After reading several blogs of famous copywriters’ sites, we found a particular author who challenged the readers to find one animal and think of a copywriting tip they can relate to. Our team found this challenge super creative, so we chose the elephant because it symbolizes good luck, power, and ancient wisdom.
But… how are elephants related to copywriting?
First, the elephant in the room is impossible to ignore. This idiom perfectly captures the essence of communication problems between copywriters and their clients. The most common issues are:
Mismatched Expectations
One of the most common communication problems between copywriters and their clients is the misalignment of expectations. Clients may have a specific vision for their content, while the copywriter might interpret the brief differently. This discrepancy can result in dissatisfaction on the client’s side and frustration for the copywriter. To mitigate this issue, it is essential to establish clear objectives, goals, and expectations from the start. Both parties should invest time discussing the project’s scope, target audience, tone, and style to ensure they are on the same page.
Inadequate Briefs:
Another frequent communication problem is the client’s lack of a comprehensive brief. An inadequate brief can leave the copywriter with insufficient information about the project, making it challenging to create content that meets the client’s needs. This can lead to multiple revisions and wasted time on both sides. To avoid this issue, clients should provide detailed briefs with relevant background information, objectives, target audience, preferred tone, and specific requirements. Copywriters can also take a proactive role by asking clarifying questions and seeking additional information when needed.
Ineffective Feedback:
The third common communication problem between copywriters and clients is the delivery of unclear or unhelpful feedback. Clients may provide vague comments, such as “I don’t like this” or “It doesn’t feel right,” without specifying the issue or suggesting improvements. On the other hand, copywriters may become defensive when receiving criticism, which can hinder open and productive communication. To resolve this problem, both parties should strive to provide transparent, constructive, and specific feedback. Clients should highlight the aspects of the content they are not satisfied with and suggest possible improvements. At the same time, copywriters should be open to feedback and willing to make necessary revisions to meet the client’s expectations.
So what can the elephant teach us?
Mastering the art of listening
One of the most remarkable characteristics of elephants is their ability to listen. This is clearly helpful in setting the right expectations and receiving feedback from clients. With their large ears and an acute sense of hearing, elephants can detect sounds from miles away. This skill allows them to communicate with their herd and stay aware of potential threats in their environment.
Similarly, listening is a vital skill in copywriting. Effective copywriters are attuned to their target audience’s needs, preferences, and desires. They carefully listen to feedback and adapt their message accordingly. By developing strong listening abilities, copywriters can create content that resonates with their audience and drives engagement.
Offering a Helping Trunk: Rewarding Your Readers and Clients
Elephants, known for their social intelligence and cooperation, often use their trunks to assist fellow herd members. In copywriting, rewarding your clients and readers with free subscriptions, bonuses, or special offers can motivate them to take action and engage with your content. It can also be helpful to reward clients for providing more accurate testimonials. Express gratitude for their support and acknowledge their presence by offering incentives encouraging their return.
Respecting Boundaries
Trying to move an elephant from the room can lead to pinned-back ears and aggressive flapping – a clear warning signal. This can be related to being defensive when receiving critical feedback from clients. From another perspective, by actively listening to clients and empathizing with their needs, professionals can create content that drives the audience to act while respecting their boundaries. Instead of being defensive and making clients angry, channel the elephant’s assertiveness in your call-to-action (CTA) and inspire your readers to take the desired action.
In conclusion, the Elephant Challenge has been a creative and enlightening experience, demonstrating the power of drawing inspiration from nature. By relating the unique characteristics of elephants to the world of copywriting, we have identified valuable lessons on the importance of effective communication, active listening, rewarding readers, and respecting boundaries. By applying these insights, copywriters can significantly improve their craft, forge stronger relationships with their clients, and ultimately create content that engages and inspires.
So, let the elephant’s ancient wisdom, powerful presence, and keen listening abilities be a guide to copywriters as they navigate the ever-evolving landscape of content creation. Embrace the challenge of integrating nature’s lessons into your work and witness its transformative impact on your copywriting journey.
