What are the Best Resources for Learning Copywriting?
Becoming a successful copywriter means writing the compelling text for advertising or publicity material that draws in the right target audience. Basically, it's a form of content marketing that is intended to drive the reader to take action, either to buy a product or service there and then, or to want to find out more by visiting a website or signing up for a blog, newsletter or interacting on social media.
Copywriting skills are useful, whether you wish to promote your own products or your company's or to operate as a freelance copywriter to craft compelling copy and strategically deliver words that pull people into your own business.
Deciding on the best resources to learn copywriting is an important step. Everyone learns differently and it's essential that you discover the best way to learn copywriting that suits your learning style and eventually lands you your first copywriting gig.
Write without fear. Edit without mercy.
Become a Successful Copywriter Using Copywriting Books
If this mode of learning suits you and encourages you to write great copy, there is a plethora of books on the market that can teach you the necessary skills to be a good copywriter and reach out to potential customers. A search on Google will reveal a whole host of useful material to help you reach your copywriting aims but be sure to read the independent reviews before committing to buy.
Writing Copy for Dummies has a good reputation. It's an example of an accessible and comprehensive guide to the copywriting skills you'll need, including how to get work as a freelance copywriter and find the best networks of marketing professionals to discover potential clients.
Copywriting Made Simple is an excellent example that has bred many successful copywriters and is the perfect little read for anyone just starting out in the copywriting business or wishing to take strides in advertising.
One major drawback of learning from a book is the lack of feedback you will get. The book may include exercises, most do, but without someone to cast a critical eye over your performance, it can be difficult to know how well you're actually doing. The reader's first impression of your work is crucial. It's what creates the all-important call to action – no one ever retrieved discarded marketing materials out of the recycling.
Beginning your copywriting career
Begin Your Copywriting Career with an Online Course
There are tons of copywriting courses online. A quick Google will throw up a whole bunch. However, not all those who offer online copywriting courses are the real deal, so you do need to be extra careful.
One course that I'd highly recommend is the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy. This course gets top ratings and I personally loved it. Not only can you work at your own pace, but there are tons of practical exercises in there to give you some exposure and you have access to an online community to work with other people going on the same journey as you and even some more experienced marketing professionals to grow your network.
You will have lifetime access too, so if you ever need to backtrack, there's no issue at all. It's the key to good copywriting in my opinion. But you don't need to take my word for it - see for yourself.
There are other great writing courses out there too. They will give you all the skills you need and will give you useful feedback on your own. Learning how to write copy isn't a quick process. So find a course that suits you and that you know you'll be able to stick with.
Finding free copywriting exposure for your masterpiece
Free Copywriting Skills and Exposure
Don't underestimate the power of your own experience. You are actually one of the most powerful resources that you have at your disposal. Successful copywriting comes from your own likes and dislikes. To craft compelling copy, just use your own instincts.
We are all constantly presented with advertising copy, in newspapers, magazines and social media posts, through the letterbox, out on the street. Which advertisements do you read through and which do you merely glance at and ignore or toss straight in the recycling?
Why is that? What is it that drew your attention sufficiently for you to read one advertisement fully when the next was discarded? What types of website copy pull your gaze, while others make you scroll past?
You are part of your target audience – a free resource! What works for you will work for others. Spend some time looking at advertising copy, read through those sales letters, have a browse through blog posts. Only you can understand what grabs a reader's attention, because, in fact, you are a reader yourself!
Landing a Copywriting Job Only Comes with Practice
Have a go! And the more you do, the better you will get. Write content, write a sales page, and focus on your readers. Content marketing and compelling copy only comes with practice.
Try writing copy for products you have seen or use yourself and pass it to someone else for their impression of your work. Make sure they give you feedback. It won't do your learning progress any good if they shy away from hurting your feelings. Be creative with your writing. Think outside the box and craft compelling copy with a difference.
Remember that the whole purpose of copywriting is to get the reader to take action. Would it motivate your reader to want to find out more, or to buy the product? Make your readers beg for more using your newfound marketing and copywriting experience.
