When it comes to ad copywriting, skilled marketers make it look easy. Few people consider the amount of strategy, time, and effort that goes into crafting engaging advertisements – which is often precisely what makes those ads so effective. 

Learning how to write ad copy is an invaluable skill for anyone who wants to work in marketing. Although copywriting certainly takes practice, we are prepared to give you some practical tips to give you a head start.

Copywriting 101: Top Tips

Identify Your Target Audience

Before you can write compelling ad copy, you’ll need to know who you’re writing to. You can tailor your approach to accommodate your audience’s wants, needs, and interests. Instead of thinking from a copywriter’s perspective, try to put yourself in the position of a prospective customer: what kind of content would you find engaging and useful?

To develop a clearer picture of your target audience, ask questions such as:

• What specific problem does this product/service solve?
• How old are the target customers?
• Where do they live?
• What are our customers’ hobbies and interests?
• What type of language (formal, informal, and more) does our audience use?
• What type of content will be interesting and relevant to our audience?

Pinpoint Your Unique Selling Points

How can you expect your prospective customers to understand if you aren’t exactly sure what makes your brand/business different from your competitors? Spend time determining what your business has to offer that others do not, including specific products or services, your expertise/experience, or even a specific value your brand holds. 

Then, think about effectively conveying these selling points to your audience. 

Write an Attention-Grabbing Headline

Most of us are guilty of skimming headlines rather than reading entire pieces of content. So, keep this in mind as you write yours. Think of your headline as the “hook” that will capture your reader’s interest, motivating them to continue reading.

Ideally, your headline should incorporate keywords and phrases that users might type into an online search engine to find content like yours. This practice is based on search engine optimization (SEO), a complex strategy that helps your content be discovered online by the right people at the right time. 

Build In a Clear Call-To-Action (CTA)

When a reader has come to the end of the piece of copy, what do you want them to do? This ending is where the call-to-action (CTA) should appear, clearly communicating the reader’s next steps. The best CTAs are the ones that are specifically tailored to fit the content and audience alike. 

Do Your Research

Assessing your target audience is just one piece of the puzzle; you also need to learn as much as possible about your competitors, ad performance, and other aspects of the process. As a copywriter, you might not necessarily need to be involved in in-depth analysis. Still, you will need to be able to interpret key information to guide the writing process.

Make the Customer the “Hero”

Even though ad copy is intended to advertise a product, service, or brand, it should make the customer feel as if they are at the center of the story. Help your target audience see how your products/services can empower them to solve their problems instead of making your brand the star.  

Learn How to Get a Copywriting Job Now

Are you searching for online copywriting or commercial writing positions with a major brand or business? It’s a competitive field, but a solid education and hands-on experience can help you pursue your career goals.

At the Beonair Network of Media Schools, with campuses located in Miami, Chicago, Colorado, and Ohio, our Digital Media Production program takes students on a deep dive into the world of digital marketing and branding. You’ll learn essential marketing skills, including content creation and copywriting, then put them into practice. By the time you graduate, you’ll have had the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the field – and then, you’ll be ready to kick off a successful and exciting career.

See how you can turn a Digital Media Production diploma into the job of your dreams – contact us today!

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