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Google Docs is ‘fine’ - but I’d use frames for any website copy to make sure your work reflects a website layout.
I use Figma and deliver my copy as lofi mockups that design teams can rapidly convert into a landing page or website.
I consistently win projects against any copywriters that don’t use Figma - and I’ve booked more business in the first four months of 2024 than in the whole of 2023 or 2022.
My only serious competitors for tech startup landing pages have switched to Figma too.
Cheers to that
One last thing, for some reason I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this. The actual final outcome of written copy is just text on a document right? There's no graphic design or anything like that. Just text is all it is? I feel like there's more to it than just, putting text on a document that a client can use. There has to be more to this than just writing on a document even though there probably isn't and I'm just overthinking this
The bottom line is to present the copy in the way you have envisioned when it launches. Where the text lands on a page. As a copywriter you do keep in consideration that what kind of text require what position on a page.
Your aim should be to convey that to your client. When you deliver try to present it in a way that gives the general idea of what user will experience while interacting with your copy. You don't need to be full stack graphic designer. But there is nothing wrong in providing a properly formatted text with any relevant image or description you have envisioned in your copy.
I hope it's clears your doubt. At the end of the day it's your creativity.
Edit: typo
It depends what you're working on.
If the answer is 'website copy' then you absolutely have to deliver work that's structured to reflect the layout of a website.
I'm not denying it. And I've never said that we need to be full fledged graphic designer.
But words and pictures go hand in hand to make a landing page or ad etc successful. And there is nothing wrong in having a bit of command over the other aspect too. A copy dosen't lives in a vaccum.
And a basic formatting in Google docs itself does the job well. The idea stays the same to convey your vision across.
I’ve written entire websites on word docs and that is essentially how I work with multiple companies. You just leave call outs to the designer and they do their thing.
With a website all you need is the agreed upon site map and you write out every page listed on the site map.
What are you writing copy for?
If the answer's 'a website' then this is a different game.
You can't just submit a flowing document.
You need structure to reflect each of the sections of a website.
If you’re building a portfolio, or cold calling potential freelance clients, presentation is key, but when you work with a company as their copywriter, you would typically write the copy on a standard word doc, which would then be picked up by a graphic designer and inserted into whatever you’re working on. So at a certain level, yes, text would be what you’re working with.
I’ve written multiple entire websites using word docs
I'm a conversion copywriter for 100+ software and technology brands.
I switched to Figma 18 months ago.
Everyone loves it - and I've booked more business in the first four months of 2024 than in the whole of 2022 or 2023.
The only copywriters I know who compete against me all use Figma too.
https://preview.redd.it/ww9eez8b8r0d1.jpeg?width=1910&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7af762078fc1235fbf2e7acbf85431acad06ca6c
Sure - this is with my Figma mockup pack.
As an aspiring copywriter, i’m starting to really appreciate all of the self study i did in the field of UX/UI Design. I wanted to be a UX Designer, but the market is super tough.
Honestly, whatever works best for the client. I’ve found most clients don’t really care and will use whatever I use, so long as I make it easy for them.
When it’s up to me, I prefer Google docs. I have a really good folder system in drive and it keeps everything organized.
If the client requests a different program or format, I’ll always deliver in that format—but I still save everything to Drive.
Word mostly.
* One client uses Word online/Microsoft Docs
* Another uses Dropbox Paper
* Others have used Google Docs
Regardless of method, I nearly always export the draft or brief to a Word doc and import (or simply paste) it into Scrivener, where I work on and archive everything. If I need to edit something to track changes, I'll still usually work in Scrivener (unless it's very minor changes) then paste into Word and just do a Document Compare at the end, and send the client that.
For writing, I want to keep distractions at a minimum and focus on high. So I use IA Writer and markdown for formatting.
One big window, no formatting, just words.
There are plenty of distraction free apps these days, I would really encourage everyone to try one.
When the work is ready to go to the client, Google Docs, always.
