Marie-Pier Rochon is a web copywriter who specialises in making complicated technical topics sound simple. She helps non-fiction authors write eBooks about various technical and web related topics. She also has a soft spot for UX writing and entrepreneurship related topics. Find her on Writers Boon and get 15% discount on her services.
Copywriters. That’s just a fancy word to describe a writer who works for a marketing agency right?
Yes, but that’s just one type of copywriter.
Copywriters come from a variety of background. Each one has its specific niche and expertise. Me for example, I write mainly for tech or B2B companies, and I’m especially good at writing websites and improve a site’s SEO.
Some copywriters specialise in helping out fiction and non-fiction writers. They’ve got a special knack for writing book blurbs, finding the hook that will persuade your reader to buy your book and write great copy for your website if you want one.
How does a copywriter help an author? Some copywriters specialise in helping out fiction and non-fiction writers.
What’s the difference between a writer and a copywriter?
The main point of difference between a copywriter different and a book author is their focus on sales. Their aim is mostly to use words to convince people of an idea or to encourage them to buy a product.
While a fiction novelist may try to convince his reader to be in a specific scene by engaging all his senses through the magic of his prose, a copywriter will do the same with a specific, often sales-related, goal.
When a novelist writes, he puts himself in the shoes of its characters. It becomes the protagonist, the villain and all the supporting characters. The writer does his best to translate the things a character sees, feels and thinks onto the pages of a novel.
When a copywriter writes, he put himself in the customer’s shoes. He imagines what kind of life they live, what their real problems and concerns are and tries to see how the idea or product they are hoping to sell will help the ideal client.
When a novelist writes, he puts himself in the shoes of its characters. When a copywriter writes, he put himself in the customer’s shoes.
How can a copywriter help a novelist?
A copywriter will put itself in your reader’s shoes and try to figure out what it is about your book that will get someone to pick it up, look at the cover and think “Hmm! I think I need to read this book.”
He’ll focus on the sales part of the book publishing process, so a copywriter is especially useful to help you get the tone just right for the following elements of your book:
- Finding the right hook for your blurb and sales material
- Helping you write your book description, so people find it easily in online stores
- Write your website copy so that when people Google your book’s topic, they find your novel
- Help you write and figure out where to send press releases about your upcoming book launch
- Find creative ways to market your book, online and sometimes even offline
- Manage and create content for your social media accounts
- Think about the creative concept and wording behind advertising campaigns
A copywriter will put itself in your reader’s shoes and try to figure out what it is about your book that will get someone to pick it up, look at the cover and think - Hmm! I think I need to read this book.
Can you do the copywriting yourself or should you hire someone?
There’s no right answer to that question. If you’ve got the skills to put yourself in the reader’s shoes and figure out which angle to take to sell your book, then go for it.
However, if you’re so invested into your book that you can’t seem to see why anyone needs to be convinced you’ve written the next best seller, this would be the time to consider hiring a copywriter.
In the same way that an editor will help you get the narrative right and find out the weak spots of your book, a copywriter can help you create the right hook to sell your book and figure out what it is about your book that makes it stand out from the crowd.
If you decide you need a copywriter to help you with your book, have a look at the Copywriters section of Writers Boon. There you’ll find a list of professionals that can help you and resources if you decide to go the DIY-way.