Bloggers who strive to monetize their content know precisely how crucial good web copy is.
When you offer snappy content, users are more likely to stick around, make a few clicks, and hopefully make a conversion.
However, if you’re new to blogging, you might not understand what copywriting is, why it’s so important, and how it differs from standard blogs and content creation.
Fortunately, we’re well versed on the topic.
So, stick around to learn everything you need to know about copywriting.
Contents
- What Is Copywriting For Blogs?
- Why is Blog Copywriting so Powerful?
- What Makes Good Copywriting?
- Website Copywriting Examples
- Critical Copywriting Tips to Write Better Content
- 6 Best Copywriting Blogs to Follow for Inspiration
- Pro Tip: Outsource Copywriting to a Professional
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
What Is Copywriting For Blogs?
Copywriting for blogs is a bit different than the standard blog posts.
Instead of being informative, copywriting is meant to be persuasive.
You’re encouraging a conversion to generate revenue or more traffic.
What Is the Difference Between Copywriting and Content Creation?
Another type of web content that often gets confused with copywriting is content creation.
Content creators on social media make posts, videos, and images to highlight their brand and build an audience.
However, copywriting is strictly for marketing purposes.
In many cases, it assumes brand awareness and simply directs a user toward the right product.
Why is Blog Copywriting so Powerful?
Blog copywriting packs a punch because it’s a powerful and informative marketing tool.
Good copy will direct readers toward various areas on a blogger’s platform, such as a web store or paid channel.
Is Copywriting Good for SEO?
Copywriting is an excellent tool to boost your SEO while generating revenue.
If your copywriter is proficient with SEO, your web ranking will improve, placing you higher on SERPs.
Most importantly, it will give your users precisely what they’re looking for.
What Makes Good Copywriting?
“Good” copywriting is highly subjective, depending largely on your content, brand, and industry.
However, you can use the 4 Us to create the best content for your readers, no matter your field.
1. Useful
No matter your content, your copywriting should provide helpful information that leads to conversions.
Instead of using basic “click here” links, opt for anchor text that gives a clear picture of what you’re trying to convey.
2. Unique
Have you ever skimmed through a few websites on the same topic and found the same information regurgitated on each one?
Those bloggers fail to practice one of the most important Us–creating unique content.
You need to stand out from the crowd, which requires developing wholly unique copy.
3. Urgent
Good web copy conveys urgency in the best way.
You want your title, tagline, or subject line to snag readers’ attention.
However, of the four Us, urgency is the least important.
So, if you can only insert it into your title, don’t worry.
4. Ultra-Specific
Creating ultra-specific copy doesn’t mean you need to get ultra-granular.
Simply put, creating ultra-specific content will cause your readers to leave feeling satisfied.
They’ll know more about a topic and your product than when they landed on your site.
Website Copywriting Examples
Check out these examples of effective copywriting techniques you can try on your own website.
1. Do This With That
If you’re introducing a new or unfamiliar product, good copywriting can help ease users into it.
For example, an online grocery store might use the headline “Kick Taco Tuesday Up a Notch With Ground Bison.”
This taps into the familiar (everyone loves tacos) and the new (bison isn’t standard in most kitchens).
2. For Fans Of
A popular method of drawing new customers in is using a comparison.
For example, an author might market their regency romance story to “Fans of Jane Austen.”
This gives users a clear picture of what they’ll get when they purchase the book.
3. BOGO
If there’s one thing that draws customers into a web store, it’s a good sale.
Anyone who’s shopped in a store or online has seen the acronym for “buy one, get one.”
Placing “BOGO” on your site tells customers they’ll find great deals as soon as they start scrolling.
4. Answer a Question
A surefire way to get users to click on your site is by answering their questions in your title.
For example, if a user searches for “homeopathic headache remedies,” a blog titled “Check Out These Five Homeopathic Headache Remedies” will surely be an instant click.
Critical Copywriting Tips to Write Better Content
Copywriting is a skill that can take years to truly master.
However, if you’re just starting out or can’t afford to outsource, here are a few quick and effective tips for writing better content.
1. Create a Memorable Title
Your article’s title is the first thing users see when they land on your page.
However, to make it click-worthy, you need your title to be memorable.
For example, if you want to encourage readers to check out your content on beating writer’s block using your resources, use an alliterative title like “Give Block the Boot With These Five Tips.”
2. Get to the Point Quickly
An extended cold open works for movies and TV, but not so much in writing.
So, when you write your copy, be sure to get to the point quickly and succinctly.
Don’t use ten words when you can make your point in five.
Readers should know what your article is about, what your product is, and what question you’re answering within the first few sentences.
3. Leverage AIDA Formula
Finally, always consider the AIDA formula when writing web copy.
This acronym stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, Action, which are the four stages you want each site visitor to go through on your site.
Attention
First and foremost, you need to grab your reader’s attention.
If you want to craft content that goes viral, you’ll need to start by using bold language that appeals to one or more senses.
Look at your audience’s background and create a punchy, clickable headline.
Interest
Next, cultivate your audience’s interest.
You can do this by stating outright why your content solves their problem, or you can be more nuanced.
Show a deep understanding of your audience and offer a solution.
Don’t be afraid to use jargon to highlight how connected you are with your audience.
Desire
Once you’ve garnered interest, it’s time to amp up your audience’s desire for your product.
Take some time to demonstrate why your product is better than your competitor’s.
Use your expertise in your field to prove credibility, and tell your audience how you can help.
