Lift notes are a great way to spice up your writing and make it more lively and interesting. Not only do they provide a fresh take on your subject matter, but they can also inject some humour into your work. In this blog post, we will discuss how to use punchy phrases and words in your copy to make it more engaging and memorable.
What are Lift Notes?
As the name would suggest, lift notes are phrases and words that “lift” the reader out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. While the idea behind lift notes may seem simple, creating them requires a little bit of preparation and research. To help you out, we have collected 25 of the most creative lift phrases and words you can use in your next piece of copywriting. Whether you are writing an article for your blog or an email campaign to promote a new product, these 25 words and phrases will give you the inspiration to craft an original and memorable piece.
Lift Phrases And Words
Here are the 25 phrases and words you can use to give your writing some extra oomph and make your readers sit up and take notice. Whether you use them in your Instagram bio, tweet, or email subject line, these words and phrases will stick out and engage your audience.
Articulate
The first word that springs to mind when thinking about copywriting is “articulate”. After all, good writing is something that is easy to understand and memorable. When used in the right context, the word “articulate” can mean “to express oneself clearly and persuasively” or “to express ideas in a logical and systematic manner”. When used in the context of copywriting, “articulate” can mean “to compose or draft text with clarity and precision”. To be clear, this isn’t a word used generally in everyday speech, and you will only need to look at a few instances of it being used in a non-literary setting to know how difficult it can be to remember or reproduce.
Attract
Let’s start with something basic – if you want to attract someone, you have to offer them what they want. In the case of marketing copy, you are trying to attract potential customers or clients into buying your product or service. One of the best ways to do this is by offering them value. For example, if you are selling shoes, you can use words like “flattering”, or “attracting” to describe the way your shoes look or how they fit, respectively.
Awareness
Awareness is simply being aware of something or someone. When you are writing for the internet, you are usually writing for a global audience. As a result, you have to become familiar with colloquialisms and understand how certain phrases will be interpreted in a foreign setting. For example, if you are writing about weight loss, you have to be aware of alternative terms used for “lose weight” in Chinese or Arabic speaking countries.
Analogous
If you feel like your readership is made up of people who are interested in a certain subject matter, you can use the word “analogous” to describe the relationship between two things. In scientific journal articles, you will often see phrases like “According to previous research…” or “This new research…”. When used in a scientific context, the word “analogous” means “of a kind; similar, but not identical”. In a non-scientific setting, you can use this word to describe the relationship between two things that are similar but not exactly the same or to indicate that one thing is similar to another despite differences in some way.
Arresting
To attract and retain customers, you have to make an impact on them. One of the best ways to do this is by grabbing them with an interesting hook or an unexpected twist at the end of your copy. When done well, the result can be quite arresting – making the reader stop and think or even feel a tinge of pain as a result of your writing.
Asymmetrical
Asymmetrical means “not equal in shape or size”. In a political context, this can be used to describe how the positions of two or more groups are unequal. For example, in reference to the Brexit referendum, you could write, “The Leave campaign was well-organized, had the support of the populous, and was extremely effective in using social media to spread its message.” When used in a non-political context, the word “asymmetrical” can mean “having two unequal sides” – for example, a house with a garden on one side and a garage on the other side.
Assertive
In contentious situations, you have to be assertive – that is, you need to stand your ground and be clear about what you want. When used in a non-arguments setting, the word “assertive” can mean “having confidence in one’s opinions or feelings” or “being outspoken”. In a legal context, you can see how someone could see this word and instantly think of a lawsuit. In the case of writing, a contentious situation can arise when you have differing views on the subject matter of your article or disagreement about the way your subject matter should be presented in order to persuade your audience to take some kind of action. In such instances, you have to ensure your article is presented in a rational and logical manner and that your main points are clearly articulated.
Befuddled
If you want to befuddle someone (or something), you have to confuse or disturb the wits of your audience. This can be done by deliberately planting ambiguities in your copy or using various words and phrases that can mean different things to different people. When used in a non-fuddled setting, the word “befuddled” can mean something like “stupefied” or “confounded”, or even “astonished”. In a scientific context, you can see how this word might make someone think of Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity, “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. In a legal context, you can see how this word might make someone think of a judge’s ruling or jury’s decision – befuddled means “confounded or disturbed in the mind”.
Capricious
One of the best things about being a writer is that you get to say what you want. In a previous blog post, we discussed how the act of writing gives you complete control over the content and shape of your work. When you have complete control over your work, you also have complete control over how you want your work to be interpreted by others. Your readership is no different. When you want to capriciously cause confusion or distress to your readers, you can do so by writing phrases that have multiple meanings or using words that have several different definitions. For example, you could write, “Are you looking for a complete toiletry set? Here’s a great selection that will allow you to wash, dry, and exfoliate your skin in style.” When used in a non-literary setting, “capricious” can mean “rudely or whimsically interfering” or “given to frequent changes; erratic”. In a legal context, you can see how this word might make someone think of an unjust or unpredictable legal ruling or verdict – “capricious” can mean “showing a marked inclination to behave in an unscrupulous manner” or “having or showing a whimsical or fickle nature”.