Copywriting

Create A Consistent Business Brand Voice

Why You Need To Create A Consistent Business Brand Voice To Make An Impact

Apple, Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, and Tik Tok. 

No, we’re not simply listing large companies. Instead, we would like to ask what comes to mind when you think of these brands. 

Whether you shop their products or not, it’s fairly clear that each of these companies has a very recognizable brand voice. If these brands were individuals and you heard them talking on the street, you’d probably have a good indicator of who they are and what they are about. 

Even for brands that have evolved over time, their immediate recognition is why it’s so important for brands – no matter how small – to build a brand voice.

Need help refining your brand’s voice? Watch what we can brew for you!  

4 Reasons Why You Need to Create A Consistent Business Brand Voice

Aside from having the potential to boost your revenue by 23%, your brand voice also builds trust between you and your audience in these 4 ways:

  1. How recognizable you are
  2. Your ability to build and maintain relationships
  3. Your uniqueness in the marketplace
  4. How authentic your audience believes you are

1. Your Recognition

What makes your brand stand out from the competition?

The content you produce can make your brand both memorable and immediately recognizable, which is essential to the customer journey. The more someone recognizes your brand, the more likely they are to convert to a buying customer. And, eventually, a loyal customer if you continue to think about the customer journey in every business aspect. 

2. Your Ability To Build Relationships

The more someone recognizes and interacts with your specific brand, the more likely they are to grow attached to you over time. By keeping your content transparent and true to your purpose, you continue to relate to your customers and build a relationship based on trust, similar interests, and mutual understanding. It’s kind of like dating with fewer strings attached.

3. Your Uniqueness

Most likely, you are not the only one of you out in the world. Likewise, we are not the only copywriting firm out in the marketplace. But we are the only FocusCopy out there. So we’re going to lean on our own uniqueness. And that’s something no one can steal from us. We combine our…

  • Years of experience
  • Ability to teach others
  • Love of coffee

…And other special tidbits to create a brand voice that’s credible and colorful. But that’s not quite all.

4. Your Authenticity

Authenticity should always be blended into your brand voice. In a world where only about 31% of customers trust most of the brands they use, continue to be true to yourself. Lying about your company, services, or products will set you up for failure and ruin your reputation. It’s best to be honest and connect to your audience on a human-to-human level than tell them whatever they want to hear. 

Ready to see more of your distinct brand in your copy? Let’s talk shop!

Breaking Down Your Brand’s Voice

Alright, from the top!

What exactly is a brand voice?

Your brand voice is broken down into 3 distinct categories: Consistency, Clarity, and Character. 

Different Cup Of Copy, Similar Quality

Consistency in your brand’s voice is where strategy and uniformity meet. Whether your audience is looking at posts on your TikTok, Instagram, website, or any other platform, your brand’s voice should be consistent across every single one of them. 

Apple is a fantastic example of a company that is consistent about its brand voice. They prefer short, clean copy that explains simply what their product has to offer. A few ideas from previous ads include:

  • Light. Years ahead. (MacBook)
  • Thinnovation (MacBook Air)
  • Privacy matters (iPhone)

Creating your own brand’s consistent voice doesn’t mean making 1 person responsible for creating all of your content forever. We do suggest hiring copywriters (like us) who can learn your voice and apply it to all future copy. Especially since it takes about 5-7 impressions before someone starts to truly recognize your brand.

Make It Simple To Understand

Clarity is just as it sounds in that any copy you create should be concise, direct, and easy to understand. Being too verbose or detailed can actually turn your audience off. Give them the big picture in a summary and tack on highlights to answer their frequently asked questions. An easy way to structure your content is by ensuring you answer the who, what, when, where, and why for whatever it is that you’re writing about.

An example of this can be found in Fitbit’s ads that use phrases like…

  • Know Your Heart Rate
  • Track Activity
  • Your best wellness tracker yet.

Their copy is straightforward and lets you know right away what you can expect from their products. 

Add Shots Of Flavor

Character is the pop of personality you decide to add to your brand’s voice. It’s that something extra that sets you apart from the rest of the crowd. You may decide to adopt a certain persona to fit what your audience likes. Or you may start using certain words or phrases to fit a theme you’d like to align your brand with. 

A large-scale example of a brand’s character is seen in the Houston Astros content. Their copy is, of course, aligned with baseball but also uses space themes and references to its hometown NASA roots. Another example is Chick-fil-A – known for its misspelled ads and a touch of Southern charm.

Create A Consistent Brand Voice With One Copywriting Firm

We write content for a variety of industries like bookkeeping, aviation, construction, and even chocolate (so much fun). And we like to partially attribute our portfolio to the process we’ve worked so hard to develop and define over time.

If you’re done sitting on copy that never seems to get published, we’re the copy baristas you need to bring your brand to life. Reach out today to get started.

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words
is copywriting dead

Is Copywriting Dead In A World Full Of AI Writing?

The big question…Is copywriting dead?

AI, while it’s been around since the 1950s, has recently taken the world by storm. It’s become more widely spread – not just among businesses but general consumers as well. And that’s resulted in consumers believing that AI is the next get-rich-quick scheme. 

It isn’t that we don’t love innovative tech (we do!). But for those looking at it as a way to skip out on spending on quality marketing, we’re here to break some bad news. 

After sitting on numerous panels over the last 6 months to discuss this very topic, the same conclusion is met every single time. 

AI is a tool and will never replace humans in their entirety. It will only make humans more efficient (if they actually know how to optimize AI). The reasoning behind this? Well, as you’ll see, there are layers to this conclusion.

Using AI but still need quality copywriting for your business? Schedule a discovery call!

The Impact Of AI Writing Tools On Businesses

So, what is the true impact of AI writing tools on a business? 

First, it starts with the intent. 

Then, it goes into how you implement AI writing into your business. 

Simply put, AI writing isn’t going to do the same job as a full or even part-time copywriter. But it can offer ways for your business to market more efficiently than without it.

Answering Your Top AI Copywriting Questions

The following are some of the most pressing questions we’ve been hearing from business owners like yourself…

Is Copywriting Dead?

No, copywriting is not dead. In fact, it’s even more prevalent today with the presence of AI. That’s because humans are becoming savvier at detecting inauthentic and robotic writing. They have more of a desire to connect with other humans than ever before. We believe that the pandemic only exacerbated this need. 

Furthermore, while AI writing might be able to produce some content for you, it may not have the positive effect on your SEO that you might think. But we’ll talk about that a little later.

What Can You Use AI Writing Tools For? 

Don’t get us wrong! AI writing tools can be useful when it comes to other aspects of writing for your business.

Brainstorming

Fresh out of ideas or tired of looking at a blank page? 

You can prompt AI writing tools like ChatGPT to help you elaborate on a topic you have in mind. For example, say you want to write a nutrition blog featuring 10 healthy fats but you can only think of a few. You can use AI software to help you brainstorm and come up with ideas to fill out your blog. 

Keyword Research

Anyone in marketing knows that SEO and keyword research are tricky tasks. This is because the algorithm changes constantly, keeping up with…

  • What people are searching for
  • Separating those searches by area
  • Narrowing down the keywords by region, etc.

But there are AI keyword research tools like Keyword Sheeter that can offer basic search terms and popular keywords depending on what you’re interested in. Keep in mind that most SEO tools are paid; however, free SEO AI tools can provide enough general keyword research to get you going.

Topic Research

Many people think that creating blog outlines is easily the most simple part of writing a blog. But coming up with a comprehensive outline isn’t always part of a quick process. AI tools like copy.ai allow you to type in a prompt of your choosing. Then, it spits out a general outline that you can follow to finish filling in your blog with original content that speaks to your business and brand. 

