Word Wise Blog: Content Writing Made Easy
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Word Wise is for busy people who want to write more (or need to), but don't have a lot of time.
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Aug 02, 2020
The Postcard: Esther Used Simple (and Quick) Direct Mail, Too
It’s easy to dismiss a direct mail postcard as impersonal. Particularly these days, when social media marketing pushes us to engage readers.
But if you want to get a message out fast – or reinforce one you’ve already sent – then use postcards.
They are short. And they communicate ...
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Aug 01, 2020
The Email Segment: Target One Audience Now, Another Later
An email segment is a specific group of subscribers on your email list.
They have particular trait or characteristic in common. Maybe they participated in one of your events and you want to invite them to the next one. Or perhaps these readers have requested a particular download on your website – one that shows they are interested in a certain topic. You want to send them additional ...
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Jul 31, 2020
Pre-Writing: 4 Easy Steps to Make Your Writing Go Faster
Pre-writing is the key to making your writing go faster and be more focused.
It makes your writing go faster. Whereas a project may start with many options, pre-work eliminates rabbit trails, helps you organize your raw material, and lets you sort out your ideas. Decisions you make in this phase give you a ...
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Jul 30, 2020
Content Writing and Copywriting as a Job: Advantages and Disadvantages
“Writing content and copy... what’s it like as a job?” asked the high school girl as she interviewed me for a class project on careers.
This young lady excelled in her English classes … was an avid reader … loved to write … but she was afraid she would not be able to make a living as a writer or editor.
“Take a look all around you,” I told her, pointing out websites, social media sites, newspapers, magazines, reports, letters, and printed matter of all kinds. “Somebody has to write all of this. And they get paid to do it.”
Why couldn’t that somebody be her – or you?
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Jul 29, 2020
How to Write a Vision Statement for Your Biz or Blog
Without a vision statement, it becomes easy for your business, your blog, or your organization to veer off course.
Karen is a case in point. She ...
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Jul 28, 2020
39 Basic Copywriting Terms You Need to Know
This simple glossary, arranged alphabetically, defines basic copywriting terms in direct mail and nonprofit fundraising. Use it to help you understand niche lingo … and even use it like a pro ...
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Jul 27, 2020
5 Free Writing Tools for Freelancers and Content Creators
I’m not a techie. If you give me a list of writing tools that help me use technology better, I’ll use them only if I must. I’d much rather put words on the screen than log on and use the Help.
Yet once I become proficient with a helpful piece of technology, I use it a lot. Attach that little 4-letter word to it – “free” – and I’m all over it.
If you’re a writer, then you must have a basic means to ...
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Jul 26, 2020
The Postcard: A Simple, Quick Direct Mail Tool
It’s easy to dismiss a direct mail postcard as impersonal. Particularly these days, when social media marketing pushes us to engage readers.
But if you want to get a message out fast – or reinforce one you’ve already sent – then use postcards.
They are short. And they ...
Continue reading "The Postcard: A Simple, Quick Direct Mail Tool"
Jul 25, 2020
The First Draft: Don't Let Your Idea Get Trapped By Fear
The first draft process goes a bit like this: you’ve got a white-hot idea. You’ve accumulated awesome content to support it. You’re excited about the project!
Your struggle – trust me – has nothing to do with your writing ability ...
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Jul 24, 2020
Writing For Ministries Community - You're Invited
Writing for Ministries Writing Community is a Facebook Group. And you’re invited to join.
These are writers who have expressed interest in writing for ministries or in upping their writing game in one area of ministry writing.
I got the idea to start the group when so many people ...
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Jul 23, 2020
The Top 10 Persuasive Writing Techniques
Persuasive copywriting techniques are specific methods you use to convince a reader, through what and how you write, to buy your product or give to your cause.
Disclaimer: there is no magic bullet to writing persuasively.
Having said that, persuasive copy uses certain elements over and over again – elements that have been proven to be convincing ...
Jul 22, 2020
Avoid Panic: A Practical Way to Estimate Writing Time for Your Project
Writing time: there’s never enough of it, even though I’m all in for making the most of the minutes that I have.
