Category: Copywriting

Learn How to Craft Copy That Sells

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Grab your audience more effectively with The Complete Digital Copywriting Master Class Bundle. June 5, 2019 1 min read Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. Great writing is at the core of any marketing plan. Whether you’re writing product descriptions for your company’s site, typing up an amazing social media post or crafting your landing page, you need concise writing that grabs your audience’s attention. The Complete Digital Copywriting Master Class Bundle covers everything you need to know about quality copywriting. In just eight courses, you can take your copywriting from “meh” to “wow.” You’ll learn the essentials of writing SEO-friendly writing, then take a peek inside the copywriter mentality learn copywriting essentials in just three hours. If you’re […]

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What It Takes to Launch the Next Great Blog, Podcast, or Video Channel

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This week, we had some resources for any new, ambitious content-based project you want to get off the ground. (Or one you’d like to push forward in a big way.) As is our tradition at Copyblogger, the team took time off on Memorial Day to honor the sacrifices of those who have given their lives in military service, and to take time for family, community, and gratitude. On Tuesday, Brian Clark helped us get out of the overwhelm that comes when we’re launching a new blog — because there’s a lot to think about, and road maps are useful things. (Pro tip: You can use the exact same steps to launch a podcast, a YouTube channel, or any other big content-based project.) He spells out a three-step blueprint for a brilliant blog launch. One of Brian’s steps is to build relationships with other publishers in your topic — but this […]

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A 3-Step Blueprint for a Brilliant Blog Launch

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Launching a brand-new blog is exciting. But it can also be awfully lonely for up to a year as you build readership, unless you plan to begin with a bang. So, here are my thoughts on doing just that. This strategy does not require you to have an existing audience to use as a springboard. In fact, I’m assuming you’re starting cold. The blog-launch blueprint consists of three steps: Cornerstone Networking Attraction 1. Cornerstone: Build your blog on a firm foundation Your cornerstone content is the foundation of your blog — the information any visitor needs to get the most out of following your blog. It enhances the user experience and should also be one of the primary search terms you hope to rank for. I suggest doing a series of posts tied together on a landing page, as I did with Copywriting 101 when I started Copyblogger in 2006. […]

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11 Ways to Stay an Alert Copywriter and Content Marketer (If Taking a Nap Isn’t an Option)

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Well, this week was anything but sugarcoated. We got right into it. How do you stay motivated to do great work when you’re burned out, bored, or busy? On Monday, Stefanie Flaxman shared what to do when your eyes are tired from more than 15 years of professional proofreading. The technique she teaches works just as well for any proofreader, no matter how long you’ve been at the error-catching game. On Tuesday, Nick Usborne outlined five ways to keep your copywriting skills fresh. Nick has been a copywriter for 40 years, so check out the post to discover how he stays interested in his craft. On Wednesday, Belinda Weaver dished out five excellent tips for anyone who has non-negotiable time constraints. Managing your time like a pro can transform any seemingly stressful situation into one that builds confidence in your work ethic. And you need a strong work ethic if […]

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5 Practical Time Management Tips for the Chronically Time-Poor

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In 2009, I chucked my marketing job to become a freelance copywriter. I worked from home each day. I had a waitlist of clients and my business grew. Life was good. With a consistent stream of projects to complete, I thought I was under pressure, but looking back, I knew nothing. Ten years and two kids later, I know what it means to have constraints on my time. These days, I still write copy for clients. I also open my copywriting course twice a year. I have a private coaching membership program and regular one-on-one sessions. I publish a daily email about copywriting and co-host a copywriting podcast. Sounds like a lot, right? And I do it all with less than 12 hours of child-free time a week. Whether you’re running a business around family commitments or you want to do more in less time, so maybe (gasp) you don’t […]

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How to Keep Your Copywriting Skills Fresh

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When I started out as a professional copywriter — exactly 40 years ago this year — I was full of energy and excitement. No surprise there. It was my first non-manual job. It paid crazy well compared to every other job I’d ever had. And I loved what I was doing. Forty years later, I still love what I’m doing. I’m still full of energy and excitement. And for the most part, I don’t really feel any older at all. In particular, I rarely get a sense that my copywriting skills are less than “fresh.” But sometimes the world does give me a little nudge Like the time I was introduced to a small group of young copywriters at a conference. They were polite and pleasant enough. But after a couple of minutes, I realized they were feeling a little uncomfortable with me standing there. And I thought: “OMG … […]

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10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer [Free Poster]

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Back in the sweltering summer of 2007, I got a bit crazy. I wanted to get across to people that becoming a better writer is not something a “10 Step” article can teach you. Yes, reading helps writers immensely, but when it comes down to it, you become a better writer by writing. Then, it occurred to me. Why not deliver that “10 Steps” post that everyone was hoping for as a way of hammering home the point? With that, the original 10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer was born. It was an instant hit, and remains one of the most popular posts on Copyblogger. So, we decided to put it into a couple of additional formats. PDF Poster: You can now download the PDF version, suitable for hanging near your workspace when you need to see it most. Shareable Graphic: Or, if you’d prefer to publish the image […]

