Copywriting can be time-consuming. Those few words take a lot of creativity and effort but can transform your business. Something many do not realize is that online selling is quite different than traditional marketing. We are no longer face-to-face, able to deliver a quick and impactful presentation of a service or product when we meet someone. Your online users have their first impression online. They aren’t walking into your beautiful store with gorgeous displays that convince them to purchase. This is why copywriting is more important than ever, and it has the power to keep them engaged with your content and persuade them to take action. Before I share my 10 copywriting tips to attract more users with you, I recommend you read my article on 5 copywriting mistakes to avoid at all costs, once you know exactly what NOT to do, you can move on to exactly what you should do.
Here are 10 copywriting tips to attract more users:
1. Attention-grabbing headlines
Among all the copywriting tips, this is the most important one! Put yourself in users’ shoes. They have endless choices online, why exactly would they choose yours if it’s just like everyone else’s? You HAVE TO make your offer compelling and unique, something that your competition does not offer. Your USP (Unique Selling Point) is your most valuable content when it comes to online selling. It’s how you can convince your users that you are worth it and different than all the other businesses that offer the same products or services.
2. Write concise, bullet points or lists
Copywriting should be straight to the point. Do not make your headlines longer than they need to be. When you start drafting your headlines, write a lot of content, and then give it to someone to read. After they’ve read it, ask them what they remember. Whatever it is that they remember is your most interesting part. So, delete all the fluff, and all the information that users don’t really care for, and keep the real, raw, value that you provide. Copywriting is ongoing, and you can always make it better.
3. Use simple language
Don’t try to sound all perfect by adding fancy words. Try to keep it simple. Users don’t like to be confused. Numbers work great with people because it directly gives them an idea of what it means. By using powerful statistics and simple language to describe the need for your product or service you can create a very compelling headline, no need to use all the fancy words in the vocabulary to impress your users.
4. Identify REASONS to buy your service/product
Take time to learn about your target audience and discover problems that you can solve. DO identify these problems in your copywriting. This is essential. Many people only focus on the benefit and why the product is so great because they don’t want to sound too negative through their writing. However, it’s important that you’re not afraid to identify the reasons your customers need your product/service.
5. Use the word “you”
Tying into the previous tip, many people make the mistake of writing headlines that focus on why the business is so amazing, or why the product is perfect. But, for effective and selling copywriting, you need to identify why the user NEEDS your product/service. This means that you should be referring to them as “you” quite a lot in your headlines. Talk to them, and tell them why they must have this in their lives. When you are selling, you want to focus on them. They don’t care that your company won “best office decor” last year, they care that you can solve their issues.
6. Research
Users can tell when you don’t know what you’re talking about. Without knowing the topic you are writing about like the back of your hand, you cannot provide true and real value. This is the dangers of freelancers oftentimes. Not everyone is an expert in every single industry, and sometimes it can be hard to identify the most powerful statement if you don’t know exactly what you are selling. Therefore, before you publish any headlines, make sure you’ve done your research and can source your statements, such as any statistics you may use.
7. Use your own customer’s words & address objections they may have
There is no better way to relate to future customers than to speak to them with the words your current/past customers have used. Considering your target audience is most likely similar in terms of age, occupations, locations, etc. this can be a great way to tap into exactly what they are looking for. Listen to your customers and their questions. If they are confused about something right off the bat, consider how you can make it clear for the next potential customer. If they have specific concerns regarding your product or service, then consider addressing those concerns right away and explaining why this is to your future customers.
8. Show your proof everywhere!
Anyone can write anything online. Back up your statements. Add testimonials, and proof that you are the best and you generate the results your customers are looking for. Without proof, you may be able to get past the first interaction, but remember, your customers are constantly doing research, even after contacting you, so you have to be able to provide value and evidence throughout the full selling experience.
9. Add clear call-to-action buttons
Ever seen a headline so persuasive you just had to do whatever it was asking you to do next? Like ‘click here’ to find out more, or to get the special discount. Your main purpose is to keep the users intrigued, engaged with your content, and take action. The more exciting headlines and call-to-actions you include, the stronger their interest will be. This copywriting tip will make you the most amount of money.
10. Add colours, and/or symbols to point at where they need to read first
The first 3 seconds matter the most. Most people don’t read something unless colours or images are attracting their eye. Of course, this is different when it comes to paid search and organic search because it’s strictly text. However, when it comes to a user landing on your website, their eye will go directly to where the most eye-catching colours and images are. Design and copywriting go together like bread and butter, so choose wisely.
There you have my 10 copywriting tips to attract more customers. It’s all about practice, knowing your target audience, and knowing the value you are able to provide. It is very hard to sell something that you do not believe it. You may not get the perfect headline at first, so as soon as you are feeling inspired start writing away. Then take a step back, and read it over a few moments later. You will be able to identify which part of your writing sounds the best and is the most powerful. As you do this multiple times, you will be able to pinpoint which statements resonate the most, and why.
