10 copywriting tips for indie entrepreneurs to sell more

I am not a professional copywriter.

I haven't spent 100 hours researching David Ogilvy.

But my copy still sells 🙃

Here are 10 copywriting tips I wish someone had told me 5 years ago.

1) Add emotions

People buy with their hearts, not with their brains.

If your text is dry, there will be no emotional connection. Users will forget about you in 5 minutes.

Mix rational and emotional values in the headings and text.

2) Have one big idea

If your copy is not aligned, it will be a mess.

In the beginning, you talk about value A, then you mention value B, and finish with value C.

Instead, talk about value A. But cover different angles: A-1, A-2, A-3.

Your readers will appreciate it.

3) Make it skimmable

People don't read everything. You just did it with the headings.

Use lists, add visuals, make headings bigger, and highlight critical ideas with the semi-bold.

Value users' time. And they will value your product more.

4) Limit lists to 4 points

Get ready for some harsh truth.

Nobody cares about your 9 features (5 of which are coming soon).

People can only effectively process lists of 3-4 items.

Don't overwhelm them with information. Focus on the critical ideas.

5) Tell a story

You've seen this advice 100 times.

But here is the catch. You can add sub-stories to your story.

The landing page has a story X, and the pricing block has a story X-2.

Follow this structure: problem, solution, positive, and negative outcome.

6) Use the customer's language

Indie Entrepreneurs don't hate marketing.

They hate marketing weeks.

One word changes everything. You go from stranger to fellow Maker.

You can learn these words from social media and user interviews. Use them to build trust.

7) Show, don't tell

Sometimes the best copy is the one that's not written.

Add an image, insert a gif, or record a video. Make it visual.

We could describe a marketing task with 1000 words in MakerBox Workbook.

Or we could just show it.

8) Focus on the customer

Your landing page is not about you.

It's about the customer.

Nobody cares what your product can do or what testimonials you have.

People care what it can do for them.

Use "you" and "your" more often.

9) Keep it short

Sorry for the platitude.

Nobody (except you) will read six paragraphs to understand how your product works.

I shouldn't bother buying your product if you couldn't describe it in 30 seconds.

10) Give it three reviews

My life got x10 easier when I accepted this fact.

The first copy always sucks.

It has nothing to do with me. It's the law of nature.

If I don't review it three times, I will lose money. Simple motivation.

Conclusion

Copywriting is a hard skill to master.

But you can't build a business without it.

Grab your last copy and roast it. You will be a better writer instantly.