13 Best Copywriting Resources to Improve Your Work
In the world of copywriting, there is always room to grow and improve and enhance your copywriting skills. Luckily, it’s extremely easy to do and there is a ton of information out there, almost too much.
That’s why I’m here. Researching the plethora of copywriting resources available takes time and can be downright overwhelming which is why I’ve compiled this quick list of 13 copywriting resources to improve your work.
Copywriting Resources Tip #1: The Internet is Your Best Friend
How did we exist before the Internet? It knows everything. All you have to do is type the word copywriting into Google and it yields 121,000,000 results in 64 seconds. Narrow the search by adding the word resources and this brings back 9,460,000 results in .42 seconds. There is a wealth of information out there. You can search for almost anything and find legitimate answers, and the great news is that much of that info is free!
Copywriting Resources Tip #2: Take Online Courses
Piggybacking on our friend the Internet from tip #1, make sure you google copywriting courses. The number of copywriting courses that teach you how to learn copywriting abound. Many courses are free or charge a nominal to modest fee, but the knowledge that you can gain is immeasurable so take as many as you can.
Copywriting Resources Tip #3: Use the Tools that are Right in Front of You
There are copywriting tools built into many of the word processing applications that you use to type your copywriting work. We just take them for granted. The Editor built into Word will check your spelling, grammar, clarity, conciseness, formality, punctuation conventions and vocabulary with one simple click. It’s like having an English teacher at the ready. The Read Aloud feature in Word is your strongest ally because it will read back exactly what you wrote. The Editor may not give you an earful of constructive criticism, but it will help you find missing words and check the flow of your work. When your eyes are tired, let your ears do the work.
Copywriting Resources Tip #4: Read Copywriting Books
While there are a myriad of resources on the Internet, some good old-fashioned book reading is a great alternative. A good book can be a powerful resource. I still remember a book I read called Why Take the Boat When You Can Walk on Water? It completely changed my worldview and helped me take the leap into copywriting and start achieving my dreams. Here is a list of other books that may inspire you too.
Copywriting Resources Tip #5: Create a Website to Highlight Your Portfolio
Building your copywriting portfolio will help you promote your business and gain clients. One of the first things potential clients will ask you is if you have a website. If you aren’t a web master that’s ok. There are many website building resources out there that are free or charge a nominal fee. Sites like Weebly, WordPress, and Wix can all walk even the least tech savvy person through the process to build a professional looking website.
Copywriting Resources Tip #6: Connect with Other Copywriters
Connecting with other copywriters will help you improve your work. Finding others that you can learn from and share best practices with not only helps you grow, but also helps you find clients. Your network doesn’t have to consist of only copywriters. It can include business leaders, artists, community partners – anyone that can add to your connections and help you learn copywriting. Each connection that you make represents an opportunity so start building a strong network as soon as possible.
Copywriting Resources Tip #7: Use Social Media to Your Advantage
Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter provide another valuable resource to learn copywriting. They provide an outlet to showcase your talents and experience and allow you to post your work. Social media platforms also provide additional ways to connect with businesses and potential clients to help learn, grow and improve your copywriting skills.
Copywriting Resources Tip #8: Search Job Sites
Another quick search on the Internet will link you to multiple resources to help find jobs. Indeed, Monster and CareerBuilder are a good place to start when trying to find copywriting work. There are writing specific websites that host projects for freelance copywriters like Upwork and Fiverr to name a few. The point is to just look, and you’ll be amazed at what you can find.
Copywriting Resources Tip #9: Ask Existing Clients to Help
A resource that is right in front of our eyes that we tend to overlook is existing clients. They are a valuable tool and can help propel your career and help you bring in new clients through referrals and testimonials. If your clients are happy, they will be sure to spread the word. Plus, this is a completely free resource that can be used again and again to multiply success.
Copywriting Resources Tip #10: Explore Research Tools
Data and statistics give your writing more validity. There are numerous resources out there that can be used to fact check and source your copywriting. Depending on the topic there are official and credible websites, like cdc.gov for health topics or census.gov or data.gov for general statistics.
Copywriting Resources Tip #11: Don’t Forget About Grammar
Luckily, copywriting is not like writing in high school and college. The commas and semi-colons don’t have to be perfect. You can end a sentence with a prepositional phrase and start one with the word AND if you want to, especially if it helps you make a point. There are no grades in professional copywriting, and you have freedom to say what you want. It is always good to run your copywriting through the spelling and editor check, but there are even more sophisticated resources online. Some clients require their copy to be written in a certain style and that is where online copywriting resources like APA and AP style guides come in handy.
There are a number of websites out there that can help, one of the most well known is Grammarly.
Copywriting Resources Tip #12: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Depending on the project, your client may want you to include pictures and images with your copy. But you need to be careful because you can’t just copy any image off the Internet due to copywriting rules and laws. Two great resources that allow you to use images for free are Pixabay.com and UnSplash.com. You can search for any topic and find a great picture that corresponds.
Copywriting Resources Tip #13: Stay Organized
Staying organized is not always easy especially when business starts to pick up. If you don’t have an organization system to manage all of your copywriting projects, there are some great resources out there. ClickUp.com and Monday.com are two project management applications that can keep track of projects, progress and deadlines with clients. Calendar apps like Cozi.com allow you to manage your time to stay better organized and color code tasks and events to stay focused.
Copywriting Resources Bonus Tip: Consult with an Expert and Find A Mentor
The amount of copywriting resources and the number of copywriting experts out there wanting to help can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Many years ago, over 15, I was in the same position as you. Back then, there were far less resources available, and that is why I’ve made it my mission in life to help provide copywriters with the resources they need to succeed. I’ve created the Copywriter Brain community for people just like us, and I would love for you to join. Be sure to check out my new online course and these other helpful resources and start your journey to learn more about copywriting today!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.