How to Write Compelling Copy
Copywriting isn’t as easy as it looks. It involves studying your target market, understanding what they need to hear, and then delivering it in a way that doesn’t come off as too salesy or pushy.
This doesn’t mean that you have to be the best writer out there, but you do need to know how to create compelling copy. If you want to become more confident at writing copy that your target market will love and consume, then this guide on how to write compelling copy will help you get started and take your skills to the next level.
Start with a headline
Your headline is your first chance to grab your readers' attention. If it's boring or confusing, you'll lose their interest before they even have a chance to figure out if your content is interesting enough for them to keep reading. Make sure that your headlines are engaging and attract attention.
Keep in mind that there are six types of headlines: question headlines, number headlines, curiosity-gap headlines, surprise-and-delight headlines, inverted pyramid and rule of three. Any one of these techniques will help you get people's attention and hold it long enough for them to read what you've written.
How can I make my copywriting powerful?
You need a call-to-action. A good one will entice your reader, inspire them and compel them to act. If you don’t know what that is, Google it or ask a copywriter. There are many basic formulas for crafting effective calls-to-action, and if you learn how they work then apply that information to your copywriting, your results should improve dramatically.
An important aspect of powerful copywriting is knowing your audience and adjusting your writing style accordingly—and not every piece of marketing material will require a strong call-to-action if there’s no need for one.
Get to the point quickly
Consumers are looking for value and they’re looking for it fast. If your copy isn’t compelling, it may not be worth their time. It takes practice to write content that is direct and instantly relevant. But with persistence, you can master efficient content creation.
First of all, craft a clear headline that accurately captures what readers will get from your piece of content—be specific but also pithy, like The Ultimate Guide for Writing Compelling Copy. Then use simple language in short sentences or bullet points whenever possible—this keeps your message on-point and allows readers who are skimming or who have just a few minutes to give you some time make a decision about whether or not they want read more.
Explain benefits
Benefits are one of those things that everyone loves, but people have a hard time writing. It’s not uncommon for copywriters to look at a sales page and say Why don’t they just say X? Yet many do struggle with what appear to be simple tasks.
Why is that? Sometimes it’s because you get caught up in wording something in just so way. But maybe it's because you're focusing on all these little details and forgetting about your audience… Know your customer: The key is knowing exactly who your target market is before you sit down to write anything . You wouldn't create different ads for women or men, would you?
Elements of a Copy
When we speak of compelling copy, what do we mean? Is it just fluff that sounds good but doesn't really convey any value? When you look at marketing campaigns for top companies, most follow a familiar format. If you're looking to create compelling copy yourself,
consider these three important elements:
1) Identify a Problem
2) Explain Your Product/Service and How It Solves That Problem
3) Provide Additional Value-
Add Information By providing these three pieces of information in your writing, you'll be sure that your message is clear, concise and compelling.
Use subheadings : Compelling Copy
Whether it’s on a billboard or a digital display, subheadings draw attention and guide readers through your copy. Think of them as chapters for your post—help readers know where you’re going by labeling sections with phrases like In today’s post, we’ll look at… or Are you tired of…? If so, read on! In today’s post, we will show you… . It helps keep readers engaged and makes sure they don’t miss anything important.
Customize your copy
To entice your reader, you need to make sure they feel something beyond a functional interest in what you’re writing about. Sure, products and services can have functionality—but that has nothing on other emotions like joy, excitement, pride and confidence.
Remember: You don’t have to make readers cry (unless that’s your goal) but make them care about what you’re saying. Or even better—make them excited enough that they’ll want to share it with others! Another way you can do so is by tailoring your copy for different demographics and target markets; how something is written makes all of a difference depending on who reads it.
Don’t overuse exclamation points or emoticons : Compelling Copy
Avoiding these overused, distracting worried-smiley punctuation marks can help improve your writing. Instead of an exclamation point or emoticon, add a period in front of a strong statement and see how it works:
You’ll have more money in no time! instead of You’ll have more money in no time! Yay! Remember: emotion comes from great copywriting, not added characters. If you’re concerned about appearing too stuffy or boring, remember that boring is good when it comes to business writing.
The last thing you want is for someone who has never heard of you before to skim through your website, find nothing that catches their attention, and leave without taking action. Be honest with yourself when evaluating whether or not something is interesting enough for people to read—even if they don’t take action immediately, they might share your post with others who might be interested in what you do!
Use bold text sparingly
Some people think bold text makes a headline more eye-catching, but there are certain types of information where bold type is not appropriate. Information like a table header, contact details and links should never be in bold text because they do not add anything substantive to your message.
Because using too much bold text is distracting and annoying, only use it when you have something important or exciting to say. For example, if you’re writing about a new feature that has just been added to your website, it could make sense for that portion of your copy to be in bold letters.
Proofread thoroughly and make sure there are no typos
It seems obvious, but it’s easy to overlook when you’re in a rush. Proofreading thoroughly is an important step in creating compelling copy because even small errors can affect your credibility and professionalism. Make sure your writing is mistake-free by reading it aloud (yes, I mean out loud) or by enlisting a trusted friend or colleague to read it through.
Include relevant visuals in the post itself (not just in the sidebar)
If you want your content to be read, it must be scannable. According to Dr. Robert Gunning’s research, a person’s eye will fall on a word or group of words at an average rate of 12 seconds. To accommodate for quick skimming, break your post into short paragraphs and aim for 30 words per paragraph. Also, try using headers (h1 and h2 tags) and bolded text for subheadings when appropriate.