Headline Ideation

Running out of ways to say something that will leave a big impact? More often than not, most online users read or skim over headlines without looking too much at the content (until they need to). So if your headlines aren’t punchy, your audience is more likely to forget your messaging completely. Using tools like Wordtune can give you multiple options for what you’re trying to say and encourage your brain to read it from a different angle, helping you create headlines that pack more of a punch for your audience.

Are AI Writing Tools Enough For Copywriting & Content Writing? 

At its core, it’s a tool. But it’s not a replacement for copywriting and content writing – especially if you care about providing real value and making honest human connections with your target audience. 

Looking for a custom copywriting experience? Schedule a discovery call with us today!

What Are The Limitations Of AI Writing Tools? 

Yes, there are plenty of ways AI writing tools can help. There are also a few things to keep in mind as you use them.

Detached Voice Quality

AI writing can only do so much to make your copy sound and come across as authentic, personable, and vibrant as you are. So don’t be surprised if you end up reading copy that sounds dry, overly fluffy, or…monotonous. A robot cannot quote the look on someone’s face, but a copywriter will always be able to accurately describe it.

Privacy Check

You might want to check with your legal team about using AI writing for business-related purposes – especially if you’re using a company device to do so. Because AI writing itself is fairly new, many attorneys are not certain about how it protects data privacy for its users. Even big tech companies like Apple are restricting the use of popular AI platforms.

Confirm Citations

Writing online gives us access to so much information we didn’t have access to before. However, there is one major problem that comes with the use of consuming online information. The same goes for AI writing, especially if you’re an expert sharing advice for others to use. When using AI-written information, ask yourself:

  • Where is the source of the information coming from? 
  • Is the source or are the sources reputable?
  • Is it easy to refer back to the source and find the same information?
  • Is it logical advice that makes sense to share?

If you can answer all of these questions and feel good about each source and its roots, it should be okay to publish. Don’t forget to cross reference or link the information you’re sharing with the right citation.

Intellectual Property Policies

This one is more important than you might think. Are you copying and pasting sensitive company information? Are you using information that contains original ideas or innovations you don’t own the rights to? Read the terms and conditions of every AI tool you’re using (or pass it on to your business attorney). 

Oftentimes, when you’re working with free AI tools, you become the product. And so they own “your” writing, which might welcome some unwanted confusion about intellectual property and who owns what. 

Seriously! Don’t ignore this point if your life’s work or someone else’s invention is on the line.

Will AI Replace Human Writers? 

No, but it will make human writers more efficient. Whether you’re a professional copywriter or small business owner slash marketing director and everything in between, using AI can help streamline basic writing tasks – leaving more opportunities to be creative. 

Infuse AI & Professional Copywriting Into Your Marketing Plans

AI tools that support our writing are great! Some days, we feel as though it would be hard to live without them. But we also remember that our ability to connect human to human is unmatched. When it comes to our clients, we work with AI tools to create unique, original content for your business. Ready to stop stalling and start publishing? Simply schedule a discovery call with our team to get started!

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words
What's A Pain Point Sandwich?

What’s A Pain Point Sandwich? (And How It Makes A Big Impact On Your Copy)

Does your business’s copy include a pain point sandwich?

What’s a pain point sandwich?

We’re glad you asked! 

Good copywriters know that connecting with an audience means more than talking solely about a business and its offerings (yawn).

We like using pain point sandwiches in our writing because it’s fun, establishes trust, and really does make sense! 

Ready to delegate your writing to the experts? Talk to our team to get going.

Why It’s Beneficial To Talk Less About Your Business & Include A Pain Point Sandwich Instead

If you take a moment to glance at your business’s website copy, does it sound like you might be heading in the me, me, me direction?

It’s time to switch it up, especially if the phone hasn’t been ringing for quite some time.

If you’re a business owner, this might be tough to grasp. But it rings true with every kind of copy we’ve come up with that has performed beyond our client’s expectations. This is because we’re using client-focused copy to… 

  • Build trust by reaching them on a human level
  • Keep the attention on the target audiences and their problem
  • Provide a meaningful solution without being too salesy

Every single one of these items is a key to achieving your ultimate goal – turning readers into paying customers. But it all starts with understanding each element at its core to really get the big picture.

What’s A Pain Point Sandwich?

A pain point sandwich looks something like this…

Pain point → Don’t have the time or capacity to write your own website?

Solution → Hire professional copywriters to do it for you!

Pain point → If your website is failing to give you strong potential leads, it could be because your copy is outdated, unclear, or otherwise unconnected with your customer base. We can help!

See? You don’t need a magic formula or extensive research to simply call out your customers’ pain points, offer a solution, and remind them of other pain points that give your solution real value.

Why Pain Point Sandwiches Work

Humans are forgetful. In fact, it’s been reported that over the last decade or so, our attention spans have been reduced to less than that of a goldfish (Time). And since that report, I can only assume it’s gotten worse with content overload, the boom of short video content, and the isolation that the pandemic brought to many. 

That’s why it’s imperative to use pain point sandwiches in your copy – to remind them of the pain point they just read about. The more they resonate with the pain point, the more likely they are going to be open to buying from you. 

Using You Instead Of We Is Life-Changing

Almost 70% of customers feel as though they must trust a brand before they make a purchase. So when you write and speak to your audience like a real human being, you’re able to build some of that much-needed trust as soon as they reach your website. 

Along with that newly established trust is the opportunity to turn a website visitor into a buying customer. And the more you speak their language, the more chance you have at transforming them into a repeat customer. 

The best way to do this is by swapping I, us, and our language for you, yours, and we wording. This way, you are still able to share your business’s message while offering authentic copy your customers can relate to. 

Your Customers’ Pain Point Examples Deserve A Callout

Remember, your business cannot exist solely because of your need to make money. Yes, profit is a big part of what you do. But you also need to reassure your audience that your company’s purpose is to make their lives easier. 

Try to switch up copy you create to call out your customers’ pain points. This is one surefire way to remind them that you know what they’re going through and that you’re committed to solving their issue.

Here are a few examples of our own…

???? You can’t stand writing!

???? There is no room in your schedule to do it yourself – otherwise, you would!

????‍???? You don’t know how or where to start writing for your website.

???? You’re afraid that another person’s writing won’t sound like you at all. 

There’s no need to dance around the issues your customers face. You also don’t need to use this opportunity to talk only about yourself. Your potential customers want to be sure that you understand where they’re coming from before they can even begin to trust you. Only then should you talk about your business while maintaining a voice of empathy and connection. 

Define How Your Business Solves Their Problem

Whether you offer one spectacular service or a slew of various solutions, it’s important for your customers to know your business’s true value.

Remember those previous pain point examples? 

Let’s go right back to them and address the value of our offerings to our ideal customers.

FocusCopy exists to…

✅ Take the writing off of your to-do list.

???? Give you time to focus on your priorities without neglecting your digital marketing.

???? Put your mind at ease by providing a clear strategy and delivery timeline that works for you.

???? Relieve your worries by creating copy that’s consistent with your brand’s tone, voice, and style. 

There’s no catch! 

This type of copy works because we really do know what business owners and entrepreneurs go through when they’re thinking about writing for their businesses. 

Not everyone likes to write or thinks they’re even good at writing – and that’s okay! We understand and we’re here to solve the problem with copywriting services that we stand by 100%.

Contact FocusCopy for concise copy delivered right to your inbox.

Talk To Your Customers Using A Team Of Professional Writers

Creating value-centered copy is our house blend…our special brew…our personal choice all day, every day. 

Creating copy that resonates with our clients and their clients is something that we’re proud to dive into with pure focus and dedication. There’s nothing like looking at a blank page (most people’s worst nightmare) while our mind is churning with ideas to jot down.

