Whether you’re a seasoned copywriter or you’re just now hitting the scene, you’ll soon learn that pitching to investors is a bit like dating. There are certain standards that potential suitors must maintain, and you have to look out for red flags that might indicate a poor fit. As with any new relationship, you need to feel confident that you’re making the right decision for you both, but you also need to be wary of wasting your time and effort on someone who might not be worth it. For those just beginning their copywriting journey, how old do you have to be to start copywriting? Let’s find out.
Getting Your Feet Wet
Although there is no precise answer to this question, the best advice is to start as soon as possible. It’s never too early to start learning how to write and it’s also a great idea to get some training or education in copywriting, regardless of your age. You might know someone who has specialized in copywriting and now consults for businesses around the world on marketing and content strategy. If not, there are many online universities where you can gain specialized knowledge and credentials that will make you more marketable as an experienced copywriter. The earlier you get started, the better, because there are plenty of opportunities out there and the competition isn’t as cutthroat as you’d think. If you can become a full-time freelance copywriter at 20, you can certainly write your own ticket to affluence in the publishing industry. But you might not want to wait until then to start building your career.
The Dos And Don’ts Of Pitching
Now that you’re armed with some of the basics of copywriting, you can begin to develop your pitch. This article will cover some of the dos and don’ts of pitching to investors, so that when you’re ready to roll, you can approach pitching with confidence. Let’s get started.
The Dos
Dos are the rules or guidelines that you must follow. They will make or break your pitching process. Before you begin, take a moment to think of some of the most successful pitches you’ve read or heard of. Of course, there are many examples of pitches that didn’t work out so well, but there is always some common theme that you can apply. Here are some Dos that you can incorporate into your own pitching process:
- Craft a concise, easy-to-understand pitch
- Look for business opportunities in unexpected places
- Find the “whys” behind your product
- Incorporate a hard-to-find “quality” that makes your product special
- Understand what the reader wants
- Use actionable words
- Be an expert in your field
- The ends never justify the means
- Bold is beautiful
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
- Treat others with respect
- Write a powerful punch line
- The importance of details
- Follow-up!
For those just getting started, these dos should be easy to follow. As you begin to incorporate them into your own process, you’ll see how much more effective and appealing your pitches will become. For more information on dos and don’ts of pitching, check out this article from Credora.
The Don’ts
Don’ts are the things that you must avoid doing. Many new copywriters make the mistake of throwing together a few of these don’ts to create an effective pitch. This might sound like a great idea at first, but you must resist the urge to skimp out on the don’ts and add more of your own ideas. Here are some of the worst practices that you must avoid:
- Overuse exclamation points
- Put words in capital letters
- Add unnecessary fluff
- Use multiple sentences when one will do
- Include unnecessary details
- Use “we” or “our” too often
- Use industry jargon
- Get too personal
- Don’t give the reader a reason to hesitate
- Use cliches
- Make promises you can’t keep
- Don’t include your website URL in your pitch (yet)
- Lack emotional connect
- Make the reader feel as if they’re the only one in the room
- Don’t ever use “literally”
- Include your company’s financial information in your pitch (yet)
- Show off
- Go easy on the self-promotion
- Lack authenticity
- Use too many figures of speech
- Use too many words
- Put your phone number or email address in your pitch (yet)
By following these dos and avoiding these don’ts, you will establish yourself as a reliable source of expertise and an authoritative voice within your industry. More and more business owners are turning to copywriters to help them articulate their vision and make it easier for them to navigate the ever-changing world of business and communications. With an increasingly digital and connected world, those who can master the art of effective copywriting will be in high demand.