You already know that thinking strategically is an important part of being a copywriter. But how, exactly, can you start going about doing that? And how can you think strategically when it comes to your own business? A SWOT analysis is a great way to start. What Is a SWOT Analysis? A SWOT analysis is a tool for figuring out where you (or your business) is and where … [Read more...]
Why I Won’t Use Google Docs for Copywriting
Technology has provided us with a lot of more efficient ways to collaborate with peers and clients. Screen-sharing is a game-changer for working with designers remotely and Zoom (and other video conferencing tools) mean you can have a face-to-face meeting with anyone in the world. There’s one technology, though, that gets in the way of great copywriting: using Google Documents … [Read more...]
Questions You Need to Ask Your Copywriting Clients
Starting a new project with a new client is exciting, but don’t let that excitement get in the way of your strategy. To keep your project from getting mired in confused schedules and dozens of rounds of review, you need to start the project off with concrete answers to some important questions. These are essential questions to ask your copywriting clients. You already know … [Read more...]
Does Your Client Really Need a Sales Page?
Selling online used to be about driving visitors to a sales page and throwing as much persuasive copy at them as possible, then hoping they’d click the “buy now” button. Just a few years ago, selling without a sales page would be unthinkable. After all, if you don’t have a page to drive people to the place that has all the details, how do you sell them? Today, though, … [Read more...]
When You Need to Get Down to Work: The 5 Second Rule
I’d love my clients to think I have a super-human ability to get down to work and churn out amazing copy. However, the truth my students need to know is that I absolutely do not have that super-human ability, and I often find it just as hard to get focused and sit down to work as anyone. And because I know I face this challenge—and because I get the questions about it … [Read more...]
Facing Multiple Rounds of Copywriting Revisions? Here’s How to Fix It
Clients are a varied bunch. Some of them are easy, and approve your work with minimal changes. Some of them, though, change their minds constantly, change the project constantly, and make you go through round after round of revisions. Let’s talk about how to deal with that second group, shall we? Picture this scenario: You have a client that you've been working with for … [Read more...]
The Case for Slowing Down: Fast Copywriting Doesn’t Equal Better Copywriting
A lot of new copywriters equate speed with getting better at writing copy. And in some ways they’re right—but in others, they’re dead wrong. In fact, sometimes it even makes sense to slow down. Speed does not equal increased skill. Let's dig in to some of the myths behind why so many new, and even established, copywriters have the misconception that faster copywriters are … [Read more...]
Writing Subject Lines for Solopreneurs
Just as you need to write emails differently for solopreneurs than you would for types of businesses, you need to write the emails subject lines differently, too. Let’s dig into how to do that. Copywriting for Solopreneurs As I’ve mentioned before, copywriting for solopreneurs is a very interesting niche. You need to still convey the benefits of the service/product and … [Read more...]
A Copywriter’s Digital Toolkit
Building a copywriting career isn’t easy—sometimes we need a little help. As you know, we don't recommend paying for any sort of software for copywriters unless it's going to pay for itself. (Or, unless you're so far along in your business that it doesn't matter!). But there are lots of free apps, sites, and software that allow you to keep track of your work, cut out … [Read more...]
How Do You Write an Email Funnel?
Many copywriters make the mistake of thinking of emails as single messages, shot out at their target audiences. Email funnels create a fuller conversation, taking the reader on a journey—and, ultimately, guiding them to your end result. Sometimes, the best copywriting can be simply to explain the benefit of a product and say “Buy Now.” But often, a prospective buyer needs to … [Read more...]