The Write Copywriting Words

How do you write splendid copy for your website, ezine, or article?

Imagine it is the Elizabethan era, and a young man with a broad forehead and contemplative eyes, sits poised, quill pen in his firm hand, a vellum parchment before him, thinking.

Ink pot, pen, and paper are all laid out neatly on the crude wooden table with it's knots and wormholes.

Within him is the excitement of advertising his visions, and he hears claps of appreciation, and he sees, dancing in the sunlight, falling from the heavens, golden coins.

As he connects with this inner thrill, it translates into words, and as ink spots fly on his crisp white shirt, he is transported into a world of eloquent testimonial.

As in this ancient scene, the answer is the same for you.

Use short words and use old words; these are the best.

Speak from your heart.

Let your enthusiasm speak through you.

And write as if to a dear and sympathetic friend, one who shares the same rhapsody over this marvelous new invention that you wish to gift the world.

Revel in the story of it's creation--the ardor and grandeur of it, and how from nothing, from a mere whimsical idea, not even worthy of a second thought, it flourished into this bold, new invention that all will desire.

The craft is the same, only the tools have changed. You now have a table made of some prefabricated material that you call your desk. You now have replaced your piece of vellum with a computer and a monitor. And your pen is your keyboard.

Perhaps you have a software program where you simply fill in the blanks after it prompts you with questions.

Perhaps, too, you have a new set of books, freshly downloaded from the internet, a swipe file from other people's successful promotions, then another pile of papers on the most arresting clichés, and finally just beneath the pile, that dog-eared course you paid too much for on how to write arresting copy

Yet behind all the clutter, your real tools are the same: your brain and your heart. How sincere are your statements, how honest your claims, how beneficial your offering, and how can it truly be the blessing that you claim?

Be an optimist--it will not do you any good to be anything less.

Tell the truth--otherwise your lie may be exposed halfway across the world before you can say "Yahoo."

Detail your history of invention, and it will be a kind history, for you intend to write it.

Do not jabber like a parrot.

Show how your invention will end all animosity on the planet and will be better for the human heart than a rare book crammed with the loftiest quotations from the most sublime minds throughout history.

Perhaps you understand now. The best way to write splendid copy is write as if you mean it. An honest and detailed description will awaken your inner Shakespeare.

Saleem Rana would love to share his inspiring ideas with you. Hunting everywhere for a life worth living? Discover the life of your dreams. His book Never Ever Give Up tells you how. It is offered at no cost as a way to help YOU succeed. http://www.theempoweredsoul.com/enter.html

Copyright 2004 Saleem Rana. Please feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or newsletter. It's a shareware article.

Celtic Tattoos - 3 Designs and What They Mean

Celtic tattoos designs have been influenced by the long, complex history and culture of the people themselves. They are a spiritual people, with one foot in this world and one in the spiritual world. The modern designs have been influenced both by their earlier pagan religious practices, which were nature based, and their now long practiced Christianity.Most of their designs have reference to a deeper meaning. Their folklore is full of stories of the other world. Their art and symbols are heavily influenced by their pre-Christian pagan religions in which they worshipped nature. The sun, moon, stars and the earth were sacred to them, as were animals and the seasons. Later, after they were introduced to Christianity, their art included the cross, in various forms, but their earlier traditions were well established by then. This mixture is seen in their work today.

Celtic Cross Tattoos

This is the predominant symbol of Christianity but the Celts have given it their own unique design with the ringed cross. The cross, of course, represents the Christian belief itself while the circle can represent eternity or God's eternal love or the continuing act of salvation brought by Christ's death and resurrection.The symbol of the cross predates Christianity and can be found in ancient civilizations. Both the cross and the circle are found in a number of cultures. They have been found on rock carvings several thousand years old. The circle can represent the sun. Those not drawn to Christianity can find other spiritual meaning in the symbols.

