“Is There Right or Wrong in Content Writing”?

So, I was recently asked this question by someone and I must admit, it got me thinking.

And now that I’ve put my thinking cap on, let me just say this – When it comes to content writing, “right” and “wrong” are subjective terms. They can vary depending on various factors, like:

• The purpose of the content (informing, entertaining, persuading, or engaging the audience)
• The target audience, and
• The context behind its creation

That being said, content writers can benefit from certain generally accepted principles and guidelines. Let me shed light on them:

1. Accuracy: Imagine reading an online article on Microsoft, only to find that it mentions Elon Musk as its founder. You’ll probably stop right there and never return to that website/blog. As you can see, inaccurate content can ruin everything.

The message here is simple: the content you create should be well-researched and factually accurate. Providing incorrect information can damage credibility and trust with the audience.

2. Clarity: Let’s take a simple example to understand this better. When you, as a layman, read this sentence, what do you make of it – “The statute of limitations varies by state and yours may be subject to specific demographic conditions”?

Or maybe something like, “The software engineer utilised agile methodologies to refactor the legacy codebase, implementing microservices architecture to enhance scalability and improve system performance”.

Lost interest yet? I won’t be surprised if you did. Content should ideally be clear and easy to understand. It’s important to avoid jargon or overly complex language that might confuse readers.

3. Relevance: To be relevant is to be right. The key to relevancy is to not only know and understand your target audience, but also to have the desire to help them find solutions to their immediate problems.

In other words, your content should be relevant to the intended audience and purpose. It should address their interests, needs, and concerns.

4. Engagement: The reason why readers stay glued to certain pieces of content is because they capture attention and strike a chord. Simply put, the audience feels connected or engaged to the piece. It, therefore, only makes sense that your content is appealing and interesting to the audience.

You can achieve this by experimenting with different ways of disseminating information – maybe through storytelling, compelling visuals, or interactive elements. Give these methods a try and stick to what works best.

5. Originality: Content should be original and unique, as opposed to plagiarized. Period. Copying and pasting material from other sources and passing it off as your own is not only unethical, but can also lead to legal issues.

6. Tone and Style: It may seem like figuring this out would be a breeze, but it really isn’t. The tone and style of writing should go with the expectations of the audience. Failure to do so can lead to a major disconnect between your content and your readers.

That’s the reason why good content writers are extremely particular about getting the tone and style right in their projects. A writer writing for a blog for teenagers, for instance, would use a more casual tone compared to when writing for a business white paper.

All said and done…

While “writing” is considered an art or a fluid activity with no rights or wrongs, you may want to change gears when it comes to content writing or copywriting. Things do get technical when it comes to the latter since there’s a set context to adhere to. Either way, smart businesses know that professional help in this regard is available and thanks to the internet, is easily accessible. It’s only a matter of finding the right writing partner to avoid going wrong with it!

Copywriting & AI: Friends or Foes?

In 2024, few would disagree if I said that it’s the age of AI!

Artificial Intelligence is here and now. Here and how!

Of course, everyone’s concerned about this; but as a seasoned copywriter, I can vouch for the fact that AI has shaken up my world – mostly for the better.

If you still think, “AI? That’s the stuff of science fiction novels and futuristic fantasies, right?” Well, buckle up, my friend, because AI is not just the future – it’s the present.

Like it or not, embracing it is the key to unlocking a treasure trove of opportunities in the world of copywriting.

So, why should you, a master of the written word, embrace AI? Let me break it down for you:

• It’s Efficient. Period.

Picture this: You’re staring at a blank screen, fingers poised over the keyboard, waiting for inspiration to strike. Sound familiar? Well, AI can help you banish writer’s block – that’s for sure. With AI-powered tools like content generators and language processors, you can bid farewell to this much-dreaded condition and say hello to productivity.

• Insightful Analytics at Your Fingertips

Ever wonder if your latest tagline is hitting the mark or falling flat? Enter AI-powered analytics tools! These will provide you with real-time data and insights into audience engagement, click-through rates, and conversion metrics. It’s like having a virtual focus group at your fingertips, helping you fine-tune your copywriting prowess with the utmost precision.

• Personalisation, Anyone?

In today’s hyper-connected world, one-size-fits-all marketing doesn’t stand a chance. But have no fear, for AI is here! With machine learning algorithms and predictive analytics, you can tailor your messaging to specific demographics, interests, and buying behaviors. What a great way to create a personalized experience that resonates with your audience on a deeper level!

• Tools That Help Save Time

Let’s face it – copywriting can be time-consuming (even cumbersome), with endless rounds of revisions, edits, and tweaks. But with AI-powered writing assistants and grammar checkers, you can streamline your workflow, catch pesky typos, and polish your prose to perfection in record time. It’s like having a trusty sidekick in your corner, ready to lend a helping hand whenever you need it most!

Now, you’re probably thinking: “But what about creativity? Can AI really replicate the magic of human imagination?”

Ah, my friend, that’s where the art of copywriting comes into play.

While AI can certainly assist with the heavy lifting – generating ideas, analyzing data, and fine-tuning your copy – it’s your unique voice, style, and flair that breathe life into the words on the page.

