Copywriting explained for me or an SME

No, I don’t mean protecting your fantastic creations with a legal document, although this is what I originally thought I was going to be studying with the DMA. In fact, I was going to study the art of writing words for marketing material, also known as copy.

The DMA’s future writer’s lab gives writers the opportunity to collaborate and share their skills to better each other and to learn new tips and skills for their industries marketing material.

I wouldn’t want to post the full art of copywriting as one, I am no expert and two, would recommend anyone with an interest to attend the course to get the full lessons. What I will try to do is share a few writing tips that some small businesses may not know and can help with their website, Leaflet advertising, google ads or really anything with copy involved.

Tip one: Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig words

Try not to write gargantuan plus perplexing verses that can be explicated with unpretentious ones.

Make sense?

What I actually wrote was

“Try not to write large and confusing words that can be explained with simple ones”

Then I used Microsoft words Synonyms to find bigger, cleverer but clearly harder to understand words.

The same applies to writing for marketing material. Big, confusing words don’t appeal to the majority and as shown above, can be confusing. Keep it sweet, keep it simple and keep it fun.

Tip two: Congratulations! You have learnt tip two

First impressions mean a lot in many situations, an important interview, a first date and an email subject line?

Your headline should be considered the most important part of your copy. It’s the thing that will make your readers want to continue reading. This could be an exciting offer, something unusual or just eye catching, whatever it is, make it good then make the content better.

Tip three: the golden rule of copywriting is, there are no rules with copywriting

Okay, don’t quote me on this one, as of course there are advertising regulations and brand guidelines. BUT there are no rules to the way you can write. I just put a big BUT after a full stop and said the words big but, because, why not? If it works, it works.

You can write freely, if the reader can understand what you are talking about, and if your marketing director doesn’t own chains and whips. Okay that may be pushing the line, sorry marketing directors.

I am still learning and would love to read more tips and ideas in the comments below. Happy writing :)