We live in a fast-paced world. The standard today can quickly become obsolete tomorrow. This applies to every area of life, and copywriting is not exempted.
The goal of copywriting has been and still is to sell through its copy. In the past, print and TV were the only means of advertising. Copy was about eye-catching slogans, headlines, and Unique Selling Proposition (USP).
Times have changed, and technology has taken copywriting further. Also, consumers have evolved and influenced the tone of copywriters. Now, copy is more conversational, benefit-led, and audience-led.
If you, therefore, don’t know how to keep up with copywriting trends, you’ll be left far behind the tide. That’s why copywriters need to be abreast of what’s happening and keep up with the times.
Let’s see how you can keep up with copywriting trends.
7 Effective Ways to Keep Up with Copywriting Trends
1. Keep Learning
A copywriter must be constantly learning.
In fact, nobody – no matter what field you are in – should stop learning, or you will quickly become irrelevant.
There’s always something new to learn: new products and services to sell, new marketing strategies, and new ways to reach clients. You cannot afford to be ignorant.
Remember that learning is not limited to the four walls of a classroom. You have the most accessible learning resources for you: Google and YouTube.
Many people underutilise these search engines when there’s so much you can learn there. Search and familiarise yourself with the updated ways of doing things. They are both free and readily available, so leverage that.
You can also take courses to hone your skills. In fact, if you search well enough, you may find free, valuable courses. However, you should not hesitate to pay for knowledge; you’ll make even more with it.
Check out elearning websites like Udemy, Coursera, and Future Learn for courses that will keep you updated with copywriting.
Additionally, a good copywriter must be a good reader. Read books on copywriting, market research, sales, psychology, and other relevant fields. If there’s a revised edition of a book you’ve read before, then you should read it.
Books are a fountain of knowledge and information, and it’ll broaden your mind.
Also Read: Must-Have Reading Apps to Download as a Book Lover
Another way to learn is to follow marketing and copywriting blogs or websites. It will keep you aware of current happenings. You should also subscribe to educational podcasts and newsletters you find relevant.
Find and attend reputable webinars and conferences. Thanks to virtual meetings, you can take part anywhere and anytime if you can’t make it physically. They are often recorded and shared, so you can refer to them when you can.
2. Research
You’ll be expected to write about different industries as a copywriter, especially a freelancer or one working for a marketing agency.
And sometimes, those industries will be utterly unfamiliar because you are not God; you don’t know all things.
Therefore, you need to conduct extensive research. You want to ensure you’re giving your audience accurate information, which can only be possible with research.
Furthermore, research lets you know what’s obtainable in different industries and how to incorporate that into your work. You might know what was accepted before, but for fresh ideas, you need research.
Don’t get stuck in your old ways, even if it was formerly efficient. That’s the fastest way to be left behind while others progress.
3. Try New Writing Techniques
Be open to trying new things. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been writing copy or how
many pieces of copy you’ve written. Your writing style will soon get stale if you’re not open to upgrading your writing skills.
You might say, “why fix what’s not broken?” But if there’s a better way to achieve your results, then there’s no harm in being excellent. Why settle for “just enough” when you can have it all?”
Thankfully, there are enough writing tools that can help you improve your writing, if you will.
Also Read: 7 Best Writing Apps You Need to Own as a Writer
4. Networking and Cooperation
Many copywriters enjoy working in solitude, and that’s not particularly wrong. But man is a social being; we were not created to be an island. You need to connect with like minds.
Join networks of copywriters on social media to learn new developments and trends from them. For instance, you can join forums and communities on Facebook to learn new tricks to improve your copy.
While at it, don’t be an onlooker. Engage and participate in discussions in the group. Of course, you should also avoid being a nuisance. Find a delicate balance.
5. Follow Experts
Find and follow the copywriting experts on social media; they often give out gems that could drastically grow your career. Instead of spending time on unproductive gossip on social media, follow and tailor your timeline to experts and other copywriters who could give insights or inspire you to be a better copywriter.
6. Analyse Successful Campaigns
Study successful campaigns to stay current with marketing trends. Scrutinise the entire copy, from the headline to the call-to-action, to get an idea of what’s working currently.
You should also examine the target audience of these campaigns to study their choices. This way, you can identify patterns and apply them to your work.
7. Adjust to New Technologies
If you don’t adapt to new technologies, it could impede your growth in the world today.
There is always a new form of tech that will improve your writing experience. And sometimes, the tech is familiar but updated. It’s your job to keep up with the trend and understand what’s now relevant.
For instance, at the time of this writing, ChatGPT is all the cool kids are talking about. It might be something else in a few years, or we might have an upgraded way to use the tool.
You must constantly stay current to develop new tactics for your campaigns.
Also Read: How to Improve Your Writing with ChatGPT
Stay Updated
Keeping up with copywriting trends will keep you relevant as a copywriter. You’ll be able to spot potential opportunities and be better positioned for it. It will also make you more prepared for new challenges that will arise. This way, you can stand out in your career and boost your growth.
