http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:30:00 GMT http://bandzoogle.com http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&postid=1443451 Here's a newsletter with great insights from business consultant-entrepreneur Eve Haslam. Excerpt: &quot;GVN specializes in defining and implementing the business model for your success. Without one at all - you're operating from hit and miss mentality, leading to exhaustion. Without a sound model, you're tweaking and overlooking what's missing year after year.&quot; <a href="http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1411079359" target="_new">Read the newsletter to learn about an example of a simple tool anyone can implement today, designed to track and measure. Tracking and measuring is what most owners DON'T do and need to be doing. <a href="http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1411079359" target="_new"> All the best, -Dave Read the newsletter to learn about an example of a simple tool anyone can implement today, designed to track and measure. Tracking and measuring is what most owners DON'T do and need to be doing.



All the best,
-Dave



]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:30:00 GMT 701524211D0B67F5ECD7D105A81135DE http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&postid=1406797 Copywriter, editor and business writer Dave Turner (<a target="_new" href="http://www.copywriterdaveturner.com">www.copywriterdaveturner.com) has launched several new website for clients recently. These launches include websites for singer-songwriter <a target="_new" href="http://www.njomusic.com">Nancy Jones, IT services provider <a target="_new" href="http://epsilon-inc.com/">Epsilon, Inc., recording studio <a target="_new" href="http://www.collapseablestudios.com">CollapseAble Studios, call center consultantcy <a target="_new" href="http://www.robertcdavis.net">Robert C. Davis and Associates, drug testing and background screening provider <a target="_new" href="http://www.wolferealitycheck.com">Wolfe, Inc., and singer-songwriter Rupert Wates (<a target="_new" href="http://www.rupertwatesmusic.com">site one | <a target="_new" href="http://www.bitemusiclimited.com">site two). If you have a need to create a new website or update your existing site, <a href="./freeconsult.cfm">click here to arrange a free consult, email <a href="mailto:dave@copywriterdaveturner.com">dave@copywriterdaveturner.com, or call Dave Turner at 828-713-9206. <a target="_new" href="http://www.njomusic.com"> <a target="_new" href="http://epsilon-inc.com/"> <a target="_new" href="http://www.collapseablestudios.com"> <a target="_new" href="http://www.robertcdavis.net"> <a target="_new" href="http://www.wolferealitycheck.com"> <a target="_new" href="http://www.rupertwatesmusic.com"> <a target="_new" href="http://www.bitemusiclimited.com"> www.copywriterdaveturner.com) has launched several new website for clients recently. These launches include websites for singer-songwriter Nancy Jones, IT services provider Epsilon, Inc., recording studio CollapseAble Studios, call center consultantcy Robert C. Davis and Associates, drug testing and background screening provider Wolfe, Inc., and singer-songwriter Rupert Wates (site one | site two).

If you have a need to create a new website or update your existing site, click here to arrange a free consult, email dave@copywriterdaveturner.com, or call Dave Turner at 828-713-9206.














]]> Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:45:00 GMT 2BFC4B5C6C3CB58DDD68A91002E9630B http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&postid=1390599 I am in the San Francisco Bay Area and Monterey, and I am seeking new business opportunities around my expertise as a copywriter and editor and in marketing communications and web services. More info at http://www.copywriterdaveturner.com/. One of my areas of expansion is serving independent entertainment professionals. Recent work for: Rupert Wates <a href="http://www.rupertwatesmusic.com/" target="_new">http://www.rupertwatesmusic.com/, Nancy Jones <a href="http://www.njomusic.com/" target="_new">http://www.njomusic.com/ and CollapseAble Studios <a href="http://www.collapseablestudios.com/" target="_new">http://www.collapseablestudios.com/ For more information, contact Dave Turner at <a href="mailto:dave@copywriterdaveturner.com">dave@copywriterdaveturner.com or call 828-713-9206. <a href="./freeconsult.cfm">Click here for a free consultation. http://www.rupertwatesmusic.com/, Nancy Jones http://www.njomusic.com/ and CollapseAble Studios http://www.collapseablestudios.com/

For more information, contact Dave Turner at dave@copywriterdaveturner.com or call 828-713-9206.

Click here for a free consultation.

