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Member You - To Up Sales, Up Words!
Email Stationery the impact of your message. For example:Email Stationery is a new concept meant only for electronic mailing. The letters that are sent by email are generally written on plain canvas. To make them more effective and fun to read, stationery for emails is being used nowadays. Once installed, this Email Stationery becomes part of your virtual letter. It is used both for personal and business emails.Using Email Stationery renders a personal touch to the message. For business emails, using stationery gives it a professional impact, especially if it contains the logo, address, signature and such details. Even business cards are being designed for electronic use to be sent via computer. Whatever Email Stationery a business is using, it should match with its printed one so as to not to confuse the recipients. When sending personal emails, there are lots of colorful designs available for different occasions. You could send a different one each time, but try to keep a signature, symbol, background or clipart constant in each email so that the recipient knows immediately it is from you.Email Stationery design is more flexible than paper stationery. One could even have animation. When designing the Email Stationery, select the background first. It can be in any color and design. It could even be one of your favorite pictures. But carefully select the background, so it does not hamper in reading the text clearly. Around the text area, you could add some clipart a Instead of "cost," say "investment," As my friend and copywriter, Rachel McAlpine, often says, "Avoid using negative words -- say what it is, not what it isn't." I agree. Rachel is absolutely right on the money. Maxwell Maltz, who wrote the bestseller "Psycho-Cybernetics," states that the brain is a goal-seeking organ. It needs a goal in order to function. For example, if I told you to NOT think of a white carnation, you will have hard time since your brain needs a goal. It will naturally picture what it is supposed to avoid. The mind needs a reference point. A visual equivalent. On the other hand, if I asked you to think of a pink carnation instead of a white one, you will think of a pink carnation. (And you won't think of a white one!) I gave your mind a goal rather than taking one away from it. By stating what something isn't can be counterproductive since it is still directing the mind, albeit in the opposite way. If I told you that dental work is painless for example, you'll still focus on the word "pain" in "painless." Here are some examples of using positive words: Instead of saying "inexpensive," say "economical," Instead of saying "this procedure is painless," say "there's little discomfort" or "it's relatively comfortable," And instead of saying "this software is error-free" or "foolproof," say "this software is consistent" or "stable." One of the most negative words we use is the word "but." "Buts" can turn any message, which in essence may be positive, into a negative. Plus, a statement followed by the word "but" subtly communicates to others that what was said up to that point was a lie and what follows is the truth. Do you remember when a former girlfriend or boyfriend dumped you? They probabl Take Your Curtain Calls Later! I first taught this technique in 1998. While there have been tons of improvements since then, today I still see copy on so many websites, sales letters or emails using a language that only the person who wrote them understands.When I was a kid, we used to play a game of stealth around the schoolyard. We called it, “Ditch.”Sometimes, we played in teams, and sometimes, as individual players. It was really hide-and-seek, but a “special forces” version. We tried to find the most obscure holes in which to hide, or the highest perches in trees, and on occasion, we even scaled Spanish tile rooftops, and hid behind chimneys.Anyway, we’d sneak up on each other, and say, gotcha, or you’re dead, or some other delightful thing. There was always a temptation to shout it out, because victory is exhilarating, but if we did, we’d give away our own locations.So, we muffled our giggles, and stifled our shouts.And this is exactly what we should do when we’re achieving a breakthrough in business.I’ve had my share, and I’ve found it really pays to fly under the radar as long as you can, undetected, instead of dropping publicity posters proclaiming how smart you are.Why give a heads-up to potential competitors about where the gold is buried?Yet, this is an all too real temptation.Today, for instance, I received an invitation from my MBA Alma Mater about a program that is being put on by a company whose product is featured at Starbuck’s. Good for them, I say; they got distribution.But if you balance what they can get from speaking, with the dangers of what they’ll disclose, by crowing about their success to People still seem to ignore their readers. Abraham Maslow once commented, "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." Abraham Maslow may have been a psychologist, but