Who Is A Copywriter?

Would you like to know who Copywriters are, what they do, materials they write, how to become a professional Copywriter, how to become a better Copywriter and more?

Then keep reading because I would be sharing with you exclusive details about Copywriters as well as the 10 sure tips that can make you a better Copywriter

Hey! It's Teslimat Ishaq again.

Welcome to my blog!

In this blog, I talk about Copywriting, Sales and Sales Psychology, Marketing and Marketing Strategy, and Entrepreneurial mindsets...

In my last post ( you can check it out here; Copywriting), I talk about Copywriting and everything in between. Today, let's talk all about Copywriters?

Let's trend the calm water first, shall we?

Who is a Copywriter?

Do you also think Copywriters just write copy? If yes, leave a comment below because there would be lots of us down there.

I mean advertisers advertise, buyers buy, Copywriters should also write copy, right? 

No, It's way deeper than that.

A copywriter is anyone that writes clear and concise copy and content for ads, emails, blogs, social media, marketing materials, and websites, for almost any audience and any industry (talk about The Niche Rebel).

But that's not all!

In this post, I would be telling you all about Copywriters (myself included 😊) and lots more.

This post is for 

• beginners who want to know what they are getting into
• business owners who want to know exactly what a Copywriter can do for their business 
• and Copywriters who want to learn more about Copywriting and how to become a better Copywriter.

A copywriter create content ( like this one 💜) for businesses to increase their credibility, clicks, conversation, customers, conversions and yeah, help them gain massive profits.

The main tool of any Copywriter be Freelance or In-house is Words, Emotional and Power words that convert.

WHAT MATERIALS DO COPYWRITERS WRITE?

Copywriters, write all marketing materials from Ads to Landing Page to Email Sequences to Sales Page.

They write their way to the heart of their readers first to create Awareness, pique Interest, invoke Desires, give Reasons, clear Doubts/ Objections and finally, make their readers take desired action.

Here's a list of marketing materials copywriters write:

• Adcopy

I am so sure of those 6 out of 10 that still think graphics designers owe the words on Ads (printed or online) but can this be further from the truth? Those powerful text, numbers and heart blowing graphics arrangements with irresistible CTA are Copywriter exclusive ideas.

• Landing pages

Where does the CTA in Adcopy leads to? Landing Pages! The main aim of page is to convince prospects to submit their contact information, usually email addresses, through the use of relevant Lead Magnet. 

• Lead Magnet

This come off as a surprise? But really, good lead magnets need Copywriters. Lead Magnet is anything that is of real value to your prospects and gets them to exchange for their contact information e.g. Ebooks, Case Studies, Guides, Video Trainings etc.

• Email Copy

Another Copywriter's business? Email copy or sequences are used to pique interest, raise awareness and prompt readers to take action. They are more effective in nurturing reluctant leads to paying customers.

• Blog Posts

Oh yes, Copywriters are also content writers... I am a proof of that ✌️💜. 

Blog Posts are more informative, educational and more conversational... and they are also the best way to get more organic prospects for your business. 

• Social Media Posts 

Social Media Posts need copywriters, too. I mean, those catchy tweets that get people retweeting, punchy Facebook updates that get you more likes, comments and shares, and edutertaining LinkedIn posts that increase followers won't write themselves, right?

• Sales Pages

Should we call them Sales Letters instead? They are also called Sales Pitches.

Those converting pages that turn potential customers to paying customers can't be written by any else other than a Copywriter. The main aim of these pages is to convince reluctant Prospects on your offer and clear all doubts by answering all their questions.

• Product Description

This is a must have for products. It explains what a product is and why you should make the purchase (More like a mini-sales letter? Yeah!)

• Video Sales Letter Script

Video Sales Letter Script

Let me clear you on this. Just like Copywriters do not design ads, we only write the scripts in video sales letters. These letters are like sales pages but in video format. 

• White Papers

These informative, educational documents that explain the origins of a problem and how it can be solved didn't just appear. Copywriters write White Papers to link customers' problems with their clients' solution or as Lead Magnet; objective and useful.

• Case Studies

Copywriters do use stories too ( a lot!) and Case Studies are story-like examples of White Papers ( but rather quite engaging, personal and relatable) because they also show (instead of tell) how a product or service solved a specific problem for a customer.

• Industry Reports

Talk about the hardcore heavyweight writing, I won't even know about this if not that I am a Curious Cat! They are based on real research that expands upon a specific issue, trend or industry.

• Website copy

Writing for sites is a whole different issue on its own when it comes to online marketing and Copywriters also have the whole skill up their sleeves. Well-written Homepages that tell you all about a business and help you stick around are, of course, written by good Copywriters that know exactly what you want to know and what you need to know about the business.

Of course, this is just to explain a few of the materials that Copywriters write.

WHAT DO COPYWRITERS DO? 

Now that we know what types of materials you should expect to find a Copywriter writing, let's take a quick look at what Copywriters do.

You now know that Copywriters don't just write, right?

Then let's see what other things are going on in Copywriters' lives, shall we?

Copywriters write but all our working hours do not go into writing alone.

When a Copywriter gets a project what is the first thing they do? I won't be saying it varies because it doesn't really vary.

Copywriters interview their clients in a discovery call or send them premeditated questions that would be able to tell them more about the project, their clients' wants, customers and all about their clients' brand

Then they go ahead and further the interview by making research about their clients; the product or service in the project and the targeted customers because... that's the only way a 3x conversion copy can be written.

Copywriters then start a whole lot of brainstorming sessions to come up with copy ideas, this is also where all advice from creative briefs are filter for ideas that are relevant for persuasion.

