Copywriter Trick Unveiled: How to Write Better Copy Faster

"Talent alone cannot make a writer. There must be a man behind the book." Ralph Waldo Emerson's Goethe

I'm going to share with you a method guaranteed to get your copy razor sharp in a hurry. It's an old trick I learned in journalism school, and it works great to get those creative juices flowing. Since I've been using it regularly again, I write circles around my former output times. The words are just at my fingertips.

How did I do it? (More importantly, how can you do it too?) Well, you probably already know you must have curiosity to become a good writer. Take your natural curiosity to the next level and become an avid observer.

When you're driving, look at the car next to you on the road. Pick up a can of beans in the grocery store. Check out your shampoo while in the shower. Notice the colors and smells. What qualities does it have that set it apart? What would make someone want to buy what you're looking at? You're surrounded with opportunity to sharpen your writing skills. It's easy.

Here's how --

  • Describe appearance of product
  • Identify Features (look for complementary and contrasting qualities)
  • Single Out Main Benefit
  • Create your Benefit Statement or Summary

Let your imagination go. This is only an exercise. If it were a real product, of course you'd do your research. But our goal isn't to actually sell this copy to a client. It's designed to open up and free your mind.

THE RULES:

  • You don't have to write down your observations. Just practice doing them. You'll be amazed at how quickly your writing improves.
  • Limit yourself to five minutes on each "product."
  • Brainstorm. Do NOT edit yourself until you're done.
  • Stop on time.
  • Here's a case in point. Today, I took Shadow, my border collie/chow mix, on a hike through the mountains. (I should say, he took me. If you've ever walked a trotting pony on a leash, you have an idea what it's like to walk Shadow.) So, while being drug behind my dog, I noticed pretty yellow weeds lining the path. I picked those to represent my "product" and played my copywriting game.

    • DESCRIBE APPEARANCE: butter -colored spray of petals, braided green stem, burst of color, gently moving with the breeze.
    • IDENTIFY FEATURES: soothing, calming, appealing color contrast to trees, heaviest around the path as though guiding hikers
    • SINGLE OUT MAIN BENEFIT: Rejuvenating
    • BENEFIT STATEMENT: "After hiking with these soothing butter-colored wildflowers lining the trail, you'll return rejuvenated and ready to face the day."

    Maybe not award-winning copy, but with practice I'm sure I'll do better on our next walk.

    World class copywriter, Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero is the author of the highly acclaimed home study course, Red Hot Copy to Woo Your Target Market and founder of the online copywriting school Red Hot Copywriting Bootcamp, (http://www.red-hot-copy.com/rhcbootcamp.htm). Learn insider secrets to great copywriting from a pro who's been in the trenches with Lorrie's f^ree ezine, Copywriting TNT. Sign up at http://www.red-hot-copy.com.



    Lapsed Donors: How to Write a Fundraising Letter That Wins Them Back

    Your definition may differ, but I define a lapsed donor... Read More

    Top 8 Techniques - Secrets - Create Ad Copy For Your Business To Sky Rocket

    Perhaps the most important benefit in the material that follows... Read More

    7 Formulas for Articles That GET READ!

    Many of us have been asked to write an article... Read More

    Working With a Freelance Editor

    If you are interested in creating information products, you will... Read More

    Beyond Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tales arent the Only Thing Needing Catchy Openings

    Once a upon a recent time in a galaxy not... Read More

    How Your $2-an-Article Ghostwriter is Like a Cheap Pair of Pants

    Web marketers: have you figured out that article marketing is... Read More

    Top 10 Ways For Copywriters To Overcome Writers Block

    We all know that words have the power to persuade,... Read More

    Hooks, Lines & Sinkers

    Hands up if the title to this article made you... Read More

    How Cliffhanger Paragraphs Capture Readers

    About 50 years ago, movie serials kept theater crowds coming... Read More

    10 Eye Popping, Jaw Dropping Ad Copy Secrets

    1. Use a hand written letter on your ad copy... Read More

    Hey, Client, This Is Me! Sell With Your Writing Voice

    In a crowded market, clients will be seeking personality as... Read More

    Why Is FREE The Most Powerful Marketing Word You Can Use?

    As the famous cowboy Will Rogers once said, "Even if... Read More

    Grammatical Mistakes DONT Sell

    When you receive a sales letter with typos or grammar... Read More

    How to Build Benefits from Features Fast and Easy with the Solution Approach

    Every salesperson and fledgling copywriter hears the harangue: DON'T SELL... Read More

    7 Essential Tips for Reviewing and Approving Copy

    Nothing can turn strong copy into a 97-pound weakling faster... Read More

    Give Me $1 And Ill Have A Powerful Marketing Weapon

    One of my most powerful marketing weapons costs me less... Read More

    Some Copy Tips From An Old Hand

    I have been in the ad game for a long,... Read More

    Can Honest Copywriting Succeed?

    I confess--I'm a marketing heretic! I've built my career on... Read More

    Internet Marketing 102: Copy What Works

    Internet Marketing- Forget the experts, latest software program or even... Read More

    Want a Sticky Site That Sells? Forget Content!

    An interesting debate is currently raging among copywriters, web designers... Read More

    How To Take Your Freelance Writing Chances

    Your initial freelance writing assignments are the best way to... Read More

    Working on the Internet: Role of Proofreading and Copy editing OnLine

    When one is in a creative state, rarely can one... Read More

    9 Tips for Great Design of Your Marketing Materials

    1) Don't just hire a good designer. Hire someone who... Read More

    How To Write Powerful Headlines

    I want to tell you how I go about writing... Read More

    Five Steps To Online Copywriting Success

    One of the most important priorities of evey online business... Read More

    If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
    please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
    to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

    * Your email address:
    * choes your language: