If you are looking to improve your copywriting skills today, this guide is for you.
Copywriting is the art of writing persuasive texts that compels people to take specific or defined actions. Whether you are writing a sales letter, a website landing page, or a social media ad text, copywriting is essential for any marketer who wants to connect with their audience and drive results.
How To Improve Copywriting Skills
Here is a list of some quick tips you can use to improve your copywriting skills now.
1. Always be direct with the headline
This will make it easier for your audience to know what they can expect from you, and in turn, it builds trust. You give them something they want from the start, and they keep coming back for more.
2. There is something impactful about a short first sentence
It builds tension, adds a strange sense of authority, but also sets the stage for the detail to follow. If you want to really command attention, this is the way to do it.
3. Find a fair common ground
Do you know how when you meet someone, one of the quickest ways to form a friendship is to find common ground?
Well, the same goes for copywriting. If you can elaborate on their pain, and its consequences, the more you show you know what they are going through.
4. Analyze your number one salesperson and have them sell to you
Analyze how your number one salesperson sells by having them sell to you. Seeing how they do things, and what they choose to focus on, will really teach you a thing or two. Then, you can apply those lessons learned yourself.
This is one copywriting skill that will increase your conversion rate faster.
Speaking of being relatable and finding common ground, one of the most credible ways to do that is to share your story.
It not only informs the public of the why behind your business idea but the whole reason why you should be taken seriously. It answers the classic, all-important question of “Why should anyone listen to you?”
6. Be unique
There are many like you, many brands that sell the same things, products much like yours, stories similar to yours, and so on.
But you are you, and there is something that sets you apart from the rest, regardless of anything else. Find what that is, and use it to prove to the public that you are the most unique and effective solution to their problem.
Prove your authority by mentioning your qualifications experience, and any certifications. Dress the part, and post those images of you in action, doing the things you claim to know so much about.
For people to believe in you, they need to see concrete proof that you have what it takes.
8. Customer stories
Use customer stories (reviews and testimonials) in your copywriting, ad campaigns, landing pages, email drips, etc. Use them in all of your marketing. This will further drive home that social proof, which is so valuable in this day and age.
9. Highlight endorsements
Speaking of social proof, when an expert in your industry vouches for you, or a celebrity says something positive, highlight it. Let people know.
This goes for anything that further gives you a boost, whether it is being verified on social media, or when you have hundreds, if not thousands, of people endorsing your brand.
10. Prove credibility
Prove you are credible and trustworthy by adding evidence in every piece of copywriting you ever publish.
It is not enough to only sprinkle it in every few posts because you should always assume that not everything gets read. Everything needs to be proven.
11. Use free trials and test runs to prove your product as well
You can only use this copywriting skill if it is applicable to your products.
Samples also work, depending on if your product is consumable or not. This way people can try it firsthand, without any strings attached.
12. Don’t just tell people about the problem you are solving, show them
Demonstrate it if you can, and if it is not possible, use situations to illustrate the message. Consider using real customers, and creating video content that further demonstrates your solution.
13. Use consistency to get them to say “yes”
This is one important copywriting skill you should have in your arsenal. When you ask a question within the copy and they nod, they are saying yes.
Keep them saying that, and by the end of whatever you’ve written, they’ll be ready to click on that CTA button.
14. Get them to commit mentally
This may seem like a pretty daunting task but actually isn’t.
All it takes is to find the right wording to highlight something they should already know about themselves: that they won’t rest or put up with the problem for longer than they have to because they will do whatever it takes to improve their lives.
Make them see that they are in control and that it is their responsibility to take the initiative to change something that needs improvement.
15. Really drive the pain of their issue home
So you can show them exactly how dire their situation is. Get them feeling a high moment of pain where they are desperate for a solution, and they’ll likely buy yours.
Just make sure you always point out that you’ve been in their shoes, you know what it is like.
16. Use scarcity as a tool
Such as limited editions and limited-time offerings to increase your conversions.
People tend to feel an extreme fear of missing out whenever there is a particularly good sale on the table, especially if it is limited quantities or time. Use that to your advantage.
