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Articles by Melinda Copp

Browse published articles attributed to Melinda Copp, with full-archive search.

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By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Two Sentences that Make or Break Your Article Marketing Success: How to Write a Resource Box that Attracts Ideal Clients

After composing a brilliant marketing article that showcases your expertise and gives your ideal readers information they love, you'd think your article marketing work was done. But wait! The resource box-those two or three sentences tagged onto the end of all your articles. Think you can just slap something together, drop in a link to your web site, and send the article off?

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,658 views★ 3.4 (5)

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Magnetic Marketing Copy; Writing from a Position of Partnership

Do you ever feel sleazy or inauthentic when you write marketing or sales copy? Like you're pushing people, rather than pulling them in? I know I have. Let me tell you a story. A few years ago I wrote my first sales letter for my business. I'd written sales copy before, but always on behalf of clients, and I quickly learned that doing it for myself was very different. Even though I knew what made copywriting effective, I had trouble writing in a voice that felt like me. And let me tell you, the sales letter was a complete train wreck!

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,001 views★ 4.0 (8)

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Self-Editing Success; How to Edit Your Own Writing

Writing and editing are two different processes. Writing requires creativity; editing requires analysis. The writing process should be free and experimental; the editing process should be systematic and critical. Because of these differences, making a conscious shift in your thinking will make the self-editing process easier and more effective, and one of the best ways to accomplish this is taking time away from the project. For example, I used to write in the morning and then edit in the afte oon.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,274 views★ 3.8 (5)

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Market Your Book with Social Media

Social media web sites, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and even MySpace, can be perfect places to market a book. If you are already connected to the online networking and media world, stay there, and start promoting your work. If you are not connected, consider adding a few of the following strategies to your book marketing tool kit. Make Your Posts about Your Book Do you regularly update your Twitter or Facebook status? If so, make sure that, as much as possible, your status updates relate to your book.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

2,178 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

When and How to Copyright Your Book

Copyrighting your book is an important step in the process of becoming an author because it helps protect against people taking or using your work without permission. But how do you get a copyright? And when should you file for one? If you're unsure about how to protect your work, consider the following suggestions. First, a quick disclaimer: I am not a copyright atto ey, and this article should not be taken as legal advice. Please use this only as a guide for where to find more information about how to protect your work. And, keep in mind that this is for authors in the United States.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

2,114 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Why NOW is the Best Time to Write Your Book

If you've been thinking about writing a book for a long time, then you're definitely not alone. It's one of those projects that can easily be put off so more immediate things can get done. I know I tend to put things off (especially big things) unless I have a compelling reason to do it now.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,991 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Do You Need to Hire a Ghostwriter to Write Your Book?

When a person with little or no writing experience decides they want to write a book, their first instinct is often to find someone with writing skills to do it for them. It sounds easy enough, right? You can't write, so you just get someone who can. However, a lot more goes into finding and working with a ghostwriter than most people think. It's not just a matter of finding a writer who needs something to do. So if you're considering hiring a ghostwriter to write your book, here are the basics of what you need to know.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,639 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Commitment; The Only Way to Get Your Book DONE!

Millions of people want to write a book. However, less than 10 percent of them actually accomplish that goal. The reason, I'm willing to bet, is that the other 90 percent of aspiring authors are not truly committed to the project, and so they never get it done.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,547 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

See the Trees in the Forest; Where to Start Writing Your Book

When you want to write a book, figuring out where to start is one of the most problematic obstacles. When I talk to aspiring authors, this is one of the most common challenges that comes up. And it can hold back even the most motivated people.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,371 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

When Writing a Nonfiction Book, Don't Put the Cart Before the Horse

What's the point of writing a book? Publishing it. In the end, that's what we're all after because writing is about sharing our ideas and knowledge. However, although publication is the ultimate goal, focusing too heavily on that—particularly when your book idea isn't fully formed, let alone written—can prevent you from ever getting it done.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,337 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Write Articles that Attract Ideal Clients

