3 Quick & Easy Copywriting Tips to Boost Your Brand Engagement

Let's face facts:‍

No matter what you're selling— whether it's a product, a service, or a second-hand pair of gumboots on Gumtree — you need strong, well-written copy to make a dent in peoples' attention and successfully sell to them. But when you're not a professional copywriter, your do-it-yourself copy tends to lack a little...well... oomph. Right?

I understand. Hell, it's hard to afford a good copywriter when your brand or business is just starting. And good copywriters ain't cheap. (Nor should we be.)

But all hope shouldn't be lost. With access to so many resources online, it's my duty as a considerate copywriter to assist those up-and-comers who want to go commando and bear the brunt of copywriting themselves. I applaud you. In fact, I'd even like to help.

Frankly, with everything you know about your business, you may hold the key to turning lurkers into loyal fans through some killer do-it-yourself copy.

And that key, my brave friend, will undoubtedly benefit from the insider copywriting tips I'll take you through below.

What is copy? Is it different to copywriting?

Copy simply refers to words written with the intent to sell. Some wise guy even came up with the term "salesmanship in print" to perfectly describe copy. So, if you're trying to come up with some well-crafted words to make someone do something, presto, you're now copywriting. Welcome to the club. 

Now you're aware of what copy is, you'll look around and start to notice copy sneaking up anywhere and everywhere. Because in 2022, copy goes a lot further than print ads in magazines and newspapers. Think: Instagram captions, Facebook & Google ads, all the way through to the haiku on your over-priced teabag. And whether spoken or written, on paper or on-screen, the greatest purpose of copy is to prompt readers to take action. 

And copywriters are those pesky, curiously-minded people tasked to get other people to think, feel and respond to words in a specific way – generally by persuading them to engage with a brand and make a purchase.

Is it too late to start copywriting for your brand?

Would your brand have benefitted from better copy five years ago? For sure. Should the quality of your copy be just as important as your brand logo and design? Absolutely.  But seeing as you can't change the past, the best time to start improving your own copywriting game is right now. And it's easier than you think. 

Copywriting doesn't require a perfect grasp of the grammar or any specialist sales vocabulary. Plain and simply, copywriting is about communicating your brand message in a clear way that resonates with your customers and gets them to take action.

So whether you choose to hire a professional copywriter like me, or decide to tackle it yourself, it's important to wrap your head around a few basics to help you writing effectively. Without further ado, here are three top-notch copywriting tips to quickly level up your brand communications.

3 Top-Notch Copywriting Tips:‍

1. Get their attention

Human attention spans are shrinking. Fast. In 2021, studies reported our 8-second attention spans now stand shorter than goldfish. That means, with all the content people are being shown constantly (particularly online), you only have a few precious seconds to effectively grab their attention and make an impact. So how is that possible? 

No matter the medium, strong copywriting starts with a compelling hook or headline – captivating your readers enough to get them reading. So if haven't got that first message firing, there's little chance of holding attention beyond that.  

One of the world's most prolific copywriters David Ogilvy said it best – "On the average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy. When you have written your headline, you have spent eighty cents out of your dollar." Essentially, when you write a killer headline, you're not only getting your customer's attention – you're increasing your chance of conversion. 

Attention-grabbing headlines promise to solve a problem, convey a sense of urgency and offer something of value to the reader. In your case, whether it's an email subject line or a website headline – make it attention-grabbing enough to make tongues wag and eyeballs stick. ‍

2. Find and use your voice

The style and tone of your copy should capture and express who you are as a brand. It shouldn't feel wordy or formal if you're an energetic, vibrant brand. Some brands want to communicate how cheeky they are. And others want to build trust and increase their reputation as serious experts.  

Professional copywriters will capture and channel your brand's distinctive voice and create authentic copy that speaks to your audience. But how can you go and do that yourself? 

Like most elements of marketing, it's about first putting yourself in the brains of your customer. Or their ears for that matter. Before deciding on what your brand voice should sound like, you need to think about what will resonate best with them, and craft your words accordingly. Think: Will industry jargon scare them off or impress them? Will emojis be off-putting or feel totally relatable? Will swearing sound cool or offensive? 

Remember, your copy should always feel like a conversation with your audience, rather than simply a chance to talk at them. 

3. Know what you want them to do

Great copy converts because it leads customers along a clear and direct pathway. It guides readers in a way that's focused and easy to follow. 

Before writing any copy yourself, think about the next step you want your customer to take after reading. That purpose is your compass. So keep that destination in mind when crafting your copy. Because if your copy lacks direction, it'll show. Very quickly. 

A waffly blog post without structure isn't going to keep anyone reading. Or an Instagram caption that's simply a giant slab of text isn't going to add any additional message to your image.

So plan ahead. Write with purpose. And don't forget to include a clear call to action in your copy — instructing your audience on what to do next. 

Are you ready?

Of course, you can apply these copywriting tips to any type of brand communications, across any industry. And if you're short on time or still lacking confidence in your copy skills, remember, two heads are better than one – why not let me help. As a marketing and advertising copywriter, I can help point out what works, help your brand stand out, and get cracking on crafting effective copy to elevate your brand fast. If you're interested, get in touch here.