17. Add bonuses to liven up your offer and give more value for money
Add bonuses that liven up your offer and give more value for the money.
It might seem like you are giving too much for the money, but when you provide value, it doesn’t go unnoticed. And moving more products and increasing conversions is never a bad thing.
18. Use multiple price comparisons
Use multiple price comparisons to show that you have nothing to hide. This covers both price comparisons with competitive products, as well as your own (external and internal).
This helps to build trust, while also cutting their research time by quite a large margin.
19. Compare value
While you are comparing prices, go ahead and compare the value in every sense of the word too.
Maybe you sell project management software, and you want to show that even though yours is pricier than a competitor’s alternative, it is also well worth the extra money, because it solves problems, and improves quality of life. If yours does something that no one else does, focus on that.
20. Tackle all possible objections upfront
So you can stop your prospects in their tracks when you touch on their concerns.
Use your copywriting skills to explain how your offer works, why it is better than anything else out there, and why they would greatly benefit from it. Resolve any possible objections, and they’re left with nothing but good reasons to buy from you.
21. Use short, simple, yet strong language in your copy
Use short, simple, yet strong language to convey your message. Keeping things easy to read helps draw attention to the problem you are trying to solve, rather than eloquent, flowery language.
Plus, it comes off more authoritative, like you are directly addressing the heart of the matter, rather than using fluff to confuse people.
22. Always include a guarantee
If your product is legitimately good (and it should be), then it shouldn’t even be an issue. If it is, it just incentivizes going back to the drawing board sooner than later.
23. Give them insights on what to expect
Too many times, entrepreneurs get criticized for just wanting people’s money. So, instead of just taking it and giving them a product, show them exactly what happens just moments after paying.
This disarms their fear, gives them insight on what to expect, and why they should be excited.
24. Add an element of a surprise toward the end of your copy
Something that hasn’t been hinted at throughout the piece, such as a limited-time discount code, or consultation, if applicable. This incentivizes the last few prospects who were still teetering between buying and walking away.
25. Absolutely never muddle your call to action
Your call to action should always be crystal clear, direct, and to the point, so there are no mix-ups of any kind. Do this, and people will feel like they know exactly what they are buying, rather than sitting in confusion.
Conclusion
To improve your copywriting skills and take it to the next level, follow these tips:
- Use direct headlines to build trust and set expectations.
- Start with a short impactful sentence to grab attention.
- Find common ground with your audience by understanding their pain.
- Learn from your top salesperson and apply their techniques.
- Share your story to connect with your audience and establish credibility.
- Emphasize your uniqueness to stand out from competitors.
- Prove your authority through qualifications and visual evidence.
- Incorporate customer stories and testimonials for social proof.
- Highlight endorsements from experts or celebrities.
- Add evidence of credibility in all your copywriting.
- Offer free trials or samples to demonstrate your product.
- Show, don’t just tell, how your solution solves the problem.
- Use consistent questioning to engage and lead readers to take action.
- Encourage readers to commit mentally to resolving their problems.
- Create a sense of urgency by emphasizing the pain of the issue.
- Utilize scarcity tactics, like limited editions or time-limited offers.
- Enhance your offer with bonuses to provide extra value.
- Use price comparisons to build trust and save customers’ research time.
- Compare the value your product offers compared to alternatives.
- Address potential objections to reassure prospects.
- Use simple, strong language that directly addresses the problem.
- Always include a guarantee to build confidence in your product.
- Provide insights on what customers can expect after purchasing.
- Surprise prospects with a special offer or discount toward the end.
- Ensure your call to action is clear and unambiguous.
Improving your copywriting skills takes time and effort, but the sacrifice is worth it. With practice and time, you can learn to write persuasive copy that will help you connect with your audience and achieve your marketing goals.
Award-winning growth marketing consultant and digital strategist with over half a decade of experience building brands, growing communities, and directing marketing strategy for hundreds of venture-backed startups, creatives, and companies worldwide. I help tech and ecom companies scale with growth strategy, copywriting, and CRO.
