The definitive guide to copywriting and creating compelling copy

Copywriting 101 - The definitive guide to copywriting - Why compelling copy is vital to any small business. 

Whether it's for your homepage, sales copy, landing pages, ad copy or video scripts, succinct copywriting is one of the most important forms of marketing designed to help your readers to take action. You'll find having copy which is relevant to your business in the tone of voice will help to optimise your message and show your brand's personality within the copy. 

Types of copywriting

When it comes to writing, the time of language comes into play whether it is for a landing page, sales page or email copy. Using the right language and being consistent throughout your marketing copy will make your reader and prospective client's feel at home as they move from one type of copy to another. 

Why a compelling customer-focused headline is essential 

As a marketer running your business, it is vital to grab the attention of the right people. One of the best ways to get that attention is to write the copy headlines that your ideal clients can't ignore. As this is the way they are most likely going to see your product or service. With a headline, you're looking to get to the point succinctly, however,  don't make it clickbait, as this will disappoint your reader and show your business in a poor light.

Copywriting with a sense of urgency to get people to take action.

Good copy is there to inspire some action from your reader. Each piece of content will often have a call to action, which can also have a deadline to create a sense of urgency to make the reader take a specific action in a certain period of time. What this is will depend on the nature of the work.  This deadline could be a while stocks last, encouraging people to buy soon before they sell out. Or an early bird option where a price rise also comes into play. It is important to use terms that are relevant to your sector, and that will promote your product well without using tone and language that does not fit well with the business. An example of this would be an ethical business using false deadlines and false scarcity with the call-to-action to sell.

Compelling copy for a persuasive landing page. 

To ensure the optimization of your landing page to promote a product or service, you need to know who your ideal client is and write specifically for that person. This focus will help you write compelling online copywriting which connects with your ideal clients and helps them to take the relevant action required. The word count of a page is something that is often talked about.  With a landing page, you want to ensure you write copy that is long enough to show your reader all they need to know to take action. So it is hard to say how long this will be as each product and service differs. 

How a good copywriter helps your content marketing. 

Whether you need words which will be written or spoken, hiring someone to write can be the easiest solution for a business owner. As good copywriting and content writing will pay for themselves. By increasing engagement and sales and, in the case of web content, increasing search engine optimisation.  

Freelance copywriter or agency for content creation?

When hiring copywriters, you can either use a freelancer or go through an agency. Their copywriting services can be similar, but whoever you use, it is worth checking the copywriting skills you require before asking about the copywriting experience they have. You can also ask business connections if they are happy to recommend anyone.  

Copywriting strategies to create compelling copy for a small business.

There are many things that copywriting, and content writing can be used for, so you need to discuss what you would like to achieve from the writing. You can use copywriting for ad copywriting to sell a product and email copywriting to improve SEO. You may be able to find this in a single copywriter, or you may need to talk to more than one if you have a range of copy types you require. 

For good copywriting and content, use someone with copywriting experience. 

Many people become a copywriter after being in different industries, which gives them a good background and enables them to specialise by industry. This is powerful as the copywriter isn't just writing from the words they have been given in the brief and during research, as they are also writing from experience. 

Written By Rebecca Harrison, A Direct Response Copywriter From Newbury In Berkshire Who Can Work Anywhere In The World (By The Power Of The Internet).