If you have been in either an offline or online business for some time, you have undoubtedly written a lot of copy: sales letters, web pages, email messages, etc.
Chances are you have honed your skills enough to create successful sales copy. But you may want to take it one step further and look at some of these advanced Copywriting Tips to make your writing sizzle.
Copy (But Don’t Plagiarise)
There is no need to completely reinvent the wheel when you want to create dynamite sales copy. Start a file folder and fill it with copies of web pages, printed advertisements, and material you received in the mail. These are usually created by professional advertising companies that get paid big bucks for creating effective campaigns.
Keep an out for anything that really caught your attention. Try to figure out what and why. Was it the colours? The headline? The graphics? Perhaps it was the writing style (i.e. folksy, personal, newsy). Were you prompted to act based on the information? Use what you learn to incorporate into your own promotional materials.
Find Inspiration
When you are having a hard time finding ideas for your sales copy, a great copywriting tip is to take a look at what is currently being talked about, covered on the news, or bookmarked online. There are many sites that list the top stories of the day, week, month, or year including the New York Times and Yahoo.
Use these stories to inspire your writing. Consider piggybacking on current events and newsworthy items. For instance, if your business is involved with selling baby items to expectant moms, include a glib reference to the latest celebrity to become pregnant. Perhaps you offer accounting services. Use the top headlines regarding an elected official who didn’t pay their taxes to remind potential clients of the value in your services.
Include Power Words And Phrases In Your Headlines
As you review the advertisements that piqued your interest, examine the most powerful words used to incite a consumer to action. Use some of the following words and phrases in your sales copy headlines to grab the reader’s attention:
• Discover How to…
• Untold Secrets
• Do You Want to…
• Ten Ways to…
• Why Aren’t You…
• Top Ways…
• Amazing Strategies
• Excellent Opportunity
• If You Could…
• Sure-Fire Tips
• Attract More…
• If You Are Serious About…
• Read This
• Uncover the Secrets to…
• Have You Ever Wanted to…
• Strategies Anyone Can Use
Words To Avoid
Just as there are power words that catch someone’s attention, there are a whole host of others that are less appealing, and might get your email sales letter relegated to the spam folder. If your copy is an overt sales pitch, it could do more harm than good.
Try to avoid using these words in your headlines and the first paragraph of your copy:
• Buy this… (try claim, invest, or own instead)
• A great deal (opportunity is better)
• Cheap, or Cheaper (use economical or best value)
• Learn (try discover, uncover or realise)
• Tell (reveal, notify, or advise sound better)
• Things (too broad – consider tips, hints, techniques, tricks, etc.)
• Stuff (not descriptive and sounds unprofessional)
If you are into internet marketing, you really need to take your skills to the next level by utilising some of these Copywriting Tips and tricks. Your copy will sound professional, entice readers to learn more, and should result in increased sales.
Have a most outstanding day.
Sean RasmussenAussie Internet Marketing
www.SeanSEO.com © 2008 - 2010
