As a business owner, knowing the ideal length for different types of copy can help you better write compelling copy.
In this post, you will discover the ideal length for different types of copy to make your selling 10 times more potent.
Crafting compelling copy that captures attention and drives action is an art, and one key element to master is getting the length just right.
Whether you’re writing a blog post, product description, social media caption, or sales letters, finding that sweet spot can make all the difference in effectively reaching your audience.
Ideal Length For Different Types Of Copy
In this section, we will talk about the ideal lengths for different types of copy that will not only keep your readers engaged but will also boost sales for you and your clients.
1. Ideal Length for Blog Posts
Blog posts are the cornerstone of content marketing, but how long should they be? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, studies show that longer-form content tends to perform better in terms of SEO and engagement.
For informative or educational content, aim for around 1,500 to 2,500 words. This length allows you to go deep into a topic, providing valuable insights and keeping your readers engaged.
However, shorter blog posts (around 500 to 800 words) can be effective for topics that don’t need extensive explanations or for capturing attention with quick, digestible content.
Remember, quality always trumps quantity. Focus on delivering value to your readers, regardless of the word count.
2. Ideal Length for Product Descriptions
When it comes to product descriptions, the key is to be concise while highlighting the benefits and features that matter most to your audience.
For e-commerce websites, aim for around 150 to 300 words per product description. Focus on painting a vivid picture of how the product solves a problem or enhances the customer’s life.
Use persuasive language and include relevant keywords to improve your SEO and drive conversions. And don’t forget to break up the text with bullet points or short paragraphs for easy readability.
3. Ideal Length for Social Media Captions
In today’s world of TikTok and short form videos, attention spans are shorter than ever. That’s why social media captions should be brief yet powerful.
For platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where space is limited, aim for around 80 to 150 characters. Get straight to the point, and don’t be afraid to get creative with emojis or hashtags to grab attention.
On platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn, where you have more room to play, you can expand your captions to around 100 to 250 characters. Just remember to keep it concise and engaging to hold your audience’s interest.
4. Ideal Length for Email Subject Lines
Your email subject line is the first thing recipients see, so it needs to pack a punch in just a few words.
Keep your subject lines short and sweet, ideally around 40 to 60 characters. Use action verbs, personalization, or curiosity to entice recipients to open your email.
Test different subject line lengths to see what works best with your audience. Also, don’t forget to optimize for mobile devices, where space is even more limited.
5. Ideal Length for Email Copy (The Body)
When writing email sales copy, the ideal length usually falls between 150 to 300 words.
This length is short enough to keep the reader’s attention and convey your message quickly, but also long enough to provide sufficient information about your product or service and persuade the reader to take action.
Remember, brevity is key in email sales copywriting to ensure that your message is clear, compelling, and easy for the reader to digest.
6. Ideal Length for Short Form Sales Copy
For short form sales copy, like ads or social media posts, the ideal length is typically around 50 to 150 words.
This concise length grabs attention fast and keeps the message clear and impactful.
Short form sales copy needs to pack a punch, highlighting the key benefits of your product or service and encouraging immediate action from the reader.
Keep it brief, engaging, and to the point to maximize its effectiveness.
7. Ideal Length for Long Form Sales Letters
In long-form sales letters, which aim to thoroughly persuade and inform the reader, the ideal length usually ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 words.
This length provides ample space to address the reader’s concerns, present compelling arguments, and showcase the benefits of your product or service in detail.
When you write using a longer format, you can build rapport with the reader, address objections, and guide them toward making a confident purchasing decision.
Every word counts in long form sales letters, so keep the reader engaged with clear, persuasive language throughout.
How Long Should Long Copy Be?
This is a question that has plagued the copywriting community for a while. And the answer is simple: As long as it should be. But no longer.
In a long copy, you want to give your prospect all the necessary information they will need to make an informed buying decision. But you don’t want to ramble on about unimportant things.
Find the balance and stick to it.
Which Is Better: Long Form or Short Form Copy
Determining whether long-form or short-form copy is better depends on various factors, including your audience, the product or service you’re promoting, and your marketing goals. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Pros of Long-Form Copy
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- Allows for in-depth explanation and persuasion.
- Can address objections and concerns comprehensively.
- Builds trust and credibility with the audience.
- Suitable for complex products/services or high-ticket items.
- Better for SEO as it provides more content for search engines to index.
Cons of Long-Form Copy
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- Requires more time and effort to create.
- May overwhelm some readers.
- Risk of losing attention if not engagingly written.
Pros of Short-Form Copy
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- Grabs attention quickly and is easily digestible.
- Ideal for mobile users and those with limited time.
- Can be effective for impulse purchases.
- Works well for simple products/services or well-known brands.
- Often cheaper and quicker to produce.
Cons of Short-Form Copy
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- Limited space for conveying information and persuasion.
- Less room to address objections or provide detailed benefits.
- May not be suitable for building trust with skeptical audiences.
The thing is, both long-form and short-form copy have their strengths and weaknesses.
Ultimately, it’s important to consider your specific audience and objectives when choosing between long-form and short-form copy for your marketing campaigns.
Final Thoughts
The ideal length for your copy depends on the type of content and what the audience wants. Experiment with different lengths, monitor your analytics, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Knowing the ideal length for different types of copy makes writing copy easier. You don’t want to ramble on in your social media posts where people are in the scrolling mood.
Plus, you don’t want to provide only a brief 300-word sales copy for a 2000 USD item. No one will buy because they need more information.
Therefore, knowing the type of copy you want and its ideal length is your first step to writing compelling copy that sells.
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