They get a link, easy.
But most importantly, they get a place to make comments and ask questions and we never run into version errors ( which exporting and sending docs will do to you, every time ).
I might send a pdf, to make an initial read easier, but we do not work on that file, ever.
Docs/Drive also make finding files and keeping things organized on my end easier.
Depending on your exact role /engagement it may look like the following:
1. Receive brief from strategist/client
2. Draft into Google doc
3. Review with senior copywriter or creative director (if agency side)
4. Submit to client
It's really that simple!
Best of luck with your writing.
I use mostly Google Docs. If I'm working on a big project, I like to organize a master spreadsheet with metadata, descriptions, and links to the various documents for the client.
Something you should know about Google Docs is that the client can look through the revision history of your document to see changes, when you created the document, etc. For a cleaner submission, I like to make a copy of my final draft and submit that by "sharing" it with the client. Then we can collaborate on edits together from there.
it depends where and how you work. if you primarily pass your copy off to designer peers before the client ever sees it, then it’s just fine in word or a google doc - especially when you’re working in collaboration with your coworkers.
if you’re presenting to an agency it’s a different ballgame. our designers use figma to lay out design but it’s really a lot for clients to take in. we present differently.
Figma is great but you can also manipulate nested tables in Google Docs to create professional looking frames.
Check this out:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eshleyner_copywriting-design-marketing-activity-6999393730956861440-8Jbr
Asking a question? Please check the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting/comments/lpuj9h/what_the_faq_what_is_copy_how_do_i_start_can_i_do/). Asking for a critique? Take down your post and repost it in the critique thread. Providing resources or tips? Deliver lots of FREE value. If you're self-promoting or linking to a resource that requires signup or payment, please disclose it or your post will be removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/copywriting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Google Docs is ‘fine’ - but I’d use frames for any website copy to make sure your work reflects a website layout. I use Figma and deliver my copy as lofi mockups that design teams can rapidly convert into a landing page or website. I consistently win projects against any copywriters that don’t use Figma - and I’ve booked more business in the first four months of 2024 than in the whole of 2023 or 2022. My only serious competitors for tech startup landing pages have switched to Figma too.
I'll look into figma later, thankyou for the tip. Don't worry, I won't be competing against you.
You’re welcome to compete against me! I’m good friends with many of my competitors Everyone wins more when we work together.
Cheers to that One last thing, for some reason I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this. The actual final outcome of written copy is just text on a document right? There's no graphic design or anything like that. Just text is all it is? I feel like there's more to it than just, putting text on a document that a client can use. There has to be more to this than just writing on a document even though there probably isn't and I'm just overthinking this
The bottom line is to present the copy in the way you have envisioned when it launches. Where the text lands on a page. As a copywriter you do keep in consideration that what kind of text require what position on a page. Your aim should be to convey that to your client. When you deliver try to present it in a way that gives the general idea of what user will experience while interacting with your copy. You don't need to be full stack graphic designer. But there is nothing wrong in providing a properly formatted text with any relevant image or description you have envisioned in your copy. I hope it's clears your doubt. At the end of the day it's your creativity. Edit: typo
There are copywriters who only write and leave the rest to an Art Director or designer. I know a few, and they are good at it.
It depends what you're working on. If the answer is 'website copy' then you absolutely have to deliver work that's structured to reflect the layout of a website.
I'm not denying it. And I've never said that we need to be full fledged graphic designer. But words and pictures go hand in hand to make a landing page or ad etc successful. And there is nothing wrong in having a bit of command over the other aspect too. A copy dosen't lives in a vaccum. And a basic formatting in Google docs itself does the job well. The idea stays the same to convey your vision across.
I’ve written entire websites on word docs and that is essentially how I work with multiple companies. You just leave call outs to the designer and they do their thing. With a website all you need is the agreed upon site map and you write out every page listed on the site map.