After which comes they get to Writing, the main deal. Copywriters produce contents that reflect their client's brand using their clients' brand voice.

Up next is Editing and Proofreading, Copywriters edit copy with great importance because no one reads boring grammar-faulty copy.

Copywriters work in collaboration with marketers, customers servers and graphics designers to produce high-converting marketing materials.

They also measure the wider impact of their copy for further improvement, if need be.

You can always see a Copywriter live through one short deadline just to get into another.

And finally and surly, they submit a completed copy to our client for approval and appraisals.

WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL COPYWRITER?

You don't just become a Copywriter by calling yourself that (Things would have been quite easier if that the case!). To become a Professional Copywriter you must have:

#1 Experience producing copy for businesses either for print and digital purposes.

#2 Success in producing copy for advertising or marketing purposes.

#3 Confidence in yourself and your writing skills.

#4 Astonishing writing and research skills 

#5 Ability to use simple softwares on your computer or phone

#6 A little bit of experience in Search Engine Optimization.

#7 Exceptional Communication and Interpersonal skills.

#8 Attentive to details for maximum output.

#9 Ability to come up with high-concept ideas quickly through unconventional thinking.

#10 Ability to beat or meet deadlines.

#11 Ability to work well alone or in a group.

#12 And lastly, you must be creative and flexible.

DO COPYWRITERS IN FORMAL TRAINING?

If it's formal training as in going to school to learn related courses, the answer is No. Especially for Freelance Copywriters. 

But does this mean Freelance Copywriters don't need training? They do, they really do. That's why there are a lot of online Copywriting courses that teach people how to become a Copywriter.

While some Freelance Copywriters get trained and mentored, and work with agencies before branching out on their own. 

Others may start by taking a copywriting course online, then use SPEC ADS to attract clients or start working with smaller clients to build their Copywriting portfolio.

HOW DO YOU BECOME A BETTER COPYWRITER? 

1. Read: Readers might not always be Leaders but Reading would surly improve your writing skills.

Read anything and everything, and when you find something that you love, study what makes it so unputdownable and start writing like that.

2. Prioritize: As a Copywriter, you always have a lot to do and without proper planning you would always lose time without knowing. That's why you have to learn to prioritize important work. 

Always have a To-do list nearby to keep yourself on track. You might also want to plan your day and project procedures with planning softwares for maximum effectiveness

3. Get Experience: Most clients you pitch will want you to send some of your work samples, they might also want to know if you have any published work online or in print.

If you’re just starting out, you can build your work samples by taking unpaid gigs for friends and family, write blog posts or social media posts and contributing to websites (i.e. Guest Posting)

4. Research: Research differentiate bad copywriters from the good ones. You have to be able to conduct accurate and effective research if you want to become a better Copywriter and get paid more.

5. Grab Attention: If you want to start gaining big with Copywriting you must write Attention grabbing Headlines that get your readers gamed.

Writing 3 Subject Lines a day for your email is a great start to writing at least 30 Headlines for every project.

6. Promise Big: Don't just promise, Promise big. And this doesn't mean weaving lies into your Copy, it never does!

Use One big pain point and show them how the product/ service can help them solve that. Go all out with your offers, benefits and guarantees.

7. Call to Action: No good Copywriter earns a name without a great CTA. Let your call to action be clear and loud so your readers would know exactly what's required of them. 

If you want a reply today, say it, be precise with everything you want.

8. Power words: Use Power words, they charge your writing and give them the boost they need to make your readers curious, enticed and grabbed. 

9. Edit Ruthlessly: Don't edit while writing, that's the worst thing you can do to yourself. Instead, complete your first draft first then spice it up with power words then you can now Edit Ruthlessly. 

Cut out the fluff and excess, if you can say it with three words don't use fifteen.

10. Testing: You must also have heard about A/B Testing, right? Ogilvy said to test everything; your Headlines, your sub-headlines, your body copy, your CTA. 

Even if the first one is doing great, there is a better chance that a little change here and there can double, triple and even quadruple your copy conversions. 

WHERE TO FIND COPYWRITING GIGS?

This would be another post entirely but it won't hurt making a quick listing here, would it?

Copywriting gigs are everywhere when you start looking.

Here are some places to check out when looking for Copywriting gigs as a Copywriter, or need a Copywriter to write in your business.

• If you are just starting out TELL YOUR NETWORK because your first clients would mostly come from your circle.

• Go to LINKEDIN SEARCH BAR and type a phrase someone looking for Copywriters might use in their post and you would have a room full of post Calling on Copywriters' attention.

• Go to FACEBOOK and Join Copywriting or related Job Groups.

• Increase your SOCIAL MEDIA presence to get ORGANIC CLIENTS.

• Search for businesses and COLD PITCH them.

• Sign up for FREELANCE WEBSITES to start getting gigs.

BOOKS TO READ TO BECOME A BETTER FREELANCE COPYWRITER? 

If you want to become a better Copywriter then you should become a better student of Consumer Psychology ( The main reason I become a Sales Psychologist myself!).

Here are few books you should read to better your persuasion skills:

• Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy ( The Father of Advertising tells the little overlooked secrets in Advertising, would recommend this over again!)

• Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins 

• The Robert Collier Letter Book by Robert Collier 

• Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples (this is by the way most people best book on consumer Psychology, myself included)

• Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene Schwartz ( Easy to read and straightforward, you won't want to put it down until you're done reading)      

• Hypnotic Writing by Joe Vitale ( This makes me the Love-Based Copywriter I am, it's just so unputdownable)

• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

Okay! That's it for Now. Until Next week when I will be bringing you another astonishing topic.

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Bye for Now 👋