The Dreaded “P” Word, the Writing Police are Watching

All writers are afraid of the dreaded “P” word – so what am I referring to here? We are referring to nothing less than the dreaded word plagiarism.

Plagiarism is something that we, as copy writers,  are often tempted to do – after all copying someone else’s copy is dead easy and no-one will find out! Or will they?  Don’t kid yourself. The writing police will soon be onto your game, and you will be caught out super-quick.

But why bother copying someone else’s ideas when your very own could be as good if not better? Have you ever read an article either online or somewhere else where you think to yourself “gee that is so great”? Well, let’s face facts -  we are all individuals and who says that what one has to say, depart or share is not as good if not as interesting as the next person?

Flowery language is one entity, but getting down and dirty and saying what you think, what you feel and what you know could be far better than the person who can write beautifully and descriptively, yet there is little depth to what they have to say?

A pretty girl is fantastic, and if she dresses wonderfully it is even nicer, but if she is a completely vacuous individual and has absolutely nothing at all to say that is deep, interesting or a little funny – well, let’s face it, the admiration stops right there.

Writing copy is identical to the pretty girl. Perhaps the pretty stuff looks good from a distance, but when the reader digs a little deeper, the pretty site and flowery language lacks both interest and depth!

Be sincere and above all else be honest and original. You don’t need to copy anyone else’s stuff to get YOUR own individual point across.  Yes there will always be techno stuff that we need to adhere to when writing technical copy. I mean – could you imagine getting the bits wrong when marketing TV’s, cameras or a line of industrial parts? It is then really important to ensure you stick to the product descriptions to a “T”.

Plagiarism is tempting, but hardly worth the effort. After all there is nothing quite as rewarding as writing copy that is original and interesting. 

Writing Killer Copy to Attract Attention

It is no secret that we all would love everyone to be drawn to a particular website like bees to a honey pot – but there is a lot more to writing interesting and different copy than meets the eye.

First and foremost – you need an eye-popping headline where visitors to your site would not be able to tear their faces away from the intrigue and fascination not only from the staggering headline, but also from the actual copy.

Don’t waffle, don’t be boring and yes – don’t say stuff you know nothing about – so the real and true key is to do your research thoroughly. There is enough on the web and enough in magazines and enough in newspapers to find stuff to write about – and if you are REALLY stuck – go to the library which is a font of information.

When you read books (this helps in general even if you don’t ever write copy – just makes one more interesting and a whole lot more intelligent) then keep a little book with a pen and if something witty or interesting or really well-written pops up – jot it down in your little (could be black) book.

Always remember that copy when written has to be sincere, honest and straight from the heart. If you are in a crummy mood and squeezing out copy, then the public will soon cotton on that you are faking it – oh yes! NEVER underestimate your audience, as they are a lot smarter than you realize. You know what it is like – when you are speaking to someone on the phone and they are reading something on the other side and not really paying attention, you know for sure that they are listening with half an ear. Copy is the same – if you are writing with half a heart and half a soul – everyone is going to know – trust me.

Naturally all copy is not going to grab you. There are those sites that you have to squeeze out ideas and fabulous stuff – I mean how excited can one get over mechanical stuff – not the motor kind but the factory kind, so it is your duty to MAKE it interesting – make it so interesting that customers will be queuing up to buy that product. Perhaps you are not all that excited about it but the other guy might be dying to add it to his collection of gee-gaws.

Never presume you know what it is that tickles the buyer or customer pink! It is always your duty as copy writer to write with a sincere heart and bright smile.