Daphne Gray-Grant
Testimonials
Products
Free Articles
Book Reviews
About Daphne
Free Newsletter
Contact Me
Check out my book!
I think you have one of the most valuable and insightful business writing resources on the web (and, as Im sure you know, there are thousands of them out there). No matter how busy I am, your newsletter is the one email I always open the moment it hits my inbox!
Leslie Talbot
Principal, G2G Sales, Cambridge, MA
I have to stop myself replying to your email each week to tell you how great I think your writing is. I've held off for two months now, so: I think your writing is great. Yours is the only newsletter that I read every time. Inspiring and concise, with humour. Love it.
Andrew Lightheart,
RealSmartNow.net
Singapore
You don't know me, but you've made such a big difference in my writing as I launched and then grew my copywriting business over the past year. Your newsletter is the only one I read right when I get it.
Kelly Parkinson,
Copylicious
Oakland, Calif.
I read your Power Writing tips religiously. I have learned more from them than I did in all my years at Catholic School. Your stuff is valuable to everyone regardless of their business function.
Mary Anne Doggett
Interactive Communications, Inc.
New York, NY
Unlike most newsletters I subscribe to (many of which I delete in frustration or let accumulate in my inbox for "later") I read yours the moment they come in. I love that they’re short, easy to read, and informative.
Nadine Pederson
Black Swan Services
West Vancouver, B.C.
Just had to tell you that, once again, your newsletter has brought enlightenment, enjoyment, and a welcome dose of sanity to my inbox. I love hearing from you each week.
Fran Sammis
Teledyne Storm Products
Woodridge, IL
I just wanted to let you know that I read 100% of your writing. Of the many newsletters that come to my inbox, yours is the only one I read from start to finish every time. TGIT (Thank God it's Tuesday).
Laura Williams
Mississauga, Ont.
Thank you for your recent newsletter. What a powerful concept! I think you've just given me a key to my writer's block. Your newsletter is terrific!
Lisa Ham
Bend, Ore.
I just don’t know how you do it. Every column of yours I read is noteworthy. I’m working on two books (one for Oxford University Press and the other for Prometheus Books) that are each due in a couple of months. I’ve got two major research projects and teaching to boot. I don’t read anything extra.
Except your emails. They’re worth their weight in gold.
Barbara A. Oakley, Ph.D., P.E., FAIMBE
Associate Professor of Engineering
Oakland University
Rochester MI
As a new writer and web owner, I had subscribed to several writing-type newsletters -- yours is the only one I have kept. It's short and sweet; and it offers value.
Julie DeHart
Manila, Philippines
HELPING CORPORATE WRITERS WORK BETTER, FASTER
Dec. 4/06
Caught in the web
The three biggest mistakes that website writers make
If I walk into a retail shop, I want the clerk to smile at me and look approachable. Similarly, if I let my fingers walk into a website, I want to feel welcome. Here are the three biggest mistakes that website writers make. (Note: the examples below are not manufactured -– they’re from real websites ):
Using language that’s too formal: “Government spending is a major economic driver that has a tangible impact on the economic well-being of every business and individual,” reads one typically pompous site. Doesn’t the writer sound like he’s wearing a smoking jacket and holding a glass of brandy in the other hand? I like websites where the writers “talk” like ordinary people.
‘Selling’ too fast: If I walk into a store and the sales clerk greets me with: “What would you like to buy today?” I tend to run fast – in the opposite direction. Don’t you? But many websites are just as bad about leaning in for the kill too quickly. “Get the best deals around on computers,” screams one home-page headline. And it doesn’t let up with the subheads: “Whether you are looking for refurbished, used, brand-new, laptop, desktop, large-screen, multimedia-centric, there's the perfect computer for you out there,” it continues. Fair enough. But I’d like to feel comfortable and get the lay of the land, before I get mowed down by the sales pitch.
Focusing on me-me-me: Don’t you get tired of the cocktail party bore who can talk only about himself, his job, his kids, his neighbors? Ever noticed how many websites are similarly narcissistic? “We are continuously working to improve our products,” says one. Well, good for you, I say. But if you want my business, let’s stop the focus on you and talk about me for a change.
The words you choose for web writing are important.. Talk to me in warm, simple language. Don’t sell too soon. And talk about MY issues (not yours.)
Then, and only then, I might be in the mood to buy.
To receive a short article like this one each week get on the Power Writing email list. It's free.