Are you interested in becoming a kickass copywriter?
Struggling to write words that sell?
If so, you’re in the right place.
I’m going to hand you my simple 3-step blueprint for building your copywriting skills – VERY FAST.
This is from personal experiences as a beginner to transform you from a novice to a pro copywriter in just three months.
This guide is designed to help you develop copywriting skills that exude confidence and deliver real value to your clients.
The 3 Essential Steps Every Aspiring Copywriter Should Take to Become a Pro Copywriter
1. Grasp the Fundamentals
In 2019, my initial attempt at copywriting was a resounding failure.
Primarily due to drowning in information overload.
Fast forward to 2020…
I adjusted my approach, focusing on learning from a select group of successful copywriters with decades of proven homeruns.
This foundational step is critical for beginners:
Understanding the core principles of direct response copywriting sets a sturdy foundation for your budding career.
Start off by reading these 10 direct response copywriting books:
- The Boron Letters by Gary Halbert
- The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joseph Sugarman
- How to Write a Good Advertisement by Victor O. Schwab
- Scientific Advertising By Claude Hopkins
- The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy
- Ogilvy on Advertising By David Ogilvy
- Tested Advertising Methods By John Caples
- Cashvertising By Drew Eric Whitman
- The Copywriter’s Handbook By Bob Bly
- Kick-Ass Copywriting Secrets of a Marketing Rebel By John Carlton
To learn more about these books and their authors (all great copywriters), click on this blog post.
As a beginner, it's crucial to be discerning about your sources of knowledge.
The copywriting landscape can be overwhelming, with a plethora of information available.
Choosing to learn from seasoned professionals with a track record of success provides a solid foundation.
These veterans have navigated the ebbs and flows of the industry, honing their skills and distilling their knowledge into comprehensive guides.
The recommended reading list is a goldmine of wisdom.
Reading isn't merely about acquiring information; it's a strategic investment in your future as a great copywriter.
As you navigate the pages of these books, aim to understand the principles, absorb the nuances, and internalize the strategies employed by these copywriting wizards
It's not about speed-reading through the material; it's about savoring and digesting each chapter.
The first read is for pleasure, allowing the concepts to wash over you.
The second read, however, is where the magic happens.
Take meticulous notes, jot down insights, and break down the essence of each book into actionable knowledge.
These notes are your personal guide, a collection of copywriting wisdom that will prove invaluable as you embark on your own writing journey.
This crucial first step acts as your silver compass, steering you in the right direction along your exciting (and profitable) copywriting journey.
2. Practice
If you want to become a great copywriter within a few months, you must also practice your writing skills.
Practical experience is non-negotiable.
Engage in daily copywriting exercises to refine your skills.
Here are the 3 copywriting techniques I practiced:
1. Reading, Analyzing, and Handwriting Successful Ads
The first exercise, reading, analyzing, and handwriting successful ads, stands as the cornerstone of your practical training.
It offers a deep dive into the intricacies of writing engaging and persuasive copy.
The process is simple but oh-so effective.
Begin by selecting a successful ad, preferably one that resonates with you or belongs to a niche you find interesting.
Reading the ad out loud allows you to grasp the cadence and rhythm, essential components of effective copy.
Next, transcribe the entire ad by hand.
This exercise serves as a powerful imprinting mechanism, embedding successful copywriting techniques into your subconscious.
Finally, break down the ad to understand the underlying reasons for its success.
Explore the emotional hot buttons, identify key benefits, and unravel the storytelling techniques employed.
Start with these 10 ads.
Allocate 30 minutes each day to immerse yourself in this exercise.
It's not about speed but depth of understanding.
As you progress, you'll find yourself deciphering the core elements of persuasive copy, from human behavior insights to effective storytelling.
2. Turning Features into Benefits
The second exercise revolves around transforming mundane product features into compelling benefits.
This skill is pivotal in crafting copy that resonates with your audience.
The process is straightforward yet very impactful.
Begin by browsing products on platforms like Amazon, selecting 3-5 features of a chosen product.
Create an Excel spreadsheet or a Word document.
Write down each feature.
Then come up with benefits associated with it.
The shift from features to benefits is a subtle yet transformative change in perspective.
By focusing on benefits, you're not merely listing product attributes but unraveling the positive impact these attributes have on the customer.
For example, instead of just stating that a fitness app has a calorie tracker (a feature), emphasize the benefit: "Effortlessly track your calories, paving the way for a healthier, more vibrant you."
This exercise trains you to think from the customer's perspective, emphasizing what truly matters to them.
Through consistent practice, you'll sharpen your ability to articulate benefits that resonate emotionally, a key aspect of effective copywriting.
3. 4 Us Headline Practice
Your headline is the gateway to your copy, and crafting attention-grabbing headlines is an indispensable skill.
The 4 Us headline technique – Ultra-specific, Unique, Urgent, and Useful – provides a structured approach.
Your headline should be specific, stand out as unique, evoke a sense of urgency, and offer value.
To practice this technique, find existing headlines online and improve them using the 4 Us framework.
This exercise helps you understand the elements that make a headline compelling.
It sharpens your ability to create headlines that not only capture attention but also entice the reader to delve into the rest of your copy.
For instance:
Original Headline: "Book a free trip with our new card"
- Unique: "BREAKING: For the first time ever… New 'mystery' card allows you to travel anywhere in the world - for FREE"
- Useful: "Spice up your love life by taking your spouse to a sexy tropical getaway – without spending a single dime! Here’s how…."
- Ultra-specific: "10 vacation spots you can travel to for FREE this summer"
- Urgent: "Use this card to book your next trip for FREE – only good until the 30th"
By applying this technique regularly, you'll develop a knack for creating headlines that not only grab attention but also compel action.
3. Write Daily
The final step on your journey to becoming a great copywriter is to write consistently.
Writing is a skill that sharpens with practice, and the more you write, the better you become.
You don't need clients to start writing – simply pick ads, websites, sales pages, or headlines from brands you enjoy, and rewrite them.
This practice allows you to apply the knowledge gained from reading top copywriting books.
Spend around an hour each day to rewriting existing copy.
Analyze the original copy, understand its structure, and then enhance it using your newfound knowledge.
This exercise not only reinforces what you've learned but also hones your ability to apply these principles in real-world scenarios.
Conclusion
Follow these three pivotal steps, and you'll quickly transition from a clueless beginner to a successful copywriter in just a few short months.
This blueprint mirrors my own journey, providing the foundation I needed to launch my copywriting career rapidly.
Want daily copywriting tips to help you become a successful copywriter? Enter your email below: