The freelance copywriting life can sound enticing: choose your own hours, work from wherever you like and do what you enjoy. But the reality can be a lot different when you’re starting out. Many get stuck treading water in the dregs of keyword writing monotony, where $6 per article sounds generous. Some think the answer […]
Want 55% more traffic? Start a blog
When I started this blog three years ago I used it as a platform for banging my drum about the benefits of blogging for businesses (in fact, The Copywriter’s Crucible was originally called the keyword packed ‘SEO and Business Blogging UK’ (I don’t know why I changed the name either)). I started blogging after being indoctrinated […]
Why Copywriters Shouldn’t Rush to Go Digital Because 60% Prefer Print
It appears as though the printed word is on its deathbed. The Yellow Pages is now more widely used as a doorstop, whilst many newspapers are wheezing their final breaths. Many expect direct mail to go the same way. So is learning how to write direct mail, brochures and sales letters a waste of time for aspiring copywriters? Are people so plugged into the digital […]
Long copy Vs. Usability? What About Relevance and Design?
With time being such a valuable commodity these days, what’s the best way of providing people with the information they need on your website? Do they really want to wade through thousands of words of carefully composed, sales driven copy? Or would they prefer bulleted lists and tidbits of info that communicate your product’s benefits […]
Free Copywriting Swipe Files and Audio Interviews with Two Copywriting Legends
Looking for a free copywriting swipe file? Then I’ve put together some great sources of expert copy to get ideas and inspiration from, so you need never be stuck on what to say in your next promo or ad. The simple act of copying sales letters and ads written by master wordsmiths should be part […]
A Copywriting Principle that’s Becoming Vital for SEO
For a while now, I’ve been using this blog as a pulpit for preaching to anyone who’ll listen on the benefits of great content. Building traffic to your website is one thing. But you still have to consider what you’re going to do when visitors arrive. Are you merely going to offer them the same […]
What Copywriters Need to Know About the Changes in SEO
There was a time when I ranked on page one of Google for my trophy keyword (copywriter), but then thought it wise to change my domain name and lose my hard won ranking in the process. Despite implementing redirects, an assortment of WordPress plugins and anything else that might make Google happy, my website continues […]
Should Your Website’s Copywriting be Informative or Persuasive?
“For six months I read all the car ads in search of information. All I found was fatuous slogans and flatulent generalities…If their engineering was as incompetent as their advertising, their cars would not run ten miles without a breakdown.†– David Ogilvy With magazines and TV struggling to cope with haemorrhaging ad revenue (and […]
Are You Ignoring Your Offline Marketing?
Like many people, when I first started getting into internet marketing (blogging in particular) I got sucked into all the hype on the millions that could be made from digital products and how, after a few months work, you could look forward to sipping cocktails on a beach whilst the sales poured in. Whilst it […]
Persuasive Writing eBook Released – The Art of Using Words to Convince, Compel and Sell
Three months and several rewrites later, my eBook on persuasive writing has finally been released. It comprises of all the posts from my recent persuasive writing series, and a couple more to fill in the gaps. Experienced copywriters won’t discover anything new. But I’m hoping the eBook will be useful for visitors looking for advice […]