Writing and publishing articles, as long as they relate to your area of expertise, will always result in traffic to your web site. However, not all those visitors will become clients, or even prospects. Why? Because oftentimes they don't find what they're looking for. But this can be avoided. Getting traffic is pointless if your visitors don't have a need that your products and services can fill.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,316 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Writing Articles; STILL One of the Best Ways to Invest In Your Success

Have you ever heard the phrase, "content rich"? Well, when writing your way to wealth, writing an article that showcases your expertise is like investing in a sure thing. Writers (both online and off) have used articles to get traffic on the web, entice prospects to call, and sell their books and products. But with Twitter, LinkedIn, and other fun places to market your services online, is writing articles still a worthwhile strategy? Absolutely.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,294 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Your Book Won't Succeed Without It--Seriously

As writers, we tend to think about writing and what it takes to write a book. But what about reading a book? Although it doesn't take near as long as the writing part, it still takes a while. When you ask someone to read your book, you're asking them to set aside other things they could be doing--reading something else, hanging out with their kids, or whatever--and spend ten or so hours with you and your thoughts. That's a pretty serious request. And as a writer, you have to keep in mind the fact that if you don't take your writing and your book seriously, no one else will either.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,292 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Use Written Reports to Grow Your Business

Giving something away for f-r-e-e is one of the best ways to attract attention. People just can’t resist it. And for this reason, giveaway reports are an essential marketing tool for businesses that want to generate prequalified leads online. In other words, if you’re trying to build a list of people you can market to by e-mail, you need to write a lead generation special report. For example, last year I started publishing my newsletter and wanted to get lots of subscribers signed up fast. So I wrote a special report that I knew would appeal to my ideal audience.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,277 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Find an Endless Supply of Article Ideas

Have you ever sat down at your computer, ready to write your next marketing article, and then wasted thirty minutes or more trying to come up with something to write about? If so, then you know a few uninspired days can make article marketing seem like a huge burden, taking up way too much of your time. After you implement article marketing as a strategy for generating new leads in your business and then written several articles, coming up with fresh ideas can get tricky.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,249 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Seven Ways to Add Value to Your Self-Help or Business Book

When you're working on a book, the question, "Will people actually want to buy this?" inevitably comes up. Although in most cases this is your inner critic trying to sideswipe your creative efforts, the question is valid. Will people actually see the value in the information you're providing? Will they want to spend their money on your book? The answer to these questions often lies more in packaging the material than the material itself.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,239 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Nonfiction Book Blueprint; How to Construct Your Book One Layer at a Time

With a project as big and important as writing a book, working from a plan-or blueprint-will make everything easier and more fun. Following a blueprint allows aspiring authors to make their ideas work, just like construction crews use blueprints to build solid and strong buildings. It tells you what needs to go where and helps you compile all the essential pieces of a successful book in a practical and easy-to-follow way that readers will love. So what should your book blueprint include? Let me break it down for you, one layer at a time. 1. Commitmentr

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,224 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Authors: Blog Your Way to Friends, Followers, and Readers

Social media marketing without a blog is like a fish without water, or a dog without a bone. Without it, things just aren't right. Authors who want to use social media sites, like Twitter and Facebook, to market their books should use a blog as the centerpiece.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,217 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Grow Your Following of Ideal Clients and Readers

Imagine having a following of people anticipating the release of your book, awaiting your next seminar, or planning on working with you in the future. And imagine these people are your ideal clients, having self-selected themselves to receive your marketing messages. These are the people you write for, the people you want to build relationships with, and the people who your information can help. With a pool of readers waiting to hear from you, making sales would be a whole lot easier than scrambling to find the next person interested in what you have to say.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,200 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Finish that Book--How to See Your Book Through to 'The End'

One of the most common book writing challenges is getting started--taking action on your book idea and actually sitting down at the computer to write. This holds more aspiring authors back than anything else, and I spend a great deal of my time telling people where to start.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,196 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Writing Articles; STILL One of the Best Ways to Invest In Your Success

