5 Quick Ways to Improve Your Copywriting Skills

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5 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Copywriting Skills

Copywriting can be a daunting task. There is a lot to juggle – your audience, your message, your tone, your branding…

Sometimes it’s hard to feel confident in your ability as a writer. And it’s overwhelming to work out how to improve your craft. 

Let me help with that. 

In this blog, I will share some tips that have made me a better writer – and I know they can help you to. 

Whether you’re a first-time writer, or an experienced wordsmith who wants to up their game – everyone can always learn something new. 

Here are my top five ways to instantly improve your copywriting skills.

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1) Read it out loud

Good copy should start a conversation. This means that the tone needs to be casual and engaging – not to mention easy to read. 

To check if your copy sounds conversational, take some time and read it out loud. Does it sound like you do when you talk – or is the language too sophisticated and complicated? Are there phrases that sound a bit clunky – and don’t add anything to the piece? Are you asking enough questions to get your audience thinking?

Looking at your writing through this lens will instantly improve it.

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2) Write out your key message

Sometimes you get inspired, and then over-excited – so you keep writing, and writing…and writing…

When this happens, it is easy for your key message – the reason you started writing in the first place – to get lost. 

If you think this is happening, take a step back from your copy and write your key message on a post-it. Give yourself 5-10 words max to keep things simple and to the point. 

Post-it at hand, go back and read your copy from start to finish. Does the key message shine through – or has it become muddy and unclear? If your key message isn’t coming through – what is? What are readers going to take away from this piece?

By re-focusing, you can make the edits required to ensure your key message centre stage.

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3) Trim the fat

This is a safe space, so let’s be honest – we’re all guilty of throwing filler words into our copy.

Some examples of filler words are:

• Really
• Just
• Actually
• Even
• Very

When editing your copy, run a quick search to try and cut filler words out as much as possible. Shorter sentences are easier to read and retain - so make your writing more concise where you can.

I know it’s tempting to use them! Sometimes it feels like filler words help emphasise a point. But they fill up unnecessary space and dilute your message.

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4) Take a break 

It feels counter-productive, but taking a break is one of the best ways to improve your writing. 

When you’ve been working on a first draft for a while, you get tired. This means skimming the text – which leads to mistakes.

Take a break for at least a couple of hours. Distract yourself with a completely different task. This could be something business related, but why not enjoy some down time? My tactic is always to get some fresh air – a walk always blows away the cobwebs!

Then come back, red pen in hand, ready to attack. You will surprise yourself with new insights and ideas – plus a better end result.

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5) Practice!

This is the ultimate way to improve your writing. Practise makes perfect – and it doesn’t have to take forever! 

Take a few minutes each day and write for the love of it – not because you have to. 

I start every morning with a writing prompt. I sit for 5-10 minutes and let the creative juices flow. It isn’t about the copy being perfect – it’s about the creating a habit of writing for yourself. 

Small habits can create big changes. I promise that practise will show instant improvements in your copywriting.

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