Copywriting is like fishing for clients – you need to use the right hook to reel them in! 

How copywriting is like fishing

You may not think that copywriting and fishing have much in common, but there are actually quite a few similarities between the two. Both require a certain amount of skill, strategy and even luck to be successful.

I have just started fishing and I am enjoying it. I attended a copywriting workshop organized by Jennifer Bourn this summer. I was thinking of the similarities between copywriting and fishing throughout the highly informative 3-day workshop. Chris Lema, a guest on the video workshop, added some pizazz to the workshop.

Here are some similarities between copywriting and fishing:

You need the right bait

You need the right bait to lure in your readers so they can become your clients, just like you need the right bait to lure in a fish. In order to generate leads and snag clients, you have to know what bait to use and where to put it. You need to hook your reader with something that will make them want to read more and take your offer, whether it’s an irresistible offer, an interesting blog post, or an engaging email. For instance, if you are targeting stay-at-home moms or teenagers, the bait you use would be different. Your bait needs to be something that resonates with small business owners on a personal level, as they are often looking for solutions to their problems.

You need to know your audience and what will appeal to them.

You need to know where to fish if you’re going to catch any fish. This is also true for copywriting. You need to know where your readers are hanging out online, and what type of content they’re interested in. Do they use social media? Do they like reading specific blog posts? You need to know your audience and what will appeal to them when it comes to promoting your business. For example, if you’re targeting millennials, you’ll need to use social media platforms that appeal to them, just like unique platforms for baby boomers. The right content will help you fish for them once you know where they are.

You need to be patient

The key to copywriting, just like with fishing, is to be patient and consistent. You need to wait for the fish to bite – fishing takes patience. You will need to be patient when copywriting as you wait for your readers to take action. If you keep at it, you’ll eventually hook a big one, even if you don’t get a bite right away. You need to be patient and wait for the right moment, whether you’re waiting for them to sign up for your email list or make a purchase. When you finally get a lead, it can be a big one.

You need to be persistent

If you give up after a few casts, you’re not going to catch any fish. The same goes for copywriting – you need to be persistent if you want to succeed. Keep writing and testing different strategies until you find the one that works. You might not get a bite right away, but if you keep at it, you’ll eventually hook a big one. 

You need to be prepared to get wet

Copywriting can be a wet and wild experience, just like fishing; you need to be prepared to get wet. You need to be prepared for anything because you never know what’s going to happen. Keep your raincoat close and be prepared to dive in headfirst. Copywriting can be an unpredictable and fun experience, just like fishing. The only way to make sure you’ll catch anything is by doing that..

In Summary

The reward for a great fishing trip is to bring a big one home, just like copywriting is all about generating leads for clients. As there are different types of fish, so there are different types of clients. The ability to identify and target the right customer base is essential. After you identify your target clientele, create baits and lures to attract them. If you want to catch the right fish, you need to use the right bait and have the patience to wait for a bite.