Learn to write and write well is a skill that is useful in all types of situations. And if you combine good writing skills, with the persuasive tactics are for sale, for example, copywriting, you will be even more ahead of your competitors.
Of all the different types of writing that I did in my life (and believe me, I tried almost all of them) writing radio has made a major impact on my writing style.
Here are three ways of writing radio can help strengthen your writing style. (Oh, and these recommendations will also help you write for the best radio.)
1. Follow the rules. Sometimes rules are good, particularly the rules that force you to write a certain way. (Think of poetry - the mastery of these rules can have an amazing effect on your writing style.) Rules require to slow down and think, analyze your word, phrase, grammar, punctuation, etc., to choose. It can be very beneficial to your development as a writer.
The radio is short. You have to write something that fits into a 30 - or 60-second slot. Not much time or many words. In this 30 or 60 seconds, you need to capture the attention of the listener, why should they be interested in buying what you sell, then let them know what you'd like to be the next step. Oh, and I did not mention you need the name of the company by at least two times, and perhaps a slogan like that? And do not forget the music. Or sound effects.
But the beauty of it is once you've learned the rules of radio, you can apply to all kinds of things. A 30-second pitch for your company, you can tell people at networking events. The introduction of 15 seconds before a speech. A product spiel fast food to your voicemail. A 15-second shot to spit on his novel to agents and editors at writers 'conferences'. The possibilities are endless.
2. Requires you to write tight. Remember, the radio is short. Yet there are still many things you need to Shove It. So what's the solution? Absolutely no extra words allowed.
Be brutal. Cut everything that is not necessary. In fact, radio is where I learned to start cutting "that" out. "Most of thats" you do not need, and nothing shows this radio, etc..
Here's how I write radio. I begin with a first draft. The more information. I think it's pretty good - I have all the lights here. I read it aloud.
Now the fun begins.
Usually, it is too long. You see, I have time to read. So I have to start reducing words.
When you make a good script for a certain period of time, it is amazing how many words you suddenly discovers may be deleted. Or replaced with simple words as possible. Or how many sentences can be cut. Or phrases made more concise.
As you can imagine, writing radio has really honed my skills in editing.
3. Writing for the ear. Speaking on behalf of the ear is different from writing for the eye. The eye is much more lenient. Oh, this sentence is too long, but that's OK. Hmm, yes, I see that awkward phrase, but I'm fine with it.
No ear. The ear is brutal. E 'as one of the sponsors of a Dickens novel, standing in front of the class with a stick and beat every time a student stutters on an answer.
The ear catches everything - sentences that are too long and does not allow you to take a breath, sentences that do not flow properly; long, complicated words than five dollars, which affects the tongue in a knot and much, much more.
Focus on writing shorter sentences. Simplify the sentence. Vary sentences. Use simple words.
And this is just a good old writing advice no matter what you happen to be writing.
Exercises creativity - Radio Ad
Now it's up to you. Time to sit down and write a small radio.
First, choose something that you want the ad is about. Perhaps one of your products or services. But choosing one. More than one and you're just asking for trouble. (Rule of thumb - one message for each ad. No more. Otherwise, you risk losing your target market. Select a message and is very simple and clear.)
Now, do what I do. Write the ad. Start keeping under a certain number of general terms - 100 words for a list of 30 seconds and 190 words for a spot of 60 seconds.
After the first project? Great. Now it is read. And time itself. (The computer clock is perfect for this.)
What, you have exceeded the limit? Better start cutting. See how many words you can subscribe and phrases that can be tightened. Or replace words and short sentences with something.
Now, reread. Still too long? Or maybe it's too awkward. See previous paragraph. Repeat until you end up with something that sounds soft and falls within the time limit.
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Good piece; always nice to read the words of someone who's been through the radio copywriting wars.
ReplyDeleteOne other crucial element — the most important, in my opinion: Limit your radio commercial to a single Core Message.
Your Core Message is the one thing you want the targeted listener to hear, to understand, and to remember.
Too many radio commercials either don't have a Core Message, or they have more than one. And more than one Core Message is at least one too many.
And just as you've been able to apply your radio copywriting skills to other areas, disciplining yourself to focus on single Core Message will help in virtually any other scenario in which you're trying to communicate with someone.
Dan O'Day