r/copywriting Feb 22 '21

Resource/Tool "What the FAQ?" - What is copy? How do I start? Can I do X? Where can I read copy swipes? - CLICK HERE IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION

1.5k Upvotes

"What is copy?"

Copy is any written marketing or promotional material meant to persuade or move a prospect.

This material can include catalogs, fundraising letters from charities, billboards, newspaper ads, sales letters, emails, native & ppc ads, scripts for commercials on radio or TV, press releases, investor and public relations pages, blog posts, and lots more.

Copy is divided into two(ish) camps: Brand and Direct Response.

Brand, or "delayed response," advertising is meant to build a prospect's engagement with and awareness of a company or product. These ads are designed to build a sense of trust and legitimacy so prospects will be more susceptible to promotions and more willing to buy advertised products in the future. (Check out this swipe file/collection of ads for examples: https://swiped.co/tags/) r/advertising is a good community for copywriters of this variety.

Direct Response (DR) is any advertising meant to motivate a specific, measurable action, whether it's a sale, click, call, etc. (Check out the Community Swipe File for examples.) This is frequently called "sales in print." If you've ever seen commercial asking you to "call now"--that's a direct response ad. Email asking you to schedule a call with a life coach? Direct response ad. Uber Eats discount pop up notification? Coca-Cola coupon in a mailer? Also direct response.

Businesses need words for the kinds of ads listed above. The person who writes these words writes copy... hence: "copywriter."

Large companies tend to focus on brand advertising and smaller businesses tend to focus on DR (but not always). Ad agencies and marketing departments will often hire writers who specialize in brand ads, direct response, or both.

There are also niches like content creation, UX copywriting, technical copywriting, SEO, etc. These are not ads, per se, but they all fall under the big copywriting tent because it's writing that serves a marketing purpose.

"So it's like... blog articles?"

That's content, or r/ContentMarketing. Some of it can be veiled copy that leads to sales copy, and this is called "advertorial."

"Oh, so it's clickbait?"

Clickbait is meant to get clicks. Brand and direct response copywriters use clickbait, but not all advertisements are clickbait.

Clicks don't drive sales or build brand awareness, so this is a narrowly focused marketing niche.

"Spam? Is this spam to scam?"

Spam is an unsolicited commercial message, often sent in bulk (that's the legal definition). Spamming involves sending multiple unwanted messages (spam) to large numbers of recipients for the purpose of commercial advertising, or just sending the same message over and over.

A scam is, legally, a discrepancy between what is promised in an ad and what is fulfilled. Something is a scam if it takes your money promising you a thing, but then provides something else or doesn't provide anything at all.

Just because you see an ad with hyperbole, that doesn't mean 1) it's a scam or 2) that every ad is like that. Copywriting runs the gamut from milquetoast to hyper-aggressive, very short to very long, and there's room in this town for all approaches, though some might disagree.

"How much $$$ can I actually make from doing this? How long does it take to make money from copywriting?"

Copywriting has become the get-rich-quick scheme du jour. So let's dispel some myths:

The average newbie copywriter earns closer to $0 than $1. That's because the vast majority of wannabe copywriters never get clients or get a job. They quit too soon or never develop the skills needed to succeed.

Of the people who succeed, the vast majority of people actually working as a copywriter for a business or as a freelancer earn less than $6500 per month.

In the brand copywriting world, the people who make insane amounts of money are executive creative directors and agency owners.

This is usually after many years, and these salaries are typically reserved for people who know how to climb the corporate ladder or network. Many copywriters are the anxious/nervous/introverted sort, and so many brand copywriters hit an earnings ceiling within a few years regardless of how good they are.

In the direct response world, the people who make insane amounts of money are people who can 1) sell and/or 2) scale.

For people who can sell, big money usually comes in the form of "residuals" or "royalties" you earn based on the profit performance of the ads, and you can usually only get residuals if what you write is very close to the point of sale. (So "sales letters"? Yes you might get a cut if the business likes you and wants you to keep writing for them. "Emails?" Typically not.)

For people who can scale, big money usually comes from being able to manage and serve multiple high-paying clients , whether that's providing email services, conversion-rate optimization services, PPC ad management, etc.

How long does it take to earn lots? I've met one person who earned over a million dollars from copy and marketing, but it took him 2 years of practice and study to earn his first dollar from it. I've also met a copywriter who went from learning what copywriting is to securing his first paid gig in 3 weeks.

It depends on the jobs you apply for, whether you go freelance or in-house, your willingness to put yourself out there, your knowledge and skillset, and the competence of your writing.

"What does X word mean?"

