My toddler sat at the lunch table the other day and stacked his cheese cubes. He then proceeded to cheer for himself. I couldn’t help but think that it’s an ability we lose as we age. Knowing how to write effective copy where we cheer for even small accomplishments is challenging.
Some people have no problems selling themselves, while others just aren’t sure how to simplify their passion for their products or services into simple statements that show why they matter to their customers.
And sadly, we can’t just say “yay” and clap for ourselves once we’re no longer 2 years old. We have to foster those skills so that they grow as we grow.
These tips will be most appropriate for personal brands – individuals who sell their expertise, such as contractors, freelancers or agencies. So if you’re just getting started with your personal business, this article is for you.
How to Write Effective Copy About Yourself
I love to write. But I don’t love to write about myself. It’s funny how I can ask probing questions about other people to write their bios or LinkedIn pages, but when someone asks me for a short bio, I freeze. Singing my praises is harder than cheering for someone else. So how can you get better at this important activity? Follow these steps.
1. Start with a Dynamic “About Me”
Your about me should start with an overview of your career and skills. Then it should move into some accomplishments. Finally, offer a little personal information, such as hobbies and family.
Sounds easy enough, right?
But the key to a good about me is to wrap up your passion for what you do. In my line of work, there are thousands of people who do what I do. So what makes me unique?
- Clear communication
- On-time content deliverables
- An understanding of marketing strategy that aligns my copywriting with my customer’s goals
- Reliability
- In-depth understanding of on-page SEO tactics
Believe it or not, many freelance copywriters struggle with deadlines and provide content of various qualities based on how much time they devote to the activity that time around.
So my value comes from knowing the areas where others are not quite as good at the final product.
2. Find Opportunities to Cheer for Accomplishments
Those little cheese cube stacking victories don’t happen every day in your career. But when they do, it’s appropriate to say “yay.” And this is where the humility of adulthood can get in the way.
The best place to share those accomplishments you experience is on LinkedIn. But if you have a personal website, some of your accomplishments are worth adding there as well.
For example, my HubSpot Inbound Marketing certification and Hootsuite Social Media certification are worth highlighting with the badges on my website. They serve as small ways of showing that I know what I’m doing.
And from time to time, I post new reviews on my company LinkedIn and Facebook pages. That way, potential customers can see what existing customers say about me.
3. Share When Others Cheer for You
This advice applies to all types of businesses and not just freelancers and contractors. Online reviews are perfect moments where your skills and abilities really shine. Using these reviews appropriately is like allowing others to cheer for you.
Yes, you’re sharing those comments, but they aren’t your words, which can make them even more impactful than if they were your words.
Your website should have a listing of your recent reviews from third-party websites. Ideally, these should not be copied and pasted from the source because it takes away from the authenticity of the reviews and can be a copyright issue.
But you should also share reviews on social media and within your pitch decks or resume that you send out to potential clients. This will aid in the decision-making process and build their confidence in choosing you to meet their needs.
4. Review Your Personal Selling Materials Regularly
As I write this, I’m realizing that it’s probably been a year since I last updated my LinkedIn profile and resume – and these are the items I use frequently to communicate my value proposition and why customers should choose me.
Leaving these crucial selling pieces without a review for that long could mean I’m missing out on opportunities to cheer for myself. So don’t be like me and put forth an effort to review pitch decks, resumes and online profiles quarterly or every six months. It’s time well spent.
And if you need a reliable, timely and strategic freelance copywriter, I’d appreciate the opportunity to discuss your needs with you.
Tips for Writing Effective Copy
Writing effective copy is one of the best ways to meet new customers and showcase your worth. Learn tips for writing effectively no matter the medium.
What is an Effective Copy?
Effective copy is copy that evokes an emotion in a potential customer and encourages them to take the next step in working with you. To do that, you’ll need to showcase your expertise and bring in user-generated content when appropriate.
How Do You Write an Effective Copy in Advertising?
Effective advertising copy should be customer-centric. But it also must highlight the features and benefits of what you’re selling. The emphasis should be more heavily placed on the benefits than the features but you still need to explain what you’re offering.
What Are the Characteristics of Good Copy?
The characteristics of good copy are clarity, originality, coherence, educational and accuracy. If your copy includes these key aspects, you’ll be far better off at showcasing your services and drawing your customer in.