[Updated 2024] Copywriting 101: Crafting Compelling Ad Copy that Converts
Tired of your ad copy falling flat? Ready to unleash the power of words on your competitors? I wrote this for you. It stems from over a decade of mistakes. You're welcome.
Because, let's face it, if you're not mastering ad copy, you might as well start a dumpster fire with your cash.
Padawan, I wrote this to save your ass.
In this article, I'm going to cover the basics you need to know to make your ad copy sizzle like bacon on a Sunday morning.
I'll whip up the inside scoop on the best practices for writing effective ad copy, show you how to improve the performance of your current ad copy, and give you a rough estimate of how long it should be (spoiler: shorter is better).
And, because I care about you, I'll also teach you how to avoid the common mistakes that are making your ad copy suck. Buckle up, buttercup, we're diving right in.
Listicle time! In this article:
What Are Some Best Practices for Writing Effective Ad Copy?
Time to Shine like Beyonce at the Super Bowl.
The key? Short and sweet. No one wants to read War and Peace when they're scrolling through their social media feed.
Use power words to evoke emotion and make your audience feel something. Let's be honest: no one makes a purchase because they're feeling neutral.
Make sure your ad copy is unique and stands out from the rest. Don't be a copycat, be a trendsetter.
Pro-tip: if all else fails, just include a cute puppy in your ad. That always works.
How Can I Improve the Performance of my Ad Copy?
From the Doldrums to Results: Proven Tips and Tricks for Boosting Results
Feeling ignored? Well, don't worry, you're not alone. I'm here to help.
Overdone: stop using cliché phrases like "limited time only" or "act now". Your audience is not dumb, they know what you're trying to do.
Embrace Your Authentic Self: Try to stand out from the crowd. Don't be afraid to be a little weird or different, it'll make you more memorable.
More Isn't Better: remember that less is more. Keep your ad copy short and sweet, and make sure it gets straight to the point.
Take these and make your ad copy great again! (or at least, better than it was before).
Quick Tips Ad Copy Tips:
Attention-grabbing headlines: Your headline is the first thing your audience sees, make sure it's compelling enough to make them want to read more.
Power words: Words like "complimentary" "innovative" or "new" can evoke emotion and encourage your audience to take action.
My Fave: KISS. Keep it simple, (stupid): Don't use jargon or complex language, make sure your message is clear and easy to understand.
Images and videos: Visuals can help to enhance your message and make it more engaging.
Test and optimize: Try different versions of your ad copy and see which one performs the best. Continuously refine and improve your ad copy based on the results.
How long should my ad copy be?
Size Matters: The Power of Brevity.
So how long your ad copy should be? Let me put it this way: the shorter, the better. In fact, why not just go ahead and make it one word?
That's right, one little, tiny word. "Buy!" or "Click!" or "Now!" See? Short and sweet.
And by sweet, I mean effective. 'Cause here's the truth, who has time to read a novel when they're scrolling through their social media feed? In short (ha, see what I did there?), keep it short and to the point. Your audience will thank you.
Cool writing tools to keep it simple:
1. QuillBot: Another AI powered writing bud! I love the browser extension: it works with me as I work online (like writing this blog article!)
Quillbot has a paraphraser, grammar checker, plagiarism checker, co-writer, citiation generator, a browser extension for Chrome and for Word!
2. Hemingway Editor: This tool analyzes your writing for readability, and suggests ways to make it simpler and more concise. It highlights complex sentences, adverbs, and passive voice, so you can easily identify areas to shorten and improve.
3. The Readability Test Tool by WebFx: This tool allows you to measure the readability of your text based on several popular readability formulas, such as Flesch-Kincaid, Coleman-Liau, and more. It also provides a grade level and a reading age that corresponds to your text.
4. Wordcounter: This tool counts the number of words, characters, and sentences in your text, and gives you a breakdown of the most frequently used words. It can help you identify any redundant words and phrases, and help you condense your writing.
What are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Ad Copy?
Because Nobody Wants to Write a Boring Ad and Nobody Wants to Read a Boring Ad.
What common mistakes to avoid when writing ad copy? This list comes straight from my own well of learning and let me tell you, there are plenty. But don't worry, I'll keep it short and sweet (just like your ad copy should be).
Being too boring: Who wants to read an ad that puts them to sleep? So, spice it up a little bit. Add some humor, a little bit of sarcasm, and make it stand out from the rest of the boring ads out there.
Being too long-winded: Attention spans are shorter than ever, so why waste precious seconds with unnecessary words? Get to the point, and do it quickly.
Not using the right keywords: You want your ad to be found, right? So, make sure you're using the right keywords that people are actually searching for.
Trying to be too clever: Don't try to be too clever, it's just a recipe for confusion. Keep it simple and easy to understand.
Being too generic: Generic ads are just like generic cereal, nobody wants them. Be unique, be different, be yourself.
And there you have it, the most common mistakes to avoid when writing ad copy. Remember, keep it short, sweet, and most importantly, not boring.
Ad Copy: The End
Writing effective ad copy isn't rocket science, but it does take a bit of effort and knowledge. Remember to keep it short, sweet, and unique; use power words to evoke emotion, and avoid cliché phrases. And if all else fails, just throw a cute cat into the mix. It's a scientifically proven (sort of) fact that cute cats increase conversions by at least 500%.
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