]]> Thu, 13 Oct 2011 06:57:42 GMT C1D79C27660393E446BEAA51F30E5C22 http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&postid=838604 I'm pleased to announce that CopywriterDaveTurner.com has launched three new websites recently. <a target="_new" href="http://www.RobertCDavis.net">www.RobertCDavis.net &quot;Robert C. Davis and Associates (RCDA) is not just another training, coaching and consulting company. We are a change agent that helps customer contact centers achieve their goals and sustain their success with an exclusive process we call The Quality Conversation.&quot; Web programming and design by Jason Davis. <a target="_new" href="http://www.wolferealitycheck.com">www.WolfeRealityCheck.com &quot;WOLFE, Inc., has been in the business of drug detection and workplace protection for nearly 30 years. We provide a comprehensive array of instant drug testing products and accessories, lab services, background screening, program management and training services for organizations of every size and type. In all we do, our number-one objective is to help all of our customers achieve a safe, drug-free workplace&mdash;and to do so better and more cost-effectively than anyone else.&quot; This project also included a complete rebranding of the company under the WOLFE name and tagline: Drug Detection. Workplace Protection. My partners on this effort were <a target="_new" href="http://graphicdesign.bz/">MGM Communications, <a target="_new" href="http://www.evolv.com/">Evolv and <a target="_new" href="http://www.creative-original.com/">Creative Original. <a target="_new" href="http://www.rupertwates.com">www.RupertWatesMusic.com Rupert Wates was born in London. He signed an exclusive publishing deal with Eaton Music in 1994 and has been a full-time songwriter ever since. He moved to the USA in fall 2006. Between 2007 and 2011, he has won over 25 songwriting awards.
www.RobertCDavis.net
"Robert C. Davis and Associates (RCDA) is not just another training, coaching and consulting company. We are a change agent that helps customer contact centers achieve their goals and sustain their success with an exclusive process we call The Quality Conversation." Web programming and design by Jason Davis.

www.WolfeRealityCheck.com
"WOLFE, Inc., has been in the business of drug detection and workplace protection for nearly 30 years. We provide a comprehensive array of instant drug testing products and accessories, lab services, background screening, program management and training services for organizations of every size and type. In all we do, our number-one objective is to help all of our customers achieve a safe, drug-free workplace—and to do so better and more cost-effectively than anyone else." This project also included a complete rebranding of the company under the WOLFE name and tagline: Drug Detection. Workplace Protection. My partners on this effort were MGM Communications, Evolv and Creative Original.

www.RupertWatesMusic.com
Rupert Wates was born in London. He signed an exclusive publishing deal with Eaton Music in 1994 and has been a full-time songwriter ever since. He moved to the USA in fall 2006. Between 2007 and 2011, he has won over 25 songwriting awards.

]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:35:00 GMT 68CEAC89EDF04CD4E218C1E99C18CF90 http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&postid=370993 Even with the various templates that are out there allowing small businesses to build their own websites, many are frustrated with the results and wish they could have a functional site that doesn't look DIY. At the same time, in these tight financial times, the possibilities are limited by budget. Or are they? In my other life as a performing singer-songwriter, I have discovered a musician-tailored website service that is so flexible and bundled with so many capabilities that it can work wonders for all kinds of businesses. For example, in addition to <a href="http://www.BiteMusicLimited.com" target="_new">BiteMusicLimited.com and <a href="http://DaveTurnerMusic.com" target="_new">DaveTurnerMusic.com, I used it to build <a href="http://www.CopywriterDaveTurner.com" target="_new">CopywriterDaveTurner.com. And its content management system (CMS) is a breeze. For $20 a month, users have hosting plus access to a custom design system with a full range of capabilities: audio and video, e-commerce, blog, email campaigns, social media integration, search engine optimization, email, photo gallery with light boxes, events calendar, custom online forms and polls, guest book and forum. This system&mdash;along with my own expertise and resources in copywriting, editing, HTML and design&mdash;can be very cost-effective and perform exceptionally well for small businesses. Right now I'm using it to write and build sites for a non-profit in New York City and a recording studio in North Carolina, and I'm offering this service to other small businesses. If you're not satisfied with your website and wish you could have a better Internet presence, but feel constrained by your budget, contact me at 828-713-9206 or email me today at <a href="mailto:dave@copywriterdaveturner.com">dave@copywriterdaveturner.com for details on this new service. I'm sure I can help you achieve better results online&mdash;quickly and inexpensively.
In my other life as a performing singer-songwriter, I have discovered a musician-tailored website service that is so flexible and bundled with so many capabilities that it can work wonders for all kinds of businesses. For example, in addition to BiteMusicLimited.com and DaveTurnerMusic.com, I used it to build CopywriterDaveTurner.com. And its content management system (CMS) is a breeze. For $20 a month, users have hosting plus access to a custom design system with a full range of capabilities: audio and video, e-commerce, blog, email campaigns, social media integration, search engine optimization, email, photo gallery with light boxes, events calendar, custom online forms and polls, guest book and forum.

This system—along with my own expertise and resources in copywriting, editing, HTML and design—can be very cost-effective and perform exceptionally well for small businesses. Right now I'm using it to write and build sites for a non-profit in New York City and a recording studio in North Carolina, and I'm offering this service to other small businesses.

If you're not satisfied with your website and wish you could have a better Internet presence, but feel constrained by your budget, contact me at 828-713-9206 or email me today at dave@copywriterdaveturner.com for details on this new service. I'm sure I can help you achieve better results online—quickly and inexpensively.
]]> Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:09:42 GMT 7ED65E3BAB44D437A922017FA133AAD5 http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&postid=330305 By <a href="mailto:dave@copywriterdaveturner.com">Dave Turner Many individuals and organizations spend considerable time and resources to launch a website, only to check that item off of the to-do list and get on with business. The problem is that a website has to change frequently with a supply of new content, or it becomes a site of the living dead. By that I mean the static content by design, on some pages at least, never or rarely changes because there's really nothing else to say. It's been drafted and finessed and approved. There's no need, as folks say, to reinvent the wheel. But you have to add to what your website carries so that your prospects and customers return to your site often for fresh new information&mdash;and repeated buying opportunities. Most organizations are aware of this, and today many sites have dynamic content such as blogs and events calendars, and integration with social media. It has become common knowledge that writing and posting keyword-rich articles on your site and in blogs can improve seach engine optimization dramatically. But the question remains about content, the time to create it, and its quality. This has become increasingly important as Google and other search engines are developing their algorithms and systems around relevance and quality, and ways to beat keyword gaming so users can more easily find what they're seeking. To learn more about how to drive better bottom-line results by keeping quality content and traffic flowing into your website regularly, <a href="http://www.copywriterdaveturner.com/freeconsult.cfm">click here. Or call me any time at 828-713-9206. Dave Turner

Many individuals and organizations spend considerable time and resources to launch a website, only to check that item off of the to-do list and get on with business. The problem is that a website has to change frequently with a supply of new content, or it becomes a site of the living dead. By that I mean the static content by design, on some pages at least, never or rarely changes because there's really nothing else to say. It's been drafted and finessed and approved. There's no need, as folks say, to reinvent the wheel. But you have to add to what your website carries so that your prospects and customers return to your site often for fresh new information—and repeated buying opportunities.

Most organizations are aware of this, and today many sites have dynamic content such as blogs and events calendars, and integration with social media. It has become common knowledge that writing and posting keyword-rich articles on your site and in blogs can improve seach engine optimization dramatically. But the question remains about content, the time to create it, and its quality. This has become increasingly important as Google and other search engines are developing their algorithms and systems around relevance and quality, and ways to beat keyword gaming so users can more easily find what they're seeking.

