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1 edition. Copyright © 2013 Nikki Elledge Brown, All rights reserved.
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Table of Contents
Introduction……………….……………………………….…3
The Conversational Copy Cheat Sheet……………………...4
Work with Me……………..……………………………………5
About Me………..……………….………………….....……….6
(Told you it was quick!)
www.NIKKIelledgeBROWN.com
Copyright © 2013 Nikki Elledge Brown. All rights reserved.
-2 Introduction
As a communication pro, I hear this a lot:
• “I’m fine talking about what I do. But when I start to write, I freeze up.”
• “My writing just feels so boring. Stiff. Not me.”
So, as a communication pro, I say this a lot:
• “Well you sound cool when you’re talking. The words just get lost on their way to your
fingertips!”
• “This isn’t English class, homie! LOOSEN. UP.”
Here’s the deal: Business doesn’t mean boring, and professional doesn’t mean formal. You can be
friendly, conversational, and professional. In fact, when your business is online, you’ve gotta be!
When potential clients or customers visit your site, they want to know what it’s reeeeally like to work
with you. (And they deserve to know.) In most cases, this is their only chance to hear you before they
hire you. You’ve gotta make it count.
That’s exactly why I created The Conversational Copy Cheat Sheet. One juicy page, filled to the
brim with my best tips ‘n’ tricks to help YOU find your own unique style of professional,
conversational copy. Use it as a small, but mighty, checklist. Don’t click “publish” without it!
It’s my sincere hope that after incorporating these tips, you will…
1. Discover that you don’t need to take writing so seriously. (You may even start to like it!)
2. Realize how crucial it is to be yourSELF in your writing.
3. Start attracting your dream clients – the people who make biz (+life!) a whole lot more FUN.
So whattya say? Ready to learn the basics? GOOD. Scroll on down, and let’s get this party started!
www.NIKKIelledgeBROWN.com
Copyright © 2013 Nikki Elledge Brown. All rights reserved.
-3 Grammar
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Correct spelling always matters. Especially since the invention of spell check.
Proper noun capitalization matters too. Miscellaneous Caps Are Distracting.
For just about everything else: Throw the grammar rules out the (browser) window!
Write in fragments. (Like this.) You can even end a sentence with a preposition if you want to!
Use contractions whenever possible. Otherwise you are going to sound like a robot. (See?)
Readability
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Make it easy on human scanners. Use headings, bullets, bolding, and white space.
Avoid big blocks of text. Keep paragraphs to one main idea and 3-4 sentences max.
Avoid compound sentences (with commas + multiple parts). Keep ‘em short and sweet.
A strong, impactful sentence can handle the pressure of being out there all by its lonesome.
Special Effects
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Use parentheses for things you’d say under your breath (usually for a giggle).
If you want your words to sound like this, and not this, use italics.
Use bold for things you want readers to see no matter what - especially if they’re scanning.
Personality
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BE YOURSELF! This isn’t an academic essay; it’s real life! Write as you actually speak.
Personality is in the details. If you think “sigh” – write “Sigh.” Don’t censor yourself in drafts!
If you feel awkward, stuffy, teachy, preachy…etc. reading your copy out loud, REWRITE it!
Use slang and fun lingo. (You know, those wickedly charming phrases you use in person?)
Find people whose writing styles you relate to. What is it that they do? Try it yourself!
BOTTOM LINE: Your voice is in there somewhere. Just keep writing, and it will find its way out!
www.NIKKIelledgeBROWN.com
Copyright © 2013 Nikki Elledge Brown, All rights reserved.
-4 Need more help? Work with me!
So there you are. You’ve got these amazing products and services to share with the world. You’ve
taken a crack at battling the blank page, but it’s not working. That obnoxious blinking cursor is about
to be smacked off the screen.
The truth is, you’re just not confident with your communication skills – yet. You’ve got some ideas and
rough first drafts, but nothing you’d dare show your potential customers. (Or even your mama.)
The ideas are there, but the words aren’t doing them justice. What you’ve got feels awkward.
Boring. Not YOU. You’re feeling stuck. And maybe a little (or a lot) frustrated. You’ve got to get
something out there, and soon!
Take a deep breath.
1. You’re not alone.
2. It’s literally my (dream) job to help you with allllll that.
3. I want to spare you the frustration. Save you the time. Help you get this stuff DONE.
I’ll transform those communication blahs into client-attracting ahas. We’ll work together to get your
goodness not just written, but written with style. Your own style of smart, authentic communication
won’t attract just any customers, but the right ones. The ones you would LOVE to work with, even if
you weren’t getting paid. (Of course, you will be getting paid, which makes this even more fun!)
When the right customers roll into your world, everything changes. Not only will your profits
increase, but your happiness will too. Trust me. I’m livin’ that dream (literally) right now. And I want
to share it with you.
Bottom line(s): My greatest talent is to help YOU showcase YOURS. Not to do it all for you, but to
show you HOW to go pro with your communication. (Truly. As an online business owner, anything
less isn’t an option.)
Your dream clients are out there waiting for you. If you’d like my help finding ‘em, click here.
www.NIKKIelledgeBROWN.com
Copyright © 2013 Nikki Elledge Brown, All rights reserved.
-5 About Me
I spent nearly 2000 hours teaching communication at the college level before deciding to switch my
focus from serving bright students to serving bright entrepreneurs. Along the way, I coined the title
“Communication Stylist” for myself, because it describes exactly what I do.
Much like a stylist-stylist helps her clients find the perfect wardrobe to showcase the very best
versions of who they are, I help my clients find the perfect words to showcase the very best of what
they have to offer.
The right tagline is like the perfect necklace. A statement piece. You can wear it proudly on any
occasion, and it never gets old. It’s a conversation starter.
The right about page is like your favorite little black dress. Straightforward and classic, it
communicates the basics and reveals the perfect amount of personality. It’s a signature piece.
But pro styling is about more than just appearances. It’s about relationships. And whether you’re
looking to attract your dream guy or your dream clients, confidence is key. In the fashion world,
confidence comes from wearing a deliciously fabulous outfit that feels 100% YOU. In the online biz
world, confidence comes from showcasing charmingly brilliant copy that feels 100% YOU.
That brilliant copy won’t just attract any clients, but the right ones. The ones you can’t wait to work
with. Your customer soulmates, if you will. What’s more, because you’re communicating clearly and
effectively, these clients really “get” the unique value you have to offer. They know what to expect,
they’re happy to get it, and they’re even happier to come back again and again.
I’m telling you: The right clients make your business not just more fun, but more profitable. And
smart, authentic communication is what attracts them.
I’m here to help you with that. Click on over to my digital home sweet home to find out more!
www.NIKKIelledgeBROWN.com
Copyright © 2013 Nikki Elledge Brown, All rights reserved.
-6 Wanna share this free guide with your buddies?
Click here to tweet about the sheet, then get right back to writin’!
www.NIKKIelledgeBROWN.com
Copyright © 2013 Nikki Elledge Brown, All rights reserved.