Copywriting Mistakes You're making and how to fix them

The Most Common Copywriting Mistakes and How to Fix Them

When it comes to digital marketing, the words you use can make all the difference! Whether you're writing a caption, a blog, or an email newsletter, great copywriting is the key to grabbing attention and connecting with your audience. 

If you're new to copywriting or looking to improve your skills, understanding the most common mistakes and how to avoid them is a great place to start.

In this blog, we'll be breaking down some of the most common copywriting mistakes and giving you some tips and tricks on how to correct them!

 

YOU'RE GETTING LOST IN THE DETAILS

Copy that could be understood by ages 8-9 gets 36% more responses

It’s easy to get carried away with long paragraphs, technical jargon, and an overload of information. While you might think providing extensive detail shows your expertise, it can overwhelm your readers and cause them to lose interest! 

For instance, imagine you’re a skincare brand writing a blog and discussing ingredients like AHA and BHA. While these terms may be familiar to you and your team, they could be entirely new to your audience. Overloading them with technical details without context or explanation can leave them feeling lost and disconnected from your message.

HERE'S HOW YOU FIX IT: Simplify and explain! Break down complex information so that it's more digestible for your readers. If it helps, remember that copy that easily be by ages 8-9 gets 36% more responses! Use everyday language, provide explanations for technical terms, and avoid unnecessary detail that distracts from your main points. 

 

YOU'RE FORGETTING YOUR AUDIENCE

One of the biggest blunders in copywriting is forgetting who you’re writing for. Your audience should always be front and centre! 

Imagine having a conversation where someone talks to you without considering your thoughts or feelings. That's how it feels for your audience when your copy doesn’t resonate with them. 

HERE'S HOW YOU FIX IT: Get to know your audience like a close friend. Take some time to really understand them. What are their pain points, and how does your product or service solve them? The more you speak directly to your audience’s needs and desires, the better your copy will be! 

 

YOU'RE SKIPPING THE CALL TO ACTION (CTA)

Personalised call-to-actions perform 202% better than basic ones

So you’ve got your reader hooked – now what? Without a clear call to action (CTA), your audience might have enjoyed your content but won’t know what action to take next.

HERE'S HOW YOU FIX IT: Always wrap up your copy with a strong CTA that tells your audience exactly what to do next. This could be inviting them to subscribe to your newsletter, explore more products on your website, follow you on social media, or make a purchase. If you can, make it a personalised call-to-action, as they perform 202% better than basic CTAs! For example, “Get to know the product” is much better than “Learn more” or another generic phrase.

 

YOU'RE IGNORING DATA

Remember, your copy is an ongoing conversation with your audience. Ignoring feedback and analytics means missing valuable insights and opportunities to refine and improve your messaging! 

HERE'S HOW YOU FIX IT: Embrace feedback and analytics! Listen to what your audience says through comments, reviews, and social media. Use analytics tools to track performance metrics such as engagement, click-through, and conversion rates. Analyse this data to understand what resonates with your audience and what doesn’t. Be willing to adapt your copywriting strategy based on these insights to serve your audience’s needs and preferences better!

 

YOU'RE LETTING TYPOS SNEAK PAST

59% of online consumers say a clear spelling mistake could prevent them from buying a product.

We’ve all been there – a rogue typo accidentally gets left in, and suddenly, your carefully crafted message loses its impact. 

You might think it isn’t a big deal, but 59% of online consumers say that an obvious spelling mistake would be enough to stop them from buying a product. After all, there’s nothing more distracting than reading “Sjop now” at the end of an otherwise perfect product description.

Attention to detail is crucial in maintaining your credibility! 

HERE'S HOW YOU FIX IT: Proofread like your reputation depends on it (because it does).  Use spell-check tools like Grammarly, read your copy aloud to catch any awkward phrasing, and maybe ask a colleague to review it. Pay attention not just to spelling errors but also to grammar, punctuation, and overall readability.

  

READY TO START TYPING?

By avoiding these common mistakes, you should be ready to write copy that engages, resonates, and, most importantly, converts! 

At 0161 Creative, we’re passionate about helping brands tell their stories effectively. If you enjoyed this blog and would like us to use our copywriting skills for your brand, you can check out our copywriting services here - or reach out to us for more advice.

 

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