To learn more about how to drive better bottom-line results by keeping quality content and traffic flowing into your website regularly, click here. Or call me any time at 828-713-9206.
]]> Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:03:59 GMT 14C6FE245FE4A55D1C76A82594D26E75 http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&postid=175418 For immediate release: February 2, 2010 Contact: Dave Turner (828) 713-9206 | <a href="mailto:dave@copywriterdaveturner.com">dave@copywriterdaveturner.com | <a href="http://www.copywriterdaveturner.com">www.copywriterdaveturner.com New marketing communications consortium formed in North Carolina Provides copywriting, editing, business writing, web design and programming, search engine optimization, graphic design, and marketing strategy services as virtual agency ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Dave Turner, an Asheville-based copywriter, business writer and editor, has announced that a new marketing communications consortium has been formed between his company and MGM Communications (<a target="_new" href="http://www.graphicdesign.bz">www.graphicdesign.bz), Creative Original (<a target="_new" href="http://www.creative-original.com">www.creative-original.com) and Evolv (<a target="_new" href="http://www.evolv.com">www.evolv.com) to serve clients as a virtual agency across a wide range of industries. In January, Turner, MGM and Creative Original contracted to do an Internet and marketing and public relations program for a North Carolina company that distributes ice and water self-serve vending kiosks. In December, Turner, MGM, Creative Original and Evolv contracted to do a complete marketing communications program for a North Carolina company in the drug testing, laboratory services and background checks industry. About Dave Turner (From <a target="_new" href="http://www.copywriterdaveturner.com">www.copywriterdaveturner.com) Dave Turner has been a professional communicator since 1986. He has worked as an independent copywriter, business writer and editor, and has held a diverse set of advertising and public relations positions. Based in Atlanta for 13 years and in Asheville, North Carolina, since 1998, he has helped a wide range of companies and individuals communicate optimally and achieve desired results in advertising, marketing and public relations. About MGM Communications (From <a target="_new" href="http://www.graphicdesign.bz">www.graphicdesign.bz) Gary R. Pipta, president and creative director of MGM Communications, started by providing full service brand design and advertising across many industries. Client work included metropolitan real estate developments in the South Florida region, Alamo Rent A Car advertising and travel agent promotions both national and international, packaging designs for retail Target and K-Mart, and work for several high-tech innovators. These projects involved: Complete branding plus pre-build and market-launch sales Bilingual US, South American and European advertising and event promotions Targeted campaigns in a wide array of media Gary has received numerous local, national and international awards over the past 35 years. His responsibilities have encompassed every phase of the advertising and design industry from conceptual design and production management through broadcast production and direction. He has managed and directed his own studio for the past 20+ years. About Creative Original (From <a target="_new" href="http://www.creative-original.com">www.creative-original.com) Started in 2009 by Sarah Benoit in Asheville, North Carolina, Creative Original Online Marketing is a leader in the field of search engine optimization (SEO), organic search marketing and web site development. The Creative Original Online Marketing team is made up of experienced web design, SEO, programming, web development, search marketing, keyword writing and link building specialists. We have created and tested various, original methods of researching, crafting and distributing keyword rich, web site content on the Internet. These web design and organic search strategies have helped businesses in a variety of industries to improve overall web site performance through increased search engine traffic and enhanced usability. About Evolv (From <a target="_new" href="http://www.evolv.com">www.evolv.com) &quot;Throughout time, I have adapted my life and career to the world around me, always progressing forward in the natural manner in which we grow, learn and seek. That is how Evolv came into existence &mdash; because the web and its technology are changing so fast, we MUST evolve our business around it. I also have found that most small businesses cannot afford the corporate rates offered by larger web companies, and because Evolv is a small company with low overhead costs, we can work with most small business budgets yet offer a more personable and quality experience. &quot;My name is Steffi Rausch and I am Evolv's sole owner, web designer &amp; developer for over 10 years. My background comes from the marriage of a Math Education degree and a strong familial Art background. My ability to teach clients as well as manage and organize projects on tight deadlines comes from years of experience in various realms of the industry including education, online messaging solutions, and newspaper production.&quot; ### For immediate release: February 2, 2010

Contact: Dave Turner (828) 713-9206 | dave@copywriterdaveturner.com | www.copywriterdaveturner.com

New marketing communications consortium formed in North Carolina
Provides copywriting, editing, business writing, web design and programming, search engine optimization, graphic design, and marketing strategy services as virtual agency

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Dave Turner, an Asheville-based copywriter, business writer and editor, has announced that a new marketing communications consortium has been formed between his company and MGM Communications (www.graphicdesign.bz), Creative Original (www.creative-original.com) and Evolv (www.evolv.com) to serve clients as a virtual agency across a wide range of industries.

In January, Turner, MGM and Creative Original contracted to do an Internet and marketing and public relations program for a North Carolina company that distributes ice and water self-serve vending kiosks.

In December, Turner, MGM, Creative Original and Evolv contracted to do a complete marketing communications program for a North Carolina company in the drug testing, laboratory services and background checks industry.

About Dave Turner
(From www.copywriterdaveturner.com) Dave Turner has been a professional communicator since 1986. He has worked as an independent copywriter, business writer and editor, and has held a diverse set of advertising and public relations positions. Based in Atlanta for 13 years and in Asheville, North Carolina, since 1998, he has helped a wide range of companies and individuals communicate optimally and achieve desired results in advertising, marketing and public relations.

About MGM Communications
(From www.graphicdesign.bz) Gary R. Pipta, president and creative director of MGM Communications, started by providing full service brand design and advertising across many industries. Client work included metropolitan real estate developments in the South Florida region, Alamo Rent A Car advertising and travel agent promotions both national and international, packaging designs for retail Target and K-Mart, and work for several high-tech innovators. These projects involved:

• Complete branding plus pre-build and market-launch sales
• Bilingual US, South American and European advertising and event promotions
• Targeted campaigns in a wide array of media

Gary has received numerous local, national and international awards over the past 35 years. His responsibilities have encompassed every phase of the advertising and design industry from conceptual design and production management through broadcast production and direction. He has managed and directed his own studio for the past 20+ years.

About Creative Original
(From www.creative-original.com) Started in 2009 by Sarah Benoit in Asheville, North Carolina, Creative Original Online Marketing is a leader in the field of search engine optimization (SEO), organic search marketing and web site development. The Creative Original Online Marketing team is made up of experienced web design, SEO, programming, web development, search marketing, keyword writing and link building specialists. We have created and tested various, original methods of researching, crafting and distributing keyword rich, web site content on the Internet. These web design and organic search strategies have helped businesses in a variety of industries to improve overall web site performance through increased search engine traffic and enhanced usability.