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Creating ‘Craft Content’ for Remarkable Business Results

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The term “craft” is a modern trend indicating something that’s been put together with care, appealing to select palates. In… Continue Reading The post Creating ‘Craft Content’ for Remarkable Business Results appeared first on Copyblogger. Read_More Related posts: Is Creating Online Tools Better Than Writing Content? Thoughtful Elements of Distinguished Content Marketing Ten Expert Tips for Creating a Viral Content in 2018 3 Resources for Creating More Courageous Content Using Empathy and Connection to Craft More Powerful Content Craft a Deliciously Effective Content Marketing Strategy with a Farm-to-Table Approach 4 Ways to Craft Content that Earns Audience Attention How This Woman’s Remarkable Life Helped Her Demystify Business for Underserved Entrepreneurs

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3 Ways Thoughtful Writers Use Tone to Build Loyal Audiences

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“I don’t like your tone.” You’ve heard the adage, It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. (Actually, if you want to get your message across, you should pay careful attention to both what you say and how you say it.) When we communicate with our fellow humans, tone of voice helps us convey meaning. That’s what allows my son, in the time-honored tradition of 13-year-olds, to infuse his monosyllabic agreement to take the dog out with a rich sense of suffering and forbearance. But text has to work harder. If you use the social web at all, you probably see someone put their digital foot in their mouth virtually every day by making poor word choices. Add to that the fact that there’s a political or potentially controversial subtext that can be attached to almost any statement, and it starts to feel like a minefield out there. […]

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Serious Writing Advice for a Foolish Week

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I may be the last person who really enjoys April Fools’ Day … maybe because I was already a fan of taking a moment to fact-check what you find on the internet. Copyblogger has a long tradition of celebrating the first of April with a bit of nonsense. Stefanie Flaxman stepped up this year with her announcement of our new content publication app, Pooblíche. I still think “If your content’s rubbish, it won’t let you publish” is our best tagline ever. On Tuesday, Brian Clark talked about using the Rule of Three to make your writing more memorable and engaging. (Note to self: Use the number three for my next list post.) And on Wednesday, we returned to shenanigans with a republish of my April Fools’ Day post from 2014, Announcing RealWriter. Over on the podcast, Robert Bruce joined us again to chat about a cornerstone practice that too many […]

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Announcing: A Breakthrough Resource for Your Content Creation

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Finally, after years of clumsy, clunky automated tools for “spinning,” scraping, regurgitating, and extruding low-quality content, we’ve found a solution. This resource produces sharp, smart, audience-engaging content every time. Over time, it even calibrates itself to produce more effective headlines, to tailor content to the precise needs of your audience and customers, and to automatically generate semantically relevant alternative keyword phrases. We’re calling this resource RealWriter — and if you don’t implement it in your content marketing strategy, you’re missing out. RealWriter offers some incredible improvements over earlier content automation solutions. RealWriter is optimized to create content that audiences care about RealWriter uses advanced algorithms including RealEmpathy, RealResearch, and RealListening to craft content that actually makes your audience more engaged and helps them develop positive emotional associations with your company. In fact, regular use of RealWriter can create a 743% lift in your audience’s connection, enjoyment, skin tone, cardiovascular fitness, […]

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How to Use the ‘Rule of Three’ to Create Engaging Content

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What’s so magical about the number three? It’s no accident that the number three is pervasive throughout some of our greatest stories, fairy tales, and myths. It’s also no coincidence that some of the most famous quotes throughout history are structured in three parts, nor is it surprising that the Rule of Three also works wonders in the world of comedy. It all comes down to the way we humans process information. We have become proficient at pattern recognition by necessity, and three is the smallest number of elements required to create a pattern. This combination of pattern and brevity results in memorable content, and that’s why the Rule of Three will make you a more engaging writer. Storytelling Have you ever wondered: What the Three Little Pigs, the Three Blind Mice, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Musketeers, the Three Wise Men, and the Three Stooges have in […]

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Does Your Content Spark Joy? Try These Handcrafted Tips for Quality Content

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Sonia Simone is co-founder and Chief Content Officer of Copyblogger. She writes about content marketing strategy here, and about creativity, the craft of writing, and creative productivity at Remarkable Communication. If you like audio content, you can hear Sonia’s takes on marketing and business on the Copyblogger FM podcast. Read_More Related posts: A Potent New Content Tool and the Power of “No” Thoughtful Elements of Distinguished Content Marketing Are You Making These Authority-Crushing Mistakes with Your Content? 3 Areas of Focus for Consistently High-Quality Content Why Strategy Is Key for Generating Backlinks with Quality Content Spark Your Next Breakthrough Copy Insight with Systematic Listening The Only Thing More Important Than Quality Content 12 Easy Tweaks that Could Lead to Outsized Improvement in Your Content and Writing

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Craft a Deliciously Effective Content Marketing Strategy with a Farm-to-Table Approach

