What do you not like?
What do you love?
What do you hate?
What, or who, do you promote?
What, or who, do you work against?
What are you afraid of, or afraid for?
What are your hot buttons? You don't know them? Yes, you do. You know them very well. And you know what? I do too, or I can find out. Not about you personally, of course, but of your demographic. And that knowledge can be used to appeal to you, frighten you, promote you, scare you, for many things by people like me because I know something that you probably don't know. I know how to use words. You might want to think about that.
You might also want to read my September 7, 2011 post on this blog. I published two that day, I refer to "Web content, like understanding, is a three edged sword. Learn to use it well because your competition is."
Writing to Sell
How to sell something has been around as long as people have. Being a good salesman or saleswoman is a survival skill, make no mistake. People who can write text that motivates you to buy something are sought after, respected, and highly paid. Best you hope that they are also honest. Like anything else, some are and some aren't. There is a quote in my bookWeb Content Rx, a Quick and Handy Guide for Writers, Webmasters, eBayers, and Business People, on page 27, "Words are like loaded pistols." - Brice Parrain.
Believe me, that is true. Have you heard the old saying that the pen is mightier than the sword? That too, is the absolute truth. Those who can use words to promote their point of view, product, or ideology are people that can have serious impact on your life, your country, your wealth. You've heard the old saying, "Figures don't lie, but liars can figure?" That holds true for words as well. The post I refer to above has more on this.
Be careful what you put into your head, my friend, be very careful because words really are like loaded pistols with one exception. Pistols are only dangerous till out of ammunition. Words are dangerous as long as people espouse them; that can be forever.