Posts Tagged ‘copywriting’

You’re Vs. Your – The Important Distinction

Monday, July 6th, 2009

It’s the grammar snob again, and this time I’ll pick up another very common and very unnerving error. If a grammarian sees this particular goof up in your writing, you WILL be mercilessly attacked. We all know about grammarians now, don’t we?

The error I’m talking about is the mixing up of you’re and your. Are you one of the many confused? Don’t worry, you’re reading this and your confusions will be cleared! Let’s look at these tricky words individually:

  • You’re

    • You’re is a contraction, i.e., a combination, of ‘you are’. It is often followed by the present participle, a verb form ending in ‘-ing’.

    Some examples:

    You’re a nice person.
    I think you’re lying.
    I can’t believe you’re here!

  • Your

    • Your, on the other hand, is the possessive form of you. It is used to describe something as belonging to you. Your is almost always followed by a noun.

    Some examples:

    Is this your pen?
    Your book is on the table.
    Your hand looks a little bruised!

    Important Tip:

    When confused, try replacing you’re with ‘you are’ in the sentence. If it fits, you’re good! Otherwise, ‘your’ is the word you’re looking for!

    Very Important Note:

    There is absolutely no such word as your’e!!

    Want to add something? Have any inputs? Please feel free to leave a comment or contact us. I say it again, we grammar snobs love to argue :D .

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    Posted in Copywriting Tips | No Comments »

    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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    Posted in SEO Copywriting | No Comments »

    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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    Posted in SEO Copywriting | No Comments »

    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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    Posted in SEO Copywriting | No Comments »

    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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    Posted in SEO Copywriting | No Comments »