Question

Topic: Copywriting

Software To Assist In Writing Copy

Posted by Anonymous on 8/27/2008 at 10:50 AM ET 250 Points
Can anyone recommend software that will assist me in writing copy. There is no budget for a copy writer. have come across a couple of programs 1)Headline Creator Pro and Scribejuice and I wanted to know if anyone has used these programs and if they are worth wild. I am a one person department and I find writing copy a very time consuming process for me.

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  • Posted on 8/27/2008 at 11:22 AM Member
    This book has templates for writing sales letters included on the companion CD that comes with it:
    https://www.nmoa.org/directmarketingtoolkit/ and it gives precise directions on writing copy.

    But as far as software to do the job, I just don't know how software can do the job better than a human with basic instruction.

    You might also check, www.BobBlyMarketingBooks.com
  • Posted by Levon on 8/27/2008 at 3:13 PM Member
    Simply benchmark against what the other top copywriters are doing. You can adapt headlines, tailor body copy and save yourself allot of time by just looking at what others are doing.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 8/28/2008 at 12:24 PM Member
    There isn't a formula for great copy. There are templates for generic copy, headlines, and layouts. One source of some copy ideas is: Dan Kennedy's Ultimate Sales Letter.

    Great copy is possible only when you have a great product, that targets a specific audience whose problems/language you understand completely
  • Posted by jstiles on 8/28/2008 at 12:41 PM Member
    I have not heard of those applications but I will check them out. That being said, I am also highly skeptical of any computer based application that purports to be able to assist in writing creatively. Creative thinking, and in turn writing, are nebulous processes that I doubt can be adequately achieved by a cold calculating device such as a computer.

    Spend the extra time writing you own. Have others review it. Over time the process will become easier and as you refine your skill it will serve your career well.

    Best of luck!
  • Posted by jstiles on 8/28/2008 at 12:52 PM Member
    OK, I looked at the Scribejuice web site.... I stick to my initial claim. The copy on the site itself lost me in the first few paragraphs. It looks and feels like an extended ad for an MLM product.

    I'm sorry, but I don't think there is a magic pill here. Effective copy needs to support your unique company strategy, understand and speak to your audience and apply nuances of the language to form a hook. I don't see those capabilities in this application. IMHO

    Best of luck!
  • Posted by Inbox_Interactive on 8/28/2008 at 5:02 PM Accepted
    The only software we've ever used to help us write copy is Microsoft Word.

    Apart from that, I think you're on your own.

    As has been detailed here, copy -- well, good copy -- is not something that can just get cranked out in machine-like fashion.

    Good copy makes the reader do what you want him to do, and that's a very personal, human-based process that does not lend itself well to shortcuts.

    Having said that, there are some time-tested, battle-proven methods that can allow you to get some decent copy out in less time than if you tried to go it completely alone.

    Books on the subject are everywhere, but you might also check out:

    https://bencivengabullets.com/

    and

    https://www.nickusborne.com/
  • Posted on 8/29/2008 at 6:58 AM Member
    I visited the site you have mentioned. Honestly, the website itself was text heavy & fancy, which may somehow reflect the software itself. Copywriting indeed is tedious; but you just have to be patient, try to read books, magazines and articles so you may enhance your vocabulary and sooner or later be able to play with words. Still, nothing beats practice. Copywriting can't be achieved in a snap of a finger, and I'm very skeptical that a computer software can replace human's creativity. Goodluck!
  • Posted on 8/29/2008 at 3:01 PM Member
    I don't know where to begin with this except to say, at the risk of sounding trite, that copywriting is truly an art.

    Software's come a long way, but it doesn't have (nor will it have any time soon) the capacity to evaluate and stir human emotions.

    Trouble is, people read only what interests them. If what you want is to fill a page with words, anyone or any computer can do the job. But, if what you want is for your words to be read and for them to communicate ideas or to change behavior, then you need a human with experience, skill, and insight to write those words.
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