Category: Law Firm

By Glenn Murray

As websites and electronic commerce are becoming more and more common, business owners and marketing managers are realising that quality web copy is every bit as important as impressive design. And with the ever increasing importance of search engine presence, the role of web copy has never been more critical.

But in such a relatively new field, customers are still coming to grips with what they can expect of their website copywriter. The question a lot of people are asking is, How do I know Ill get what I pay for?

Before engaging a website copywriter for your next project, ask them whether theyre able to provide you with the following ten essentials

1) Fixed Quote

A lot of website copywriters will tell you they only work on an hourly rate. Theyll cite varying requirements, rapidly changing technologies, greater incentive, the risk of customer indecision, and a host of other reasons why they cant provide a fixed quote. But dont be fooled. You have a right to know what the job is going to cost you. If a website copywriter wont give you a fixed quote, think twice

2) Contract of Works to be Completed

Just as important as a fixed quote is a signed contract. It may not be drawn up by a lawyer, but a written and signed document outlining the works to be carried out, and the cost of those works is essential. If a website copywriter is reluctant to provide a written, itemised quote including estimated number of words, you have to ask yourself why.

3) Timeframe

Always ask how long your job is going to take. If youve already had a go at writing your own web copy, youll know how time consuming it is. Never make the mistake of thinking the job will be done in a day. Granted, a professional website copywriter will be very efficient in crafting your copy, but no matter who the writer, a quality product requires time. And on top of writing time, remember that youll have to review and provide feedback on everything they write. In a lot of cases, its the review phase that takes the most time, so make sure you try to set some time aside, otherwise youll find yourself the bottleneck!

4) Plan of Attack

Try to get some idea from your website copywriter about how they plan to approach your project. Dont be fooled into believing you have to hand over the dollars before theyll reveal their plan of attack. You have a right to be comfortable with their approach before you engage their services. Will you receive individual drafts of every page, or a single draft of the entire site? What format will you receive the finished product in? How many review iterations do they anticipate?

5) Samples

A lot of ambitious web service providers of all types are calling themselves writers these days. They offer copywriting as a specialist service, but dont engage a specialist to complete the work. Always ask to see samples of their previous copy. Read it thoroughly and ask yourself, Does this copy convey benefits?. Pretend youre the intended audience and ask Does this copy answer the questions I need answered before Ill buy?

6) CV

Most copywriters websites will give you a very high-level overview of their business and the services they offer. Some even offer samples. But very few offer a professional biography of their writers. If youre not happy relying on their website as your sole source of information, ask for a copy of their CV. The things youre looking for are a professional history in writing, and preferably some tertiary education in the same.

7) Testimonials

Perhaps the best indication of a website copywriters ability is customer satisfaction. Dont be afraid of asking for customer testimonials. A good website copywriter will be proud of their testimonials so proud, in fact, that theyll be offering them without you even asking. Look for testimonials from companies you recognise and/or can verify. Anyone can get their great-aunt write them a testimonial. Some will even write their own. If you really want to be sure, ask for contact details so you can give the customer a call and hear it straight from the horses mouth.

8) SEO Copy Skills

Approximately 80% of all web traffic comes through search engines, so its essential that your website copywriter has proven experience in SEO copy. Ask them their general approach to SEO copy. Do they normally perform the keyword analysis themselves? How do they know when theyve used enough keywords in enough of the right places? Can they show you a high ranking site theyve written the copy for? What steps do they take to avoid diluting the effectiveness of your primary keyword phrases? Will their SEO copy change the text links on your pages? (It should!)

9) SEO Copy at No Extra Charge!

Never be fooled into paying more for SEO copy. If youve already performed your keyword analysis, and you know where you want your keyword phrases used, writing of the copy should take no longer than usual. Ill say it again SEO copy is not an extra its how web copy should be written! Do not pay extra for it! The only things you should expect to pay extra for are keyword analyses, adding the HTML code for unmarked text links, providing guidance on site structure, sourcing of inbound links to your site, etc. SEO copy by itself should cost no extra.

