What is Writing Copy? A FREE Guide to Creating Engaging and Effective Content

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Written By Sam Davis Ph.D.

Sticker Crypt is the internet's premier source of free advice for artists and small business owners! 

What is writing copy? This may seem like a simple question, but it's actually quite complex. Writing copy is the process of creating engaging and effective content for your website or blog. It's important to create content that will capture your audience's attention and persuade them to take action. In this guide, we will discuss the basics of writing and provide tips for creating high-quality content that will help you achieve your business goals.

Four white sale boards

What is copywriting and what does a copywriter do?

Copywriting is the act of writing text for the purpose of advertising or content marketing. A copywriter is a person who writes this text. Copywriters are responsible for the text on websites, brochures, billboards, and more. Their job is to write persuasive and interesting text that will convince people to buy a product or use a service. This idea – to sell products through content writing, is known as content marketing.

To write copy is not easy. A good copywriter must be creative and have a strong understanding of human psychology in order to effectively write copy. They must be able to understand what people want and need and then find a way to convince them that their product or service is the best solution. This takes a lot of research, brainstorming, and revision.

Although you're likely not here to pursue a career as a copywriter, you will need to gain some copywriting skills to succeed in e-commerce and in your sticker shop. We'll give you some tips and tricks for writing that sells later on in this article. For now, let's take a look at the basics of what makes good copy.

Is a blog post copywriting?

Yes, a blog post is copywriting. Especially for an e-commerce site, a blog post is where you're going to be able to do a lot of content marketing. You'll be practicing your sales copy and pitch on a blog post, on a landing page, and even in your emails. A copywriter writes it all.

Is sales copy hard to write?

I find sales copy to be among the most challenging things to write. At least with an email, I can strike a conversational tone and write good copy to a specific person. In contrast, writing e-commerce copy is challenging for me. But that doesn't mean that good copywriting is out of reach for you.

The basics of good writing – how to make your content engaging and effective

Good writing is clear, concise, and easy to read. It has a purpose and a structure, and each sentence flows smoothly into the next. In order to make your writing engaging and effective, there are a few basic principles you can follow. You don't need to be a professional writer to master the editing process and the written word.

First, always keep your audience in mind. What are they looking for? What do they need to know? Second, make sure your content is well organized. That means having a strong introduction, developing your ideas in the body of the piece, and wrapping up with a conclusion.

Finally, don't be afraid to edit and revise your work. Sometimes it takes a few drafts to get it just right. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your writing will be both engaging and effective.

A special note about web copy

There are some additional rules you'll need to consider when writing copy for e-commerce or for the web. Mainly, that you'll need to use short sentences, short paragraphs, and avoid duplicate content between products, even if they're similar.

Tips for creating powerful headlines and titles

Creating an effective headline or title for your online product can be challenging. You want to capture attention and communicate the value of your product in a few short words. Here are a few tips to help you create powerful headlines and titles:

  1. Keep it simple. Use clear and concise language that can be understood by your target audience.
  2. Communicate the benefits. Focus on what your product can do for the user, rather than on features or specifications.
  3. Use keywords wisely. Choose keywords that are relevant to your product and that will help users find your product when they search online.
  4. Be creative. Don't be afraid to experiment with different words and phrasing to find the perfect headline or title for your product.

Monster Insights has a great headline analyzer for blogs that can ALSO work for certain e-commerce products. Check out their tool and list of power words if you're struggling to find inspiration.

How to write persuasive body copy

You only have a few sentences to persuade your reader to buy your product, so it's important to make them count. Here are some tips for writing persuasive body copy for ecommerce products:

  1. Keep it brief – get to the point quickly and don't include unnecessary fluff.
  2. Use strong language – choose words that create an emotional response and stir up excitement about the product.
  3. Be specific – rather than making vague claims, focus on describing exactly what makes your product great and why it's worth purchasing.
  4. Appeal to logic – in addition to emotions, you can also appeal to logic by highlighting the practical benefits of your product.
  5. Tell a story – connect with your reader on a personal level by sharing a relatable story that underscores the value of your product.

By following these tips, you can write persuasive body copy that will convince more readers to hit the “buy” button.

Ways to improve your website's SEO through effective copywriting

There's no question that SEO (search engine optimization) is important for any website that wants to rank well in search engine results pages. But what many people don't realize is that copywriting plays a big role in SEO. In fact, effective copywriting can be the difference between a website that ranks on the first page and one that gets buried in the depths of the internet.

So, how can you improve your website's SEO through effective copywriting? Here are a few tips:

  1. Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions. This will help your website show up when people search for those keywords.
  2. Write compelling meta descriptions. These are the short descriptions that appear under your website's title in search results. Make sure they're interesting and include a call to action.
  3. Use keywords throughout your content. But don't go overboard – too many keywords will actually hurt your SEO. A good rule of thumb is to use them sparingly, but make sure they're included in the most important places, like headlines and introductory paragraphs.
  4. Create fresh, original content. Search engines love new content, so the more you can provide, the better. Just make sure it's high-quality stuff that

Common mistakes made by novice writers – and how to avoid them!

As a novice writer, you are bound to make some mistakes. But don't worry – we all do! The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and avoid making them in the future. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by novice writers, along with some tips on how to avoid them:

One common mistake is not proofreading your work before submitting it. This can result in errors that could have been easily avoided. Always take the time to proofread your work before hitting the “submit” button.

Another common mistake is failing to plan ahead. Before you start writing, take a few minutes to brainstorm your topic and organize your thoughts. This will save you time in the long run and help you stay on track as you write.

Finally, many novice writers make the mistake of being too wordy. Be concise and to the point in your writing – no one wants to read a novel! Stick to the essentials and cut out any superfluous words or phrases.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful writer!

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