How To Write Effective Copy: The Basic Skills You Need To Know

Maybe you’ve noticed:

→ Your website isn’t converting the way you dreamed it would.

→ Your copy feels more “meh” than magnetic — it’s not empowering or inspiring your readers the way you hoped.

→ Visitors land on your site, but instead of clicking “Buy” or “Book Now,” they click away.

→ You’re having trouble closing the deal and making the sale.

→ You’re realizing your copy could make a difference, but you’re unsure how to write the right words.

And now you’re sitting there, staring at your screen, wondering:

“How the heck do I write words that actually make people care?”

The thing is, copywriting isn’t about throwing some clever lines on a page and hoping for the best. 

There’s legit strategy that comes into play when you’re writing words that connect, convert, and inspire action. It takes intentionality, purpose, and (you guessed it) a solid foundation in basic copywriting skills. 

Don’t worry though — you don’t need to be a professional copywriter to learn the basics (we all write every single day after all). 

Let’s break down the essential copywriting skills you need to write effective copy that makes your readers lean in, take action, and maybe even say, “where has this been all my life?!” 😜

Just Follow the 7 C’s for Effective Copywriting:

1 | Complete

When planning your copy, remember that your readers likely don’t know everything you do — and that’s okay because that’s why you’re here. It’s your job to bridge the gap by using your copywriting skills to make the message crystal clear and complete.

Always try to think like your reader while you’re writing your copy. Focus on them first by answering all their burning questions up front, make them feel valued, and help them make the best decision (like snagging your product or hiring you).

Ask yourself these questions while crafting your copy:

  • What does the reader already know about this topic?

  • What might the reader ask search engines about this topic?

  • What does the reader need to know to understand your message?

  • What does the reader need to know in order to make a decision?

Once you’ve written your copy, step back. Come back to it later with fresh eyes and reread it from your audience’s perspective. Make sure every question they might have is answered. Because if your readers have to stop and reach out for clarification, that’s not only wasting their time — it’s potentially losing the sale. Instead, let your polished copywriting skills do the work for you!

2 | Clear

Clarity is a non-negotiable when sharpening your copywriting skills — because if we’re being honest, confusion is a major conversion killer. If your readers are scratching their heads trying to figure out what the heck you mean, they’ll bounce faster than you can answer Nance’s 3 AM call bell on a “quiet” night in the hospital.

So here’s a golden rule to add to your copywriting skills: always, always, always make your copy easy to understand. 

Your message should flow seamlessly, leaving zero room for misinterpretation. Assume your readers don’t automatically see the connections you’re making in your head — spell it out for them. Use transitions to connect ideas logically and clearly, especially when explaining cause and effect.

And your industry-specific jargon? Ditch it (or at least translate it into plain language). You can use some jargon for SEO purposes but use it sparingly and don’t go overboard. Even if your audience knows a thing or two, overly technical language can throw them off and leave them more confused than informed. 

You can also consider using images, videos, or infographics to complement your text, make industry-specific jargon more understandable, and make your message more engaging. But again, consider who is reading your copy before using new and flashy mediums because they could distract and overwhelm your readers.

Bottom line: never assume your audience knows everything (or anything, really). Even if they’re solution-aware, focus on connecting and educating first. Lay the groundwork for understanding, and the conversions will naturally follow.

3 | Concise

Your message is up against millions of others fighting for your reader’s attention, so mastering the art of concise copywriting skills is a must. Long-form content is still relevant and can serve your purpose well if done strategically, but don’t be wordy just for the sake of it — that’s a one way ticket to snooze-ville. 🥱

If you can say less and still get your message across to your reader, say less.

Watch out for long, meandering sentences filled with commas, semicolons, and em dashes — they’re usually a sign you’re overcomplicating your message. Sure, sentence variety can boost engagement, but too many complex structures can leave your readers confused and disengaged. Balance is the key to clarity.

Stick to simple, straightforward language that’s quick and easy to digest. Your readers are short on time (aren’t we all?), and they’ll only stick around if they can grab the information they need without wading through fluff. 

Want to keep them reading? Format your content for skimming. Use headings, bullet points, and lists to break your content into bite-sized, digestible chunks. Not only does it improve readability, but it also helps your audience absorb and retain your message.

At the end of the day, less is often more. So strip your copy of unnecessary words, focus on delivering value, and give your readers a reason to stick around. 

