THREAD OF THREADS
I've been writing copy and optimising conversions since 2009.
Now I want to help you raise your game.
Follow me to learn about:
Writing
Marketing
Persuasion
Copywriting
Conversion optimisation
(Continually updated)
// THREAD //
I’ve not shared my face until now because:
• I’m not a pretty boy.
• I didn’t know if I’d be successful here.
• And I’ve preferred to stay in the background.
But I think it’s time for a change.
So say hello to the real me.
Hopefully I won't scare you off!
It’s not too late for you.
When I was 30 my total assets were about $2,000.
When I was 40 I bought my brother a house as a wedding present.
And I nearly retired a couple of years ago before deciding to start this account.
Quick Marketing Tip
If you sell info-products...
Keep in mind people don't buy:
- Information
- Products
What they do buy:
- Hope of a better life
- Specific results
- Convenience
- Solutions
- Secrets
- Status
- Speed
- Relief
So make sure they're what you're selling.
It’s not too late for you.
When I was 30 my total assets were about $2,000.
When I was 40 I bought my brother a house as a wedding present.
And I nearly retired before deciding to start this account.
It’s been a while since I introduced myself.
So if you’re new to my account:
• I’m Andrew.
• I’m 44.
• I live in Loughborough which is in the middle of the UK.
• I’ve been a freelance copywriter since 2009.
• I specialise in long form copy.
• I preach the fundamentals.
•
Quick Marketing Tip
If you sell info-products...
Keep in mind people don't buy:
- Information
- Products
What they do buy:
- Hope of a better life
- Specific results
- Convenience
- Solutions
- Secrets
- Status
- Relief
- Speed
So make sure they're what you're selling.
23 quick tips for new copywriters:
(from a 14 year veteran)
1) Don’t believe the hype
Copywriting’s not quick and easy money.
It takes a serious investment of time and effort to get good enough to
Quick Copywriting Tip
Don't use the word “testimonials” in your copy.
Your prospects know it's marketing lingo and it breaks the flow of the copy.
Instead write something like:
"Here's what our customers have to say"
Quick Copywriting Tip
Where possible remove the verb "be"…
And all its forms (be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been).
It weakens your writing.
So instead of:
"The food was delicious"
Write:
"The food tasted delicious"
2023 was a good year on 𝕏:
• Posted over 40 videos.
• Appeared on 3 podcasts.
• Got to over 32k followers.
• Spoke on multiple Spaces.
• Went from a cartoon to real me.
So thank you for following me and I hope you had a great year too!
Quick Copywriting Tip
Use micro commitments in your copy...
Words or short phrases designed to get a “yes” from your prospects.
Examples:
• Right?
• Got it?
• Agree?
• Correct?
• Understand?
• Makes sense?
The more yeses you get the better.
Quick Marketing Tip
I've learned many things from Dan Kennedy...
And this was one of the first and most important:
No matter what business you're in...
Your real business is lead generation and sales conversion.
As without leads and sales you don't have a business.
Quick Copywriting Tip
Don't use the word “testimonials” in your copy.
Your prospects know it's marketing lingo and it breaks the flow of the copy.
Instead write something like:
"Here's what our customers say"
Quick Marketing Tip
The 4 key elements of prospect research...
You must know:
1. What they want.
2. What they don't want.
3. What language they use.
4. What objections they have.
This is Andrew Gould.
He’s a direct response copywriter.
His work has made over $120m for his clients.
And I’ve been studying the little nerd for nearly 45 years.
So here are 7 of his least worst ideas:
I started this account to sell copy coaching.
But 2.5 years later I’ve still not got round to it.
And I realise I’ve been making excuses instead of taking action.
So that changes tomorrow.
I'm finally launching my copy coaching offer.
Wish me luck!
Giveaway time!
I've written 64 marketing and copywriting threads.
And I think they're pretty valuable.
So I've compiled the links in a handy PDF.
To get it just like, retweet, and sacrifice your firstborn.
Not really…
None of that DM nonsense here.
The link’s below👇
Headline Writing 101
The ultimate beginner’s guide to writing effective headlines...
The headline is the make or break element of your copy.