Have you ever heard the phrase, "content rich"? Well, when writing your way to wealth, writing an article that showcases your expertise is like investing in a sure thing. Writers (both online and off) have used articles to get traffic on the web, entice prospects to call, and sell their books and products. But with Twitter, LinkedIn, and other fun places to market your services online, is writing articles still a worthwhile strategy? Absolutely.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,194 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Motivate Your Readers to Work with You

When you sit down to write your marketing copy—whether for a web site, article, or report—your ultimate goal is getting your readers to buy your products or services. But you can’t just type, “Hire me,” and expect people to come calling. You have to convince them that you’re better than everyone else and that you can help them solve their biggest problems. You have to persuade them. And you have to motivate them to take action.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,192 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Five Reasons to Stop Procrastinating and Get Your Book Done

Sharing what you know in a book helps everyone. But if you have a business to run, a job to do, or a household to maintain, then putting off writing a book is easy-even if you really want to become a published author. Writing a book takes time, plus there are costs involved in getting it done right. Sometimes it's easier just to keep doing what you're doing. But that's no fun-and it's no way to grow as a person and professional, either. If you've been procrastinating writing your book, consider the following benefits of getting it done. 1.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,186 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

5 Simple Self-Editing Tips

Okay, you're finished with your first draft. Congratulations-that in itself is a big accomplishment. However, don't celebrate for too long because all first drafts need a good clean-up before they're ready for the reading world. When it comes to self-editing, writers often struggle for a number of reasons-they can't view their writing objectively, they have no idea what to look for, and they become frustrated when the work isn't perfect, just to name a few.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,180 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

8 Ways to Make More Money by Writing and Publishing

Writing for print and online publication can generate new business leads, drive traffic to your site, build relationships with your clients and prospects, and attract an audience. If you need to grow your business, consider the following ways to get your byline out there. 1. Online Article Directories If you’ve never published an article before, article directories—like SelfGrowth.com and EzineArticles.com—are a great place to start.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,179 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Chapter by Chapter: Ten Self-Editing Questions Every Writer Needs to Consider

Congratulations, you've finished your first draft! Take a day or two to celebrate your accomplishment. Then, get back to work-you have a manuscript to edit. When writing a book, self-editing skills are important to your success as a writer. However, many writers don't know where to start when it comes to looking at their own writing objectively.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,174 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Start Marketing Your Book Today - Whether You’ve Finished it or Not!

Although everyone thinks about book marketing AFTER they’ve published a book, smart authors start before they even go to press. Especially as a first-time author, if you start marketing your book at least six months before it’s done, then you can build an audience of readers who are ready to buy as soon as the book becomes available. Here’s a few ways to get started now. 1. Build a Web Siter When you publish your book, you’ll need a web site to promote it and sell it. Although your book may not be finished, you can start building the web pages and getting traffic.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,170 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Manage the Scary What-ifs of Publishing a Book

All aspiring authors look forward to publishing their book…until it actually goes to press. Then all these fears start showing up. What if no one likes the book? What if I never sell a copy? What if it comes from the printer riddled with errors? Tears, depression, horror—these are common reactions to such a profound moment in life, and even experienced authors feel queasy on publication day. I’ve seen many of my clients in this situation, and all I can say is that it’s completely normal to question everything you’ve done when you’re on the verge of something so big.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,167 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Develop Your Best-Selling Book Idea

Everyone has at least one book in them-I firmly believe that. But bookstore shelves are packed with titles, all competing for readers' attention. So how can you tell if your book idea is ready for the competitive publishing business? The key is to target your market and zero in on an unfilled need. Because, yes, the shelves are packed with books-but trust me, there's plenty of room for you and your book, as long as you can shape your idea into a winning concept.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,164 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Find Your Book Writing Rhythm

Writing a book often takes longer than anticipated because many writers don't have a process or ritual that helps them work efficiently. All experienced writers develop a rhythm to their work with practice and experience. They do things to become more efficient and productive. They understand how they work, when they work best, and the different phases of the writing process—and they accomplish more as a result.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,164 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Writing a Book and Feeling Stuck? How to Break Through Three Common Challenges

It may come before you even write a word, or it may come well into your draft, but when it does, your progress completely stalls. Many aspiring authors have felt stuck at one point or another. And this feeling can prevent even the most motivated writer from completing their work-in-progress. The good news is there are ways around this terrible feeling. If you've been writing happily and productively on your book, and suddenly found yourself unable to move forward, consider the following three reasons aspiring business and self-help authors often find themselves stuck. 1.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,160 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Are You Writing a Book for the Wrong Reasons?

