This video was brought to my attention by Richard Perry and I think it paints a wonderful ideal which the 21st century has trouble addressing. It does not talk about copy and redistribution which is unquestionably illegal but about adapting other’s works to make it different for non-commercial purposes. The ability to do so is available on nearly every home computer and exercised by millions of technologically savvy people worldwide in the form of musical remixes, video collages and even the simple act of putting music to one’s own photo gallery or video. Youtube is full of them, should it be ok to do so? Under broadcast/copyright law, it is illegal.

With the way the internet works currently, we have already made a copy of anything we view, watch and listen to whether we intend to or not. Images are stored in our computer cache directory, videos are buffered onto the hard drive. Should common sense intervene and revolt? How far should it change? Should we be allowed to use a popular song on a commercial website? Provided of course we have purchased the music in the first place. Or should broadcast licences be simplified and more accessible to the general public?

Here’s the full video, listen to what Larry Lessig has to say on the matter. It is 20 minutes long but time well spent.

I don’t want to give you the wrong impression here, I’m not implying that copywriters are a miserable bunch; we’re quite a fun crowd really. This article tackles the issue of positive writing – you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make to your sales copy.

If a freelance copywriter is to build rapport, create a bond and be interesting all at the same time, they have to be positive.

There is no bigger turn-off in the land of sales writing that a piece that starts of being negative.

Would you want to read a letter that was constantly negative?

No.

That is why copywriters will always (wherever possible) try and keep their readers happy by offering them good news and happy endings; they keep their writing positive.

By steering away from negative words and phrases your copywriting will automatically take on a positive feel. It’s not exactly rocket science.

To illustrate this point, I have listed below a few negative phrases that you may have come across and their positive equivalents:

Don’t delay ——– Hurry
Don’t forget ——– Remember
Your money back of you’re not satisfied ——— Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back
There’s never a better time to… ——— Now is the ideal time to…

I’m sure you’ll agree it makes quite a difference.

So remember, stay positive and be happy.

Sally Ormond is a professional freelance copywriter who works with businesses from all industries worldwide. For more information on her copywriting services or for copywriting tips you can contact her at sally@briarcopywriting.com

No! I’m not putting down copywriters – why would I? After all I’m one. The plain Jane comment is more of a metaphorical one. This article is all to do with keeping your writing simple – copywriting has no place for literary egos!

The title of this blog probably needs a bit of explanation before I am ‘virtually’ pelted with stones by the world’s copywriting population.

I don’t mean to infer that every freelance copywriter (or in-house copywriter) is aesthetically challenged. But rather that they understand the value of plain talking.

More often than not, as people grow and mature, they like to try to sound clever by using big words; words that make them feel intelligent. That’s all well and good and our school teachers were always pushing us to extend our vocabularies, but when it comes to copywriting you should resist the temptation.

In sales writing you are trying to connect with your reader therefore a great place to start is using basic, simple and clear language.

Here is a list of 10 words that you might be tempted to use and their simplistic counterparts:

Disseminate ——— Spread
Residence ——— House
Procrastinate ——— Delay
Grandiose ——— Showy
Innumerable ——— Lots
Investigate ——— Look at
Prevent ——— Stop
Construct ——— Make
Implement ——— Carry out
Obtain ——— Get

This should be applied to any sales writing, whatever tone or voice you are using. Even the most powerful business people on earth are human and would much rather read something simple than waste their time having to look up the meaning of every second word.

Copywriting services are a vital investment for businesses of all industries. Without professionally written copy, your marketing materials run the risk of falling flat on their faces – they won’t sell and they won’t inspire confidence. Sally Ormond or Briar Copywriting, has worked with companies worldwide to produce effective and powerful copy that works.