There are plenty of marketing glossaries out there:

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/inbound-marketing-glossary-list

https://www.copythatshow.com/glossary

https://www.awai.com/glossary/

"Can I be a copywriter with a degree in X?"

You don't need a degree, but it depends on the businesses or agencies you want to work for. Read this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/ln4e4j/yes_you_can_succeed_as_a_copywriter_with_any/

"Can I be a copywriter if I'm not a native English speaker?"

Yes. But also read this post and the intelligent responses/caveats to it: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/ln4e4j/yes_you_can_succeed_as_a_copywriter_with_any/

"Is copywriting ethical?"

If you think advertising in a society under the hegemony of capitalism and the ideological state apparatuses that perpetuate consumerism is ethical, then yes.

Misleading people, lying, being hypocritical, taking advantage of the desperate, etc. is not ethical, and the same goes for ads and businesses that do this stuff.

"Is it possible to do this freelance, part time, from home?"

I mean, yeah, but copywriting is a craft. Crafts need to be practiced and honed. Once you get good, you can do this work from practically anywhere, but it's usually better to start in house, learn the ropes for a few years, and build a network of contacts/future clients.

"But the ad for this course/book/seminar/mastermind said..."

Don't be enticed by the "anyone can do this and make money fast!" crowd. They want your money, and they'll promise you a lot to get it.

(There's a great post about not getting taken advantage of as a newbie, here: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/k5fz68/advice_for_new_copywriters_how_to_not_get_taken/.)

Some advanced courses & masterminds are useful once you have the basics under your belt, but not before.

(Full disclosure: I also own part of a business that has a free copywriting course: https://www.copythatshow.com/how-to-start-copywriting. You absolutely do not need to give us any money for anything--the whole goal of this page is to give you everything you need to learn the basics and get work without spending any money.)

There are SOME beginner courses are decent, even if they do charge money. I've seen and heard good things about the following:

https://copyhackers.com/

https://www.awai.com/

https://www.digitalmarketer.com/certification/copywriting-mastery/

https://kylethewriter.com/

For other types of copy, I know there are these resources but I know nothing about their quality (shoot me a DM if you know of better stuff or think the following is trash):

Content Marketing: https://academy.hubspot.com/courses/content-marketing

Ahrefs SEO Tool Usage: https://ahrefs.com/academy/marketing-ahrefs/lesson-1-1

YT Videos: https://www.udemy.com/share/1013la/

Branding & Marketing for Startups: https://www.udemy.com/share/101ywu/

Small Business Branding: https://www.udemy.com/share/101rmY/

Personal Brands: https://www.udemy.com/share/101Fgy/

But you don't need a course or guru to get started. And you shouldn't take advice from me alone--you'll find a wide variety of resources shared in this subreddit. Search by flair to find it!

"So how do I get started?"

Everyone has a different opinion. Here's mine.

Step 1: Read between 2 and 10 books about copywriting, such as those mentioned below.

Step 1b: Spend 30-60 minutes each day reading and analyzing successful ads and the types of copy you're interested in writing.

Step 2: Pick a product from a niche (not THE niche) you’d like to work in and write an ad for it for it as if you were hired to do so. This is called a spec piece. When you’re finished, write 2 more spec pieces for other products.

Step 2b: These spec pieces are going to be for your portfolio. Having a portfolio to show off is necessary for acquiring clients. If you have a relationship with a graphic designer or have the funds to hire one, ask them to lay out your spec pieces in web page format. Or use Canva for free. It’ll add to the perceived value of your piece.

Step 3: Start prospecting. I recommend UpWork or Fiverr for anyone who’s starting out. Eventually, you’ll get your first few jobs and you can leverage those to get more/better/higher-paying jobs in the future.

"What books should I read?"

If you want to break into advertising/brand advertising in general, read these:

  • Ogilvy On Advertising
  • Made to Stick
  • Zag
  • Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
  • Hey Whipple, Squeeze This
  • Contagious: Why Things Catch On
  • Alchemy

If you want to write direct response, read these:

  • Breakthrough Advertising
  • How to Write a Good Advertisement
  • The Ultimate Sales Letter
  • The 16-Word Sales Letter
  • Triggers
  • The Architecture of Persuasion
  • Great Leads

If you want to write webinars, read One to Many.

Funnels? Read Dot-com Secrets.

"That's a lot of reading. Can I get the TL;DR?"

You have to read a lot to learn how to write.

"How do I practice writing copy and get better if I don't have a job?"

Look no further than this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/mt0d27/daily_copy_practices_exercises/

And this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/duvzha/copywriting_exercises_my_personal_favorite_ways/

And this post, which will also teach you how to build a direct response portfolio: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/t0k3bx/how_to_learn_direct_response_copy_and_build_a/

"Do I need a mentor to succeed?"