Have you been struggling to finish your book? If you've been working on the project for what seems like forever, and made little or no progress, you might need to reconsider your motive for taking on the project in the first place. So why are you writing your book? If you haven't asked yourself this question in a while, now's the time to do it. People write books for a variety of reasons, and in reality, as long as your reason keeps you writing, that's great. But when you can't seem to stay motivated, then maybe you're not interested because you're writing for the wrong reason.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,148 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Is Your New Year’s Resolution to Write a Book?

Every New Year's, thousands of aspiring business and self-help authors resolve to make this the year they get their book done. I've heard that 80 percent of people want to write a book-that's a lot of people. But even if that figure is wrong, and, say, 40 percent of people have the goal of writing a book, that's still millions. However, fewer than 300,000 books are published every year in the United States (find more numbers on www.bookstatistics.com).

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,130 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Four Tips for Marketing Your Book on Facebook

Millions of people visit Facebook every day, making it one of the best viral marketing opportunities for authors online. It's easy to set up and maintain pages specifically for your book, you can find lots of traffic for your blog or web site, and it's free, at least for now. (I've heard they're thinking about charging.) Plus, Facebook pages get ranked in search engine results, making it an ideal tool to add to your book marketing strategy. Consider the following tips to establish your book's Facebook presence. 1.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,123 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Think Big for Your Book, and Make It Happen

Visualizing goals is one of the most important foundations of human achievement. By using your imagination, and envisioning life after your dreams have come true, you can actually attract what you want into your life. And just like athletes are trained to visualize victory, aspiring authors can use this powerful technique to get them excited and motivated about writing their book, and to help ensure it actually gets done. Creative visualization works because powerful thoughts that are specific and clear can change your mindset, behaviors, and actions to align with what you want.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,121 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Speakers, Coaches, and Experts: Write to Sell During a Recession

Money is tight, but that doesn’t mean people don’t need you and your solutions. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that the people in your market need the guidance and insight you provide now more than ever. But in a recession, it takes a little more encouragement to get people to help themselves by buying your products and services. In other words, you may need to fine-tune your marketing. Here are a few tips for helping your clients and prospects buy from you. 1.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,099 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

So, You Want to Write the Next Eat, Pray, Love?

Millions of American women loved Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. Chances are you're one of them. And although I am not a fan, I am constantly amazed at how it's become more of an inspirational, self-help phenomenon than just a memoir about a woman who gets divorced, goes on vacation, and finds another boyfriend. I work with people in the self-help industry-life coaches, spiritual healers, motivational speakers-and I spend a lot of time talking to people about the book they want to write.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,094 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Make Writing Your Book Easier

I'm no expert in human behavior, but as far as I can tell, we as a species thrive on routine. I know for a fact that both my sons behave better when they know what to expect. For example, this morning school was delayed for two hours because of the weather. So instead of eating breakfast at 7:00, getting dressed at 7:35, and walking out the door at 8:05, my sons and I lay in bed until 7:15, ate breakfast at 8:00, watched television until 9:45, and then I had to rush everyone to get dressed and out of the house at 10:00. We're adaptable, thank goodness, and everything worked out okay.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,089 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Self Publishing versus Traditional Publishing -- How to Choose the Best Option for Your Book

Every aspiring author thinks about publishing his or her book. And with so many options available in this day and age (self-publishing, electronic publishing, traditional publishing, print-on-demand, etc.), if you're writing a book, then you have a lot to think about!

