Is your fundraising copy fat?

Here's some quick good copywriting advice from Bad Language: 10 ways to slim down obese copy:

1. Zap filler text.
2. Cut paragraphs before you cut sentences.
3. Don't lock down the word count before you start.
4. Delete hype words, clichés, adjectives and adverbs.
5. Shorter sentences.
6. Use 'you.'
7. Give instructions.
8. Shorten or delete quotations.
9. Write with information.
10. Use a bigger font (in your word processor; it's harder to write lots of words if your screen fills up quicker.

It's important to note that this is about "fat" copy, not long copy. In fundraising, long copy is almost always good. But fat, bloated, sloppy copy -- not good. It's not readable and it's not persuasive. Slim it down.