Blog Entries for Munaiba

Online networking group for Aussie business women

Munaiba — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:00:00 +0100

We're all busy these days and finding time for networking breakfasts, lunches and dinners can be difficult. This is recognised by organisations that have "Speed Networking" events.

A solution?

There's a new online networking group for Aussie business women that aims to provide a forum for women who are too busy to network as much as they would like. The group is in its infancy, with few members at the moment, but all it takes to really get it rolling is for 20 women to [...]

How to brief a copywriter

Munaiba — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Last time I promised a list of things you need to tell your prospective copywriter to get the best out of them. Well here it is:

What is the copywriting for? - Brochure, website, advertisement, blog etc.Is it for a product or a service?Every possible relevant detail about the product or service, including but not limited to, what it is, what it does, how you sell it - direct, party plan, MLM etc., what it costs, what colours and sizes it comes in, what its benefits are, why it is bet [...]

How to get the best from your copywriter

Munaiba — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:00:00 +0100

The best way to get the best work from your copywriter is to give her or him a complete, well-documented and detailed brief. I know this sounds obvious but so many times it doesn't happen.

Copywriters are a bit like computers in one way...

Well I know that's a bit tongue in cheek but they say of computers that if you put garbage in you get garbage out and something similar happens with copywriters. If you don't tell them who your audience is; what your product or service is; [...]

Old fashioned service still counts for a lot

Munaiba — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0100

You can have the flashiest, coolest website with the latest and greatest products and services but if your customer service is rubbish then why bother?

Why do people make it so hard for you to buy from them?

This is a topic that has exercised my mind before. See my blog entry. But it's one that just won't go away. Recently I surfed the net looking for a product and trying to find the best deal. Finally I found it but I needed to know if the supplier stocked refills for [...]

Check your headings...

Munaiba — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0100

SEO, SEO it's everywhere you look. You can't ignore it so you'd better go with the tide.

Search Engines Love Keyword Headings

Whenever you use the heading tags such as <h1> and <h2> etc., make sure that your headline contains some of your most important keywords. Having said that, don't ignore your readers. Make sure that your headlines are eye-catching, relevant and contain your keywords.

Don't forget your real audience

I've said this before [...]

Twitter and Twellow - be careful!

Munaiba — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:00:00 +0100

Many people know what Twitter is, but for those who don't, it is a microblogging tool. It allows messages - called Tweets - of 140 characters to be SMSed, posted on a website or attached to instant messaging software.

Is there a Tweet worth reading?

If there is then I haven't found it yet! Mostly it's trivial, ego-bloating stuff. Does anyone really care what's in your sandwich? There are some blogs devoted to showing how this technology can be used for marketing but [...]

Make life easy for your web visitors

Munaiba — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:00:00 +0100

This last week I've been doing quite a bit of research online trying to buy a number of products and services and I realised once again how difficult some people make it for customers to buy from them.

Don't make your clients jump hurdles

One of the main things I'm looking for when I want to buy a product is the delivery cost and I guess many of you are the same. Is it going to be cheaper for me to trek round the city looking for it or will it be cheaper if I buy online? This [...]

Don't be "dagvertiser"

Munaiba — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:00:00 +0100

I was flipping through the colour magazine of a weekend newspaper and I was amazed at the number of ads using tortured words and misspellings. Here are three reason why I think advertisers just shouldn't do it.

I really think it's counterproductive. They're all so lame and amateurish. I mean Salebration! PLEASE! If there's one thing worse than a bad spoken pun it's a tortured written one. If you have to stoop to such depths what you're saying is there isn't muc [...]

Why do you need a website?

Munaiba — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:00:00 +0100

Many small to medium businesses don't have websites. They figure that they don't do business on the web i.e. sell online, and therefore they don't need one. I think they're wrong and I'll tell you why...

Why your business needs its own website

These days people like to do a little research before they contact a business to ask for a quote. A brochure is one way but people still want to look online and if you don't have a website you risk looking amateurish. It [...]

Writing web copy

Munaiba — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:00:00 +0100

Many people think that writing a website is easy and that it's just the same as any other sales copy. I disagree.

Why web copy is different from other sales copy

Reading sales copy in a newsletter or a brochure is different from reading on a computer screen. There is an urgency on the web that isn't there in physical sales materials. Many people find it uncomfortable to read on screen and so they want to get the relevant information as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Maki [...]