About Evolv
(From www.evolv.com) "Throughout time, I have adapted my life and career to the world around me, always progressing forward in the natural manner in which we grow, learn and seek. That is how Evolv came into existence — because the web and its technology are changing so fast, we MUST evolve our business around it. I also have found that most small businesses cannot afford the corporate rates offered by larger web companies, and because Evolv is a small company with low overhead costs, we can work with most small business budgets yet offer a more personable and quality experience.

"My name is Steffi Rausch and I am Evolv's sole owner, web designer & developer for over 10 years. My background comes from the marriage of a Math Education degree and a strong familial Art background. My ability to teach clients as well as manage and organize projects on tight deadlines comes from years of experience in various realms of the industry including education, online messaging solutions, and newspaper production."

###

]]> Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:10:00 GMT 09EA4D95DD0E8757F48F4C70E1E7272E http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&postid=175392 By <a href="./home.cfm">Dave Turner Late last year I published an <a href="http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&amp;postid=112046" target="_new">article based on an interview I did with Internet marketing expert Sarah Benoit of <a target="_new" href="http://www.creative-original.com">www.creative-original.com. Another Internet marketing expert, Lance Wig of <a target="_new" href="http://www.central183.com">www.central183.com, added a few of his own insights, which I thought you'd find valuable as well. &quot;Many of the things Sarah goes over are points that I often preach such as, 'What is your target market?', 'What other mediums of marketing are you following?,' 'Write content that humans enjoy but machines can also index well,' and most of all, 'SEO is hard work and ONGOING.' The article is a nice quick taste of what to do, but there are some deeper things I often suggest that were not mentioned,&quot; said Lance.&nbsp; His recommendations: Testimonials on selling pages, perhaps on a side bar on all pages. &quot;You need to reinforce your reputation of reliability and customer satisfaction and what better way than experiences from previous satisfied customers,&quot; he said. &quot;This helps to get the conversion, basically a sale or an RFP.&quot; Targeted keyword landing pages. &quot;I usually suggest targeting one key term and a town name, if running a local campaign. For instance, make a page for 'Lawn Mowing service in Cary, NC' even though the company covers a dozen towns in that area. Landing pages index quicker because they have a precise target.&quot; Keyword density. &quot;Your target term should show up most often in the body text, without being obnoxious,&quot; Lance said. &quot;Your target term and town should be in the web page title and also the paragraph title. I can't stress enough the use of town names when targeting locally.&quot; Blogging. &quot;Finally, remember that blogging or writing relevant articles to your site can increase traffic and so-called 'stickiness' by over 50 percent,&quot; he said. &quot;People find the article by Google search and then move on to other portions of your site to see other services. A twelve page site is fine, but having over 100 pages indexed in the Google database increases your visibility 10-fold.&quot; Dave Turner

Late last year I published an article based on an interview I did with Internet marketing expert Sarah Benoit of www.creative-original.com. Another Internet marketing expert, Lance Wig of www.central183.com, added a few of his own insights, which I thought you'd find valuable as well.

"Many of the things Sarah goes over are points that I often preach such as, 'What is your target market?', 'What other mediums of marketing are you following?,' 'Write content that humans enjoy but machines can also index well,' and most of all, 'SEO is hard work and ONGOING.' The article is a nice quick taste of what to do, but there are some deeper things I often suggest that were not mentioned," said Lance. 

His recommendations:

• Testimonials on selling pages, perhaps on a side bar on all pages. "You need to reinforce your reputation of reliability and customer satisfaction and what better way than experiences from previous satisfied customers," he said. "This helps to get the conversion, basically a sale or an RFP."

• Targeted keyword landing pages. "I usually suggest targeting one key term and a town name, if running a local campaign. For instance, make a page for 'Lawn Mowing service in Cary, NC' even though the company covers a dozen towns in that area. Landing pages index quicker because they have a precise target."

• Keyword density. "Your target term should show up most often in the body text, without being obnoxious," Lance said. "Your target term and town should be in the web page title and also the paragraph title. I can't stress enough the use of town names when targeting locally."

• Blogging. "Finally, remember that blogging or writing relevant articles to your site can increase traffic and so-called 'stickiness' by over 50 percent," he said. "People find the article by Google search and then move on to other portions of your site to see other services. A twelve page site is fine, but having over 100 pages indexed in the Google database increases your visibility 10-fold."

