The purpose of this post is to get real about learning copywriting, because many people think it’s going to be easy. Truth is – it’s really not. In fact, it can be one of the most difficult things you’ll ever have to learn. That’s probably why so few people do it well – because it takes a lot of focused, determined study to get good at.
It Requires Dedicated Study
Writing is a skill that you’ll need to know well to be effective in today’s world. Although it may seem like common sense to write a clear and concise letter, you’d be surprised at how few people actually do it well. If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either already a skilled writer or you’re actively working toward being one. If that’s the case, you’ve probably already realized that writing is both a skill and a process that you’ll have to learn and continue to improve upon.
When you first start out, it may seem easy to pick up the basics – simply follow the rules of grammar and you’ll be able to write a simple letter or an email. Unfortunately, that’s all most people think it is – simple. In reality, writing is a craft that takes thousands of hours of practice to master. It’s a lot like playing the fiddle – the more you practice, the better you’ll get at it. The truth is that it’s not going to be easy for you to learn how to write well. You have to be dedicated to doing so.
Even for professional writers, getting good at copywriting is difficult. Why? It takes a lot of practice. In fact, when you’re first starting out, you may not even know where to begin. That’s why it’s a good idea to take a class or look for a teacher who can help you out.
It Requires A Specific Voice
When you’re first learning how to write, you’ll soon discover that there’s a difference between writing for an audience and writing for yourself. The first is considered editorial copywriting, where you’re trying to persuade the reader to take a particular action or think a certain way. For example, if you’re writing an article for a business journal, you’ll want to keep the language and the style of the publication you’re working for. The second type, considered creative or narrative copywriting, is a bit more freewheeling. With this type of writing, you’re using your own thoughts and feelings to create something that’s more interesting and engaging – a good example would be an autobiography or a love story (provided you do it well, of course!).
What you need to keep in mind is that you can never write with too much conviction – it will make your letter or essay more authentic and interesting. The goal is to write something that is both interesting and persuasive at the same time. To do that, you need to find your own voice and tell your own story convincingly. Once you do, you’ll be able to write with authority and experience – something that will make your audience not only interested in what you have to say, but also willing to act upon it. Because this type of writing is generally done for paid clients, it can be a bit more profitable than your average 9-5.
It’s A Vast Subject
Another reason why learning copywriting is difficult is that it’s a vast subject matter. It doesn’t end after you learn the basics – you’ll continue to develop your skill and become a better writer by reading, studying, and practicing copiously. Even with all that practice, you’ll still find that you’re constantly learning and improving your skill. It’s a never-ending process. That’s why it’s such a unique and fascinating craft to learn.
Writing Is A Never-Ending Process
When you finally do get good at writing, you’ll discover that it is indeed a never-ending process. Once you reach a certain level of skill, you’ll find that you’re constantly learning and improving your skill – something that never stops. This is particularly relevant to professional writers. Although you’ll initially find that you’re simply replying to messages and completing boring tasks, the more you do it, the more you’ll develop your skill and become truly effective at it. It’s a good idea to keep practicing even when you reach a certain level of proficiency – the more you do it, the better you’ll become at it.
Writing Is Subjective And Is Based On The Perspective Of The Reader
Finally, let’s touch on the subjectivity of writing. Much like life, writing is subjective and is based on the perspective of the reader. If you’re ever wondering why some people are effective writers and others aren’t, it’s because the former have taken the time to truly understand what their readers want and need, while the latter have simply parroted back what they were told. If you want to be a good writer, you have to take the time to understand what your readers want and need. Only then can you write something that they’ll find both interesting and effective.
It’s Not Easy To Learn
As I’ve said, writing is a unique and fascinating craft to learn. Few people will ever master it, but even fewer will ever fully appreciate it as much as you will once you do. As with any other skill, it’s not going to grow on you – you have to make a conscious effort to learn it and keep learning every day. Good luck out there.