Interested in seeing how client-focused copy can change your marketing? Get started with FocusCopy!

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words
Writing Copy With Empathy

6 Actionable Tips To Writing Copy With Empathy

Are your marketing efforts reaching your ideal customer?

There’s a whole science behind writing for business. Copywriting soft skills are critical to provoking emotion.

And empathy, well, it’s one of the most important and impactful elements.

Copywriters need empathy to infuse our work with humanity and thought-provoking copy. This allows our clients’ ideal audience to relate to the copy on a human level.

If you’re not reaching the right people, it may be because you’re missing the human elements your audience craves.

So how do you practice empathy in 6 actionable tips?

  1. Read books
  2. Create personas
  3. Ask more questions
  4. Engage with the people in your life
  5. Put the reader first
  6. Write conversationally

Don’t worry, we’ll dive into each empathy practice below so that you can strengthen your ability to breathe humanity into your writing. 

What is Empathy & Why Is It Important?

Empathy (/ˈempəTHē/) is the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner. (Merriam-Webster)

Why’s it important?

For starters, psychopaths lack empathy. ?

There’s a lot more reason why it’s held in such high regard – beyond not sounding like a psychopath. 

Empathy helps us see a situation from another person’s perspective. This is incredibly important in all human relationships. 

Infuse your brand messaging with emotion-provoking copy that converts. Schedule a discovery session to learn more. 

Empathy: The Real Power Behind Your Words 

Since we write for businesses, our goal is to empathize with readers’ pain points. But it would be impossible to do this without putting ourselves in their shoes and really thinking about their struggles.

Furthermore, for the features of your products and/or services to stand out, potential customers need to understand how they will improve their lives.

This is best done by using empathy in words to illustrate the benefits that your business offers. 

For instance, does the what’s for dinner question make you cringe on a nightly basis?

What if you came across someone on social media or from scouring Google who offers a variety of services to make dinner time easier?

At the same time, what if they teach you to cook delicious and nutritious meals even your pickiest family members love?

And save money?

And reduce your carbon footprint?

There are a whole lot of life-changing benefits in that package! 

By empathetically connecting with readers, you can hone in on their pain points. Then, they will find the solutions your business offers more impactful to their lives. Next, your readers take the next step on the customer journey and convert!

Conversion can mean different things. It can include:

  • Download your lead magnet
  • Sign up for your email newsletter
  • Follow your social media accounts
  • Purchase your least costly service or product

But here’s the thing – any step on the conversion ladder is a win in a business owner’s book! 

As you continue to nurture your paying (and non-paying) leads with empathy, they will continue to get closer to being your best customer. 

How To Develop Copywriting Soft Skills Like Empathy 

While empathy is a normal human behavior, it comes easier to some than others. 

And no, it doesn’t mean you are a categorial psychopath. 

It just means you haven’t done as much work as the others to practice empathy. But like all things in life, this skill gets stronger with practice.

Explore these methods to develop soft skills for copywriting like empathy, compassion, and sympathy. 

Ready to hand your copy over to the pros? Schedule a discovery call and learn how we can breathe humanity into your business’s copy. 

Read Books 

There’s nothing like a good book to put yourself in another person’s head, even if that other person is a fictional character. Reading is the key to exploring and learning about other cultures and their struggles, challenges, and reasons for celebration across the world. 

Create Personas 

Have you ever had to create a character?

It sounds easier than it is, but also gets easier with practice.

For example, think about a school teacher named Sarah.

Now, consider what era Sarah lives in. What is going on in the world while Sarah is teaching?

Is she single, married, or have kids?

What does she do for fun?

How does she wind down after a busy day?

Does she exercise regularly and cook every night?

Or is she always so busy she can’t find time to workout and hits up the drive-thru after work every day?

Does she frequent the city’s finest restaurants nearly every night?

What products would make her teaching job easier?

Are there any services that would make the rest of her life easier?

These are all prompts to help you see the world from a new perspective. And through this type of practice, you can strengthen your ability to empathize with your audience. 

Ask More Questions 

One of our favorite questions to ask at FocusCopy is simply why?

Why did you start your business?

Why do you offer that service?

And why is success important to you?

Then, we keep asking why. This is because the why behind a need, want, goal, or ambition is so important to understand a person’s perspective. It helps us to empathize with them on a human level, write in their voice and tone, and engage with their audience. 

Practice asking more questions when speaking to friends, family, and colleagues. It will help you improve your relationships and might even inspire you to do something great!

Engage With The People In Your Life 

Introverts like us have got to put our social hats on every once in a while. No matter how cozy we are in our own homes, engaging with the people in our lives is important for so many reasons.

Aside from nurturing relationships, engaging with others helps build empathy. The trick is to listen carefully. 

When you understand what’s going on in other people’s lives, you better understand their challenges. Whether they need moral support or something more tangible, the key to determining their needs is to listen carefully and ask questions. 

Put The Reader First 

This might be a hard pill to swallow, but no one wants to read about you. What they want is to read about what you can do for them. 

You don’t have to totally dismiss your accolades, impressive collaborations, or esteemed colleagues. Their logos, reviews, and other mentions can be used to build credibility. 

However, the goal is to keep your business’s writing focused on the reader, not you. 

Write Conversationally 

Do you write the same way you speak?

If you’re not sure, give it a shot. There are several ways to practice writing conversationally. Here are a few of my favorites.

1. Read what you’ve written out loud. 

Does it sound natural? Would you really engage in an in-person conversation with those words? Or does it sound stuffy, and maybe a little too formal?

2. Try speech-to-text.

Do you ever feel like you know what you want to say, you just can’t write it? Then, try speaking it instead!

Most computers and phones have talk-to-text functions these days. Just hit the button and start talking. Compare your speech-to-text transcription with how you originally typed out the same message. Any glaring differences? Does it read more naturally? 

3. Write like you are talking to a friend. 

You wouldn’t turn a relaxed conversation into a formal business presentation, would you? But you still want to tell your friends about what you’re up to.

Those laid back conversations may be the ticket to writing on a human level. 

FocusCopy Breathes Empathy & Humanity Into Your Copy 

There’s a long list of jargon copywriters keep up with. From SEO and analytics to meta descriptions and content clusters, it’s easy to get caught up in the inner workings of the algorithm. 

However, what’s not ok is to lose the human element in an attempt to hit all the technical marks.

FocusCopy works with women-owned businesses to help them meet their professional goals while maintaining their authentic voice. We do this with continuing education, SEO, and most importantly – staying true to the brand voice.

Want to learn how FocusCopy can elevate your brand’s messaging? Schedule a discovery call with me today!

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words
what is copywriting

What Is Copywriting?

Did you get through all of Mad Men and still wonder, what do they mean by copy?

We get this question a lot. Honestly, at some point in every copywriter’s past, they also wondered, what exactly is copywriting?

For those of us who have turned it into a fulfilling career, copywriting is in its most basic form writing persuasive and converting copy. But it’s not that simple.

Between understanding what consumers want, Google algorithms, and getting the message across in a way that’s consistent with the brand voice – it’s a science. Furthermore, it requires constant attention to industry standards, research, and fortitude to guide clients to the right messaging for their businesses. 

The Definition Of Copywriting

A quick glimpse into your inbox and physical mailbox will give you several examples of copywriting. From neighborhood civic association underwriter letters to a yoga studio’s emails offering a free first class, copy is everywhere. 

To define it at a high level, copywriting is the act of writing persuasive and promotional marketing materials. Moreover, copywriting’s goal is to motivate readers to take some form of action. This includes calls to action like: make a purchase, click on a link, make a donation, or schedule a discovery call.

