Direct Response Copy: saying more with less
You want attention, don't you?
That's what we all want for our businesses. We are all vying for eyeballs on our brand.
But you want more than that; you want ACTION.
Seeing is one thing; clicking is another.
In order to create copy that converts, and generates those all-important sales, sometimes less is more. In fact, sometimes we only have as little as 30 or 80 characters to make an impression, as with Google Adwords copy.
How do you write an effective piece of short copy that will attract the attention of your target audience?
Before you start, it's important that:
- you've mapped out your audience personas
- you know which persona this ad is targeting
- you have done your keyword research for that customer
- you have a relevant list of search terms.
In direct response copywriting, your keyword list is blended with the emotional painpoints of your persona.
For this example, Let's say we're selling an eco-friendly copper drinking bottle, and we're writing a Google Adwords ad.
The customer is interested in going plastic-free, and they are also potentially interested in the health benefits claimed. They want a better solution rather than buying plastic bottles to take to work or the gym, for example, and are concerned about the effects of BPA.
The keywords we may want to use are variations and a mixture of: 'plastic-free bottles', 'water bottles', 'copper bottles', 'plastic drinking bottle', 'eco-friendly', 'sustainable'.
- We start the ad with:
The 'hook': Posing a question, or answering a question that directly relates to what the customer is needing.
Looking for an alternative to your plastic drinking bottle?
Beautiful eco-friendly copper water bottle
- Then, we provide the second headline, or 'tagline':
Tagline: Here you would support your headline/hook, and include the painpoint if you haven't already:
Copper is sustainable and stylish
Plastic-free with health benefits
- Next you'd provide a brief description of your product:
Description: This is designed to get the audience's attention and make them intrigued to find out more. This isn't the place to list all of it's features and benefits.
Handcrafted designs inspired by nature, available in 500-900ml.
Minimalistic and stylish bottles, based on Ayurvedic principles.
- CTA: Finally, you need to end on a great call-to-action, that encourages that all important link click!
Shop Now
Get yours today
That's two variations of the ad, which would look something like this:
“Looking for an alternative to your plastic drinking bottle?
Copper is sustainable and stylish
Handcrafted designs inspired by nature, available in 500-900ml.
Shop Now ”
“Beautiful eco-friendly copper water bottle
Plastic-free with health benefits
Minimalistic and stylish bottles, based on Ayurvedic principles.
Get yours today ”