Need the Right Word? 5 Books for Wealthy Wednesday
Today’s Wealthy Wednesday post features the 5 books which I pull off the shelf first to help me express myself – and none has Webster in the title!
Pictures are great but it’s the words that close a sale, convince a disbeliever, inspire an action and share a thought. As a professional writer, daily blogger and Rose of Sharon Jewelry marketer, I’m always looking for the right word.
Dictionaries are great (especially the online versions which are much more forgiving of spelling errors). But frankly, the definitions are pretty boring and don’t make for great sales copy. A Thesaurus can help but the synonyms aren’t always something one would naturally use in conversation. So what do I do?
When all else fails and you don’t have just the right word for it – check out these great books!
Better than Webster’s
The first book off the shelf is always the Flip Dictionary. As the cover says, “For when you know what you want to say but can’t think of the word”. This isn’t just for us 55+ writers! My copy (purchased in 2002) has gotten a lot of use.
Flip Dictionary (9781582971407): Barbara Ann Kipfer: BooksWords Do Sell
The next book I discovered in a San Jose bookstore on Lincoln Avenue was Words that Sell. This small book has been the inspiration for product names, catalog copy and sales letters. This is a must own if you write any product descriptions.
Words that Sell, Revised and Expanded Edition: The Thesaurus to Help You Promote Your Products, Services, and Ideas (9780071467858): Richard Bayan: Books
I found Phrases that Sell in 2001 on Amazon.
Phrases That Sell : The Ultimate Phrase Finder to Help You Promote Your Products, Services, and Ideas (9780809229772): Edward Werz, Sally Germain: Books
I was thrilled when I found More Words that Sell in Amazon in 2004.
More Words That Sell (0639785414063): Richard Bayan: BooksLearn from the Master
If you don’t have a marketing background, invest in copywriting guru, Robert Bly’s tome, The Copywriter's Handbook, Third Edition: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells. (I do and I still use this book to inspire me!)
The Copywriter's Handbook, Third Edition: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells (9780805078046): Robert W. Bly: Books
As a professional writer, I consider these books as investments in my career and a valuable part of my reference library. I would suggest that if you regularly write anything more than a tweet or Facebook post that you spend the $15 immediately on the Flip Dictionary. It’s a very easy-to-use book (your kids will find it much friendlier than a traditional dictionary, too).
As my Flip Dictionary says: There’s more than one way to say Good-bye – Adios – Aloha – Adieu – Farewell – Sayonara – Aloha.
