detailed contact information." Scribendi reports:
"A white paper is an in-depth, official, didactic document that discusses problems and how to solve them. Such papers are often used in political and business writing to instruct people and to help them make decisions. A well-written white paper can increase a company's market exposure immensely...Over time, white papers have come to refer to publications used by businesses for marketing purposes. For example, a company may publish a white paper in order to educate consumers about the benefits of a specified technology or product. The goal of a white paper is usually to describe the technology, product, or service in a way that people can easily understand...Remember that white papers should be objective, provide adequate and appropriate detail, and be written in a clear, concise, and logical way. Overly promotional white papers have a tendency to end up in the trash bin...[W]e recommend that you study your product. It is essential to explain how the product or service can be applied and why it is the best choice for customers. Furthermore, the intended audience must be properly identified, defined, and researched. There must also be agreement about the goals of the white paper and the strategies involved in writing it...Focusing on the needs of your audience is critical and directly affects how your white paper will be received. The more credible, unbiased, third-party information your white paper contains, the more useful it will be...Provide a historical overview. It is often useful to discuss what lies behind the problem...Explain what potential customers should look for when seeking a solution to the problem...Provide examples [such as]...situations where your solution would be especially valuable or...particular customers who have found success with your product or service...The most effective white papers do not exceed 12 pages...Effective white papers contain a few well-organized figures and tables to help illustrate the points made, contain precise and creative subheadings, and make use of callouts and sidebars...Begin your white paper with an abstract informing the reader of what the document is all about...The next step is to discuss in general terms how the product or service works; only then can you explain how your product or service can solve a specific problem...Treat this portion as if you were conducting a business pitch. The last part is the conclusion, which is essentially a summary of the reasons why your product or service is the best option...Once you have written your white paper, review it for accuracy." |
Writing and editing can be pretty rigorous processes if you want to do them well, but that's what this page is here for. Check out the latest tips here. Archives
March 2024
CategoriesJ.D. Parsons
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