{"id":1639,"date":"2021-11-30T17:37:35","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T01:37:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/?p=1639"},"modified":"2025-11-19T03:47:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T11:47:51","slug":"7-copywriting-principles-for-the-modern-business-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/7-copywriting-principles-for-the-modern-business-age\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Copywriting Principles for the Modern Business Age"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Practical copywriting tips for retail &amp; eCommerce business owners.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pexels-jacqueline-kelly-4067126.jpg\" alt=\"Practical copywriting tips for retail &amp; eCommerce business owners\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pexels-jacqueline-kelly-4067126.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pexels-jacqueline-kelly-4067126-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pexels-jacqueline-kelly-4067126-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pexels-jacqueline-kelly-4067126-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pexels-jacqueline-kelly-4067126-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/person-writing-on-notebook-4067126\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>If you\u2019re a modern retail or eCommerce business owner, sharpening up your copywriting skills is one of the best investments you can make.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to connecting with customers, copywriting remains one of the world\u2019s most <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/your-definitive-guide-to-small-business-trend-marketing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">persuasive marketing mediums<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Today\u2019s consumers value compelling content that meets their personal needs. If you know how to deliver that, you will grow your audience while earning a consistent flow of sales.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re going to explore seven essential copywriting principles for the digital age. But first, let\u2019s consider <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">why <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">copywriting is so important.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Why copywriting counts in the digital age<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Copywriting is the backbone of digital marketing. By creating engaging, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/how-to-create-thought-leading-blog-content-for-your-business\/#:~:text=%20Concepts%20for%20thought%20leadership%20blog%20content%20success,hand.%20If%20you%E2%80%99re%20thinking%20about%20producing...%20More%20\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">thought-leading content<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that addresses a specific customer curiosity or pain point, you will forge deeper connections with your audience while inspiring positive action.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We live in an age where consumers have access to a wealth of information with the swipe of a screen or the click of a button. If you want to cut through the noise, your copywriting must be valuable, informational, and razor-sharp.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People don\u2019t fall for generic sales slogans anymore. To compete on today\u2019s eCommerce or retail battlefield, you have to inspire your audience while offering access to the right information at the right time\u2014and this is the key role of copywriting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are three insights that put the power of good copywriting into perspective:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personalized calls-to-action (CTAs) <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.hubspot.com\/marketing\/personalized-calls-to-action-convert-better-data\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">boost conversions and click-throughs by up to 202%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/khrisdigital.com\/copywriting-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seventy-four percent of consumers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pay attention to the spelling, grammar, and general quality of digital website content.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.aweber.com\/email-marketing\/2020-email-marketing-statistics.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sixty-four percent of small businesses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> note that their email copy or content is \u201ceffective\u201d or \u201cvery effective\u201d when it comes to customer engagement and business growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>The 7 modern copywriting principles you need to know<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you understand the power of solid copywriting in the digital age and how sharpening up your word skills can benefit your business, let\u2019s look at the seven modern principles of success.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Lean on your authenticity<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today\u2019s customers value <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.socialmediatoday.com\/news\/survey-finds-consumers-crave-authenticity-and-user-generated-content-deli\/511360\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">brand authenticity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more than ever. With the ability to consume content and connect with their peers 24\/7, people are more deliberate in their buying choices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It doesn\u2019t matter whether you\u2019re selling novelty socks or high-end electronics; authenticity will build trust and encourage customer loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>But how do you let your authenticity shine through?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Let\u2019s take a look at an example.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pasted-image-0-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1512\" height=\"670\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pasted-image-0-1.png 1512w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pasted-image-0-1-300x133.png 300w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pasted-image-0-1-1024x454.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pasted-image-0-1-768x340.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1512px) 100vw, 1512px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondmeat.com\/en-US\/mission\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screenshot<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This caption from the Mission page of plant-based food company Beyond Meat states the brand\u2019s intent in a way that\u2019s clear, concise, and true to the brand\u2019s values.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The caption is digestible and written in plain language. The marrying of the words \u201cbelieve\u201d (stating the brand\u2019s core beliefs) and \u201cfuture\u201d (showcasing Beyond Meat\u2019s commitment to the cause) is both authentic and engaging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When writing digital copy, you should always consider your key brand values and use them as a guide. To remain authentic in the eyes of your customers, you should also avoid using overly complicated terms or jargon. Doing so can make you appear pretentious, elitist, or just downright dull.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Lead with a razor-sharp hook<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to writing with authenticity in mind, you should aim to lead with a valuable hook. Whether you\u2019re writing a full-length blog post or a small piece of paid advertising copy, working with a strong theme or concept to grab attention will transform your copy from good to great.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Copywriting hooks come in many shapes and forms, but here are a few ideas to guide your efforts:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For landing pages or ad copy, highlighting a specific unique selling point (USP), deal, or offer will make an effective hook.