Archive for the ‘SEO Copywriting’ Category

It’s vs. Its – The Grammar Exception

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Some of us are grammar snobs and cringe at every error we come across (I plead guilty!). As a copywriter, you might come across many such grammarians, and take it from me, nothing pleases these grammar snobs more than coming across an it’s and its error. Why, you ask? Because then they can mercilessly attack you and totally get away with it!

Let’s try and make things a little easier in the its and it’s department with explanations and some examples:

It’s – It’s is a contraction for ‘it is’ (sometimes for ‘it has’ as well, but we can put that one aside). This is an exception to the general rule that ’s denotes possession.

Examples:

It’s an interesting theme to build a play around.
It’s easy to remember stuff with mnemonics.

How to remember tip – Try replacing it’s with it is in a sentence. If it fits, you are good!

Its – Its denotes possession (an exception to the general norm), and can be interpreted as ‘that which belongs to him/her’.

Examples:

The dog lost its tag.
A Hill Myna is known for its ability to mimic the human voice.

How to remember tip – Try replacing its with his or her in a sentence. If it fits, you are good!

Very Important Note:

There is absolutely no such word as its’!!

Have any doubts or want to add something? Feel free to leave a comment or contact us! I did admit to being a grammar snob and another thing which makes us very happy is answering and arguing :D .

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Difference between American and British English (Part I)

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

“We (the British and Americans) are two countries separated by a common language”, asserted world-renowned playwright, G.B Shaw and rightly so.

The diversity prevailing in both spoken and written English further corroborates the difference between American and British English.

English originated in England in the 10th century A.D and  was introduced in America in the 17th century by the British Empire. British Colonialists introduced English Language in other colonies as well which adopted the language with little modifications. Americans, however  (in the real sense of the word) Americanized English completely.

The American spellings are different from their British counterparts. Also usage of Grammar and Syntax structure varies both the countries.

Let us look at the difference in spellings between American and British English:

-or v/s -our

American                            British
color                                          colour
favorite                                   favourite
honor                                      honour
endeavor                               endeavour
favor                                        favour
humor                                    humour

-ze v/s -se

American                           British
analyze                                  analyse
criticize                                 criticise
memorize                             memorise
recognize                              recognise
realize                                    realise

*Surprise surprisingly remains Surprise in American English. Overgeneralizing the rule may lead to some errors.

-ll v/s l

American                         British
enrollment                          enrolment
skillful                                   skilful
fulfill                                      fulfil

-er v/s -re

American                       British
center                                centre
meter                                 metre
theater                              theatre

-og v/s -ogue

American                      British
analog                               analogue
catalog                              catalogue
dialog                                dialogue

-e v/s -oe or -ae

American                       British
encyclopedia                  encyclopaedia
maneuver                         manoeuver
medieval                           mediaeval

-ck or k v/s que

American                       British
bank                                  banque
check                                cheque
checker                            chequer

-dg v/s -dge (or -g v/s -gu)

American                        British
aging                                   ageing
argument                          arguement
judgment                           judgement

*Management does not become Managment in American, so take care.

-ense v/s -ence

American                        British
defense                               defence
license                                licence
Offense                                Offence

Others

American                            British
Jewelry                                  Jewellery
pajamas                                 pyjamas
plow                                        plough
program                                programme
tire                                           tyre

Base Word              American         British
counsel                    counseling            counselling
equal                         equaling                equalling
model                       modeling              modelling
quarrel                    quarreling            quarrelling
signal                       signaling               signalling
travel                       traveling               travelling

*Exceptions

excel                       excelling          excelling
propel                    propelling        propelling

The above list of differences is not all inclusive but will definitely come in handy!

Using correct spellings in your copy will reflect very well on your merit as a copywriter especially when the content you are working on is country specific and sensitive.

So spell correctly and keep up the Quality!

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SEO Content Creation: Don’t forget the Users

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

When writing a copy for a website, most content writers emphasize on search engine parameters and conveniently forget the users, who would eventually read the copy, if it ranks well. Moreover, it will not leave your website much credibility and authenticity if you neglect the user or the experience that your copy may provide him or her.

A business is successful only if there is consistency in performance, specifically in terms of conversion rates, which depend on the user. Content creation for websites is a two-fold process, the result of which has to serve SEO as well as the users. In doing so, a copywriter should never forget the human aspect; the users. Users are potential customers that are to be reached through a copy and keywords are only mediators to reach them more effectively.

