3 Tips for Creating Persuasive Copy
Photo from Stock That Rocks
Let’s set the scene…you recently launched your business and are looking to revamp your website. You’ve gained some traction, but you’re stuck. There’s something missing!
You’ve put all of this hard work into designing your homepage and writing copy for it, and while you think it sounds great, you’re not sure if your readers will respond the way you want.
This is where the art of writing persuasive copy comes in! Now, don’t run away just yet, because writing persuasively does NOT mean you’re going to sound like a cheesy infomercial. There’s a way to strike a balance between writing in a way that sells and creating copy that’s authentic and stills sounds like you.
Now, before we jump in and teach you how to create persuasive copy, keep in mind that these tips don’t just apply to website writing. They apply to any kind of copy you create for your business or brand, such as your headlines, captions, blog posts, about page, pamphlets, product page….you name it!
Read along as we share 3 simple tips for how to make your words work for you:
Be Clear & Concise
Ever read something and the had to re-read it because it completely went over your head? We’ve all been there.
When browsing the web, we look for quick, easy to read info. The last thing we want to do is scroll through a web page and sort through information to find what we’re looking for. We want it to be clearly stated and presented in a visually appealing way!
So what exactly do we mean here? In sum, when it comes to writing compelling copy, it’s best to keep clutter to a minimum. Readers shouldn’t have to sort through a bunch irrelevant information to find what they’re looking for, as this can leave them confused and disinterested. While it can be tempting to be clever with your words, remember that it might not be worth it if it compromises the clarity of your content.
Now, we definitely aren’t saying to be boring here. There is a way to incorporate personality into your content and still get results, which leads us to our next point!
Spice it Up with Personality
There’s nothing worse than reading something that seems like it’s written by a robot. Not only is it unrelatable, but it’s also ineffective, because your readers will likely click out and never return.
The key to good copywriting is to write like you talk. It’s that simple! For example, here at Bloguettes, one thing we always keep in mind when writing is to use contractions, like so:
- You + are = You’re
- I + am = I’m
- You + will = You’ll
- They + would = They’d
- Do + not = Don’t
- And so on……
We realize that in real, everyday life, we use contractions. So, it’s no different when we write! This helps to make our brand more relatable, casual, and laid-back. This is such a quick fix, but it really does make a difference in the way our brand is perceived.
At the end of the day, it’s all about your brand’s voice. Find what makes your writing pop–maybe it’s using contractions, referencing pop culture, being humorous, witty, or all of the above! You can still do this while conveying your information in an effective way. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different writing styles while on your journey to finding your brand’s voice, and most importantly, have fun with it!
If you’re stuck and in need of some inspiration, we’ve got you! Here are a few brands who in our opinion, have nailed tone of voice!
MailChimp
There’s no denying that MailChimp is one of the key players in the email marketing world! Not only do we love what they offer, but we love the way in which they communicate it!
Taco Bell
Alright, now who doesn’t love tacos? In our opinion, Taco Bell is doin’ it right when it comes to connecting with consumers with their funny voice. Their voice gives them that relatability factor that consumers love!
ban.do
In addition to having one of the cutest sites around, ban.do knows how to have fun! Their chill, laid-back voice is guaranteed to put you in a good mood. We think there’s a lot to learn from ban.do’s branding strategy!
Still trying to find your brand’s voice? Download our FREE Branding Personality Quiz!
Put Your Reader First
We hate to break it to you, but when it comes to copywriting, it’s not always all about you. *insert crying emoji*
In all seriousness, though, if you want your writing to give you results, it has to be in terms that your customers can easily understand. Try to avoid using industry jargon and stick with simple terms that strike a chord with your ideal customer.
For example, say you were thinking of writing a blog post titled “How to Conduct a SWOT Analysis.” While this is great and all, what if your audience isn’t well-versed in the business world and doesn’t know what a SWOT Analysis is? If this is the case, you can almost guarantee that they won’t be very interested in reading the post. However, a simple solution to this would be to title it something like, “How to Identify the Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Company.” A post like this is guaranteed to appeal to a much larger audience!
Now, in order to appeal to your target market, you’re gonna have to do some research. How old is your ideal customer? What are their likes and dislikes? How do they talk? Knowing this information will give you a good starting point when creating content. We recommend using tools like DemographicsPro, Quantcast or Iconosquare to really hone in on who your audience is!
It’s also so important to interact with your customers and listen to them! Are they confused by what you’re offering or trying to communicate? Take this feedback and make adjustments to your copy accordingly. Additionally, it’s just as important to be able to anticipate what your audience’s questions might be while creating your content. When you put their needs first, they will start to see you as a trustworthy source, which will build your credibility!
We hope these tips & tricks are helpful as you go about writing copy! Remember, at the end of the day, it’s all about creating copy that reflects your brand well and helps you to connect with your audience!
What are some of your favorite copywriting tips? Let us know in the comments below! Also, be sure to give us a follow on Bloglovin’ to keep up with all of our latest blog posts!