Need a copywriter in your life to ensure your website, newsletters, blogs, email marketing, and print materials are working for your business? Reach out and find out how we can take the stress of writing off your plate with effective converting copy.

Copyright Vs Copywriting 

Due to them being homophones, copyright is often confused with copywriting. But it’s important to realize they are two different things.

Copyright is a legal term that protects original works of intellectual property. Whereas copywriting is a marketing tool used to convert readers into paying customers. 

To put it in pop culture terms, have you ever been listening to the radio and realized a song sounds awfully familiar to you? There’s a good chance this new-to-you song is sampled from an old favorite. It happens a lot and isn’t a huge issue. Unless, of course, this up and coming musician didn’t get permission to use said sample. Then, there would be a copyright issue. 

The same can be said for website designs, works of fine art, literature, movie scripts, and more.

Copywriting can also risk copyright infringement if protected words or phrases are used. Furthermore, copywriters can certainly write about copyright law. But the two are entirely different terms from two different industries.

Top 5 Questions About Copywriting 

We get a lot of questions about copywriting. Here are the most common:

  • Who writes copy? 
  • What does a copywriter do?
  • Who needs copywriting? 
  • What’s the difference between a copywriter and a content writer? 
  • What’s the purpose of copy? 

1. Who Writes Copy? 

A copywriter. 

While there isn’t a certification requirement to call oneself a copywriter, there are more than a few qualities that define a quality copywriter. A successful copywriter will write in your voice, relate to your audience, and will help your business organically grow in recognition and profitability.

2. What Does A Copywriter Do? 

The first stage in writing copy is getting to know the client. Then, we must get to know their target market. It’s more than saying, I think women between the ages of 20 and 30 would like this product

For instance, let’s look at a female entrepreneur who has created a course to help female business owners grow their businesses. We get to know the client, the tone they want to convey, their favorite phrases, their no-go words or phrases, and so much more. This is how we define the client’s brand voice

Their target market identifies as female business owners ready to scale their business, but don’t have an effective plan in place.

The target audience may feel overwhelmed in what feels like a man’s world. They know their product and service inside and out. But they don’t have the knowledge or confidence to take the next step. However, taking that next step prematurely could severely damage their business. These are all examples of the target market’s pain points. 

Once we dial in the client and their target market, we define the objective. Do we want them to schedule a discovery call? Download a lead magnet? Sign up for a class?

Then, we take everything we’ve learned through mindful research and start typing away. We strategically write copy that:

  • Help the target audience find their business
  • Increase the business’s Google ranking
  • Address the target audience’s needs and wants 
  • Effectively communicate how your brand is the solution they need in their lives
  • Build credibility to show the readers they can trust the business

Plus, we have stringent processes to ensure top quality every time. 

3. Who Needs Copywriting? 

Any person, business, or organization that wants to reach a larger audience and turn readers into paying customers or donors needs a copywriter.

Many times, business owners (especially new ones) try to take on more tasks than they can handle. What’s worse is when business owners attempt to become experts in fields that are out of their wheelhouse. As I’ve seen with so many companies, this leads to legal, financial, and marketing blunders!

For instance, unless you’re a doctor, you shouldn’t give medical advice. The same goes for those without law degrees giving legal advice. Not only would the research take up all the time you should be dedicating to your business, you still won’t become an expert. And if you’ve been handling all your business’s finances and taxes solo, you’re likely missing out on huge tax breaks and receiving unfortunate letters from the IRS. 

DIYing your marketing and copywriting won’t land you in the same hot water as spewing legal advice, but it can severely affect your business. Because unless you’re ready to dedicate ALL of your time to learning the tricks of the trade, your copy won’t be nearly as effective as your business deserves. 

Did you know that poor quality copy can actually turn off potential customers? Yep. And what about the new customers you need to help your business really grow? 

Without a steadfast plan and the know-how, your marketing can easily fall flat. That’s why business owners like you hire copywriters like us. Plus, your time is a lot more effective when you do what you do best. 

4. What’s the Difference Between A Copywriter And A Content Writer? 

This is one of those tricky vs maybe not-so-tricky concepts. Essentially, a content writer provides information. And a copywriter writes persuasive and converting copy to make sales. 

However, content writing is a form of copywriting. Because while the goal of the content may be informative, you can still include persuasive language and calls to action to encourage readers to take action.

For example, content writing can include informational pages on a website. This can include blog posts, product/service pages, landing pages, and more. But with each of these formats, sly plugs to contact the business for more information have them teetering on the edge of content and copy.

Want to learn more about how content and copy can help your business gain the traction it needs? Schedule a discovery call today! (See what I did there?)

5. What’s The Purpose Of Copy? 

The goal, purpose, and objective of copy is to encourage your readers to take action. And, in turn, help your business grow.

Moreover, we reach a business’s target audience and encourage them to take action that will convert them from readers into paying customers. Because, as many business owners can tell you, simply sharing the product or service you offer isn’t always enough to make sales.

Instead, us copywriters dive deep into the why?

Why does this product or service matter?

Why would a consumer or fellow business purchase your product or service?

Why is your product or service the solution your target market has been searching for?

And then we ask why again. And again. And again.

This process allows us to empathize, sympathize, and relate to your readers on a personal level. And this is how copy can effectively make the difference between a struggling business and a thriving business. 

Looking For Your Next Copywriter?

If you’re looking for your next copywriter, you need to know what to look for. A professional with experience in your industry, with proven processes, good reviews, and overall reliability. 

But you don’t have to look very far, because FocusCopy is the solution you need. With nearly 100 clients under our belt in every industry you can imagine, we’ve got the experience and know-how your marketing needs.

Ready to grab a coffee and talk copy? Reach out today to schedule a discovery call and let’s chat business.

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ways copywriting helps businesses

7 Ways Copywriting Helps Businesses Reach Their Goals Swiftly & Profitably

Interested in learning more about the ways copywriting helps businesses? For some business owners, writing their own copy isn’t a huge undertaking and the words come easily. However, to others, copywriting is a dreadful task. 

One of the most common things we hear from our clients is, “I hate writing.” We get it! Even though we’re passionate about what we do, it isn’t always our favorite cup of tea java every day either – haha!

However, deciding you don’t need a professional copywriter is a huge mistake. 86% of professionals agree their audience judges their brand negatively if they see errors in their copy. In fact, 72% of people will judge a business based on their business cards alone. Think about it – are your business cards giving too much or too little information? What about typos or incomplete addresses and phone numbers?

Even if you’re a great writer, having a copywriter on hand saves you from having to do it all yourself.

Ready to improve your business’s profitability with copy that converts? Get started with FocusCopy.

Why Businesses Need Strong Copywriting In Marketing & Sales

As we learned with COVID and eventually the virtual overload, you cannot be all places at all times. Copywriting helps you get your pitches down in writing so you can help your customers move along their customer journey without ever having to get in your car or hop on a Zoom meeting. 

One of the most common problems businesses face is customers calling to ask for information that your website should quickly answer. Look at your website and social media if you experience repeat calls asking the same questions. Is the information clear across all platforms?

If not, a copywriter can rework the information and streamline its readability to keep your potential readers motivated to take the next step in the buying process. A copywriter can also help you create other cohesive and engaging assets like flyers, posters, emails, newsletters, etc.

Do you need one or all of the above assets? We can help!

How Copywriting Helps Businesses Grow & Scale

Here are 7 ways copywriting helps businesses and adds value to your marketing assets.

1. It Builds Customer Relationships

Most people buy from businesses they feel they know and trust. But building a real, trusting, and beneficial relationship between the customer and your business takes work.  

If you have trouble connecting with your audience, hiring a professional copywriter allows you to focus on your goals using long-term techniques. 