A good headline grabs your prospect’s attention and forces them to keep reading.
But a bad headline and they’re gone.
So let’s look at
Quick Copywriting Tip
Don't use the word “testimonials” in your copy.
Your prospects know it's marketing lingo and it breaks the flow of the copy.
Instead write something like:
• Don’t take my word for it
Unpopular Opinion
“Courses are scams”
Might get mocked in this corner of Twitter.
But I’ve been in the business for over a decade and the reality is that far too many are low quality money grabs.
The Ultimate Guide to “Slippery Slide” Copy
9 techniques to force your prospects to read every word of your copy.
Slippery slide copy comes from legendary copywriter Joe Sugarman:
“Your readers should be so compelled to read your copy that they cannot stop reading until they
I got a DM asking:
“I want to get to the point where I can make $50k/month copywriting. What would you suggest is a good strategy?”
I’m sharing my answer as you might find it helpful:
Quick Marketing Tip
The 4 key elements of prospect research...
You must know:
1. What they want.
2. What they don't want.
3. What language they use.
4. What objections they have.
The single biggest mistake in my copywriting career:
Not getting started soon enough.
I read books, consumed courses, did everything other than write copy.
Don't make the same mistake I did.
There'll never be a right time, so start now.
Quick Marketing Tip
If you sell info-products...
Keep in mind people don't buy:
- Information
- Products
What they do buy:
- Hope of a better life
- Specific results
- Convenience
- Solutions
- Secrets
- Status
- Relief
- Speed
So make sure they're what you're selling.
Spice Up Your Copywriting
If you want to make your copy...
More vivid...
More interesting…
And most importantly...
More effective at selling...
Here's a simple method to do just that.
Quick Marketing Tip
Always keep in mind...
Your prospect doesn't care about:
• You
• Your business
• Your product
What they do care about:
• What's in it for them
I was bullied at school.
Then I discovered Jackie Chan and he inspired me to learn martial arts.
I was broke in my 20s.
Then I discovered Dan Kennedy and learned copywriting.
You don’t have to accept where you are in life.
There's never been a better time to better yourself.
Quick Copywriting Tip
An easy way to improve a headline is to add a human interest angle to it.
So from:
• Make 6 Figures With Public Speaking
To:
• How a Shy Librarian Makes 6 Figures With Public Speaking
(And note the contrast between "shy" and "public speaking".)
Quick Copywriting Tip
Easy, effective headline structure:
Preheader - state problem
Main headline - promise to solve it
Subhead - prove you can
Example:
Struggling to make sales?
Triple Your Conversions in Seven Days...
With the same system used by Nike, Apple, and Disney
Quick Copywriting Tip
An easy way to strengthen promise headlines...
Add an “s” to the verb.
So instead of:
• Double your traffic
You'd write:
• Doubles your traffic
The “s” implies the offer does the work, which makes it more compelling.
Quick Marketing Tip
When asking for testimonials ask specific questions.
For example:
- What made you buy this product?
- Did you hesitate to buy? Why?
- What do you think of the product?
- What specific benefits did you like most?
- Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Quick Marketing Tip
When asking for testimonials ask specific questions.
For example:
- What made you buy this product?
- Did you hesitate to buy? Why?
- What do you think of the product?
- What specific benefits did you like most?
- Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I turn 45 today🎂
It’s almost 15 years to the day I worked my final shift as an employee and entered the world of freelance copywriting.
And it turned out not too bad.
I’ve gone from being scared of the phone ringing…
Because it meant the bank was going to ask me for money I
Quick Marketing Tip
When asking for testimonials ask specific questions.
For example:
- What made you buy this product?
- Did you hesitate to buy? Why?
- What do you think of the product?
- What specific benefits did you like most?
- Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Quick Copywriting Tip
When editing your copy…
After every sentence ask yourself:
• So what?
And if you don’t have a good answer, consider editing or deleting it.
Quick Marketing Tip
Don't assume you already know what does and doesn't work.
Don't let tradition or industry norms blind you.
Decide on data not on assumptions.
Quick Marketing Tip
Don't assume you already know what does and doesn't work.
Don't let tradition or industry norms blind you.
Decide on data not on assumptions.
Quick Marketing Tip
Understand what you’re really selling.
Are you selling:
A guide to cold email?
Or are you selling:
A quick, easy, and cheap way to get clients from all over the world?
The second’s not only more compelling, it can help you decide what else to sell.
Storytelling’s Secret Structure
(Warning: this is going to get a little technical and nerdy, but it will be worth it for anyone who writes stories in their copy.)
It's no great secret storytelling is a powerful tool for sales and copywriting.
But what's not as well known is
Quick Marketing Tip
The fastest way to build trust and credibility with a new audience:
Disclose your mistakes.
Let them know what you messed up and where you went wrong.
People like to boast.
Few like to reveal they're not perfect.
Quick Copywriting Challenge
Which is the better way to phrase it:
a) This little-known Japanese herb melts fat
Or:
b) Melt fat with this little-known Japanese herb
And why?
I’ll give you my answer tomorrow.
Freebie time!
I've written 64 marketing and copywriting threads.
They cover:
• Headline writing
• Prospect research
• Storytelling mechanics
Plus much, much more.
And I think they're pretty valuable.
So I've compiled the links in a handy PDF.
Get it below👇
Quick Copywriting Tip
Easy, effective headline structure:
Preheader - state problem
Main headline - promise to solve it
Subhead - prove you can
Example:
Struggling to make sales?
Triple Your Conversions in Seven Days...
With the same system used by Nike, Apple, and Disney
The single biggest mistake in my copywriting career:
Not getting started soon enough.
I read books, consumed courses, did everything other than write copy.
Don't make the same mistake I did.
There'll never be a right time so start now.
I'm 44 today!
Over the next few weeks:
• I'll change my content strategy.
• Run a Space on attracting clients.
• And finally launch my coaching offer.
For now...
Here are 10 of my best threads covering everything from headline fundamentals to advanced research techniques:
In the movie Kung Fu Panda...
Po the panda's given a scroll containing the secret to limitless power.
But it's blank.
Because there is no secret.
And the same's true of copywriting.
Don't waste your time looking for secrets or shortcuts.
Focus on the fundamentals.
Quick Copywriting Challenge
You’ve got a new client.
They want you to write a sales page for their offer.
What’s the single most important thing you should focus on?
Listen to Stephen King:
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut.”
His advice applies just as much to copywriters as it does to authors.
Quick Copywriting Tip
To strengthen promise headlines...
Add a "without" or an "even if" to handle knee jerk objections.
Examples:
- Double your traffic without spending a single cent
- Write a best-seller even if you can't string two sentences together
Quick Copywriting Tip
Use hypophora in your writing.
What's hypophora?
It's when you ask a question and then answer it.
By anticipating your prospects it shows you understand them and lets you guide their thinking.
Plus it helps make your copy feel more conversational.
Quick Marketing Tip
The fastest way to build trust and credibility with a new audience:
Disclose your mistakes.
Let them know what you messed up and where you went wrong.
People like to boast.
Few like to reveal they're not perfect.
Quick Copywriting Tip
Use micro commitments in your copy...
Words or short phrases designed to get a “yes” from your prospects.
Examples:
• Right?
• Got it?
• Agree?
• Correct?
• Understand?
• Makes sense?
The more yeses you get the better.
Quick Copywriting Tip
Where possible remove the verb "be"…
And all its forms (be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been).
It weakens your writing.
For example, instead of:
• The food was delicious
Write:
• The food tasted delicious
Quick Copywriting Tip
Where possible remove the verb "be"…
And all its forms (am, is, are, was, were, being, been).
As it weakens your writing.
For example, instead of:
• The food was delicious.
Write:
• The food tasted delicious.
Quick Copywriting Tip
Make sure your sentences finish strong…
Because the last word has the most emphasis.
For example, not:
• Use a headline to improve it.
Instead:
• Improve it with a headline.
Quick Copywriting Tip
Always write prospect-focused copy.
So use “you” not “I” when possible.
For example, instead of:
• I’m going to show
You'd write:
• You’re going to see
Quick Email Tip
To boost your open rates...
Write your subject lines in sentence case not title case.
