How to Speak the Reader’s Language in Writing Copy



A common mistake that many people make when writing web copy or website content online is to assume that all their readers have all the time in the world to read a lot of words and go through an entire sea of text. Another common assumption is that people believe and remember everything that they learn online. However, the online writing arena is so much more competitive than the offline world: printed words are meant to be read, but online words are meant to be skimmed.

When you are writing copy, you need to speak your reader’s language. This requires knowledge of both tone and structure. In terms of structure, you need to follow your reader’s thoughts: your reader is thinking in terms of ideas, so present them quickly and in palatable shots. Have all your salient points ready and available in subheadings or bullet points. This can make it easier for your reader to skim through your copy and find what he or she needs. This also makes it more inviting for your reader to actually go through the work: by providing white space, you also give your readers’ eyes the chance to rest once in a while.

Now that you have drawn your readers in and made them stay, it’s time for you to speak their language. Now this is a rather tricky deal: a lot of different parts of the population speak language differently, and every single person has his or her own native language that he or she is most fluent in or most comfortable using. You will need to tap into the most general of these languages: this means research on your part, say by doing a marketing study by looking at how people talk in different forums and mailing lists. You need to look at how people talk and find a way for you to sound like them, but not too much: remember, if you try too hard, your writing will show it.

Here are a few more tips on how to make your readers hear themselves in you:

- You need to make your visitors excited about your products and services, so excited that they will shell out some of their hard-earned money to buy them. This means that you need to keep your copy excited: be upbeat and enthusiastic, and avoid language that is depressing or dull, or that is bland and commonplace. Avoid going for negative statements: say what a thing is, not what it is not; better yet, say what a thing can offer. Give statements of potential and promise, and entice your reader.

However, be careful, as being too exciting can actually make you look desperate and hard selling. Desperation shows up easily online, so don’t be too uppity-up. Upbeat does not mean hyperactive, and neither does it mean reckless excitement.

- Grab attention at the beginning of your copy and do not beat around the bush. You will reinforce this at the end, but start your copy so that people know the point of it immediately. The best content, therefore, should be at the start and end of your web page, in order to grab attention, and then keep it and allow your visitors to take something home. Moreover, keep your ending memorable and upbeat, as this is what your visitors will remember about you.

- Keep it short and simple. If you are able to get the ideas out in a few words without your website visitors having to scroll ever so many times to get what you mean, then you have it made.




Comments

*Name:
*Email:
Website URL:
Title / Subject:
Hide my email
*Comments:
*
 



Menu


My Articles

How To Review Your Copy
Tips For Setting Your Copywriting Rates
Steps On How To Put Action On Your Copy
6 Quick Tips For Writing A Good Copy Headline
Simplicity Rules In Copy Writing
5 Ways To Write Copy And Avoid Being Clever And Critical
Four Ways To Personalize Your Copy And Capture The Readers Attention
How To Show The Importance Of Your Readers In Online Copywriting
How Is Online Copywriting Different From Offline Copywriting?
10 Quick Tips For Proofreading Your Copy
Writing Copy? Why Grammar Is Not Everything And What You Should Do About It
6 Writing Tips For An Amazing Teaser Copy
The Essence Of Research To Your Copy Content
6 Ways To Make Your Copy Upbeat And Fun
How To Plan Your Copy
5 Ways You (Yes, You) Can Make Copy Good
Online Copywriting: Make It Short And Simple
How To Set Up Your Copy
How To Speak The Reader’s Language In Writing Copy
Unbridled Writing: 6 Ways To Make Your Copy Flow






My Articles


7 Ways To Show Authority In Writing A Copy One of the goals a writer has in copywriting is to convince the reader. Good,..


Four Ways To Personalize Your Copy And Capture The Readers Attention Your writing success has a lot to do with how people react to..


5 Ways To Write Copy And Avoid Being Clever And Critical There are times when writing can inspire such strong emotions..


How To Speak The Reader’s Language In Writing Copy A common mistake that many people make when writing web copy or website..



Related Videos:

Related News:

 
Tip of the Day - Wall Street Journal

    

Tip of the Day
Wall Street Journal
Rather than taking 1/3 on an England win, it could be more profitable to back another half-time draw/England full-time double result at 7/2. ...

and more »



Google, AP reach new deal on licensing rights - Las Vegas Sun

    

Google, AP reach new deal on licensing rights
Las Vegas Sun
Google, the Internet's most profitable company, began to pay for AP's content in 2006 after the not-for-profit news agency threatened to sue. ...

and more »