So, Here’s My Take

I guess what I’m trying to say is, AI is not the enemy – it’s actually a copywriter’s greatest ally.

It’s not here to replace us – it’s here to support and enhance our creative genius.

In fact, it’s the present we want to live in and the future we can’t escape.

I’d even go to the extent of saying that the new-age copywriter is only as good as their prompts (Yes, ChatGPT)!

In the grand tapestry of copywriting, AI is just one thread – albeit a powerful one.

Don’t hesitate to embrace the possibilities, and experiment with new tools and techniques. At the same time, remember that the best copywriting comes from a place of passion, authenticity, and a human touch.

So, without further ado, say yes to AI and enjoy the ride. Who knows what new wonder awaits us next!

Uncertainties Are Good. At Least for Your Soul.

“What are you talking about”?

“No way. Uncertainties scare me”.

“Hmmm. Okay. But why do you say that”?

When Ronan Keating sang, “Life is a rollercoaster, just gotta ride it…” we already had a general idea of what he was trying to say. No wonder the number became a huge hit!

But cut to real life – Are you strapped in yet? Because ready or not, you’ve got a road full of twists, turns, and unexpected loop-de-loops ahead.

Too deep in? You’ll want to hold on to that safety bar for dear life.

Uncertainty Is the Name of the Game

Seasoned players have already understood that amidst the chaos lies a treasure trove of lessons and unexpected joys.

I don’t consider myself “seasoned” enough, so I’m still figuring things out. But hey, this isn’t about me alone.

Moving on…

Have you ever pictured yourself cruising along the highway of life, humming your favorite tune, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a detour sign appears? Your GPS reroutes, your plans are thrown out the window, and you find yourself face-to-face with “how-did-I-even get-here” kind of questions!

Let’s face it; none of us have a crystal ball to predict the future. But you know what? That’s okay!

Embracing uncertainty is like riding a unicycle – you’ll have to teach yourself to strike a balance and only then will you begin to stride ahead confidently.

Oh Really? But How?

Now, I’m not saying this is easy. Of course, there will be moments of doubt and fear. Of course, you’re also going to feel downright frustrated. But, it’s in those moments that we discover our true strength, resilience, and innermost desires.

So, what’s the secret sauce to staying sane in the wild and wacky world of uncertainty? Here’s my attempt to answer this super-serious question.

1. Start with a Dose of Humour

Having a sense of humor about life will take you a long way. Laughter truly is the best medicine, especially when life serves up a plateful of lemons. So go ahead, chuckle at the absurdity of it all, and take life with a pinch of salt. Never forget that sometimes, the best stories come from the most unexpected plot twists.

• Dance to Life’s Tunes

Oh yes, this is an important part of staying afloat amidst the chaos inside. Think of yourself as a bamboo tree, bending gracefully in the winds of change rather than stubbornly resisting them. The more adaptable you become, the better you’ll roll with the punches. At the end of the day, you’ve got to trust that you’ll come out stronger on the other side.

• Accept the Challenges in Your Journey

Life is not a destination but a wild, exhilarating ride with no final destination in sight. So, savor the highs, weather the lows, and cherish every moment in between.

Take Away

Living with the uncertainties that life throws at us is a bit like surfing the waves of the ocean. Sometimes, you catch the perfect wave and ride it to shore. Other times, you wipe out and end up with a mouthful of seawater. But no matter what, the ocean remains irresistible. It keeps calling, inviting you to dive back in and ride the waves once more.

So, here’s to accepting uncertainties and riding the rollercoaster of life with a smile. Remember, you’ve got this. You’re going to be okay!

And of course, don’t forget to keep babbling! 🙂

What is this? Yet another blog?

So, Google defines the word “babble” as “talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish, excited, or incomprehensible way”.

And guess what? That’s exactly why I chose this word for naming my blog space.
After all, I do believe that not everything makes sense. In fact, nothing makes sense to me off late.

Things happen, with or without us being a part of the action. Hundreds of known and unknown factors influence everything that happens around us. We have no control over the majority of them.

We don’t know what the next person is thinking or is going to do. We don’t know how their actions and decisions will affect us. Do we know anything? A very good question, I’d say.

“Knowing” something about something is more like an illusion to me. Over time, I’ve realised what we “know” is bound to change based on new discoveries, inventions, influences, and other factors. So, nothing’s really set in stone. Even some of the “facts” (as we know them now) are subject to change sooner or later.

I, for one, feel like I know nothing. I feel like Jon Snow – Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch who knows nothing. So, why not just babble? It’s fun, it’s light-hearted, it’s non-serious. I guess the world could do with more of such babbling from time to time.

As you can probably tell by now, I enjoy philosophising. I mean who doesn’t?

Life.

Love.

Career.

Trials and tribulations.

And what not!

For thinkers and overthinkers, it all comes down to philosophising about all these things. So, I think that’s what my blog is going to be about. Well, for the most part.

So, I think that’s what my blog is going to be about. Well, for the most part. There’ll be other things too, but do I “know” what they’ll be? May be, maybe not. Who knows!

So, until we meet here next,
Keep babbling!