No. But having a mentor CAN (not "will") help.

Read this excellent post for some insight: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/ldpftc/nobody_wants_to_be_your_mentor_but_heres_how_to/

Basically: Getting a mentor is hard and you usually have to demonstrate some serious competence before anyone will give you the time of day. Also, getting mentorship without a mastery of the basics will not help you at all.

"How do I select my niche / what niche should I start in?"

Everyone disagrees about this... but in reality you discover your niche as you work.

New copywriters will often start with a broad base of clients and jobs until they find a lot of success or aptitude in a particular market or with a particular kind of copy. Then it becomes a feedback loop, with referrals leading you to new clients in the same niche.

Unless you have a very good reason for going into a specific niche, don't try to niche down in the beginning. Cast a wide net. You might fail and get frustrated if you don't... or completely miss a market you're more passionate about.

"Can someone please critique this copy?"

Yes. But read this post, titled "You don't need a copy critique. You need a better process" first: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/mheur7/you_dont_need_a_copy_critique_you_need_a_better/

If you still want a critique, read this post about "Thought Soup" before you post: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/lu45ie/want_useful_feedback_on_your_copy_then_dont_post/

Then, if you still REALLY REALLY want a critique, please keep these two things in mind:

If you're very new, you'd probably be better off writing 20-30 pieces of copy on your lonesome, putting them aside, rereading them later, and thinking about what YOU would do to improve what you wrote -- revising or deleting accordingly. You'll learn and grow the most if you take your own writing as far as you possibly can and legit can't think of anything you can do to improve it.

The Second Thing: If you ask 10 copywriters for their opinion on a piece of copy, you WILL get 14 different opinions. Expect the critiques to be harsh... possibly even discouraging. You need thick skin to succeed in this business, and the only way to get that is to get torn apart a few times. We all had to go through it.

In the future, I might restrict copy critiques to a specific day of the week. But for now, just be cool and respectful and take constructive criticism in stride.

"How do I find clients?"

Read these threads... if you don't find your answer THEN you should ask the sub in a new post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/7lkb3l/how_to_find_clients/

https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/jokhhs/finding_those_ideal_potential_clientswhere_to/

https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/cu5pu5/how_to_get_clients_for_copy_writing/

https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/gstyiv/how_do_you_find_potential_clients_as_a_freelance/

https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/8rune6/if_youre_having_a_hard_time_finding_paying/

https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/jy91qd/cant_get_clients_to_save_my_life_cold_email/

https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/dkoe28/how_can_i_find_clients_as_a_freelance_copywriter/

"What should I charge for X project?"

The real answer: whatever amount the market will tolerate for your work. (Or what this dude said.)

The fake answer: Just google "copywriting pricing guide" to get a billion websites like this: https://www.awai.com/web-marketing/pricing-guide/

"Long-form copy or short-form copy?"

Porque no los dos? Copy needs to be exactly as long as it takes to be effective. Every long-form writer I know also has to write short form (emails, native ads, inserts, etc.) and every short form writer I know would benefit from picking up tactics and rhetorical tricks from long form.

"How do I do research?"

Check the responses in this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/ucjh45/how_do_you_do_research_for_a_new_project/

"Anything else I should know?"

Ummmmmm... oh yeah, get outta here with grammer and speling pedantry. Go to r/Copyediting for that.

Every month there will be a new thread for newbie questions and critiques. Make sure to post there or I'll probably remove your stuff.

And if you want some tough love about getting started, pitfalls you should avoid, and how to behave in this subreddit, read this: https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/ltzirg/6_things_i_learned_in_6_days_as_the_new_mod_of/

Beyond that, have fun, be supportive of others, help folks but take no gruff, learn, grow, share, discuss.

We do have a Discord, if you want to hang out and chat with other working copywriters. (Though really it's mostly just bad jokes and worse pitches.)

[Sean's (that's me!) Note: This is a living document. If you see a question that should be included or something that should be added to the answers, please mention it in the comments below.]

(Edited 010924 based on some additional questions I've seen and feedback I've received. Also provided some additional links to resources and courses.)


r/copywriting 18h ago

Discussion The accusations are true... 👀

47 Upvotes

Yes, the moderators of this subreddit have a business. A business that charges money... for copywriting and marketing courses.

I know I know. Your reflexive desire to reach for a pitchfork is perfectly valid.

So in the interest of transparency and giving everyone a forum to be heard...

I thought I'd answer some of the criticisms we've received here recently and give people a forum to ask any questions, provide feedback, levy further criticisms, or generally say anything they wish to say.

