Secrets from a copywriting agency

Do you need to start producing content for your business? We have put together an interesting guide on everything you need to know from right inside a copywriting agency.

Step inside a copywriting agency

What skills do you need to be a successful copywriter?

Good writing skills are essential at a copywriting agency

This may seem obvious, but to be a successful copywriter you need to be able to write effectively. This doesn’t just mean good spelling and using the correct grammar, although that helps. A good copywriter will be able to write for all different topics and convey the right message to readers. Copywriters should be able to make even the most mundane topics sound interesting and engaging.

Whilst you want to show off your writing skills, don’t overdo it. If you start using complicated phrases or words, it may confuse the reader. Keep it simple to keep readers engaged. You should aim to keep words, sentences, and paragraphs short. If your content is digital, try and keep sentences under 20 words.

Research skills

As well as being a good writer, a copywriter needs to be good at researching too. Often, copywriters will be asked to write about topics that have little or no knowledge on. You need to know how to research effectively. Knowing what to type into Google will help you find the right information about the topic you’re writing about.

Time management

When producing content, it’s likely that you will be faced with deadlines. These deadlines are often non-negotiable, so you need to be able to work against the clock. You need to be able to manage your time effectively in order to meet your deadlines. We recommend planning out your projects so you know how long each will take. The last thing you want to do is be late delivering a project. It will make you look unprofessional and lazy.

A copywriting agency create compelling headlines

A copywriting agency will spend a lot of time drafting compelling headlines. Whilst the main body of your text is important, the headline means just as much. If your headline is flat and boring your content won’t mean anything. A copywriter will be expected to produce engaging headlines that grab the reader’s attention. Four ways to make your headline stand out include:

• Use odd numbers – odd-numbered lists stand out better than the usual top 10 listicles. Using odd numbers in your headlines will help you stand out and will improve performance. Odd numbers seem quirky and more interesting.
• Use special characters – just like using odd numbers, these will also help your headline grab the reader’s attention. Hyphens and brackets are good examples of using special characters in your headlines.
• Questions – the use of question generates more curiosity and deliver SEO
• Use keywords – you should always use the keywords of your blog in your headline and throughout your blog. It will make it easier to locate on Google.

It may take a few attempts to construct the perfect headline, but it is worth spending time on. Be sure your content matches your headline. For example, don’t write the headline ‘5 facts about a copywriting agency’ without mentioning that in your content. The reader won’t be happy. It will waste their time and you didn’t deliver on your promise.

Originality

As a copywriter, you will be expected to come up with your own ideas. While it may seem tempting and easier to copy and paste other people’s work. DON’T DO IT! A copywriting agency is expecting you to produce original content not, steal other people’s ideas. If that was the case, Copywriters would be out of a job. Use your own initiative and demonstrate your own ideas. Copywriters are creative so don’t be afraid to show off your creativity.

Knowledge of your audience

Whilst being a copywriter is all about writing, you can’t write if you don’t know who you are writing for. In a copywriting agency, you would be working with a range of clients with all different needs. When writing a new piece, always consider who your target audience will be. What are your target audience-specific questions and needs? They are turning to you to answer those questions or offer solutions. Your copy should be relevant to the reader. You should tailor your copy to your audience. For example, you wouldn’t use the same language for 10-year-olds as you would for 40-year-olds.

Excellent working knowledge of SEO

Keywords are essential when writing copy. You want your copy to be seen as much as possible, right? Use keywords in your headlines and throughout your content. It will increase your chances of it ranking higher on Google. Be smart with how you use keywords. Don’t over keywords as it will become too repetitive and won’t make sense.

How can you improve your copywriting skills?

If you need to elevate your business copy, we’ve got your back.

Competition is fierce in the copywriting world and many businesses have talented writers in-house. How can you beat the competition?

Practice your copywriting

The more writing you do, the better you are going to get at it. You should be trying to complete a variety of copywriting tasks to help improve your writing. Write pieces on different topics with word counts. This will teach you about how to adapt your tone of voice for the brand you are writing for. It’s also a good way of learning to work to deadlines if you set yourself a timescale.

Learn to edit

Being a good copywriter means your proofreading skills should be impeccable too. The last thing you want to do is publish copy that is full of mistakes. You can test out your proofreading skills by reviewing your own and other people’s work. This is a good way to test your attention to detail.

Identify your audience

As a copywriter, you need to know who you are writing for. You can’t just start writing a piece if you don’t know who’s going to be reading it. Think about how your content may need to be adapted for different types of audiences. For example, your copy won’t use the same language for adults and children.

Read often

Whilst your main skill is to be a good writer you can also improve your skills by being a good reader. You can learn a lot from reading. You can pick up tips from other blogs and see what they are doing. It can help you identify weaknesses in your work.

Ask for guidance

We all need help from time to time so don’t be afraid to ask. If you want to make it as a successful copywriter, speak to an expert. They can offer you tips and tricks and help you overcome challenges.

Want to work for a copywriting agency?

If you’re thinking of working for a copywriting agency there are a few things you should be doing.

Building a portfolio

When applying for a job in a copywriting agency, be sure you have an extensive range of work to show. They will want to see what projects you’ve worked on in the past and what your writing skills are like. A copywriting agency won’t employ you unless you can present a portfolio to them. Try to present a variety of copywriting pieces to them so they can see what you’re capable of. It will show you’re able to adapt your writing skills to different industries.

Shouting about your achievements

As a copywriter, you should be proud of each project you complete. But don’t stop there, let your achievements be known. Share them on LinkedIn as it may reach potential employers. You should also put them on your CV, this will impress employers when applying for jobs. You could also turn your achievement into a blog post.

Learn about a copywriting agency 

If you want to work in a copywriting agency, you should learn about them. Research their business, clients, and projects they’ve worked on. If you present this knowledge at an interview the employer will be impressed. Learning about a copywriting agency can teach you more about the role of a copywriter.

Looking and sounding professional

Agencies want to hire professionals that can help their business grow. This doesn’t just mean dressing the part, although this helps. You should also be sounding professional such as having your own website, brand, or blog.

How can our copywriting agency help you?

At Vocal, we’re a loud bunch of creatives that will help deliver results for your business. Our great range of copywriting services will improve your client reach and take your company further. We understand that you might not have the time to learn the art of copywriting, let alone write the content. That’s why we’re here.

Contact our team for a quick chat about how we can help your company reach its goals.