10) Writing Experience for Online Media

Writing for an online medium is entirely different to writing for print. Readers have different requirements and objectives, and reading conditions are very different. Make sure your website copywriter knows how to cater to these differences. Ask them to recommend a maximum page length or word count per page. The correct answer should include some comment on the trade-off between the problems of scrolling and the need for a high keyword count for SEO. Ask them whether they prefer long sentences or short (and hope to hear short). Ask them whether they will include lots of text links within the main body of the copy, and if so, will they appear as regular links (colored and underlined) or will they be unmarked.

Professionally written copy can mean the difference between a great looking site and a great looking site THAT EARNS YOU MONEY.

Choose your website copywriter carefully.

About the Author: * Glenn Murray is an SEO copywriter and article submission and article PR specialist. He is a director of article PR company, Article PR, and also of copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit

DivineWrite.com

or

ArticlePR.com

for further details.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=2966&ca=Writing

By Chris McElroy

I am the founder of a missing children organization and get asked all the time “How do I teach my child to be safe without scaring him or her? These tips will help you know what you need to do as a parent.

1. Keep a Kidsearch Network Child ID Kit, http://www.kidsearchnetwork.org/free-child-fingerprint-id-kits.htm in a safe place that is accessible 24/7 and update the photographs and other information every 6 months. If you do not have a kit for each of your children, go to that link to build one for free.

2. Make sure your child always checks with you before going anywhere with anyone.

3. Know your neighbors and other adults that have access to your children. Every state allows the public to check the criminal backgrounds of those who have access to your children. Just contact local law enforcement.

4. Know your neighborhood. Show your children the safest places to play and areas to avoid; like alleys and dark stairwells.

5. Do not advertise your child’s name on clothing, school supplies or backpacks.

6. Get a cell phone or pager for your child. This way you can be in contact with them at all times.

7. Make sure your child knows to scream and run if approached in an alarming way by anyone. Your child should be taught to ALWAYS tell you immediately if he or she is approached by a stranger who asks for help, offers candy/gifts, or frightens him/her in anyway. Your child should know to make you aware of anytime he or she feels uncomfortable with ANYONE.

8. If you have an Internet ready computer in the home, put it in a common area and use this software, Online Safety Shield at http://www.onlinesafetyshield.com to monitor your children’s Internet activities and what they are being exposed to.

9. Seek alternatives to leaving your children alone at home, in the car or outside. If your child is a latch-key kid, make sure that he or she knows to keep all doors and windows locked. Tell them to never let anyone know that he or she is alone and never let anyone in the house, not even someone claiming to be a police officer or from the fire department. Those kinds of professionals know to forcibly enter in case of an emergency.

10. Teach your children how to use a pay phone without money and how to call 911. Make sure your child learns his or her address and phone number at an early age. A second phone number of a friend or relative is also helpful. Teach your child how to make a collect phone call, and to begin with ‘Operator…I’m in trouble; I need your help.’

11. Do not leave a child unattended while shopping, visiting with neighbors or friends, or running errands. Under no circumstances should you leave a child alone in a car or truck. Amusement parks and other large, bustling venues aimed at entertaining children can attract predators.

12. If you maintain firearms in your home, use approved trigger locks and keep them safely locked up.

13. When your child comes to you with a problem or about someone making them feel uncomfortable, make sure that you listen and do not blame them.

14. If your child receives pornography on the Internet, (Many people who never surf porn still receive it in email), do not immediately blame your child. Discuss it with them and explain why it’s not allowed and how to immediately delete it. Report the sender to their ISP. Call The Kidsearch Network if you do not know how and we will do it for you.

Is the Internet a treasure chest of educational opportunities for kids? Or is it a place filled with all sorts of dangers?

The reality, of course, is that it is both. The online world can pose a threat to youngsters, ranging from exposure to sexually explicit material, to stalking, to physical molestation. Disturbing as well is the proliferation of child pornography.

About the Author: Chris McElroy is the founder of the Kidsearch Network , RunawayTeens.org and The Missing Children Blog

Source: isnare.com

Permanent Link: isnare.com/?aid=72853&ca=Family+Concerns