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Copywriting Articles and Advice

The latest copywriting articles and advice from Copyblogger. For an introduction to copywriting, check out Copywriting 101.

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The ‘Pulp Fiction’ Technique for Engaging and Persuasive Content

"Pulp Fiction expertly uses a common writing technique that grabs attention right from the beginning, and magnetically holds it." – Brian Clark

You’ve seen Pulp Fiction, right? It’s the classic 1994 black comedy crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.

The film is highly stylized, presented out of chronological order, and filled with eclectic dialogue that reveals each character’s perspectives on various subjects. And yes, it’s profane and violent.

Pulp Fiction was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture. Tarantino and his co-writer Roger Avary won for Best Original Screenplay, which is truly the foundation of an exceptional film.

Despite the groundbreaking inventiveness, Pulp Fiction also expertly uses a common writing technique that grabs attention right from the beginning, and magnetically holds that attention through a form of psychological tension generated by our short-term memories.

This simple strategy is something you can use in your marketing content, your sales copy, and your live presentations. You’ll not only increase engagement, but also add enhanced credibility to the persuasive point you’re trying to make.
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3 Tips on High-Conversion Copy from a Sales Page Specialist

"The better you are at addressing your prospect’s concerns, doubts, and objections, the more sales you’ll bring in." – Beth Hayden

I know what some of you are thinking.

You’re asking:

“Do I really need a sales page anymore? Can’t I sell using social media/webinars/live events/blog posts/podcast episodes?”

I don’t know the details of your exact situation, but I will say this:

If you need to spell out the benefits of your product or service in order to make more sales (which you do), a sales page will drive more positive results for your business.
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What Not to Do (in Content Marketing)

What Not to Do (in Content Marketing)

Some weeks are all sunshine and lollipops. This week is not that week.

Actually, all week we’ve been warning you of various colorful ways online professionals can shoot themselves in the foot. On Monday, I talked about a bunch of ways (around 30, I think) that people mess things up for themselves when they’re conducting their professional lives on the web. Some of them are silly, and some of them are serious. (I hope you’ll add your own advice in the comments!)

On Tuesday, Robert Bruce alerted us to the dangers of the writhing, pushing, sweating bodies of hype. Goodness gracious me. He does have an important point to make, beyond all the heavy breathing, and it’s an entertaining read.

And on Wednesday, Stefanie Flaxman shared an embarrassing email marketing fail (not ours, thank goodness) — and the lessons to be learned from it.
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A Quick Copywriting Lesson Taken Directly from an Email Marketing Fail

"Reveal the details that compel your prospect to take action immediately." – Stefanie Flaxman

Ten years ago, a tattoo shop I went to subscribed my email address to their email newsletter.

They didn’t send updates very often, so I never unsubscribed. However, new owners recently acquired the business — and apparently their email newsletter list — because lately I’ve been getting not very good emails more frequently.

I should have unsubscribed after receiving the first few, but I kept forgetting. I’d just scroll through an email quickly and delete it.

And I’m glad that was my routine, because today I have a copywriting lesson to share that I took directly from a mistake they made in an email they sent last week.
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Why Sex Doesn’t Sell

"Are you a writer, or a flimflam artist?" – Robert Bruce

In his essay, “It’s Necessary for the Scene,” American playwright David Mamet explains why no play or movie he writes or directs include explicit sex scenes.

Mamet is no prude. He cut his teeth in the theatre, working in and around that last great institution of vagabonds and players, excess and fornication.

No, what he’s getting at here is something more important than a hopeless moral stance. It is a display of wisdom and restraint that can instruct both copywriters and content marketers.

“When we see the scene of simulated sex, we can think only one of two things:

  1. Lord, they’re really having sex … or
  2. No, I can tell, they aren’t really.

Either of the above responses takes us right out of the film.”

Sex doesn’t sell the story; it takes us completely out of the story.
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Tough Love Week on Copyblogger

Tough Love Week on Copyblogger

I got an email from my team last week saying, “Seth Godin just wrote a post about an interesting new program he’s doing. Should we try to get him on the podcast?”

The answer to that question is always Hell, yes. It’s always great to talk with Seth, and he shared a little bit about his interesting new seminar, and a lot about his thoughts on communicating to create meaningful change. I got a lot of value out of the conversation, and I think you will, too. His seminar is also well worth checking out, but you have to do that by Friday.

This week on the blog was all about seizing responsibility and making your professional life better.

My conversation with Seth sparked some thoughts that I explored in Monday’s post — about how we can quit putting up with not-so-great clients and attract more of the wonderful ones instead.
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