Copywriting is simply defined as 'salesmanship in print'. It is the art of putting the entire sales process into writing and inducing the reader to take prompt action, either to buy your product or surrender their contact information. In online marketing, effective copywriting is used in many communication platforms such as emails, websites, blogs, splash pages, thank you letters. But the most vital use of copywriting resides in its potential to create powerpacked sales letters!

A sales letter (also known as 'pitch page') is a complete sales presentation placed on a webpage, PDF, or document. It's main purpose is to sell a product directly through that webpage! You might think that this is too ambitious, and that people seldom buy from webpages. But in the real world, hundreds of thousands worth of dollars and products are sold via the internet every single month! The sales letter has fully automated everything, and coupled with a powerful online shopping cart or payment gateway, online sellers can really take home giant incomes and customers can get their ordered products safely! To see a perfect example of an effective sales letter in the dating niche.

But wait, writing an effective sales letter is not as easy as it sounds! An internet marketer should have superior knowledge about choice of marketing words and phrases. He must understand psychological triggers that cause people to buy. He (or she) must find a way to keep a reader (and consequently a potential customer) interested. And finally, an online seller must be able to smoothly guide a prospect towards the 'close' and induce the reader to buy now.

First tip, any aspiring copywriter must know how to write an effective headline. The main headline should immediately confront the reader and cause him to STOP whatever he is doing. This is a tough challenge, but to be able to do this effectively, the copywriter must write a major product benefit that will satisfy the needs and wants of the reader. It is proven that longer headlines succeed more when it comes to getting the attention of readers. For example, in a hygiene website selling breath products, a certain headline goes like this: "How To Cure Bad Breath In Less Than 3 Days... & Have Strong Healthy Teeth & A Sparkling White Smile For The Rest Of Your Life". You might laugh, but this particular headline was taken from a real life breath product which sold like crazy online!

Next, the online seller must insert his personality, establish his authority and expertise, and gain trust from the reader. All this 'self marketing' is done for a single purpose, and that is, to answer the reader's question, "Why Should I Listen To You"? Statistics show that sales for any website drops by as much as 40% to 90% when the seller has not successfully branded himself. That's why the first few paragraphs of the sales letter should be aimed at the online seller telling more about himself and establishing his authority on the subject he's talking about. For example, a person selling his music courses online should'nt just start off selling and pitching the products immediately. He should first concentrate his first few phrases in telling the reader about his musical background, how many years he 'has been playing music", or possibly the amount of people he has personally mentored to become great musicians.

Third tip, the online seller must increase the perceived value of the product or service he is offering! To do this he must highlight all the features and benefits of the products he is selling, then appeal to the emotions of the buyer. Increasing the perceived value of an online product can be done in many ways. First, the online seller must make the product look "scarce", showing that it has high demand but limited supply. Second, he can make the offer "time sensitive", by stating and making clear to the reader that the product will be available for only a certain period of time. Third, he can add free bonuses and additional goodies for those who order now. Fourth, he can give "early bird discounts" for the first few people who avails of the offer. All these are proven sales techniques which has been used since the beginnings of civilization, during the days of barter and trade. Fortunately, they still apply today!

NOTE: This article contains links that point to sample sales letters. I do not own the links and websites mentioned, neither do I have selfish interests in posting them. They are just included here for illustrative purposes.

Searching for a job while still employed has its advantages and drawbacks. The downside is you won't have the same time as an unemployed person in job searching, but the great advantage is that your skills are being used and are current, so you are up to date with the industry's happenings, let alone your contacts. Having a job also provides you with an income. 

Keep these general guidelines handy:

Avoid telling your workmates and manager that you're looking for a new job. There may be instances when circumstance dictates that you need to tell your manager. For example, there is an internal job being advertised and you are interested. To a certain extent, how you relate to your manager will have some bearing. You may also need your manager to act as a reference person in your application. If your relationship with him is positive, he will support you in any way.

• Restrict job-hunting activities to your home. Avoid the temptation of searching for job sites online while at work. This is not a good reflection on your image especially if a workmate catches you.     

• Following your resignation, avoid being critical of your employer by dropping unnecessary comments in front of co-workers. Your friends in the workplace might be offended by your negative comments and might take this as bad-mouthing. 
  

