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Getting it Write
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a book on Writing for your Business could guide you, gently but firmly down the path to security, success and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Unfortunately, life’s no fairy-tale, so I wouldn’t lay bets on the pot!
Fact is, there’s never an approach to anything that suits everyone and writing’s no exception. What works splendidly for someone else, might not tick your boxes. Which is why, in this book, you’ll find no absolute rights, wrongs or rules, just plenty of options, opinions and suggestions including such weighty matters as:
~ Not Murdering your Message
~ Marketing Hits and Myths
~ Creating Killer Copy Lines
~ Public Speaking or Root Canal Treatment?
I certainly hope some of what I’ve put together will nudge you to approach things from new angles, encourage you to trust your own instincts, help avoid unpleasant pitfalls and give you some ideas on how to make words work harder for you.
Fact is, there’s never an approach to anything that suits everyone and writing’s no exception. What works splendidly for someone else, might not tick your boxes. Which is why, in this book, you’ll find no absolute rights, wrongs or rules, just plenty of options, opinions and suggestions including such weighty matters as:
~ Not Murdering your Message
~ Marketing Hits and Myths
~ Creating Killer Copy Lines
~ Public Speaking or Root Canal Treatment?
I certainly hope some of what I’ve put together will nudge you to approach things from new angles, encourage you to trust your own instincts, help avoid unpleasant pitfalls and give you some ideas on how to make words work harder for you.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2017
28 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Messik
37 books28 followersMarilyn was a regular feature and fiction writer for national magazines when her children were small. She set up her first business from home, selling toys, books and party goods, before opening first one shop then another. When she sold both shops, she moved into the world of travel, focusing on B & B’s and Country Inns in New England, USA. Her advisory, planning and booking service flourished and she concurrently launched a publishing company, producing annual, full-colour accommodation guides to the areas.
In 2007 she set up a copywriting consultancy, to help businesses shape their messages to optimum effect. She’s blogged for The Telegraph online; published the Vintage Ladies Collection; written four Business Books and four Paranormal Thrillers.
She’s been married to her very patient husband for more years than he deserves, and they have two children, five grandchildren and, somewhat to their surprise, several granddogs.
In 2007 she set up a copywriting consultancy, to help businesses shape their messages to optimum effect. She’s blogged for The Telegraph online; published the Vintage Ladies Collection; written four Business Books and four Paranormal Thrillers.
She’s been married to her very patient husband for more years than he deserves, and they have two children, five grandchildren and, somewhat to their surprise, several granddogs.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 17, 2020
I first discovered Marilyn Messik when I read one of her fiction books, and I was intrigued to see how far her talent would reach when she ventured into another direction. Some might say she was born with gifts, but I know better (especially after reading “Getting It Write”). Marketing is an acquired skill that works well when coupled with perseverance.
The first thing I noticed about the paperback version is the “fold here” indentation on the cover and back, about an eighth of an inch away from the spine. This is a book that is meant to be used, dog-eared, and pencil-marked.
There is much more here than I thought there would be. Ms. Messik covers all the bases, starting at doing some soul searching in order to understand exactly what your business is and what you want it to do. The author then moves into all the different areas where using advantageous words and phrases will give you the best chance to move your business forward. Ms. Messik cautions that in many cases there is no definite right or wrong. What is most important is that what you choose fits for you and the product or service you are trying to sell.
Everything is discussed in the book, from business cards to what you might refer to as an elevator speech. There is a chapter on networking groups and how to structure your weekly or monthly speech (the groups I have been in restrict members to 20-30 seconds). Other chapters deal with choosing the right name for your business as well as a strapline that is both powerful and memorable. Other sections deal with items we might never ha e considered (such as using your knowledge to write and publish a book).
This is a small book that seems like it has a thousand pages of useful tips. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to start their own business. If you read and implement the author’s suggestions, you should be able to save yourself some wasted investments as well as unnecessary heartache. Five stars.
The first thing I noticed about the paperback version is the “fold here” indentation on the cover and back, about an eighth of an inch away from the spine. This is a book that is meant to be used, dog-eared, and pencil-marked.
There is much more here than I thought there would be. Ms. Messik covers all the bases, starting at doing some soul searching in order to understand exactly what your business is and what you want it to do. The author then moves into all the different areas where using advantageous words and phrases will give you the best chance to move your business forward. Ms. Messik cautions that in many cases there is no definite right or wrong. What is most important is that what you choose fits for you and the product or service you are trying to sell.
Everything is discussed in the book, from business cards to what you might refer to as an elevator speech. There is a chapter on networking groups and how to structure your weekly or monthly speech (the groups I have been in restrict members to 20-30 seconds). Other chapters deal with choosing the right name for your business as well as a strapline that is both powerful and memorable. Other sections deal with items we might never ha e considered (such as using your knowledge to write and publish a book).
