Words are some of the most powerful things on Earth. They have started wars and ended them. They’ve made you friends, won you love, and have brought you heartbreak. Words are what separate us, humans, from other animals. How? Concise communication! Not everyone likes to write (I get it). But even if you don’t like writing, I’ll be sharing some tips and tricks with you today to make writing easier and more enjoyable so you can write words your readers will want to read from beginning to end.
These golden writing tips will help you write with crystal clear clarity that zaps and shock your readers over to your side with inspiration. These techniques will not only help you better communicate your brand’s identity but also spice up your copywriting and add more flavor to your content. Ready to jump in? Let’s go.
Want more people to read your copy? Then start writing with intention! Here’s how...
Big companies like Nike and McDonalds always write actively when they announce things.
“Just do it” and “I’m lovin’ it”
They keep things short, simple, and in the present moment.
People are emotional beings and we like emotional things. Identify the pain your audience is looking to solve and identify the pleasure they pursue. Write from those perspectives.
Write everything with a bold intention for what the user is interested in. People only consume content that serves their desires. Write with the user's intention.
Billion-dollar industries are built on stories.
Just look at Movies, Netflix, and Video Games
Write stories from your own experience and showcase stories you love. Let’s keep going. Take notes, you’re going to want to remember these.
I’ve learned to always use contractions if it doesn’t take away from your message. Let me explain. Instead of using I will, I am, they are, cannot (just to name a few).
Try this instead…
I am → I’m
I will → I’ll
It will → It’ll
Do not → don’t
Cannot → can’t
You are → you’re
And so on. If you notice my writing style, I’ll almost always use contractions instead of the entire phrase (notice how I just did it?) I knew you’d notice. You’re catching on! The reason to use contractions is because it’ll make your copy/content less wordy. All those extra words really do add up. Let’s keep going.
Don’t use big mumbo jumbo words that people will need to lookup. The greatest copywriters all use words they know their audience will understand. In general, great communicators and charming people use common everyday words instead of trying to sound like a smarty pants. Don’t use words that’ll confuse, frustrate, and bore your reader to sleep.
Try this instead...
Use gain instead of accrue
Use get instead of procure
Use very instead of infinitely
Use help instead of facilitate
Use show instead of indicate
Use buy instead of acquisition
So on and so forth. You get the idea.
Forget everything you’ve learned in English class. In copywriting, it's a great habit to use fragmented sentences. It gives your reader a mini-break in between reading.
Big blocks of text are overwhelming. Have you ever looked at someone’s caption on Instagram that looks like it’s just as long as a Harry Potter book? No line breaks. No eye relief. Hardly anyone will read it from beginning to end if it’s just a big blob of text.
Make sure you use line breaks to divide your writing into less intimidating, easily digestible, and inviting text.
This one’s fast and easy, plus you can start doing it right now! Reading your writing in your head sounds lovely. It isn’t until you read out loud that you’ll naturally catch yourself stumbling your words in areas that don’t flow well. Reading your copy out loud allows you to correct these mistakes. Give it a try in your next piece of writing! (Yeah, I intend to read this entire blog out loud once I’m done writing it.)
Paint with pleasure and use words that color an image in your reader’s mind. Help them experience what you’re describing and dump boring words that don’t use imagery. Now, not every single word has to paint a picture, but be more conscious of your word choice. The more your reader can visualize your message, the better. Your words have the power to suck readers in like a black hole and keep them invested. It's like a mini-movie playing in their mind. Imagination is a powerful and wonderful thing.
“And, just wait until you step into that warm, inviting jacuzzi that comes with every apartment. Man oh, man! The feel of that soothing bubbling water against your bare skin is just plain heaven.”
“The delightful aroma of these charcoal-broiled steaks will remind you how good it feels to be genuinely hungry.”
*These examples are from Gary Halbert’s, The Boron Letters Chapter 17
Can you imagine what’s being described?
Now, I’m 100% positive you’ve noticed how I occasionally “check-in” with you throughout this blog post. You do notice? You’re a fast learner! (see how I just included you here?) The more personal and inclusive you are, the better. This keeps your readers engaged!
Ask questions once in a while and answer them yourself. Like this:
Do you know the difference between copywriting and content writing? You don’t? Don’t sweat it. The difference is…
Are you still with me here? You are. Perfect, let’s keep on going then…
How exactly do you include readers? I’ll tell you...
Make your writing about your readers. One word that stops people in their tracks is the word you.
That covers it. I’ve spilled the beans on how to write words that are easier and enjoyable to read.
Now you know that you should…
These are simple yet effective techniques that draw your reader in like a moth is drawn to fire and light. If you’re interested in the art of copywriting and want to learn even more, here are a couple of books I wholeheartedly recommend. The techniques I’ve shared with you today have come from these books (they have plenty more golden nuggets.)
Last, but not least, here’s a tool I think you’d appreciate for writing. Named after the legendary writer Ernest Hemmingway, this tool shows you which grade level you’re writing at. It also highlights sentences that are hard to read, words that have simpler alternatives, and is a great resource for writing anything without the fluff. It helps you be bold and get straight to the point. This resource has been a game-changer for me. I hope it’ll do the same for you.
I’ll be sharing even more writing techniques with you in future blogs so keep an eye out. These writing tips and tricks will help you write better content and copy for your brand if you’re a DIY type of person. Thanks for sticking around. Have a wonderful rest of your day and get to sharpen your writing skills!
Here’s the link to the Hemmingway Editor tool. It’s a lifesaver.
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