he probably knew more about copywriting and particularly selling than what most people cared to admit. Even now, most of the copy I critique disobey this important rule the most. Their sales message doesn't communicate with their readers, particularly at THEIR level. Now, I'm not talking about a socioeconomic or educational level. I'm talking about the level at which they understand and, above all, make buying decisions. They fail to use what I call "upwords." It's an acronym that means... "Universal Picture Words Or Relatable, Descriptive Sentences." Upwords are words that paint vivid pictures in the mind, or expressions that describe an idea to which the mind of your reader (or prospect) can relate to. I once took a communications course in which I discovered an interesting example of the way the mind works. As part of a given lesson, a videotape was shown of a televised newscast during which a journalist was about to give a live report on a fire that was devastating a large forest. The news anchor in the television newsroom said: "We now take you to Sally Smith, who's in the station's helicopter flying above the scene of the fire." He then turned around to face the background screen, which showed a live bird's-eye view of the raging fire. He asked: "Tell us, Sally, how big is the fire?" In a voice partially drowned by the whizzing sound of helicopter blades, Sally reports: "John, it's so big, it's covering well over 140 acres of land -- now that's about 200 football fields back-to-back for you and me." As you can see, people think in pictures, not in words and certainly not in numbers (unless it is told to do exactly that). The mind hates confusion. It will naturally translate words or phrases into a visual equivalent. For instance, if I told you to think of a garbage can, you're not going to think of the letters "G," "A," "R," etc. Your mind will automatically visualize some sort of garbage can. Microsoft and MacIntosh dominate the marketplace in operating systems because, rather than typing some elaborate command for your computer to execute, you can simply use your mouse, point to an icon that represents the command (or program) and click. Icons represent commands, which are translated into programs (i.e., codes or languages) that the computer understands. In the same way, the mind works very much like a computer does. People who know little about computers will likely have a difficult time understanding the various written commands, scripts and codes that the computer needs to process. But on the other hand, most of use can easily identify the icons that symbolize them. Similarly, the brain instantly translates the information it receives into something it can easily understand and execute -- something it already knows and can easily refer to. Albeit a quick one, there is always a translation process going on. And we must be aware of that. The challenge facing marketers is certainly that of ensuring that their copy communicates effectively to its audience, especially when communicating the benefits of an offer is at the heart of making profitable sales. The "big test," therefore, is to put ourselves in our reader's shoes. It is important to communicate using a language that people in your target market can easily understand and appreciate. It is Mark Twain who once said, "Numbers don't stick in the mind; pictures do." So, the more you use upwords in your copy, the more your reader will not only grasp what you're trying to convey but also appreciate it at a more intimate level. And THAT is the level I was referring to, earlier. Upwords are words and phrases that help messages to be easily read, understood and interpreted by the majority of the people to whom the message is targeted, like with the use of mental imagery, examples, analogies, metaphors, picture words, etc. For example, a challenge among cosmetic surgeons is the fact that people will call for a quote over the phone when a doctor needs to see the patient beforehand to make an assessment. But obviously, cosmetic surgery is an uncommon process. People don't understand why doctors can't simply give out quotes over the phone. So, I tell doctors to use a more common approach, such as cosmetic dentistry, for example, as an analogy. Why? Because unlike cosmetic surgery, most people have had their teeth done at some point. Their brains have something it can remember, picture and relate to. So when asked for a quote over the phone, doctors will say: "Just like a dentist, I can't give an estimate over the phone without any X-rays of your teeth" or "without the knowledge of how many cavities you really have." Marketers are certainly in a similar position. Many tend to communicate in a language that only a few understand. If you're a programmer selling your services to business owners, and your copy is laced with technical jargon that only geeks will understand, you will obviously do very poorly. You must therefore mold your message in a way that it can be easily understood by your target market. Speak their language! If your market consists of artists, use art examples. If your market consists of managers, use business analogies. For example, you sell customer service consulting to florists. You can say: "Clients are like fresh-cut roses; they need to be handled efficiently. But if handled improperly, they can prick your business or simply wilt away." Here's a recent example. One website I recently critiqued sold "microdermabrasion" skincare lotion. It's a facial scrub that smoothes away wrinkles. But the problem is the fact that she only used the term "microdermabrasion." However, nobody understood that. The only benefit mentioned was "skin regeneration." So I realized that her lotion offers three main benefits. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles, It comes in a easy-to-use homecare kit, And it's gentle on skin, or "pH balanced." But these are NOT benefits let alone ideas her target market can easily appreciate. Granted, they may understand what these are, and they likely understand what "microdermabrasion" is. But they don't understand what those benefits are at an intimate level. So, I told her to change it to: "Reverse the aging process and give your skin a youthful radiance with our non-acidic, non-greasy facelift in a jar! Imagine, no inconvenient clinics. No risks associated with harsh chemicals peels or injections. No costly doctors or surgeries. Get beautiful skin in hours in the comfort of your own home! It's like the power of a sandblaster applied with the gentleness of velvet glove!" Of course, there are many more ways of applying upwords to your sales copy. Here are some brief examples of how to mold your message in order to communicate more effectively ... 1) Repetitious Words As the adage goes, "Repetition is the parent of learning." Repetition aids comprehension and increases retention, especially of complex or critical ideas. But the objective is not to repeat the same words over and over. It's to use different examples to illustrate your point and drive the idea home. To that end, substitute certain words with synonyms and add new pieces of information each time the idea is repeated. Here's an example to show you. In order to drive the idea that privacy policies on a website help to increase sales, it can be repeated with: "Privacy policies promote purchases," "Privacy statements increase sales," "Confidentiality is a key to online success," "Posting a privacy policy is profitable," etc. 2) Emotional Words Again, words are not messages in themselves. They are symbols. Different words mean different things to different people. As such, they can be interpreted differently. While several words can be used to communicate a single message, your choice of words is the most important decision you will ever make. Words can actually alter the impact of your message. For example: Instead of "cost," say "investment," As my friend and copywriter, Rachel McAlpine, often says, "Avoid using negative words -- say what it is, not what it isn't." I agree. Rachel is absolutely right on the money. Maxwell Maltz, who wrote the bestseller "Psycho-Cybernetics," states that the brain is a goal-seeking organ. It needs a goal in order to function. For example, if I told you to NOT think of a white carnation, you will have hard time since your brain needs a goal. It will naturally picture what it is supposed to avoid. The mind needs a reference point. A visual equivalent. On the other hand, if I asked you to think of a pink carnation instead of a white one, you will think of a pink carnation. (And you won't think of a white one!) I gave your mind a goal rather than taking one away from it. By stating what something isn't can be counterproductive since it is still directing the mind, albeit in the opposite way. If I told you that dental work is painless for example, you'll still focus on the word "pain" in "painless." Here are some examples of using positive words: Instead of saying "inexpensive," say "economical," Instead of saying "this procedure is painless," say "there's little discomfort" or "it's relatively comfortable," And instead of saying "this software is error-free" or "foolproof," say "this software is consistent" or "stable." One of the most negative words we use is the word "but." "Buts" can turn any message, which in essence may be positive, into a negative. Plus, a statement followed by the word "but" subtly communicates to others that what was said up to that point was a lie and what follows is the truth. Do you remember when a former girlfriend or boyfriend dumped you? They probabl One Thing They Never Taught You Whilst Working In An Advertising Agency - Or A Marketing Department y that). The mind hates confusion. It will naturally translate words or phrases into a visual equivalent.And that’s the human desire for interaction,If this had been taught and the lesson put into everyday practise then billions of pounds and dollars would never have been poured down the black hole of television advertising!So let’s review that desire in terms of the marketing of products and, at the same time, hope that those people working in or with advertising agencies read this simple lesson and learn