Blog Entries

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 [...]

How to write your own copy

Munaiba — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:00:00 +0100

Why tell people how to write their own copy? Why not? There are many people out there who don't have the resources to pay for a professional copywriter and who have to write their own. I have two reasons for wanting to help them. One altruistic and one a little selfish.

Reason 1 - altruistic

I like the English language. I dislike seeing it murdered. I hate to see effort spent in writing wasted because the content is poorly written. I want people to be able to communicate the benefit [...]

Idioms and the importance of using native speakers

Munaiba — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:00:00 +0100

I was reminded again of the importance of using native speakers to communicate a message when I came upon a recent spam message. At first I was a bit puzzled and then the light dawned. The spammer had used an idiom which he had expressed strangely.

Hello the man not familiar to me!

Recognise it? A somewhat mangled version I suspect of "Hello stranger!". It doesn't have the same impact somehow, does it? And while this is all a bit of joke, it's not a joke if y [...]

Copywriting � the written art of persuasion

Munaiba — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:00:00 +0100

Imagine this… you’re sitting at home; feet up; TV on; it’s warm and cosy and the sound of the rain on the colorbond roof is almost drowning out the TV. You take a deep breath and begin to relax. It’s the end of the week and the long weekend stretches ahead of you. Wouldn’t it be lovely to just get away. Enjoy a little warmth, a little sun on your face. Relax a little; enjoy nice meals prepared by someone else; have a massage; go to sleep to the lovely shushing s [...]

Why I live in Oz and not the UK...

Munaiba — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:00:00 +0100

Simple really. The following picture says it all.

SNOW in April!

The interrupting cow...

Munaiba — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:00:00 +0100

Those of you who watch any commercial TV in Australia will have seen what I refer to as the "interrupting cow ad". In it a little girl tells a knock knock joke. It's very cute. It makes you laugh. But can you remember who it's for? Or what it was actually selling? I can't. I know it's either Target or K-Mart - at least I think it is but what products were being promoted I can't remember. And that's the problem.

Too funny for its own good

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