Learn Copywriting by Following These 10 Steps

Learn Copywriting by Following These 10 Steps

 

 

Writing is a necessity in everyday life.

Some people hate writing with a passion, but the rest of us absolutely love it!

And, that’s why copywriters exist and will always exist because we are needed!

If your dream is to copywrite for a living, then you have come to the right place or perhaps I should say the “write” place.

But all word punning aside – I have been exactly where you are now. More than 15 years ago, I wanted to follow my own dream and make copywriting my full-time, lifelong career. I had no idea how to get started or where to begin, and I’ll be honest … it was a bit frightening.

At the time, there wasn’t an overabundance of information out there. The Internet wasn’t filled with pages and pages of content about copywriting like it is now and online courses weren’t a thing. So, I did things the old-fashioned way, and I’m proud to say it worked.

Copywriting is now my career and has allowed me to achieve success, and I get to do what I love every day. Now it’s your turn. I’ve made it my mission in life to help fellow copywriters achieve their dreams too. Let’s get started with how to learn copywriting by following these 10 steps.

 

Learn Copywriting Tip #1: Do Things the Old-Fashioned Way

Sometimes you have to go back to the basics to establish a clear path and foundation. Then, you can get fancy and add all of the modern touches and technology. When you are first starting out, you must study to learn copywriting. Read current books as well as books from the past. Here’s a list of book ideas. Scour the Internet for facts and knowledge because there truly is a sea of information out there.

 

 

Learn Copywriting Tip #2: Learn New Ways of Doing Things

Advances in technology and social media have revolutionized the way we learn and learning copywriting is no different. You don’t have to go back to school to get your degree or take college courses to learn copywriting. The knowledge is right at your fingertips just ask Google or Siri. Online courses allow you to learn from anywhere and at any time so there is no excuse. Many courses are free, but some charge a nominal fee. But always remember that an investment in your dream is a small price to pay.

 

Learn Copywriting Tip #3: Learn the Lingo and Understand the Terminology

Just like school, there are vocabulary terms, formulas, facts and details to know. Learning copywriting is no different. Get a folder and a notebook or have your laptop handy and start taking notes. Jot down everything. Learn terms like call to action, pain points, B2B, B2C, open rates, click-throughs, conversion rate, headlines, opt-in, and the list could go on and on for days. There’s a lot to learn so be prepared and open your copywriter brain because that is the only way you can be ready to learn copywriting.

 

Learn Copywriting Tip #4: Look for Copywriting That Inspires You

Find copywriting that inspires you and fills you with ideas. Make a list of what stands out and what calls to you. From favorite slogans, entertaining TV commercials, eye-catching billboards, informative blog posts, thought-provoking social media posts, find words that resonate and tell a story. Then, write down why that copy impacts you. Record those feelings and keep them close and use them to inspire you to write more copy.

 

Learn Copywriting Tip #5: Apply What You’ve Learned

You can take all the notes in the world. But, if you don’t apply those notes, then you’ll never learn copywriting. Just think back to when you were in school and the hours and hours of homework you did each day. The same principle applies to learning copywriting. It’s imperative to apply what you’ve learned. One idea, is to analyze a favorite ad. It could be a radio or TV spot, a web page, a blog post or anything that involves copy. Apply the terms that you’ve learned and analyze their effectiveness by identifying the call to action, style and tone, pain points, etc.

 

 

Learn Copywriting Tip #6: Practice Really Does Make Perfect

Analyzing existing copywriting will help to solidify what you’ve learned but practicing on your own really does make perfect. You can use existing copy for inspiration and tweak it to make it better.

Once you’re happy with your practice, you can use these practice pieces to create a portfolio. If you muster up enough courage, you can even use your practice as a way to get in the door of a potential client. You can also make up a fictitious company and start writing for them. Practice specifics like writing calls to action, captivating headlines, or bullet points that are on fire and spark action. The point is to start writing and get as much practice in as possible. The more you write the better you will become.

 

Learn Copywriting Tip #7: You Always Need a Second Pair of Eyes

Staring at words for hours on end can make your eyes play tricks on you. Always have a second pair of eyes to review your copywriting. Getting a second opinion is never a bad idea, especially if your goal is to impress clients. Little mistakes and typos and copywriting that doesn’t flow properly is a sure-fire way to make a bad impression on clients. Another option is to use the built-in editor and read-aloud function in Word. These great features can help catch silly mistakes when your eyes are tired.

 

Learn Copywriting Tip #8: Learn How to Say More with Less

There’s an idiom that says you only have a few seconds to make a first impression. With attention spans more fleeting than ever these days, it’s more like a few nanoseconds now. Find ways to make that same powerful punch in less words to make your point and reach as many readers as possible. You can practice this by re-working a 60-second TV spot into a 30-second spot that hits the same points. Or, re-write a page on a company’s website or pare down a blog post. Oftentimes, you’re limited on word count anyway so work on getting to the point in less words.

 

Learn Copywriting Tip #9: Hone Your Skills

When you’re learning copywriting, you’re not just learning how to write. It’s more of a holistic approach that finetunes your senses and many other skill sets. When you learn to copywrite, you’re also learning how to become a better listener. It’s important to listen to what consumers and clients want and learn to tailor your copywriting to fit their needs.

A writer also needs to be a bit of a visionary. Before you begin writing anything, close your eyes, take a deep breath and envision the message. Use your words to paint a picture, tell a story and connect your thoughts with your audience. Learning how to copywrite also teaches you empathy because you’re learning how to solve a problem and fulfil a need to accomplish something larger than yourself.

Patience is a virtue and is also something that copywriting will teach you. Copywriting provides the opportunity to work with different types of personalities and temperaments. Not every client will love your writing so learning and practicing the art of patience will help you become a better copywriter.

 

Learn Copywriting Tip #10: You Can’t Do It Alone

Everything is easier when you have support. Exercising buddies force you to get off the couch and a copywriting buddy will help you stay motivated. Why not join a community of copywriters and surround yourself with people just like you where you can all learn, share knowledge, gain advice, inspire each other and ultimately find work.

 

 

Learn Copywriting Bonus Tip: Find Your Support, Mentor or Whatever It Takes

I’m here to help you achieve your dream and provide a foundation of support. Visit my website, join the copywriting community, take my course, read the articles, watch my videos – the resources are there for you. So, take whatever you need to learn copywriting and let’s get started today!

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