A copywriter can help bring you and your customers together by giving them the information they need without placing too much pressure on them to make a decision right away. Using a carefully planned campaign is how copywriting helps businesses attract new customers and keep them coming back for more until they’re ready to make a purchase. 

2. It Extends Your Brand Recognition & Reach

As more people connect with your words, they will likely remember who you are and suggest your company to other people. Think about it this way, I’ll bet you know each of these companies by just their tagline or motto alone…

Ever heard…Just do it

What about…What’s in your wallet

And no one will soon forget what “the breakfast of champions” means.

Great copy shouldn’t be underestimated. Even without billions of dollars, local businesses continue to make a name for themselves through great copy. And it’s because they put extra effort into their writing and understand its long-term benefits.

3. It Pushes Your Target Audience Through The Customer Journey

Part of any ideal marketing copywriting style includes the ability to appeal to a particular audience to get them to buy. Because writers tend to work with various clients, it’s also important for your writer to be able to use their writing to connect with your customers genuinely. A few tactics copywriters use to relate to your customers and encourage them to make a purchase include:

  • Addressing pain points
  • Providing solutions with persuasive communication
  • Making the experience personal
  • Understanding each step in the customer journey

Each of these sounds simple and logical enough. But getting these ideas into words is much more difficult than you think. However, having the skills to do this is crucial to getting your message across so that readers will take the next step.

4. It Increases Traffic To Your Website (Without Needing PPC)

Small businesses struggle to compete with larger businesses because those companies often pay to increase the success of their online marketing. You may recognize this strategy in the ads you see on Instagram or promoted products that appear while you browse the web. Both are referred to as pay per click advertising (PPC). But you don’t need to have a budget for paid advertising to be successful.

Quality copywriting on your social media, optimized in blogs, and on other assets attract people to your website without trying too hard. Again, the idea is to have your copy work for you. If your potential audience is confused about what you do and how you do it, your writing works against you.

5. It Gets You Out Of Meetings So You Can Work On Your Business

A professional copywriter will have their own process in place to ensure the work is done on time and reviewed carefully before reaching your inbox. This means you spend less time worrying about the logistics of your marketing efforts and more time focusing on your more pertinent responsibilities. It’s all part of the delegating process of your business model, which allows you to balance your must-do and want-to-do lists.

6. It Converts Prospects Into Paying Clients 

A solid copywriting foundation starts with the ability to be creative and self-starting. The perfect words don’t always appear immediately. It takes motivation and the ability to generate copy out of nothing to create something tangible. This isn’t easy for most people, which is why having a professional copywriter takes the responsibility of balancing these skills off your plate.

7. It Doesn’t Rely On Human Capital To Grow

Your website works for you whether you’re in the office or not. Read that again.

A professional copywriter helps entrepreneurs like you save time from having to answer the same questions and stay on the clock 24 hours a day to generate more sales. Having evergreen digital assets like a website with comprehensive writing lets someone take action immediately.

Benefit From The Many Ways Quality Copywriting Helps Businesses & Create A Bold Brand Following

We understand that your business is your pride and joy. We’re here to help grow your business by reaching a larger audience and converting them into loyal customers through strategic copywriting.

Let’s be real. You have a deadline in mind for your next project. Let’s talk about making it happen!

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

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difference between copyright and copywriting

What’s The Difference Between Copyright & Copywriting?

In-person conversations about what we do often lead to a subplot about the difference between copywriting and copyright. And no, it’s not annoying…despite how many times our parents ask about copyright law…

But there is a big difference between copywriting and copyright law. For starters, one is a term for writing copy. In our case, writing high-converting copy for female entrepreneurs who don’t have the time to write, or in some cases, just hate writing. 

And the latter is a legal term about authorship and intellectual property. 

Do the two ever become intertwined in real life, aside from sounding exactly the same? Sure. But that’s beside the point…for now. 

Need to zero in on your brand messaging to reach your ideal clients and grow your business? Get in touch with FocusCopy today!

What Is Copyright?

Whether you’re a movie buff, avid reader, fine art aficionado, or are always listening to music, you may have seen your favorite artist in the news at some point over copyright litigation. 

That’s because copyright is a type of protection for original works of intellectual property. This can include lyrics, phrases, music samplings, paintings, software, architecture, and so much more.

This may have millennials reminiscing about Vanilla Ice differentiating the Ice, Ice, Baby bass line from David Bowie and Queen’s Under Pressure. Even Houston’s hometown star Lizzo has been in the news over writing credits for her breakout song Truth Hurts

Is Copyright The Same As Patents & Trademarks?

Nope! While all three offer protections, they are not the same. In fact, an inventor or scientist may file for a patent to protect their inventions or discoveries. While a trademark protects words, symbols, or designs that identify and distinguish their goods and services. For instance, you wouldn’t want a competing business within the same industry to use your business name and logo, right? But if it’s an entirely irrelevant business, then it might not matter so much.

At What Point Is Intellectual Property Protected?

According to copyright.gov, “Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.”

However, if you want to bring a copyright issue to court, then you must register your work. Whether that be a piece of fine art, your latest freestyle, or even your innovative building design – it’s never a bad idea to talk to a copyright lawyer. 

What Is Copywriting? 

Ahhh…I’m glad you asked!

In its most basic definition, copywriting is the act of writing materials to encourage a reader to take action. This can include: 

  • Attending an event
  • Making a purchase
  • Signing up for a service
  • Donating to a worthy cause
  • Liking and sharing a social media post

I’m pretty sure every generation can find examples of copywriting they’ve read that led them to take action. 

Most of what you read online these days is copywriting. I’m talking webpages, email newsletters, blogs, and those landing pages that pop up encouraging you to share your email address in exchange for something you want. Out there in the world, some copywriter (with a dog or cat at their feet) wrote those words in a strategic fashion to encourage you, the reader, to make a move. 

You may be thinking, Why would I hire someone to write? I know how to write!

We don’t doubt that! 

But ask yourself,

Do you really have the time? 

And if so, where’s all the writing you’ve been producing? 

Is it reaching your target audience effectively? 

Are you seeing results in your business? 

Or is it falling flat?

As professional copywriters, we do a ton of research and have even more processes. We strive to raise your Google ranking to be at the top of the page when someone searches for the products or services you offer. And to do that, we have to keep up with Google’s constantly changing algorithm, get into your voice so that not even your spouse or neighbor would know the difference, write effectively, and so much more. 

At the writing of this blog, we’ve just signed our 90th brand as we gear up to celebrate FocusCopy’s 3rd anniversary. Let’s grab coffee and see how we can help your business.

The Big Difference Between Copyright & Copywriting 

One is a legal term and the other is a marketing and sales resource. However, I’d have to say the biggest difference is that copywriting produces words that you may want protected through copyright law.

As mentioned above, copywriting can be copyrighted. But unless an attorney, The U.S. Copyright Office, or someone else who can benefit from us writing about copyright can benefit, it’s unlikely you’ll see us copywrite about copyright. Except, obviously, right now. 

If you want to ensure your tangible form of expression is protected, then you should speak to a copyright, intellectual property, or business attorney. Trust us, through our research – we’ve come across a ton of examples of copyright infringement.

Whereas if you need a copywriter to help you write your copy, then look no further! Through our processes, we hone in on each client’s individual voice. We learn the tones, phrases they like, phrases they hate, their goals, their vision, their mission, and so much more. The results are happy clients who are able to publish meaningful copy that truly helps their businesses reach a larger target audience. 

Want Meaningful Copy To Caffeinate Your Brand Messaging?

FocusCopy takes the writing tasks off your plate so you can focus on growing your business. Whether you just can’t find the time, hate writing, don’t feel confident in your writing, or something else – we can help. 

