Writing tips for business

As a web and launch copywriter, it’s time I spill my wordy secrets.

I’m a word nerd through and through. I love writing sales copy, and giving those in my online space sales writing tips so they can grow their businesses too. It absolutely lights me up to see private clients and students doing big things in their business because of my copy or direction!

Effective business writing tips

Contrary to popular belief, I think that content and copywriting can be learned. Both are more of a science than an art sometimes and by following a simple set of rules, anyone can implement effective writing tricks into their own business’ marketing efforts.

Of course, I don’t expect everyone to be a natural writer (I like my job!), but I do think we could all step it up a teensy bit when creating content for the web. I cringe when I spot typos in popular copy that could have been caught with a quick proofread. I judge the attention to detail when I read business documents riddled with errors. I know I’m not the only one who does this! You don’t want to leave potential leads on the table because they’re turned off when they notice errors.

Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry—I’ve got you!

As part of my mission to bring good writing to every corner of the internet, I’ve compiled a list of a few of my favourite writing tips for beginners. These are tricks I implemented into my own writing years ago, and immediately noticed a world of difference. Now, I make my living writing for businesses. That means they must work, right?

If you couldn’t tell… I live for good grammar.

The following list are general writing tips that apply to both copy and content writing in your business. They’re easy to learn, so you can start writing better content immediately. You’ll be dotting I’s and crossing T’s in no time!

How to become a better writer

If you’re a business owner, freelancer, or solopreneur who wants to find more clients online, you need to start paying attention to the words you write to attract those dream clients. You can learn to be a better writer by listening to your audience first, then remembering the following writing tips when it’s time to create content.

Without further ado, here’s my best writing tips for beginners that you can use today to write effective content for your business.

1. Write in the present, active tense.

Some style guides don’t allow this, but wherever possible, choose the present tense. The present tense of verbs creates stronger writing overall because it reads more clear and confident.

It’s a simple switch and all you need to look for is words that end in —ed and —ing.

Ex. “I walked” or “I am walking” sounds better as “I walk.”

2. Remove the verb “to be” from your vocabulary.

To be, is, was, were… Delete them all as much as you can while maintaining the integrity of your copy. Of course, there are times when it is necessary, but be aware and use these words sparingly.

Again, minimizing the use of these words makes your writing appear stronger overall and forces you to switch up your sentence structure.

3. Be selective when using words that end in —ly.

Probably one of my best kept secrets as a copywriter… Words that end in —ly don’t have any good reason to exist. I can attest that 90 percent of the time, there is a better suited word out there. Better words increase clarity. Clarity is persuasive.

4. Pay attention to your audience.

Always be aware of who you are writing for and where they will read it—websites, social media, brochures, etc.? There is a time and a place for all writing styles. Choose the appropriate language by writing for your audience and the appropriate format for the delivery method.

I always start with understanding the audience when developing a content strategy.

5. You can overcome writer’s block by writing.

Some of the my best work has been born of a time I thought I had writer’s block. Instead of wallowing in self-pity encouraged by a lack of inspiration, I stop and revisit my plan because a detailed strategy leaves little room for writer’s block. So I write. Do yourself a favour by putting words on the page no matter how painful it feels. Something might be there.

BONUS: Writing is never done, we just arrive at deadlines.

Sometimes I take this one a little too seriously, but I interpret it as implying there is always room for improvement. No matter how good we are, we can strive to be better.

Keep going on your own…

That’s all of the secrets I can share for now, friends! I have quite a few other resources on the blog that will help you keep the momentum going. Here’s a couple quick links…

• Improve your blog posts: 8 Tips to create better blog posts.

• How to approach copywriting in challenging situations: Copy dos and don’ts in a time of crisis.

Want more where that came from? Check out the Biz Bar for templates, guides, and additional resources to DIY your marketing and copywriting. Or get started today with the free 4-day 4 Steps to Profit course that teaches you how to improve your writing skills to attract dream clients online.

Learning to write effectively for business takes time, so be kind to yourself as you practice. You will become a better writer. You will be able to grow your business online. And I’m here to help if you need.