Copywriting is all around us, but not all of it makes an impact. For a brand message to be effective, it needs to have a good idea behind it. Coming up with new ideas isn’t always easy, though!
To get ideas for copywriting, be open to inspiration from anywhere. Some of the most common sources of ideas are customer interactions, templates, copywriting forums, top-performing copy, and competitors. Moreover, you can get ideas from following trends and watching movies and YouTube videos.
There are lots of places to find inspiration and come up with ideas. What works for some people might not work for others, so let’s explore potential ways to get ideas for copywriting.
Sources of Copywriting Ideas
When you start thinking about copywriting ideas, you will be surprised by how many sources of inspiration are already around you.
Here are some of the most common places to get ideas for your next project.
1. Customer Interactions
There is no better way to understand what your customers want than to talk to them directly. Try to get a sense of the language they use and the problems they’re trying to solve through:
- Surveys
- Interviews
- Reviews
- Informal conversations
This will not only give you a wealth of material to work with but also help you build a stronger relationship with your customers.
Identifying customer needs is the first step in any copywriting project. Once you know what they’re looking for, you can start thinking about how to craft a message that resonates with them.
For example, let’s say you’re a copywriter for a health food company. You could talk to customers about their current diets, struggles, and what they hope to achieve by eating healthier.
Apart from that, you could also look at their previous purchases, items they have in their carts, and what they search for on your website.
All of this will give you an insight into their motivations and help you write copy that speaks to them.
2. Use Templates
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, one of the best things you can do is look at templates. There are many different templates available, although some may be better suited to your specific project.
For example, you could look for email marketing templates if you’re writing an email campaign. Copywriting templates can help you:
- Save time
- Ensure your copy is well-organized
- Get inspiration for new ideas
- Help you hit the ground running
You can find templates on platforms like HubSpot. The website has a library of free marketing templates, including email and landing page templates.
Another resource that has templates is Canva. They have a wide range of designs you can use for inspiration, including social media posts, flyers, and infographics.
Although templates can be a great starting point, it’s important to remember that they’re not meant to be used as-is. Instead, you should customize them to fit your brand voice and style.
3. Join Copywriting Forums
As the adage goes, if you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to go far, walk together. The same principle applies to copywriting.
If you want to improve your skills and craft, you should consider joining a copywriting forum.
When you are stuck, a copywriting forum can be a great place to get ideas and feedback from other writers. It also helps you connect with other industry professionals and learn about new trends.
You can find copywriting forums on Quora, Reddit, LinkedIn, and other online communities. Many Facebook groups are also dedicated to copywriting.
Most of these forums are free to join, so you have nothing to lose by checking them out. They could mean the difference between a successful project and one that flops.
4. Search for Top-Performing Copy
When it comes to writing, I use this simple rule: study the best ten results and copy what they are doing well. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should plagiarize their work. You should ask these questions:
- What makes their headlines so effective?
- How do they structure their sentences?
- What tone do they use?
Answering these questions can help you understand what makes a piece of copy successful and will give you ideas for your project.
To find the top-performing copies, do a Google search and look at the results on the first page. You can also use BuzzSumo to find the most popular content in your industry.
The key is to find what’s already working and put your own spin on it. If you can do that, you’ll be well on your way to writing copy that converts.
The most crucial part of any successful copy is the headline. It’s the thing that will make people stop and read your message.
Therefore, it’s essential to spend time crafting headlines that are both attention-grabbing and relevant to your topic.
5. Learn from Competitors
Without competition, there would be no progress. You can use your competitors as a resource to help you improve your skills and develop new ideas. Here are a few ways you can do that:
- Analyze their ads
- Sign up for their email list
- Download their free eBooks
- Take their quizzes
The goal is to understand their marketing strategy and learn from it. You don’t want to copy their work, but you can use it to inspire your projects.
However, it is a tricky balance. You don’t want to spend too much time on your competitor’s work and not enough time on your own. Use them as a resource, but don’t get lost in their world.
The ideal way to use your competitor’s work is to emulate their strengths and improve upon their weaknesses.
For example, if they’re not good at email marketing, you can focus on that area and become the go-to expert.
You can also use their work to understand what’s already been done in your industry. If you see that all of your competitors are using the same tactics, you’ll know that you need to find a new angle.
6. Use What Is Trending
You can never go wrong by writing about what’s popular. People are always interested in new trends, so it’s a great way to get attention for your work.
You can use Google Trends, Twitter, and other social media platforms to find out what’s trending. You can also use sites like BuzzFeed and UpWorthy to see what content is popular with their audience.
Remember that you don’t want to just jump on the bandwagon. You should find a way to make the trend relevant to your brand. Otherwise, you’ll come across as out of touch and insincere.
Memes and GIFs are a great way to add some personality to your content. They can help you reach a larger audience because they are easy to share.