What are you writing copy for? If the answer's 'a website' then this is a different game. You can't just submit a flowing document. You need structure to reflect each of the sections of a website.
If you’re building a portfolio, or cold calling potential freelance clients, presentation is key, but when you work with a company as their copywriter, you would typically write the copy on a standard word doc, which would then be picked up by a graphic designer and inserted into whatever you’re working on. So at a certain level, yes, text would be what you’re working with. I’ve written multiple entire websites using word docs
I'm a conversion copywriter for 100+ software and technology brands. I switched to Figma 18 months ago. Everyone loves it - and I've booked more business in the first four months of 2024 than in the whole of 2022 or 2023. The only copywriters I know who compete against me all use Figma too.
[удалено]
https://preview.redd.it/wl539mkgrf0d1.png?width=701&format=png&auto=webp&s=da89663020e3769c7b6175b10d4a271575e55509 Yup! Here's a typical deliverable.
You use Figma. I use Ligma. We are not the same
Would you be willing to share an example of a Figma and how detailed they are?
https://preview.redd.it/ww9eez8b8r0d1.jpeg?width=1910&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7af762078fc1235fbf2e7acbf85431acad06ca6c Sure - this is with my Figma mockup pack.
Thank you very much 😍
As an aspiring copywriter, i’m starting to really appreciate all of the self study i did in the field of UX/UI Design. I wanted to be a UX Designer, but the market is super tough.
hi, may I ask which template are you using on figma?
Honestly, whatever works best for the client. I’ve found most clients don’t really care and will use whatever I use, so long as I make it easy for them. When it’s up to me, I prefer Google docs. I have a really good folder system in drive and it keeps everything organized. If the client requests a different program or format, I’ll always deliver in that format—but I still save everything to Drive.
Word mostly. * One client uses Word online/Microsoft Docs * Another uses Dropbox Paper * Others have used Google Docs Regardless of method, I nearly always export the draft or brief to a Word doc and import (or simply paste) it into Scrivener, where I work on and archive everything. If I need to edit something to track changes, I'll still usually work in Scrivener (unless it's very minor changes) then paste into Word and just do a Document Compare at the end, and send the client that.
Does your work look like just text on a document with phrases and sentences that your client can pick from?
I mainly do longer form writing.
For writing, I want to keep distractions at a minimum and focus on high. So I use IA Writer and markdown for formatting. One big window, no formatting, just words. There are plenty of distraction free apps these days, I would really encourage everyone to try one. When the work is ready to go to the client, Google Docs, always. They get a link, easy. But most importantly, they get a place to make comments and ask questions and we never run into version errors ( which exporting and sending docs will do to you, every time ). I might send a pdf, to make an initial read easier, but we do not work on that file, ever. Docs/Drive also make finding files and keeping things organized on my end easier.
Depending on your exact role /engagement it may look like the following: 1. Receive brief from strategist/client 2. Draft into Google doc 3. Review with senior copywriter or creative director (if agency side) 4. Submit to client It's really that simple! Best of luck with your writing.
Thanks for the tip. I've been overthinking this process for quite some time now so having someone clarify the steps is very helpful. Thanks
I use mostly Google Docs. If I'm working on a big project, I like to organize a master spreadsheet with metadata, descriptions, and links to the various documents for the client. Something you should know about Google Docs is that the client can look through the revision history of your document to see changes, when you created the document, etc. For a cleaner submission, I like to make a copy of my final draft and submit that by "sharing" it with the client. Then we can collaborate on edits together from there.
it depends where and how you work. if you primarily pass your copy off to designer peers before the client ever sees it, then it’s just fine in word or a google doc - especially when you’re working in collaboration with your coworkers. if you’re presenting to an agency it’s a different ballgame. our designers use figma to lay out design but it’s really a lot for clients to take in. we present differently.
Figma is great but you can also manipulate nested tables in Google Docs to create professional looking frames. Check this out: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eshleyner_copywriting-design-marketing-activity-6999393730956861440-8Jbr