Tiny Tweaks, Big Impact: Improve Your Marketing Copy in Minutes

Whether you’re polishing an email or tweaking a blog post, every word counts. Elevate your copy with these bite-sized strategies you can do, even when you’re ready to slam the laptop shut!

1. Read Your Copy Out Loud. Twice If You Can.

Reading your copy out loud is one of the best ways to catch errors and awkward phrasing. Hearing your words allows you to notice rhythm and flow issues that you might not pick up when reading silently. If something sounds off, it probably needs a tweak. Reading it twice helps you to be sure you didn't miss anything the first time.

2. Write Like You Talk. Eliminate the Weird Marketing Voice.

Authenticity resonates more than any manufactured marketing tone. Imagine you're having a conversation with a friend – how would you explain your message to them? By writing like you talk, you create more engaging and relatable copy your readers are more likely to connect with. Especially when you’re creating something like a personal brand, copy that sounds like you is valuable for letting people get more of a feel for your vibe. Avoid jargon and overly complex language that can alienate your audience.

3. Use the Active Voice in Your Writing.

Active voice makes your writing clear, direct, and strong. It places the subject of the sentence in control, making your statements more confident and engaging. For example, instead of saying, "The report was completed by the team," say, "The team completed the report." This simple change can significantly improve the readability and impact of your copy. 

4. Trim Unnecessary Words from Your Writing.

Concise writing is powerful writing. Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases that don’t add value. Every word should serve a purpose. For example, instead of saying, "In order to," simply say, "To." This makes your writing more direct and easier to follow.

One caveat: I use the word “really” a lot. In my writing and in real life. That’s a real copy no-no, according to the “experts.” It’s definitely a fluffy word but I use it when I want to really sound like myself. (See what I did there?) 

5. Use Specific, Concrete Language in Your Copy.

Vague language can throw a sopping wet blanket on your message. Instead of using generic terms, try out specific, concrete words that paint a clear picture. As an example, which of these is more effective: "The project was a success"? Or "The project increased sales by 20%”? Specific details make your writing more compelling and you sound more credible.

6. Break Up Long Sentences for Better Readability.

Long sentences can be difficult to follow and can be a short way to lose your reader's attention. Break them into shorter, more digestible pieces. This not only improves readability but also keeps readers engaged. Instead of writing, "The conference, which was held last week, was attended by over 500 professionals from various industries," you can write "Over 500 professionals from various industries attended last week’s conference."

A good rule of thumb here: If you read your work out loud (which you definitely do now, right?) you shouldn’t be out of breath by the time you reach the end of a sentence. Chop it up into smaller pieces. 

7. Use Strong Verbs to Energize Your Writing.

Strong verbs make your writing more dynamic and impactful. This kind of goes back to the same concept as using specific words. “She dashed to the phone” sounds a little more exciting than “She ran quickly to the store.” Gives it a little razzle-dazzle. Instead of relying on adverbs or adjectives to convey action, use verbs that are vivid and precise. Strong verbs can energize your writing and make it much more engaging.

8. End With a Punch.

The end of your copy is just about as important as the beginning. When you finish your blog post, email, social caption or breakup text with a strong, memorable statement, you have a better chance of leaving a lasting impression. A compelling fact, a powerful question, or a clear next step helps your closing words resonate.

By trying one or all of these tiny copy tweaks, you can enhance the impact of your writing in just a few minutes. Remember, effective writing doesn't have to mean hours of work. Sometimes, it's the small changes that make the biggest difference. Happy writing!

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