Let’s Talk Copywriting
Hi! I’m Magenta, NMM’s Social Media Executive, and a writer by trade. This week, I’m deep-diving into the importance of quality, on-brand copywriting for your company’s identity.
The copy that your business produces – covering everything from your website content to your emails, printed collateral to Instagram captions – plays a vital role in the delivery of your key brand messages, and can heavily impact your overall brand identity. No matter how beautiful your brand’s visual appearance may be, one typo can completely ruin any trust gained in the lead generation process. Messy, indirect and incorrect copy can dramatically hinder the success and reputation of your business, as it is a direct reflection on your organisation and communication skills.
If you can’t already tell, I love words. They are extremely powerful and when used correctly, can help you communicate exactly what you want to your clients and customers in a digestible, memorable and impactful way. You just need to get crafty and pay close attention to detail.
So, without further ado, here are my top three copywriting tips:
1. Be Concise
Without sounding too reminiscent of every university lecturer, keep an eye on your word count. In 2021, life has never moved faster – even in lockdown! We humans now have more distractions than ever, and so grabbing the attention of potential clientele, and holding it, is getting more difficult by the day. Communicating your message in the most succinct way is more important now than ever. Speaking of which, onto step two...
2. Establish Your Tone of Voice
The way you communicate your message should be a reflection of your key brand values. For example, if your brand is young, fun and eccentric, your tone, and the words you use across your copy, should reflect this. On the other hand, if your brand is professional, established and trustworthy, your copy should be more formal and informative. Your brand’s tone of voice should be echoed across all areas of your business, from your email style, right down to the way you reply to comments on social media. Consistency is key. A company style guide is an excellent way to outline your tone of voice so that all employees can implement the same communication style across the board.
3. Grammar Matters
Your punctuation and syntax can make or break your copy. No one is perfect when it comes to grammar and spelling – thankfully, we have this magical machine called a computer for that! However, I would recommend not solely relying on your Spell Check to do all of the hard work. Personally, I always read my lengthier pieces of copy out loud. It’s a great way to ensure you aren’t committing any copy faux pas, like this classic...
And finally, if this article has you stressing over what type of comma to use or googling the difference between effect and affect immediately, never fear – NMM is here to help! If you think your brand could benefit from a spruce up in the copywriting department, get in touch here.