Content and Copywriting Forum

[John Scott]

This suggestion was made via PM, and I think it's probably a good idea to have a Content and Copywriting forum.

Thoughts?

[Julie]

I don't see it being used that much.

[DarrenC]

Not many people would post I don't think BUT I do want to learn more about copywriting so it would be very useful.

[John Scott]

I could advertise it and get some copywriting people in here, and content is always a good topic.

[DarrenC]

Yes, if theres posts by people who can help members on the art of copywriting then I think it would be a good idea.

[Julie]

How can you teach someone to write well? I think that's why you pay attention in English class. IMO, you've either got it or you don't.

[webprofessor]

Copywriting is certainly is not a high post topic but it is a very distinctive and important one. From my personal experience people in the webmaster community that come from a more programming or graphics background usually don't have a clue on this topic (myself included but I am way better now than I was). To develop a resource, although a likely slow growth one, in the area that is the very essence of most websites would only be benificial.

[Julie]

Hire me, I'll write all day.

[DarrenC]

Copywriting is the art of writing sales and marketing related materials. Copywriting is used in every major area of business such as Sales Letters, Business plans, advertising etc.

I disagree. There's different types of styles and it's using the correct style depending on what you are trying to get across. Whilst I can write, I have trouble writing in salesy talk.

[webprofessor]

Originally Posted by Julie

How can you teach someone to write well? I think that's why you pay attention in English class. IMO, you've either got it or you don't.

With practice and feed back.

.. but .. that is not the only issue copywriting and content covers.
ie.
How do you influence a reader ? Some great writers couldn't write sales copy to save their life.

How do I write a press release ? Lots of people don't know
What are the 4 P's and how do they relate to a sales letter ?
What is the best way to hire a writer ?
Is it illegal to use someones copy iif I cite it ?

[Julie]

A good writer or copywriter can write in more than one style.

[Julie]

Originally Posted by webprofessor

How do you influence a reader ? Some great writers couldn't write sales copy to save their life.

That's where marketing and psychology concepts come into play.

[John Scott]

I think people need help writing. The biggest problem I see is people doing huge chunks of text without any highlighting, bolding or italics, no paragraph headings, and it just becomes impossible to read.

[webprofessor]

Some can some can't, Micheal Martinez for instance is a good writer but stated he isn't good at writing PR releases.

Your statement is akin to saying a "good painter is great at oils and water colors" or that a good programmer is "great at both C++ and PHP"

in both instances one may be great at one skill and may even be proficient at the other skill but the person may not be the best choice for both.

[John Scott]

Micheal Martinez is longwinded. I have to force myself to read any of his stuff.

Well, except his forum posts, which are usually one liners.

[Julie]

Some people are impossible to convince that their writing sucks because they don't understand basic grammer, puntuation, etc. Like using to instead of too, or then and than, when to use a comma or semicolon, etc. Then you need a good flow and everything, and it has to make sense.

Webprofessor, you make a good point. But I think that there are some people are more akin to writing naturally, like painters or artists. Practice makes them better, but some people just don't "get it".

I am out of it today; I hope my posts are coherent.

[webprofessor]

I agree, some don't ever get it, but we can always improve. Myself for instance, I suck at writing, but compared to the crud I was producing 4 years ago I am much better. Forums help that and of course I consult my college textbooks a lot.

Its especially an appropriate topic for a newbie, who may not even know they suck.

[GuyFromChicago]

Originally Posted by JohnScott

This suggestion was made via PM, and I think it's probably a good idea to have a Content and Copywriting forum.

Thoughts?

If you build it they will come

I think anything that further defines the catagories within a forum is a good thing.

[JuggoPop]

It might be nice, but wouldn't it be better to have people that want to talk about it post articles and those wanting reviews or having questions to post in the web design lobby? (or other related forum)

[MadKad]

why not just try it and see how it goes if it is dead and stays dead after so long just remove it