Should you repurpose your content?

When is it okay to use something more than once before it’s time for a refresh?

• Socks? Depends

• Undergarments? Absolutely not, mate. No, not even if you turn them inside-out

• Tea bag? YOU’RE JOKING, AREN’T YOU?! GET OUT OF HERE…AND DON’T DARKEN MY DOOR UNTIL YOU’VE HAD A STERN CHAT WITH YOURSELF.

Content? Give it a good shake, do the hokey cokey and turn it around…and use it again and again and again. Why? Surely the question is: ‘why ever not?!’

For many - us folks who write for a living included - it takes time to put together a nice piece of content - and guess what? People’s attention spans are shorter than ever. In fact, you may well be nodding off already. No, please. Stay with me.

So, take that article/blog post/web content and repurpose it. Shorten it, lengthen it, tweak it or do whatever the heck you want with it. It’s your content, after all.

When you repurpose your copy, your ‘About Us’ page could become an Instagram caption, a blog post could become a LinkedIn status, and a case study could become a Q&A. Or maybe even the subject matter for a podcast.

In the era of ‘working smarter, not harder’, this is your reminder to rework that content. It saves time, maybe even money (ask your professional copywriter to do it, too - although they probably will anyway) and, hey, you’ll be surprised how many people didn’t read it the first time round. If you’re amongst them - and you didn’t read all of this the first time around - I’ll say it again: it’s never okay to reuse a teabag.

Until next time…

Need a Huddersfield copywriter to work on a project or two? Get in touch!

Do copywriters need to know SEO?

Sometimes, when I’m talking to new - or even regular clients - I find myself unintentionally teaching them how to suck eggs. Of course, some of my clients are well-versed in all things SEO, yet there I am telling them the ins and outs like they know very little.

On other occasions, though, I’m bleating on about SEO like everyone knows what it is. It’s a very fine line - and it’s one I don’t always know how to tread. So, when I remember (my passion for the subject means I get carried away sometimes) I allow my clients to do the talking; I ask them how much they know about ranking well online, and I tell them what I know (if they need, or want, to know it).

So, what is SEO then? Or am I teaching you how to suck eggs too?

SEO - or Search Engine Optimisation, to give it its full title - is the process by which online businesses ensure their website is found by people who are looking for it (or the services and/or products it offers).

Let’s say you own an online bookstore. How on earth do you compete against all the other web-based bookstores out there? Online bookselling is, no doubt, a highly saturated market.

Go on; try it…type in ‘buy books online’, ‘books online’ or ‘book store’ into Google and see what comes up. You’ll likely get the big hitters - people like Amazon, Waterstones, or maybe even a popular independent online bookstore or two.

So, can the much smaller bookseller be spotted online? That’s where SEO - the art of injecting well-chosen key words (let’s call them ‘phrases’ instead - key words is jargon unless you know what on earth I’m going on about) into your content. You see, it isn’t just about putting your website live and hoping for the best. You need to take intentional steps to ensure it is noticed. Those who don’t have an online business might be totally unaware of the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure a site gets spotted on Google. It’s a lot, but it’s all in a day’s work for an SEO specialist and/or copywriter.

Do copywriters need to know SEO, then?

Well, while it isn’t a necessity - after all, there are SEO experts for that - it’s certainly a bonus if the copywriter in charge of sprucing up your website’s content knows a bit about how to ensure you stand out online.

Do I know about SEO? I wouldn’t claim I know lots and lots, but I know enough. I know how to expertly weave key words into your content in a natural way. I know the kind of key words to include - and I know a fair bit about how Google (and its often-complex inner workings)…er…work.

Want to know more about why copywriters need to know about SEO - and why and how a copywriter like me can help your website get found online? Get in touch with me today and we’ll go from there.

You could also book one of my ‘Copy and Catch Up’ sessions. I won’t call it a copywriting ‘Power Hour’ because, well I hate that term. But, for £120 (an introductory offer for January and February), you can ask me anything at all you like - about your website content, SEO and everything and anything in between (well, as long as it’s about copywriting!) for a whole hour. Say hello via the link above and let’s chat.

Until next time…

Writing for the Web: How To

Want a (very) mini masterclass in how to write for the web?

Oh, you don’t? Okay, no bother…I’ll see you back here next month when I’ll be sharing something that’s a bit more to your liking.

For now, though, pop and read the first post in my new ‘Good News Guide’ series, this piece on becoming a copywriter (if that’s what you so wish), or this article which delves into the myths people believe about what it’s like to be a freelancer.

Everyone else…stick around - and make yourself a brew before you dive right into my top tips.

Writing for the web, then: what are my top tips?

In a nutshell…

1. Know Your Audience

Made a bad ‘Dad Joke’ in a room full of teens? Or perhaps you heckled someone with poor presentation skills at a funeral. In either case, your attempt at ‘wit’ probably didn’t go down well, did it?

Knowing your audience is less of a skill and more of a given - especially if you’re in business.

You’ve probably heard the expression ‘Read the room’ - and it’s a phrase that’s been coined for good reason. Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing (writing marketing messages being one), knowing your audience is essential. So, if you haven’t already, take some time to get to know them - and what makes them tick.

2.Less is (Usually) More

I should take a leaf out out of my own book - as that last point dragged on a bit, didn’t it?! If you’re still here, remember this: people’s attention spans aren’t what they used to be, with so much info coming at us from all angles. Keep your online messages concise to grab your customers’ attention, then.

3. Use Keywords

Now, there’s nothing very ‘s*xy’ about using keywords, is there? In fact, litter your content with them too freely and Google (it’s a clever so and so!) will know - and maybe even penalise you for it by not showing it to as many people. Pah.

Use keywords ‘naturally’ though, weaving them into your marketing messages with ease, and you’re onto a winner if you want more site visitors. I’m always keen to bring more people to my freelance Yorkshire copywriter site, which is why I add key words into my site cleverly (and some may even say, sneakily). You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.

4. Don’t Overthink It

Comedians often write from experience. So do novelists. So, see if you can resonate with your customers by just being ‘real’ and sharing stuff people can relate to. Don’t overthink it by trying too hard to make everything you post online solely about making a sale.

5. Know Your Platform

I’ve mentioned getting to know your audience; you should also know a little about the platform you’re posting your content on - whether it’s your Squarespace or WordPress website; Facebook; Twitter or LinkedIn.

Some sites have a character count limit and others are designed for longer-form content like blogs. Get an understanding of who’s using the platform - and what for - and write your content with those two things in mind.

6.Use Headings

Break up long-form text - in bullet point form, with headings or images. Trust me; it’ll please those (i.e. most of us) with a short attention span and, well, it’s just easier on the eye.

7. Pay Attention to Spelling and Grammar

Trust me when I say you could lose a reader or two if your content is littered with errors. Check, check and check again.

8. Have Fun

When you enjoy putting your content together - and coming up with fun ideas regarding what to post - it’ll shine through. You may be a business owner but you don’t always have to be so ‘corporate’. Not if you don’t want to be, that is.

9. Try Something New

Tried and trusted content not working? Now’s the time to give something completely new a go. A silly poll, a ‘blast from the past’ type post to appeal to your customers’ sense of nostalgia, or even a cheeky giveaway.

10. Get Some Help

If you feel your time is better spent elsewhere because writing content just isn’t for you, outsource it to a professional. A professional like ‘meeeee’.

Yep, you knew where I was going with this post, didn’t you? Joking aside, though, as a business owner, you probably enjoy the fact that you don’t always have to do what you don’t want to do. That’s the beauty of being self-employed.

So, get in touch and let me see if I can take a task or two off your to-do list.

Until next time…

What does a copywriter do?

What is a copywriter? Or rather, what the blinking ‘eck does a copywriter do?

More often than not, I’m met with a blank expression when I tell people what I do, so I’ll attempt to put into words (I should be good at that part…fingers crossed, eh?) what I do day-to-day.

I’ll start by laying out what a copywriter isn’t:

1. Anything to do with the ‘copyright’ of products, brands or films. While the word sounds the same, it’s spelled differently, but let’s not be pedantic here.

2. Someone who ‘copies’ the work of others. Well, I can’t say the same for other copywriters, but all my ideas are legit my own. Yes, really; I’m not as daft as I look.

So, that’s ruled out a couple of things. But you’re still probably no clearer - neither am I sometimes, to be fair, as copywriting these days seems to cover the length and breadth of marketing, including social media management.

What is copywriting?

