Writing Tips and Techniques – GETTING STARTED
As a freelance writer, let me give you some useful writing advice, drawing on my years’ of experience…
Computers have made it too tempting and too easy to jump on a keyboard and start typing. They even encourage us – after just a few minutes there are lots of words on the screen and we feel we are making progress.
But are you? And is that the best way to start your writing?
‘Fail to plan and plan to fail’ is a famous proverb used by Churchill and others – and can be applied to writing as well as to military strategy.
Before you start writing – however short your piece – think first what your audience needs to know. Then write down a list of things you want to say, working out an overall structure and connections between your points.
Only then should you start writing.
It’s just the same as our teachers’ advice for doing exams: plan what you are going to say before you start writing.
It only takes minutes – and you will save time in the long run.
By contrast, if you fail to put things in the right order first, you will have to spend a lot of time editing later.
And here comes the analogy with cooking….
If you don’t plan beforehand, you sometimes discover, just when people are getting hungry and time is running out, that you don’t have a key ingredient… or worse still, the next stage of the recipe is ‘Leave for 24 hours.’
Only by then it’s too late.
The Six C’s – or ‘How web readers differ’
Tips and Techniques for writing web copy and SEO text, and how it differs from writing for print… below I share some ideas, spelt out as the Six C’s:
1. Curiosity
Web users are driven by particular needs and desires. So, when planning your website’s content, think what do they want, rather than what you have to say… they really don’t care when you were set up – unless it is more than 30-40 years ago.
Write for your users’ needs, not to flatter yourself!
2. Context
Computers sit within today’s hectic lifestyles, which means people have little time, and want the information quickly. They are also global: some users may not be able to read English well, and many not understand your jargon. And can be viewed by competitors as well as clients.
People’s visiting websites just want to ‘Grab and Go.’
BOOK your success in 2012
6 small businesses attended my last Book Writing course.
For those of you who don’t know…
Writing a book can be a great way to raise your individual/company profile and profits.
It creates a ‘Wow Factor’ with potential customers and clients; it helps you stand out from your competition; and it provides you with credibility and extra income.
The book doesn’t have to be long and you don’t have to be a great writer – it’s the impression that counts.
The feedback on my January course was overwhelmingly positive
- 100% praise for content and delivery
- 100% praise for course administration, catering and venue
- 100% met their objectives for the day
READ THEIR COMMENTS …
“Invaluable – honest, open, and practical information”
“Good day – will help spur me to start my first business book”
“Has helped me focus on what I need to do to get started on my project”
“You presented it professionally and I’m all motivated to develop my writing potential!”
“Robert is very knowledgeable and I’m looking forward to working with him – I certainly recommend him”
IN FACT, they were so inspired that they are meeting again.
Make your dream come TRUE…
Get your book started … Book a place on a course in 2012…
30th January – 7thMay – 22 ndOctober
£115 + VAT – includes lunch and 40-page workbook
- 100% of the above delegates encouraged others wanting to write books to attend
- 100% of delegates said it was a fair price – not expensive!
On the last course:
Guarantee your place with a 15% deposit
To book, Email: rbullard@fsmail.net
Agenda
- Why write a book
- Characteristics of successful business books
- Planning your cover, title and content
- Tips for writing longer documents
- A guide through the publishing maze
- Marketing – – 10 ways to sell your book
- Setting a timetable and next steps
You will also hear from a published author about how it has benefited their business, and a publisher will explain the market for business books, and the do’s/don’t of writing proposals.
What you will gain
- Course especially for writers of business and other non-fiction books
- Develop your book’s outline and a writing plan
- Get answers to your queries
- Meet and quizz a publisher, and a published author
- Meet others also planning to write books
- Stimulating country-house setting
Dates for your diary
‘Get Your Book Started’ – £150 + VAT
30th January
7th May
22nd October
BOOK NOW – Email: rbullard@fsmail.net
Spending review hits rural areas
When the day came it wasn’t all bad news – but the devil will be very much in the detail, which will become apparent over the following weeks and months.
Superfast broadband is to be piloted in four rural areas, and Sure Start funding is secure in cash terms.
And pensioners will benefit from the continuation of free bus passes, eye tests and prescription charge, as well as Winter Fuel Payments and cold weather premiums – which will be made permanent.
But as we feared, there are also some very big losers…
Rural Services Network – October 2010
Will you love your neighbours? 10 ways to find out
It’s easy to check the location and specifications of a house, but how can you assess an area’s community spirit – not just if the neighbours are friendly, but if people will get involved in David Cameron’s Big Society by helping deliver public services, setting up social enterprises, and tackling local issues?
The Times – September 2010
