Want to become a better writer? Read this

Good morning, this is the Not Boring Personal Branding. Your weekly tour guide for all things personal branding.

In Today’s edition:

• 3 Copywriting Formulas That Will Drive Clicks And Engagement On Social Media

• A quote from master copywriter David Ogilvy

• Download 197 content ideas (if you haven't already!)

Here are 3 copywriting formulas that will drive clicks and engagement on social media.

Good news: There's a formula for most digital writing so you don't have to start from a blank page.

Many storytellers and copywriters have experimented with the most effective intros for attracting readers to a piece of material. Their copywriting formulas just work—in blog post intros, social media updates, emails, and everywhere else you write online.

Unfortunately, people don't use these copywriting techniques because it's not what we were taught in English class.

Finding a great formula that works for you—whether it’s a storytelling formula, a headline formula, or any other—can be a big-time productivity boost.

But, most people think that to be a good writer you have to start from a blank page

• You must be original

• You must think for yourself

• You have to overcome writer's block

Now, I'm here to tell you that the best writers online never start from a blank page. Because you don't write copy, you construct copy (typically with formulas like the ones I'm about to show you).

Take a few of these for a spin and see how they might improve your social media posts and content:

Formula 1: AIDA

If you’re new to copywriting, or you’re a copywriter staring at a blank page, the AIDA marketing formula is an “old standard” that routinely produces significant results.

AIDA stands for:

• Attention: Get the reader’s attention

• Interest: Interesting and fresh information that appeals to the reader

• Desire: Benefits of your product/service/idea and proof that it does what you say

• Action: Ask for a response

AIDA is a copywriting formula that may be used for almost any type of marketing content. It's been used in direct mail, television and radio commercials, sales pages, landing pages, and a variety of other applications. Many of the suggestions below will make use of the elements mentioned above.

Here is an example:

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Formula 2: Pain-Agitate-Solution

You've come across one of the most widely used copywriting formulae. This formula, I believe, is the key to social media dominance. It's a staple of copywriting lists and advice.

• Identify a problem

• Agitate the problem

• Solve the problem

Here is an example:

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Formula 3: Before-After-Bridge

Whether you want to increase the click-thru of emails or write an appealing headline, the BAB formula can help you achieve it. The formula has three parts to it. When followed correctly, it makes it easy to write great copy that compels your audience to take action.

• Before – Here’s your world …

• After – Imagine what it’d be like, having Problem A solved …

• Bridge – Here’s how to get there.

This is the Not Boring Personal Branding Newsletter's current go-to formula. Describe an issue, then describe a world without the problem, and finally explain how to get there. It's a really simple setup that can be used for blog post intros, social media updates, email, and pretty much anything else you write (or speak, for that matter).

Here is an example:

The best copywriting formula is the one that works for YOU.

There’s this great quote from David Ogilvy:

"Repeat your winners. Scores of great advertisements have been pulled before they’ve begun to payoff. Readership can actually increase with repetition — up to five repetitions."

His advice is geared toward advertising, but it also applies to the way we write for the web, blogs, and social media. Find a formula that works for both you and your audience, and use it as often as possible.

Which formulas do you use in your writing? Did you have a favorite one from this list? Which ones did I leave out?

Smash the reply button and let me know!