Writing Copy: 13 Tips To Write Great Copy in 2023
Plus The Best AI Copywriting Tool Ever Just Got Better!
Copywriting is hard - there are few people who are truly skilled at it, and the rest of us are simply trying our best and striving to get better at it.
I love to write copy. I've been a writer, mainly writing marketing content, for over 30 years and have noticed - contrary to popular belief - that little has really changed in that time. The words are the same, but how we produce them - well, that's a whole different story!
If you're like me, you get sick of reading long, descriptive paragraphs online. Why? Because they don't catch my attention right away. I'm just skimming to see if there's anything interesting in there. I'm not a fan of content that wastes my time.
It should go without saying, but writing great copy isn't easy. This is what I'm going to help you with today.
Whilst many brilliant copywriters today still use pen & paper, there has been a shift towards copywriting software and in 2021 there have been significant advancements in the artificial intelligence copywriting world.
Why is writing called copy and what makes it good?
Writing copy - or copywriting - is a distinct skill in and of itself. It's not just about capturing your audience, but also speaking to them on a deeper level: speaking to their imaginations, making them feel something.
Great copy isn’t necessarily flashy, it is all about establishing trust, authority and building relationships.
David Ogilvy said "a good advertisement sells the product without drawing attention to itself". That is good copywriting.
Why is copywriting so hard?
Copywriting is powerful, but it can be intimidating for people who don't do it daily. As with any new skill, it can be daunting and overwhelming.
Copywriting is not inherently one of the easiest skills to learn - which is why a lot of copywriters give up too soon. With advancements in software to assist writers - originally to assist with marketing in the advertising industry - it is now possible for marketers to write sales copy for just about anything! Whether that be for a blog post, a website home page, an email newsletter or any type of advertising really.
How do you become a copywriter?
Copywriting is an art, a unique talent that not everyone possesses. If you are serious about learning copywriting, then you need to write, write & write again!
And read! Copywriters must also have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and voracious reading habits.
Yes, you can buy software - and the ones I've tested are great for marketing copy especially - but it is just one part of the overall formula. Copywriting apps are very powerful tools to assist you in your copywriting quest, but ultimately it will come down to what you can do with them that makes or breaks your copy.