Advertising copy can be one of those difficult tasks for a copywriter. It’s pretty common to put something together and then decide it’s just far too boring for what you are trying to accomplish, but at the same time, you don’t want to fill your copy with a bunch of hype – so, how does one draw attention, and find the middle ground for successful advertising copy? Glad you asked. You’ll want to read on for some great advice on creating an advertising copy that works.
There’s no question that writing copy that’s good can be challenging. To begin with, it’s a good idea to understand the product you are writing about. It will make it much easier for you to promote it if you know at least what its highlights or perks are – you know the things you are going to promote in your ad copy.
When you are writing ad copy, the object is to get the reader to respond in a specific way – buy the product, sign up for the newsletter, volunteer for the event, etc. This is also where a great deal of ad copy falls down. The copywriter does a great job of promoting the product/service, but then forget the “hook” at the end that’s going to convert the reader into a customer. And at the end of the day, it is all about the conversion rates.
Once you have written your ad copy, you need to ask yourself, does my ad copy stand out? Will it get noticed? Is it richer, better, sexier than the competitions? If the answer is yes, great you are on the right path, but if you answered no, you’ll need to go back and work on your ad copy some more. Whatever you are selling, there’s probably a dozen other people selling the same thing; so, you have to be able to make your ad more appealing, without just filling it with a bunch of hype, and you certainly don’t want to be dishonest in what you are saying.
Let’s look at an example. Let’s say you are writing ad copy for an e-book that you will be selling about writing ad copy. You create ad copy that says, “Learn how to Writer Good Ads Online.” Now there is nothing wrong with that, except it’s pretty ‘run of the mill’ or common and so it’s not going to jump out and grab those web surfers and convert them to customers. Now, what if you wrote it this way, “Are you Tired of Ads That Flop – Create Ads that Sell!” Wouldn’t that be far catchier and likely to convert your web traffic into paying customers?
So you get the idea here. In order to write good ad copy that works, you need to stand out, you need to do that honestly and effectively.
Steps Involved In Writing A Winning Copy
If you want to become a better copywriter, the first thing you need to do is to be willing to work at it. Becoming a better copywriter takes practice and dedication, but don’t worry it’s worth every minute.
Step 1:
Let’s start with some food for thought:
- Writing is straightforward, but it’s not easy
- To get a bigger client list, you have to get really good
- Until you publish your work, you’re just dabbling in writing
- You cannot practice unless you are disciplined, and have the ability to persevere
- Stop making excuses!
Step 2:
Before you make the decision to take your copywriting to the next level answer a few questions:
- Why do I want to write?
- Who do I want to write for?
- Have I found my voice, my tone, my style?
- What am I willing to give up to better my craft?
Step 3:
Great, now here are some tips to help you become a better copywriter, and take you from amateur to professional.
- Write every single day – don’t miss any!
- Make sure that what you write is clear, concise, and effective
- Don’t be lazy – if you are going to write then write and write intelligently
- Stop worrying about whether you are a good copywriter and just continue writing
- Don’t focus on getting published, just write and eventually you will get published
- Write things that are worth writing, don’t write for fame
- Write about what you believe in that way you can write with conviction
Step 4:
Now, it’s time to begin to build a platform to market yourself on, so that you can build your clientele.
- Be intentional and you’ll get noticed
- To create a broader audience you must narrow your focus
- Learn from other copywriters – what works, what doesn’t, what made them successful
- Make sure you are always engaging your readers
- Intentionally grow your traffic through the use of a blog
- Don’t be afraid to guest post your writing on other people’s blogs
- Expect some people to react negatively to what you write, even hate you – don’t worry, just ignore them
If you need help with your actual writing there are many excellent sites, groups, and forums that can help you. Share ideas, ask questions and learn. Being a writer means you have committed yourself to a lifetime of learning. It’s exciting, rewarding, and it can be financially lucrative for the best copywriters.