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Feb 15, 2019

Contrary to what many people think, writing powerful ad copy does not require that you ooze with creativity - it only requires that you use a proven ad copy template. I’ve experienced a lot of my success with platforms like Facebook Ads and Google Adwords using this principle, and I can tell you that it works.

This episode is about that - how to create your own ad copy template that covers the fundamentals you have to include in every effective ad piece. It’s vital to do this because nobody, not even the best copywriters, just sit down and write effectively. They follow a framework. I’m going to show you how to do that on this episode.

Ad copy is not about being creative - it’s about following a proven process

I want you to forget the myth that creativity is required to write effective copy. It’s more to be consistent and to follow best practice principles that have been proven to drive traffic. Creativity is nice, but not required.

This even holds true when it comes to graphics and images. There are principles for selecting and creating them that you can follow and implement even if you are not a graphic designer.

On this episode, I focus mainly on the ad copy - highlighting 5 elements you should always include in your ad copy template - and I explain what each of them is and how to use them.

If you use this ad copy template, you’ll create more effective ads

What’s the amazing ad copy framework I’m talking about? Listen to find out all the details, but I’ll summarize it for you right here…

  • Map the transformation your avatar will experience from using your product/service
  • Identify and know your buyer persona/avatar
  • Pick your copy angle (it usually involves telling a story)
  • Use a consistent format
  • Make sure you choose ONE awareness level to target

Previous episodes of this podcast cover some of those points in more detail (see the resource links on this page), but I cover them all in a general sense on this episode. Once you understand what each of the steps is and get your head around how to use them, you’ll discover that you can write effective ad copy repeatedly, with great results.

You can’t write a good ad if you don’t know who you’re talking to

One of the steps you have to include in your ad copy template is the identification of your buyer persona. You can’t hope to make sales or drive traffic with your ads if your copy is not specifically targeted. You want to write to a particular person with a very clear need. That way you are able to speak directly to them. Go ahead and click to listen and I’ll explain all of it in greater detail.

Pick a copy angle for your ad and stick with it

Do you know what I mean when I say that you have to pick a copy angle? It’s a standardized approach, based on best-practices that gives you a clear framework to follow. When you select a copy angle, you want to choose the one that fits your buyer persona and industry the best. Here are some sample copy angles…

  • Breakthrough - telling the story of how someone benefitted from your product/service
  • Man on a mission - telling the story of why the product/service was created
  • Meet avatar - you’ve seen these - “Meet Jane, she is…” - and then it goes on to describe the buyer avatar in detail

If you don’t choose a copy angle before you start writing, you’ll waste a lot of time and come up with an ad that will not be effective. That’s because copy angles are time-tested. They simply work.

Be sure you listen to understand how you can create your own ad copy template. It’s worth your time to do this once, then reuse it over and over to greater success.

Outline of This Episode

  • [0:38] If you use this ad copy framework, it will work. :)
  • [2:56] MYTH: Copy is about creativity. - NOT TRUE
  • [5:07] The foundation to good ad copy is mapping the transformation
  • [6:07] The buyer persona is vital. You’ve got to get into their heads
  • [7:52] How to pick your copy angle (it usually involves telling a story)
  • [10:40] Use a consistent format (testimonial, propositions, call to action - for example)
  • [13:38] Make sure you choose ONE awareness level to target
  • [14:35] BONUS: Make sure your images are congruent with everything you’re doing

Resources & People Mentioned

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