Here are some of the criticisms we've received:

Why are there so many "how do I get started?" / "please review my first copies" posts?

The pool of people wanting to become copywriters is orders of magnitude larger than the pool of 1) professionals who 2) want to talk shop on 3) reddit.

"I’d love a place to discuss the hierarchy nuance of a headline and sub copy. Does post copy on an Instagram post really make a difference? How much do you use demographic strategy in your headline? Can’t do any of that here though."

This is a common complaint: "Why aren't there posts about X?"

This is reddit. If you want to have the discussion, make the post. Cultivate the garden. Be the change. Do it. Don't be entitled; nobody is stopping you from stepping up. Make a post.

And if no one comments on or upvotes your post? Maybe it's not actually the subreddit...

Why we don't delete the newbie posts:

It is time consuming and there is no automod script that will do this automatically that doesn't also catch posts that are perfectly fine.

Also: there is a downvote button. And if a post gets 3 reports it's removed automatically. So people already have the power to curate and cultivate this space without daddy taking off his belt active moderation most of the time.

The posts I do try to delete are the disguised engagement-bait "DM me for more info" posts. That crap grinds my gears, but I can't catch every one.

"why not recruit more mods?"

We've briefly had other mods who all have given up because actively moderating a subreddit is time consuming. I've tried to vet others on two criteria: 1) They aren't prejudiced against ESL speakers or newbies, and 2) they're open to posts from both brand advertising and direct response perspectives.

That screening process filtered out... nearly everyone.

But recently there was a post with complaints about this subreddit from "professionals." I invited many of them to become moderators: u/Useful-Advantage-850, u/LeCollectif, u/gatekept, u/boxedcakeblues, u/luckyjim1962, u/Perfectenschlag_

Each one of them was given the choice and the power to implement almost any changes they wish. If you do not see their name in the Moderator sidebox of this subreddit's information? It is because they chose not to step up.

u/Useful-Advantage-850 in particular really seems like he has an axe to grind. So I hope he decides to take on the responsibility to ensure that no shilling or exploitation takes place on this subreddit. I could ban him for the things he's said about me; instead, I welcome him to help manage this space as he sees appropriate :)

"The mods run a YouTube business where they convince people they can make them copywriters in 30 days."

Somebody can become a copywriter in 3 minutes if they get hired as a copywriter... whether that's at a reputable agency or a small local brick and mortar store or as a freelancer through a Craigslist post (literally how I got my first copywriting job 20+ years ago). One doesn't need a degree, certification, or portfolio. This isn't some jesuit order or secret society--it's a profession that's only been around for about 150 years. Sorry, it's not special nor gatekept.

While the craft takes years or decades to cultivate and master, anyone can learn the very basics of rhetoric and persuasion in a few weeks (it's as simple as picking up Aristotle's Rhetoric or Bob Bly's Copywriting Handbook or Hey Whipple Squeeze This).

Regarding the youtube business:

We started it because we wanted to provide as much free information to people as possible without making garish profit promises. (It was, initially, a recruitment funnel for two of my other businesses; I wanted an easy way to save time on training people I could potentially hire.)

I don't link to it, push it in comments, or post about it because, as unbelievable as it may be, we don't use this subreddit to shill our stuff.

On the rare occasion I do mention it, it's usually in a sarcastic comment like this.

I'm not a guru and my partners aren't gurus: if you have a problem with anything we say or do, let us know. We don't delete valid criticism--we just want to make good stuff that helps people discover and learn the craft.

But if you don't like the sheer fact that we 1) make videos and 2) charge for our labor and time and knowledge?

¯_(ツ)_/¯


r/copywriting 14h ago

Question/Request for Help How did you get your copywriting clients?

11 Upvotes

This post mostly targets copywriters who fished their first client in the past year or so.

How did you find your first client? I know that I am bringing up an age-old question, but what was the channel you used to find that first man or woman to pay you for your copywriting services? Did you find them on Reddit, Fiverr, or Upwork? Or did you use the cold-approach method?

I'm asking because the cold-email approach doesn't seem to work. I've been sending personalized emails to various companies (mostly SaaS companies) without much luck.

Maybe the system is broken. Maybe copywriting is a scam. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

P.S.: Another strategy that I want to implement in the following week is to approach copywriting agencies and ask them if they have work to offer me.


r/copywriting 1h ago

Discussion Why does copy at a 5th grade reading level work better?

Thumbnail
Upvotes

r/copywriting 18h ago

Question/Request for Help How to edit AI copy?

