5 Proven Secrets Help You Write E-mails That Get Read
September 26th, 2009 | 
Author: 5 Proven Secrets Help You Write E-mails That Get Read And Get Results
Read this to learn 5 secrets to good writing. Apply these secrets to every word you choose every sentence you write every paragraph you create and you can be sure that your email will communicate your ideas with efficiency and clarity.
Secret 1: Avoid lazy verbs.
Some verbs are over worked tired and lazy. The verb “to be” is one of these. Choose verbs that add interest to create become stronger more descriptive sentences. Eliminate “to be” and your writing becomes more vibrant more interesting and more persuasive. Notice how much better sentence b is than sentence a:
a The stranger was in the doorway.
b The stranger STOOD in the doorway.
Another lazy verb “to have” doesn’t do much for your writing. Your sentences are more economical and active without it. Again notice how much better sentence b is than sentence a:
a This change to our marketing plan could have a significant impact on our sales this year.
b This change to our marketing plan could SIGNIFICANTLY impact our sales this year.
Secret 2. Dont be a show off.
You write to express your ideas not to impress the reader with your vocabulary. Don’t confuse him with your language. Choose words that make your message easy to read. Write the way you talk unless you are a pompous wind bag when you are talking too.
As Winston Churchill said “Broadly speaking the short words are the best and the old words when short are best of all.”
SHORT words say it best.
Use “use” rather than “utilize”
Use “about” rather than “concerning”
Use “so” rather than “accordingly”
SPECIFIC words add sparkle.
Use “329pound” rather than “large”
Use “57 Chevy” rather than “car”
Use “I” rather than “one”
COMMON words are better.
Use “help” rather than “facilitate”
Use “best” rather than “optimal”
Use “start” rather than “inception”
Secret 3. Keep it short.
Short sentences keep your copy moving forward. When your sentences are too long your reader gets bogged down in the language and confused by what you’re trying to say. You may have a lot to say. Fine. Say it in more than one sentence.
Your job is to make it easy for a reader. You do that by trimming words.
Anatole France quipped “The best sentence? The shortest.”
Secret 4. Express one idea in one sentence.
Run on sentences confuse your reader. Your reader will understand your ideas more clearly when you express them one at a time.
This is one time to be careful about writing the way you talk. Some folks let their ideas tumble out and swirl together without any organization. Dont be one of them.
Secret 5. Say what you mean.
Mark twain advised “Anybody can have ideasthe difficulty is to express them without squandering a quire of paper on an idea that ought to be reduced to one glittering paragraph.”
Think about the message you want to communicate. If it is complicated or long make an outline. This will help you get your thought together so you can express them in the most effective order.
Bonus secret:
Before you hit that send button reread your email. Look for ways to clarify your thoughts and ideas. The real secret of good writing is rewriting. Never be afraid to revise your words.
Robert Heinlein gets the final word: “The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.”
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;John Gilger is a freelance copywriter working with financial services marketers.
Visit his website at http://jgilger.com to learn more about him.
He can be reached by email at johnjgilger.com
Related posts:
Posted in e-commerce