What's up Go-Marketing School!

If you've been hanging around the digital marketing space for any amount of time you've probably heard the word copywriting thrown around constantly. But what does it actually mean? And more importantly — why should every single person in this community care about it regardless of what they do online?

Let me break it down clearly.

So What Exactly Is Copywriting?

Copywriting is the art and science of writing words that persuade people to take a specific action.

That action could be:

• Clicking a link
• Signing up to an email list
• Buying a product
• Downloading a free resource
• Joining a community like Go-Marketing School

The person who writes those words is called a copywriter. And the words themselves — whether they appear on a website, an email, an ad, a sales page, or a forum post — are called copy.

Here's the simplest way I've ever heard it explained:

"Copywriting is salesmanship in print."

That's it. You're selling with words instead of in person.

Copywriting vs Content Writing — What's the Difference?

This trips a lot of people up so let me clear it up straight away.

Content writing is designed to inform, educate, or entertain. Blog posts, articles, tutorials, forum threads — these are content. The primary goal is to provide value and build trust over time.

Copywriting is designed to convert. Sales pages, email subject lines, ad headlines, call to action buttons — these are copy. The primary goal is to get the reader to do something specific right now.

In reality the best digital marketers blend both. You use content to attract and educate your audience and copywriting to convert that audience into buyers or subscribers.

Why Does Copywriting Matter So Much?

Think about every interaction someone has with your online business:

• They find your forum post in Google → headline copywriting determines if they click
• They land on your page → body copy determines if they stay and read
• They reach the end → call to action copy determines if they sign up or buy
• They get your email → subject line copywriting determines if they open it

Every single touchpoint in your marketing funnel involves copywriting. Get it right and your conversions go up. Get it wrong and even the best products and biggest audiences won't save you.

The Core Principles of Good Copywriting

You don't need years of experience to start writing better copy right now. These principles apply to everything from forum posts to full sales pages:

1. Write for one person The best copy feels like it was written specifically for the reader. Before writing anything get crystal clear on exactly who you're talking to — their problems, their desires, their fears, their language.

2. Lead with benefits not features Nobody cares what your product does. They care what it does for them. Don't say "our software has 50 integrations" — say "save 3 hours a day by connecting all your tools in one place."

3. Be clear before you try to be clever Clever copy that confuses people converts nobody. Always prioritise clarity. If your reader has to work to understand what you're saying you've already lost them.

4. Write like you talk The biggest mistake beginners make is writing copy that sounds nothing like how a real human being speaks. Read your copy out loud. If it sounds weird coming out of your mouth it'll read weird on the page too.

5. Always have one clear call to action Every piece of copy needs one job. One thing you want the reader to do next. Not three things. Not two. One. Give people too many options and they'll choose none of them.

Can You Make Money as a Copywriter?

Absolutely — and the demand is only growing.

Freelance copywriters can charge varying rates depending on their experience, niche, and the complexity of the project. Entry level copywriters typically charge less while experienced direct response specialists with a proven track record can command significantly higher fees for complex sales copy projects.

But copywriting skills aren't just valuable if you want to work as a freelancer. If you're an affiliate marketer your copy determines your conversion rates. If you're an eCommerce seller your product descriptions and ad copy determine your sales. If you're building a community like Go-Marketing School your copy determines whether visitors become members.

Copywriting is the one skill that makes everything else in digital marketing work better.

Where to Start if You Want to Learn Copywriting

Here's my recommended starting point for anyone serious about developing this skill:

1. Read these books — The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joseph Sugarman, Influence by Robert Cialdini, and Ca$hvertising by Drew Eric Whitman
2. Study great copy — Start a swipe file. Save ads, emails, and sales pages that catch your attention and make you want to buy. Analyse what they're doing and why it works
3. Write every day — Even just 15 minutes of deliberate copywriting practice daily will compound into serious skill over 6 to 12 months
4. Get feedback — Share your copy in communities like this one and ask for honest critique. You'll improve 10 times faster with feedback than writing in isolation

The Bottom Line

Copywriting is not a nice to have skill for digital marketers. It's a must have. Whether you want to build a freelance career, grow an affiliate business, sell products online, or simply communicate more effectively — learning to write persuasive copy will be one of the highest return investments you ever make in your online business education.

I'd love to hear from the community , where are you at with copywriting right now? Complete beginner trying to figure out where to start? Intermediate looking to take your skills to the next level? Or maybe you're already an experienced copywriter with tips to share? Drop your level and your biggest copywriting question below