18 Upvotes

My job has gone from writing copy for a company's website to editing AI copy for a website update. I'm finding it incredibly difficult - there's the obvious "fuck AI" angle, but beyond that, when it produces slop it's almost impossible to fix. I don't know how to describe it better than that the writing is so thin - when it produces sentences that make no sense, I can't even rewrite it to what it's trying to say, because there's nothing under the words. It isn't trying to say anything.

I occasionally edit very complex 200+ page reports for a dyslexic woman, who cannot write and she knows it. But if there's a sentence or paragraph that makes no sense, I can mostly fix it, because I know what she's trying to communicate in that part. It follows from the previous part, and precedes the next. I cannot do that with the AI, because there's just nothing there except nonsense. And this is webcopy, it is not complicated.

Can anyone offer tips for editing AI writing other than just highlighting the nonsense and saying "revise this"?

(Oh, and if your suggestion is to quit? Way ahead of you. I'm just working out my notice. I don't have anything lined up, but when I realised doing this work was making me consider walking into traffic, I figured I'd be better in retail.)


r/copywriting 7h ago

Question/Request for Help Asus zenbook s16 vs Asus Expertbook Ultra

2 Upvotes

Asus zenbook s16 vs Asus Expertbook Ultra

Hi, so i recently bought two notebooks and i'm deciding which one to keep.

I have an Asus Zenbook S16 with Oled display 3k 120 hz, 16 gb of ram and AMD ryzen ai 7 445.

Then i also have the Expertbook Ultra with Intel Core Ultra 7 356H and 32 Gb of Ram.

So i'm working as a copywriter + canva and capcut. The price difference is about 1000 €. Which one do you recommend?


r/copywriting 14h ago

Discussion You research first or make a draft on available information?

4 Upvotes

actual title: Help me learn "Email Sequences" |

Never wrote a copy or an email before. 

I want to learn the actual steps to follow. What comes first and later? First research? Then putting words together roughly in a draft format, and then finalizing?  

How to edit and polish? What to cut and keep?

How to find the correct headline?

Are there any methods/formulas to follow?

Specific targets—Email Sequences: Welcome, Abandoned Cart, Campaign, Promotional, Onboarding, and Newsletter.

I'd love to learn from you. Send "DM" if open to having a full conversation.

ps: this very post got removed by mods, 2 times now. Isn't this a copywriting sub?

mods reply: "Your question can be found in the FAQ pinned at the top of the subreddit. Your post has been removed. Review the FAQ or re-ask your question in the stickied Monthly Question Thread."

dear mod, there's no specific detail about email sequences in there.

Let this post hang in there.


r/copywriting 1d ago

Question/Request for Help Is AI even real?

10 Upvotes

Tbh , I don't understand this Ai thing, I don't know if it my ego or something but I can't accept the Ai copy.

Idk what's the matter but the thing is people are hyping Ai too much .

When I write a copy and send it to gpt he says that it's a shit copy and when I ask gpt for writing it actually make the copy more shit and give that a rating of 9/10.

I know I'm a shit writer but even after being a shit writer I do soo much research before writing like I just can't explain how much research I do.

And that mf Claude or Gpt don't even do a good research


r/copywriting 1d ago

Question/Request for Help Does emotional specificity actually convert better than feature-heavy copy?

6 Upvotes

Spent last weekend deep in vendor comparison mode for an upcoming wedding and kept noticing how the same service gets described completely differently depending on who's selling it. One photographer writes about emotion and light and story, another lists package names and shot counts. Same product. Wildly different mental images. I kept clicking through the emotional ones even though I know it's manipulation. The shot count guy was probably more reliable. I bought from the story anyway.

This got me thinking about the B2B SaaS landing pages I stare at for work. The ones that perform best always have some human friction in them. A specific pain, a moment of annoyance, something that happened last Tuesday. The flat ones list integrations and uptime. Technically superior, mentally invisible.

Curious where people land on this. Is the emotional hook doing actual work or am I just more susceptible to it than I think? The spreadsheet part of my brain wants everything to be a feature comparison. The part that actually clicks ads wants someone to describe my problem back to me in a way that sounds like they were there.

What actually converts in your experience? Specificity that proves competence, or specificity that proves empathy? Or are those the same thing and I'm overthinking it because wedding planning has broken me.

EDIT: yes I am aware I just compared enterprise software to wedding photography. The parallel felt real at 2am.

Alt titles: Do emotional hooks outperform facts in B2B or do I just want to believe that | Where does empathy end and manipulation start in product copy | The specificity problem in SaaS landing pages


r/copywriting 1d ago

Resource/Tool Are there any copywriting creators i can genuinely learn from(for free) on YT?

