What is Copywriting, Anyways?
Copywriting. It’s that thing where you get legal rights to materials or content that other people can’t use, right? Actually, no. That would be copyrights. Copywriting, on the other hand, is a very specific type of writing that dates back to 1477 as far as historians are aware of. Oxford Dictionary defines copywriting as “the activity or occupation of writing the text of advertisements or public material.” What I have learned, however, is that copywriting is so much more than just that.
Copywriting is carefully crafted language that coaxes a reader to take an action. In most cases, the desired action would be for a consumer to purchase a product or hire for services. However, there are many other types of copywriting that would ask their readers to take a different action. Have you ever received a message or a letter asking you to sign a petition, donate to a cause, or call upon your senators to discuss x issue? That’s copywriting, too.
Copywriting is even apparent in the more subtle things all around us. Getting someone to enter a contest. Sign up for an email list. Like a FB page. Watch a video. Take a poll. The words that make up these asks are all copywriting.
The trick to being a good copywriter is to understanding your target audience. You need to know what makes them tick. You need to know their hopes, their dreams, their fears. You need to understand what they value in this world and what they don’t. And, of course, you need to be a good writer.
Understanding your target audience is key to getting your consumer to take the desired action. However, if you don’t deliver your messaging with the appropriate brand tone it will lead to short term leads and long term problems. A good copywriter is able to balance the needs of their client and the client’s customer. A great copywriter produces messaging that creates long term customer loyalty and a high level of actions taken.
So, it’s just as simple as that? Of course not. If it were, I’d be out of a job. The truth is there are many other important aspects that create the totality that is good copywriting. And that’s where Organic Copy and Content comes in. So, what are you waiting for? Book your free consult today.
