When you’re just starting out in the field, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the massive amounts of advice out there. Choosing one course of action over another, knowing which tools to use and when to use them can all feel like a daunting task. This is why we’ve gone ahead and curated this extensive list of tips, tricks and suggestions that our experts feel are essential for any aspiring copywriter to know.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
The first and most crucial step to creating a good copywriting portfolio is putting your best foot forward. This means approaching each piece of work as if you were perfect for the role, and since perfection is quite the impossible standard to maintain, you should at least aim for excellence. To help you do this, we’ve compiled a list of top tips that will get you headed in the right direction. Keep reading for more information on each point.
Understand The Importance Of A Slogan
A slogan is a phrase used to describe a business or product, and it’s what people come back to time and time again to find the information they need. It’s often the first thing a potential customer sees when they’re browsing a site or social media channel, and it can also be the first thing that triggers an action from the reader. To ensure that your slogan makes a lasting impression and that you’re remembered for your creative genius, make sure to choose a slogan that is short and to the point. It should also be easily recognizable so that it can be incorporated into both text and visuals alike. One great example of a slogan that stands out is, “Hello Fresh — Food With Love,” the tagline for UK-based food delivery service Hello Fresh. When potential customers find this online, they’ll instantly understand what the brand is and why they should care about it. If your slogan isn’t immediately apparent, consider reworking it or testing out different variations until you find the one that appeals to the most people. You can also use tools like Keyword Planner or SEO Tooltip to find the right keywords to include in your slogan.
The benefit of a slogan is that it can be used in multiple ways. You may use it directly in your copy to describe a product or service, or you may want to display it on a T-shirt or hoodie to show how you embody the spirit of the brand. For example, the phrase “food with love,” when used on a T-shirt or hoodie, could mean that you care about the health of your body and the environment. Alternatively, you could say that you love to cook and entertain so you can share your stories with others or that you are passionate about animals so you incorporate vegan living into your lifestyle choices.
Whatever the case may be, a well-chosen slogan can do wonders for your copy and help it stand out even more to potential customers.
Choose A Niche
If you’re writing to attract potential customers to your service or product, it’s important to choose a niche. A niche is a “small market or segment” within the larger market for a product or service. The advantage of choosing a niche is that you know that you’re going to be able to appeal to a select audience with your work – something that may not be the case if you were to write for a mass audience. For example, if you’re writing to land a corporate gig as a copywriter, you may want to look into specializing in food blogging or food product review websites rather than traditional marketing material. By choosing a niche, you’re also making the decision to ignore certain things about your subject matter that you don’t enjoy and to focus on what you do enjoy – like cooking or reviewing food products. This, in turn, will make you better as a writer and allow you to produce higher-quality work that will serve you better in the long run.
Know When To Be Creative
Creativity should never be stifled. Sometimes, a good idea or brief may even pop up when you’re not expecting it or when everyone else is asleep. The best way to deal with this is by being as creative as possible without any restrictions. If you feel that you’re not fitting into the “norm” for your role as a copywriter, don’t be afraid to go that extra mile instead of conforming. After all, great ideas can occur when you’re least expecting them, and if you don’t mind putting in the extra effort, you may just end up with something extraordinary.
When to be creative and when to be practical is something that you have to learn. Sometimes, you may want to brainstorm ideas with your team or seek out a freelance collaborator to get some fresh input. Learning when to be creative and when to be realistic is crucial to your success as a copywriter.
Be Confident
Being confident is one of the key elements to writing a good copy, especially for those who are new to the field. Our experts agree. Having confidence means putting yourself in the right mindset before you start writing. Before you begin, you should consider:
- the type of content you want to create
- your niche
- the target audience
- your approach
- the tools you’ll need
- what to include in your portfolio
- how you’ll present yourself
- and most importantly,
- whether you’re ready
Having confidence means being able to approach your work with excitement. It means being able to sit down and create content without fear or hesitation. Begin by setting one goal for yourself and one goal for your portfolio. Your ultimate goal as a copywriter should be to become famous and well-known for your work. To get there, you need to be confident that you’re on the right path and that you’re not wasting your time. When you feel ready, begin submitting your work to leading digital marketing agencies and publishing houses. With each piece of work you submit, you’ll gain experience and confidence, all of which will help you become the best copywriter that you can be.