Copywriting Tips

Some jobs need to be handled by an expert.

Lion tamer, brain surgeon, airline pilot ...

Writing copy, however, doesn't quite fit into this category.

True, a professional copywriter can do wonders for your marketing material.

Sometimes, however, budgetary considerations mean that hiring outside help isn't really an option. You have to do the job yourself.

With that in mind, we've compiled a few tips to make your writing job a little easier.

General Copywriting Tips
• Remember why you are writing. It sounds like simplistic advice, but many people lose their focus after a paragraph or two, and go on a tangent. This loses readers.
• Keep a dictionary close by. Use it whenever you have even a little doubt as to the spelling or meaning of a word.
• Don't use jargon. Simplify, don't complicate.
• Along similar lines, if you have a choice between a long word and a short word, choose the short word. You're not writing to impress ... you're writing to communicate.
• If you're supposed to write 500 words, write 1,000 in your first draft. Then cut it down to 500. Your writing will be much tighter (and much more readable) as a result.
• When you're finished, read your copy out loud. Not only will this ensure it flows properly, but this is a great way of catching errors.
• Don't fall in love with your writing! No matter how great a particular phrase or paragraph seems, try to remain objective. It may sound great, but it might have nothing to do with your copy's objective.
• Have someone else read your writing. Tell them to be brutal. Don't take it personally. Read the previous suggestion again. Then edit and revise. After you've finished, let your work sit for a day or two (if you have the luxury of time). Come back and reread it. Often, you'll have a fresh outlook, which will result in more edits and revisions.

Web copywriting tips
• Keep it short and to the point. Web visitors don't usually stay too long. They want information telegraphed instantly ... otherwise, they move on.
• Use a good, catchy headline. Otherwise, your visitor probably won't read your body copy.
• Break up your copy with subheads and bullets.

If the above advice doesn't work, we can provide a free quote for your project. You may find that instead of writing, you can spend your time more profitably running your business. Contact us at info@thenewsletterdesigner.com .