]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:15:00 GMT 0D45A76D458A1408341553C6776372F4 http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&postid=112046 By <a href="./about.cfm">Dave Turner (Updated 11/04/2009) - Today the Internet offers unprecedented marketing value, so now is the time to evaluate your website and any other Internet presence you may have to make sure you&rsquo;re getting the highest return on your investment of time and money. But given the cacophony in the business world about search engine optimization (SEO), keywords and key phrases, social media, microblogging and more, it&rsquo;s hard to know where to start. So I called Internet marketing expert <a target="_new" href="http://www.creative-original.com">Sarah Benoit and asked, what are some basic first steps an organization should take toward a successful online marketing strategy? Determine the Internet&rsquo;s role The answers to a more basic question is key to getting an Internet marketing strategy off on the right foot: What role does your website play in your business? For example, some companies receive 20 percent of their sales via the Internet. For others, that figure is 80 percent. Some websites are portals for customer service or direct online sales, while others drive contact from prospective customers. &ldquo;For each function, it&rsquo;s a different strategy,&rdquo; said Sarah. &ldquo;When you understand the role, you design a website that does its job.&rdquo; Consider usability &ldquo;Usability should be your top priority, in terms of how the website converts traffic into the paying customer, or the call for an appointment, or the other action you want,&rdquo; said Sarah. &ldquo;Most of the time, nobody has this conversation. People tend to forget that users are people with emotions and energies that are not technical but are organic,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;What are the steps you want the visitor to take? How do you prompt them to take those steps in a natural and simple way so they just follow the trail of crumbs right to your door and become a customer?&rdquo; Further, the website must be useable across the full range of personality types within your target market. Detail-oriented people are more likely to drill down into the website copy and read just about everything. Visitors with a shorter attention span will respond to scanable information. &ldquo;You have to take a holistic view,&rdquo; Sarah said. Consider the way the human brain works in general. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t put more than three options on your home page,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;The human brain is not a machine, and it doesn&rsquo;t deal with lists very well. People with photographic or encyclopedic memories are not the norm, and besides, we&rsquo;re already on information overload.&rdquo; Think &lsquo;online presence&rsquo; If you have a limited budget for website development, it may be better to go without a website for now&mdash;but not without an online presence. &ldquo;Everybody does need a web presence that&rsquo;s available to the public, and by that I mean people should be able to find you online so they can call or email you. But it&rsquo;s better to spend a little money on a blog and on social media and go without a website for now than to spend $1,000 on a website with poor usability and searchability,&rdquo; said Sarah. For example, a restaurant or a music venue can use profiles on Myspace and Facebook to reach customers and promote events. &ldquo;And when you have the budget later to build a high quality website, the work on blogs and social media will complement the new website.&rdquo; Understand SEO Finally, said Sarah, SEO is not a one-shot solution. &ldquo;Search engine optimization is an ongoing process that you do in a variety of stages,&rdquo; said Sarah. &ldquo;And it has to be updated constantly.&rdquo; Many SEO practitioners engage in keyword and key phrase tactics that attempt to trick the search engines, or game the system. &quot;While this can generate higher traffic for a website, it can also knock the site out of indexing if the keyword and link building strategies are deemed 'black hat' by the search engines,&quot; said Sarah. &quot;Plus, tricking the search engines is not a viable long-term strategy. The search engines are constantly finding better ways to identify and rank credible, relevant content, so your web site must be credible and relevant,&quot; she said. &quot;The search engines are also always working to better detect keyword stuffing and other tricks.&quot; The most effective way to approach SEO, she said, is to provide relevant content with keywords and key phrases on the front end, integrate keywords and key phrases in the coding on the back-end, and do quality link-building and updates on a continuing basis. For more information My source for this article is the founder of Creative Original, a company that provides Internet marketing, web design, and training and seminars. Sarah Benoit teaches classes on topics such as keyword research and analysis, audio and video podcasting, Internet marketing, referral marketing, web site analytics, writing for the web, social networking and more for both advanced and beginner students. For more information visit <a href="http://www.creative-original.com" target="_new">www.creative-original.com. By Dave Turner

(Updated 11/04/2009) - Today the Internet offers unprecedented marketing value, so now is the time to evaluate your website and any other Internet presence you may have to make sure you’re getting the highest return on your investment of time and money.

But given the cacophony in the business world about search engine optimization (SEO), keywords and key phrases, social media, microblogging and more, it’s hard to know where to start.

So I called Internet marketing expert Sarah Benoit and asked, what are some basic first steps an organization should take toward a successful online marketing strategy?

Determine the Internet’s role

The answers to a more basic question is key to getting an Internet marketing strategy off on the right foot: What role does your website play in your business? For example, some companies receive 20 percent of their sales via the Internet. For others, that figure is 80 percent. Some websites are portals for customer service or direct online sales, while others drive contact from prospective customers. “For each function, it’s a different strategy,” said Sarah. “When you understand the role, you design a website that does its job.”

