The No.1 Formula For Writing Powerful & Persuasive Copy
Picture this:
A caveman trying to swindle another caveman out of his fancy sabertooth overcoat.
How does he do it?
First... he grunts.
Then... he shunts.
And then (probably) ... he blunts.
Since the beginning of time, humans have always adopted the language of sales.
One person has always tried to persuade another person to do something else. And yes, often against their own will.
But these days, technology has advanced and behaviour has evolved. To influence, you no longer fight. You write.
You rely on the power of words—both written and spoken—to plant any kind of prospective transaction. And every day, you're using emails, websites and social media to engage with your audience, and encourage them to take action.
But how do you ensure your words always hit the mark? That's impossible—you can't.
But structure is a surefire way to help. Having a starting point or framework to build from gears your message for greater impact.
When it comes to choosing a secret weapon copywriting formula, the sky's the limit. There are too many choices, and every writer has their own so-called silver bullet. But there's one formula I tend to lean on more than others.
Why?
It’s stupid-simple.
It’s easy to remember.
And it covers all your must-haves for any kind of content—from sales pages to social media captions to shopping lists.
What’s this formula's name? The 4 Ps
What's The No.1 Copywriting Formula?
The 4 Ps
- Promise
- Picture
- Proof
- Push
How does it work?
Promise > Picture > Proof > Push
Think of this like you're telling a joke. You need to build up to the climax to earn the laugh. I mean, would you ever tell a joke by opening with the punchline? Sure. You could. But you wouldn't. Because it's not effective—and plainly not funny.
And the same goes for copywriting that lacks good structure.
1. Promise
To get their attention, you start with a big promise.
Think of what your audience wants, and speak directly to that desire.
Of course, it takes research to discover what they want, so you can be crystal-clear about the kind of reader you're trying to reach.
And please, don't make promises you can't keep. (That’s a basic rule.)
For example; ‘Learn to write compelling copy that drives your clients to click.’ Does that sound like a genuine promise? Great. You’re learning fast.
2. Picture
Now it's time to paint the picture.
Describe what your audience's world will look like after you deliver your promise.
Highlight how your solution provides the perfect answer to what they want. Be vivid. Be specific. It’s your duty to make this picture wildly irresistible.
The key here is also understanding what the ideal world looks like for your audience and speaking directly to that desire.
Following on from my example above; ‘Your clients that click become clients that stick.’ (Imagine that, huh?)
3. Proof
You've made your promise. You've painted the picture. It's now time to back that up with proof.
Who else has already seen you keep your promise? And when? And how? That’s the information you want to be sharing here.
People call bullshit. So support your claims with real results to challenge any of those sceptics. Use case studies, statistics, testimonials and reviews to bridge any shrewd of doubt.
“There's a reason businesses create case studies about the successes their customers have had using their product: It's a vote of confidence in the product's value. All kinds of testimonials can have the same impact. Whether it's a customer review on the business's website, a review on a third-party website, a star-based rating, or a full-blown case study, this content creates positive feedback from actual users.” – Hubspot
Remember—asking people to accept your promise without proof is an easy way for your writing to fail. And also, you'll seem like a charlatan. (Don't you just love that word... charlatan... it does things to me.)
4. Push
Your audience has come this far, it’s time to direct them to take action.
Sure push sounds a tad aggressive as a name for this step, but it isn’t. Because there's an understanding that you’re going to seek an outcome from this conversation.
So, what's the next step you want them to take? Tell them. Make it clear. Don’t assume they know.
Because any hesitation can lead to confusion. And a confused mind always says no.
Also, never ask your audience to do more than one thing. You’d think providing multiple options gives your them free choice—yet it only overcrowds them from making a single one.
Now, be sure to relate your call to action back to the ideal world you painted earlier, reinforcing that you genuinely offer the pathway to what they want.
Example; 'For more daily tips on crafting copy that converts, follow me on Instagram here.'
Remember—if you don't ask, you don't get.
OK, Let’s Recap The 4 Ps
- Make Your Promise
- Paint The Picture
- Support With Proof
- The Final Push
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There you have it. A simple, practical copywriting formula to get you started on your own writing journey. Or maybe a reminder of some key writing tips you’ve known all along. Of course, if it all still sounds too hard, you can always outsource your words. I might know a guy.
