Comments on: A Short Guide to Writing Good Copy

By: Lauren Bilderback

Lauren Bilderback — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:40:45 +0000

It’s interesting that you shouldn’t use flowery words because in English writing teachers tell you to use flowery words to make your story more interesting. I like simple and to the point much better.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:48:01 +0000

“In other words, every writer can memorize rules, but how you get people’s attention requires some creativity.” Yes. Good (and effective) writers tend to naturally live the rules, but that’s not why they are good writers. And … less-than-good writers can memorize every rule in the book, and still be less-than-good writers.

By: Takis Athanassiou

Takis Athanassiou — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:26:40 +0000

Excellent post Kelton. I agree in the most lines you describe, but I think that in the mixture, we have to add a touch of personal style, balance it against you excellent indeed, guidelines for clear writing. Personal style, not mannerism, that can prove to be a little boring, after a while, can function, if properly injected in the mixture, the glue that would integrate a straight cut post to a brilliant value added resource. So, I think that a balance should be achieved, between clear communication and personal style. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

By: Kristen Hicks

Kristen Hicks — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:43:36 +0000

In reply to Sonia Simone. The post has made me wonder if I tend to overuse adjectives in my copy. I'll have to make a special note to keep that in mind in writing and editing my next few pieces, hopefully it'll become habit soon thereafter.

By: Kristen Hicks

Kristen Hicks — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:41:15 +0000

In reply to Lee Johnson. Me too! I always plan to have the draft finished at least the day before I send it in, so I can do my editing and proofreading with some distance from the writing. It's also a good way to keep from missing deadlines, even when something unexpected comes up.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:24:14 +0000

Great post! Learnt a (fair – adjective??) few things there which I will (definitely – adverb) implement in my (own – unnecessary) writing.

Thanks for the help (:-))

Lauren

By: Mallie Hart

Mallie Hart — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:54:40 +0000

Clear, concise and catchy work quite nicely with your own writing style. If everything we read was EXACTLY the same the world of the written word would be a pretty boring place AND nothing would manage to make a reader perk up and take notice.

By: Kel

Kel — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:42:08 +0000

Writing good copy is definitely an art, as I have found out the hard way! I read the books, and tried writing the stuff myself, but it took awhile to figure out what really is effective. I’m still not that great at it, but doing ok. Your tips are right on the mark, especially the Einstein quote!

By: Joe Pelissier

Joe Pelissier — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:00:18 +0000

This brings to mind my favourite Hemmingway quote which is very close to Ogilvy’s thinking, “Most writers slough of the most important part of their trade – editing their stuff, honing and honing it until it gets an edge like a bullfighter’s killing sword”.

I really enjoyed this post, thank you.

Joe

By: Cynthia Dixon

Cynthia Dixon — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:24:21 +0000

Awesome post! Writing really is becoming a lost art. I really have to work on writing shorter sentences and removing words that are unnecessary.

One good way to do this is by allowing only so many words within your article. When you’ve gone over the limit, you have to rewrite and get your point across with fewer words.

Love your website btw!