The Key Is In The Copy!

13 Comments

The blogosphere is expanding more and more everyday, and as it grows so many sites get left in the proverbial dust, as others rise in the ranks. Many ponder on the reasons for this, we have even postulated on it ourselves in Getting Your Traffic ’Right’!, and it seems that there may not be any one right answer. But one thing we have noticed as we surf the net, is that the sites that have great copy are the ones that make us take notice.

keyboard

Those are the sites that cause us to linger as we take in their wit and their wordplay, and often times, in that linger, we find new sites to follow. Demonstrating how important a blogs copy can be. It is, essentially, the introduction to your world. Your tone, your presence, everything that your blog embodies is revealed there in your words. If they don’t resonate or stir people, then those people are less likely to return. It’s this verbal first impression that some bloggers are taking for granted, thinking that what they have to say is more important than how they say it. But that’s not always the case.

So take time to put your best foot forward when it comes to your copy to help ensure that those wandering through the world wide web will be more inclined to stop over at your site a time or two. Make sure that your words grab people’s attention. Style them to suspend the reader’s urge to surf and keep that flair flowing to sustain them throughout their stay. Keep your content as original as you can, and always try to approach a popular topic from another direction. That way, even if your blog is covering something that others are as well, your take will be from a fresh perspective. And of course, your style will prove a saving grace in this case, too. Be playful in your tone, for if you are having fun when you write it, that feeling will generally be conveyed to the reader.

However you proceed, we believe you should heed these words of warning. Keep a focus on your copy and your blog will stand out among the masses competing for the online audience that will make your site take off. The key is in the copy, it’s the words that’ll win them over. Oh, and never underestimate the value of the freebies!

Some of the sites getting it right!

Here are some examples, in no particular order, from a couple of the blogs that we think have got the copywriting right! Try saying that five times fast!

The I’m Just Creative Branding Story - Part 1 - Pre-History
The I’m Just Creative Branding Story - Part 2 - Logo Design

When Social Media Marketing Goes Completely Wrong
Managing the time you spend daily on social media sites

Dunkin Vs Starbucks
Fonts - The Big, Bold and Beautiful

7 Secrets You Must Know to Give Your Blog the Edge
6 Great Tips On How To Prepare Artwork for T-Shirt Printing

Where oh where has the white space gone?
7 big beefs with web design

We know there are many more blogs with great copy out there, we just wanted to put in a handful of our favorites. Which blogs do you follow for their outstanding copywriting?

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13 Comments »

Marnie B said:

Hey Ange! Thanks for the link!

I agree that great copy is important. It’s overlooked so often as it’s thought that the design will compensate.

Great article!

# 9 December 2008 at 5:01 am

Marco said:

The link from “Getting Your Traffic ’Right’!” is wrong (Giving 404). I also don’t get the addition of the “6 Great Tips On How To Prepare Artwork for T-Shirt Printing” at JCD - A great article, but what does it mean in this context?

Anyway, overall it was a good read. Once again: Well done!

Marcos last blog post..Top 15 Free Mac Apps for Graphic Designers

# 9 December 2008 at 5:01 am

Angie Bowen said:

@Marnie - Thanks so much. As design bloggers we have both challenges, our posts have to both look and read good. And I think we need both to make our readers stick around.

@Marco - Thanks for letting us know about the link. I’ve fixed it. All of the articles highlighted are articles that we feel have good copy. The topic of the articles will vary.

# 9 December 2008 at 5:14 am

Jacob Cass said:

Thank you for the link out Angie, as they say content is (usually) king.

Just so you know the T-shirt article was also a guest article on JCD.

Jacob Casss last blog post..USD$1620 Raised For Charity + Prize Give Away Winners

# 9 December 2008 at 5:50 am

Niki Brown said:

Thanks for including the design o’blog! I never set out to be a writer, and I try to be as informal as possible in what I write. I guess people like that You can definitely tell when bloggers put alot of time and content into their blog.

Niki Browns last blog post..Dunkin vs Starbucks

# 9 December 2008 at 6:33 am

Mike Smith said:

thanks for including my site. I am glad that something I wrote made sense to someone out there Nice roundup as well. I will be spending some time today checking them all out.

Mike Smiths last blog post..Burger King connects with virgins

# 9 December 2008 at 9:33 am

Graham Smith said:

repeat what the others said, really appreciate being included. Can never underestimate how good it feels when someone picks out something you have done to demonstrate a point.

I’ll be honest and that I do struggle with doing posts that re best off’s, or collections of various things. I much prefer writing about things, but I often wonder if that is what people actually want nowadays. Always seems to be the graphically intense posts that attract the most attention.

Is it because people are too hurried to read a 1000 word blog post instead of seeing lots of cool links?

# 10 December 2008 at 3:25 am

Graham Smith said:

Also, I hear alot about content is king, But I think one needs to clarify that this statement isn’t actually very helpful. It’s too general, as it obviously applies to both Images and text.

A well written, interesting blog post will always draw me in more than repetitive link collections if I am to remain a loyal reader. It’s finding the balance which for sure, you guys have. Freebies, collections, awesome written posts… that’s the ultimate goal. But Im sure you will both agree, hideously time intensive as well.

# 10 December 2008 at 3:28 am

Graham Smith said:

Oh, and the other point, which kind of carries on from previous. Ghost writing.

Wondered what peoples thoughts are on this?

Think I may do a poll or something on this, curious to know how people think about it.

Graham Smiths last blog post..Links for 2008-12-04 [del.icio.us]

# 10 December 2008 at 3:31 am

Graham Smith said:

lol. Actually, given me an idea for my own post. Now see, this is what a great post or article should be able to do. As well as draw in comments, if it can spark further conversation then that the greatest compliment…

And no, im not trying to ‘snuggle’ up to you guys. Just saying it how it is.

Graham Smiths last blog post..Links for 2008-12-04 [del.icio.us]

# 10 December 2008 at 3:33 am

Robert Bowen (author) said:

@ Jacob - No problem, the content in the copy of your site is always par for the course! Even the guest posts !

@ Niki - I think it’s the informal tone of your writing that I respond to as well.

@ Mike - I’m glad that you do what you do, my friend.

@ Graham - Thanks for the comments. Glad that we could inspire! I agree with you that most people seem to be turned off by the wordy posts. They seem to prefer the graphics. Though I’m loving your webcasts, I do value your in depth and whimsical posts.

Like you said it is time consuming, that’s why we are lucky that we both contribute to make it a little easier. I can’t wait to read what you come up with!!

# 11 December 2008 at 2:05 am