a little of what they should have already known and been doing on behalf of their clients.All advertising is a form of learning whereby the advertiser is asking people to change their behaviour after learning the benefits of the products or services on offer. However, we all tend to filter out information, which we do not want to hear. This clearly alters the effectiveness of conventional advertising in quite a dramatic way.The final purchase decision is invariably a compromise and this leads to a certain amount of anxiety; the worry that perhaps the decision was not the best or the right one. In order to minimise this anxiety the purchaser seeks to reinforce their choice and begins to take more notice of their chosen product’s marketing communications.Due to a lack of understanding of the communication process we have created a media society during the past 40 or 50 years, where the whole process has been de-humanised.There is now an extraordinary reduction in interaction because c For instance, if I told you to think of a garbage can, you're not going to think of the letters "G," "A," "R," etc. Your mind will automatically visualize some sort of garbage can. Microsoft and MacIntosh dominate the marketplace in operating systems because, rather than typing some elaborate command for your computer to execute, you can simply use your mouse, point to an icon that represents the command (or program) and click. Icons represent commands, which are translated into programs (i.e., codes or languages) that the computer understands. In the same way, the mind works very much like a computer does. People who know little about computers will likely have a difficult time understanding the various written commands, scripts and codes that the computer needs to process. But on the other hand, most of use can easily identify the icons that symbolize them. Similarly, the brain instantly translates the information it receives into something it can easily understand and execute -- something it already knows and can easily refer to. Albeit a quick one, there is always a translation process going on. And we must be aware of that. The challenge facing marketers is certainly that of ensuring that their copy communicates effectively to its audience, especially when communicating the benefits of an offer is at the heart of making profitable sales. The "big test," therefore, is to put ourselves in our reader's shoes. It is important to communicate using a language that people in your target market can easily understand and appreciate. It is Mark Twain who once said, "Numbers don't stick in the mind; pictures do." So, the more you use upwords in your copy, the more your reader will not only grasp what you're trying to convey but also appreciate it at a more intimate level. And THAT is the level I was referring to, earlier. Upwords are words and phrases that help messages to be easily read, understood and interpreted by the majority of the people to whom the message is targeted, like with the use of mental imagery, examples, analogies, metaphors, picture words, etc. For example, a challenge among cosmetic surgeons is the fact that people will call for a quote over the phone when a doctor needs to see the patient beforehand to make an assessment. But obviously, cosmetic surgery is an uncommon process. People don't understand why doctors can't simply give out quotes over the phone. So, I tell doctors to use a more common approach, such as cosmetic dentistry, for example, as an analogy. Why? Because unlike cosmetic surgery, most people have had their teeth done at some point. Their brains have something it can remember, picture and relate to. So when asked for a quote over the phone, doctors will say: "Just like a dentist, I can't give an estimate over the phone without any X-rays of your teeth" or "without the knowledge of how many cavities you really have." Marketers are certainly in a similar position. Many tend to communicate in a language that only a few understand. If you're a programmer selling your services to business owners, and your copy is laced with technical jargon that only geeks will understand, you will obviously do very poorly. You must therefore mold your message in a way that it can be easily understood by your target market. Speak their language! If your market consists of artists, use art examples. If your market consists of managers, use business analogies. For example, you sell customer service consulting to florists. You can say: "Clients are like fresh-cut roses; they need to be handled efficiently. But if handled improperly, they can prick your business or simply wilt away." Here's a recent example. One website I recently critiqued sold "microdermabrasion" skincare lotion. It's a facial scrub that smoothes away wrinkles. But the problem is the fact that she only used the term "microdermabrasion." However, nobody understood that. The only benefit mentioned was "skin regeneration." So I realized that her lotion offers three main benefits. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles, It comes in a easy-to-use homecare kit, And it's gentle on skin, or "pH balanced." But these are NOT benefits let alone ideas her target market can easily appreciate. Granted, they may understand what these are, and they likely understand what "microdermabrasion" is. But they don't understand what those benefits are at an intimate level. So, I told her to change it to: "Reverse the aging process and give your skin a youthful radiance with our non-acidic, non-greasy facelift in a jar! Imagine, no inconvenient clinics. No risks associated with harsh chemicals peels or injections. No costly doctors or surgeries. Get beautiful skin in hours in the comfort of your own home! It's like the power of a sandblaster applied with the gentleness of velvet glove!" Of course, there are many more ways of applying upwords to your sales copy. Here are some brief examples of how to mold your message in order to communicate more effectively ... 1) Repetitious Words As the adage goes, "Repetition is the parent of learning." Repetition aids comprehension and increases retention, especially of complex or critical ideas. But the objective is not to repeat the same words over and over. It's to use different examples to illustrate your point and drive the idea home. To that end, substitute certain words with synonyms and add new pieces of information each time the idea is repeated. Here's an example to show you. In order to drive the idea that privacy policies on a website help to increase sales, it can be repeated with: "Privacy policies promote purchases," "Privacy statements increase sales," "Confidentiality is a key to online success," "Posting a privacy policy is profitable," etc. 2) Emotional Words Again, words are not messages in themselves. They are symbols. Different words mean different things to different people. As such, they can be interpreted differently. While several words can be used to communicate a single message, your choice of words is the most important decision you will ever make. Words can actually alter the impact of your message. For example: Instead of "cost," say "investment," As my friend and copywriter, Rachel McAlpine, often says, "Avoid using negative words -- say what it is, not what it isn't." I agree. Rachel is absolutely right on the money. Maxwell Maltz, who wrote the bestseller "Psycho-Cybernetics," states that the brain is a goal-seeking organ. It needs a goal in order to function. For example, if I told you to NOT think of a white carnation, you will have hard time since your brain needs a goal. It will naturally picture what it is supposed to avoid. The mind needs a reference point. A visual equivalent. On the other hand, if I asked you to think of a pink carnation instead of a white one, you will think of a pink carnation. (And you won't think of a white one!) I gave your mind a goal rather than taking one away from it. By stating what something isn't can be counterproductive since it is still directing the mind, albeit in the opposite way. If I told you that dental work is painless for example, you'll still focus on the word "pain" in "painless." Here are some examples of using positive words: Instead of saying "inexpensive," say "economical," Instead of saying "this procedure is painless," say "there's little discomfort" or "it's relatively comfortable," And instead of saying "this software is error-free" or "foolproof," say "this software is consistent" or "stable." One of the most negative words we use is the word "but." "Buts" can turn any message, which in essence may be positive, into a negative. Plus, a statement followed by the word "but" subtly communicates to others that what was said up to that point was a lie and what follows is the truth. Do you remember when a former girlfriend or boyfriend dumped you? They probabl Limited Time Only (Shh! It's A Secret) le to whom the message is targeted, like with the use of mental imagery, examples, analogies, metaphors, picture words, etc.Under normal circumstances, you'd shout it from the rooftops. After all, when you have something urgent to say, you want others to know about it, right? But when it comes to “limited time only” offers, lately I've noticed a disturbing trend. Copywriters seem to actually be hiding the phrase! Let me give you some examples.I received a fabulous email from a ladies clothing site at which I like to shop. It was for 50% off my entire purchase of anything on their site (clearance items or regular price). Wahoo! What woman wouldn't love that? Trouble is, I almost missed the deal due to procrastination.Like most busy women, I was going to go to the site and shop… later. However, I happened to notice, way down at the bottom of the email in tiny, little type, that the sale ended in two days. Why would they think the phrase "Limited time only - sale ends Friday, July 15, 2005 at midnight" was insignificant?When I saw that phrase, I immediately zipped over to the site and began bargain hunting. (Found some fantastic deals, too!)Here's another example.As I was sitting at a fast food restaurant eating lunch, I was fiddling with the paper "tent" ads on the table. One was for a new salad (nope, not in a