Why You Need to Write Ads Instead of Blogs

In a world where people have forgotten how to be really moved by quality writing, good copywriting is a force to be reckoned with. Well-written copy can make a person laugh in a way that's not inane or snarky, and it can make them feel something real too. And if you want your work to be read by more than just your friends on Facebook or Twitter, then you need to write ads instead of blog posts!

If you aspire to be a writer, stop writing blog posts and start writing ad copy. I've been writing for years. I started out as a hobbyist, but it became my job after getting hired at an advertising agency in Los Angeles. I wrote all sorts of stuff: press releases, brochures, feature articles, scripts for TV shows and movies (including the first draft of The Big Bang Theory). But there was one thing that always bugged me about these pieces: they were boring! They didn't tell stories or make people laugh or cry; they just told people what they wanted to hear. And that made me feel like crap because my goal was to write excellent copy and entertain readers with words that would make them think and feel something real. So why is this important? Because if you want your work to be read by more than just your friends on Facebook or Twitter, then you need to write ads instead of blog posts!

You can still have an opinion—you don't even have to hide it—but you need to do so without being preachy or condescending. Ad copy is written to sell products and services; it should never come off as sales-y or self-promotional. It needs humor but not sarcasm; honesty but not arrogance; sincerity but not navel-gazing…and most importantly, it needs emotion! If everything else fails, try adding heartwarming quotes from famous authors who are better writers than you are (just kidding!).

Why copywriting is your saving opportunity.

I'm writing this blog post because I want to help you make the jump from a hobbyist writer to a professional copywriter. (I know that sounds like a lot of pressure, but it's not! It's actually an opportunity!) The good news is that if you follow my advice, your chances of getting hired by an advertising agency are pretty high. And once you get there, the sky's the limit! You can write press releases and brochures or create ads for TV shows and movies or even write books about your experiences as a copywriter. But first things first: let me tell you why I think this is such a great time to be in ad writing.

1) There's no better way to learn how to write than by doing it. You might be thinking: "That doesn't sound very useful." Here's what I mean: When we were kids, we all had crayons and paper; now we have iPads and computers. But the difference is that we didn't learn how to use those things; we just played with them. So it's the same thing with writing: you don't need a degree or any special training to be a good writer (although I recommend taking some classes). All you really need is practice! And if you want to get better at copywriting, then there's no better way than by writing ads for other people who are trying to sell stuff!

2) It's easy money. If you're not making much money from your blog posts, then maybe this isn't the right time in your career. But if your blog posts are bringing in enough income that they can support your lifestyle, then why not try something new? Copywriting offers steady work—and lots of it! You might even consider quitting your day job so that you can write full-time. Why would anyone want to make less money? Because they are too lazy to get a real job!

3) You can work from anywhere. If you're going to write copy for TV and movies, you need to be in Los Angeles or New York. But if you're living in the middle of nowhere, there's no reason why you can't make it as a writer. And even if your town doesn't have an ad agency, don't worry—you'll find one eventually! Just look at all the people who are writing blogs about their experiences with advertising agencies: they live all over the world! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start writing ads so that when I hear about them on Twitter, I know that they were written by someone who actually knows how to do it.

4) It's fun. I know this sounds cheesy but trust me: being a professional copywriter is really fun! You get paid well for doing something creative.

Look how easy that was!

So I hope you have enjoyed this blog post about writing ad copy. If you liked it, please share it on Twitter so that I can stay in touch!