The Publicity Hound’s Blog

Have you ever found yourself writing a great article, or website copy or even a press release, and suddenly you’re hopelessly stuck because you can’t think of a better way to say a word like “authentic” or “beautiful” or “free”?

I’ve been known to sit there for 20 minutes staring at the screen.

My friend Denise Wakeman, half of The Blog Squad, told me about the book “Words That Sell” by Richard Bayan.

She says she keeps it right next to her keyboard at all times, and I can see why. You use it like a thesaurus.

The book is divided into separate “chapters” devoted to a specific word of phrase. Each chapter usually offers several dozen suggestions for words that are similar to the one you’re stuck on.

I particularly love the chapters devoted to transitional phrases, the P.S., justifying a high price, and flattering the reader. I can think of dozens of uses for this book: press releases, media kits, blogging, article writing, website copy, sales copy, public service announcements, information products, White Papers, office memos, marketing copy, columns, pitches to the media, and letters to the editor. Even those obnoxious annual Christmas letters.

I was so impressed with this book that I did an entire lecture on it for members of The Publicity Hound Mentor Program recently. They loved it.

Denise and her partner, Patsi Krakoff, by the way, will be my guests tomorrow as part of Publicity Hound University. They’ll talk about the power of blogging and podcasting.

Posted In: Authors & Publishers, Blogs, Business Promotion, Information Products, Media Kits, Newspaper Publicity, Pitching the Media, Press Releases/News Releases, Public Service Announcements, Publicity Resources, Writing Articles
posted On: 6/13/2007: 4:04 pm: By Joan
Comments:

5 Responses

Clara Hinton Says:
June 14th, 2007 at 11:03 am

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I cannot wait to get a copy of this book! Even though I am writer, I struggle so much of the time finding just the right word or just the right phrase to use, especially when writing on grief topics. This resource will be such a valuable addition for me to use in my writing, as well as in my speaking on resiliency. I’m also in the early learning stages about how to create interesting, educational, as well as fun blogs. You continue to present so many valuable resources that I cannot thank you enough!

Joan Says:
June 14th, 2007 at 11:32 am

Glad I could help, Clara. There’s a similar book called “Phrases That Sell” by Edward Werz and Sally Germain.

Click on the links above in my post and check out The Blog Squad. They are fabulous. And you’ll learn so much about blogging from that you’ll want to start blogging immediately.

Later tonight or tomorrow, I’m posting another helpful list on what makes a great blog, courtesy of my blogging buddy BL Ochman. Stay tuned….

Sally J. Says:
June 15th, 2007 at 11:25 pm

I l-o-v-e using Words That Sell & the follow-up More Words That Sell. Works like a charm every time, especially when I feel like my brain is running on empty.

Joan, I’ll be sure to check out Phrases That Sell, and I can’t wait for more blogging tips…

Daniel Sitter, Idea Seller Says:
June 17th, 2007 at 3:30 am

Thanks for the great tip Joan. You can’t ever have too many creative resources! I noticed that you can pick up both “Words” and “Phrases” together at Amazon for a great price.

Erin Campbell Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 8:01 am

Along these lines, PRSA recently wrote about another book that is also very helpful and worth checking out - “Words That Work: It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear” by Frank Luntz. I also saw him on FOX News’ “Hannity & Colmes” in a very interesting segment about the elections.

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