What the Bleep is Copywriting?

Copywriting 101

Old fashioned typewriter, stock image. 

What the bleep are you doing.

I’ve received several inquiries about what I am doing… the easiest is to say:

I’m writing.

But writing comes in all shapes and forms doesn’t it? What makes yours “copy?” 

Welllll… Great question! 

Some think I work with copyrights. Like I work in the field of the legal right of the owner of intellectual property. 

In the simplest terms: copyright is the right to copy. Which means…the original creators of the work and whomever they give authorization to are the only ones with the exclusive right to reproduce the work. 

Please say I haven’t lost you… 

Copyright is a confusing subject and often takes the form of complicated cases like Michael Jackson and the Beatles . I’m sure that has passed through your pop culture news periphery in some form or fashion? 

And I get it! Both have “copy” and “write/right” in the title… so… 

But, I digress. This is Copywriting 101 not Copyright 101.  

What is a Copywriter?

A Copywriter is a professional employed to write marketing or promotional materials. They are often responsible for text on brochures, billboards, websites, emails, advertisements, catalogs, and more. Unlike news or editorial writing, copywriting is about getting the reader to take action. 

Time Square, baby. Stock image 

SO much of what we read every day has been written by a copywriter. 

The ad for Paka outdoor fashion from Peru that pops up on your social feed? -Copywriter.

I want to book a reservation for Rich Table in San Francisco? Guarantee the website was written by a copywriter. (No offense, Rich’s if this is untrue.)

Emails you keep getting from buying those Tiem shoes for spin? -you got it, a copywriter. 

And these are just “small” businesses. But, guess what? 

Courtesy of Metal Memes, Metal Dreams 

We were ALL small at one point. What propelled them to grow to be such goliaths like On shoes, or KEEN or the more obvious Vans, Nike, Adidas? 

Bonus: Psychology 101

To make it really basic and switch gears to Psychology 101: It typically is a lifestyle we are chasing &/or a feeling. It’s not the product actually in and of themselves. A shoe is just a shoe, right? Or is it what gives me confidence to walk into that event and ask that person to dance? 

Who knows? In the 80’s my jean jacket and Reebok sneakers sure used to make me feel pretty fly for a white girl…

Courtesy of Reebok and World Footwear

I don’t make the rules.

So to sum it up, the product in this business of “Copywriting” is called “Copy.” Which is simple for the written content whose job it is to increase brand awareness. Ultimately, persuading a person or group to take particular action. 

But I don’t want to be persuaded. I don’t want to have to take a particular action. Well, then, don’t.

There is plenty of things we say no to everyday without even giving it a second thought… but the ones we say a resounding YES to, those are the earners of our hard earned pennies.

If you are of the outdoor cat variety as am I, and enjoy nature… we all want to feel free walking in the creek or on the trail, our choice? Want to feel like a pixie flying above the reeds of said creek and not have to care a second thought about if my footwear is going to hold up?

Want a company that has always sought to make a difference and footwear was (theoretically) secondary? Well, KEEN (ok, I may be biased. But how can millions of their shoe wearers be wrong?) is your solution. You get the idea… 

But… If there are any questions and this sounds like a bunch of poppy cock (man, that British copy coach sure has a grip on me!) to you and you want to pick my brain some more, please reach out…

Fill out the form at the bottom of this page :)

. . .

So, if you are anything like me, and know your brand is so much more than a persuasion speech… and you don’t want your clients to “have” to do anything but enjoy the glorious feeling your product provides… It’s not just words, but an investment into your company and selling your dream in an elevated space with a human connection. 

Maybe this is you? Maybe an authentic connection could help bolster your business? Maybe we could shake up your brand story and get more eyeballs on your product? Conversion copy (you know, copywriter talk) on your shop pages to sky rocket sales (your kind of talk)?

So, maybe let’s have a chat then? 

On the call, we will look at what’s working and what’s not working. We will discuss the best course of action so you can move forward with ease and comfort (you know, I mean, after all this you need legal help with your music instead of someone to help write about promoting your music, we will figure that out on the straight away won’t we?)

And then… if there’s a possibility to work together then we will make some time to chat about that as well~

Fact check: I strive for accuracy and fairness… if something is off, please send a shout! Kp@kpcopy.com