10 Expert Tips To Improve Your Copywriting Skills

Often referred to as the ‘salesman in print’, copywriting is extremely important in driving engagement, capturing attention and persuading customers to act.

A good copywriter can create a strong, direct connection with your ideal customer through the use of compelling and persuasive language.

As a copywriter, you need to get your point across using words. Sometimes you have to do this in just a few words. It can be a challenge to write a great headline that is clear and direct but also inspiring and engaging. Here are 10 tips to help you write headlines that work:

1) Answer the question "What's in it for me?"

The best way to deliver news is to tell people what they want first. For example, "How To Improve Your Copywriting In 10 Minutes" lets readers know they'll get a quick fix if they read the article.

2) Use numbers or bullets

Listing items by number or bullet engages readers and helps them scan text easily. This makes them more likely to read your content. You'll see we've used this tip in this article!

3) Focus on benefits, not features and sell the sizzle, not the steak

Benefits sell; features tell. Think about how you can frame what you're offering as something that will satisfy readers' needs or solve their problems. This could be saving time, saving money or keeping things simple, for example.

4) Keep it short

Long copy can work well in certain cases, but on the web people often scan content rather than read every word. Keep sentences short and to the point.

5) “Explain like I’m 5”

When you’re writing website copy, think about how you would explain things if you were face to face with a customer or client. You’d use short sentences and everyday language, right? The same principle applies when writing copy — make it conversational and easy-to-read.

6) Just start 

If you are a perfectionist, and afraid of not nailing the question, the task or being seen as less than who you are capable of becoming as a writer, stop it! Stop overthinking and just start writing. You will soon remember that you enjoy this process. 

7) Don’t stress

What do you do when you can’t recall a word when it's at the tip of your tongue? You forget about it. As soon as you move on from it, you leave room for your mind to search for it, then it pops. Same for inspiration, don’t stress it. Latest research suggests that an unstimulated mind produces more imaginative ideas, than an over-stimulated one. 

8) Keep up with the times

Use applications like Instagram and TikTok to keep abreast of all advancements in AI and tech that are helping writers. Tools such as Grammarly. Train your social algorithms to work for you, by following other copywriters instead of just pointing to mindless fun, which is also important.

9) While research is required for copywriting, it is beneficial to own your process. Take the time to research your issue by reading industry sources, following relevant Twitter threads, asking an expert, and looking for intriguing data.

This study may be useful in helping you draft the copy in some circumstances.

Even if the backdrop doesn't make it into the final product, having it will strengthen the copywriting—and make the text better.

10) Sleep on it, if you have the time

It is important to work against deadlines and be organized. Leave room for rest and for the mind to reset and unwind before you send your work. You may change your mind or discover that you have been drifting and writing with more feelings than reason for example.