How To Be A Great Copywriter: 11 Tips From The Masters

The art of writing copy is something that many people have tried to master, but few can successfully pull off. There are so many nuances and techniques that you need to know if you want to become a great copywriter. So how do you go about doing this?

We’ve compiled some tips from the most successful writers in our field as well as some other experts for you to master this craft and start writing amazing content!

Takeaways
1. Understand Your Audience
2. Hone Your Research Skills
3. Master the Art of Storytelling
4. Develop a Unique Voice
5. Focus on Clarity and Simplicity
6. Utilize Persuasive Language
7. Craft Compelling Headlines
8. Experiment with Different Formats
9. Edit and Revise Diligently
10. Stay Updated on Industry Trends
11. Embrace Continuous Learning

1. Learn The Basics Of Great Copywriting

Learning the basics is a must for any writer, but especially for copywriters. There’s no shortcut to learning how to write well you’ve got to do your research and practice until your words are spot-on every time. The best way to do this? 

Study the masters! Pick up a copy of On Writing by Stephen King or Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (or both!), and then read it over again until you can recall their advice in detail whenever you need it most.

Work with people who know more than you do about your topic(s) of choice (and maybe even better than they know themselves).

While we’re on the subject of writing books that inspire me… If there’s one thing I’ve learned from reading these two books (and countless others), it’s that sometimes being surrounded by experts can be more intimidating than helpful if everyone around has too much experience for anyone else to learn anything new from them! 

You don’t want someone who thinks he knows everything telling you what he knows because then chances are good that he won’t listen when someone else tells him something new either especially if that person isn’t an expert at all!

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2. Identify Your Target Audience

The first step to being a great copywriter is knowing who you are writing for. This sounds obvious, but it’s surprising how many people don’t take the time to research their customers before they get started on a project.

If you’re writing for an audience of 20-something tech executives in New York City, then:

You should know that 85% of them are male and 15% female. Their average age is 31 years old.

They have an income between $60k-$100k per year (the higher end if they’re married with kids). This means they can afford your product or service! That’s good news! Now, all we have to do is convince them of this fact.

3. Create A Single-Minded Proposition For Your Product Or Service

To be a great copywriter, you must define your prospect’s problem before you offer them a solution. As a copywriter, it’s your job to tell the world why they need what you’re selling. And if they don’t know what their problem is or how your product or service will fix it, then there’s no point in writing about anything else!

To do this successfully, set goals for yourself from start to finish don’t worry about what other people are doing with their lives. Don’t compare yourself to others; instead, use them as inspirations for what YOU want for yourself. The more ambitious and realistic your goal is (and the more steps involved in achieving that goal), the better!

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4. Write With Your Reader In Mind

It’s easy to get swept away by the muse and write something that feels great to you, but if it doesn’t make sense to your reader if they don’t know what you’re talking about then it’s useless.

You have to focus on their needs when writing copy. If they don’t know what you mean, or why it matters to them, then you risk losing any potential benefit from your content.

The best way I’ve found of doing this is by using the reader’s point of view (POV). You should always be asking yourself: “What does my reader want? 

How can I give them what they need?” The more specific and concrete details you can provide in your copy (more on this below), the more likely people are going to understand what it is that you’re offering them and how exactly they will benefit from using/reading/buying whatever product or service is being offered in the ad or sales page in question

5. Make It Easy To Get The Message

The best copywriters know how to make their writing easy to read. They use short sentences, short paragraphs, and bullet points. They use lists, subheadings, and white space liberally. And they don’t forget about bold text or italics either!

This means it’s important to know how punctuation affects the reader’s experience of your content and then use it accordingly. For example:

Use ALL CAPS sparingly (or not at all) when you want to emphasize something in a sentence.

 Just keep in mind that this will be hard on the eyes of some readers who may find it too dense or overwhelming when a lot is going on visually in a page layout like yours with different fonts and sizes mixed across multiple lines at once without any spacing between them…or worse yet…without any paragraphs separating each block of text from another one so. 

There’s no room left over anymore for any more words after those already written down somewhere else!!!

6. Keep It Simple And Focused

The best copywriters know how to get straight to the point, while still providing enough information for readers to understand what they’re reading. This means using short sentences, short paragraphs, and lists wherever possible. You want your writing to be accessible and easy to read so avoid using too many words at once if you can help it!