‘Copy’ means ‘text’ or ‘content’ - so copywriting is essentially the writing of any kind of text.

Seriously, any kind of text you can think of, including for websites, brochures, e-newsletters, menus, signs for vans and cars, banner ads, Spotify adverts, radio adverts, press releases. If it has a physical (or digital) surface, try me; I could probably write something on it.

If you’ve broken your arm, bring your brand new colourful cast my way; I’d love to pop my name on it. Although that could be added to the list of what copywriting isn’t, to be fair.

So, what does a copywriter do on a day-to-day basis?

After all, I’m dillying and dallying and, in doing so, I still haven’t answered the title of this blog post, have I? Pah.

Some copywriters work for themselves, others work ‘in-house’ for a company or an agency. Some copywriters work on long-form copy while others work on short-form copy.

Long-form copy or content includes blog posts (usually of around 500 words or more), website content (think ‘About Us’ pages and more), whitepapers and brochures.

Short-form copy, meanwhile, could be anything from slogans to short, sharp bursts of content - for Twitter or Instagram, for example. It all falls under ‘copywriting’ though.

Just to confuse matters further, copywriters can be known as any of the following - if you know any more to add to my list, let me know.

1. Content writer

2. Writer

3. Digital writer

4. Digital content executive

5. Conceptual copywriter (this is a specific kind of copywriter - usually the kind of copywriter who is tasked to come up with ideas for, say, a promotional film or campaign, although we standard copywriters may do that too)

6. Digital marketer (although this can encompass lots of roles).

Copywriters are essentially just sales people who can write well.

Do you need a copywriter?

It depends. Do you have something you’d like to promote and you’d like a professional copywriter Yorkshire to write about it in a bid to drum up some custom? Get in touch for a no-obligation chat if you think I can help.

Until next time…

Will copywriting ever be automated?

It sounds like something out of Black Mirror or Bladerunner (or Fifth Element…did you see that? One of the best films ever made, seriously) but one day, automation is going to affect our lives. Big time.

In some cases we already trust automation to take care of things in our everyday schedules. If you’ve got an Alexa taking down your shopping lists, or a Hive switching off your heating while you’re out for the day, you’re already enjoying the advantages of an automation-led future. How exciting is that?!

But what if computer programmes could help streamline your workflow? Would you use a robot to make your copywriting tasks easier?

Hyperspeed Headlines

You might not know this, but there are already programmes out there that are used regularly to write basic news reports for news agencies. The odd thing? You can barely tell the difference between a short court report written up by a human and a traffic update composed by AI. Ouch.

This technology has been used to create advertising copy, too, using Google’s ‘cost-per-click’ system to train tech to make ads that play it safe, thereby encouraging more clicks while driving costs down.

However, marketing corporation Dentsu Aegis Network decided this wasn’t ground-breaking enough for them. As advertising giants, they knew that creativity is what drives the best marketing campaigns. So, they set off on a journey to teach their algorithms how to ‘think’, ‘feel’ and ultimately, get funny.

According to a fascinating news story about the project on BBC.co.uk, managing director of Dentsu Aegis Network Audrey Kuah said: "Our ambition is to train this AI copywriter to learn how to inject a little bit of that human creativity.”

The robots are coming…

The Human Touch

Does this spell the end of the road for creative copywriters?

I honestly don’t think so. While algorithms can be trained to write snappy, empirically interesting copy, the only creativity they can offer is learned.

In that respect, a human element has to exist, in order to push the creative boundaries.

I love writing heartfelt, engaging copy that informs, attracts and moves readers to act. I can’t deny that the idea of having an AI assistant I can send repetitive tasks to is actually a dream come true, for both me and my clients. Imagine all the time I could dedicate to producing thoughtful, creative content! Imagine how much more efficient the processes involved in setting up a website – for example – would be?

 I’m not concerned that robots will take my job. Well, let’s hope not; I quite like doing what I do.

At the end of the day, creativity comes from your lived experiences, your personality, your likes and dislikes and your own personal hunches. What works for one agency might not work for another. Ads that bring home thousands of pounds in revenue for one company might fall flat for others. That’s why humans, with our amazing adaptability and problem-solving skills, could never really be replaced.

I’m actually excited about where AI might take the creative marketing industry. How about you?

Until next time…