In just under 3 years, we’ve helped 90 business owners (and counting) publish clear and focused copy to elevate their messaging and grow their businesses. Our ever evolving processes give us the tools to document your brand voice and write so that not even your mom will raise an eyebrow. Whether you need a helping hand or want the writing completely off your to-do list, we’re here to be your strategic partner. Schedule a discovery call today and learn what we can do for your business!

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Persuasion Principles To Write Converting Copy

How To Use Persuasion Principles To Write Converting Copy

There is a lot noise in the world. 

And it can be deafening. 

That’s why you as a business owner need to be more persuasive and more engaging in your conversations with your target audience to rise above the noise. 

How do you go about doing that? 

You use persuasion principles to write converting copy

What Are The Persuasion Principles?

Robert B. Cialdini, author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, developed these persuasion strategies to influence people to do, think, or say certain things. They’re easy strategies to use in your business writing that help customers understand exactly how valuable your services are. With the right persuasion tactics, you can give your potential leads clear vision for how you can improve their lives. 

Before you get into a mindset of persuasion is simply manipulation, I want to reframe that thought. 

With your copy, I don’t want you to force anyone or manipulate anyone to purchase your offering if it isn’t solving a real problem (whatever that problem will be). For example, we offer copywriting services. However, if a person is dead set on not producing any copy (for whatever reason), I am not going to manipulate or force them into something they are not interested in. That’s sleazy and is not the intent of this article. Instead, we’re just using these principles to frame your work in the best possible light.

Reciprocity

Reciprocity is one of my favorite persuasion principles. Maybe it’s my people-pleasing tendencies, but I love giving something back if someone has given me something. Reciprocity is “a relation of mutual dependence or action or influence” (WordHippo).

BNI is a referral networking organization that exemplifies this persuasion principle really well. They rely on the principle of “Giver’s Gain”. In other words, if I give you referrals, I will receive referrals in return. In my personal experience with BNI, this rings true every single time I pass qualified referrals to another member. 

Commitment & Consistency

This may top reciprocity as my favorite principle. From an early age, I remember being frustrated when people would say “yes” and then say “no” when a better option came along. As a result, I developed a mentality that my “yeses” will be 100%. There is no turning back. No returns or takebacks. When you commit and remain consistent, you build credibility with the other party. 

In simple terms, this is best displayed when you make your vows to your spouse to love them through sickness and health. But it could also show in your public pursuit of a conspiracy theory (even if the evidence stacks against it). 

Social Proof

Social proof might sound like a foreign concept, but we all know it by a more familiar term – peer pressure. When you employ social proof in your writing, you’re using the age old tactic of “C’mon! Everyone else is doing it!” 

While we’ve all heard we shouldn’t jump off a cliff (even if all our friends are doing it), social proof is surprisingly effective. 

Likability

You know what they say… It’s critical to build your know, like, and trust factor with your audience. And that’s because people buy from people they know, like, and trust. 

Recently, I talked with a salesperson who retired from a company after 30 years. His clients stuck with him over decades not because he had the best product or even the best price. It was because if there was ever an issue or if they ever had a question, they could pick up the phone and talk with my friend. 

 After my friend retired, the company’s relationship with the client strayed. It got to a point where the client called my friend directly to help solve the problem. Turns out, the new salesmen at the company approached the relationship as a transactional one. 

If you can, approach every client relationship (prospective or otherwise) with a relational perspective. Be likable. Get to know them. Build a friendship. 

Authority

Let’s say you don’t have a likable personality, don’t have social proof, don’t want to give back, and lack consistency. Even then, we have a persuasion principle for you!

Establishing authority is a great persuasion tool for all business models. Even if your business was founded this year, you have one employee on staff, and you’ve never made a large sale, you can still establish your authority in your industry. It might not be easy, but it’s possible!

It’s like resume building right out of college. You’re not going to lie, but you’re going to focus on your business’s strengths.

Scarcity

We’ve all done it. We’ve all been at a super sale of our favorite stores and bought something we shouldn’t have. What drove each of us to temporarily go insane and ignore our carefully constructed budgets? Was it the “Don’t miss out! This sale is ending soonsigns that elevated your heart rate? Perhaps seeing that thing you wanted so badly sitting on an empty shelf put you in a panic. 

We’ve all bought into the idea of scarcity. The thought might have crossed your mind that if you didn’t grab it right that second, you might never find such a good deal again. Finding a way to frame your own products or services in this mindset will create an urgency for clients to take action and will ultimately close deals.

Persuasion Principles Applied In Copywriting 

So now that you know about the persuasion principles, how do you actually go about applying them in your copywriting? 

Reciprocity in Copywriting

“So, what’s it in for me?”

Buyers today expect to receive something in return for their business. It isn’t a case of giving payment and receiving what you asked for anymore. You, as a business, must do more. Think, “How can I reward loyal customers? How can I show clients that our partnership will be mutually beneficial?” 

The easiest way to do this is to create some sort of high-value offer like a guide, template, or cheatsheet. Something that your audience will find valuable without requiring even more from them. 

For example, we created a bunch of resources over the last year. One, in particular, has been really effective for us in giving value away for free. It’s our How To Answer The 6 Most Important Questions On Your Home Page Guide. If you look further down this page, you’ll find what you can discover inside the guide without having to fill out your contact information. 

Download this free guide here.

Here are a couple more ideas for how to write out this reciprocity principle. 

Ashlyn Writes
Jenna Kutcher
ClickUp
Persuasion Principles To Write Converting Copy
PandaDoc
Amy Porterfield

Commitment & Consistency in Copywriting

At FocusCopy, we exist to build up and support female entrepreneurs. Now, we don’t exclusively work with female entrepreneurs; however, we want to find opportunities to help those women, create custom offerings to grow their businesses, and generally cheer them on as they grow their ventures. 

We are committed to our mission, and we make that commitment known in our writing. If you read any of our blogs or even just peruse our website, this mission is consistently visible. Make your commitments known to your audience!

You can demonstrate your consistency through helpful statistics. Do you know how much money you save your clients in the long term? Do you have 100% customer satisfaction? If there is solid evidence that your business can achieve a consistent result, let your customers know. 

Amy Porterfield

Social Proof in Copywriting

No one likes to feel like an outsider – especially when being an insider has so many benefits! Call out all the ways your potential customers would “miss out” if they didn’t decide to work with you or buy your product. More importantly, highlight all the benefits that are waiting for them if they decide to say yes. 

Show off glowing reviews from favorite past customers, highlight impressive brands you’ve worked with, and lean on the tangible data that proves just how good you are at solving your customers’ problems. Social proof is all about making a customer wish they had worked with you sooner. 

Savvy Chic Design
Keap
AWAI

Likability in Copywriting

You can be more likable in your writing by being more personal and vulnerable. The About Page on your website is an awesome place to tell your story and build connections with potential customers. But you can be personal in any and all of your business copy. 

If you’re worried this might make your copy seem unprofessional or too touchy-feely, try looking at it another way. You’re just a human being talking to another human being. You want to help solve your customers’ problems and make their lives easier. Being professional does not mean acting like a corporate robot, so don’t be afraid to show a little bit of who you are in your writing.

ClickUp

Authority in Copywriting

If you have credentials – whether those are awards, certifications, etc. – list those. For example, you may boast that you’ve worked with over 75 brands across 4 countries, are endorsed by some hotshot celebrity, or have completed your Ph.D. Maybe your product is super high quality and blows your competition out of the water in every demo. Before you start writing, create an outline that puts your greatest strengths front and center.

