Copywriting Information

Subtle Emotion - The Key To Copy That Works


Say the word "emotion" to a man, and he'll immediately jump out of his seat and run from the room! Utter the word "emotion" to a woman, and she begins to conjure up thoughts of romantic, long talks centered around feelings. However, speak the word "emotion" to a copywriter and s/he should see dollar signs. Why? Because a good command of subtle emotion is the key to copy that works.

The Difference Between Subtle and Obvious Emotion

Confusing obvious and subtle emotion is a common mistake among copywriters. Let's say your copywriting client tells you his product should make the end user feel classy and sophisticated. He wants the copy you write to convey that message. What happens when writing with obvious emotion is this:

---------------------------------

Our silverware patterns will make you feel classy and sophisticated. They will decorate your table in an upscale manner so you and your guests will think you're in a fine-dining restaurant.

---------------------------------

Obvious emotion tells readers what they will think, see or feel. This approach is clumsy and awkward and rarely has the result the client is looking for. On the other hand, subtle emotion has a much greater appeal. Why? Because it deals with imagery. When you show people, rather than tell them, how they'll feel or what will happen after they buy your product or service, you evoke core emotions rather than shallow feelings. Here are several examples of subtle emotion at work:

---------------------------------

Graceful and elegant, these silverware patterns are sure to bring compliments from your guests. With an exceptional display of taste and style, you can adorn your table with distinctive stainless or sterling silverware that highlights every element of your table setting.

---------------------------------

As peaceful and charming as a Sunday afternoon on grandma's front porch, these metal gliders are recreations of the WWI originals. Rock the afternoon away with a big glass of lemonade and a little nostalgia wafting through the air like a gentle summer breeze.

---------------------------------

Spend lazy days and restful nights in this poster bed dreaming about romantic interludes. Finished with Gabon mahogany veneers, your bed has reed posts, a removable canopy frame and a louvered headboard reminiscent of a shuttered window.

---------------------------------

Do you see what's happening in the copy examples above? No one came right out and said, "Your table's gonna look real classy if you use our silverware," but the notion is there. From the description given, you pick up on the fact that this silver will do more than make your table look good. It will make you look good in front of your guests and give you a little boost of confidence due to all the compliments you'll receive.

The metal glider chair copy never said your blood pressure would be reduced as you sat on your porch de-stressing from a long, hard workweek, but that's the distinct impression you get from the copy, isn't it?

And the poster bed? Just the mention of the materials (Gabon mahogany, reed posts) and romantic interludes gives a feeling that this bed is something special, although the copy never actually says so.

By using subtle emotion, by painting a picture of what the customer will get from these products, by incorporating them into the customer's everyday life, you - as a copywriter - are able to pique interest and increase sales. Ah! The power of words!

© 2005 http://www.marketingwords.com

Karon Thackston is owner of Marketing Words, Inc., a full-service copywriting agency. She is also author of the highly acclaimed Step-by-Step Copywriting Course, now in its third edition. You can find Karon online at http://www.marketingwords.com or http://www.copywritingcourse.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Learn How to Write Web Copy and Develop an Online Marketing ...
PR.com (press release), NY - 12 hours ago
As an accredited Better Business Bureau (http://tinyurl.com/5m8hpw) publisher of direct-response copywriting and graphic design home-study programs, ...


Michelle Salater Writing and Editorial, LLC Launches New Website ...
Newswire Today (press release), UK - 11 hours ago
As a leading copywriting and online marketing company located in the Charleston, South Carolina, metro area, Michelle Salater Writing and Editorial, LLC, ...


Briar Copywriting Announces the Launch of a New eBook
UKPRwire (press release), UK - Nov 20, 2008
The UK's leading copywriter, Briar Copywriting, announces the launch of their new eBook '5 Simple Steps to Sensational Marketing'. ...


Small Businesses: Keep Ad Budgets Intact During a Recession
PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro - 9 hours ago
Businesses can still advertise and save money, however, by using less expensive marketing methods such as hiring a freelance copywriter to create online ads ...


Copywriting Grammar Ain't Perfect
MSNBC - Nov 10, 2008
The secret to copywriting success is adjusting your voice to match that of your target audience, and with that adjustment also comes changes in the grammar ...


Briar Copywriting Announces the Launch of a New eBook
Free press releases (press release), UK - Nov 20, 2008
The UK's leading freelance copywriter, Briar Copwyriting, has announced the launch of a new eBook, '5 Simple Steps to Sensational Marketing'. ...


AMV BBDO wins copywriting contest for Euston billboard
Brand Republic, UK - Nov 18, 2008
by Anne Cassidy, Campaign 18-Nov-08, 14:35 LONDON - A creative team from Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO has won Titan Outdoor's copywriting competition for the ...


Providence Journal

‘Mogul mom’ blogs on blending work, family
Providence Journal, RI - Nov 21, 2008
Allard said there are two basic kinds of mom-owned businesses, one selling a business service, such as copywriting or marketing, and the other trying to ...


International Business Times

VistaPrint Takes Creative Services Online With Website Design
MarketWatch - Nov 13, 2008
Website design integrates VistaPrint's renowned creative and copywriting services with the company's first electronic product. ...
A Timely New Book for the Recession - How to Get a Successful ... PR Web (press release)
all 14 news articles


Writing Great Web Copy: Copywriting for Search Engines
Multichannel Merchant, CT - Oct 31, 2008
When writing Website copy, thinking like a search engine is usually a good thing. Go too far with it, though, and you can end up with spam-flavored Web ...

Copywriting - Google News

home | site map
© 2008