• Maintain a professional relationship with your employer while you are still in their employ.

You Got the Job and Ready to Resign

Okay, so you finally found a job.   

It may take two weeks, a month, or longer, most businesses have a termination policy requiring you to serve notice. If you don't serve your full notice, you might forfeit some or all your benefits like annual leave, perhaps sick leave.  

Your resignation should be coursed through your immediate manager. When you go and see him to discuss, you have your formal letter of resignation with you. A lot will depend on your relationship with your manager. Prepare yourself for possible outcomes – a manager could be understanding or resentful. Or, he might counter offer you for a better job position. If he counter offers, ask kindly that you need some time to think it through. But, if you have decided on taking the offer of the future employer, you should decline your manager's offer, but do it politely.       

Continue your work to the best of your ability. Even on your last day, thank everyone – your manager and your workmates -  for their support, friendships and professionalism.

(Name)

(Street Address)

(City/State)

(Country)

(Date)

(Name of Application Coordinator)

(Company Name)

(Company Address)

(Company City)

Dear Sir/Madam,

In support of my application for the …………………………… position; I wish to briefly outline my background.

I am extremely keen, enthusiastic and experienced (whatever profession you are currently in) with a genuine passion for the profession and helping people succeed.

My earlier years were spent attending (rural/city) schools as a student at (names of Elementary/Primary schools attended), and at (High School/Secondary School attended) during my teens. I attended the (name of University/College) from (date attended) and completed a (Bachelor of …………. /Masters in ………….. /Doctorate in ………….)

On leaving the (name of University/College), I was accepted to a position at ……………………., in (city) where I worked as a …………………… for ……………………. number of years and enjoyed it immensely. During my ……………………. year at (Company you worked for), I felt like I needed a new challenge and applied for ……………………… where I was accepted to a position in (Job Title/Doing/City)

(Repeat if necessary)

I was able to learn a lot about myself and my abilities as a (Job Title) during my years there.

During the time I have been in employment, I have come to a number of conclusions about myself.

People in my company feel welcomed, and are comfortable and happy in their environment. They enjoy my approach which is balanced and inclusive to all. The facilitation and guidance I provide is at each individual's level of understanding and expressions of ideas are encouraged. Constructive feedback and support is readily available. Colleagues feel that they can approach me for help, guidance, and general inquiries and find that I can provide insight and reassurance of their abilities.

I am happy and appreciative to be in a working environment each and everyday and colleagues realize this through my efficiency, my appearance, my demenour and the comfortable atmosphere I create.

I believe that if I were to obtain the position (Job Title), colleagues and community members would be inspired, organized, and receive expert advice and guidance.

I believe I meet and exceed all of the criteria to become (Job Title) and my experience, personality, and attitude would be an asset for (Company Name).

I look forward to a response to my application.

Yours Sincerely,

(Signature)

(Name)

I want to touch on today your resume and for many that I have seen in my own experience, I really should say the lack thereof in regards to your resume. Potential candidates have sent me resumes (regardless of how or what format) that are just really bad. They lack a certain characteristic that I am going to talk about in moment. Without this I was really unable to determine anything about them.

Chances are you may be missing this as well. One thing I noticed about the internet in doing my research is that thousands if not hundreds of thousands of websites crave this item. This item allows these sites to stay fresh, new and up to date. Do you know what that item is? Simply, it is content.

Content is key in the online world as it is on your resume. I have read numerous resumes that lack good quality content. Without it I derive that either one, they do not have the experience that I require, or two, they are not thorough enough in the work that they do.

Content in regards to your resume is nothing more than elaborating on your expertise, experience and education. Give the person reading your resume a reason to get excited. For example if you are applying to be the new widget sales person, don't just put down as your prior experience, “sold XYZ product from start year to end year”. Do you see how vague that is?

Instead elaborate on that. Tell the person what you accomplished and how it relates to helping their company. For example, “From start year to end year I was responsible for the sales of our XYZ products. During this time I sold X number of units that accounted for 19% of the total sales for our company. Due to my success of selling the XYZ product line I created a new training aid for our company that was taught to other sales team members and in turn helped increase company revenue to about 33%.” You get the point.

Elaborate on each job experience that you put down. First explain what you did in complete detail. Then talk about how your experience their helped the company you worked for and finally finish off by stating how you were able to contribute to the team members around you to make the company a better place.

If you follow this simple plan to fully detail your resume you will be sure to wow anyone in any company with what you bring to the table. Remember you are judged for a job long before anyone even talks to you.

The humble cover letter is often overlooked, however the benefits of taking the time to write one far outweigh the time that you invest in doing so. After all, if you are too lazy to explain why you would be the best candidate for the position, it is unlikely that your future employer will take the time to meet with you to find out more.

When writing your cover letter, the best start is to look at the advertisement for the position, and be sure to understand exactly what they are after. Many ads list requirements for the position, such as:

• Strong listening and communication skills
• A desire and ability to learn and share your own knowledge
• You must be used to being responsible and being accountable for your actions and results

When writing your letter, it pays to reiterate what they are saying in the ad, whilst putting it into your own words. For example, using the first requirement, you could say “I possess excellent verbal and written communication skills”.

Obviously, the characteristics that the company is seeking varies between industries and roles, however most companies are seeking someone who is a fast learner and who is reliable as the costs of replacing employees are high.

Secondly, be sure to state why you feel that you would be suitable for the role. For example, including a brief summary of relevant work experience is very useful, so that by the time they look at your resume they already believe that you are a suitable candidate.

Potential employers receive a large number of applications for advertised roles, so it is important to stand out from the other candidates. A well written cover letter is a great opportunity to showcase your written communication skills, and enables you to provide additional information that may not be included in your resume. Be sure to thank them for considering you for the role, and include contact information should they require further information. Always address the letter, and write in a professional, polite tone.

Above all, always ensure that any claims you make are true (for example, if you tend to leave everything to the last minute, it is best not to claim that you are highly efficient). If you have to lie on your application, chances are the role is not the one for you.

A little time taken could land you the job of a lifetime.

Happy hunting!

You think you did alright.

The interviewer said, “We'll let you know”.

And now you're home asking yourself, “What else can I do to increase my chances”.

The Thank You Letter

Once you get home you should write a thank you letter to the person who interviewed you. Not only is it polite, but in many cases the interviewer expects it. They don't expect it because they think they should be thanked for doing their job. They expect it because it gives them more information about you.

Write the letter as soon as you get home, while the interview is still fresh in your mind. Don't wait a week before you mail it. Mail it as soon as possible. Ideally, you should mail the thank you note within 24 hours of the interview.

The letter can be typed or handwritten. Today the “thank you e-mail” is also accepted. Whatever form your thank you letter takes, be sure there's a personal touch to it. Avoid “one-size-fits-all” thank you notes.

The Parts of a Thank You Note

1. Thank the interviewer for seeing you
2. Mention how interested you are in the job
3. Indicate why you are the right candidate for the job
4. If there is anything you forgot to mention during the interview, this is the time to do so
5. End by thanking the interviewer again for being considered for the position

Conclusion:

The thank you letter will not take up much of your time, but it may make the difference between getting the job or not. Why? Because it shows you care.

What I most admire about Professor White is his remarkable ability to stimulate students and add personality to the course material. Students can feel the energy and optimism radiate from his teaching. His dynamic teaching style makes students listen attentively to him, instead of piling notes for later study. He is also extremely organized; his notes are always available online so that students could print them for further review. The time he spends to give feedback for the assignments helps everyone understand what the most common mistakes were, and provides individual feedback to each student with regards to his/her weak and strong points. He posts the correct solutions online after an assignment so that everyone can track their mistakes and learn from it right away and then he goes through the solutions in class.

Professor White does not only teach exceptionally well but he also cares a lot about the level of understanding of each student. He is one of those rare professors that take the extra effort to make sure all students that need extra help are accommodated, despite his busy schedule. Regarding this, Ivan Ho, a fourth-year computer engineering student, says that, “Prof. White is the most caring professor that I have ever known in the Computer Science and Engineering Department. His lectures are highly organized, and the level of attention he gives to his students is unsurpassed.” His office hours are not the only time he can be found to answer questions; students can make appointments or just walk to his office for some clarification. He answers e-mails instantly. It is tough to mention all of his amazing qualities here and the ones mentioned above only scratch the surface.