4 | Conversational

Write as if another human — just like you — is reading your copy. Imagine sitting across from your reader, sharing a cup of coffee (or maybe a glass of wine 🍷). If it’s not something you’d actually say out loud, then don’t write it. Write as if you’re having a conversation with a friend.

Conversational copy isn’t just about tone — it’s about connection. Use simple, relatable language and easy-to-follow sentence structures to keep your readers engaged. When your words feel like a genuine conversation, you build trust and create a connection that goes beyond the screen.

Your goal isn’t to write for the robots crawling your website for Dr. Google’s results pages. Keywords and SEO-friendly phrases matter, but they should never be the priority. Your focus should always be on your readers — turning them from casual visitors into dedicated fans and loyal customers.

So keep it real. Keep it human. Write with your audience in mind, and let the algorithms follow your lead. When you make people your priority, your copy becomes so much more effective.

5 | Correct Mechanics

When it comes to copywriting (and writing in general), the little details matter big time. Using correct mechanics, like proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax, is essential for writing copy that’s clear, professional, and connection-worthy. In other words, having correct mechanics makes your message shine.

The correct mechanics help your copy flow naturally, be easy to read, and communicate your ideas without confusion or ambiguity. On the flip side, poor mechanics can distract readers, muddle your meaning, and make your brand seem unpolished.

When you take the time to nail the basics, you’re not just avoiding mistakes — you’re building credibility. Strong mechanics show your audience that you’re a pro who takes your craft (and their time) seriously. Whether you’re crafting a blog post, a sales page, or a marketing email, polished copy reinforces your expertise and keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

And proofread like your reputation depends on it (because it does!). Review your work, fix those pesky errors, and make sure every sentence is polished and purposeful. When your copy is clean and professional, it’s memorable.

6 | Credible

Trust is everything in copywriting. If you’re presenting something as factual, make sure it’s accurate and you have relevant support for your claims. And if you’re citing outside sources, do your due diligence to make sure they are credible and reliable. 

When examining your sources and determining whether or not they are credible, ask yourself questions like:

  • Who is the author?

  • Does the author or researcher have a bias?

  • Is the content, article, or research sponsored?

  • What is the purpose of the content?

  • Is the content accurate compared to other reliable sources?

  • How was data collected?

  • What was the sample size?

By double-checking your facts and verifying the credibility of your sources, you’re creating content that feels trustworthy, valuable, and worth reading. 

7 | Considerate

Be considerate of your reader and your copy’s readability factor.

Crafting effective copy considers who you’re writing to first and foremost, so making your copy easy to read and knowing who’s reading your message will make your message more accessible and engaging for your audience — because if your readers have to work too hard to understand your copy, they won’t stick around.

Many factors can increase your copy’s readability, such as tone, word choice, formatting (and everything we’ve already talked about in the above 6 tips I mentioned).

Here’s how to be considerate to your readers and show them some love:

  • Get to know them. Think about who’s reading your message and tailor your tone, word choice, and structure to fit their needs. A conversational tone is usually the way to go — it’s approachable, relatable, and keeps your readers engaged.

  • Create flow and rhythm. Your words should guide readers smoothly through your message. When your sentences have a natural rhythm, your meaning becomes clearer, and frustration or confusion fades away.

  • Don’t make them guess. Be direct. If your meaning isn’t obvious, your audience will lose interest or misinterpret your message — and neither helps your goals.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of formatting. Break up big chunks of text, use headers and lists, and keep things visually inviting. These little adjustments can make a world of difference in how your message is received.

At the end of the day, considerate copy is connection-worthy copy. Keep your audience in mind, make your words easy to read, and always aim to leave them saying, “Wow, that was exactly what I needed.”

Be Purposeful in Your Messaging

No one has time (or patience) for copy that’s long, confusing, or a chore to read. Your job is to make it simple, clear, and engaging. If you take away nothing but this final tip, then I promise you’ll still be on your way to crafting compelling bombdotcom copy that your audience cannot resist, and it goes like this:

Write with purpose and always put the reader first.

In today’s fast-paced world, people have shorter attention spans and less time to read through lengthy, confusing text. So when you focus on delivering value in a way that’s easy to understand, you’re already halfway to crafting copy your audience can’t resist.

Now it’s time to put your new copywriting skills into action. Take a fresh look at your own copy. Read it as if you’re the audience and ask yourself: Does this feel purposeful? Does it make sense? Is it something I’d enjoy reading? Then revise, refine, and repeat as needed. 🤓


Ready to redefine what it means to be a nurse and scale the business of your dreams with connection-worthy copy?


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