Action
Finally, you’ll offer a CTA to encourage a conversion.
A CTA could be a purchase, giveaway entry, newsletter signup, or other action that plants the seeds for brand loyalty.
4. Leverage PAS Formula
Another beneficial copywriting formula is the PAS formula.
This stands for Problem, Agitate, and Solution.
Problem
When a user searches for something on the internet, they’re looking to solve a problem.
Perhaps it’s something simple, like how to remove acrylic nails.
Or, it might be something more complex, like repairing a leaky drain.
Make sure you state the problem your content addresses in the title and first few lines of your content.
Agitate
Next, you want to get the user a bit riled up. Highlight a few specific points of frustration to agitate your reader.
Make sure your reader knows you can truly empathize, because that’s what will encourage them into reading more.
Solution
Finally, offer your solution.
Provide directions to your product, tool, or service, and tell the user why it’ll solve all their problems.
Then, when they click through to your product, add additional information in the product description that provides more detail.
Use Formatting to Drive Home Key Points
A great way to drive home the key points of your web copy is to format using bold, italicized, and underlined text.
However, avoid being too liberal with formatting usage, as it can become distracting.
Bold Words
Bold, or strong, text provides a strong emphasis on a word, phrase, or sentence.
You should use bolded text infrequently and only for critical points.
Underlined Words
When it comes to web copy, you should avoid underlining words unless you’re linking to another page.
Most readers have become accustomed to clicking on underlined text, so you want to maintain that standard.
Italicized Words
Italics are best reserved for definitions, book titles, or internal dialogue.
Italicized text offers emphasis like bold, only on a weaker scale.
Use Pictures and Visuals
Including great visual content in your copy is crucial to emphasizing ideas and illustrating your message.
For example, infographics help simplify complex topics, while fun images help break up text.
6 Best Copywriting Blogs to Follow for Inspiration
Copywriting is a complex but beneficial skill to possess as a writer.
Check out these six blogs if you want to find some copywriting inspiration.
1. Copyblogger
Copyblogger is a blog dedicated to teaching content marketing.
You’ll find heaps of information about writing excellent copy and content to bolster your skills in other areas of digital marketing.
2. Copyhackers
Copyhackers provides copywriters and marketers a valuable resource for polishing their skills.
You can check out Copyhackers blog or even enroll in a course or two to get some proper training.
3. John Carlton
When it comes to copywriting, you won’t find many more experienced than John Carlton.
He’s been teaching writing courses for several decades and is considered one of the most well-respected freelance copywriters on the market.
4. Contently
Another online content and marketing blog copywriters should check out is Contently.
You’ll find extensive resources on Contently’s site, including courses, case studies, and even writing gigs.
Whatever aspect of copywriting you’re looking to explore, Contently is worth a visit.
5. Grammarly
Grammarly’s blog offers invaluable advice for copywriters of all experience levels.
Whether you’re just starting or have been at it for years, you’ll find what you need on Grammarly’s site.
Pro Tip: Outsource Copywriting to a Professional
If you’ve read through this article and are wondering how your blog writing can be outsourced, you’re in luck.
Keep reading to learn where you can find freelancers for your content.
How Much Does an Outsourced Copywriter Cost?
Copywriters typically charge by the hour.
According to Upwork, you can expect to pay $19 to $45 per hour or page for a skilled copywriter.
However, prices can range upwards of $250.
Places to Find Outsourced Copywriters
Not sure where to begin searching for copywriters?
You’d be surprised how many websites exist that pair copywriters with bloggers.
Here are just a few of the best.
1. Upwork
Upwork is a site focused solely on freelance work.
You can find copywriters, editors, proofreaders, and more on Upwork’s job boards.
2. Fiverr
Fiverr is a one-stop shop where freelancers in all fields offer their services.
It’s an excellent place to look if you’re on a budget for copywriters.
3. ProBlogger
Similar to Upwork, ProBlogger is a job board designed for freelancers.
However, it focuses specifically on writers.
So, if you don’t want to sift through a lot of jobs, ProBlogger should be your first stop.
4. A Writing Agency
If you’re in the market for high-quality copywriting and don’t want to go through the trial-and-error of finding someone, you can reach out to a writing agency.
They can pair you with a freelancer who perfectly suits your needs.
5. AI Tools Like Jasper.ai
When you don’t have the budget for a freelancer but still want to get some help with your web copy, you can look to AI tools like Jasper.ai or Grammarly.
They’ll help polish your writing without the hefty price tag of a live writer.
Earn 10,000 free words in Jasper when you sign up using our Jasper referral link.
You're LITERALLY minutes away from having mind-blowing results that work.
It's only $29 to start AND if you don't like it for any reason, the Jasper team will refund your payment 100% - no questions asked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to a few common questions about copywriting.
How do beginners start copywriting?
The best place to start your career as a copywriter is the beginning.
Study the craft, work on perfecting it, then create a portfolio.
From there, you can start applying for jobs as a freelancer or full-time writer.
What are copywriting skills?
All copywriters have a crucial skill set that enables them to create perfect web copy.
They have nearly flawless grammar, understand digital marketing, and know how to tap into their industry and reach customers.
Wrapping Up
Hiring a copywriter for your blog can save you time while increasing your revenue.
If you have the time and inclination, learning how to create engaging web copy will be an invaluable skill.
Using the tips and suggestions in this article, you’ll be able to find a skilled copywriter for your blog or develop the skills yourself.
If you have any questions or want to share your experience, feel free to drop a comment below!