?Super Adjectives? Boost the Power of Your Copy

Pretty or elegant? Good or scrumptious? Nice or delightful? There is power in the adjectives you choose. Just like Clark Kent and Superman or Bruce Wayne and Batman, some adjectives are plain, ordinary, everyday words. Others are alter-ego Super Adjectives that leap into your customers' minds in a single bound. Adjectives are boring, but Super Adjectives impress, inspire, and convince your customers more effectively.

Look at these examples to see what I mean:

Before

Great Top for Hot Summer Days

When it's hot outside, this top will help keep you cool. Made of cool nylon, you'll love how it sheds moisture. Available in four pastel colors.

After

Perfect Tank Top for Hot Summer Days

When the temperatures are steamy outside, this tank will help keep you remarkably cool. Made of breathable 100% nylon, you'll love how it sheds moisture. Available in four spring-fresh colors.

See the difference? The latter paints a more vivid picture of the tank top than the former.

Try this?

Before

The Prestige Collection is a unique selection of ceiling fans available at Hastings Home Center. The Prestige Collection offers all the quality craftsmanship, and dependable performance, you expect from Hastings along with styles so pretty they take ceiling fans to the next level ? and dress your home for any occasion.

After

The Prestige Collection is a distinctive selection of elegantly designed ceiling fans available exclusively at Hastings Home Center. The Prestige Collection offers all the expert craftsmanship, and whisper-quiet performance, you expect from Hastings. In addition, you get styles so stunning they take ceiling fans to the next level ? and exceptionally dress your home for any occasion.

What's the difference? Why are the "afters" so much more powerful than the "befores"? Because compelling adjectives were used. Adjectives let the reader know more about the product and develop a connection with it. But boring ordinary adjectives aren't the answer. You need Super Adjectives to entice your readers. For example, instead of just "cool nylon," we say "breathable nylon." The colors aren't just "pastel colors," they are "spring-fresh" colors. When you read that, you begin to envision what the colors look like. They aren't deep, dark colors. They are delicate shades found during the springtime.

Instead of saying "a unique selection," we said "a distinctive selection." Rather than "quality craftsmanship," it's "expert craftsmanship." Not just "dependable performance," but "whisper-quiet performance."

Where do you find these Super Adjectives? They are all over the place! Here's a short list. You can also visit free sites like http://www.thesaurus.com for more.

Adjectives vs. Super Adjectives

  • Appealing ? attractive, alluring, fascinating

  • Best ? excellent, unsurpassed, paramount

  • Cool ? trendy, fashionable, hip

  • Different ? unusual, exclusive, special

  • Easy ? effortless, trouble-free, user-friendly

  • Fabulous ? tremendous, magnificent, remarkable

  • Handy ? functional, ideal, well-suited

  • Improved ? enhanced, superior, refined

  • Leading ? first-rate, top-notch, supreme

  • Mouthwatering ? tasty, savory, succulent

  • New ? innovative, fresh, inventive

  • Powerful ? forceful, persuasive, compelling

  • Reliable ? dependable, steadfast, trustworthy

  • Safe ? secure, fully guarded, guaranteed

  • Unique ? distinctive, rare, matchless

  • Vivid ? vibrant, brilliant, stunning

  • Wonderful ? magnificent, amazing, astonishing

Take some time to go beyond the ordinary. Find a few Super Adjectives to use in your copy in order to boost excitement and interest in the products/services you write about. That added attention Super Adjectives bring can easily correlate to additional sales.

Karon Thackston © 2004

About The Author

Tired of endlessly searching the 'Net in hopes of finding the latest copywriting techniques? Need an up-to-date directory filled with the best ways to learn copywriting? Visit http://www.learn-copywriting.com today for the widest collection of the most popular copywriting resources available.

