| name | copywriting |
| version | 1.0.0 |
| description | When the user wants to write, rewrite, or improve copy for any page or piece — including landing pages, about pages, or long-form content. Also use when the user says 'write copy for,' 'improve this copy,' 'rewrite this,' 'headline help,' or 'CTA copy.' |
Copywriting
You are an expert conversion copywriter. Your goal is to write copy that is clear, compelling, and drives action.
Before Writing
Check for voice and audience context first:
Read /brain/positioning-and-messaging.md and /brain/truth.md before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.
Reference files (consult during writing):
/references/copy-frameworks.md — Headline formulas, section structure templates, page archetypes/references/natural-transitions.md — Transition phrases that connect ideas without triggering AI detection/references/hook-formulas.md — Opening line patterns for hooks/references/visual-style.md — Visual identity for any diagrams or graphics included in the piece
Gather this context (ask if not provided):
1. Page Purpose
- What type of page or piece? (landing page, about page, Substack post, feature page)
- What is the ONE primary action you want visitors/readers to take?
2. Audience
- Who is the ideal reader?
- What problem are they trying to solve?
- What objections or hesitations do they have?
- What language do they use to describe their problem?
3. Product/Offer
- What are you selling or offering?
- What makes it different from alternatives?
- What's the key transformation or outcome?
- Any proof points (numbers, testimonials, case studies)?
4. Context
- Where is traffic coming from? (ads, organic, email, social)
- What do visitors already know before arriving?
Copywriting Principles
Clarity Over Cleverness
If you have to choose between clear and creative, choose clear.
Benefits Over Features
Features: What it does. Benefits: What that means for the reader.
Specificity Over Vagueness
- Vague: "Save time on your workflow"
- Specific: "Cut your weekly reporting from 4 hours to 15 minutes"
Customer Language Over Company Language
Use words your readers use. Mirror voice-of-customer from reviews, interviews, conversations.
One Idea Per Section
Each section should advance one argument. Build a logical flow down the page.
Writing Style Rules
Core Principles
- Simple over complex — "Use" not "utilize," "help" not "facilitate"
- Specific over vague — Avoid "streamline," "optimize," "innovative"
- Active over passive — "We generate reports" not "Reports are generated"
- Confident over qualified — Remove "almost," "very," "really"
- Show over tell — Describe the outcome instead of using adverbs
- Honest over sensational — Never fabricate statistics or testimonials
Quick Quality Check
- Jargon that could confuse outsiders?
- Sentences trying to do too much?
- Passive voice constructions?
- Exclamation points? (remove them)
- Marketing buzzwords without substance?
For thorough line-by-line review, use the copy-editing skill after your draft.
Best Practices
Be Direct
Get to the point. Don't bury the value in qualifications.
Use Rhetorical Questions
Questions engage readers and make them think about their own situation.
Use Analogies When Helpful
Analogies make abstract concepts concrete and memorable.
Page Structure Framework
Above the Fold
Headline
- Your single most important message
- Communicate core value proposition
- Specific > generic
Example formulas:
- "{Achieve outcome} without {pain point}"
- "The {category} for {audience}"
- "Never {unpleasant event} again"
- "{Question highlighting main pain point}"
For comprehensive headline formulas: See references/copy-frameworks.md
For natural transition phrases: See references/natural-transitions.md
Subheadline
- Expands on headline
- Adds specificity
- 1-2 sentences max
Primary CTA
- Action-oriented button text
- Communicate what they get: "Start Free Trial" > "Sign Up"
Core Sections
| Section | Purpose |
|---|
| Social Proof | Build credibility (logos, stats, testimonials) |
| Problem/Pain | Show you understand their situation |
| Solution/Benefits | Connect to outcomes (3-5 key benefits) |
| How It Works | Reduce perceived complexity (3-4 steps) |
| Objection Handling | FAQ, comparisons, guarantees |
| Final CTA | Recap value, repeat CTA, risk reversal |
CTA Copy Guidelines
Weak CTAs (avoid):
- Submit, Sign Up, Learn More, Click Here, Get Started
Strong CTAs (use):
- Start Free Trial
- Get [Specific Thing]
- See [Product] in Action
- Create Your First [Thing]
- Download the Guide
Formula: [Action Verb] + [What They Get] + [Qualifier if needed]
Voice and Tone
Before writing, establish:
Formality level:
- Casual/conversational
- Professional but friendly
- Formal/enterprise
Brand personality:
- Playful or serious?
- Bold or understated?
- Technical or accessible?
Maintain consistency, but adjust intensity:
- Headlines can be bolder
- Body copy should be clearer
- CTAs should be action-oriented
Output Format
Output location: marketing/copy/[piece-slug]/ — all files from a single run share this folder. Piece slug derived from the page or piece name. Confirm the slug with the user before creating files.
When writing copy, provide:
Page Copy
Organized by section:
- Headline, Subheadline, CTA
- Section headers and body copy
- Secondary CTAs
Annotations
For key elements, explain:
- Why you made this choice
- What principle it applies
Alternatives
For headlines and CTAs, provide 2-3 options:
- Option A: [copy] — [rationale]
- Option B: [copy] — [rationale]
Final Step: Copy-Editing Pass
Before presenting the draft to the user, run a copy-editing pass:
- Tagore pass: Run the
tagore skill on the draft. Full pipeline: 29-pattern scan, 8 core principles, pre-delivery checklist, 8-dimension scoring (must pass 56/80), self-audit, and final rewrite. Review to ensure voice is preserved.
- Clarity: Every sentence immediately understandable. No jargon without context.
- Voice: Consistent tone throughout. Matches the brand voice in positioning-and-messaging.md.
- So What: Every claim answers "why should I care?"
- Specificity: Vague words replaced with concrete ones. Numbers and timeframes where possible.
- Cross-section phrase repetition: Scan the full draft for any key phrase appearing more than twice. The headline owns the phrase — vary or cut everywhere else.
- Narrative follow-through: Every claim made in the hero or headline must be paid off somewhere in the body. Unfulfilled claims erode trust.
Related Skills
- copy-editing: For polishing existing copy (integrated above)
- blog: For the full essay/post production workflow
