Debunking Five Common Myths About Copywriting

We all know that copywriting is an essential part of developing your business. Finding the right words to reach your target audience is a game-changer, whether it’s through your blog or the copy on your website.

Even still, there are so many misconceptions out there about what a copywriter does and how we can help you reach your goals.

Ready to sort fact from fiction? Let’s debunk some myths about copywriting.

You know your business, so you should write your own copy

It’s easy to feel protective of your business. After all, you’re the person who built it from the ground up, so you know it inside out. As a result, you might be reluctant to bring in an outsider to write your copy.

But that’s the thing about copywriters – we aren’t outsiders for long.

While technically anyone can write their own copy, there are a couple of things to consider before you decide to go it alone.

Consistency is key, and a copywriter will ensure that your copy maintains the same tone of voice across your communications.

You’re ingrained in the day-to-day details of your business – which means your writing might focus on what you think is important, rather than what your clients think is important. Our bird's eye view means we can bring a fresh perspective that shifts the focus to your reader.

Finally, even if you are a gifted writer, creating the perfect copy takes a lot of time – time that you could dedicate to other aspects of your business. A copywriter can free up some much-needed space in your diary by ticking an item off your to-do list for you.

If I use a copywriter, I’ll rely on them for all of my content

You definitely shouldn’t feel like every little change on your website has to be approved by a copywriter! The way I see it, a copywriter should be your foundation, providing you with the perfect words that give you the confidence to get your message across to the reader. You should feel like you can use the tools you’ve been given to continue communicating with clarity.

That way, you’re not reliant on someone else’s availability,and at the same time, you know how to share your message with the right people.

But don’t worry - if you want to make any bigger changes inyour business and you start to feel overwhelmed, get in touch with your copywriter again – we’re always happy to help.

ChatGPT can do just as good a job as a copywriter

Every copywriter has heard it at least once: ‘Isn’t AI just going to replace you in a few years?’

(And believe me, in most cases, we’ve heard it a lot more than once).

But the answer is a strong no. There’s no way AI could do what a copywriter does!

I’ve written before about how ChatGPT can be used as a helpful tool for generating ideas for your blog - but when it comes to actually writing the content, you need a human touch. ChatGPT formulates its answers by scanning sources on the internet, and replicating what they say. As a result, the content is not only completely generic, but it lacks that human spark of magic that draws people in.

It can’t write copy that sounds like you – but a copywriter can. That’s why I meet with clients for Deep Dive Calls before any project commences. The more conversations we have, the more likely it is that I can nail your tone of voice every time.

Copywriting is just words, so it should be quick and cheap

Every copywriter has their own process, but I can guarantee that none of them just put words on a page.

There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes:

·      Meeting with clients to understand their business and their audience.

·      Researching the market and competitors in-depth.

·      Getting to know the target client.

·      Making edits and proofreading.

Not to mention the trial and error of the writing itself – the constant deleting of entire sections and starting from scratch, poring over every word until we believe it’s perfect.

Trust me, it’s not about being able to type quickly.

There’s a whole lot of work, time, and care that goes on before you ever see the first draft, and copywriters will reflect this effort in their fees. If you need work done immediately and for next to nothing, you might have trouble finding a copywriter willing to take on the project.

Copywriters follow a formula

“Copy should be short and succinct”

“Copy should be long and detailed”

“You have to use simple language”

“You should be creative and complex in your writing”

There’s a lot of conflicting advice online about how to create the perfect copy, with different websites telling you completely different things.

The truth is, there is no perfect formula for writing your copy.

It depends on the message you want to get across and the audience you want to reach. Using the most flowery or technical language isn’t going to engage the reader, but you don’t want to bore them either. That’s why copywriters take the time to research you and your business, so we can find the perfect way to share your message.

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Hopefully, by now you’ve learned more about the copywriting process and how we can help make your message shine. If you’d like to know more, get in touch – I’d love to help!

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