The written word can be extremely persuasive, especially when married with attractive product photos. Whether you need product descriptions for furniture, sporting goods or knick-knacks, a catalog or e-commerce copywriter can choose the right words to present your merchandise and get buyers reaching for their wallet.

Put your catalog copy to the test. Answer these questions:

If space isn’t a consideration, use your catalog to tell your product’s story – how it works, how it was made, who invented it, and who uses it. A well-written, detailed explanation can add to the perceived value.

Find your brand’s voice. Who is your target audience? What’s important to them? Are they counting every penny or might exclusivity make your products sound more enticing?

Use precise language that creates a picture in the buyer’s mind. Be conversational. Make it easy and enjoyable to read your product descriptions.

Once you’ve included all the relevant facts and details regarding your product, it’s time to edit your work. Follow these tips:

• Use the “voice” that fits the overall tone of the brand
• Reorder the copy points to put in a logical order
• Delete unnecessary words and phrases
• Adjust the copy length to the available space
• Rewrite awkward phrases, shorten too-long sentences
• Make sure you’ve answered the questions customers are likely to ask

Final polishing involves proofreading. Check for errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, capitalization, and abbreviation. All good? Hit “post.”