Helping struggling entrepreneurs

Munaiba — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 11:00:00 +0100

I was reading another blog the other day and came across some information that really interested me. Like many people I like to contribute to charity from time to time to give back or "pass forward" some of the bounty I've been fortunate enough to have been given. Also, like many people, I hate giving to the telemarketed charities where I know so much of my donation will go to the sales person, the marketing company and the administration of the charity. That's why when I re [...]

OK! You're the best at what you do. Why isn't your website?

Munaiba — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:00:00 +0100

People tend to assume that because they are acknowledged as the best in their field it doesn't matter if their website isn't the best it could be. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We're a community of consumers that has come to rely on the web for information

I'll give you an example without mentioning any names. I had heard about a world class hairdresser and wanted to know a bit more about him before I parted with my cash. So the first port of call was his salo [...]

New services for cash-strapped, time-poor small businesses

Munaiba — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:00:00 +0100

Small businesses always do it tough compared to their larger relatives. Rising costs hit the bottom line hard and so they are always looking for ways to become leaner.

How to cut costs without impacting new business opportunities

At The Copywriter Online we're always looking for ways to help businesses gain new business and maintain current business relationships in an efficient and cost-effective way. That's why we're introducing our new editing service.

Save money witho [...]

What is good copy?

Munaiba — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:00:00 +0100

This is the question everyone would like to know the answer to. It seems to me there is no one right answer either. What is good copy for one audience or medium won't necessarily work well for another.

Are there are any common factors?

I think that there are some "must have" qualities before something qualifies as good copy. Here's my list. See what you think and feel free to post your list or additions you think are important.

It must be written in a style that appe [...]

Everyone wants a "killer headline" but what is it?

Munaiba — Sat, 24 May 2008 11:00:00 +0100

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of copywriting websites offering "killer headlines". But what makes a "killer headline" and will it work for your business?

"Killer Headlines"! The what and the why...

"Killer headlines" are headlines that are supposed to grab the attention of your customers in such a way that they give them a virtual lobotomy, stifling all rational thought and objections and making them reach for their credit cards a [...]

How to manage your blog content

Munaiba — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:00:00 +0100

In my preceding post - "Blogs - why you need one" - I said I'd address how to make sure you have adequate content for your blog. So here are my tips.

Tips for managing your blog content

You need to make sure that you add posts frequently or regularly (at least once per week). Here are some ideas:

Before you even start a blog, write down at least 30 topics you can write about - preferably perennial subjects that won't date.Once every month replace the number of t [...]

Blogs - why you need one

Munaiba — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:00:00 +0100

Many businesses I know are resisting having a blog on their site. And I can understand why. It's a lot of work. But just focusing on the negative aspects of blogging can blind you to the undeniable benefits.

OK! So what are the benfits of blogging?

I like to keep my blog posts short but useful, so instead of waxing lyrical about the benefits in a short essay, I'll give you a list.

they get syndicated bringing much needed exposurethey can increase site trafficthey allow you to [...]

Using SEO to qualify your prospects

Munaiba — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:00:00 +0100

SEO is not a "one-size-fit fits all" service - or it shouldn't be. Apart from all the tinkering with content and creating reputable in-bound links you really need to look at who your customers are and find out what they are looking for.

Use your keywords to refine your prospects and increase your rank

For example if you are printer who specialises in variable data printing then use the phrase "variable data printing" in your keyword metatags as well as in your cop [...]

Web 2.0 � what is it? And what does it mean for you and your business?

Munaiba — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:00:00 +0100

Web 2.0 and Social Networking are the current web buzzwords. Do you know what they mean? And do you know what they mean for your business?

Interactive web technologies

Web 2.0 technologies provide a more interactive web experience than was possible in static websites. Web 2.0 technologies allow visitors to your site to interact in a number of different ways. They can comment on your products and services; give testimonials; ask questions and spread the word to other possible customers b [...]

Protecting Australian jobs

Munaiba — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:00:00 +0100

I was saddened when I heard on the news that good old Westpac, despite making billions in record profits, was looking at moving jobs offshore. And I was wondering what, if anything, could be done to stop jobs being hived off to India and all points cheaper on the map? Then I had an idea. So here it is Mr Swan if you're listening...

Put a payroll tax on offshore job positions

I don't know if this would work but it seems to me that to stop losing Australian jobs without whittling a [...]