Simple Editing Technique Gives Your Copy An Edge

Editing is where you strengthen your sales copy. And one of the simplest things you can do when you edit is to replace clichés with original copy.

Unfortunately, it's easy to use clichés. When you're writing as fast as you can... and the ideas are pouring out... clichés often pour out too.

So when you edit, pay close attention to the wording you've chosen. Can you make it more powerful by rephrasing it? By saying something in a new way?

I've found that simply rearranging the order of words can eliminate many clichés. This can be done quickly and without much thought.

Of course, you can also brainstorm different words to use... or even different phrases altogether.

One resource I use on occasion is Urban Dictionary. It's a good place to look up slang and jargon. Although, please be forewarned: the site works like a wiki, so it's rife with mature content. Not pictures, just words. So you might want to use caution.

Another helpful resource: Visual Thesaurus. Alex Mandossian gave me a copy over a year ago, and I've used it often. Highly recommended.

Anyway, all is to say that you should strengthen your copy by writing in fresh and innovative ways, without relying on overused phrases.

Comments

[Katie Cummings]

The Visual Thesaurus is awesome. I could see myself wasting a lot of editing time with that one. I couldn't agree with you more. Writing and editing go hand in hand (sorry about the cliché). When I edit copy, I like to see how much nonsense I can cut out. The tighter your copy the better. When you edit it is also good to pay attention to your adjectives, make them fresh or they'll sound like a cliché too.

[Ryan Healy]

I agree, Katie. You should always say what you need to say in the plainest way possible.