The Six-Word Challenge

I am subscribed to Seth Godin's blog.  Here is a post i thought you would appreciate:

Start with a classified

Shortlong Copy gets in the way.

Actually, thinking about copy gets in the way. You start writing and then you patch and layer and write and dissemble and defend and write and the next thing you know, you've killed it.

So, try this instead:

Write a classified ad. What's the offer? What do you want me to do? You're paying by the word!

"Lose weight now. Join our gym."

Six words. Promise and offer. [the bold is mine]

Now, you can make it longer. Of course, if your gym is on the space station and it's the only gym around, and if the people reading your ad are looking at the bulletin board and seeking out what they want, then your ad is now long enough.

But most of the time, in most settings, a little longer is better. So, add a few words or even a sentence. Is it better? More effective? Gently and carefully add words until it's as effective as possible, but as short as possible.

Perhaps you want to make your promise more vivid, or more clear. Perhaps you need a testimonial or two to back up your promise. Perhaps your call to action needs to be more urgent... You can play with all of that, keeping in mind the original classified, keeping in mind that you're still paying by the word (because attention is expensive).

And yes, this applies to articles in the newspaper, to blog posts, to how-to books and to direct marketing letters. It applies to the emails you send and the copy on your website too.

Thanks you for sharing, Elizabeth. The six-word challenge generated a lot of interest and stimulated great thought. I am anxious to see what Linda has to offer next.

As for your post, the blogster certainly has the right idea. We need to think of our 30-second commercials and elevator speaches as being paid for by the word.

The average 30-second radio spot is about 75 words when delivered at a moderate (normal) cadence.  That's a good place to start in planning your networking "spot." 

And I absolutely will have a new "challenge" soon!

Linda, (in 37 words)

Thanks for the word count. It gives us something to consider.

1. Storm came, everything gone, now what?

2. Wedding announcement, babies birth, death certificate

3. Met him, loved him, miss him.

4. Planted a garden, amazing flower, sniff.

5.  Writing a story, creating emotion, tears

6.  Fork in the road, right...left?

7.  Top down, wind in hair, freedom?

8.  Dress in window - perfect for her.

9.  Soft Rain, breathe in, world stops

10.  16...Driver's license, dad's car, independence!

I love this!  ;-) can you tell?

Great idea Linda!

Fear comes.  Action follows.  Possibility arises.

Thanks for a brain twister on a Monday morning Linda!

-Preston

Beverly & Preston - thanks for your additions!  This "Challenge" ended on May 16, with Dave Hutton's entry "No future in being a historian" declared as the winner. 

I'll be posting a new challenge soon!

- Linda

May 16 came. Went. Who won?

Hi Blythe - Please see my May 16 post. The winning entry was "No Future in being a Historian," posted by Dave Hutton.  Dave graciously asked that his $10 prize be donated to Blightbusters.

-Linda

Linda -

I certainly wasn't looking for a prize.  Was just having fun.  I think that the other folks were doing the same. 

No worries...just fun!

Beverly

Linda,

I'm a little (a lot) late to this, but thought I would 'chime in' anyway---thinking that you especially might appreciate my 'concatenations':

- Exposition; Conflict; Suspense; Climax; Resolution; Credits (or "sequel")

- Who; What; Where; When; Why; How

Mark

Nice one, Mark!  And kudos to you again on the awesome job with the Blightbusters video -

I'll be posting a new "challenge" next week -

Linda

Six word challenge, just won't die

...of course not, it's too fun!

Word Games Keep Your Brain Alive