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Matt Barker

If your copywriting sucks, do this...

Published 3 months ago • 3 min read

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Copywriting, especially for social media, is a skill.

It’s not easy to master.

Most people will never master it. Because to master it, it requires 1,000s of hours, 1,000s of pieces of content, 1,000s of hooks written and countless days with aching fingers.

Not nice.

You need time and discipline and not much of a social life.

But after working 1:1 with clients and giving feedback on 1,000s of pieces of content, I’ve seen patterns develop. The same things pop up. Time and time again.

And if/when they apply these pieces of feedback, they see:

  • Increases in engagement on their content
  • Increases in new sales conversations
  • Increases in interesting opportunities

The feedback I give?

Nothing groundbreaking. Everyone can apply it to their writing.

But it’s all grounded in one thing:

Editing.

If your copywriting sucks, you must edit like crazy.

But editing is a huge, broad term that, really, means nothing by itself.

I want to show you the 7 most common editing feedback I give my clients, so you can write content and confidently improve it and become a better copywriter.

Let’s dive in:

1. Make your writing skimmable

Aka, breaking your writing into small, easy-to-read parts.

Use headings, bullets, and short paragraphs.

People often scan content, especially online. They want to quickly find what interests them. And that makes content more engaging by allowing readers to easily grasp your main points.

They can dive deeper where they want to, making the reading experience enjoyable and efficient.

2. Write directly and concisely

This is about getting to the point quickly and using simple words.

Avoid long, complex sentences.

It’s important because clear and straightforward writing is easier to understand. Readers appreciate getting the info they need without sifting through fluff. It makes you content more engaging by keeping the reader’s attention.

When readers understand your message easily, they’re more likely to keep reading and more likely to take action.

3. Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself

You can say important things more than once, especially in different ways.

Reinforce your key points.

Repetition helps your message stick. Readers might miss it the first time but catch it the second. Your main ideas are more likely to be remembered this way.

It helps your message make a stronger impact.

4. Speak in absolutes, not possibilities

This involves being confident in your statements.

Use firm language rather than sounding unsure with words like “might” or “could.”

Strong, definite statements are more persuasive. They show you believe in what you’re saying. This makes the content more engaging by building trust with your audience.

Readers are drawn to confidence and clarity in writing.

5. Use numbers to improve readability

This means including statistics, lists, and numbered points in your writing.

Numbers catch the eye and provide clear, concrete information.

It breaks up text and makes complex information easy to understand. They provide a quick way to convey value and facts. Visual breaks and simplified information make content more engaging.

Readers can easily grasp the key points and value offered.

6. Create “turning points” and plot twists

Add unexpected elements or change your content’s direction.

Surprise your readers with plot twists or unexpected turns.

Surprises keep readers interested. They want to see what comes next and how it affects the story or message. Curiosity and excitement make content more engaging.

A simple read turns into an adventure, of sorts.

7. Write very, very specifically

Instead of being vague, focus on detailed, precise information.

The more specific, the better.

Specificity makes your writing more credible and relatable. Readers trust and connect with content that speaks directly to their experiences or needs. Create a world that your reader sees themselves in.

And they will see themselves in the specifics, making your message more impactful and memorable.

Takeaway: attention to detail matters.

But not just detail in the words. It’s the detail in:

  • The reader’s journey
  • The specificity
  • The structure
  • The format
  • The tone

There are layers to GOOD digital copywriting.

Cheers,

Matt

When you're ready, here’s 3 ways I can help you:

1. The Digital Copywriter: a 2 hour self-paced digital copywriting course for solopreneurs who want to write faster, more compelling content. If you want to stop chasing new clients and start attracting consistent, predictable inbound leads for your online business, this is for you. Join 200+ students today.

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3. ​Follow me on Twitter (X) and ​LinkedIn for daily tips, strategies and advice on how to stop chasing and start attracting dream clients.

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Matt Barker

The Digital Writer

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