The question of “What makes copy good or bad?” is often spun by our students into “Am I a good copywriter?” It’s a simple question with a not-always-so-simple answer.
In this episode, Nicki and Kate dive into unraveling the answer, and how asking yourself if something is good copy or bad copy, will make you a better copywriter.
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A Sneak Peek at the Episode
[2:10] The question of “What makes copy good or bad?” is often spun by our students into “Am I a good copywriter?” It’s a simple question with a not always so simple answer.
[4:20] When looking at an ad, even if you are not the target audience, put yourself is their shoes. Does it make sense to you? Does it connect with you as the customer? Using the words good or bad is too black and white.
[7:30] It’s important to take a moment and analyze what you are seeing, because if you learn to analyze the work of others you will become able to analyze yours much more effectively.
[10:45] You might be surprised at some of the places you find effective copy and what makes it so effective. It might be elements beyond copy that are getting you to take action, copy doesn’t live in a vacuum.
[18:40] If you are out there evaluating copy and you’re going “this is good, this hits the points, oh, this is not good, this is missing the points” you are ahead of the game. The next step to build your skills is to take the time to and work on a rewrite, what would you say instead.
[21:30] The question we often hear from students is “how do I know if I’m a good copywriter, how can I be a good copywriter?” This concern or resistance is a natural part of the process of learning a new skill.
[23:30] If you are in a project and feeling lost, go back to the fundamentals. As long as you are delivering those fundamental elements of copy, that make that copy good, then you are a good writer of copy.
[25:00] The writing of the copy is only one portion of what we do as copywriters. We strategize with and guide our clients. The copywriter is partner with the client.
“A good copywriter is someone who writes good copy and as such, a good copywriter writes good copy that does talk to the benefit, speaks to the target audience, that does have a call to action.” – Nicki
“It might not be bad copy, it might have just gotten to the wrong person.” – Kate
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About the Build Your Business Podcast
Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career?
Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Nicki and Kate have 20+ and 10+ years of experience, respectively, writing copy for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between.
Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here.
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Ep. 125: How to Calm Your Nerves Before Copywriting Client Calls
Last Updated on September 10, 2023
