In This Issue: Message from the Editor | Writing Web Copy | Capitalizing on the U in Unique | Recommend a Business

 

 

Message from the Editor

 

We hope that you have enjoyed this welcoming spring weather. Sunshine is such a wonderful inspiration and a true motivator! This month we feature articles on Writing Web Copy by Dana Ditomaso of Liquidesign and Capitalizing on the U in Unique by Canada's Diamond Coach, Adele Alfano. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter!

 

 

Writing Web Copy

 

Web Visitors Don’t Read – They Scan
People rarely read Web pages word by word; instead, they scan the page, picking out individual words and sentences. In a recent study, it was found that 79 percent of visitors always scanned any new page they came across; only 16 percent read word-by-word. Use these guidelines when writing web copy:

1. meaningful sub-headings (not "clever" ones)
2. bulleted lists
3. one idea per paragraph
4. start with the conclusion
5. half the word count (or less) than conventional writing

 

How Visitors View Web Pages
Studies of visitors' eye movements while viewing a webpage found that:

1. Images trump left-to-right reading
2. Important messages should be on the left
3. Upper left-corner is always read
4. Hyperlinks catch attention

 

Establish Your Credibility
No one knows who you really are on the web. Therefore, it’s important for your copy to establish who you are and what your site is for without excessive marketing jargon. Plain language that gets to the point is key.

 

Think About the Search Engines

Additionally, good web copy should incorporate keyword phrases that are relevant to your site’s content. A well-written web page with effectively placed keywords will rank highly on its own without any additional search engine optimization work.

 

Dana Ditomaso operates Liquidesign - a web design company providing intelligent and affordable internet solutions.

 

 

 

Captalizing on the U in Unique

 

"We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light". Mary Dunbar

 

Recently I attended a speaking seminar on 'What and What Not to Wear on Stage". As a professional speaker who gives presentations to hundreds of people in an audience, I am constantly learning and improving in my industry. Knowledge is power…as they say! What I love about the speaking industry is that it is never static, but constantly evolving. At this seminar, we were told outright, that there are two things that female speakers should avoid on stage and that is (1) large and sparkling jewellery and (2) big hair! I believe I let out a huge gasp!! Everything that they claimed I should avoid, I openly embrace as part of my uniqueness and my personal branding. The sparkling jewelry items and big hair is what I am known for! I decided right then and there that I was not going to revise my unique look; even though it was going against the standard norm.

 

If you're an original, you can count on being copied!

 

There is a famous speaker in California, Dottie Walters, who is known for her outrageous hats on stage. For years, there were women presenting in these huge hats and then the fad quickly died down. Why? Hanging around my two-year-old God Daughter, I constantly observe the true art of imitation. Her way of learning is through mimicking actions and words from the adults around her. As adults we grow out of imitation, to embrace what is unique about us through our own independent thought processes, our inherit values, culture and belief systems. They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. But is it?

 

We live in a world of contradictions. We are asked to imitate the mentors and role models in our lives, yet we at the same time are asked to embrace our uniqueness. We eventually learn that imitation does not serve our greatest good or is congruent with who we really are. That is why the fad with big hats on stage did not last long. The female speakers quickly found out that what was unique aboutthem selves and their message was respected more than taking on the persona of another.

 

It is certainly flattering to be an original that is being copied by others. I have experienced that in my own business, where my ideas and concepts have been copied by a business associate. At first I was flattered to be copied, but today I feel sorry for that person. That they cannot find their own uniqueness and be the original and authentic self that they were born to be! How can we find our uniqueness? Simple…

 

1)       Monitoring your own GPS system. For many of you who do not know that is a Global Positioning System. In the past explorers looked to the sky to enable them to locate their position on the earth. Today, through satellites, we instantly know where we are and where we are going! As a human explorer on this earth can you answer the question: where am I? Take a moment to connect with that internal system that instinctively is aware of your true positioning of where you are in life and where you are going!

 

2)       Connect with each other. One of the best business practices that I have is to be involved with a Master Mind group. This is a group of like-minded speaking colleagues who meet every couple of months and connect with each other. Sometimes we cannot see your own uniqueness, but there are others who are willing to share it with you. If you are not in business, connect with a group of trusted friends who can remind you of the special spark that you bring to the world. Investing and cultivating close friendships, is emotionally and physically healthy.

 

3)       Develop your own personal mission statement/value or vision statement that is unique for you and only you. That can never be duplicated. One of my own personal values is to be always a student of the spoken and written word. To constantly be a student of life. This guarantees my uniqueness because what I learn…I share. What are your values or vision of who you are, not what you are or what you do? We can clearly state what we do in life, our profession or the work we do. But, it is hard to define who we are.

 

4)       Accept the uniqueness of others. Oh…sometimes this is a tough one. As much as we need to respect our own individual unique qualities, we need to respect it in others.  Embracing the diversity in others, only capitalizes in accepting our own uniqueness. I always claim that if you see a wonderful quality in someone else, you usually have it yourself. One cannot see other's unique traits, unless our own eyes are really open!

There is nothing wrong with admiring the qualities of others, but do not let it over-ride your own unique qualities. Since this is a month in which love is celebrated…re-discover your own love of your individuality. Open yourself to the your placement on this earth, being part of a larger community, defining your values and accepting of others. Then question what is accepted as the norm, and throw your hat to the wind and capitalize on your own uniqueness!

 

Each person born into this world represents something new, something that never existed before, something original and unique. Martin Buber

 

 

Nominated for Canada 100 Most Powerful Women, Canada's Diamond Coach Adele Alfano is an Award Winning Professional Speaker, Author, Co-Publisher, who has helped thousands of people capitalize on their unique abilities to maximize their potential through her specially designed and created systems.

 

 

Recommend a Business

 

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