Peking Duck

A few years back: I was having drinks with a few buddies. We had all started our careers at the same company. 

Most of us were doing well. One of us had never gotten into gear and felt stuck in his position.

"I've been waiting for my big break," he said. "I just never seem to have any luck."

The most successful member of the group shot back: "You have to sit for a long time with your mouth wide open before a Peking duck flies into it."

  

Dreaming of Entrepreneurship

 

"My dream is to be an entrepreneur."

Good for you, Bunky. But it's time to stop thinking about being an entrepreneur and start thinking about problems.

Roll up your sleeves and find a problem that a specific group of people needs to have solved.

• Can you solve it?
  
  
• Does your solution have a true advantage over others who are offering a solution to the same problem?
  
  
• Can you solve it at a price that would be acceptable to this group?
  
  
• Is the group big enough to make solving the problem profitable?
  
  
• Can you reach this group effectively and efficiently?

Once you've identified the right problem, then you can start thinking about starting a business.

And in starting that business to address that problem, you become an entrepreneur.

Wanting to be an entrepreneur is easy.

Making the commitment to take the necessary action to make it happen with a chance of success, not so easy.

A Reminder for Copywriters and Designers

  Sometimes the best copy is no copy.

Sometimes the best art is no art.

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR CHIVAS REGAL

IF YOU NEED TO SEE THE BOTTLE

YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T MOVE INTHE RIGHT SOCIAL CIRLE

IF YOU NEED TO TASTE IT

YOU JUST DON'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO APPRECIATE IT

IF YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT COSTS,

TURN THE PAGE, YOUNG MAN

9 Copywriting Tactics

Different marketing situations call for different tactics, here are 9 (with examples) to consider when determining the most effective way to reach targeted prospects for your clients.

1. Emphasize Unique Positioning: 

One of the most potent copywriting tactics is highlighting what sets your product or service apart from the competition. Take Tesla, for example. Their tagline, "Not just electric, but the best electric cars in the world," succinctly emphasizes their unique positioning, showcasing superiority in the electric vehicle market.

2. Address Pain Points: 

Identify your audience's pain points and speak directly to them. Grammarly does this exceptionally well, acknowledging the frustration of embarrassing typos with their tagline, "Write with confidence, no matter your mistakes." By addressing the pain of writing errors, Grammarly positions itself as the solution users need.

3. Appeal to Self-Image: 

Make your audience feel like your product or service aligns perfectly with who they are. Apple masters this tactic by portraying their customers as innovators and free thinkers. Their "Think Different" campaign not only sells a product but an identity, appealing to those who see themselves as non-conformists.

4. Emphasize Trust Signals: 

Incorporate elements that build trust, such as testimonials, statistics, or endorsements. Amazon does this seamlessly by featuring customer reviews prominently. These real-life experiences serve as powerful trust signals, assuring potential buyers of the product's quality and reliability.

5. Leverage Relational Messaging: 

Show your audience you genuinely care about their well-being. Dove's "Real Beauty" campaign takes a relational approach by challenging traditional beauty standards. This not only promotes their products but also builds an emotional connection with consumers who appreciate a brand that values authenticity.

6. Showcase through Demonstration: 

Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Blendtec's "Will It Blend?" series on YouTube is a brilliant example. By demonstrating the strength of their blenders through entertaining videos blending everything from iPhones to golf balls, they not only showcase the product but also create a memorable and shareable experience.

7. Use Humor: 

Laughter is a universal language, and using humor can make your brand memorable. Old Spice nailed this with their "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" campaign. By injecting humor into their ads, they not only entertained but created a memorable brand image, making people associate Old Spice with fun and confidence.

8. Highlight Competitive Advantage: 

Clearly communicate why your product is superior. Coca-Cola does this by emphasizing the "secret formula" that makes their drink unique. This mystique creates a perception of exclusivity, making consumers believe they're choosing a beverage with a competitive advantage over others.

9. Create a Sense of Urgency:

Encourage immediate action with time-sensitive offers. Domino's Pizza excels at this by frequently running limited-time promotions like "50% off for the next 24 hours." This not only entices customers but creates a sense of urgency that drives them to place an order sooner rather than later.

Remember, the key to effective copywriting is a deep understanding of your audience and a genuine desire to meet their needs.