Comments on: Copywriting for the Web: The Good, The Bad, and The Copy http://designbit.co.uk/2010/02/06/copywriting-for-the-web-02-the-good-the-bad-and-the-copy/ Web Design Blog and Studio Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Matt Pattinson (copywriter) http://designbit.co.uk/2010/02/06/copywriting-for-the-web-02-the-good-the-bad-and-the-copy/comment-page-1/#comment-46583 Matt Pattinson (copywriter) Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:58:03 +0000 http://designbit.co.uk/?p=1382#comment-46583 Hi Bloemker, As I've never undertaken a copywriting class in a formal educational setting I'm afraid I can't really comment there. I have, however, studied English and Politics at degree level and found it really helped with my previous profession of political journalist. Based on that, I'd imagine any type of copywriting training would be useful, especially if you already work in the field or are planning to join the industry. I run the copywriting agency CreativePen and post regular articles on the art of copywriting - these range from 'how to' lessons to the role of copywriting in culture and beyond. So check out http://creativepen.co.uk for for further reading on the subject of copywriting. Good luck with things and hopefully talk to you again on CreativePen. cheers Matt Hi Bloemker,

As I’ve never undertaken a copywriting class in a formal educational setting I’m afraid I can’t really comment there.

I have, however, studied English and Politics at degree level and found it really helped with my previous profession of political journalist.

Based on that, I’d imagine any type of copywriting training would be useful, especially if you already work in the field or are planning to join the industry.

I run the copywriting agency CreativePen and post regular articles on the art of copywriting – these range from ‘how to’ lessons to the role of copywriting in culture and beyond.

So check out http://creativepen.co.uk for for further reading on the subject of copywriting.

Good luck with things and hopefully talk to you again on CreativePen.

cheers

Matt

]]> By: Bloemker (Copywriter) http://designbit.co.uk/2010/02/06/copywriting-for-the-web-02-the-good-the-bad-and-the-copy/comment-page-1/#comment-46335 Bloemker (Copywriter) Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:20:06 +0000 http://designbit.co.uk/?p=1382#comment-46335 What are copywriting classes like? I am thinking about minoring in copywriting at my school (I'm a fiction major) and I'd to know what sort of things are taught, what kinds of homework/practice/exercises there are, etc. Anybody here with experience? What are copywriting classes like? I am thinking about minoring in copywriting at my school (I’m a fiction major) and I’d to know what sort of things are taught, what kinds of homework/practice/exercises there are, etc. Anybody here with experience?

]]> By: Matt http://designbit.co.uk/2010/02/06/copywriting-for-the-web-02-the-good-the-bad-and-the-copy/comment-page-1/#comment-44838 Matt Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:00:37 +0000 http://designbit.co.uk/?p=1382#comment-44838 Mike you’re definitely right to say clarity should prosper over contrivance when it comes to web copy. Copywriter guru Joe Sugarman argued a bit back that every element of copy strives towards one goal — to get the first sentence read. And while there is some truth to that, what Sugarman more convincingly highlights is the need for immediacy with web copy. Basically hook the reader in from the start and refuse to let go. As for your other point: I think repetition is something we all face from time to time. In some cases it may be possible to circumvent this by boiling down your content into fewer phrases, as opposed to stretching it out. Obviously this isn’t always possible and requires the use of inventive prose to make each line sound revitalised rather than repetitive. I have noticed over the past few years an increasing tendency where people simply click ‘thesaurus’ and change words to equivalents. On a commercial front this poses a number of obvious dangers. All too often people supplant words that simply don’t make any sense, change the context of their copy, impedes the rhythm, and/or overcomplicates it. Needless to say such problems stand out like a sore thumb. So at the very least I'd always recommend people filter their work through a good editor or proof reader. Thanks Mike Mike you’re definitely right to say clarity should prosper over contrivance when it comes to web copy.

Copywriter guru Joe Sugarman argued a bit back that every element of copy strives towards one goal — to get the first sentence read. And while there is some truth to that, what Sugarman more convincingly highlights is the need for immediacy with web copy. Basically hook the reader in from the start and refuse to let go.

As for your other point: I think repetition is something we all face from time to time. In some cases it may be possible to circumvent this by boiling down your content into fewer phrases, as opposed to stretching it out. Obviously this isn’t always possible and requires the use of inventive prose to make each line sound revitalised rather than repetitive.

I have noticed over the past few years an increasing tendency where people simply click ‘thesaurus’ and change words to equivalents. On a commercial front this poses a number of obvious dangers. All too often people supplant words that simply don’t make any sense, change the context of their copy, impedes the rhythm, and/or overcomplicates it. Needless to say such problems stand out like a sore thumb. So at the very least I’d always recommend people filter their work through a good editor or proof reader.

Thanks Mike

]]> By: Mike http://designbit.co.uk/2010/02/06/copywriting-for-the-web-02-the-good-the-bad-and-the-copy/comment-page-1/#comment-44755 Mike Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:30:39 +0000 http://designbit.co.uk/?p=1382#comment-44755 Writing copy is one of the harder parts of web design, and there is, like you say, always the temptation to over complicate what you are saying which will just lose your audience. I think the thing I find hardest is not repeating the same lines when doing websites that require similar content. Writing copy is one of the harder parts of web design, and there is, like you say, always the temptation to over complicate what you are saying which will just lose your audience.

I think the thing I find hardest is not repeating the same lines when doing websites that require similar content.

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