For example don't write:
• This Weird Coffee Melts Fat
Write:
• This weird coffee melts fat
It comes off as less formal and less obviously a marketing email.
A recent DM:
“I want to get to the point where I can make $50k/month copywriting. What would you suggest is a good strategy?”
I’m sharing it because you might find my answer helpful:
The single biggest mistake in my copywriting career:
Not getting started soon enough.
I read books, consumed courses, did everything other than write copy.
Don't make the same mistake I did.
There'll never be a right time so start now.
Quick Marketing Tip
If you sell info-products...
Keep in mind people don't buy:
- Information
- Products
What they do buy:
- Hope of a better life
- Specific results
- Convenience
- Solutions
- Secrets
- Status
- Speed
- Relief
So make sure they're what you're selling.
Quick Marketing Tip
Just because someone doesn't buy today...
Doesn't mean they'll never buy.
So the better your follow-up system...
The more sales you'll make.
Quick Copywriting Tip
Simple story structure:
1. Challenge - what was your problem?
2. Struggle - what didn't work for you?
3. Resolution - what was your solution?
Works great for emails as it can be short or long.
And it sets up a CTA to find out more about your solution.
Quick Marketing Tip
Four things you must know about your prospects (regarding what you're selling):
1. What they want.
2. What they don't want.
3. What language they use.
4. What objections they have.
I don’t talk about money here.
I‘d probably get more followers if I did.
But it’d attract the wrong type of people.
So I focus on the craft to attract people who are chasing mastery not money.
Be more boring.
Not in your copy, but in your approach to copy.
Don’t try to be fancy or clever.
Focus on the Fundamental Five:
1) Proof
2) Clarity
3) Benefits
4) Research
5) Specificity
Quick Copywriting Tip
The bigger a number looks on screen…
The bigger your prospects will perceive it as.
So instead of:
• $200
You could write:
• $200.00
And it works the other way round if you want to make a number seem smaller, for example the price.
Quick Copywriting Tip
Use hypophora in your writing.
What's hypophora?
It's when you ask a question and then answer it.
By anticipating your prospects it shows you understand them and lets you guide their thinking.
Plus it helps make your copy feel more conversational.
I was bullied...
Then I discovered Jackie Chan and he inspired me to learn martial arts.
I was broke...
Then I discovered Dan Kennedy and learned copywriting.
You don’t have to accept where you are in life.
There's never been a better time to better yourself.
Quick Marketing Tip
Behind your metrics are real people with:
• Real problems
• Real desires
• And real lives
So becoming an expert on people is more important than becoming an expert on metrics.
Quick Copywriting Tip
Use a "not list".
A list of things your offer isn't and that your prospects don't want it to be.
It's great for building curiosity:
"This new traffic method is:
- Not PPC
- Not SEO
- Not content marketing
Not like anything you've ever seen before."
Quick Copywriting Tip
You want to assume the sale.
For example, don’t write:
• If you invest…
Instead write:
• When you invest…
Or:
• Once you invest...
Quick Copywriting Tip
To strengthen promise headlines...
Add an "s" to the verb.
So instead of:
• Double your traffic
You'd write:
• Doubles your traffic
The "s" implies the offer does the work, which makes it more compelling.
It took me a year to start posting here.
My hands were shaking when I spoke on my first Space.
I didn’t want to record my first video.
But I did.
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
It’s the only way you’ll grow.
Quick Copywriting Tip
Use eponyms.
Eponyms are when you refer to someone as a famous historical or fictional figure.
You might refer to someone who’s:
- Smart as Einstein
- Strong as Hercules
It makes your writing more interesting and helps drive home that characteristic.
Quick Copywriting Tip
Pay attention to your language.
Words like:
• Buy
• Price
• Learn
Have negative connotations.
So instead use more positive words:
• Get started
• Investment
• Discover
35k followers!
Thank you.
And if you're new - welcome aboard.
I've been a copywriter since 2009, my work has made 9 figures in sales, and I've written for everything from joint mobility to power generators.
Now I want to help you level up your copy skills.
Quick Copywriting Tip
When you’re starting out…
To get better, faster, and for free:
Pair up with another new copywriter…
And give each other feedback on your work.