Keap
Hubspot
ClickUp

Scarcity in Copywriting

When you put pressure on your target audience through limited time offers, deadlines, or limited availability, you increase the value of your products or services in the minds of your customers. That’s why we saw a shortage of toilet paper at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. People thought they wouldn’t be able to get toilet paper, so they cleared the shelves of every grocery store. 

If you’re selling services, you only have a finite amount of your time to sell. Remind your customers that your time is limited and valuable. 

Learn How We Persuade Your Potential Clients

If you don’t have time or struggle to write your own copy, we’re here to help. Whether you need a persuasive website, newsletter, or blog, we can turn your copy into a powerful sales tool for your business.

Contact us today for a free discovery call and get back to running your business.

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

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Repetition In Copywriting

Repetition In Copywriting: The Key To Conversions

When you scroll through blogs and articles, are you really reading every single word? Or are you like the majority and find yourself skimming through the copy?

It makes sense. You are simultaneously very busy and have a world of knowledge at your fingertips. With so many options of content to read, it’s easy to get distracted. That’s why you find yourself switching from one line of copy to the next before you’re done reading the first one. 

Moreover, our attention spans are short. We may as well be goldfish in a pond forgetting everything every 10 seconds. 

So like most people, you scan. And depending on the writing style of the copy, you may or may not walk away with something that sticks.

This is where repetition comes into play. Copywriting needs to be constructed in a way that gets the message across. Furthermore, repetition in copywriting is key to conversions. 

Embrace Repetition In Your Copy & Watch Conversions Rise

When you write copy, assume your audience has the memory of a goldfish. Give them the information several times over throughout your copy. That way, as they scan through, they will leave understanding what it is you’re selling and why they should buy from you.

Chances are, you’ve read through the notes of the copy you write.

So much so that the keywords and USP (unique selling proposition) are second nature.

This is where writing copy can get tricky!

Keep in mind that your audience will be reading with fresh eyes. Don’t dismiss repetition in copywriting as redundant. Instead, embrace and craft repetition wisely to get your message to stick. 

To convert readers into paying customers, you need to do more than just briefly mention the benefits of your product or service. You really need to focus on becoming memorable. Re-reading similar phrases and keywords throughout your copy will put readers on the path to retaining your info in their short-term memory. 

Writing high-converting copy can be daunting when running your business already takes up all your time. No need to fret! Reach out to FocusCopy today to learn how we can get the right message to your target audience and convert readers into paying customers. 

Introduce Yourself To Customers, So They Remember Your Message

Imagine yourself in your target audience’s shoes. They’ve never heard of your business before, but your copy caught their eye.

With the density of information, chronic interruptions, and goldfish attention spans, it’s a safe bet they won’t remember every word they read. So with that in mind, remember – if it’s important, it’s worth repeating. 

Furthermore, you want to repeat for clarity. However, when we say repeat, we don’t mean to copy and paste the same phrase throughout your copy.

Instead, get crafty with your copy. Find ways to rephrase your USP, keywords, benefits, features, and more. 

For instance, consider you own a nursery that sells flowers. You’re certainly not the only nursery in town, and your prices may not even be the most competitive. So what makes you worth your audience’s time? This is where the USP becomes very important. 

The nursery doesn’t just need to tell people what they do and sell. You need to let your audience know your business is the authority. Your plants are better than competitors, bloom bigger, last longer, aren’t covered in bugs, and aren’t treated with toxic chemicals. 

So throughout the copy, you (the nursery owner) will touch on the various benefits and keywords repeatedly. Leaving readers knowing that you have the most knowledge, take the most care, and produce the best plants for your customer’s home and garden. 

Help Your Audience Get MORE Familiar With Your Business

Now let’s consider the audience that is already familiar with your business. They recognize your logo and have some idea of what your business provides. 

The pressure is on to convert these people into customers before they buy from your competitor. When they read through your copy, keywords signal their brain to remember your business for more than just the short term. 

The nursery, in this instance, will show its audience throughout the copy that they are the number 1 authority in flowering plants. If you want to add a touch of nature to your home, you know that this nursery is the best place to shop. Their experts can help you choose the right plants for your home based on wants, needs, and available sunlight. 

As the audience skims through copy, they are reminded over and over again of the many benefits of shopping at this nursery over the competition. It’s that repetition in copywriting that solidifies the customer’s opinion of the nursery. Without repeating keywords and phrases, the audience won’t remember exactly what benefits the nursery offers and why. 

Are you having trouble finding the time to write copy? We understand, and we’re ready to help. Contact FocusCopy today to start producing high-converting copy.

Provide Solutions To The Struggling Customer 

Now let’s think about the nursery’s (hopefully) future customers. They have purchased several houseplants and can’t keep them alive for some reason.

These audience members are wary of investing in more plants because they don’t know what they’re doing wrong. Is it the abundance or lack of sunlight? Too much or too little water? Are they using the right soil?

By skimming through your copy and re-reading the keywords, they are gaining trust in your business. They are starting to realize that the problem with keeping plants alive stems from purchasing them from the wrong retailer. 

But by now, they have read through your marketing campaigns enough that the answer is ringing clear. They know the solution to their struggle is something your business can provide. And why do they know that? Because they’ve read several different variations of your USP while simply scanning through your blog, newsletter, website, social media posts, or more. 

Keep Up With The Happy Customer

Once a reader converts into a paying customer, the challenge is to retain their business. While gaining a new customer is a reason to celebrate, it’s their repeat business that will aid in your business’s success. Furthermore, a repeat customer will eventually tell their family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and more about why they love your business. In turn, one happy customer who keeps coming back can result in a ten-fold increase in sales. 

So what’s the secret to this magic?

To put it simply, don’t put converted customers on the back burner. 

Instead, engage with them on a different level. For instance, do you have different marketing strategies for your target audience and for customers who have paid for your product or service? If not, it may be something to consider. (Pssst… FocusCopy can help!)

Most importantly, keep the repetition of your message going strong. The nursery owner would remind their customers that they are their best plant source. Moreover, don’t let readers forget about the valuable services you provide. Do you have experts on-site to help pick the best plants for their house? Or do you need to make sure you don’t expose pets to potentially toxic-to-them plants? There may be a thousand different things to consider. But here’s the clincher – no one knows them better than you!

So tell the world what it is you do. Show them that your product and/or service is helpful and valuable. Rephrase and reframe your USP throughout all of your copy. Rinse and repeat. 

Convert & Retain Customers Through The Power Of Repetition In Copywriting

Are you feeling ready to take on the world? We’re here to cheer you on!

But if getting started throws you for a loop, that’s ok because we have a solution just for you. FocusCopy works with small businesses (like yours!) to build your brand voice and craft finely tuned copy that really converts. 

Ready to do away with the blank page and the taunt of the blinking cursor? Schedule a call to discuss your copywriting needs and goals over a cozy cup of coffee. We can’t wait to meet you! 

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how to improve your writing

How to Improve Your Writing Skills: A Guide By Professional Writers

For people who want to begin improving their writing, for personal or professional reasons, it can feel daunting sifting through all the different resources and “How-To” articles online. 

So, this guide aims to not only be useful for veteran writers who want to really hone their craft, but for entrepreneurs who want to write their business copy, and for anyone who’s just starting to put pen to paper.

10,000 Hours? There’s A Better Way to Become A Good Writer (Or How to Practice Deliberately) 

Have you ever heard that achieving mastery in a skill takes 10,000 hours? While putting 10,000 hours into anything will probably make you an expert, it isn’t exactly necessary for improving your writing skills. 

See, the quality of your practice techniques plays just as important of a role in your growth as the number of hours you dedicate to your skill. If you instead prioritize the skills that will help you see the biggest results from your efforts, you’ll become a better writer that much faster. 

Define Your Writing Goals: Get As Specific As Possible!