healthy mood) and one was for strawberry cheesecake. That sounded good, but I was almost finished with my sandwich and fries so I really didn't have room. I wasn't going home so I couldn't ta For example, a challenge among cosmetic surgeons is the fact that people will call for a quote over the phone when a doctor needs to see the patient beforehand to make an assessment. But obviously, cosmetic surgery is an uncommon process. People don't understand why doctors can't simply give out quotes over the phone. So, I tell doctors to use a more common approach, such as cosmetic dentistry, for example, as an analogy. Why? Because unlike cosmetic surgery, most people have had their teeth done at some point. Their brains have something it can remember, picture and relate to. So when asked for a quote over the phone, doctors will say: "Just like a dentist, I can't give an estimate over the phone without any X-rays of your teeth" or "without the knowledge of how many cavities you really have." Marketers are certainly in a similar position. Many tend to communicate in a language that only a few understand. If you're a programmer selling your services to business owners, and your copy is laced with technical jargon that only geeks will understand, you will obviously do very poorly. You must therefore mold your message in a way that it can be easily understood by your target market. Speak their language! If your market consists of artists, use art examples. If your market consists of managers, use business analogies. For example, you sell customer service consulting to florists. You can say: "Clients are like fresh-cut roses; they need to be handled efficiently. But if handled improperly, they can prick your business or simply wilt away." Here's a recent example. One website I recently critiqued sold "microdermabrasion" skincare lotion. It's a facial scrub that smoothes away wrinkles. But the problem is the fact that she only used the term "microdermabrasion." However, nobody understood that. The only benefit mentioned was "skin regeneration." So I realized that her lotion offers three main benefits. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles, It comes in a easy-to-use homecare kit, And it's gentle on skin, or "pH balanced." But these are NOT benefits let alone ideas her target market can easily appreciate. Granted, they may understand what these are, and they likely understand what "microdermabrasion" is. But they don't understand what those benefits are at an intimate level. So, I told her to change it to: "Reverse the aging process and give your skin a youthful radiance with our non-acidic, non-greasy facelift in a jar! Imagine, no inconvenient clinics. No risks associated with harsh chemicals peels or injections. No costly doctors or surgeries. Get beautiful skin in hours in the comfort of your own home! It's like the power of a sandblaster applied with the gentleness of velvet glove!" Of course, there are many more ways of applying upwords to your sales copy. Here are some brief examples of how to mold your message in order to communicate more effectively ... 1) Repetitious Words As the adage goes, "Repetition is the parent of learning." Repetition aids comprehension and increases retention, especially of complex or critical ideas. But the objective is not to repeat the same words over and over. It's to use different examples to illustrate your point and drive the idea home. To that end, substitute certain words with synonyms and add new pieces of information each time the idea is repeated. Here's an example to show you. In order to drive the idea that privacy policies on a website help to increase sales, it can be repeated with: "Privacy policies promote purchases," "Privacy statements increase sales," "Confidentiality is a key to online success," "Posting a privacy policy is profitable," etc. 2) Emotional Words Again, words are not messages in themselves. They are symbols. Different words mean different things to different people. As such, they can be interpreted differently. While several words can be used to communicate a single message, your choice of words is the most important decision you will ever make. Words can actually alter the impact of your message. For example: Instead of "cost," say "investment," As my friend and copywriter, Rachel McAlpine, often says, "Avoid using negative words -- say what it is, not what it isn't." I agree. Rachel is absolutely right on the money. Maxwell Maltz, who wrote the bestseller "Psycho-Cybernetics," states that the brain is a goal-seeking organ. It needs a goal in order to function. For example, if I told you to NOT think of a white carnation, you will have hard time since your brain needs a goal. It will naturally picture what it is supposed to avoid. The mind needs a reference point. A visual equivalent. On the other hand, if I asked you to think of a pink carnation instead of a white one, you will think of a pink carnation. (And you won't think of a white one!) I gave your mind a goal rather than taking one away from it. By stating what something isn't can be counterproductive since it