Celtic Knot Tattoos

The Celts have made knot work their own but it has elements that evolved from earlier cultures and civilizations. The intricate criss-crossing and inter-weaving designs of their knot work is said to represent life itself. Life is a maze, complex, with each life interwoven with another's. The lines of the drawings are never-ending, representing the continuity of the natural cycle of death and rebirth. It can also represent the crossing over of the physical and spiritual world. It can represent eternity and the boundlessness of God's bounty and goodness. Animal forms are often intertwined, reflecting the people's earlier connection to nature and the animal world. The images of horses, dogs, birds and other animals can be found skillfully woven into the lines of artwork so that they become an integral part of the whole. Animal images were used in many cultures, often in the hope the wearer might take on some of that animal's skills or characteristics or simply link them spiritually to the animal.All these elements can be found in illuminated documents, such as the Book of Kells, which have heavily influenced modern Celtic tattoo designs.

Celtic Spiral Tattoos

The spiral has fascinated humans from earliest times. It appears on early rock carvings and in most cultures. It appears in nature in the horns of animals, in snail and seashells and in the galaxy. It has been studied by scientists and mathematicians and pondered on by philosophers. The spiral most associated with Celtic design is the triple spiral or triskele. The design is found around the world because the Celts made inroads into so many cultures. In earlier times it represented the sun but later came to be used in Christianity to explain the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Some see it as representing our spiritual journey to God - an ever-unfolding mystery. Others see in it our journey through life. It is a tattoo symbol full of mystery and can remind us of our own spiritual and emotional journey.

William Burnell has a long standing interest in tattooing - its art, design and history.

You can find a wide selection of Celtic tattoo designs and all the information you will need on tattoo artists, prices, risks and aftercare at: http://www.tattooartdesign.info

Does Competition Knot Up YOUR Nylons

I have this quote taped right to my desk credenza.

" You'll never reach your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks."

- Sir Winston Churchill

It can happen so easily.

You see, hear, read about your competition and you can almost feel your nylons getting knotted up.

Not too comfortable is it honey?

Sir Winston definitely nailed it on the head.

If you spend all your time being REACTIVE to competition then guess what?

You're not being proactive. Not innovative. Not staying true to your course. Not being a leader .

Like I said - " You're all "NOT-TED" Up!"

Unfortunately when your customer sees you doing this - they think you are more interested in being a copycat than an original. Meow.

Here's A Little Quiz To See If Your Competitors KNOT You Up:

1. You have that "sinking feeling" when you are at the same networking function.

2. You have a head-ache when you see their booth at a tradeshow.

3. You feel nauseated when you see them in the media.

4. You check out their website obsessively.

5. You are over-sensitive when their name gets mentioned.

6. You bad-mouth them to your customers. (this is really BAD by the way!!)

7. You drop your prices to get their customer's business.

If the butterflies went off in your stomach for ANY of the above points - then girl - your nylons are knotted up!

And you're wasting your time, energy and brain power worrying about what you can't control.

Hey - here's a thought!

You know something your competition doesn't have?

YOU.

You and your customers have a relationship that can't be copied by a competitor.

It isn't about dropping your rates. Or choking on your toast when you see your competitor in the paper.

Here's Some Bossy Sales Diva Advice:

Look for the grain of truth that bugs you.

Are they doing something MUCH BETTER than you? Doing something you may not even have thought of?

Well - don't copy their idea (that's just cheesy) - copy the innovative thinking instead.

Instead of getting all knotted up - get FIRED UP and ask yourself " What could I do to improve my products and services that would make me UNIQUE?"

It's a tough question that may require pots of coffee while you're thinking. But it is a heck of much better way to spend your time - thinking about YOUR BUSINESS and YOUR CUSTOMERS.

Wouldn't you agree?

Your Diva Fun-Work? Take a good look at your competition and what they are doing RIGHT and challenge yourself to improve in another area.

Remember. Your competitor isn't wrecking your expensive DKNY pantyhose. YOU ARE.

Kim Duke, The Sales Diva, provides savvy, sassy sales training for women small biz owners and entrepreneurs. Kim works with clients internationally, showing them The Sales Diva secrets to success! Sign up for her saucy and smart FREE e-zine and receive her FREE Bonus Report “The 5 Biggest Sales Mistakes Women Make” at http://www.salesdivas.com