You know that feeling when you’re reading an ad or a headline, and you just know that this company is different from all the rest? That’s because its copywriter has used one of these techniques to stand out from the crowd. In this article, I’ll explain how to do it yourself!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Gain instant authority through innovative copywriting. |
| Discover a game-changing copywriting technique. |
| Enhance your credibility and impact with words. |
| Master the art of persuasive writing for authority. |
| Elevate your copywriting skills with this trick. |
Get Creative With Your Headlines
There are a wide variety of ways to write powerful headlines, assuming you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone. For example, you can:
Use a question
Use a statement
Quote someone famous or historical (or even fictional)
Add numbers and statistics for emphasis and impact
Play with words (puns, rhymes, metaphors)
As long as the headline is interesting and gets people reading the rest of your content, it’s good enough!
Mastering the art of legal writing involves meticulous attention to detail. Our guide on copyediting for lawyers provides essential tips and techniques to refine your legal documents for precision and clarity.
Write More Often
Writing is all about practice. You write again and again, and you get better at it.
It’s the same with copywriting: if you want to be good at writing sales copy that converts, then you need to write a lot of different pieces of content. This can be hard because writing is time-consuming. And sometimes there’s not enough time in the day to sit down and write as much as we would like to (especially if we work full-time).
Intrigue Your Readers
The first thing you should do is to ask a question. This can be something as simple as “Do you ever sit down and wonder why?” or “Have you ever been asked to take on too many responsibilities at once?”
The second thing you should do is make an unexpected statement, such as “I bet the best part about being a journalist is getting paid for writing about other people’s lives.”
The third thing you should do is use a surprising statistic, like “Did you know that 96% of my clients were able to quit their jobs within two weeks after reading my writing?”
Finally, if all else fails, go ahead and use a surprising fact: “Didn’t Aristotle say that ‘It’s not enough just to be smart; we must also apply ourselves?”
Use the second-person perspective.
Here’s a quick way to make your copy feel authoritative: use the second-person perspective.
When you write in the second person, you’re writing directly to your reader. This is especially effective for landing pages and sales pages because it allows you to speak directly to your reader and build trust by addressing them by name.
Here are some examples:
You don’t need a degree in marketing or sales.
Your small business is ready for growth!
It might cost less than $1 per day!
Grab attention with a strong opening line.
The first few words of your copy are critical to grab your audience’s attention and make them want to read on. Here are some ways you can do that:
Use a question to get people to read on: “What if I told you…?”
Use a statement to get people to read on: “I know how hard…” or “This is what happened when…”
Use a claim or statistic to get people reading on: “The average person eats 23 pounds of food in one hour of TV watching, which is why they end up with stomach cramps and acid reflux. That’s why I’ve created this diet plan that helps you lose weight while sitting in front of the TV!”
Use a quote from someone else who has authority on the topic as an opening line (this works especially well when combined with any of the above): “You need more confidence if you want to succeed…that’s what my friend said last week.”
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Be Specific
Use specific words. Instead of saying “the sales were good,” say “sales were up 15%.”
Use specific numbers. Don’t say “many,” say “1,000.” Don’t say “a lot,” say “$3 million.”
Use specific examples. If you’re talking about a new product launch, give an example of how it worked for one client who purchased it (and this client should be someone influential in your industry). This allows you to show how their results are likely to be replicated by others who purchase the same product or service from you.
Include specific dates and places where appropriate. It’s always helpful for people reading your copy if they know exactly when something happened (or will happen), so let them know with clarity! For example:
In October 2015 we launched our newest product at our annual trade show in Las Vegas; On March 13th last year I received my first sale on Amazon; We’re going to hold another webinar next Thursday at 3 PM Eastern Time; Our new office building opens next month at 123 Main Street in Anytown USA
Be Unique
I’m going to tell you something that might sound crazy, but it works: To be interesting and persuasive, write about yourself.
Yup. Write about your own experiences, using your voice and words and style and ideas. Use details of your life that no one else could experience in the same way as you.
And instead of trying to make everything fit together nicely into a logical story structure (as we often do), just let it flow out onto the page in whatever order it comes out in even if it feels messy at first!
The magic happens when you engage with readers on a personal level by sharing something from yourself that they can relate to on some level whether it’s a struggle or success story related to your topic, an interesting factoid, or a fascinating stat (or even just an entertaining anecdote).
Your audience will connect with this kind of content more easily than any other form because it feels like they’re getting to know YOU better as a result–and there’s nothing more appealing than getting closer with someone who seems cool enough for us all along…
Personalize It
It’s an old technique, but a good one: make your copy personal to the reader. Use their name, location, situation, and experience in the message. Begin by stating what they need to know and then give it to them fast!
This is where you show them why they should care about your product or service. The more specific you get with this information, the better it will resonate with them because you are addressing something that relates directly back to their life and needs at that moment in time.
Navigating the world of legal research is crucial for budding student attorneys. Explore our collection of legal research guides to gain insights into efficient research strategies and resources.
Don’t Talk About Yourself Too Much
When it comes to writing, there are a lot of rules to follow. But there’s one that is more important than all others: don’t talk about yourself too much.
The reason this rule is so crucial is that it helps you avoid several common copywriting mistakes:
Being self-centered and arrogant (e.g., “I am an expert on this topic”)
Being boring (e.g., “I know what I’m talking about”)
Being wordy, vague, or long-winded (e.g., “I’ve been working here for 10 years now and have seen many changes…)
Being short on content (e.g., “Here’s my resume…”)
Use One Word At A Time To Hook Your Audience
The example headline above is an excellent example of a one-word headline. By using just one word, you can create a powerful and memorable message that will get your audience hooked on your content.
Here’s how it works: When people first read a headline or title, they only have one second to decide whether they want to continue reading or not.