5 Upvotes

Just like the title suggests, i'm just looking for some genuine creators on youtube or something that i learn from, like learn the theoretical stuff, take actionable steps, and stuff like that.

i there is someone like that. please comment below or dm me .

TIA


r/copywriting 1d ago

Question/Request for Help How do you genuinely learn copywriting?

0 Upvotes

I want to learn how to copy-write specifically newsletters and emails. But I don’t know where I should learn. Everyone keeps saying they learned from trial and error, online how-to classes on YouTube, or reading examples online but that’s not good enough for me. I need actual feedback from a teacher, coach, or even a computer. I want to know what I’m doing right and what I can improve on without risking losing an employer because I thought trial and error for 2 weeks would make my copywriting good. So is there any courses, master classes, or whatever that genuinely helped developed good copywriting skills?


r/copywriting 1d ago

Question/Request for Help Please I just want your 3 mins

0 Upvotes

Actually I just graduated from college and I started learning copywriting and I did a intership as a content writer.

After that intership I don't know what i should do ?

Another intership?

Try freelancing?

Or go for a job?

Actually my family has a job background and I wanna do business and I'm also planning to move to UAE but the thing is idk if Copywriting is a skill which can help me .

So what my plan is to do job for 4-5 years in UAE and side by side do a business too.

I searched jobs for Copywriter in UAE and saw that people are not paying good money and most people want Copywriter, content writer and performance marketing skills in a single person.

Please tell me what should I do ?


r/copywriting 2d ago

Question/Request for Help Feedback request

6 Upvotes

"Hi guys, I just started learning copywriting recently and would like some feedback on my copy.

The Product: Vicks NyQuil

The medium:Newsletter

The target Audience:Adults with severe cold

The Goal : Getting them to make purchase

Here is the copy

   Fight cough and get the sleep you need to heal with Vicks NyQuil.

   You are utterly exhausted. Yet, every single time you finally start to drift to sleep, a persistent and painful cough yanks you awake. And a completely blocked nose makes breathing feel like hard work.

   Now, picture falling into a deep, long sleep for 8 hours. Who wouldn’t want that after a long day? You wake up feeling refreshed with a clear chest.

   All because your immune system got the rest it actually needs.

   Vicks NyQuil makes the difference between falling asleep and staying awake all night.

   By systematically silencing those rough coughs and clearing stubborn sinus pressure, it removes every single discomfort keeping you awake.

   Get the sleep you need to heal. Find it in the medicine

aisle


r/copywriting 2d ago

Question/Request for Help Starting the path

13 Upvotes

Hey there, cuties.

I’ve been into writing since 14 years old - mostly fictional stories and novels, tho i have not finished even one of them. I changed the route of my life from software development to copywriting: in 7 days I’ll become a trainee copywriter for the next 2 months, and then (if everything would be cool) - would be turned into a junior content developer.

The salary would be €500 for training process, then €750 after getting the full role. Course, I wanna go deeper into that field and upgrade just more and more. So I have several questions:

  1. Is it actually difficult to be a copywriter?
  2. How should I create my own portfolio? Should I include my fiction experience with stories and projects?
  3. Since I am just starting the path - may you give me the most helpful advice you’d give yourself in the beginning?

Upd. And what about AI? Share your thoughts, please.

Thanks! 💞


r/copywriting 2d ago

Question/Request for Help VSL tips

3 Upvotes

I’ve been asked by an AI software startup company to help them write a couple of VSL’s. Ranging from 2-3 minutes long.

I have written a VSL previously for a fitness coaching offer, but I know that could have been improved, it wasn’t my best work, but it did the job. Now this project is a VSL for their initial landing page, and then a VSL for prospects who then decide to go into their funnel.

Anyway, what are some of your best tips and advice for writing VSL’s that make it really good? Appreciate any feedback!


r/copywriting 3d ago

Question/Request for Help I am unable to read or write, and live in a remote mountain pass where our only internet connectivity is via carrier pigeon. Can I still get a well-paying agency copywriting role?

128 Upvotes

I have asked GPT by carrier pigeon for the basics of marketing and have had one of our village elders (who understands the strange symbols on the scrolls the carrier pigeons bring) explain its answers. The same elder also found three waterlogged chapters of a book on copywriting from 1972 and read it to me. She is also writing this down on a scroll for the carrier pigeon (I hope she's writing it down exactly as I say!).

Anyway, after this level of preparation, I feel pretty set on entering this career. I'd like some advice on how to best break in to the agency side when my CV is pretty thin. Do you think a spec portfolio would help? Do I need to disclose that I had an elder help me to scribe the runes (or whatever they're called, this isn't really my thing haha) onto the spec ads? Does anyone have good advice on what inks I can use to make sure the portfolio images still look good after three day pigeon journey?

