Learn Copywriting with These 7 Tips
There isn’t a topic on this planet that can’t be taught, and copywriting is no exception.
If you’ve been thinking of breaking into copywriting or just want to earn some extra money doing something you love, here are 7 tips to help you learn copywriting and get started.
Learn Copywriting Tip #1: Start the Learning Process Right Now
Don’t delay another moment and carve out time today to start learning copywriting. Reading this post is a great start so congratulations!
A good copywriter is in perpetual learning mode and is always searching for ways to grow and improve. The best way to start learning is to do a quick Internet search for learn copywriting or copywriting tips and you’ll be amazed at the results. Don’t get overwhelmed and find a few reliable sites and sources to start reading and studying. There are also numerous online courses out there on copywriting and many our free. Finally, good old-fashioned book reading is another source to learn copywriting.
The information is out there. It’s just a matter of devoting the time to learn copywriting. There are traditional learning methods but think outside the box. Look at copywriting from your favorite businesses or even their top competitors and study everything about their copywriting. Find fellow copywriters and experts in the field and tap them for some advice. Join a copywriting community to learn from others, get advice and eventually pay it all forward.
Learn Copywriting Tip #2: Make Sure You Have Full Disclosure
Basically, you want to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you start to learn copywriting. Sure, you may love writing, but what does being a copywriting entail? It’s important to know the lingo and have a basic understanding of what you’ll be doing as a copywriter.
Copywriting is both an art and a science. Copywriters use words to paint a picture, evoke emotion, create strategy and move people to action. The basic architecture of copywriting includes building blocks like catchy headlines, targeted bullet points, and calls to action.
Make sure you have what it takes to become a beginning copywriter. You’ll need the following skills – researching, writing, editing, proofreading, multi-tasking, marketing, business savvy and math skills to track sales numbers that gauge the success of your copywriting.
Learn Copywriting Tip #3: Listen Up
Sharpen your listening skills as you take copywriting courses and listen to advice from fellow copywriters, experts and copywriting mentors. Follow along closely and take notes so that you can refer to them often as you are going through the process to learn copywriting.
It’s also important to listen to what the market and potential clients will need. Listening will help you identify copywriting needs and allow you to tailor your learning around fulfilling those needs. As you start gaining more clients, it’s important to listen to the details and understand the ins and outs of each project.
Learn Copywriting Tip #4: Practice, Practice, Practice
You can devote hours on end to learning how to copywrite, but if you don’t practice that time will be wasted. The more you write the better you will become. Even if you don’t have any clients yet, there are several ways to practice. All help you learn copywriting fast. Find a favorite company and write fictitious copy for them. Or, reach out to an existing business and offer to write for them for free or a discounted rate to give you a chance.
Practicing also provides another hidden benefit. As you write and create copy for a fictitious company or a business who is willing to give you a chance – you are creating the beginning of a portfolio to show to future prospects. If you’re not sure what to practice, start with a few of these exercises:
Getting feedback is a great compliment and extension to practice. Feedback is essentially free advice that lets you know if practice does make perfect. You need feedback to make sure your copywriting is good. Constructive comments are not always easy to hear, but they will make you a better copywriter. So, share your work and ask for opinions.
Learn Copywriting Tip #5: Invest the Time and Focus
If learning copywriting is something that you are serious about, then take it seriously. Set a clear path and chart a learning plan that will bring you one step closer to achieving your dream. Determine how much time you will devote to your copywriting plan each week in terms of learning, networking, researching, promoting, and budgeting.
Getting lost in tangents can happen to anyone. It may mean setting an egg timer or your iPhone clock for 30-minute increments. If you’re not being productive, then know when to move onto something else.
A copywriter’s brain is active and always thinking so wherever you go look for your inspiration. You never know when a billboard, magazine ad, radio spot or website will provide inspiration and teach you something new. But, always make sure you set aside time for a break and give your copywriting brain time to rest and recoup.
It’s also essential to understand what inspires you as a copywriter. Do you create your best copywriting while listening to music, sitting outside, or with a glass of wine in hand? Learn what inspires you and create an environment that is conducive to helping you learn copywriting and keeps you inspired.
Learn Copywriting Tip #6: Create a Strong Network
Building a network of learning is important. Finding others that you can learn from and share best practices with not only helps you grow but will also help you find future clients. Your network doesn’t have to consist of only copywriters. It can include business leaders, artists, community partners – anyone that will help you learn and add to your connections. Each connection that you make represents an opportunity so start building a strong network as soon as possible.
You never know where your next copywriting job will come from. Making friends and creating a network allows you to create a copywriting base to build upon. Finding other copywriters and joining a community of like-minded people will help you enhance copywriting skills, share best practices and lead to future copywriting jobs.
Learn Copywriting Tip #7: Learn to Be Tough
Some clients may love your work while others will have edit after edit so be prepared to work with all different personalities. And, be prepared to take constructive and sometimes not so constructive criticism. Be Resilient and patient. Don’t let your feelings get hurt and use those comments to make yourself an even better copywriter. Believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.
Learn Copywriting Bonus Tip: Find a Copywriting Mentor
Many years ago, I was in the same position that you are now – I was just beginning and wanted to pursue my copywriting dream but didn’t know how to turn that dream into a reality. I’m happy to announce that I did it and have been living my dream for over 15 years. Now, I’ve made it my mission in life to help other copywriters learn, grow and achieve their dreams.
My name is Michael Giannulis and I’d love to invite you to our Copywriter Brain community to learn more about you and connect you to other copywriters. Please join us and also check out my new online course to start your journey and check out these other helpful resources to help you learn copywriting today!
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