This is a small book that seems like it has a thousand pages of useful tips. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to start their own business. If you read and implement the author’s suggestions, you should be able to save yourself some wasted investments as well as unnecessary heartache. Five stars.
October 12, 2020
I absolutely adored this!
From the fun and on point title, to the practical advice given whilst not adopting a sort of preachy tone like other books in the genre, to short, clearly outlined points with bullet lists and even examples of texts (that are correct, depending on what the aim of the text is) - all very good to see.
Subtle differences can make or break your about page (I agree wholeheartedly with what little experience I have writing them, but I've read quite a few of them I have to say). Very informative and I'll take away quite a few points from this, though my career path is now on a different trajectory (I've moved away from content writing), I found this very helpful and I'm absolutely thrilled I gave it a chance. The author know what they're talking about for sure.
From the fun and on point title, to the practical advice given whilst not adopting a sort of preachy tone like other books in the genre, to short, clearly outlined points with bullet lists and even examples of texts (that are correct, depending on what the aim of the text is) - all very good to see.
Subtle differences can make or break your about page (I agree wholeheartedly with what little experience I have writing them, but I've read quite a few of them I have to say). Very informative and I'll take away quite a few points from this, though my career path is now on a different trajectory (I've moved away from content writing), I found this very helpful and I'm absolutely thrilled I gave it a chance. The author know what they're talking about for sure.
February 18, 2018
It’s so refreshing to read a guide/’how to’ book that keeps you entertained and highly amused throughout. This is exactly what Marilyn Messik manages in Getting it Write: Common sense copywriting for your business. This is an extremely readable, concise guide to a variety of marketing-type writing skills for small- to medium-sized businesses. It’s packed full of tips, suggestions and downright common sense for both those wanting to try their own hand at writing and those wanting to employ professionals to do it for them. It brims over with humour, making it enormous fun and very quick to read. As the cover says, it’s not so much a ‘How to’ book, more of a ‘Why not look at it this way?’
The book is certainly not only about writing and I loved its sheer scope. It spans a host of subjects, ranging from body language, planning and EQ to advice about handling presentations and publishing books. The author’s wonderful humour is pervasive, and some of her headings are screamingly funny. As someone who’s been in the copywriting business for more years than I like to admit I can really recommend this – both as a good read and as one packed full of ideas for thinking about how you market your business.
The book is certainly not only about writing and I loved its sheer scope. It spans a host of subjects, ranging from body language, planning and EQ to advice about handling presentations and publishing books. The author’s wonderful humour is pervasive, and some of her headings are screamingly funny. As someone who’s been in the copywriting business for more years than I like to admit I can really recommend this – both as a good read and as one packed full of ideas for thinking about how you market your business.
February 18, 2018
Really useful and thought provoking easy read on copywriting/ business writing with plenty of encouragement and practical tips. Found it immensely useful in giving me a framework to construct and deliver a coherent business message. I will be dipping back in to this (and recommending it to others) for some time to come!
February 18, 2018
I write quite a lot for work and am always thinking about what I write and whether the message is being conveyed in the right way, so the opportunity to read this book came at a perfect time.
First of all, I have to say I love the way this book is written, it is so easy to read and it really feels like the author is talking to you personally; very chatty, friendly and upbeat as if she’s known you for years.
It really made me think about how things are written and just with a few words it can really change what you are trying to say. There is some very useful business advice in this book, along with some great examples, which help to bring it to life.
I can definitely see myself using this as a reference book for many years to come as it is so easy to read a short section and extract what you need. A very handy book to keep on the bookshelf!
First of all, I have to say I love the way this book is written, it is so easy to read and it really feels like the author is talking to you personally; very chatty, friendly and upbeat as if she’s known you for years.
It really made me think about how things are written and just with a few words it can really change what you are trying to say. There is some very useful business advice in this book, along with some great examples, which help to bring it to life.
I can definitely see myself using this as a reference book for many years to come as it is so easy to read a short section and extract what you need. A very handy book to keep on the bookshelf!
September 14, 2020
This book covers a lot of tips and insights on copywriting and it makes for a good resource for both the beginner (like me) and someone who is keen on enhancing their skills.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
February 6, 2021
I was looking for a "copywriting course", I found this nice fun and interesting and useful in the beginning but useless from halfway on, where it lost focus on copywriting and felt one of those books written to self promote the author. Sorry Marilyn I don't mean to be mean ;) Cheers _Gius
February 27, 2018
absolutely love Marilyn's books, this type of book is not my normal cup of tea but as usual Marilyn makes it humerus whilst being informative and I learned a lot about writing
June 28, 2021
Informative. And entertaining.
Those are not words which are often found together. This book puts them together, repeatedly. It is much more than a How to Write book.
Those are not words which are often found together. This book puts them together, repeatedly. It is much more than a How to Write book.
November 20, 2022
A collection of useful tips, examples, and anecdotes on business copywriting - useful and highlights different ways of presenting information to make the best impression on the audience you seek.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews