I went to a presentation on Copy Writing and Proof Reading given by Saltaire Editorial Services . There were some valuable tips given out that I thought I would share with you all. This is aimed at web copy but I think applies well in many areas.

Copywriting Top Tips

• Plan – give yourself time
• Keep it simple – don’t use long sentences with lots of ideas “break it down”
• Concentrate on the points that make you different – benefits not features
• Get to the point – people have a short attention span
• Make sure it is readable / understandable – get it proof read
• Be careful with Jargon – it should only be used in technical documents
• Think about your audience – talk to one person
• Focus on benefits, not features
• Use headline – break up long sections of text
• Include a call to action – tell people to do what you want them to do

Proofreading Top Tips

• Print it out – errors are easier to see on paper
• Get somebody else to read it
• Use a dictionary – Check for common misspellings (common one are given below)
• Check for consistency – style, layout, spelling
• Check tenses and verbs
• Proper sentences?
• Check your facts
• Bullet points – must follow on from opening statement to the list
• Design problems – copy should be looked at again once it is a site

Common Spelling Mistakes

• You’re – Your
• It’s – Its
• Complementary – Complimentary
• Practice – Practise
• Dependent – Dependant
• Principle – Principal
• Affect – Effect

Spell checkers – do not count on them to keep you out of trouble

Damien Bové works as a drug development consultant (pharmaceutical or biotechnology), we work with our clients to define a development target, define a development strategy, define a regulatory strategy or define a commercial strategy. Our clients are generally raising funds or looking to license out their technology and we help them achieve it. If you want to know more don’t hesitate to get in touch using the contact form or email Damien at damien.bove@idaconsultants.com