Words and Phrases to Avoid when Copywriting
Effective copywriting involves a variety of elements. To achieve a body of text that will impact your audience, you may need to get in the habit of proofreading each piece multiple times. Issues to look for include redundancy, excessive wordiness, and usage of phrases and words that are not necessary.
Skip These Words to Improve Your Copy
You may be utterly unaware that you are using phrases or single words that distract your readers. This habit may cause readers to leave your webpages or website sooner than you might hope.
When you are implementing the proofreading phase of your copywriting, be watchful for the following words and expressions:
- Really – Instead of using this term, which is vague, offer the reader an actual description. When you might be inclined to say that a person is really tall, for example, replace the word “really” with an actual measurement.
- A Lot – This phrase is not unlike the word “really.” It is generally utilized as a way to exaggerate an aspect of something or someone, and it is typically too vague to be utilized in professional copy.
- Most – When applied in making a general assertion, this superlative can diminish your credibility. If you write that “most businesses” use a certain type of printer ink, the reader may find the phrase suspect unless you back it up with a proven statistic. If you claim that your product is the very best or the most affordable on the market, your brand, products, or services, could quickly be viewed as questionable.
- Literally – This word is often used incorrectly. If you do not use the term to imply an exact definition or description, your users may begin to cease taking your message seriously. Also, “literally” has been much overused in recent decades. Whether or not you use it correctly, you may want to refrain from inserting it in your copy.
- Never or Always – Unless you are applying these words in a literal sense, avoid including them in your business writing. They are terms that may erode your credibility in the minds of your audience. If you feel that such words are integral to a passage, try replacing them with words such as “often,” “frequently,” “seldom,” and “rarely.”
- Jargon – You do not need to stop using the word “jargon,” itself. However, when you are writing about a specific industry, you might be tempted to include common industry lingo. Do not assume that your readers are all aware of the jargon with which you are familiar. Many of them might not be, and they may turn to other resources if they have trouble deciphering the meaning of your writing.
Creating powerful text is a craft that must continuously be honed. If you do not feel qualified for professional copywriting, the MintCopy team is happy to provide assistance. We take pride in crafting high quality digital content that compels readers to remain on the page. Our content writers strive to expand their skill set and refine their techniques, so you can be confident in the results we deliver.
Need a blog post, press release, website copy, or editing for your existing content? Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, we provide copywriting services for businesses across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and in countless other geographical locations, as well.
Call us today at 1-888-646-8003, or email us for assistance. Also, feel free to reach us via our online contact form.