Writing For Success: What Does It Mean To You?

Press releases and sales letters are key tools in marketing one's business in today's professional world. However, many professionals do not seem to understand the importance of enhancing their writing skills.

Few people realize that the written materials they send to clients can make or break their business. A badly written press release or sales letter can make one sound like an amateur to a potential client; but a crisp, well-written letter can prove to a client that you are the best in your field. You can utilize these marketing techniques if you follow a few simple rules.

First,

take a minute to analyze your niche market. Who are these people to whom you are sending your materials? What will spark their interest? Use clear and concise words to detail your product or services, but do not treat your clients as though they cannot understand simple examples. Do not use words that are key words in your industry but not widely used elsewhere.

Second,

determine what makes your business unique to your niche market. If you are sending your press release to a business magazine or newspaper, focus on the business aspect of your services. If you are sending a press release to a magazine for women, emphasize how your product can help women. Be sure to carefully research the target market of the medium to which you submit your press release. Most editors will not waste their time with your press release if it does not have an impact on their readers.

Third,

make your materials attractive. Most people receive a lot of advertisements and "junk mail" every day and are quick to throw away these items without looking more closely at them. Make your sales letter or press release stand out from the rest by choosing attractive designs and interesting fonts. Add your company's logo and offer a free service if you are able. Think of new ways to make even your sales envelope catch the eye of your client.

Finally,

proofread your sales letter or press release before sending it to your clients. Make sure to check for spelling errors or grammatical problems as these errors can reflect poorly on your professionalism. Allow someone else to read your material before you send it as they will have a fresh perspective and may be able to clean up your letter or release for you.

Remember to not be overwhelmed by that evasive sales letter or press release. Follow these tips in order to utilize these important marketing tools. As you become accustomed to sending out written materials, you will become more adept at focusing on your client's needs. Before you realize it, you will be standing out above your competitors. Start today enhancing your writing skills so you can begin marketing with this low-cost but effective technique.

Like most creative professions the question of a qualified success in writing is not easy to concentrate into one definitive answer.

Just as there are a multitude of writing styles, so too are there many examples of writing success.

Examples

1. "If I can just finish my first story, I will have success."
2. "If I can just work up the courage to submit this to a publisher, I will have success."
3. "If I can actually receive a check in the mail for a magazine article, I will have success."
4. "If I can just publish my first book, I will have success."
5. "If I can just have my book published by a major publisher, I will have success."
6. "If I can just get my book in the bestseller list, I will have success."
7. "If I can just keep up with all the writing work I have been commissioned to do, I will have success."
8. "If I can only be thought of in the same way as other literary giants, I will have success."

"The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you have, and to be able to lose all desire for things beyond your reach." Lin Yu-t'ang

There is a difference between contentment and complacency. In the first case, we learn to be happy in the circumstances we find ourselves in. In the second case, you simply settle for where you are without an interest in doing something more.

"A man will never be content with what he wants until he is content with what he has." - Bill Gothard

As writers we should always reach for our best. It is a good idea to set a small attainable goal for the short term with perhaps a one and six year plan in place for where we would like to be. This goal can be readjusted annually.

The problem many writers have is they set their goals so high they may not be able to reach them, or they make the goal sacrosanct they miss out on life in pursuit of the goal. Should they actually reach the goal, the effect of reaching the pinnacle often serves as a pin to pop an inflated balloon. For some, the ultimate goal they have chosen leaves them feeling hollow because they never understood the need for contentment. Once the 'ultimate goal' is realized the author has nothing more to look forward to and they struggle through issues related to their overall motivation.

By learning the fine art of contentment while refusing to be complacent will serve you well as you wrestle with issues of personal writing success.

If you are DEPRESSED,you are living in the PAST.
If you are ANXIOUS, you are living in the Future.
If you are at PEACE,you are living in the PRESENT.
Live for today, Live in joy, Live in peace.