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[H1260]How To Improve English Writing Skills

by Stuart Elliott, Stu

The thing is, there is one way that doesn't cost a dime and that will implant these things in your brain as surely as a sledgehammer will crack a walnut... But most people simply ignore it.

You may even be the same...

But you know what? There is no surer way to absorb the little triggers and understand the psychology of the emotional hot buttons. You'll also learn how a good sales letter flows by simply finding a some killer copy and writing it out, word for word onto a piece of paper - BY HAND.

This is important - don't type it on your computer or just read it. Actually take the time to write it by hand.

I was doing just that the other day - something I've made into a routine - and it's amazing the little things that I suddenly started seeing. I'd not noticed them when I'd been reading the sales letter, but they suddenly leapt out at me as I wrote it down...

Simple but 'Oh-so-effective' things like the choice of one small word... the use of the hyphen to join phrases and make the copy 'move quicker' or simply changing an adjective for a verb to add more punch and impact. This is the 'copywriting language' that your English teacher couldn't teach you at school.

When you read a sales letter these things affect or move you but you are not always sure why.

However, when you copy a sales letter out longhand you have time to see and understand exactly what the smallest changes can do. And what's more, these 'tricks' become implanted in your brain by the very act of writing.

It's almost as if they jump off the paper and run up your arm before settling inside your head. It's one of those strange things that happen. I don't know how it does, but it works.

Not doing something as simple as this costs you in two ways:

1. You don't get to learn the secrets - Period.

2. It costs you money because you probably buy courses and DVD's that don't teach you these little secrets.

So why is it that people don't make a habit of doing something as valuable as this? Is it because it takes too much time?

It could be. People do tend to want the quick way out which is a little shortsighted...

I know that time is valuable but so is education.

So, if you make a habit of writing great sales letters out longhand the time you spend doing so becomes negligible. You'll even find that as you copy out a professional copywriter's sales letter your own sales letter will begin forming itself in your head.

And, as soon as you've finished your little homework task you'll be steaming full speed ahead into writing your own killer sales letter.

Another benefit of this that is crucially important to those who are non-native speakers of English is it teaches you how to use English at the same time.

Give it a try - I'm sure you'll be amazed at the results.

And if you're not sure where to find some good copy to practice with, have a look at some of Gary Halbert's work at 'thegaryhalbertletter.com' or Clayton Makepeace's 'makepeacetotalpackage.com'

These are two guys whose work you should be devouring daily.

By the way when I say copy a sales letter I don't mean plagiarise it, I mean write it down word by word - by hand so you can learn from it.

To you success, always.

Copyright (c) 2007 Stuart Elliott

Are there really “secrets” to writing, as all those books and articles continually promise? Or is developing English writing skills just a function of experience?

While there are particular skills and techniques that can help you turn out better copy, they're not secret. In fact, they're freely available from here and other sites that frequently discuss language training.

To become a better English writer, there are three things you need to do:

1. Read widely
2. Write often
3. Improve on one area at a time

That's it and none of those things are secret. If you become a wide reader, you can see further and deeper into topics. You gain familiarity with a greater amount of vocabulary, along with specific writing styles and ways of expression. Most of the time, you end inheriting many of the traits of the materials you peruse, developing both the quality of your thoughts and your artistic temperament.

When you write often, you train your mind to work through the craft, the same way runners train their bodies by putting themselves through the pace. Just as you developing singing talent partaking in the activity, you train your writing instincts by engaging in it.

If you write enough times, it's not unusual to improve naturally. However, making the conscious decision to see gains in a particular area usually serves to speed up the process. As such, be open to criticism, learn from them and always strive to improve a facet of your overall ability. Similarly, don't shy away from using tools, such as language software, to help you on your path.

Your Use Of English Affects Your Bottom Line

Whether you're an American company that use English as your main vernacular or a foreign organization who needs to communicate with the rest of the world, a good grasp of the English language will affect your bottom line. Regardless of your feelings about it, English remains as the international language of business. As such, making sure that your business is well-equipped to communicate in it can create massive improvements in your year-end numbers.

1. Good English can increase sales. All businesses need a regular influx of new customers to remain competitive. If your marketing strategy includes producing English materials in any shape or form, your pitch will need to be written well enough to be able to persuade. The better your writing is, the stronger the connection you can potentially foster with your prospects, eventually leading to higher sales.

2. Good English boosts your business' credibility. Businesses will need to always put their best foot forward in order to maintain their credibility. When you foster clear communication with your customers and the industry at large, it enhances your image in a way that will leave an indelible impression on people. It announces that you pay attention even to the littlest detail and you strive for excellence in all facets of your business.

Any organization that needs to use English, whether for internal or external purposes, should take the time to equip their employees with the necessary skill to communicate with it at a professional level. That means providing them with opportunities to train (e.g. grammar classes, language learning software) as well as equipping them with necessary tools (e.g. grammar checkers) to help them achieve proficiency.

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About Author

Both Stuart Elliott & Jennifer Sefo are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Stuart Elliott has sinced written about articles on various topics from Sales letter, Emotional Intelligence and Marketing. Stuart Elliott is a world-class copywriter who has written numerous articles about sales letters and copywriting. Drop by: