Write copy that converts. Every headline, landing page, email, ad, and sales page — engineered for action using proven frameworks, psychology, and systematic testing.
Every copy project starts with a brief. Skip this and you're guessing.
yaml
copy_brief:
project: "[Landing page / Email sequence / Ad campaign / Sales page]"
objective: "[Signups / Purchases / Demos / Downloads]"
target_audience:
who: "[Job title, demographic, situation]"
awareness_level: "[Unaware / Problem-Aware / Solution-Aware / Product-Aware / Most-Aware]"
primary_pain: "[Their #1 frustration in their own words]"
desired_outcome: "[What they actually want — the transformation]"
current_alternative: "[What they do now instead of your solution]"
objections:
- "[Top objection 1]"
- "[Top objection 2]"
- "[Top objection 3]"
offer:
product: "[What you're selling]"
unique_mechanism: "[HOW it works differently — the thing that makes you believe]"
primary_benefit: "[Single biggest outcome]"
proof_points:
- "[Stat, testimonial, case study, demo]"
guarantee: "[Risk reversal — money-back, free trial, etc.]"
cta: "[Exact action you want them to take]"
voice:
brand_personality: "[Authoritative / Friendly / Provocative / Empathetic]"
tone_for_this_piece: "[Urgent / Educational / Conversational / Bold]"
reading_level: "[Grade 5-8 for mass market, 8-12 for B2B]"
constraints:
word_count: "[Target length]"
platform: "[Web / Email / Social / Print]"
compliance: "[Any legal/regulatory requirements]"
This determines EVERYTHING about your copy structure:
LevelThey KnowYour Copy MustOpen WithUnawareNothing about the problemEducate → Agitate → SolveA story or pattern interruptProblem-AwareThey have a problemAgitate → Present solutionTheir pain in their wordsSolution-AwareSolutions existDifferentiate your approachYour unique mechanismProduct-AwareYour product existsOvercome objections + proveProof and social proofMost-AwareThey're almost readyMake the offer irresistibleThe deal — price, bonus, urgency
Rule: Never sell to Unaware audiences the way you'd sell to Most-Aware. Match the message to the mind.
Great copy is assembled, not written. 80% research, 20% writing.
Search these sources for the exact language your audience uses:
[problem] site:reddit.com for raw frustrationFor each source, capture:
yaml
voc_nugget:
source: "[Where you found it]"
quote: "[Exact words they used]"
category: "[pain / desire / objection / language]"
power_level: "[1-5 — how emotionally charged]"
usable_as: "[headline / bullet / testimonial / objection handler]"
Goal: Collect 30-50 nuggets before writing. The best headlines are stolen from customer mouths.
For each competitor:
The classic. Works for landing pages, emails, ads, sales pages.
text
ATTENTION: Stop the scroll. Bold claim, provocative question, or pattern interrupt.
INTEREST: Elaborate on the problem. Make them nod: "that's exactly me."
DESIRE: Show the transformation. Paint the after-state with specificity.
ACTION: Clear, single CTA. Remove all friction.
Template:
text
[HEADLINE — the promise or the pain, 6-12 words]
[SUBHEAD — elaborate on headline, add specificity or curiosity]
You know the feeling. [Describe their current painful situation in 2-3 sentences.
Use their language. Make it vivid.]
[2-3 sentences expanding the problem — what it costs them (time, money,
reputation, stress)]
Here's the thing: [Introduce your unique mechanism — HOW your solution
works differently]
[3-5 bullet points of specific benefits, each starting with a verb]
[Social proof block — testimonial, stat, or case study]
[CTA button: Verb + Benefit, e.g., "Start Saving 10 Hours/Week"]
[Risk reversal: guarantee, free trial, no-commitment language]
Best for pain-driven products. Short-form emails, ads, social posts.
text
PROBLEM: State it plainly. One sentence.
AGITATE: Twist the knife. What happens if they DON'T solve it? Emotional cost.
SOLUTION: Your product as the relief. Specific. Credible.
Template:
text
[PROBLEM — 1 sentence, their exact words]
And it's getting worse. [Agitate — 2-3 sentences on cascading consequences.
Future-pace the pain. "If you don't fix this, in 6 months you'll be..."]
[SOLUTION — Introduce product. 1-2 sentences. HOW it solves it specifically.]
[Proof — one compelling data point or testimonial]
[CTA]
Best for aspirational products, coaching, lifestyle. Social posts, emails.
text
BEFORE: Their current frustrating reality (specific, vivid)
AFTER: Their desired future state (specific, vivid, emotional)
BRIDGE: Your product/service is the bridge between the two
Best for sales pages and long-form.
text
PROMISE: Bold, specific claim (your headline)
PICTURE: Vivid description of life after using your product
PROOF: Evidence — testimonials, data, case studies, demos
PUSH: Urgency + CTA — why act now?
Best for long-form sales pages, webinar scripts, video sales letters.
text
P — PROBLEM: Identify the pain (in their words)
A — AMPLIFY: What happens if they ignore it? Emotional + financial cost
S — STORY: Tell a story (yours, a client's) of facing the same problem
T — TRANSFORMATION: Show the before/after. Specific results.
O — OFFER: Present your solution. What they get. Stack the value.
R — RESPONSE: CTA. Tell them exactly what to do. Remove all risk.
SituationBest FrameworkWhyLanding page (SaaS)AIDA or 4PsStructured, covers all basesCold emailPASShort, punchy, pain-focusedSocial media postBABQuick, aspirationalLong sales pagePASTORDeep narrative, high-ticketAd (Facebook/Google)PAS or AIDACompressed, attention-firstWelcome emailBABSets the visionRe-engagement emailPASReminds them of unresolved pain
The headline does 80% of the work. If the headline fails, nothing else matters.
1. Benefit-Driven
text
Get [Desired Outcome] Without [Pain Point]
[Number] [People Like Them] Already [Achieved Result]
The Fastest Way to [Outcome] — Even If [Objection]
2. Curiosity-Gap
text
Why [Common Approach] Is Killing Your [Goal] (And What to Do Instead)
The [Adjective] [Thing] That [Surprising Result]
What [Authority] Knows About [Topic] That You Don't
3. How-To
text
How to [Achieve Goal] in [Timeframe] (Step-by-Step)
How [Specific Person] Went From [Before] to [After] in [Time]
How to [Goal] Without [Sacrifice]
4. Listicle
text
[Number] Ways to [Benefit] (That Actually Work)
[Number] Mistakes That Are Costing You [Loss]
[Number] [Things] Every [Audience] Should Know
5. Question
text
Are You Making These [Number] [Topic] Mistakes?
What If You Could [Dream Outcome] in Just [Timeframe]?
Is [Common Practice] Actually Hurting Your [Goal]?
6. Command
text
Stop [Bad Behavior] and Start [Good Behavior]
Forget Everything You Know About [Topic]
Stop Losing [Value] — [Solution] in [Time]
7. Proof-Led
text
How We Generated [Specific Number] in [Time] With [Method]
[Real Name] Went From [Before] to [After] — Here's How
[Number]% of [Audience] Saw [Result] Within [Time]
Criteria0-159-10SpecificityVague promiseSome detailExact numbers/outcomesRelevanceGenericSomewhat targetedSpeaks to their exact situationCuriosityNo reason to read onMild interestCan't NOT clickClarityConfusingUnderstandableInstantly clear what you getEmotional PullFlatSome feelingHits a nerve (pain or desire)
Rule: Write 25+ headlines. Pick the top 3. Test them. The first headline you write is almost never the best.
Use these ethically. Manipulation destroys trust. Persuasion serves both parties.
TriggerHow It WorksCopy ExampleSocial ProofWe follow the crowd"Join 14,000+ teams using..."ScarcityLimited = valuable"Only 12 spots left this quarter"UrgencyTime pressure"Price increases Friday at midnight"AuthorityExperts = credible"Recommended by [known name/brand]"ReciprocityGive first, ask secondFree tool/guide before the askCommitmentSmall yes → big yes"Start with our free plan"Loss AversionLosing > gaining"You're leaving $X/month on the table"AnchoringFirst number frames all"Normally $5,000 — yours for $497"ContrastSide-by-side comparison"Hiring costs $80K/yr. This costs $49/mo"Curiosity GapOpen loop = must close"The strategy most agencies won't tell you"IdentityWe buy who we want to be"Built for founders who ship"SpecificitySpecific = believable"37% increase" beats "significant increase"
For every copy piece, address the top 3-5 objections. Use this structure:
text
OBJECTION: "[What they're thinking]"
ACKNOWLEDGE: "You might be wondering..." or "Fair question."
REFRAME: "[Why this objection doesn't apply / is actually a benefit]"
PROVE: "[Testimonial, stat, or guarantee that neutralizes it]"
Common objection patterns:
Objection TypeExampleBest ResponsePrice"Too expensive"Anchor against alternative cost (hiring, time, lost revenue)Time"I'm too busy"Show time savings with specific numbersTrust"How do I know it works?"Case study + guarantee + specific resultsRelevance"Not for my situation"Use their industry/role in examplesComplexity"Seems complicated""3 steps" / "works in 10 minutes"Risk"What if it doesn't work?"Guarantee: "30-day money-back, no questions"
text
[NAVIGATION — minimal. Logo + 1 CTA button in nav]
[HEADLINE — 6-12 words. Primary benefit or pain resolution]
[SUBHEADLINE — 15-25 words. Elaborate on headline.
Add specificity, curiosity, or credibility]
[HERO IMAGE/VIDEO — show the product in use or the outcome]
[PRIMARY CTA BUTTON — Verb + Benefit. High contrast color]
[Friction reducer underneath: "Free trial" / "No credit card" / "2-minute setup"]
[SOCIAL PROOF BAR — logos, "Trusted by X companies", star ratings]
text
1. Hero (above fold) — headline, subhead, CTA, social proof bar
2. Problem Section — "You're dealing with..." (3 pain points)
3. Solution Section — "Here's how [Product] fixes this" (3 benefits with icons)
4. How It Works — 3 numbered steps (simple, visual)
5. Social Proof — 2-3 testimonials with photo, name, result
6. Features → Benefits — don't list features, translate to outcomes
7. Objection Handling — FAQ or "But what if..." section
8. Case Study — one detailed before/after story
9. Pricing — anchored, with most popular plan highlighted
10. Final CTA — repeat the primary CTA with urgency
11. Risk Reversal — guarantee badge/text
yaml
email_1_welcome:
timing: "Immediately after signup"
subject: "Welcome to [Product] — here's your first win"
goal: "Deliver quick value, set expectations"
structure:
- "Welcome + what they just got access to"
- "ONE thing to do right now (their first quick win)"
- "What to expect (email frequency, what's coming)"
- "P.S. — Reply to this email with your biggest challenge with [topic]"
email_2_value:
timing: "Day 2"
subject: "[Specific useful tip or resource]"
goal: "Prove expertise, build trust"
structure:
- "Teach one actionable thing (not product-related)"
- "Show you understand their world"
- "Soft CTA: 'Check out [feature] for more of this'"
email_3_story:
timing: "Day 4"
subject: "How [Name] went from [Before] to [After]"
goal: "Social proof through narrative"
structure:
- "Tell a customer success story (BAB framework)"
- "Specific numbers and timeline"
- "CTA: 'Want results like this? Here's how to get started'"
email_4_objection:
timing: "Day 6"
subject: "The #1 question we get about [Product]"
goal: "Handle the biggest objection"
structure:
- "Acknowledge the concern honestly"
- "Reframe with data or logic"
- "Prove with testimonial or guarantee"
- "CTA: 'See for yourself — [start trial / book demo]'"
email_5_urgency:
timing: "Day 8"
subject: "Last chance: [Specific offer with deadline]"
goal: "Convert fence-sitters"
structure:
- "Remind of the transformation (BAB)"
- "Stack the value: everything they get"
- "Add urgency: deadline, limited spots, price increase"
- "Risk reversal: guarantee"
- "Clear CTA"
text
SUBJECT: [Specific result] for [their company/role]
(Never generic. Never "Quick question." Never salesy.)
[First line — specific observation about THEM. Not about you.]
[One sentence: the problem you solve, stated as an outcome.]
[One proof point: "[Similar company] saw [specific result] in [timeframe]."]
[CTA — low commitment: "Worth a 15-min call to see if this fits?"]
[Sign-off — name, title. No "Sent from my iPhone." No multi-paragraph signature.]
Cold email rules:
text
PRIMARY TEXT (125 chars visible before "See More"):
[Hook — pattern interrupt or bold claim. Stop the scroll.]
[EXPANDED TEXT]:
[Problem — 1 sentence, their language]
[Agitate — what it costs them]
[Solution — what you offer, one sentence]
[Proof — one stat or testimonial, one line]
[CTA — "Click below to [specific outcome]"]
HEADLINE (40 chars): [Benefit, not feature]
DESCRIPTION (30 chars): [Supporting detail or urgency]
CTA BUTTON: [Learn More / Sign Up / Get Offer — match funnel stage]
text
HEADLINE 1 (30 chars): [Primary keyword + benefit]
HEADLINE 2 (30 chars): [Differentiator or proof]
HEADLINE 3 (30 chars): [CTA or urgency]
DESCRIPTION 1 (90 chars): [Expand on benefit. Include keyword naturally. CTA.]
DESCRIPTION 2 (90 chars): [Proof point or second benefit. Risk reversal.]
text
[HEADLINE: Outcome-focused, not feature-focused]
[Opening paragraph: Who this is for + the #1 benefit they'll experience]
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT:
• [Benefit 1 — tied to a specific feature]
• [Benefit 2 — tied to a specific feature]
• [Benefit 3 — tied to a specific feature]
[Technical specs / dimensions / materials — for the detail-seekers]
[Social proof: star rating, review quote, "X,000 sold"]
[CTA: "Add to Cart" / "Buy Now" with urgency element]
text
1. PRE-HEAD: "[Attention] For [specific audience] who want [outcome]"
2. HEADLINE: The big promise
3. SUBHEAD: Specificity + credibility layer
4. OPENING: Story or problem statement (PAS or PASTOR)
5. PROBLEM EXPANSION: 3-5 specific symptoms they recognize
6. FAILED ALTERNATIVES: What they've tried (and why it didn't work)
7. UNIQUE MECHANISM: Your "aha" — the thing that makes THIS solution different
8. BENEFIT STACK: 7-10 bullets, each Benefit → because Feature → so that Outcome
9. SOCIAL PROOF: 3-5 testimonials (diverse: different roles, industries, results)
10. OFFER STACK: Everything they get, with perceived value next to each
11. PRICE REVEAL: Anchored against alternatives. "Not $X. Not $Y. Just $Z."
12. BONUSES: 2-3 extras that increase perceived value
13. GUARANTEE: Bold, specific, generous. "Full refund within 60 days. Keep the bonuses."
14. URGENCY: Real deadline or real scarcity (never fake)
15. FINAL CTA: Repeat offer summary + button
16. P.S.: Restate the key benefit + the guarantee (many readers skip to P.S.)
Bullets do heavy lifting. Most copy lives or dies on bullet quality.
text
[POWER WORD] + [SPECIFIC BENEFIT] + [CURIOSITY/PROOF]
1. Benefit Bullet:
text
✓ Save 10+ hours every week on reporting (so you can focus on strategy)
2. Curiosity Bullet:
text
✓ The counterintuitive pricing trick that increased our revenue 42% overnight
3. Proof Bullet:
text
✓ Used by 3,200+ agencies in 40 countries (including 4 Fortune 500 firms)
4. Fear Bullet:
text
✓ The hidden compliance gap that's exposing 73% of SaaS companies to lawsuits
5. How-To Bullet:
text
✓ How to write proposals that close in 48 hours (not 3 weeks)
6. Specificity Bullet:
text
✓ 14 pre-built email templates tested across 200K+ sends (avg. 34% open rate)
Rule: Mix bullet types. Never use more than 3 of the same type in a row.
text
[ACTION VERB] + [SPECIFIC BENEFIT] + [TIME/EASE QUALIFIER]
Examples:
text
✓ "Start Saving 10 Hours/Week — Free for 14 Days"
✓ "Get Your Custom Growth Plan in 2 Minutes"
✓ "Download the 47-Point Checklist (Free)"
✗ "Submit" / "Click Here" / "Learn More" (weak, vague)
LocationTypePurposeAbove foldPrimary buttonCatch ready buyersAfter problem sectionText linkCatch pain-motivatedAfter social proofPrimary buttonCatch proof-seekersAfter pricingPrimary buttonCatch decision-makersBottom of pagePrimary button + guaranteeCatch completionistsSticky bar/footerPersistent CTACatch scrollers
text
"No credit card required"
"Cancel anytime — no questions asked"
"Takes less than 2 minutes"
"Join 14,000+ [audience] who already [outcome]"
"100% money-back guarantee"
Score every piece before publishing:
DimensionWeight0-258-10Clarity20%Confusing, jargon-heavyMostly clearCrystal clear, grade-school readableSpecificity15%Vague claims, no numbersSome specificsExact numbers, names, timeframesEmotional Resonance15%Flat, corporateSome feelingHits pain or desire viscerallyProof15%No evidenceOne proof pointMultiple proof types stackedCTA Strength10%Weak/missing CTAGeneric CTASpecific, benefit-driven, low frictionObjection Handling10%Ignores doubtsAddresses 1-2Systematically neutralizes top 3+Voice Consistency10%Tone shifts randomlyMostly consistentNatural, human, on-brand throughoutReadability5%Dense paragraphsOK formattingShort paragraphs, bullets, visual hierarchy
Score interpretation:
Never trust your instincts. Test everything.
yaml
ab_test:
test_id: "[descriptive name]"
hypothesis: "[Changing X will improve Y because Z]"
variable: "[headline / CTA / image / etc.]"
control: "[current version]"
variant: "[new version]"
metric: "[conversion rate / CTR / revenue per visitor]"
start_date: "[YYYY-MM-DD]"
end_date: "[YYYY-MM-DD]"
sample_size: "[per variant]"
result:
control_rate: "[X%]"
variant_rate: "[Y%]"
confidence: "[Z%]"
winner: "[control / variant]"
lift: "[+/-X%]"
learning: "[What this teaches us about our audience]"
{KeyWord:Default} in headlinesRun every piece through this before publishing:
Build your own library of proven copy.
yaml
swipe:
source: "[URL or screenshot location]"
brand: "[Company name]"
type: "[landing page / email / ad / sales page]"
what_works: "[Specific technique: headline formula, proof stacking, etc.]"
steal_this: "[Exact pattern you can adapt]"
date_saved: "[YYYY-MM-DD]"
tags: ["headline", "social-proof", "urgency", "B2B"]
Swipe file rules:
After every claim, ask "So what?" If you can't answer with a specific benefit to the reader, delete the claim.
text
"Our platform uses machine learning." → So what?
"It predicts which leads will close so you stop wasting time on dead-ends." ✓
Write to ONE specific person. Not "businesses." Not "marketers." One human with a name, a frustration, and a deadline. If you can't picture them reading your copy, it's too generic.
Always anchor your price/effort against something bigger:
text
"A single bad hire costs $50K. This costs $499/year."
"You'll spend 400 hours doing this manually. Or 4 hours with [Product]."
Describe their life AFTER using your product. Be specific. Engage senses.
text
"Imagine opening your laptop Monday morning to a dashboard showing every deal
moving forward automatically. No missed follow-ups. No spreadsheet chaos."
Transition words that keep readers scrolling:
text
"Here's the thing:"
"But it gets better."
"Now here's where it gets interesting."
"Think about it:"
"The bottom line?"
"And the best part?"
CategoryWordsUrgencyNow, Today, Instant, Fast, Deadline, Limited, FinalExclusivitySecret, Insider, Private, Members-only, InvitationProofProven, Tested, Guaranteed, Verified, Data-backedEaseSimple, Easy, Effortless, Quick, Painless, Done-for-youValueFree, Bonus, Premium, Unlock, Access, ExclusiveEmotionCrushing, Devastating, Skyrocket, Transform, Breakthrough
text
"Write a landing page for [product]" → Brief + AIDA landing page
"Write cold email for [audience]" → Research + PAS cold email
"Score this copy" → Run 0-100 rubric with feedback
"Write 25 headlines for [topic]" → Headline variations across all 7 types
"Write email sequence for [product]" → 5-email welcome sequence
"Write ad copy for [platform]" → Platform-specific ad copy
"Write sales page for [offer]" → Long-form PASTOR sales page
"Handle objections for [product]" → Objection destruction framework
"Audit this copy: [paste]" → Editing checklist + scoring + rewrite
"Write bullets for [feature list]" → 6-type bullet variations
"Write CTA options for [page]" → 10+ CTA variations with scoring
"Compare frameworks for [situation]" → Framework selection with rationale