We all have to strive to achieve the best. In universities, the effort of a professor makes all the difference in helping students reach their full potential. If we would have professors like Professor White teaching everything, then I am positive that every student will be eager to learn and achieve the most even in a stream as hard as computer engineering.

Professor David White not only deserves the "Leadership in Faculty Teaching" Award, but he deserves the "Best Teacher" Award of ALL TIME.

Sincerely,

Ellen Ruppart

The Basics

Are all cover letters really read? The answer is “no”. However, sending a cover letter with your resume is still a standard procedure for today's job search. Some letters may be only glanced at, while others will be carefully read, word for word. There's no way to tell how your letter will be received in advance, so you need to be prepared. Anytime you mail a resume, enclose a cover letter with it. If you are faxing, it's always better if you include the letter, but you can fax just a resume. Letters going through e-mail cannot be signed, but should still be included. Some posting sites may not enable you to send a cover letter and employers are aware of that. If you already have an interview scheduled, you don't need a cover letter. It's a selling tool, and its purpose is primarily to get you the interview.

The Content

Keep your letter limited to one page and focused on attributes that do not appear on your resume. You might begin by stating the position you are applying for and why you feel qualified for it. The worst mistake job seekers make is repeating information that is already on their resumes. Next, I have found certain information to be more appropriate for the letter, rather than the resume. Since employers want to know what you can do for them, do not focus on why this position would be ideal for you. Instead, build yourself up in the letter by stating some strong skills or abilities not mentioned on your resume. For example, you could inform the employer that you are experienced in participating in key decision-making processes, motivating and encouraging employees, managing conflict resolution, and/or prioritizing tasks to achieve goals in time management. Include the fact that you are a fast learner or multi-tasker. Mention that are able to maintain high standards of quality control or quality assurance. Highlight your record of attendance and reliability, if that has been positive for you. In other words, avoid specific accomplishments included in the resume, but include what you can “bring to the table.”

Final Advice

Research each company. You may include why you want a particular job if there is a specific reason - such as, you have heard that the company is run well and promotes positive employee relations. Lastly, you can mention what you enjoy most about the field you work in. Teachers can describe their teaching philosophy and how it relates to what they are able to offer.

Remember, a resume is a summary of your education, qualifications, and experience. If has not yet occurred, it does not belong on the resume. With this in mind, the cover letter is a good vehicle for mentioning important information that is not on the resume, such as, plans for relocation or the name of the individual who referred you for the position and encouraged you to apply. Any additional details that were left off of the resume belong on the cover letter. This could include information about furthering your education, goals you have set, or pertinent details associated with work experience that is over ten years old.

Make sure the letter is free of any grammatical errors and has the proper punctuation. Employers feel that sloppy correspondence reflects what kind of worker you will be.

If you are provided with a contact name, use it to personalize the letter. If not, “Dear Human Resources Professional” will do. When you are finished, mail it and forget it. Then go on to your next cover letter. If you follow this advice, job offers should begin to arrive soon.

Typing a business letter is something that everyone should learn in high school. I know I did quite a few, and we learned how to format them and how to go about getting our point across. The way you will go about typing a business letter will depend on what you want to happen or what you need. That is why the Internet is such a great thing. If you look, you can find examples of almost any type of business letter that you can use as a guide if you don?t know what you are doing.

Typing a business letter has become easier than ever thanks to word processor programs like Word or Word Perfect. For the most part, you can start typing a business letter and the software will pick up on this and help you with the standard format for that type of letter. This will mean that you will have everything in the write place, though it won?t help you know how to word the letter. That will be up to you. These programs will also help you format any other type of letter or document you may be trying to produce.

If you are truly having a hard time typing a business letter, you can find people who can do it for you, for a fee. They will know how to type up the letter in the perfect format, and they can also help you with the wording. If you need refund and are n?ot getting one, they can help you with typing a business letter that will demand they pay up. If you want to compliment someone on a product that has improved your life, they can help you draft such a letter as well. Just remember that the most important thing about typing any business letter is to make sure it is free of errors and is signed and dated correctly. If you have typos or poor grammar, you won?t be taken as seriously.