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,088 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Make Your Book Personal; Engage Readers with the Story of Your Experience

If you're writing a business, self-help, or other instructional book, then it may not seem important to share information about your personal experiences. The purpose of your book is to give people strategies and tips they can use, right? Well, yes, but sharing your background is a powerful way to connect with your readers and show them how your material can help them when they apply it.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,071 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Just Starting to Write? How to Get Help and Improve Your Writing Skills

The other day I was talking to a woman who was frustrated by the fact that she'd given her friend the first three chapters of her book to read and offer feedback, and weeks later her friend still hadn't read the pages. This was the woman's first book and she hadn't written anything since high school. A few different scenarios could have happened here. First of all, her friend could have not read the pages because she's busy or uninterested or whatever. Or maybe her friend read them, thought they were bad, and didn't want to compromise the friendship by saying so.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,061 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Develop the Writing Habit—Even if You Don’t Have Time to Write

Writing takes time, which isn't easy to find. I know, because although I write for a living, I still don't always spend enough time on the writing that I most want to do. Work, kids, vacuuming all get in the way. And for those people who aren't writers by trade, but need or want to write for professional or business reasons, then you may need a little help developing your writing habit. The following simple steps can help you write more often and with better results. 1. Write Every Dayr Developing a habit means doing something regularly.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,060 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Promote Your Book on Twitter in 10 Minutes a Day

If you're marketing your books online, then you've probably heard of Twitter. It was all the rage last year in social media, and millions of people have joined this micro-blogging community. Maybe you even started a profile page and sent out a tweet or two. If so, that's great. And if you've been avoiding it for one reason or another, it might be time to try it out. Why? With millions of people tweeting every day, it's a huge source of potential readers for your book. It's easy to get followers and it's a great way to interact with your reading audience.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,045 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Persuasive Writing: How to Harness the Power of the Story

Most people love stories for entertainment—we go to the movies to watch stories, we read novels before bed, and we share our own stories with friends. But aside from the entertainment value, storytelling is a powerful marketing and selling technique that you can use for business-related writing ...

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,040 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Write Better and Faster -- And Have More Fun Doing It!

We are a quirky bunch-that's for sure. Every writer has different habits, unique strengths, and mistakes they always make in their work. For example, some can't get started without a cup of coffee. Some always forget when to use "that" or "which." And in some cases, these quirks severely limit a writer's success. Knowing your own habits, flaws, mistakes, and strengths can help you compensate for your limitations, and work with your own natural strengths and rhythms. In other words, knowing yourself as a writer can make you a better writer and help you achieve your goals.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,032 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Some Books Don't Work! How to Write a Book that Grows Your Business

You've probably heard all this before: writing a book is one of the most powerful marketing tools available to coaches, consultants, speakers, and professionals. It can establish or enhance your brand and unique positioning. It can attract a steady stream of those ideal high-paying clients we all love. And it can elevate everything you're already doing to a higher level of success.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

996 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

Make Writing a Priority, Not a Pain

Whether you're working on a book or an article marketing campaign, writing is like exercise. And if you want it to really work for your business, then you need to make writing a priority, just like going to the gym or your yoga class. Let me guess what you're thinking: "But I'm so busy, how do I squeeze writing into my already packed schedule - without giving up ALL my free time?" Well, everyone worries about that. And I have a few suggestions.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

924 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Design Your Book to Grow Your Business (and Your Income)

Many savvy business owners know that a book can be the ultimate marketing tool. Writing a book on a topic related to your business establishes expertise, expands your marketing influence, and generates new leads—all while bringing in income from book sales. However, you can’t just write ANY book. You need to strategically design your book to attract the right kind of leads and clients to your business. Where should you start? Consider the following three steps. 1.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

920 views

By Melinda CoppRecently published1 topic

How to Grow Your Business by Writing and Publishing

Writing for print and online publication can generate new business leads, drive traffic to your site, build relationships with your clients and prospects, and attract an audience. If you need to grow your business, consider the following ways to get your byline out there. 1. Online Article Directoriesr If you’ve never published an article before, article directories—like SelfGrowth.com and EzineArticles.com—are a great place to start.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

883 views

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