First blog post from my site

[PressGo]

Hi everyone, I have just launched a new website for my PR/copywriting business and was advised to incorporate a blog. This is my first post, would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks
Gareth

Get writing right, ask the experts

By Gareth Roberts
FOR anyone who works in PR or as a copywriter, it’s a sentence you hear all too often: "Anyone can write, can’t they?"
Probably. But whether they are actually any good at it is another matter.
Unfortunately in business, when it comes to words, too many people think it is a corner that can be cut, a saving that can be made.
Because, after all, why hire a copywriter, or a journalist, or someone in PR, if you can write it yourself?
The answer is simple – expertise.
If you want something doing well, you get the experts in. You wouldn’t "have a go" at fitting a boiler or giving yourself a filling, so why gamble on the writing which can prove so crucial to the success of your business?
By using a copywriter you can cut out mistakes, speak to your customers in a way they understand and sell your product, service or business effectively.
Mistakes give potential customers a bad first impression – they suggest sloppiness, poor professionalism and a lack of attention to detail.
It’s just like walking into a restaurant and picking up a dirty fork or unfolding a stained napkin.
Every day I see brilliantly designed websites and superbly laid out magazines. But look below the surface at the writing, the bit that actually sells the product, and it’s not hard to find mistakes, poorly written copy and words that are simply not accessible to the customer.
Words and phrases that you may use in your business – an acronym, technical terms, industry specific words – are not necessarily words other people, or your customers, may use.
And if the customer can’t understand your website, your brochure or your company magazine, they will go elsewhere.
Elsewhere to a rival product they DO understand.
So don’t overlook the role of a professional writer – if you do, maybe your competitor won’t.

[Indizine]

My thoughts?

No line spacing is the obvious one.

poor professionalism - no such thing. 'Lacks professionalism' is what it should say.

So don’t overlook the role of a professional writer – if you do, maybe your competitor won’t. - doesn't read correctly, needs rephrasing. Should say "...you might, but you're competitor won't".

Too many short sentences instead of paraphrasing.

[LOS Design UK]

Sorry Gary

As a pro writer (which is what yo uwish to market yourself as), this PR is poor mate.

My copy tutor would have pulled me over the hot coals if I produced something like that...

In summary...

1 Structure is poor
2 Grammar needs correction
3 Empathy is lacking

and to answer the question "Anyone can write, can’t they?"...

you know what I am going to say...obviously not

IMHO

[PressGo]

Thanks for the comments. Although I would argue that in a blog the language/structure is relatively informal because of the nature of the medium.

[sharp end training]

Can we have link to said blog?

[Indizine]

When you ask forum members to review something for you, please do not bite back by posting something to retaliate with.

You asked for comments and that's what you get, good and or bad. You can choose to take them on board or disregard them but be wary of alienating forum members who are trying to help you.

Getting a few of these this week, must be something in the water

[Indizine]

When the OP has acquired enough posts he can post a link to his website where relevant. Meantime, he can add it to his profile via his settings so it can be viewed by clicking on his avatar.

[sharp end training]

When the OP has acquired enough posts he can post a link to his website where relevant. Meantime, he can add it to his profile via his settings so it can be viewed by clicking on his avatar.

OK

[Scott-CopyandDesign]

Hi everyone, I have just launched a new website for my PR/copywriting business and was advised to incorporate a blog. This is my first post, would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks
Gareth

Get writing right, ask the experts

By Gareth Roberts
FOR anyone who works in PR or as a copywriter, it’s a sentence you hear all too often: "Anyone can write, can’t they?"
Probably. But whether they are actually any good at it is another matter.
Unfortunately in business, when it comes to words, too many people think it is a corner that can be cut, a saving that can be made.
Because, after all, why hire a copywriter, or a journalist, or someone in PR, if you can write it yourself?
The answer is simple – expertise.
If you want something doing well, you get the experts in. You wouldn’t "have a go" at fitting a boiler or giving yourself a filling, so why gamble on the writing which can prove so crucial to the success of your business?
By using a copywriter you can cut out mistakes, speak to your customers in a way they understand and sell your product, service or business effectively.
Mistakes give potential customers a bad first impression – they suggest sloppiness, poor professionalism and a lack of attention to detail.
It’s just like walking into a restaurant and picking up a dirty fork or unfolding a stained napkin.
Every day I see brilliantly designed websites and superbly laid out magazines. But look below the surface at the writing, the bit that actually sells the product, and it’s not hard to find mistakes, poorly written copy and words that are simply not accessible to the customer.
Words and phrases that you may use in your business – an acronym, technical terms, industry specific words – are not necessarily words other people, or your customers, may use.
And if the customer can’t understand your website, your brochure or your company magazine, they will go elsewhere.
Elsewhere to a rival product they DO understand.
So don’t overlook the role of a professional writer – if you do, maybe your competitor won’t.

I have to agree with other comments, it isn't really up to par for pro copywriting.

When you write blog posts they have to be sold almost as much as products/services which require payment. This is because visitors aren't buying with money, but they are buying with time and effort.

So, as you probably know, you'll have to write your blog posts to keep the interest and curiosity peaked. There's no headline there to grab my attention and after I force myself to read the next few paragraphs it just doesn't seem to be leading anywhere. Visitors want helpful, useful information, not just an opinion about why they should pay for your services (which is essentially what your blog post is about).

Good blogging requires just as much copywriting input as a sales letter or website landing page.

[batface]

I tend to agree with the other comments. If your blog is about writing it needs to be spot on as any post will give the impression of the business as a whole. I think you could only get away with it in a time out type of area, and only then with twitter type posts.