Writing a great copy is something that every business needs to be doing, but sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. The most common way to find copy that is engaging and holds the reader’s attention is to write a sample. A sample copy is the unedited and unrehearsed version of your final piece. It’s an opportunity to try out different language and see how a piece of text actually sounds when read aloud. It can also be a way for an editor to give you some feedback on your work, helping you to become a stronger writer.
What Is a Sample Copy?
A sample copy is simply a copy of your writing, which has been edited only for content and not style. Although most copy editors will be able to find errors in grammar and style, they will not be able to improve upon your writing if they do not know the overall feel and tone of what you are trying to achieve with the piece. A sample copy is different to the final version of the piece, which is what you will deliver to the client. If you write the piece without any editing, then the sample copy will be the closest to the final product you will ever get.
Why Should You Write a Sample Copy?
Writing a sample copy is a great way to practice your writing and see how a particular language or style sounds. Even if you are a seasoned writer who has written hundreds of articles, it’s important to periodically go back and edit your writing to keep it fresh. One of the greatest things about writing a sample copy is that you get to try out different styles and see how a particular piece flows. When you are writing for publication, there will always be a chance that you could write something that is deemed inappropriate and it will end up being removed from publication. The chance to try out different styles and ways of writing is something you cannot get when you’re writing for a specific audience. For this reason, you should always write a sample before you start considering publication.
If you are looking for feedback regarding your writing, then writing a sample is the perfect place to do this. It’s also a great way to get feedback from a broader audience, seeing how your work is received by those who are not necessarily your target audience. Feedback from a broader audience can help you hone in on what is working and what needs to be changed. It’s always advisable to write a sample copy, even if you’re happy with the content, just to ensure you can make the needed changes and improvements for the next draft.
How Much Should You Spend On Grammar And Style?
There is no hard and fast rule regarding how much you should spend on grammar and styling a piece of copy. The key is to ensure that the copy is of a high enough quality that it does not hinder the reading experience. If you are writing for publication, then there will always be the option of paying for an edit or getting your manuscript edited by a professional. You should not, however, expect your average copy editor to have the skills necessary to make your writing sound perfect. The aim is to have the copy be of a quality that is acceptable to those who are reading it and this means paying fairly close attention to both grammar and style. The reality is that these elements are so important that it is often difficult to write good copy without paying close attention to both.
There are some basic tips that you can follow to make your copy sound more polished. One of the simplest things you can do is to use a comma more than once within a parenthetical statement. For example, I could say something like, “This book is filled with interesting stories and useful information, which I found quite entertaining.” Without the commas, the sentence would just come off as a jumble of words. While it is not always possible to fit in a comma every time you want to add some extra information, using a comma in the right place can make your copy much more interesting to read. Putting a little bit of polish on your copy can help it stand out by using correct grammar and formatting.
Where Do I Post My Sample Copy?
Once you have finished writing your sample copy, the first thing you should do is get it reviewed by someone who is not necessarily a part of the founding team. This reviewer will look at your writing in a detached manner, seeing only what is written and not who is writing it. Once this is completed, it’s time to post your copy and see how others react to it. This is often a good indicator of how your copy will sound when read by real people. While you mustn’t give too much thought as to where you will post it, you should choose somewhere where you will get a good reaction.
Some places that you could consider posting your sample copy are the following: