You don’t need good grammar to become a copywriter
The worst advice I’ve ever heard
Ever since, I started writing copy (3 years back).
I’ve been hearing some version of it.
Grammar doesn’t matter.
But here’s why this advice doesn’t cut mustard and often misguides beginners:
Grammar mistakes are unacceptable in copywriting.
You simply can’t afford the luxury of grammatical errors.
Imagine, writing they’re instead of their.
Completely change the meaning.
Or…
Read this sentence:
Walking through the kitchen, the smoke alarm was going off.
Although you don’t need to be like Miss Emma (your high school English teacher).
A grammar wizard.
You should know the rules.
But knowing when to break the rules is even more important.
5 Grammar rules you should break WITHOUT any guilt:
1. Starting sentences with conjunctions
Miss Emma would die of shame after reading this.
But to make the readability better and make the flow better.
It’s recommended to start your sentences with ‘and’ or ‘but’.
Furthermore, these are the best attention grabbers.
2. Splitting infinitives
Is it a sin to let another word come between “to” and its verb?
If it sounds natural and makes the sentence better (without altering the meaning).
Axe it.
3. One line paragraphs
This advice would almost give the grammar police a mini heart attack.
But one line paragraphs is essential to break the monotony.
And hook the reader’s attention.
It spices up your copy.
4. Slangs and contractions
Grammar wizards often suggest not to use these.
But these sounds more natural.
Increases the readability.
Hooks the attention.
There’s a famous platitude in copywriting: write like how your audience speaks.
So if they use slangs.
Include it.
5. Ending with prepositions
Decide for yourself.
How you want to sound!
Like this: What are you waiting for.
Or this…
For what are you waiting.
I’d rather die than using the second version of the sentence.
Lol.
Learning when to break rules is essential.
But that doesn’t give you a leeway to not to learn the grammar rules.
They’re equally important.
They can change the meaning of the sentence if you don’t know how to use them or break them properly.
Use this post as a guide to learn how to strike that balance.
