5 Copywriting Tips For Beginners

Summary

This video offers five essential copywriting tips for beginners, emphasizing the importance of passion over degrees, mastering short-form copy before tackling long-form, dedicating 80% of your time to research, writing conversationally, and building a swipe file to learn from successful examples. The speaker highlights the difference between academic and copywriting styles, focusing on the need for relatable, clear communication that converts. Lastly, the video stresses learning from proven campaigns and avoiding unnecessary creativity, while encouraging viewers to explore a free training for aspiring high-income copywriters.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Desire over degree:** Copywriting success depends on passion and practical skills, not academic qualifications.
• 🖋 **Street-smart skill:** Copywriting focuses on selling and connecting with customers, unlike academic or formal writing.
• 📧 **Master short form copy first:** Focus on crafting short emails, social media posts, or ads before tackling long-form content.
• 🔍 **Research-heavy process:** Spend 80% of your time on research, understanding the customer’s needs, and 20% writing.
• 🗣 **Write conversationally:** Copy should sound like a one-on-one conversation. Keep it personal and simple.
• 💬 **Speak to one person:** Use 'you' instead of 'we' to create a direct connection with the reader.
• ✏️ **Write like you talk:** Short sentences, informal style, and even one-word paragraphs make the writing more engaging.
• 📁 **Create swipe files:** Build a collection of successful ads, emails, and campaigns to draw inspiration from.
• 💼 **Copy equals results:** Clients care about results, not degrees or how long it took to write the copy.
• 📚 **Learn from proven campaigns:** Study successful copy to recognize patterns that consistently work and generate profit.

Q & A

What is the first tip for beginner copywriters mentioned in the video?

The first tip is that desire is more important than having a degree. Formal education, such as a journalism or English degree, isn't crucial for copywriting success. What matters is if your writing can produce results.

Why does the speaker emphasize mastering short-form copy before long-form copy?

The speaker advises beginners to master short-form copy like emails, social media posts, and Google ads because they are easier to create and test. Starting with short-form helps build confidence and understanding of what works before moving on to more complex long-form copy.

How much time should a copywriter spend on research versus writing?

The speaker suggests spending 80% of the time on research and only 20% on writing. Thorough research helps in understanding the audience's frustrations, goals, and needs, making the actual writing process faster and more effective.

Why is writing the way you talk important in copywriting?

Writing the way you talk makes the copy easier to read and more relatable. The goal is to communicate naturally and personally, as if speaking directly to one person, rather than using formal or academic language.

What is a swipe file and why is it important for copywriters?

A swipe file is a collection of proven copywriting examples, such as emails, landing pages, and ads. Copywriters use these files for inspiration and guidance, making it easier to start new projects without facing writer's block.

How does copywriting differ from academic writing?

While academic writing is designed to educate and can often be dry and complex, copywriting is designed to sell and convert a prospect into a customer. It's more conversational and focused on achieving a specific result.

Why is focusing on creativity for its own sake discouraged in copywriting?

In copywriting, the goal is to produce results, not to come up with something entirely original. Proven strategies and tested formulas often work better than trying to be overly creative. The focus should be on effectiveness, not novelty.

How does building a swipe file benefit professional copywriters?

A swipe file allows copywriters to quickly reference successful campaigns and proven strategies. This saves time, reduces guesswork, and increases the likelihood of producing effective copy by drawing on past successes.

What does the speaker mean by ‘street-smart’ skills in copywriting?

Street-smart skills in copywriting refer to practical, hands-on abilities learned through experience and practice, rather than academic knowledge. It’s about understanding human behavior and how to craft messages that resonate and persuade.

What does the speaker suggest about copywriting for beginners who lack formal qualifications?

The speaker reassures beginners that lacking formal qualifications like a journalism degree is not a barrier to success in copywriting. The key is to focus on developing skills that can generate results, as clients rarely ask for degrees.