There are few professions that can compete with the air of mystery that surrounds SEO. In fact, David Copperfield could learn a thing or two about misdirection and creating mystique from a chat with an SEO consultant. But things are changing. Google’s algorithm is getting ever more sophisticated, and the attempts to game it ever […]
Should B2B copywriters use long form sales letters on corporate websites?
Ah, the long form sales letter. Such a bone of contention among copywriters. Many will deride their length, saying nobody has the patience to read pages of copy these days, whilst direct marketing copywriters, who test avidly, will tell you otherwise. When discussing long form copy, many people will picture those get rich quick schemes […]
Which Marketing Channel is the Most Trusted? Our Survey Says…
Getting people to trust you has always been a cornerstone of effective copywriting. It’s a simple principle: if people believe what you say, they’re more likely to buy. A key factor in building trust, that’s often ignored, is the channel you use. An advertorial, for example, in a well respected broadsheet is likely to have […]
The Copywriter’s Crucible Puts Clichéd Copywriting on Trial
Sooo, the new website is up and running, after a few minor technical hitches. On the home page you’ll see I’ve followed through with the idea/threat of switching to promoting myself as an agency. Along with the elevated sense of self importance, I’m hoping it will push me up higher into the big leagues as […]
Behavioural Economics – Mind Tricks You Can Use in Your Copywriting
Why do people buy things? Sounds a simple question. In the copywriting world, you’re taught to use a combination of aspiration, emotion and logic to secure a purchase. But there can also be subconscious irrational reasons at play. Over the last decade ‘behavioural economics’ has grown in popularity as a way of identifying the irrational […]
Why Facebook’s popularity is great news for copywriters, and bad news for article writing sweatshops
When one door closes, another door opens. Long time readers will know that I’m not a fan of the $10 (or less) per keyword article copywriting gigs you find on freelance bidding websites, like Elance and Guru. I pity the copywriters that feel forced into these jobs, where they’re paid sweat shop wages to hammer […]
Why Complex Copywriting Can Give Your Product the WOW Factor
After reading this headline, I can imagine many of you are shaking your heads thinking ‘Gheeze Matt, what planet are you on? Don’t you know you should keep it short and simple?’ Allow me to explain. Yes, it’s true – generally speaking you should keep copywriting simple. Unless you’re writing for a highly educated niche, […]
Should B2B Copywriting Be More Conversational?
Arrived here from Google looking for a B2B copywriter? Please visit my B2B copywriting service page to find out how I can help Should you write the way you talk? Many copywriters I follow (Dean Rieck for example) and learn from certainly think so. But persuading the B2B marketing crowd of conversational copywriting’s merits is […]
How to Write Email Subject Lines that Get Your Emails Opened and Devoured
Writing subject lines for email campaigns can be tricky. Their impact can decide whether your emails are ripped open and every word devoured, or dumped nonchalantly in the junk pile. At this time of year there’s even more noise than usual in people’s inboxes. And so your subject line has to be able to demand attention if […]
Why Brief is Better when it comes to B2B Email Copywriting
Writing B2B emails is one of your trickiest tasks as a copywriter. They might be brief (100 words max). But that just means you’ve got more to pack into every word. Business people can be stressed and busy at the best of times. They don’t have time to patiently check through every message. If you’re […]