is still directing the mind, albeit in the opposite way. If I told you that dental work is painless for example, you'll still focus on the word "pain" in "painless." Here are some examples of using positive words: Instead of saying "inexpensive," say "economical," Instead of saying "this procedure is painless," say "there's little discomfort" or "it's relatively comfortable," And instead of saying "this software is error-free" or "foolproof," say "this software is consistent" or "stable." One of the most negative words we use is the word "but." "Buts" can turn any message, which in essence may be positive, into a negative. Plus, a statement followed by the word "but" subtly communicates to others that what was said up to that point was a lie and what follows is the truth. Do you remember when a former girlfriend or boyfriend dumped you? They probabl Concluding a Presentation - 5 Effective Methods t reduces the appearance of wrinkles,
It comes in a easy-to-use homecare kit,
And it's gentle on skin, or "pH balanced."
But these are NOT benefits let alone ideas her target market can easily appreciate. Granted, they may understand what these are, and they likely understand what "microdermabrasion" is. But they don't understand what those benefits are at an intimate level. So, I told her to change it to:The most important parts of your presentation are the beginning and the conclusion. By using a great opening “hook”, you’ll grab the audience’s attention and then leave them with a thought provoking closer. During that closing moment, you’ll deliver the statement that will persuade your audience to a “call to action” and they’ll do exactly what you want them to do.Review your points and connect them to your intro. Restate the most important point of your presentation and connect it with the main idea. Say it in other words or use repetition: repeat a few key phrases or words.Recap (briefly) the main presentation topics. Summarize the key points that support the message. This helps the audience retain them.Deliver the “moral of the story” and: •Restate the problem, then provide the solution in no more than two sentences •Show the audience a benefit or something valuable •Give the ultimate solution to the big question you asked at the beginning of the presentation •Give the audience 'how to do it' steps for a solution; visualize a course / time line for implementing the solutionReconnect the needs/interests of the audience with the presentation topic.Deliver a closer that is dramatic and emotional. Some examples of this kind of a presentation conclusion are: •Conclude with a human interest or personal story •Connect your presentation topics "Reverse the aging process and give your skin a youthful radiance with our non-acidic, non-greasy facelift in a jar! Imagine, no inconvenient clinics. No risks associated with harsh chemicals peels or injections. No costly doctors or surgeries. Get beautiful skin in hours in the comfort of your own home! It's like the power of a sandblaster applied with the gentleness of velvet glove!" Of course, there are many more ways of applying upwords to your sales copy. Here are some brief examples of how to mold your message in order to communicate more effectively ... 1) Repetitious Words As the adage goes, "Repetition is the parent of learning." Repetition aids comprehension and increases retention, especially of complex or critical ideas. But the objective is not to repeat the same words over and over. It's to use different examples to illustrate your point and drive the idea home. To that end, substitute certain words with synonyms and add new pieces of information each time the idea is repeated. Here's an example to show you. In order to drive the idea that privacy policies on a website help to increase sales, it can be repeated with: "Privacy policies promote purchases," "Privacy statements increase sales," "Confidentiality is a key to online success," "Posting a privacy policy is profitable," etc. 2) Emotional Words Again, words are not messages in themselves. They are symbols. Different words mean different things to different people. As such, they can be interpreted differently. While several words can be used to communicate a single message, your choice of words is the most important decision you will ever make. Words can actually alter the impact of your message. For example: Instead of "cost," say "investment," As my friend and copywriter, Rachel McAlpine, often says, "Avoid using negative words -- say what it is, not what it isn't." I agree. Rachel is absolutely right on the money. Maxwell Maltz, who wrote the bestseller "Psycho-Cybernetics," states that the brain is a goal-seeking organ. It needs a goal in order to function. For example, if I told you to NOT think of a white carnation, you will have hard time since your brain needs a goal. It will naturally picture what it is supposed to avoid. The mind needs a reference point. A visual equivalent. On the other hand, if I asked you to think of a pink carnation instead of a white one, you will think of a pink carnation. (And you won't think of a white one!) I