Loans to Kiva Thanks to You

by Scribe

I have used my business blog, on occasions, to promote products that I believe are worthy of promotion. In return I sometimes receive a commission (known as an affiliate payment). I use these funds to support small businesses in other parts of the world through Kiva.

I just made a loan to someone in Peru using a revolutionary new website called Kiva (www.kiva.org).

You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business – like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks.  Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent – and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

                               

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back – and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Corazon Chopcca Group in Peru.  They still need another $550.00 to complete their loan request of $1,375.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!).  Help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Corazon Chopcca Group too:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=129318

It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty – using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they’re using it for.  And most of all, I know that I’m helping them build a

sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world – one loan at a time.

Thanks!

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What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:

‘Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.’

– BBC

‘If you’ve got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you’ve now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.’

– CNN Money

‘Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.’

– The Wall Street Journal

‘An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity…All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.’

– Entrepreneur Magazine   

Dee Harrison – Philoscribe

www.philoscribe.com

www.twitter.com/philoscribe

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Copywriting – The Tools of the Trade

by Scribe

As a result of the last post I have received many enquiries about the best tools for copywriters. I fear my answer has disappointed some who I think were looking for something only a little short of magic ink!

To write copy for the web there are just two essential tools. An HTML editor and your swipe file.

HTML editors can be downloaded free of charge or they can be purchased. Choice is yours. For writing copy, very few bells and whistles are required so the free editors are normally more than adequate. Ideally look for an HTML editor which has a WYSIWYG interface so you don’t have to mess around and learn code. It’s always good to have an understanding of HTML, so you can do your own trouble shooting, but you don’t need a master’s degree in the subject.

A swipe file is the copywriter’s treasure trove. A good swipe file quickly becomes the most consulted resource in the office and it grows on a daily basis with examples of good and bad copy. It is never too late to start your own swipe file. You’ll find the examples you harvest from around the net provide an endless source of inspiration for your own copywriting.

Now, one thing is worth saying here. You are not collecting a swipe file so you can simply regurgitate the work of others. You are gathering examples of copywriting as a way of teaching yourself to be a copywriter. You are learning your craft. It is no different from reading instructional manuals. You would not copy huge chunks out of a book (no, you would not do that….) and you would not copy huge chunks from someone else’s copy. You are reading, learning, getting ideas and inspiration.

Expert copywriters recommend that you re-write the examples harvested for your swipe file in your own handwriting. I think the effectiveness of this exercise will depend on your particular learning style but it is worth considering. Copywriting is not something you can do by numbers. You need to grasp what is going on ‘in between the lines.’ Anything you can do, that helps you to join the conversation already going on in your customer’s head, will help you to become a better copywriter.

So these are the two essential tools for copywriters. Simpler than you thought?

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