Consider usability

“Usability should be your top priority, in terms of how the website converts traffic into the paying customer, or the call for an appointment, or the other action you want,” said Sarah. “Most of the time, nobody has this conversation. People tend to forget that users are people with emotions and energies that are not technical but are organic,” she said. “What are the steps you want the visitor to take? How do you prompt them to take those steps in a natural and simple way so they just follow the trail of crumbs right to your door and become a customer?”

Further, the website must be useable across the full range of personality types within your target market. Detail-oriented people are more likely to drill down into the website copy and read just about everything. Visitors with a shorter attention span will respond to scanable information. “You have to take a holistic view,” Sarah said.

Consider the way the human brain works in general.

“Don’t put more than three options on your home page,” she said. “The human brain is not a machine, and it doesn’t deal with lists very well. People with photographic or encyclopedic memories are not the norm, and besides, we’re already on information overload.”

Think ‘online presence’

If you have a limited budget for website development, it may be better to go without a website for now—but not without an online presence.

“Everybody does need a web presence that’s available to the public, and by that I mean people should be able to find you online so they can call or email you. But it’s better to spend a little money on a blog and on social media and go without a website for now than to spend $1,000 on a website with poor usability and searchability,” said Sarah. For example, a restaurant or a music venue can use profiles on Myspace and Facebook to reach customers and promote events. “And when you have the budget later to build a high quality website, the work on blogs and social media will complement the new website.”

Understand SEO

Finally, said Sarah, SEO is not a one-shot solution. “Search engine optimization is an ongoing process that you do in a variety of stages,” said Sarah. “And it has to be updated constantly.”

Many SEO practitioners engage in keyword and key phrase tactics that attempt to trick the search engines, or game the system. "While this can generate higher traffic for a website, it can also knock the site out of indexing if the keyword and link building strategies are deemed 'black hat' by the search engines," said Sarah. "Plus, tricking the search engines is not a viable long-term strategy. The search engines are constantly finding better ways to identify and rank credible, relevant content, so your web site must be credible and relevant," she said. "The search engines are also always working to better detect keyword stuffing and other tricks."

The most effective way to approach SEO, she said, is to provide relevant content with keywords and key phrases on the front end, integrate keywords and key phrases in the coding on the back-end, and do quality link-building and updates on a continuing basis.

For more information

My source for this article is the founder of Creative Original, a company that provides Internet marketing, web design, and training and seminars. Sarah Benoit teaches classes on topics such as keyword research and analysis, audio and video podcasting, Internet marketing, referral marketing, web site analytics, writing for the web, social networking and more for both advanced and beginner students. For more information visit www.creative-original.com.

]]> Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:20:00 GMT 7E700F267A8F35D67F0FF285E710BDB4 http://copywriterdaveturner.com/copywritingblog.cfm?feature=995482&postid=109450 By <a href="./about.cfm">Dave Turner It is wise, particularly in these recessionary times, to ask yourself whether or not hiring a freelance copywriter, business writer or editor is worth the investment. Here are 10 reasons to bring in a professional: 1. Content is king. The Internet has outmoded the old models of advertising, marketing and public relations. Websites, blogs, email and social media are central to marketing communication strategy today. Print has become less of a message carrier and more of a driver to online media. Content must be written and presented so that your customers will seek out your messaging through search engines and pathways based on their preferences, permissions and information they share online. Rather than passively watching a TV spot, listening to a radio commercial, or noticing an ad, your customers interact with you directly via the Internet on their terms and schedules. Businesses today need specialized writers and editors who can optimize content for search engines while creating messaging that is also compelling to human readers. 2. Time is money. You could write and edit copy yourself, or have one of your employees do it. But chances are, your time is better spent running your business. Your employees will likely make a far greater contribution to the bottom line if they're not trying to do copywriting and editing on top of their other job responsibilities. 3. The message builds the brand. Every word that goes out into the marketplace about your organization impacts its identity and brand. This includes everything from the organization's name, slogan, business letters, business cards and press releases to websites, blogs, e-mails, newsletters, print advertising, and content in all other forms of electronic and print media. It is critical to craft all of your messaging carefully. 4. A fresh perspective makes a big difference. Often an organization's management team and employees are too close to daily operations to see the marketing communications picture from every angle. A freelance copywriter brings in a fresh perspective that can lead to previously untapped opportunities, as well as new and better ways to tell your story. 5. You get a higher return on your total marketing investment. It's a given that you need websites and other media for marketing communications. Even without a copywriter, these media require investments in graphic design, hosting, printing, broadcasting and other areas. Professionally written and edited copy ensures that from a messaging standpoint, you get a higher return on your total investment in marketing communications. 6. There's more clutter than ever. Anybody can publish their own content on the Internet instantly. Although this represents unprecedented ease of publishing and one-on-one access to readers and customers, it creates massive amounts of clutter. Bringing in a copywriter to create the most distinctive messaging possible&mdash;combined with the right search engine optimization strategies&mdash;will help you break through, get noticed and achieve your desired results. 7. Good copywriters have great connections. Copywriters collaborate with other creative professionals in completing their work. If you hire a good copywriter, you can also tap into his or her trusted network of graphic designers, web developers, SEO experts, art directors, and agencies for full service marketing communications. 8. It's cheaper than hiring an in-house writer. Establishing a relationship with a freelance copywriter gives you most of what you get from an in-house staff writer or editor, but without the cost of paying a salary and benefits. To handle regular copywriting or editing needs, many freelancers will set aside a certain number of hours per month for a client in exchange for a monthly retainer. 9. The work is done better, faster. You or your staff members may be world-class writers and editors. But when you have other job responsibilities, hiring a freelance copywriter who does this kind of work daily makes sense. It will get you top quality finished work faster than you could produce it in-house. 10. It's about more than words. In addition to mastering the writing process, copywriters have to be market researchers and strategists to do the job effectively. A good copywriter will make new discoveries about your marketing scenario, and then map out sound marketing communications strategy. By Dave Turner