Communicability equals Usability
Copies created for SEO is usually optimized by infusing relevant keywords in it. However, when a write-up is stuffed with keywords, it loses its essence and meaning which in turn takes a very heavy toll on efficient communication with the user.

More keywords does not necessarily mean higher rankings. The course of business on Internet is determined by many factors of which content creation is one. These factors such as usability, link-ability and content creation are interdependent. One cannot depend on them in isolation.  Keywords provide a necessary channel for communication, which the write-up will induct and consequently will lead to links and conversions. So, do not make the mistake of forsaking content quality for keyword inclusion.

Content that is short, direct, precise and offers readily available information along with judicious  use of keywords, is perfect for both SEO as well as users.

Remember that keyword tools will only make you aware of the general thought process of your prospects. It is up to the content developer to appropriate them in the write-up so that clarity and quality of any write-up is not compromised.

Another significant point to remember is the position of the keywords. Having a keyword in the title and the subheading, gives out a very assuring message to the reader. It also enables your copy to stand out from the barrage of information available online.

The primary goal of SEO content creation is improving SEO results, which can be achieved by accommodating both the SEO and users’ perspective.

A brief but vital overview of the above information is mentioned below:

  • Do not Neglect users and user experience
  • Do not Stuff write-ups with keywords
  • Do not Compromise on the quality of content for keyword inclusion
  • Put the keywords in title and subheadings
  • For improved SEO results, cater to both search engine as well as user specific needs

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Crisp Copywriting – Do You Know When to Stop?

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

A recent Copyblogger post entitled ‘Do You Know When to Shut Up?‘ got me thinking. Do we copywriters know when to stop so as to put our points across effectively, and still not insult the reader’s intelligence? Maybe, maybe not. We all tend to drift when writing. Right now I’m reminded of little Nemo, who drifted too far into the ocean, and subsequently got into trouble. So unless you want to get in trouble with the readers by drifting too far, it is always good to know, to put it in Copyblogger’s words, when to shut up!

Writing a copy is like writing a story. Only interesting stories are read cover to cover and only interesting web copies are read first sentence to last sentence. Your copy needs to have a gripping build up, an interesting middle and a jolting end, but all this has to be done in some very limited words. Therefore I repeat myself, you have to know when to stop! Keep your write ups short, sweet, simple, crisp and open to possible interpretations.

The most important thing to remember here is that when you write too much, you are basically assuming that your readers NEED all the explanation; which is basically insulting their intelligence. No one likes that! Now this doesn’t mean that you start using really big words and very complex sentences. No one has the time and no one wants to read confusing stuff anyways.

The KISS mantra

Always follow KISS and Keep It Simple and Sweet. I would like to add another ‘S’ here. Keep It Simple, Sweet and Short and know when to stop. How much is too much? No one can really say. Just make sure that the words are simple, sentences are short, paragraphs are concise and you are using minimal words to put your points across (unless otherwise required).

Did I just go too far? :D

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Good Writing gets Higher Google Ranking

Monday, June 18th, 2007

Joel Walsh, founder, owner and head writer of UpMarket Content, compared top five sites displayed by Google when a query is entered and stumbled upon some very interesting results. He compiled them all in an article entitled ‘Google’s Good Writing Content Filter‘.

Quoted:

Arcane technical criteria like keywords density, link text and PageRank, he emphasized, take a backseat now when Google determines site ranking and content comes first. Google is now identifying websites with good content and putting them over those which maybe sound technically but have average or poor language. A briefing of the article follows.

All high ranking websites shared all or most of the following points:

* Updating – The content on high ranking websites is rapidly updated, essentially once a few weeks but sometimes as frequently as once or twice a week. Activity on the website ensures that the text is fresh.

* Spelling and grammar – Joel Walsh observed that sites which featured higher had very few or no errors. No page had more than 3 misspelled words or 4 grammatical errors.

* Paragraphs – Content is divided into neat and clear paragraphs. Preferably the paragraph should have not more than 5 sentences.

* Lists – The content which has listings (bullets and numbers) has higher appeal thus the ranking given to the website is higher.

* Sentence length – Short sentences with 10 words or fewer make site navigation easier. They also ensure clarity and neatness.

* Contextual relevance – Numerous terms related to the keyword are used instead of the keywords reverberating again and again.

The content for a website should thus be created keeping the above mentioned points in mind. Technical aspects like keyword optimization, links, PageRank, etc. still carry much importance when ranking is determined but text is given more attention.

This really does make us writers feel special now.Doesn’t it? :-)

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