When it comes down to it, good copywriting is about making things simple for readers: that means avoiding complex language where possible; using as much white space (or “negative space”) as possible.

Breaking up paragraphs with subheadings and bullet points; listing key points at the end of each paragraph; using graphics whenever possible (either photos or illustrations), but never more than one per page and finally: coloring important text red or bolding important passages for them stand out on the page

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7. Use Active Voice

Active voice is the best way to write powerful copy. The words “I” and “you” are active, while the words “it,” “there,” and other forms of passive voice are weak and boring.

The best way to write in active voice is to use powerful verbs, not weak ones! For instance:

I wrote a great blog post about how you can be a better copywriter. (weak) vs.

You will learn how I wrote a great blog post about how you can be a better copywriter by reading this article now! (string)

8. Avoid Cliches And Jargon

You’ve probably heard of the phrase “cliché,” but you may not know that it means an overused phrase. A cliché is a phrase that has been used so many times in print or speech, that it’s become meaningless and ineffective. Clichés are boring and predictable, but they’re also not memorable, persuasive, or clear.

Just as clichés can be bad for your copywriting efforts, jargon in the language of a specific group can also be problematic because audiences outside that group might not understand what you’re talking about. 

For example: if I were to write a sales letter for my travel agency using industry-specific language like “Airfare” instead of “Flight” or “Vacation Package” instead of “Trip,” I might alienate my audience by excluding them from understanding what exactly they’re getting from me (a flight/trip).

9. Give It A Unique Twist

This is where you pull out all the stops. You have to be creative and original if you want your copy to stand out from the crowd. You can do this by using a unique voice or tone in your writing, which should reflect your brand’s personality and values. 

The copy you write should also be consistent with other messages on your website, and any other marketing materials that are being used in conjunction with it (think company literature).

10. Write As You Talk, Not As You Write

Writing conversationally is a great way to create copy that sounds natural and reads well. It’s also the easiest way for a copywriter to sound like a human being, rather than an automaton. Use contractions: “don’t,” “won’t,” “can’t,” and “don’t have to.” Write in short sentences and paragraphs; keep it simple so your reader can follow along without effort or confusion.

Use words everyone knows (I’m talking about words like “the” and “and”) you don’t want your readers having to decode what you’re saying because they don’t understand the language or jargon of your industry.

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11. Always Give Clear Instructions On What To Do Next

Brands want you to stay with them and continue buying from them, so make sure that your audience knows exactly how they can do this. The easiest way is by including a call-to-action button or link in every ad, email, blog post, or the product page. 

For example: “Get your free guide today” or “Contact our sales team now”. If there’s one thing we’ve learned over time it’s that the more specific and actionable an offer is, the better chance you have of getting a response from someone interested in what you’re selling (and who may not have otherwise known it existed).

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Conclusion

As a copywriter, you have the unique ability to reach out and connect with people in a way that most other professionals can’t. You can make them laugh or cry, inform them of a new product, or even inspire them to take action on something they never thought possible. 

Your writing is an extension of who you are as an individual, so you must stay true to yourself while also being able to adapt when necessary.

Further Reading

Expand your knowledge and skills with these additional resources:

Becoming a Copywriter: Top Tips from The Guardian Short Description: Discover expert advice on becoming a successful copywriter and navigating the dynamic world of creative writing.

Improving Writing Skills: Insights from WordStream Short Description: Enhance your writing prowess with practical tips and techniques shared in this insightful article.

Mastering Copywriting Skills with Eddy Balle Short Description: Dive into a comprehensive guide to mastering copywriting skills and creating compelling content that engages your audience.

FAQs

How can I become a better copywriter?

Improving your copywriting skills involves consistent practice, studying successful examples, and seeking feedback from peers or mentors.

What are some effective ways to enhance my writing skills?

To enhance your writing skills, consider reading widely, practicing writing regularly, analyzing well-written content, and seeking constructive criticism.

Are there any recommended resources for learning copywriting?

Absolutely. You can explore online courses, books, and articles dedicated to copywriting, providing valuable insights and techniques to improve your writing.

How important is creativity in copywriting?

Creativity is essential in copywriting, as it helps your content stand out and resonate with your audience, making your message more memorable and impactful.

What role does storytelling play in copywriting?

Storytelling is a powerful tool in copywriting that can captivate readers, evoke emotions, and connect your audience with your brand, product, or message.