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Words That Sell: The Thesaurus to Help You Promote Your Products, Services, and Ideas » (Revised Edition)

Book cover image of Words That Sell: The Thesaurus to Help You Promote Your Products, Services, and Ideas by Richard Bayan

Authors: Richard Bayan
ISBN-13: 9780071467858, ISBN-10: 0071467858
Format: Paperback
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies, The
Date Published: March 2006
Edition: Revised Edition

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Author Biography: Richard Bayan

Richard Bayan spent over two decades as an award-winning advertising copywriter and copy chief. He is the author of three other books, including the companion to this book, More Words That Sell.

Book Synopsis

More than 6,000 words and phrases that make the difference between "yadda-yadda-yadda" and copy that sells

Looking for a better way to say "authentic?" Words That Sell gives you 57 alternatives. How about "appealing?" Take your pick from 76 synonyms. You'll even find more than 100 variations on "exciting." Fully updated and expanded, this edition of the copywriting classic is packed with inspiration-on-demand for busy professionals who need to win customers—by mail, online, or in person.

  • More than 75 lists of powerful and persuasive words and phrases, including 21 new lists for this edition
  • Cross-referencing of categories to jump-start creative thinking
  • A crash course in basic copywriting techniques
  • Helpful lists of commonly misspelled words, confusing words, pretentious phrases to avoid, and more

Roget's is fine for writing term papers and letters to the editor, but when it comes to the business of writing copy that translates into sales, there is no substitute for Words That Sell.

Find the perfect words and phrases to win over customers

Grabbers that get attention:

No-risk offer
• One day only!
• No strings attached!
• What have you got to lose?
• All the right ingredients
• Inside information
• Do you enjoy...?
• Leap into...

Descriptions and benefits that create appeal:

Irresistible
• winning
• zesty
• huggable
• satisfying
• You'll fall in love with...* Your ticket to...
• king-size
• Gives you the power
• baby-soft *

Clinchers to win over your customer:

Reap the benefits today
• Don't miss out!
• No risk now, no risk later!
• You can do it!* You be the judge
• Send for our free catalog
• 100% satisfaction guarantee

Special strategies that seal the deal:

Five-star quality
• You're worth it
• Don't fall for...
• We make life easier
• You're one of a select few...
• discriminating
• Your thoughtful gift

Richard Bayan spent over two decades as an award-winning advertising copywriter and copy chief. He is the author of three other books, including the companion to this book, More Words That Sell.

Table of Contents

Preface/Acknowledgmentsix
Introduction to the Second Editionxi
How to Use This Bookxv
A Crash Course in Copywritingxvii
Categories of Copyxxi
Part 1Grabbers
Teasers3
Free/Prize5
Sale/Discount6
Trial Offer/No Obligation7
Heads and Slogans8
Salutations and Invitations10
Opening with a Question11
Opening with a Statement12
Opening with a Challenge13
Snappy Transitions14
All-Purpose Grabbers16
Part 2Descriptions and Benefits
Appealing19
Authentic20
Belonging/Membership21
Big/Many22
Choice/Control24
Comfortable25
Competitive26
Complete/Thorough27
Convenient28
Distinguished/Status30
Durable/Solid32
Easy33
Exciting/Stimulating34
Experienced/Expert36
Fabulous38
Fast39
Fresh/Wholesome40
Fun/Cheerful41
Gift42
Good-Looking43
Healthful45
Honest46
Improved47
Indispensable48
Informative49
Luxurious50
Made51
Money-Making52
Money-Saving53
New/Advanced55
Plain/Natural57
Pleasure/Satisfaction58
Popular59
Powerful60
Reliable62
Results/Performance63
Romantic65
Security/Peace of Mind66
Self-Improvement67
Sensory Qualities69
Service/Help72
Sexy74
Small/Less76
Sophisticated/Smart77
Stylish78
Suitable80
Superior81
Timely82
Traditional/Classic83
Unusual84
Useful/Practical85
Valuable86
Part 3Clinchers
Persuading Your Audience89
Minimizing Risk91
The Moment of Decision92
The Call to Action93
The P.S.95
The Lift Note96
Guarantees97
Order Information98
Following Through100
Part 4Special Strategies
Enhancing Your Company's Image103
Justifying a High Price105
Knocking the Competition106
Using Demographics to Impress108
Flattering the Reader109
Selling Yourself: Personal Traits111
Selling Yourself: Achievements113
Selling Your Ideas115
Appendix
"Puffspeak"-And Its Alternative117
Wordy Expressions119
Commonly Misspelled Words121
Commonly Confused Words126
Further Reading128
Key Word Index131

Subjects