10 Cheat Codes For High-Conversion Copywriting

It took me years to master copywriting, which I learned from taking numerous AWAI courses. Fortunately, today, it's much easier to learn anything without a formal education.

Yes, you can learn a tremendous amount about copywriting by taking courses taught by well-known copywriters, and you can learn even more by attending in-person copywriting boot camps. But what if you're just a beginner and want to get your foot in the door but can't afford the price of admission to the top-of-the-line products taught by some of the legends in the field?

Fortunately, you can still learn copywriting, which is like a secret language that helps you talk to people in a way that makes them want to listen to your persuasive piece and act on your recommendations.

Imagine having a special set of "cheat codes" to make your writing more powerful and persuasive. Here are ten that can help you become a great copywriter:

1. Rehearse the Inner Game

Before you start writing, take a few minutes each day to imagine yourself as the best possible copywriter you can be.

Close your eyes and picture yourself writing elegant words that people love to read, or imagine yourself talking to the perfect client, or see yourself building a stunning portfolio. It's your dream... fill out the details.

This mental rehearsal does more than help you feel confident and eager to create great copy; it also instructs your subconscious mind with your goals and invites insights and synchronicity into your copywriting life.

2. Understand Your Audience

Knowing who you are writing for is essential. Think about what your readers like, what they need, and what problems they face. When you understand them well, you can write messages that speak directly to them and make them feel understood.

One way to conduct this in-depth research is to create the right prompts and use AI tools like Chat GPT to do all the heavy lifting for you. Of course, you should double-check any statistical information to avoid getting misled by AI inaccuracies.

3. Study Compelling Headlines

The headline is the first thing people see, so it needs to be exciting and interesting. Use strong words and make sure they talk about something relevant to your readers' burning desires.

A good headline grabs attention and encourages people to want to read more. Although they seem simple enough to do, you need to make them urgent, useful, unique, and ultra-specific, which is something I learned from AWAI training.

One way to get better at writing compelling headlines is to study the most famous headlines. Incidentally, they don't all have to be related to the world of copywriting.

Sometimes the simplest words said at the right time can go viral. For instance, "Man Walks on the Moon" is so straightforward that it's hard to imagine it shook the world. But it did when it was written on the front page of the Daily Mirror on July 21st, 1969.

4. Use a Copywriting Framework

There are numerous frameworks for all types of copywriting projects, from emails to sales letters. These are coded instructions for knowledgeable copywriters on how to structure any piece of copywriting.

One popular framework, for example, is AIDA, which stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. Start by catching the reader's attention, then make them interested in what you have to say. Create a desire for your product or idea, and finally, tell them exactly what to do next, like clicking a button or buying something.

5. Focus on Benefits, Not Features

You've heard it before, but it's still worth repeating. People are not interested in what something is in itself but what it will do for them. So, instead of just listing what your product does, explain how it can help your readers. Show them how it solves their problems or makes their life better. People care more about how something benefits them than just knowing what it is.

But, this rule is not absolute. If the buyer is sophisticated, they are already aware of the benefits. In that case, it's fine to elaborate on the features. I, for example, love reading a list of features of a new laptop that I'm thinking of buying. This is because I'm already aware of the benefits of a processor (CPU), RAM, storage type and capacity (preferably SSD), graphics card (GPU), display resolution and size, battery life, available ports and connectivity options, operating system, and weight for portability.

6. Create a Strong Call to Action (CTA)

A Call to Action is like giving your reader directions. Tell them clearly what you want them to do next, like "Buy now" or "Sign up today." Use action words and make sure it's easy to see and understand. Again, like headlines, you develop a "knack" for writing CTAs by studying famous examples.

7. Use Social Proof

People trust what others say about a product. Include testimonials, reviews, or stories from happy customers to show that others like what you're offering. This builds trust and makes your message more convincing.

8. Keep It Simple and Clear

Avoid using complicated words or sentences. Write like you're talking to a friend. Simple and clear writing is easier to read and understand, and it keeps your readers interested.

When I was a journalist working for a management magazine, my first job after graduating from college, I wrote articles on management philosophy as if they were term papers for my History major.

Although journalism taught me how to write in plain English, I still loved my long sentences and occasional $10 words. But when I became a copywriter, I had to simplify my writing even more to reach a wider audience.

9. Edit Ruthlessly

After writing, go back and remove any unnecessary words. Make sure every sentence has a purpose. This makes your writing clearer and more powerful. Remember, less is often more.

Before I became the editor of the management magazine where I had started as a cub reporter, I became the magazine's copyeditor. My main job was to slash extra words. It's amazing how much "speed" an idea picks up when you trim the words that describe it.

Ideally, if you have time, take a day off after writing something. When you revisit it the second day, you notice things, sometimes glaring errors like missing words or punctuation, that you never realized you had made.

10. Copy Copywriters

One way to learn is by copying the best copywriters. You can find great examples of copywriting and write them out by hand. This helps you understand the techniques and flow of language behind successful writing. Rewriting copy makes you a better copywriter. Of course, these are only for your personal use as a tool for self-education and not for any other purpose.

I, for example, really like to rewrite the works of Bruce Barton because his copywriting was almost lyrical in its elegance. He was an influential American advertising executive in the early 20th century.

10 Magic Keys

These cheat codes are like magic keys that open the door to better copywriting. By practicing them, you can write messages that connect with people and inspire them to take action.

Have you tried any of these techniques in your writing? Which ones do you find most effective?

If you want to learn more about effective copywriting strategies, I’m offering a free ebook to help you improve your online business.