Authors: Richard Bayan
ISBN-13: 9780071467858, ISBN-10: 0071467858
Format: Paperback
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies, The
Date Published: March 2006
Edition: Revised Edition
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.
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 customersby mail, online, or in person.
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.
Preface/Acknowledgments | ix | |
Introduction to the Second Edition | xi | |
How to Use This Book | xv | |
A Crash Course in Copywriting | xvii | |
Categories of Copy | xxi | |
Part 1 | Grabbers | |
Teasers | 3 | |
Free/Prize | 5 | |
Sale/Discount | 6 | |
Trial Offer/No Obligation | 7 | |
Heads and Slogans | 8 | |
Salutations and Invitations | 10 | |
Opening with a Question | 11 | |
Opening with a Statement | 12 | |
Opening with a Challenge | 13 | |
Snappy Transitions | 14 | |
All-Purpose Grabbers | 16 | |
Part 2 | Descriptions and Benefits | |
Appealing | 19 | |
Authentic | 20 | |
Belonging/Membership | 21 | |
Big/Many | 22 | |
Choice/Control | 24 | |
Comfortable | 25 | |
Competitive | 26 | |
Complete/Thorough | 27 | |
Convenient | 28 | |
Distinguished/Status | 30 | |
Durable/Solid | 32 | |
Easy | 33 | |
Exciting/Stimulating | 34 | |
Experienced/Expert | 36 | |
Fabulous | 38 | |
Fast | 39 | |
Fresh/Wholesome | 40 | |
Fun/Cheerful | 41 | |
Gift | 42 | |
Good-Looking | 43 | |
Healthful | 45 | |
Honest | 46 | |
Improved | 47 | |
Indispensable | 48 | |
Informative | 49 | |
Luxurious | 50 | |
Made | 51 | |
Money-Making | 52 | |
Money-Saving | 53 | |
New/Advanced | 55 | |
Plain/Natural | 57 | |
Pleasure/Satisfaction | 58 | |
Popular | 59 | |
Powerful | 60 | |
Reliable | 62 | |
Results/Performance | 63 | |
Romantic | 65 | |
Security/Peace of Mind | 66 | |
Self-Improvement | 67 | |
Sensory Qualities | 69 | |
Service/Help | 72 | |
Sexy | 74 | |
Small/Less | 76 | |
Sophisticated/Smart | 77 | |
Stylish | 78 | |
Suitable | 80 | |
Superior | 81 | |
Timely | 82 | |
Traditional/Classic | 83 | |
Unusual | 84 | |
Useful/Practical | 85 | |
Valuable | 86 | |
Part 3 | Clinchers | |
Persuading Your Audience | 89 | |
Minimizing Risk | 91 | |
The Moment of Decision | 92 | |
The Call to Action | 93 | |
The P.S. | 95 | |
The Lift Note | 96 | |
Guarantees | 97 | |
Order Information | 98 | |
Following Through | 100 | |
Part 4 | Special Strategies | |
Enhancing Your Company's Image | 103 | |
Justifying a High Price | 105 | |
Knocking the Competition | 106 | |
Using Demographics to Impress | 108 | |
Flattering the Reader | 109 | |
Selling Yourself: Personal Traits | 111 | |
Selling Yourself: Achievements | 113 | |
Selling Your Ideas | 115 | |
Appendix | ||
"Puffspeak"-And Its Alternative | 117 | |
Wordy Expressions | 119 | |
Commonly Misspelled Words | 121 | |
Commonly Confused Words | 126 | |
Further Reading | 128 | |
Key Word Index | 131 |