How Copywriting is Different

It happens to all of us, and can you remember a time where you wondered: “Is this really good copywriting? It seems like what I should write, but somehow it’s not clicking.” Here’s why you wonder. There’s a well-known saying from the Navy SEALs: "Under pressure, you don't rise to the level of your expectations, you sink to the level of your training". That goes far beyond the world of the Navy SEALs, of course. It’s true in all of life. Well, one thing I don’t think we’ve taken a good enough look at it: As copywriters, how were we trained? I don’t mean for copywriting specifically. I mean for writing at all. See, how you were ORIGINALLY trained to write can easily override what you know you SHOULD do as a copywriter. We’re going to take a good look at that today, and see what we can do about it. What we cover in today’s show: School-style prose clearly informs readers but doesn’t motivate immediate action. Remember: your goal isn’t to describe things—it’s to prompt your readers to act now. Journalism, blogs, and content writing focus on entertaining or informing readers without directly driving immediate responses. Don't just guide your reader through the facts; clearly show them exactly what to do next. Technical and scientific writing deliver clear, factual instructions but lack urgency. Don’t simply explain—combine facts with emotional appeal to inspire immediate action. Corporate or military writing provides structured, formal information but rarely persuades readers to take quick action. Drop the formalities; clearly invite your readers and give them a reason to act immediately. Traditional advertising-agency writing builds emotional connections and brands but often delays immediate response. Remember John E. Kennedy’s words: “Advertising is salesmanship in print.” Keep your copy action-oriented, clearly instructing your readers exactly how and when to respond.
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