+ RSSLearn Copywriting in Five Steps
Copywriting is a skill that can help you in many aspects of your business. Learning it is a worthwhile endeavor, whether you are a business owner looking to write better ads, or wishing to pursue a freelance writing career.
Here are some ideas for you to consider as you are seeking to become better at copywriting.
1. Take a formal copywriting course. There are many courses available, both by mail order and internet-based. Check out the programs by AWAI, Ray Edwards' Web Copywriting Explained, and Breakthrough Copywriting by Michel Fortin and David Garfinkel. Other excellent courses exist as well. Just make sure those teaching actually know what they are talking about.
2. Many have hired a mentor to teach and guide them. It's a major investment in time and money, but is a quite normal choice for someone pursuing a copywriting career. On the other hand, many successful business owners prefer to learn it themselves, and write their own copy.
3. Be constantly studying good marketing and advertising. Any good copywriter does this. When an ad engages you emotionally, do your best to dissect it and discover why.
4. Make yourself a swipe file. A swipe file is a selection of ads that copywriters can examine for inspiration and modeling their copy. You should save ads you see in magazines, newspapers, the internet, mail, or anywhere. There are also books available with hundreds of examples of effective advertising.
5. Learn by doing. That's the way people have always learned best. A successful advertisement is one people have responded favorably to, so look for way to inexpensively and efficiently test the waters. It is relatively easy to advertise on the internet. You can promote products as an affiliate and inform people of it through pay per click ads with Google, Yahoo, or MSN.
Other ways to test include eBay, Craigslist, or in local classified newspapers.
The most important thing is to keep at it every day. Read good copy, write, and be on the lookout for what works in the marketplace.