It is wise, particularly in these recessionary times, to ask yourself whether or not hiring a freelance copywriter, business writer or editor is worth the investment.

Here are 10 reasons to bring in a professional:

1. Content is king.
The Internet has outmoded the old models of advertising, marketing and public relations. Websites, blogs, email and social media are central to marketing communication strategy today. Print has become less of a message carrier and more of a driver to online media. Content must be written and presented so that your customers will seek out your messaging through search engines and pathways based on their preferences, permissions and information they share online. Rather than passively watching a TV spot, listening to a radio commercial, or noticing an ad, your customers interact with you directly via the Internet on their terms and schedules. Businesses today need specialized writers and editors who can optimize content for search engines while creating messaging that is also compelling to human readers.

2. Time is money.
You could write and edit copy yourself, or have one of your employees do it. But chances are, your time is better spent running your business. Your employees will likely make a far greater contribution to the bottom line if they're not trying to do copywriting and editing on top of their other job responsibilities.

3. The message builds the brand.
Every word that goes out into the marketplace about your organization impacts its identity and brand. This includes everything from the organization's name, slogan, business letters, business cards and press releases to websites, blogs, e-mails, newsletters, print advertising, and content in all other forms of electronic and print media. It is critical to craft all of your messaging carefully.

4. A fresh perspective makes a big difference.
Often an organization's management team and employees are too close to daily operations to see the marketing communications picture from every angle. A freelance copywriter brings in a fresh perspective that can lead to previously untapped opportunities, as well as new and better ways to tell your story.

5. You get a higher return on your total marketing investment.
It's a given that you need websites and other media for marketing communications. Even without a copywriter, these media require investments in graphic design, hosting, printing, broadcasting and other areas. Professionally written and edited copy ensures that from a messaging standpoint, you get a higher return on your total investment in marketing communications.

6. There's more clutter than ever.
Anybody can publish their own content on the Internet instantly. Although this represents unprecedented ease of publishing and one-on-one access to readers and customers, it creates massive amounts of clutter. Bringing in a copywriter to create the most distinctive messaging possible—combined with the right search engine optimization strategies—will help you break through, get noticed and achieve your desired results.

7. Good copywriters have great connections.
Copywriters collaborate with other creative professionals in completing their work. If you hire a good copywriter, you can also tap into his or her trusted network of graphic designers, web developers, SEO experts, art directors, and agencies for full service marketing communications.

8. It's cheaper than hiring an in-house writer.
Establishing a relationship with a freelance copywriter gives you most of what you get from an in-house staff writer or editor, but without the cost of paying a salary and benefits. To handle regular copywriting or editing needs, many freelancers will set aside a certain number of hours per month for a client in exchange for a monthly retainer.

9. The work is done better, faster.
You or your staff members may be world-class writers and editors. But when you have other job responsibilities, hiring a freelance copywriter who does this kind of work daily makes sense. It will get you top quality finished work faster than you could produce it in-house.

10. It's about more than words.
In addition to mastering the writing process, copywriters have to be market researchers and strategists to do the job effectively. A good copywriter will make new discoveries about your marketing scenario, and then map out sound marketing communications strategy.]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:20:00 GMT 5B3A8B7298912C83B9C3F2CE5D287B91