Direct response copywriting is all about getting your audience to take a specific action, whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or booking a consultation. To do this, you need to create copy that is both attention-grabbing and persuasive. One way to achieve this is by being “outrageous” in your copy.
When we talk about being “outrageous” in copywriting, we’re not talking about being offensive or disrespectful. Instead, we’re talking about being bold, daring, and different. The goal is to stand out in a crowded marketplace and grab your audience’s attention.
Here are a few tips for writing outrageous copy that sells like crazy:
1. Be provocative: One way to grab attention is by saying something that challenges the status quo. This could be a bold claim or a controversial statement that makes your audience stop and think. For example, instead of saying “our product is the best on the market,” you could say “our product is so good, it’s almost illegal.”
2. Use power words: Power words are words that evoke strong emotions. They include words like “amazing,” “explosive,” and “miracle.” Use power words to create a sense of urgency and excitement in your copy.
3. Tell a story: People are naturally drawn to stories, and using storytelling in your copy can help make your message more relatable and memorable. Tell a personal story about how your product or service has helped someone, or use a hypothetical scenario to paint a picture of the benefits your audience could experience.
4. Use humor: Humor can be a great way to connect with your audience and make your message more memorable. But be careful, humor can be tricky. Make sure your jokes are appropriate and that they don’t detract from your overall message.
5. Make a guarantee: A guarantee can help to build trust and reduce risk for your audience. Offer a money-back guarantee, or a satisfaction guarantee.
6. Use scarcity: Creating a sense of scarcity can help to create a sense of urgency. This could be by mentioning a limited-time offer or by highlighting that there are only a few spots left.
7. Test and optimize: Finally, don’t be afraid to test different elements of your copy to see what works best. Try different headlines, different calls-to-action, and different guarantees. Keep track of what works and what doesn’t, and use that information to optimize your copy and improve your results.
By being outrageous and following these tips, you can create copy that stands out, grabs attention, and persuades your audience to take action. Remember, the goal is not to be offensive or disrespectful, but to be bold, daring and different.
What are the types of direct response copywriting?
Direct response copywriting is a form of writing that is designed to elicit a specific action from the reader. This action could be anything from making a purchase to signing up for a newsletter. The goal of direct response copywriting is to create a sense of urgency and to persuade the reader to take action.
There are several different types of direct response copywriting, each with its own unique purpose and style.
1. Sales letters: These are typically long-form pieces of copy that are used to persuade the reader to make a purchase. They are often used in direct mail campaigns and are designed to be read from start to finish. Sales letters often include testimonials, case studies, and other forms of social proof to build trust and credibility with the reader.
A classic example of a sales letter is the “Tony Robbins’ Personal Power” program. The letter is filled with testimonials, case studies, and persuasive language to persuade the reader to purchase the program.
2. Landing pages: These are single web pages that are designed to convert visitors into leads or customers. They typically include a headline, a few paragraphs of copy, and a call to action. The goal of a landing page is to persuade the visitor to take a specific action, such as filling out a form or making a purchase.
An example of a landing page is the “Sign up for our newsletter” page on a company’s website. The page includes a headline, a few paragraphs of copy and a call-to-action button to sign up for the newsletter. The goal is to convert visitors into subscribers.
3. Email marketing: Email marketing is a form of direct response copywriting that is used to build relationships with customers and to promote products or services. Emails are often used to nurture leads, to cross-sell and upsell, and to promote new products or services.
An example of an email marketing campaign is a company sending out a weekly newsletter to its subscribers. The newsletter includes updates on new products, promotions, and other content to keep the subscribers engaged.
4. Video scripts: Video scripts are used to create persuasive videos that are designed to be shared on social media or on other platforms. They typically include a compelling headline, a clear call to action, and persuasive language that is designed to get the viewer to take action.
An example of a video script is the “Will it blend?” series by Blendtec. The videos feature the Blendtec blender blending various unusual items (such as an iPhone) to demonstrate the blender’s power and durability. The goal is to persuade viewers to purchase the Blendtec blender.
5. Ad copy: Ad copy is a form of direct response copywriting that is used to create ads that are designed to be placed on websites, in magazines, or on other platforms. Ad copy is typically short and to the point, and it is designed to get the reader to take action as quickly as possible.
An example of ad copy is a short, attention-grabbing headline like “New iPhone now available” paired with a picture of the product and a call-to-action button to “buy now”. The goal is to get the reader to take action and make a purchase.
6. Social media copy: Social media copy is a form of direct response copywriting that is used to create engaging and persuasive content that is designed to be shared on social media. This type of copy is often used to promote products or services, to build relationships with customers, and to drive traffic to websites.
An example of social media copy is a company promoting a new product launch on its Instagram account. The company uses a mix of images, videos, and persuasive language to build excitement and persuade followers to purchase the new product.
In all these examples, the direct response copywriting is designed to elicit a specific action from the reader, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or visiting a website.
In conclusion, Direct response copywriting is a powerful tool that can be used to persuade people to take action. By understanding the different types of direct response copywriting, you can choose the right approach for your business and start seeing results.
