Top 7 Copywriting Tips That Can Instantly Improve Your Business
Updated: Sep 13, 2022
Whether you're a seasoned old-timer or a scrappy startup, if your writing makes potential customers want to put down your website, get away from the phone, and never think about your brand ever again, you're doing something wrong.
Business owners and leaders are constantly looking for new ways to get the most out of their marketing campaigns.
When it comes to copywriting, you probably have heard it all.
That you need to write in a way your audience connects with you. That you should keep things simple. That you should engage them to read till the end.
While these are true, there is still more you could be doing.
Today, I've got seven tips that any business owner can use right away to create copy that instantly improves your business.
Tip #1: Remember That Copywriting Is Not Creative Writing
Copywriting is not creative writing; it's persuasive writing — salesmanship in print form.
It's true that copywriting and creative writing relate, but they are not the same thing.
It’s important to remember this because it can help you avoid some pitfalls that come with trying to be too clever in your copy.
We can sum the difference between the two up in one word: intention.
Creative writing has no intention to sell anything; it’s just meant to be read and enjoyed.
Copywriting has one intention only: selling something.
Copywriting is about getting people to take action, buy a product or service, subscribe to your newsletter, or call you for an appointment.
You may be a great writer with an eye for detail and an appreciation for language, but if you don’t know how to make your audience take action, then your words will not convert them.
Tip #2: Always Write For Your Audience
One of the best ways to improve the tone of your copy is by writing with an audience in mind. This may seem obvious, but it's not.
In order to write effective copy, you must know your audience. You need to understand what they want and how they think.
When you write with an audience in mind, it helps keep you focused on what matters most: your customer!
In other words, it keeps you from rambling off on tangents and talking about yourself or your company too much (which happens all too often).
It's difficult enough as it is to write good copy if you know your audience, but it's nearly impossible if you don't.
The best copywriting is always written with the reader in mind.
So, if you know who they are and what they want, then it will be easier to write in ways that will resonate with them.
Tip #3: Stalk Your Target Audience
I'm not talking about creeping on them at night (though if that works for you, more power to you).
I mean that if you want to sell something successfully, then you need to know who your target audience is — their cares, wants, and needs — so that when they read your copy, they can picture themselves using whatever it is you're selling them.
If they can't picture themselves using/buying/discovering whatever it is you're selling them, they won't buy it.
Be it an email, landing page, or a commercial, you must know who you're talking to and what they expect from you. The better you understand your audience, the more likely you are to meet their needs and expectations.
Tip #4: Empathize With Your Audience
The best copywriters can put themselves in their audience’s shoes. They know what it’s like to be a customer and can give you the advice that will make you feel understood, valued, and important.
It’s not just about using words like “you,” “your,” or “I.” It’s about writing in a way that makes your reader feel like they can relate to what you have to say.
Copywriters know what makes people tick and understand how to use this information to their advantage.
If you want people to read your copy, then show them why it matters to them personally by tapping into their emotions and giving them something that resonates with them on an emotional level.
Tip #5: Try To Answer Their Questions
This is one of the most important aspects of copywriting. You want to be clear and direct. It’s about connecting with your customer on multiple levels and answering the questions they have in their mind before they even ask.
This one is a bit of a challenge, but it’s possible.
If you take the time to think about the questions your prospects have, then this will give them confidence that you understand what they need and make them feel more comfortable with your brand.
This is a very simple thing that can improve your copy and make it more effective.
If you are writing an email or email subject line, ask yourself “what do they need to know?”
If you are writing in a blog post, ask yourself “what am I trying to say?”
And if you are writing a sales page or landing page headline, ask yourself “what do they want?”
Then write down those answers and see how much better your copy becomes.
Tip #6: Keep It Clear And Simple
Make sure your copy is clear and simple to understand. Your primary goal in writing any type of content should be to make it as easy as possible for your target audience to understand what you are saying, why they should care and how they can take action.
It sounds obvious, but too many businesses forget this simple truth. It’s tempting to use technical jargon or buzzwords that sound impressive — but if your message is confusing or complicated, then you won’t be able to engage with your audience.
Don’t waste your reader’s time with long-winded introductions and unnecessary details — just get straight to the point!
Keep it concise and easy to understand. Don't assume that people have the same level of knowledge as you do when reading your content — they don't.
Keep things simple and clear.
Also, avoid making claims that are too broad or too vague — these aren't likely to work because they don't give your prospects any reason to act on them.
Instead, focus on creating a strong sense of urgency; then tell the reader exactly what they'll get if they take action now (which should be something that they really want).
Tip #7: Get a second opinion and be patient.
Get A Second Opinion
I'm lucky enough to have a network of copywriters at my disposal and we often have multiple people looking over each other's work before it goes live.
This is extremely important, as it forces us to be critical of ourselves and our ideas; it also helps us spot mistakes that might otherwise go unnoticed.
If you don't have a team of copywriters at your disposal, then consider hiring one to look over your work and refine it.
Be Patient
It's easy to feel like you need to rush things, but rushing leads to bad copy and even bad ideas.
Writing takes time and effort, but it's worth it in the end if it helps you achieve your goals.
If you want people to act on what you've written, then put in the work to make sure it's worth it — don't just throw something out there because you think it'll do the trick.
Using these tips in your copywriting will help you create a more convincing message and increases sales!
Business owners and leaders should never underestimate the importance of copywriting, even if writing isn't one of your strengths.
Top-notch copywriting can instantly improve your business, as long as you use these tips in your copy.
Copywriting encompasses various aspects of writing. It demands a lot of skill, but with the right help or the right tips, you can greatly improve your business.
Once you have a firm grasp on the basics of copywriting, it becomes much easier to write good copy. And if it's more than you want to bear, you can always outsource the work to a copywriter you trust.