Copy writing Definition

 

         Copy writing Definition

Advertising your products and services doesn't always get you the results you need. Most of the time, it's because the words on your website, in your marketing emails, or on your social media platforms are poorly written or ineffective at getting people to take the final step of making a purchase. 

This is a huge factor for success in any industry. Whether you sell home tools or offer insurance services, the way your written content is formulated matters more than you think. 

Enter copy writing It's a fancy word for writing that you use in marketing strategies to improve sales and conversions.  Copy writing is one of the most important elements of advertising and marketing. It's the process of writing persuasive words (known as copy) that inspire or motivate people to take a specific action. 

When you open a magazine and there's a full-page advertisement selling perfume, the words on that page are the result of copy writing. When you go to a website that prompts you to buy something, the words on that page are the result of  You can find copies in print, online, and even being read on television or over the radio. is almost everywhere you look and listen.

Who is behind Behind every piece of copy is a copywriter. Copywriters are individuals who are trained to craft words in a way that will connect with the target audience and move them to do something. Most businesses hire an in-house copywriter or on a contract basis to help them communicate with the world and grow. 

It's important that you don't confuse and copyright. They sound the same but are two very different things. You already know what Copyright is a type of protection provided by the U.S. government that allows you to proclaim authorship for an original piece of work. For example, you could claim original ownership of an audiovisual, musical, architectural, literary, or dramatic creation and it would give you the exclusive right to distribute or publish it.

2. What does a copywriter do?

A copywriter writes words that move an audience to take action. There are many different types of copy writing, however, at the base of all of them is the act of studying a specific audience and understanding their needs and desires. Then, a copywriter a way to best connect with the audience, show the audience their problem is understood, and present a solution. 

What does a copywriter create?

A copywriter is a person who provides the words for a variety of assets including web pages, blogs, articles, ads, social media posts, emails, posters, billboards, guides, case studies, whitepapers and more. They use the medium of writing to inform, engage, impact, and/or persuade audiences. The goals can vary from raising brand awareness to positioning a business or organization as an authority, to closing sales. 

The copywriter job description 

Copywriters, in general, do a little bit of everything, including: 

Writing content with the intent of informing, educating, or inspiring an audience

Writing copy to move readers to action

Researching to find information, statistics, keywords, topics, and brand information

Editing and proofreading to refine grammar, style, readability, accuracy, voice, tone, and punctuation

Working as a project manager, which involves  topics, working with other creators, writing, editing, revising, and publishing

It's a demanding role that requires a high level of hard and soft skills. 

Every business or organization that plans to communicate with its audience needs a copywriter. From sole proprietors to large enterprises, no company is too large or small. Copywriters can find work with:

Individuals who start and run their own businesses independently like interior designers, writers, party planners, graphic designers, and coaches.

Marketing agencies: Companies with teams that help a variety of clients with the many aspects of marketing.

Small businesses: Small businesses that are privately owned and generate less annual revenue and have fewer employees than guidelines set by the Small Business Administration. Those limits vary by industry. 

Enterprises: Large corporations with hundreds or even thousands of employees. 

Fortune 500 companies: The 500 largest U.S. companies ranked by Fortune magazine. 

Brick-and-mortar retail stores: Traditional street-side businesses offerings products and services. 

The need for copy writing persists no matter the business type or niche because a fundamental part of running a business is driving a specific action from an audience. To drive action, you need people to be aware of your company and need to guide them down the path you want them to take. Crafting words that effectively show what an organization is about while influencing the audience in a specific way requires knowledge and skill. Each piece of copy created should fit into the larger puzzle of the brand's identity and overall strategy. 

Copywriters understand the big picture, including the brand identity and the buyer's journey, and then craft many types of copy that work together to achieve the business's goals. They help to properly articulate everything including:

The fundamental components of a company's brand like the mission, vision, and core values.

The words that will appear on the company's fixed assets like their website and social profiles.

And the pieces required on an ongoing basis like press releases, social media posts, blogs, and video scripts. 

If you're looking for a place to find copy writing work, you'll have no shortage of options. From mom and pop shops and investment firms to dentists and doctors, take your pick. The key is finding a niche you enjoy writing about that is profitable and in high demand. Then, you can become an expert in the area, earning higher rates and more inbound business.

4. How to interview a copywriter the right way?

In order to hire the right copywriter for your project, you have to ask the right questions. Establishing a positive and professional relationship with a copywriter is essential. There needs to be good communication all around. That way, the first job will be a success and then you can move forward with more projects afterward.

Below you'll find a list of suggested questions to ask your potential copywriter. As you can see, these questions are great steps towards a positive conversation.

Do you have experience writing for my industry? After asking some questions to get to know the interviewee start asking punctual questions. Start by asking if they have experience in your particular industry. If they say yes, ask for what companies they've worked for. If not, ask if they could see it as a problem, or are they willing to take upon a challenge.

Do you have an established research process? Next, ask if they have a research process when starting a new project. Copywriters should be able to dig deep into a company to find out the Pay attention to what they say their research process looks like. If they say that all they need is a brief, then they might not be the right fit.

Can you show us some writing samples? Ask to see some of their copy writing work. Most will have a selection of their best work on hand. If there is any of their work live on the internet at that time, ask to see it. Ask a few more questions about those projects; are they successful? are clients seeing good results?

What is your preferred style of copy? Ask the candidate if they have a preferred style of  Some copywriters prefer a storytelling angle while others lean towards a more technical approach. Either way, it's highly likely that they have a preference.

Do you have a favorite product or service category to write for? Following the previous question, ask about their preferred category or industry. If it doesn't match your company, don't worry, that doesn't mean that they won't do a good job. If they answer that they prefer a challenge over something they know a lot about, that's a good sign.

Are you familiar with keyword research and Google results analysis? Some copywriters offer keyword research and analysis, but not all do. In some cases, a copywriter may have some content marketing knowledge and can offer a deeper analysis of different types of keywords and how they perform. Ask if they are familiar with google results analysis to see if they can make a good assessment as to where your current copy could use a refresh in the right direction.

After interviewing a few candidates and choosing the top one or two, conduct a test to see if they fit the bill. The most efficient process is with a two-part test that will determine how suited the candidate is for the job.