gave your mind a goal rather than taking one away from it. By stating what something isn't can be counterproductive since it is still directing the mind, albeit in the opposite way. If I told you that dental work is painless for example, you'll still focus on the word "pain" in "painless." Here are some examples of using positive words: Instead of saying "inexpensive," say "economical," Instead of saying "this procedure is painless," say "there's little discomfort" or "it's relatively comfortable," And instead of saying "this software is error-free" or "foolproof," say "this software is consistent" or "stable." One of the most negative words we use is the word "but." "Buts" can turn any message, which in essence may be positive, into a negative. Plus, a statement followed by the word "but" subtly communicates to others that what was said up to that point was a lie and what follows is the truth. Do you remember when a former girlfriend or boyfriend dumped you? They probabl Misrepresentation - Through Silence! the impact of your message. For example:We're back to the subject of ethics, more specifically, business ethics.But unlike ethical dilemmas we've discussed in the past - when people are confronted with bizarre, freak circumstances they had never planned for, and then face agonizing choices regarding how to react - I'm now talking about cases where people willfully and proactively steer events in a certain direction.Take the case of the owner of a $32 million business whose daring entry into entrepreneurship was recounted in a leading business magazine.Just over a decade ago, Kathy Taggares was itching to ditch her employer, frozen-food maker Chef Ready Foods, to start her own business.She decided to approach Marriott International about buying one of its salad dressing factories. Not that she was overly optimistic("As a young single woman, I'd already had so many doors slammed in my face"), but what was there to lose?But surprisingly, her overtures met with a particularly warm reception. Marriott even offered to help her finance the $5 million purchase over several years.It seemed almost too good to be true. Actually, it was.Slowly it dawned on Kathy that the Marriott people believed she was representing her employer, Chef Ready, as a solo entrepreneur. Had they realized that she was, in reality, representing herself, there was no way they would have taken her so seriously.If she had owned u Instead of "cost," say "investment," As my friend and copywriter, Rachel McAlpine, often says, "Avoid using negative words -- say what it is, not what it isn't." I agree. Rachel is absolutely right on the money. Maxwell Maltz, who wrote the bestseller "Psycho-Cybernetics," states that the brain is a goal-seeking organ. It needs a goal in order to function. For example, if I told you to NOT think of a white carnation, you will have hard time since your brain needs a goal. It will naturally picture what it is supposed to avoid. The mind needs a reference point. A visual equivalent. On the other hand, if I asked you to think of a pink carnation instead of a white one, you will think of a pink carnation. (And you won't think of a white one!) I gave your mind a goal rather than taking one away from it. By stating what something isn't can be counterproductive since it is still directing the mind, albeit in the opposite way. If I told you that dental work is painless for example, you'll still focus on the word "pain" in "painless." Here are some examples of using positive words: Instead of saying "inexpensive," say "economical," Instead of saying "this procedure is painless," say "there's little discomfort" or "it's relatively comfortable," And instead of saying "this software is error-free" or "foolproof," say "this software is consistent" or "stable." One of the most negative words we use is the word "but." "Buts" can turn any message, which in essence may be positive, into a negative. Plus, a statement followed by the word "but" subtly communicates to others that what was said up to that point was a lie and what follows is the truth. Do you remember when a former girlfriend or boyfriend dumped you? They probably said: "You're a really nice guy and I really like going out with you, but..." (I'm sure you know the rest.) Consequently, leave the "but" out. Rather, use "and" and then focus on the positive. For example, you're a website designer. Instead of saying to your client, "It's a great website but expensive," say "it's a great website AND worth every cent." Instead of, "it's a great website but it's going to take at least a month to create it," say "it's a great website AND it will only take thirty days to get it up and running." Can you see the difference? We all come from different backgrounds. Each individual has a unique education, experience and environment. They all condition our thinking. So use analogies, metaphors and imagery in your copy that will make your message easier to grasp by that person's set of circumstances. As Jack Trout once said... "A word is worth a thousand pictures."
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