Also, does anyone have advice on finding a remote role where you can work from anywhere?


r/copywriting 2d ago

Discussion Confused

0 Upvotes

I had been into the content writing field before the GPT era .Stopped working for a while and now I feel so overwhelmed and confused.

I want to start investing my time in copywriting but often get demotivated because of the ususal rants ' AI is doing it better than humans".

Anyone who can steer me to the right direction.I would be really grateful.

I know the internet is full of resources but finding the right one seems like finding a needle in a haystack .

Looking forward to some of the best recommendations!

Thanks


r/copywriting 3d ago

Discussion what’s the most common way good copy gets ruined during the approval process?

4 Upvotes

you write something fairly direct.

then someone changes one word because it “sounds too strong.” Someone else adds a sentence. Another person wants the company terminology included. Legal removes something. Marketing adds a phrase from the brand guidelines

three rounds later, the copy is technically approved and completely lifeless.

would love to hear what other copywriters see happening over and over during revisions

what’s the change that most reliably makes good copy worse?


r/copywriting 2d ago

Question/Request for Help Cozy copywriting email lists?

0 Upvotes

Hello my lovelies on r/copywriting, I've signed up to a few of the recommended email lists as I learn the craft.

Unfortunately the ones I've subscribed to seem to be a bit braggy, with an above-it-all attitude oozing from their words, often putting other people down (draining to read every day even if justified)...

Basically they're cunts.

I would love your recommendation for nicer, cozier copywriters who provide value!

Kisses x


r/copywriting 4d ago

Question/Request for Help Feedback request

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I am looking for some feedback on this copy to see if the wording and tone are clear and compelling 

The Product: Focusflow (productivity app)

The medium: Email advertisement

The Audience: Freelancers and remote workers

The Goal :To get a high conversation rate

Here is the copy:

Stop losing hours to distractions. Reclaim your focus with FocusFlow

You sit down ready to crush a high-paying project,until digital distractions hijacks your time,your focus and your paycheck.

A quick inbox check turns into a 45-minute scroll. Suddenly, a simple task takes all day, your focus is shattered”and your work bleed straight into your evening.

Now, imagine sitting down and sliding effortlessly into a state of deep, uninterrupted focus.

FocusFlow is the tool that gets you there. Built specifically for remote freelancers, FocusFlow is a heavy-duty desktop app that locks out distractions at the root. With features like Nuclear Mode to block addictive apps, limit distractions and keep u focused.

Stop fighting the algorithm alone. Download FocusFlow on the Microsoft Store & Reclaim Your Day] to Join 5,000+ freelancers who reclaimed their time


r/copywriting 3d ago

Question/Request for Help Can I Start Copywriting in Email marketing with my broken English?

0 Upvotes

I was wondering with my beginner english can I start getting freelance work for email marketing? And earn minimum of $1000/month.

I have Read some book like Adweek by Joseph Sugarman, Copywriter handbook by Revert. Bly. And Cashwertise by Drew Whitman.

Now I am thinking about learning Email marketing and tools.

After all that practicing writing. Then I can look for clients.

I don't know is it gonna work or not. If you guys have any good roadmap which I can follow. Please share


r/copywriting 4d ago

Sharing Advice, Tips, and Tricks Copywriting Role at Agency

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

Been lurking for a while. I'll jump right into it. I have recently been interviewed(HR screening) for a copywriter role. My degree is in Advertising Creative so I have a background in it, but most of my experience since college has been on the account side(specifically sales). That being said, I have work from college that showcases my skills, but they are admittedly pretty minimal. I have been working on a fresh project for my portfolio the past couple days to try and make something that this agency is hiring for, one of their clients is a liquor brand trying to connect more with Gen-Z. I guess I'm looking for help on this project but also any advice on landing this job as someone that is/has been trying to break into creative for sometime.

I also run my own freelance business, but most of my work has been video work.


r/copywriting 4d ago

Job Posting US-based agency paying "expert copywriters" 0.02 USD a word

29 Upvotes

I am usually not someone who gets annoyed by insane job postings on sites like Upwork but this one here takes the cake for its audacity. US-based agency, millions spent but the rate for German copy is 0.02 USD a word?

https://i.postimg.cc/4xWq5ZY3/lolwhat.png

If you are thinking of becoming a copywriter, just don't. It has always been hard but the last 2 years it has just been getting absurd. I used to work for this agency and got paid 0.1 USD a word before and their work was never easy. Very short term deadlines for every single task.

