If you are writing your own content for a website, online store or even a blog you need to be aware of the basics of copywriting. This goes equally well if you are outsourcing your content as you’ll need to make sure they follow these tips so you will get the most content bang for your money!
The following is the list of copywriting tips and mistakes(rips) I use. If you like them and want the template I use, I’ll give it to you free and you can use them to ensure you or your staff follow the rules for online copywriting.
Copywriting Tip/Rip #1:
Start your content with (Tip) a great headline or (Rip)just some random irrelevant title.
You do want people to read your content after you spent time writing it, correct? What most people don’t realize is that if you have a boring headline 80% of people will NEVER read any further. It shouldn’t, but the title matters… a lot!
My template has some great sample titles you can use.
Copywriting Tip/Rip #2:
(Tip)Provide good, quality content, but (Rip)don’t waste people’s time or bore them.
Write your content with a goal and get to the point. You don’t need a 1000 word article to get good results when 200 or 300 would do and cover the topic well. Let’s face it – people get bored and distracted very easily in the age of IM, Twitter, FB, Texting so don’t give them a reason to be distracted. Less is more most of the time. You will probably find it difficult to write fewer words at first. I know I do. All the time. 
Copywriting Tip/Rip #3:
(Tip)Use keywords in the right places or (Rip) use some cute title or saying or quote you love.
This is all about letting the search engines find you and then letting them help you out by indexing you for the keywords you really want indexed. In your first sentence, preferably the first words, need to be the keywords and phrases you want to rank with in search engines. Don’t use some cute quote, saying or random intro sentence. If you can, also use the keyword in your headline, meta titles, meta descriptions, anchor text for links and in any of your images alt tags.
Copywriting Tip/Rip #4:
(Tip)Use keywords in the body of your text and (Rip) use keywords all over your text and repeat them excessively.
You’ve all seen the proverbial web page with keywords reeking out of it and thought, that is stupid, and immediately left. It may work for a short time because the engines won’t pick up on it initially unless you are truly blatant. But, in the long run, readers will leave immediately and your ranking will drop. What you really want is people to come AND STAY on your site so write your content for PEOPLE, not search engines.
Copywriting Tip/Rip #5:
(Tip)Use varying titles, meta titles and meta descriptions or (Rip) use the default or same one for everything.
Always use a keyword or phrase in your titles and meta information, but make sure to change them up some and try to make it relevant to the content as well. By default many CMS’s like WordPress use a fairly poor SEO default title. You can vary it yourself or you can set up the post structure where it shows the post title. Better yet, use a free plugin that will do even more for you by default and help propel your content to the next level of search!
Copywriting Tip/Rip #6:
(Tip)Mention benefits of your site, service or product or (Rip) mention just features, facts and figures.
Features, facts and figures have their place in content, but people really only want to know WIIFM, what’s in it for me. Do you want to have 58% less plaque on your teeth or do you want to have a dazzling smile that all the hottest people will notice and love? Thought so!
Copywriting Tip/Rip #7:
(Tip)Tell people what you want them to do or (Rip) let them guess based on your site content or jedi mind tricks.
This is a call to action and you must have one or people will wander aimlessly and probably leave your site. Tell them to order this now, or contact me now, or sign up for the free newsletter, or even read this other article.
P.S. Bonus Tip… Buttons, links and graphics help – especially ugly red flashy ones. So please
to sign up for my domain name and website RSS feed
Almost forgot, if you want my free content template just contact me and I’ll give you the link.
Thanks for your post, great idea, as always!
Thanks Rick – really appreciate it. Can be a boring topic, but very key.
I think finding a website host is the hardest part for newcomers because there are so many companies out there.
That shouldn’t be too hard Mindy – go with the basics at first as you won’t have much traffic initially – go with ease of use. I have used several but have narrowed it down to just two now – Godaddy and HostGator. Hostgator for all unix/wordpress/php stuff – except this blog which I started on Godaddy and haven’t updated
Godaddy for all my Windows based asp.net sites.
This is so true whether it be in marketing SEO or just creating a better user experience I think more people will want to read this.
Thanks – I hope so. BTW, took a look at your site and like your work. May have to try out your copywriting service soon as I’m struggling with some others.
Thanks Britt. Will do.
Thanks a lot – glad you found the copywriting rules appropriate especially in the context of marketing online
Thanks, glad I could help!