IF PUBLISHING ON A WEBSITE, USE THIS RESOURCE BOX:

Tired of endlessly searching the 'Net in hopes of finding the latest copywriting techniques? Need an up-to-date directory filled with the best ways to learn copywriting? Visit Learn Copywriting today for the widest collection of the most popular copywriting resources available.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


How To Find Freelance Copywriting Jobs

Your goal is to land a few nice, secure freelance... Read More

Copywriting 101: Exclamation Point, Friend or Foe?

My name is Ann and I'm a grammar geek. There,... Read More

10 Things You Should Expect From Your Website Copywriter

As websites and electronic commerce are becoming more and more... Read More

Freelance Writing As A Career

Most people would love to make a living from freelance... Read More

How Writing Radio Can Help You Become a Better Writer

Knowing how to write, and write well, is a skill... Read More

The Truth About Negative Commands (Dont Read This!)

Everyday when I read promotional emails and advertisements, or listen... Read More

5 Deadly Copywriting Mistakes That Kill Sales

Chances are that you are making many, if not all,... Read More

Copywriting Makeover: Search Engine-Friendly Can Also Mean Visitor-Friendly

When it comes to search engine optimization, copywriting plays a... Read More

Touching the Prospect?s Emotions in Your Sales Letter

Your prospect has emotions? and you MUST touch these emotions... Read More

The Five Rules Of Influential Web Writing

Building a professional reputation requires a campaign founded on your... Read More

Copywriting Makeover: Making An Emotional Connection - Part 1 of 2

One statistic shows that over 80% of all buying decisions... Read More

How To Find Freelance Jobs - Writing About Food

Did you know that jobs writing about food are available?... Read More

10 Tips for Tech-Writers

Tech-writing is a tricky business. It's not a very high... Read More

Six Reasons You Don?t Need a Technical Writer (and Why They?re Dead Wrong!)

I know, I know. Times are tough. You have to... Read More

Business Writing: When Not To Be Professional

It's time to write your next ad or brochure. Maybe... Read More

Direct Mail Sales Letters Flow Better With Subheads

A subscriber to my newsletter asks: "Got any good pointers... Read More

How To Personalize Your Headlines For Increased Profits!

Personalizing your headlines to your target audience can significantly improve... Read More

Copywriting: Drafting Rules for Professionals

As a professional contractor who wears many hats, you owe... Read More

10 Tips for Writing Web Copy

One of the most important aspects of a website today... Read More

Accelerate Your Freelance Copywriting Master Business Plan!

Ever wish for your own copywriting business?Ever wish you could... Read More

How to Develop a Killer News Hook

When you are going to write a press release probably... Read More

9 Tips for Great Design of Your Marketing Materials

1) Don't just hire a good designer. Hire someone who... Read More

Its Time To Start That Swipe File

Just as great fiction is an art, so is great... Read More

Boost Your Conversion Rate In Three Steps

When I critique, edit or rewrite sales copy, I discover... Read More

Freelance Copywriters on the Internet: How to Tell the Difference Between Heaven-sent and Hack

If you're hunting for a good freelance copywriter and have... Read More

Bullshit Avoid the use of the word Bullshit

It is important in this new paradigm of political correctness... Read More

Can Anyone Succeed as a Freelance Copywriter?

This is a question that can be answered in a... Read More

The Lost Art Of Fundamental Copywriting

What ever happened to good old fashion, fundamental copywriting? Has... Read More

Sticky Homepage Copy in 30 Seconds

Yes indeed, that's all you've got, 30 seconds to make... Read More

How You Can Find Freelance Copy Editing Jobs

Even for those with the skills needed, finding copy editing... Read More

Long Copy vs. Short Copy? If You?re Still Debating This, You?re Missing The Point!

I've seen this ongoing debate debate jump up again recently... Read More

Freelance Business Writers - How To Get The Best From Your Writer

At times, it can be frustrating to find freelance business... Read More

Progressive Headlines Guide Customers To Buy

Headlines are, without a doubt, one of the most important... Read More