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If you’re in the mood for a special dinner and you have a farm-to-table restaurant in your city, it might be one of your favorite options. The farm-to-table movement promises locally sourced, fresh, delicious things, prepared with care and served enticingly. I’ve recently started using “farm-to-table” to describe my approach to content marketing, and here’s why. Great ingredients No matter what kind of food you like, from a fancy restaurant to a great taco truck, excellent meals start with excellent ingredients. For copywriters and content marketers, there’s no more valuable ingredient than a profound understanding of your potential customer. That’s why great copywriters and smart businesspeople are obsessed with their audiences. It’s really hard to create a delicious meal without fresh, delicious ingredients. And it’s almost impossible to put together a high-converting content marketing strategy unless you’ve collected lots of fresh, delicious customer details to inform the words you put […]

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3 Ways Marketing Automation Can Mess Up Good Copy

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Pretty much every online business on the planet uses marketing automation in one way or another. Honestly, it would be tough to run a business without it. For example, if you were to sign up for my own newsletter, you’d receive a series of three welcome emails, one a day for three days. It makes total sense for me to automate that. And the user experience for people who sign up for my emails isn’t compromised one little bit. But … I’m a bit of a rarity. Because that’s pretty much as far as I go. Companies large and small are jumping into marketing automation with both feet. They’re loving it. And maximizing its use in every way possible. Every email you open … Every web page you visit, even for a second … Every social media post you view … Every link you click … Every time you sign […]

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5 Easy Ways to Transform Your Website into a Standout Salesperson

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Most freelancers I know hate selling. And I can include myself in that bunch. Whether it’s a fear of rejection, utter disdain for self-promotion, or a lack of confidence in our skills and abilities, just the thought of selling (especially on-the-spot and in-person) sparks massive procrastination. Of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t sell. It just means we need a little help. High-quality content on a well-crafted website can help sell your services with confidence. So, let’s take a look at how you can turn your site into a better salesperson for your business. Treat your website like the 24/7 employee that it is The best thing about your website is that it can work for you around the clock. It doesn’t take breaks, it won’t call in sick, and it’s focused on getting you the results you want. But — as with a real-life employee — your website can’t […]

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Need a Breakthrough? Find the Right Balance of Creative and Strategic Thinking

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For the marketing writer or business owner in 2019, deciding between strategic and creative is a luxury we can no longer afford. Giving rein to our creative individuality will set us apart and help us stand out in the vast sea of content. But we also want to be purposeful and strategic about how we’re spending our time. This week, we offered three posts that will nourish your creative side — while giving your strategic brain room to develop creative ideas into powerful strategies. Stefanie Flaxman started us off by talking about how damaging rigidity can be to creative work (like writing, marketing, or running a business). She turns “my way or the highway” to: “My way, or we could take the scenic route. Let’s open ourselves up to the best option.” Check out her post to help you find more creative flexibility — while staying true to your vision […]

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5 Situations that Demand You Hire a Professional Copywriter

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We write a lot of posts on Copyblogger about how business owners can apply techniques used by professional copywriters. Strong calls to action, compelling benefits, fascinating bullet points, magnetic headlines. With all of this information, no one should ever need a pro, right? Well … I wouldn’t say that. Sometimes it makes sense to do it yourself, and sometimes it’s a very good idea to call in a professional writer. Today, I’m going to talk about five scenarios when you’ll want to bring in a pro. 1. You just aren’t any good at it Talent is about 90 percent a function of putting in the work. But it’s hard to put in the work for something you don’t feel any connection with. And sometimes you have a pressing need, but not enough time to get good enough to do it yourself. Lots of people hate to write. If the thought […]

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Romance Your Customers with Some Seriously Practical Business and Marketing Advice

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Happy Valentine’s Day! Or if you’re not a fan, Happy Fake Emotional Obligation Day! Whether you’re hunting down a table for two or have plans to binge on Russian Doll and cookie dough ice cream, we thought you might enjoy some business and marketing content to go with that. On Monday, Brian Clark talked about why the element of placebo informs so many of the stories we tell ourselves — including great marketing stories. On Tuesday, Jerod Morris shared ways to reduce the distractions that clutter up our thinking. (He has a tiny but potent hack for your phone that will probably take you about 15 seconds — I think it’s brilliant.) And on Wednesday, I looked at how smart writers can use content to guide their audiences through the buyer stages of awareness — all the way from casual acquaintance through to falling truly, madly, and deeply in love […]

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How to Use Content Marketing to Develop Your Audience’s Stages of Awareness

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Last week, Austin wrote a post for us that quoted every copywriting geek’s favorite writer, Eugene Schwartz, and his classic insights on the five stages of buyer awareness. Schwartz observed that in order to sell with copy, we need to understand the stage of awareness of the people reading our advertisement. To recap, those stages are: Most Aware: Your prospect knows your product, and only needs to know “the deal.” Product-Aware: Your prospect knows what you sell, but isn’t sure it’s right for them. Solution-Aware: Your prospect knows the result she wants, but not that your product provides it. Problem-Aware: Your prospect senses he has a problem, but doesn’t know there’s a solution. Completely Unaware: The person has no knowledge of anything except, perhaps, their own identity or opinion. If Eugene Schwartz had been able to use the communication technology that powers today’s content marketing, he would have gotten even […]

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