A practical way to estimate your #writing time for a project with Word Wise at I use a calendar to block off time for each project. I set word count goals. I use deadlines as a tool to help prevent my writing perfectionism. When a project is due next Tuesday ...
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Jul 21, 2020
Try These Templates for Takeaways
Writers use formulas and templates because they work. So why not use templates for takeaways?
The devotional’s takeaway, also called the “application,“ is the third element in ...
Jul 20, 2020
Grant Writing For Beginners: What You Need to Know First
This quick orientation in grant writing for beginners provides a quick snapshot about the world of grants for you, your nonprofit, your faith-based organization, and other worthy causes.
Mama said, “Nothing in life is free” – and she was right. Any person or organization who has received a grant will tell you that winning the award took some work.
But you CAN have success and
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Jul 19, 2020
Writing for Free: Yea or Nay?
Writing for free or writing to get paid: does the paycheck or lack thereof affect how you go about your writing process?
I was immersed as a volunteer with an organization when the leader asked me to ...
Jul 18, 2020
Why It's Wise to Gather Extra Info When You Do Research
"Get some extra." We follow that rule at the grocery store ... and my hubby follows that rule when he's at the start of a DIY project.
It's a wise rule to follow for writers as we research a new project because ...
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Jul 17, 2020
Write Better Descriptions When You Ditch These Two Words
You can write better descriptions by eliminating just two words from your content and your copy: really and very.
Why ditch these two words?
After all, they’re really simple and very easy to use.
Yep. And why is that?
Because really and very are a ...
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Jul 16, 2020
Use the "You Test" for More Persuasive Writing
The “You Test” is an easy and practical self-check you can use for more persuasive writing in your appeal letters, newsletters, web pages, email campaigns, blog posts, response devices, landing pages – pretty much any project.
The test checks your content to see how well it adheres to a top copywriting rule when writing to persuade ...
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Jul 14, 2020
7 Key Elements of a Grant Proposal
One tip for grant writing made simple: nearly every grant application calls for certain elements.
Over the years I’ve written and submitted hundreds of grant proposals for clients. Each one is unique, but ...
Jul 13, 2020
A Simple Guide for Writing a Mission Statement
Writing a mission statement is an important step for your ministry or business, whether you are a large organization or sole proprietor or freelancer.
When it’s clear and concise, your statement becomes a rallying cry for your ...
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Jul 12, 2020
The Self-Promotion Trap: Find the Fine Line Between Narcissim and Fear
When I think of promoting my content writing services, I want to cower in a hole. An email I recently received from a reader confirmed that I am not alone in this.
“I am horrible at self-promotion, whether it’s a cover letter, a one-paragraph bio, or an annual self-review,” wrote Dave. “I was raised ...
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Jul 11, 2020
The Password: How to Avoid Login Confusion and Save Time
Security guidelines recommend that you change your login password every 30 to 180 days. Then, once you change your password, you need to remember it. If you have multiple accounts and multiple passwords, you may face plenty of login confusion. Passwords can add another layer of complications to your busy, distracted life.
Nancy, an administrator with a large insurance firm, has found a way to leverage these required password changes ...
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Jul 10, 2020
What Content Should You Write on a Response Device?
A response device is a document that donors use when they send your organization a gift or customers use to place an order.
The most effective one is a separate insert in a fundraising package, newsletter or promotion (a tear-out requires more work from your prospect). Good response devices are ...
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Jul 09, 2020
9 Tips for Writing a Book (Before You Get Started Writing)
If you do a quick internet search you can find plenty of tips on writing a book. Courses on writing a book. Books on writing a book.
And these days, self-publishing makes it easy and affordable for anyone to become a published book author.
But should you write a book right now?
The idea of writing a book and ...
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Jul 08, 2020
Why Telling Stories Sticks
Writers have long known it: telling stories makes content stick to readers. We use stories to illustrate a point and touch a reader’s heart.
But now, neuroscientists reveal that stories do more than that. A story creates an actual experience for the reader – an experience that she identifies with as part of the fabric of her senses, emotions, and memory.
Here’s what I mean ...
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