That’s why you must make sure every word in your title is working hard for you and if there is any unnecessary fluff in the text, get rid of it! When someone sees “How To Get Traffic From Google,” they know exactly what they’re going to get out of reading on…it’s not vague like “The Ultimate Guide To Internet Marketing.”
A well-structured legal memorandum is a cornerstone of effective communication in the legal field. Discover step-by-step guidance on writing a compelling legal memorandum to convey your legal analysis concisely and convincingly.
Avoid Cliches Like The Plague (Unless You Can Make Them Fresh)
We’ve all heard that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, I’d like to add that a clever phrase can be worth an entire novel.
This is true of any piece of content you write, whether it’s the subject line of your email newsletter or the opening line of an article on your blog. The key is to use language that will grab people’s attention and make them want to read more—and also show that you’re not just another person spouting off clichés (unless you can make them fresh).
Here are some examples of clichés that should be avoided at all costs:* Don’t let the tail wag the dog.* Time flies when you’re having fun.* A picture is worth a thousand words.* Let sleeping dogs lie.* She’ll be apples!
Be Yourself – And Leave The Jargon At Home
And this trick is simple: just be yourself.
No, really. You don’t need to use jargon or buzzwords, or any of those other “mumbo jumbo” words that don’t mean anything to anybody. You don’t have to try and sound smart by making up new words that don’t exist in the dictionary (and frankly, as someone who works with dictionaries every day, I’m insulted by this).
Just use words that are real and meaningful for your audience and if they aren’t familiar with them already, explain them in a way they will understand.
Get To The Point, And Do It Fast!
We are all busy and have limited time, but that doesn’t mean we should waste our reader’s time. Many writers start with an introduction that is too long or not specific enough to their point, which leads the reader to lose interest and jump straight to the conclusion.
In some cases, this may be because the writer is nervous about getting into what they want to say (which means they aren’t sure how best to introduce their content). Also, sometimes writers use fluff or filler words just so they can fill up space and make their writing look longer in case someone decides to count words before reading.
To Get Around These Problems
Don’t waste time on the intro
Don’t spend too much time on your conclusion either; instead, just get right back into it with a restatement of what you already said in your hook sentence (if applicable)
Make sure every sentence contributes something meaningful towards your overall message/point of view don’t use sentences just as filler! Sometimes I see “I like this sandwich shop because…blah blah blah….and then I ate there…” Well, then why did you write that? Are we supposed to care? No, no we aren’t; cut those sentences out!!
Don’t give away your entire USP in an ad or headline; save some for the body copy where you’ll have more space to explain it!
Don’t give away your entire USP in an ad or headline; save some for the body copy where you’ll have more space to explain it!
I’m sure you’re familiar with this scenario: You’re scrolling through your Facebook feed, and suddenly bam. An ad appears in front of your eyes that read something like “How to Lose Weight In 3 Minutes.”
You’re intrigued by the promise, but then a second thought crosses your mind: “This can’t be true.” And so, without reading any further, you move on. Why? Because the headline was too good to be true.
It didn’t fit with what you already knew about weight loss (it may not even be possible)
It sounded too good to be true
Keep Sentences Short And Punchy
Avoid long sentences. Not only do they make your copy difficult to read, but they can also make it sound unprofessional.
Avoid passive voice. In general, you want to avoid using passive voice in your copy because it sounds less authoritative and makes it harder for the reader to understand what you’re saying (it’s not their fault the brain has trouble comprehending complex concepts when presented with something that doesn’t flow).
Don’t use complicated words where simpler ones will suffice; don’t use simple words where more complicated ones are needed; if you have a word that might be too long, try breaking up its components into smaller ones.
Avoid using very short words or phrases like “just” or “very” unless necessary for emphasis; prefer familiar-sounding words over unusual ones (e.g., “stationary” instead of “fixed”).
Anecdotes can add depth and relatability to your legal writing. Learn how to skillfully incorporate anecdotes with our guide on writing impactful anecdotes that captivate and engage your audience.
Conclusion
I hope you found these tips useful and can put them to good use in your copywriting. It’s not always easy to think of new ways to write, but it is well worth the effort – especially when it comes down to improving your sales!
If you have any questions about anything else related to writing or marketing (even if it’s not one of these tricks), feel free to contact us here at Writely Consulting Group. We love helping people get their message out there and look forward to hearing from all of our readers.
Further Reading
Copywriting Tricks: Unleash the Power of Words Short description: Explore advanced copywriting techniques and tricks that empower your words to make a lasting impact.
6 E-commerce Copywriting Tricks You Can Master Now Short description: Elevate your e-commerce copywriting skills with these practical tricks, enhancing your product descriptions and conversions.
Copywriting Tips: Transform Your Writing into Persuasive Copy Short description: Discover actionable copywriting tips to transform your writing into persuasive and compelling copy that captures attention.
And here’s the “FAQs” section with semantic-based questions and answers:
FAQs
What are some essential copywriting techniques for improving engagement?
Engaging copy relies on techniques like storytelling, creating relatable anecdotes, and addressing readers’ pain points effectively.
How can I enhance my e-commerce copy for higher sales conversions?
Craft benefit-driven product descriptions, utilize social proof, employ persuasive calls-to-action, and optimize for relevant keywords.
What role does emotion play in copywriting?
Emotion triggers connection. By infusing your copy with emotions such as empathy, excitement, or nostalgia, you can evoke a stronger response from your audience.
Are there copywriting strategies for overcoming writer’s block?
Yes, techniques like freewriting, changing your writing environment, or creating an outline can help you overcome writer’s block and stimulate creativity.
What’s the significance of A/B testing in copywriting?
A/B testing allows you to compare different versions of your copy to determine which one performs better. It’s a valuable tool for refining and optimizing your messaging.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.