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For articles and email copy, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/your-definitive-guide-to-small-business-trend-marketing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">trending topic or news theme<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can serve as a strong hook that inspires engagement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For ad copy and social media content, interesting facts, references to a particular video or image, and employee or customer spotlights all serve as solid hooks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>3. Sweat the small stuff<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another essential digital copywriting principle is sweating the small stuff. Your user experience (UX) content and microcopy are smaller elements of text that help to guide your customers through their journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Micro and UX copy are varied but include cursor captions, functional text that tells people what to do next when filling out information fields, and CTA buttons. These small nuggets of text count, as they improve the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bing.com\/search?q=customer+experience+(CX)+agiliron+bog&amp;cvid=b1b773bfcd4c41d680e9a2558860921c&amp;aqs=edge..69i57j69i64.4128j0j4&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=LCTS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">customer experience (CX)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and, if written well, serve as an extra layer of engagement between you and your customers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>To find out how to <\/b><b><i>sweat the small stuff <\/i><\/b><b>the right way, read our <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/essential-ux-and-microcopy-writing-tips-to-drive-conversions-and-increase-sales\/\"><b>guide to essential UX and microcopy writing tips that drive conversions and success<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Keep it conversational; break it up<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s always important to make your copy as conversational as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re producing content, you should read it aloud a few times. If your copy reads robotically or unnaturally, make the necessary tweaks until it sounds right.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One effective way of keeping your copy conversational (and digestible) is breaking it up into smaller sentences or chunks (this makes it easier to scan for useful information). You can also <\/span><b>bold <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> italicize<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> any key points or info you want to communicate on-page.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another effective way of keeping your copy sharp and conversational is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sarahhenson.co.uk\/blog\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice-in-copywriting#:~:text=Active%20voice%20is%20a%20more%20powerful%20positioning%20of,your%20product%2C%20you%E2%80%99ll%20want%20to%20use%20active%20voice.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">writing in an active voice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rather than a passive voice as much as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>For example:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><\/b><b>Passive voice:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe cup was thrown across the room in anger by Sally.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><b>Active voice:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSally threw the cup across the room in anger.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, the active sentence places the subject at the start, making the sentence clearer, punchier, and more conversational.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Tell a tale<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/cdn.business2community.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/3031419-inline-onespotscience4-1.jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ninety-two percent of consumers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> want brands to create content and make ads that feel like a story. Plus, our brains connect with storytelling more than cold, hard facts alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brand storytelling is a powerful promotional force. By telling a story with your copy, you will increase your chances of earning sales and growing your audience significantly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re producing a form of digital content, start with your headline and decide on a definitive CTA (the action you want your customer to take) that complements the end of your story. Armed with a definitive beginning, middle, and end, you will give your copy direction while holding your readers\u2019 attention from start to finish.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your aim here isn\u2019t to write an epic novel, complete with conflicts and plot twists, but to guide your audience through a specific idea, concept, product, or service in a way that takes them on a journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Marry up different mediums\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building on our brand storytelling point, you can make your copywriting tales even more compelling by working with different mediums such as imagery, multimedia design, and video.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZyCj6g0vOxA\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UN Women\u2019s video-based International Day of The Girl Child campaign is an excellent example of marrying up mediums and telling an inspiring tale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The captions are clear and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/how-to-win-more-sales-with-emotive-marketing-this-holiday-season\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">emotionally driven<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while taking the viewer on a journey of progress before asking them to take action and support the cause. Assisted by the hashtag <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/desa\/are-you-generationequality\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">#generationequality<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this brand storytelling campaign earned droves of social media engagement while raising a healthy amount of funds for a vital cause.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>7. Make it personal<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this isn\u2019t exactly a new copywriting concept, it\u2019s amazing how often eCommerce and retail business owners overlook this ket principle: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">make it personal.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every one of the tips and principles we\u2019ve talked about here is at least loosely based on offering personal value. To ensure your copy is extra personal, speak directly to your target customers, using \u201cyou\u201d wherever possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To add a real personal touch to your digital copywriting efforts, aim to segment your customers into specific groups depending on their demographics, behaviors, and interests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Learn all you need to know to get started with our practical guide to <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/how-proper-customer-segmentation-can-lead-to-more-sales\/\"><b>how proper customer segmentation can lead to more sales<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Bonus copywriting tip:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A quick bonus tip to make your copy as sharp and relevant as possible is to \u201cmurder your darlings.\u201d This term is another way of saying you should trim the fat and remove anything that isn\u2019t essential from your content. Here\u2019s how to do it:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>word<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not a <\/span><b>phrase<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A<\/span><b> phrase<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not a <\/span><b>sentence<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A<\/span><b> sentence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not a <\/span><b>paragraph<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>paragraph<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not a <\/span><b>page<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cFirst and foremost, copywriting is a means of communicating information to your audience.\u201d\u2014<\/span><\/i><b><i>David Ogilvy, copywriting pioneer<\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you get your digital copywriting efforts right, you will reap great commercial rewards. Content is a powerful way to connect with your customers on a deeper level. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow these seven principles, and you will do just that.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><b>For more business-boosting inspiration, read all about how to <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/your-guide-to-driving-down-cart-abandonment-optimizing-your-webstore\/\"><b>drive down cart abandonment rates by optimizing your store\u2019s online checkout<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Practical copywriting tips for retail &amp; eCommerce business owners. &nbsp; Source &nbsp; If you\u2019re a modern retail or eCommerce business owner, sharpening up your copywriting skills is one of the best investments you can make. When it comes to connecting with customers, copywriting remains one of the world\u2019s most persuasive marketing mediums. Today\u2019s consumers value [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1643,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1639","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1639","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1639"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1639\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1643"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1639"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1639"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1639"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}