Well-crafted copy about your business helps you stand out amid the competition and get the sale. (Photo by Robert Werner)
As a freelance copywriter in Orlando, Florida, I’ve spent more than 25 years speaking with business owners who are grappling with whether to write copy about their business on their own or hire a professional to do the work.
While engaging the services of a freelance copywriter or an advertising agency can be expensive, I believe, and my clients would tell you, that good copy can pay for itself many times over in the results it delivers.
Any copy you use in your marketing is a reflection on your company. It should convey the quality and professionalism that you bring to your work.
It’s the image customers will likely form about your business and the words they will use when describing it to their friends, whether directly or on social media.
Specifically, what benefits can you derive from well-written copy in your marketing materials?
Quality copy is an essential ingredient in creating a bond with your customers, both in initially gaining their trust and later in sustaining their loyal patronage.
We live in an era of sound bites and 140 character messages, but good writing still matters when it comes to marketing your business. In fact, some would argue it’s more important than ever in today’s competitive landscape, especially with the burgeoning role of social media.
Well-written copy delivers your message without attracting attention to the mechanics of your sentences. If you’ve ever read poorly-written copy, you know the opposite occurs.
You find you’re not focused on the message but rather the awkwardness of the statement or the careless choice of words. It slows your reading pace and distracts from the ideas you’re trying to convey.
Readers want you to get to the point. They’re busy. They have other media competing for their attention. Make it easy and enjoyable for them to glide through your paragraphs.
Good writing is simple. It’s easy to understand. It lacks unnecessary complexity.
The vocabulary is varied but not pretentious. Why choose a fancy, multi-syllabic word when a shorter one will do (i.e. use vs. utilize, often vs. oftentimes)?
Weed out extra words to improve clarity. Get rid of redundancies, cliches and fluff. Delete energy-sapping words like: very, really, just, quite and rather.
What makes writing even more interesting than its style is its substance. Focus on content over craft. Deliver your message in its purest form. Your content will pack more power and inspire greater response.
If the benefits alone are not sufficiently compelling to justify the expense of hiring a professional copywriter, consider the flip side. Bad writing can have a profound negative effect on your business. Specifically, here’s what poorly-written copy can do for you:
Think of your copy–whether for an ad, brochure or website–as your secret salesperson. Its job, much like a salesperson’s, is to persuade the reader to buy your product or service. Be sure it will make a favorable impression, one that is consistent with your branding.
In today’s media-rich world, there’s no shortage of messages competing for your customers’ attention. You don’t want to lose out because your copy is ineffective.
Quality content written by a professional copywriter may cost you money up front, but your return on investment in leads and sales generated should make it pay for itself many times over.
Wow! Sounds great! I’d call that a wrap. Thank you so much for bearing with me. This was well worth the effort. Really sends the message home – POW!
Corey Hooper
President
Creators Bounty
Lighthouse Point, Florida
Susan Greene
Professional Copywriter
Affordable Rates
Orlando, Florida
floridacopywriter@gmail.com
(407) 578-5528
