5 Simple Tips to Writing Good Sales Copy

Writing a good piece of sales copy needs a hook, the message and the call to action. Here are my 5 top tips to ensure your message doesn't get lost in the ether! 

1. It must grab the reader's attention with a compelling headline.

Grabbing the reader's attention should be your #1 objective. When writing online copy for example you have to assume that the reader will arrive merely scanning your content. 

Therefore, it is essential that your sales copy encourages readers to stop scanning and start reading your copy! 

So, the first two or three words of your headline are key to success. Call to action words such as those listed below have been proven to be some of the best "light bulb" terms:

FREE...ANNOUNCING......INCREDIBLE...ATTRACTIVE...SIMPLE...SECRETS...GUARANTEED ...WIN... EXCITING...MAKE MONEY...NEW... LOSE WEIGHT,, etc. 

Always consider that whichever words you use, you will only have a short time to draw people in with your headline. 

Also, when writing to a potential customer, the most essential sales word is the customer's name. personal addressed copy is always received more widely.

So choose your words carefully and TEST, TEST, TEST! 

2. Hold the readers interest

Once your headline has drawn in the reader, don't waste time by waffling on about this and that. You should immediately be getting to the point of what was promised in the headline. There is no need to string the reader along with "fluffy" text that adds nothing to the proposition. This leads me to my number 3.....

3. Keep it short and simple.

The least said, the more that is understood. This is true in both life and good copy. If you are getting to your point then you shouldn't have to bang it home with pages and pages of copy.
If you aim your copy at a child like audience, more people will read and understand.
Also, stay away from long paragraphs, sentences, and words.

4. Know your point.

You can write Shakespearean text but if the aim of your writing is lost then the words will jump off the page and miss their target audience. when reading back each paragraph, ask yourself if it adds to your message, and if not, cut it out!

Your copy should have a single focus. The temptation is to include “supporting” features and benefits as copy points. This dilutes both your message and can turn good copy into a forgettable piece of spam.

5. Its about Results, baby!

In the end, it's all about results. It's not about you showing a publisher that you're ready to publish your novel. It's not about writing for awards. It really doesn't matter what others think about your writing. 

None else matters. The clue is in the title, sales copy. The only thing that matters are results.
Is your copy getting the desired results - whether the goal of your copy is making sales, generating leads or web traffic, etc.? 

We often see copy or adverts that we all hate, and yet they are repeated over and over. Why? because they must be working. 

Businesses today have limited budgets, so they can only repeat what is working. If you don't know what works, or you are new to the industry, look at what has gone before.


It's usually a recipe for how to move forward.

So in closing, don't be daunted by writing copy, it doesn't need to be a fantastical work of prose. Just follow the advice above and you will be half way there!