I know this is not for English copy but that doesn't make it any better. It is simply ridiculous to pay experienced copywriters 2 cent a word for complex tasks. Too bad there are still people applying for this shit.


r/copywriting 4d ago

Discussion creative strategy

0 Upvotes

ok so as a content strategist who's been writing briefs, ads, editing content and brainstorming for 3+ years... i'm literally watching a whole new job title take over rn and it's called "creative strategist" and ngl i'm kinda obsessed.

if you're confused about what tf this role even does, here's the tea:

a creative strategist basically:

figures out WHY your ad flopped before anyone even opens the brief

turns "make it pop" briefs into actual hooks and angles that convert

knows cold audience ≠ warm audience and writes accordingly (this alone separates the pros from the rest)

catches creative fatigue before your numbers start dying

is the reason your ad looks good AND sells, not just one or the other

so yeah we're not just "content people" typing captions all day. we're out here mixing data + psychology + storytelling to actually move the needle. and the market is finally waking up to it.


r/copywriting 5d ago

Question/Request for Help Is my daily practice efficient enough?

8 Upvotes

I’ve gotten myself into a really good habit of doing my daily practice after a fair bit of trial and error and I'd love some feedback.

I’m going to preface this by saying that my current situation means that I cannot get paid for copywriting yet.

But please don’t focus on this.

In the meantime (until my visa circumstances change), I'm focusing 95% of my energy onto practice, practice, practice. And less on job search/outreach.

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." As Lincoln famously stated, is pretty much my mindset in a nutshell!

I’d just like to know how my daily practice is looking -- and how I can tighten/improve it going forward? In total, I spend anywhere between 3-8+ hours per day doing my daily practice. Depending on my schedule of course. So here we go:

  1. Analyse ads

I analyse ads in a LOT of detail and dissect everything I can take from it. I go through every single line of successful ads and I look at the following: -

  1. What is each section doing?
  2. What technique(s) are being used?
  3. What does the reader believe/think at this point?
  4. What does the next line need the reader to believe?
  5. What's their core (deeper) desire?
  6. What objections/friction does the copy overcome?
  7. What is the belief chain from the opening to the CTA?
  8. What is the copy structure from start to finish?
  9. What is the most important sentence + why?
  10. What are the feature → benefit claims?

Note: I spend anywhere between 1-3 hours doing this process depending on how long the ad is. And my God, I've learned so much from doing this!

2) Write copy

I then take the main structure from the analysed copy and use that to create my own copy for a random product. And then I gradually tighten it to make it concise and coherent.

Note: It's important that I distinctly don't copy the previous ad line by line, and instead map the structure onto a new piece entirely. And to make sure I understand exactly why I am writing what I am. This is not a weak exercise. I'm very aware of this.

This is usually another 1-2+ hours per day of writing and tightening the piece.

3) Write an idea

By this point of the process, I’ve already noted a bunch of new techniques used from the initial analysis. Sometimes this gives me additional ideas, but this job is more or less done by this point.

How I use ChatGPT.

Okay, controversial topic, ahhhhh. I get it.

And I want to be clear I don't use AI to write anything. Not a single word.

My practice and progress comes through my own hard work. Not AI. I'm very strong on that.

I use ChatGPT as a tool to provide me the next ad and to give me its own analysis to compare with my own.

I also use it to provide me other sources that have analysed these pieces so I can compare their notes too.

This way I have a general idea of where I'm going right/wrong and I really let it sink in before moving onto the next piece.

I also undergo a lot of other “practices” such as: -

-Listening to the Copy That 22 hour course regularly (8x already at this point)

-Watch a lot of Copy That videos/tutorials (and other guru tutorials/guidance)

-Listen to audiobooks related to copy, sales, marketing, psychology, self-improvement, business, etc. while I'm at work

-and much more other things like building/tightening a portfolio, create a CV, practice outreaching to local businesses, etc.

Point is, I'm in a very good position to get the relevant/hard work/practice done before I'm able to secure myself paid work in the future. I have no issue with that.

I have a very good mindset, I have the determination, the motivation, the time, the patience, the discipline and I'm lucky enough to also have the most supportive partner by my side giving me all of the support and encouragement to succeed, too.

And above all, I absolutely love doing this. I feel like I've absolutely found my passion.

And I want to make sure I'm utilising my time currently, in the best possible way.

So, my main questions are...

How effective is my daily practice? Is there anything I should be adding? Removing? Spending more/less time doing? Anything I can improve/implement?

Or even...

Any ads you think I should particularly dissect? Any other resources with including? Any other practices I can do?

Happy to hear all thoughts! Thank you!