10 Professional Content Writing Tips That Will Get Your Words Readen
The marketplace barely tolerates sales writing, so companies and entrepreneurs are looking for copywriters with a record of success. Boring copywriting is an immediate failing grade; If you want your words to be read, you need to write them engagingly and persuasively. To do this, you must first understand the basics of good copywriting. Here are ten tips that will help you get started:
1. Vary the length of your sentences
As a writer, it is essential to vary the length of your sentences to create rhythm within your writing. This can be achieved by including short, medium, and long sentences.
Short sentences tend to be punchy and please accelerate the pace of your writing, while long sentences can be used for descriptive purposes or to slow the pace down. Medium-length sentences are an excellent way to keep your writing flowing smoothly.
If you want your writing to have more rhythm, varying the length of your sentences is an ideal place to start. For example, you might use a short sentence to make a point, followed by a longer sentence to provide elaboration or detail.
You might also use a series of shorter sentences to create a sense of momentum or a series of long sentences to make sense of suspense.
Ultimately, the key is creating variety within your sentences so your reader doesn’t become bored or lost in monotonous writing. By varying the length of your sentences, you can keep your readers engaged and ensure that your writing has its unique rhythm.
2. Make your average sentence 15-18 words in length
To make your average sentence 15-18 in length, determine the average number of words per sentence in your writing. This can be done by dividing the total number of words by the number of sentences.
Once you have determined the average number of words per sentence, aim to increase or decrease that number to reach your desired sentence length. To make your sentences longer, try combining shorter ones or adding detail.
For more concise sentences, break longer ones into two or more minor ones. Remember that there is no hard and fast rule for sentence length, so don’t be afraid to mix things up to keep your writing engaging.
Aim for 15-18 words per sentence, and you’ll be on your way to a more concise and readable style.
3. Take your scalpel and cut out those overweight sentences and the words that aren’t needed
As a writer, it is vital to be aware of the weight of your words. Every sentence should serve a purpose, and every word should add something to the overall message. Cluttering your writing with unnecessary words and bloated sentences will make it harder for your reader to understand what you are trying to say.
So take a scalpel to your work, and cut out anything that doesn’t contribute to the overall message. Keep your writing clean and crisp, and you will find that your readers will appreciate it.
4. Keep your paragraphs short and contain only one thought
Most people know it is essential to keep their paragraphs short, but many do not understand why. When a paragraph is too long, it can be difficult for the reader to follow the train of thought. In addition, long paragraphs often contain more than one idea, confusing them.
By keeping paragraphs short, you can ensure that each one has only one thought. This makes your writing more concise and easier to understand. Two to three sentences are enough to capture a single idea. If you are going on for much longer, it is probably time to start a new paragraph.
5. Positive use of language
The use of positive language is vital when trying to engage your reader. For example, telling the reader what they can achieve using your product or service will encourage them to keep reading. On the other hand, negativism will only bring the reader’s spirits down and make them less likely to buy what you’re selling. Therefore, it’s essential to be confident and upbeat when writing, as this will help create a rapport with the reader.
Positive language can persuade readers that your product or service is worth their investment. For example, instead of saying, “this product won’t give you any side effects,” try something like, “this product is gentle and won’t cause any irritation.” By focusing on the product’s positive aspects, you’ll be more likely to convince the reader to make a purchase.
6. Leave the jargon on someone else’s copy!
Too often, writers try to impress their readers with big words and complicated language. However, this can backfire, making the writing difficult to understand and causing the reader to lose interest.
When it comes to sales writing, clarity is critical. The goal is to communicate information effortlessly for the reader to understand and act on.
While buzzwords may make the writer sound knowledgeable, they are often meaningless to the average reader. As a result, it is essential to use clear and concise language.
So next time you sit down to write a sales letter or email, remember to keep it straightforward. This will help ensure the message gets across and the reader doesn’t get lost in jargon.
7. Make your writing easy to understand for the reader.
It’s essential to write in a language the reader can easily understand. Use short, simple sentences and everyday vocabulary. Your writing shouldn’t be too formal or too casual.
Aim for a Grade 8 on the Flesch Kinkaid scale. This measurement is based on sentence length and the number of syllables per word. A longer, more complex sentence will score lower on the scale. So will a sentence that uses words with more syllables.
The goal is to have a mix of simple and complex sentences, focusing on clarity and conciseness. This will help ensure your writing is understandable and engaging.
8. Create a hook
For your words to be read, you need to create a hook. A hook is a sentence or two at the beginning of your copy that grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to read on.
Without a hook, your readers may lose interest and stop reading before getting to the good stuff. Try to use something surprising, interesting, or amusing when creating a hook. This will help to engage the reader and encourage them to read on.
9. Use active voice
When writing copy, it is vital to use an active voice. This means that the subject of the sentence is acting. For example, “The product was sold out in stores” is written in passive voice. This sounds like the store’s fault that the product sold out. However, if we rewrite the sentence in active voice, it sounds much better: “Our product sold out in stores.” This sounds like a successful product rather than a failure on the part of the stores.
Active voice is more engaging and more accessible to read than passive voice. It also sounds more confident and persuasive. So next time you sit down to write, use an active agent. This will help ensure that your writing is compelling and engaging.
10. Use persuasive language
When writing a copy, it is essential to use persuasive language. This means using words that will convince the reader to take action. For example, instead of saying “Buy our product,” try something like “Invest in our product today.” Using persuasive language will make you more likely to get the reader to take action.
These are just a few tips to help you write better copy. However, the best way to improve your writing is to practice. The more you write, the better you’ll become at crafting compelling copies. So don’t be afraid to get out there and start writing!