7. Watch Movies and Read Books
One of the best ways to get ideas for copywriting is to consume high-quality content. The more you read and watch, the easier it will be to develop new ideas.
Fiction helps you get your creative juices flowing. Non-fiction books can also be helpful, especially if they’re about copywriting or marketing.
I recommend doing a close reading to get the most out of your reading. This means that you should take the time to analyze the work.
Think about why the author chose certain words and how they affected the meaning of the text. Pay attention to the structure of the sentences and paragraphs.
All these elements can give you ideas for your writing. When it comes to movies, you can ask these questions:
- What did the characters say?
- How did they say it?
- What was the setting?
- How did the story make you feel?
Every statement, action, and detail can be a source of inspiration.
You can also use movies and books as a way to escape from the pressure of writing. If you’re stuck, take a break and watch your favorite film. It will help you relax and return to your work with fresh eyes.
8. Podcasts and YouTube Videos
Have you ever tried to learn something new and been frustrated by the lack of good content? When I was first starting as a copywriter, I had a hard time finding helpful resources.
Nowadays, there are plenty of fantastic podcasts and YouTube channels that can teach you everything you need to know about copywriting. Some of my favorites podcasts include:
- The Copywriter Club
- Copyblogger FM
These programs will help you better understand the craft of copywriting and give you ideas you can implement in your upcoming projects.
You can also find a lot of helpful videos on YouTube. There are tons of channels that focus on copywriting, marketing, and business. You can also find guides and content for just about anything on YouTube.
9. Adapt a Story
Stories have a way of captivating an audience and making complex ideas easy to understand. So if you can find a way to tell a story in your copy, you’ll connect with your readers on a deeper level.
One of the best ways to learn how to do this is to study the masters of storytelling. Read books by authors like Ernest Hemingway, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison.
You can also find stories in the news. Look for human interest stories that will resonate with your audience.
Once you’ve found a story that you want to tell, think about how you can use it to sell your product or service. What lesson can your reader take away from it? How does it relate to your brand?
Telling a story is a great way to connect with your readers and get them to care about your message.
10. Take the Literal Meaning
When looking for ideas, it’s easy to get caught up in big concepts and forget the little details. But sometimes, the best ideas are hiding in plain sight.
The next time you’re stuck, try taking a literal approach to your writing. This means you should focus on the concrete details of what you’re trying to say.
For example, if you’re selling a new type of toothpaste, don’t just talk about how it’s the best on the market. Describe the taste, texture, and smell of the toothpaste. Talk about how it feels when you use it.
The more specific you can be, the easier it will be for your readers to understand what you’re trying to sell them.
Being literal doesn’t mean that it has to be boring. In fact, using concrete details can make your writing more engaging.
11. Don’t Debunk “Strange Ideas”
When you’re brainstorming, it’s essential to keep an open mind. You never know where your next great idea will come from.
So don’t dismiss an idea just because it seems strange at first. Instead, try to find a way to make it work for your project.
A good example is the Google slogan, “Don’t be evil.” It’s a simple phrase, but it’s also strange and unexpected. Plus, it perfectly encapsulates the company’s mission to do good in the world.
At first, many people didn’t think a phrase like “Don’t be evil” would effectively sell internet products. But Google proved that sometimes the best ideas are the ones that seem a little bit odd.
12. Advertisements and Billboards
If you’re looking for inspiration, just keep your eyes open! We’re surrounded by content and inspiration. For instance, even advertisements and billboards can be excellent sources of copywriting ideas.
Pay attention to the adverts that catch your eye. What makes them so effective? Is it the use of color, the clever tagline, or how they tell a story?
Once you’ve figured out what makes an advert successful, you can use those same techniques in your work. Of course, you don’t want to copy someone else’s work directly.
But there’s nothing wrong with taking inspiration from the world around you. Most people don’t realize how much copywriting there is in their everyday lives.
But once you start looking for it, you’ll see it everywhere.
13. Email Newsletters
When you sign up for a newsletter, you’ll receive a steady stream of content you can use for ideas.
Pay attention to the headlines and subject lines that catch your eye. What makes them so effective? Is it the use of keywords, the sense of urgency, or the promise of valuable content?
You can also learn a lot from how different newsletters are designed. Take note of the layout, the use of images, and the overall tone of the newsletter.
Don’t just limit yourself to email newsletters. You can also find inspiration in print newsletters, magazines, and direct mail.
The important thing is to keep your eyes open for ideas. Inspiration can come from anywhere. What matters most is that you can take that inspiration and turn it into something extraordinary.
Final Thoughts
There are many different ways to find ideas for copywriting. You can learn from customer interactions, use templates, join copywriting forums, or search for top-performing copies.
You can also take inspiration from movies, books, and advertisements. Always stay on the lookout for new sources of inspiration.
Implementing seemingly strange ideas and taking a literal approach to your writing can also help you find success. With just a little effort, you can find all the inspiration you need to create compelling copy.