So, all this to say – define your goals! 

What kind of writing do you want to create? Are you just wanting to improve your email communication skills? Put together better blog articles? Rewrite your business’s website copy? Or simply learn how you’re feeling at the end of a long day? Of course, there are a lot of other writing goals you might have. But clearly defining these goals helps you create a plan of action. 

Once you have a goal in mind, try to go even deeper. For example, if you feel like you’re always looking for the right word, get familiar with a thesaurus. Or maybe you want to write stronger titles and subject lines. 

Whatever your goal may be, honing in on what you want out of your writing will not only motivate you to keep practicing, but it gives you a sense of direction. This means you can avoid the experience of overwhelm when you start Googling around. 

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Adopt A Growth Mindset 

Before we go any further, let’s get the hard truth out of the way: there’s no magic bullet to becoming a master writer in a short amount of time. 

Spanx didn’t just become a $1.6 billion company overnight. It took 21 years to accomplish that. 

Like building a recognizable and valuable brand, becoming a better writer takes practice, time, and effort.

This isn’t to deter you from writing but instead is a gentle reminder that whatever you put into your writing is what you’ll receive out of it. 

So with that being said, embrace the journey! 

Try to accept that improving your writing won’t exactly happen overnight, but remind yourself that you WILL become a stronger writer as long as you keep showing up. By doing this, you’re equipping yourself with a powerful mindset – one that is invaluable for accomplishing your writing goals. 

Even though it’s discouraging at times to not progress as quickly as you’d like, that isn’t a reason to give up completely! A growth mindset acknowledges the reality that everyone grows at their own pace; and that any progress is far better than no progress at all. 

[Related: Tackle The Lies Imposter Syndrome Tells You]

It’s Better To Go Slow Than Fast 

When we want to learn a new hobby or skill, it’s tempting to dive headfirst into as many resources, learning materials, or books as we can. Eventually, your bookmark folders are so full of links and pages you don’t even know where to start. 

You load up on so much information that now it seems like there are too many paths open for you to take and it’s hard to nail the right one down. 

Well, this has a term: it’s called analysis paralysis. When you don’t know what option is best because there seems to be a plethora, your progress in the skill you’re working on slows down dramatically. 

But here’s the thing: you do want to go slow, but not because you’re spending all of your time trying to decipher what you should learn first. 

Consistent, daily efforts are the real goal here. So, try to start with a few strategies instead of many. 

How To Be Consistent

If you’re wanting to write the copy on your website, follow our how-to guide, and write thirty minutes to an hour each day for a week. 

The same goes for any form of writing, though. You’ll improve your writing much faster and more meaningfully if you choose just one thing to focus on each day rather than trying something new every time you sit down to write. While you do want to try new strategies, (more on this a little later), you need a solid foundation first. Practice specific skills every day, and you’ll see measurable results from your work as time goes on. This is another area where having clearly defined goals is also so important. 

When you try to do too much, it can feel overwhelming and impossible to get to the result you’re reaching for. Think about when you were in the high school band, played sports, or any other activity that required you to practice. 

If you were presented with a challenging piece of music, you might have initially been turned off from it completely or felt like you would never be able to learn it. But breaking the score down into smaller parts allowed you to slowly learn how to hit all the notes, tempo changes, and eventually, play the whole piece. 

Improving your writing skills is no different. 

Break it down, go slow, and you’ll be surprised how much your writing develops!  

Find A Writing Mentor 

Even if your mentor of choice is from the last century, studying the work of a writer you admire can have a profound effect on your growth. When you find a writer whose style you’re particularly drawn to, take a step back and think about what it is about their work that you find so enthralling. 

Do they make every word count? 

Can they seem to breathe life into the smallest of details? 

Does their writing light a fire inside of you? 

Whatever reason it may be, something is pulling you to their work. Try to uncover what it is, because once you figure it out, the reason speaks to what kind of writer you want to become. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re writing poetry, short stories, or putting together an email campaign for your eCommerce business – collecting samples of writing you love and that inspires you is key for not only your development as a writer, but for your motivation to keep showing up and putting words on a blank page. 

Understand Your Audience 

If your audience is just for you and you alone, then that’s okay! But if you’re writing for your own business, it’s helpful to understand who your audience is. Because once you know the language your audience speaks, you can write directly to them!

So, dedicating more time to studying your target audience’s problems, wants, and needs will give you a stronger foundation for writing copy that resonates.  

The Art of Self-Editing

While you could consider self-editing less important to improving your writing than, well, writing itself, self-editing is a fundamental skill every writer should hone. 

Editing your own work can be challenging. Mostly because as writers, we can be invisible to our blind spots. There might be areas where our writing falls short of our goals and expectations, or there are parts where we just aren’t as clear as we should be.

Learning how to self-edit is about teaching yourself where your weaknesses might be or showing you the places where you can improve and become a better writer that much more quickly. Because if we don’t know where we might be struggling, we could continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. So understanding where you are and where you can improve is like equipping yourself with a personalized manual on how to reach your writing success. It’s also helpful to remember that a first draft will almost always need refining. But you have to have a draft to start with first! 

How do you become a better self-editor? 

Read Your Writing Out Loud! 

Reading your writing aloud is perhaps the single best editing strategy a writer can practice. When you read your writing out loud, you catch punctuation or spelling errors much more easily, and of course, you can hear how your writing sounds. 

This is especially helpful because when you read something out loud, it’s almost as if you’re reading it as the reader and not the writer. It allows you to experience your writing with a fresh perspective. You’ll be able to catch where the writing sounds awkward or gets jumbled up or where sentences carry on far too long.

Print Out Your Writing 

If you mostly write using your computer and keyboard, try printing out your work. In the same way that reading aloud can give you another perspective on your writing, so can holding a physical copy of a document. 

Printing your work out allows you to make marks on the page, which engages your editing skills. It’s also an incredible tool for organizing your writing. Instead of scrolling up and down a page, cutting and pasting sections until they’re organized logically, being able to refer to each paragraph instantly can help you put the pieces together. 

Done Is MUCH Better Than Perfect 

Though self-editing is a great skill to pick up on as a writer of any level, try not to get too carried away with the revising process. It can be surprisingly easy to keep editing your work and rewriting sections, hoping to get everything just right – until you’ve spent much more time on the piece than you intended. 

So, all this to say, try to put in a hard deadline to finish the piece. 

That way, you’ll actually hit “Publish”! 

Write In A Different Genre Or Format

Challenging yourself to write something completely different is a great way to spark new inspiration and creativity. By branching out to different writing styles or content pieces, you could end up finding new ways to express yourself.

When you experiment with new genres, you’re actively broadening your writing knowledge. This allows you to pull from a variety of different styles to create unique pieces. And, this helps you refine your own style as well.

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Read: The Real Secret to Improving Your Writing 

Reading is the number one habit any writer can practice to see their writing grow. No matter what kind of writing you want to improve in, there is content available to read! 

From movie scripts, literary novels, Social Media ads, promotional emails, and more, when you read the content you want to create, you’ll start to pick up on how different writers approach the writing process. You’ll also learn new words, refine your punctuation and grammar, and get a sense of how to create a writing voice. 

So, pick up a few books or start collecting pieces of writing that you like and save them for your reference! 

Hand-Copy To Learn Copywriting

When you were first learning how to draw, did you ever trace pictures? It can be a helpful tool for learning how to draw because you can get a sense of how to form shapes or lines. 

Well, hand-copying writing is very similar. When you hand-copy a piece of writing, the goal is to slow down and consider each word that the writer is using. 

This exercise is best done by hand with a pen and paper because writing by hand helps you remember the information you’re copying down. Think of hand-copying writing as a way of taking notes like you would in class.

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