We live in a world full of words. Everywhere we look, we see words and phrases streaming by on social media, digital billboards, and even TV commercials. Despite the abundance of words, non-fiction is the “fastest growing” segment of the books market, and we’re tempted to put up with less and less fiction as the world becomes more digital.
Does this sound like you? Have you ever found yourself struggling with dull content, overly complicated language, or a mishmash of styles and formats? If so, you’re in luck because we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll teach you precisely how to master the craft of copywriting so that you can bring your talent to bear on any endeavor.
1. Master the Language
In the early stages of your copywriting career, it’s essential that you develop a deep familiarity with the English language and its structures. To serve as a resource for yourself, you might want to become a student of English grammar and language usage patterns. From there, you can move on to more complex things like sentence diagramming and word choice. Once you’re comfortable juggling basic English grammar, you can tackle more sophisticated topics like pithy phrasing, interesting verb tenses, and vivid, eye-catching metaphors. Learning grammar isn’t easy, but with diligent practice, you’ll see significant improvement in no time at all.
2. Learn to Approach Writing
Writing is often perceived as a “set it and forget it” activity, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Even the most accomplished writers work hard at honing their craft and constantly improve their results. Just like anything else, writing is something that you learn and continue to improve upon. To that end, it’s important that you approach your writing career with a growth mindset. Think of all the exceptional writers you know and their incredible stories. Many of them worked hard to get where they are, and that’s exactly what you’ll do too! Just like with any other skill or talent, you’ll continue to develop and improve your writing skills over time, and that’s what’s exciting! As a result, your writing will become more refined, effective, and, above all, memorable.
3. Learn to Organize Ideas
An integral part of any aspiring writer’s process is learning to organize their ideas and compose a clear and concise message. A helpful technique called “ideogramming” can be a powerful tool for organizing your thoughts and working through your ideas. Just like the image on the right, an ideogram is a “form,” or set of symbols, that represent an idea or concept. For example, in the image on the right, the white boxes represent “ideas” while the grey regions are the parts that are “completed.” When you ideogram, you pull the ideas from your mind and translate them into a visual format that will make them easy to access and work with later on. In a sense, you’re making your own mind map, but one that you can update and refine at any time.
4. Learn to Flesh Out Your Ideas
In the same way that ideogramming helps you organize your thoughts, so too does “editing” or “fleshing out” the details of your work. The difference is that in editing, you’re not starting from an idea but from what you’ve already written. After you’ve gone through your material with a fine-toothed comb and made sure that everything is perfect, it’s time to “finish off” your work with a short bow. Depending on the nature of your work, you might want to add some additional touches like a logo, a contact information, or even a simple “thank you” for reading.
5. Use These Skills
You’re now equipped with the tools to help you become a better writer. As mentioned above, writing is an activity that you continue to hone throughout your career. Since these tools can only take you so far, you’ll need to find your own ways to improve as a writer. Some suggestions include joining a writing group or blog group, participating in online forums, or seeking out feedback and working on your weaknesses. Whatever your approach, always remember to keep your eyes open for opportunities to improve and grow as a writer!
Above all else, make sure to surround yourself with accomplished writers and editors who can help you find your feet and guide you along the way. If you can, seek out a professional mentor who can help you navigate the ups and downs of your writing career. As you continue to grow as a writer, remember to always be proud of what you’ve accomplished and keep your head high!