Copywriting is one of the most critical aspects of marketing. It’s what convinces people to buy a product or service, and it can make or break a business. But what is copywriting, and where did it come from?
If you’re unsure what copywriting is, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In fact, even some marketing professionals aren’t quite sure what it entails. Copywriting is a broad term that can mean different things to different people, but at its core, it is the process of creating persuasive content for marketing purposes.
Copywriting has been around for centuries, but it wasn’t always called that. The term “copywriting” was first coined in the early 1900s by advertising pioneer John E. Kennedy. Before that, people who wrote copy were simply known as “writers.” Kennedy realised there was a need for a specific term to describe those who wrote the persuasive text for advertisements and other marketing materials. And so, the term “copywriter” was born.
Copywriting has come a long way since Kennedy’s day. Today, copywriters are responsible for creating not only ads but also website content, email campaigns, social media posts, and more. And while the copywriting techniques used have changed over the years, the goal of copywriting is still the same: to persuade people to take action.
How many copywriters are there?
There are over 4536 freelance copywriters currently employed in the United States alone. And many businesses have in-house copywriters on staff. This just goes to show how important copywriting is in the modern world.
In Australia, there are approximately 21,300 people employed as writers/journalists and approximately 2000 employed as copywriters. This seems like a relatively low number but doesn’t take into account that most copywriters are freelance and run their own businesses.
Copywriting today
Today, copywriters continue to be an essential part of global marketing teams.
Copywriting today is very different from what it was in the early days. In the past, copywriters often wrote long-winded and flowery prose to convince people to buy a product or service. Today, however, copywriters are likelier to use short, concise, and to-the-point language. This is because people’s attention spans are shorter than ever before, and they are more likely to respond to easily read and understand copy. Especially with the introduction of digital and social media when brevity is at a premium.
Why is copywriting important?
So why is copywriting so important? Simply put, it is the most effective way to communicate with potential customers. In a world where we are bombarded with marketing messages on a daily basis, businesses need to find a way to stand out from the crowd.
Copywriting allows businesses to do just that by crafting persuasive and compelling messages that will grab people’s attention and convince them to take action. The right words can convince someone to make a purchase; the wrong ones can turn them off for life.
Additionally, it works. Copywriting is an essential part of any marketing strategy because it is what drives conversions. Without compelling copy, businesses would struggle to sell their products and services.
If you’re running a business, it’s essential that you invest in copywriting. It is one of the most important tools you have at your disposal to convince people to buy what you’re selling — whether it’s a service, product, or you’re convincing a community or group of people to do something. With so much competition out there, you need to make sure your marketing messages are as strong as possible. Copywriting can help you do that and ensure that your business is booming.
What do copywriters do?
Copywriters are responsible for creating the text that appears in advertisements, brochures, and other marketing materials. The goal of copywriting is to persuade the reader to take a specific action, such as purchasing a product or service.
And while it might seem like a relatively straightforward task, crafting effective copy is actually quite complex and requires a lot of skill and experience.
Copywriting has been around for centuries, with some of the earliest examples dating back to Ancient Rome. In more recent history, copywriting has played an important role in advertising development as we know it today.
So why is copywriting so important? Put simply, effective copy can make or break a marketing campaign. Good copy can persuade someone to take action, while lousy copy will likely result in lost sales and wasted money.
Copywriters use words and phrases that trigger an emotional response to get people to take action. The best copywriters can understand what motivates people and what will convince them to take action.
Copywriting is not only a vital part of marketing, but it’s also a complex and challenging profession. To be successful, copywriters must have a deep understanding of human psychology and know how to craft persuasive arguments. They must also be able to work within strict deadlines and budget constraints and have excellent client management, particularly if they are freelance.
That clears up ‘what is copywriting’ a bit more. Now you can explore the world of copywriting and marketing confident in what a copywriting does and brings to the world.