Just about every marketer on the Internet claims to be the best around and would have you believe that no one else knows as much or can teach you as quickly and thoroughly as they can. It would seem that they erroneously assume that by admiring someone else’s teachings they will lessen their marketability as the “great persuader” in salesmanship.

In truth, while they may not admit it publicly, every marketer studies the technique or style of others on a continuing basis. I’ll be the first to admit that I seek out, read and revise my methods of copywriting thanks to the best of the best. And I have discovered that perfection is often flawed.

We are in an age where videos, movies, television, radio and computer games scream for our attention. They produce more information than anybody can possibly retain. Therefore, if I want to hold someone’s attention, make a written offer that compels them to read to the last line and reach for their wallet --- then I must learn to outshine my competition and dazzle my readers.

If you think back, I’m sure you remember times when you were reading something so mesmerizing that you never heard the phone ring, or if you did you didn’t answer it. So absorbed were you that you didn’t realize where an hour had gone… or, held up a halting hand when someone attempted to interrupt you with a question. Yeah, I’ve been there too. And that’s exactly the kind of writing that I’m talking about.

Irresistible writing rivets your eyes to the page. Words are so clear, so concise that the effect is nearly hypnotic… and you remember what you have read because it IS unforgettable.

Stopping The 'Brain Drain' Of The U.S. Economy
Recent surveys show that a large percentage of graduates from the nation's top schools are taking jobs in consulting or finance. But students at some top schools have begun protesting recruitment drives by financial firms in an effort to steer students away from the financial sector.

El-Arian On Economic Uncertainty
PIMCO CEO Mohamed El-Erian says the economic future is still uncertain because of the euro zone crisis, China's slowing economy and worrisome U.S. structural components. He talks to NPR's Guy Raz about his Foreign Policy piece "The World On A Knife's Edge."

Going back many years, I remember radio programs that my grandmother listened to daily. They were no more than half-hour serials like “Porsha Faces Life” and there was always a crisis at the end of the daily broadcast that left you hanging… “Tune in tomorrow and answer the question – how will Porsha react with the news blah, blah, blah?”

In today’s novel writings, each chapter will leave you with a similar “cliff-hanger”, something untold that will stir your curiosity. A good piece of fiction will not allow you to stop between chapters, and a top-notch one will forbid you to stop until the end.

Now then --- if you can write an advertisement, article or eBook preview that will stir the curiosity of your reader without giving them the whole story… if the “cliff-hanger” compels them to fill out a form, send you an email, or sign up for a free trial, you have discovered the author inside you.

© 2004 Esther Smith

Esther Smith is editor of Partners-For-Profit Newsletter and copywriter for The Permanent Venture. Each publication of PFP get a weekly diet of marketing and advertising reports, free bonuses, ad space and resources for all their Internet needs.

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