Thinking about a career in copy0writing? Think you’ve got what it takes? If you’ve ever wondered what makes a good copywriter then this is a must read for you. Written by Vishal Khandelwal on copywriterinindia, here’s a comprehensive article on 5 habits of highly successful copywriters.

Habit #1: Successful Copywriters…Read a Lot

The first habit of highly successful copywriters is not related to writing! Instead, it is about ‘reading’. If you want to become a successful writer or copywriter, you must ‘read a lot’. It’s as simple as this – if you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Reading creates an ease and intimacy with the process of writing. Regular reading will pull you into a place where you can write eagerly and without self-consciousness. Successful writers read with an eye for good writing.

Habit #2: Successful Copywriters…Write a Lot

For a copywriter, practicing the art of writing is extremely important. Successful copywriters are those who burn the midnight oil practicing this art to perfection. If you are trying to become a good copywriter yourself, try writing every day. Ideas will be hard to come by initially, but with patience and consistent hard work, your mind will become a repository of good ideas. And that is when you will realise the worth of your practice.

Habit #3: Successful Copywriters…Use the ‘Power of One’

Writing about one, and just one big idea is one of the best habits. Readers don’t (like to) hear everything a writer has to say on a particular topic. They are just looking for that single, useful suggestion or piece of information that could benefit them. Lincoln’s one big idea was ‘liberty’. Gandhi’s one big idea was ‘non-violence’. Martin Luther King’s one big idea was ‘equality’. History is replete with examples of how a person has focused on his one big idea to revolutionize an entire race or country.

Habit #4: Successful Copywriters…Understand Emotions

‘Emotions’ are the bed rock of great copywriting. If you don’t have them, you don’t understand them and you can’t trigger them. In order to become a successful copywriter, you must be able to engage your prospects emotionally. You should engage the reader so much that the product or service starts to seem like a solution to the problem the reader is facing.

Habit #5: Successful Copywriters…Tell Stories

Everyone loves stories! Stories create magic, especially because they take us to a different unreal world. All our problems cease to exist for those moments. In the same way, as a copywriter, you must write as if you are telling a story face to face to your listener (reader). Engage him in an informal conversation, as if you are talking to a good friend.

Like all storytellers…

• Use expressions.
• Use emotions.
• Offer help.
• Ask questions.
• Make promises.
• Make him debate, disagree with you.
• Given him a benefit (like the moral of the story