Why You Need Copywriting Exercises
Want to write copy that converts? Like any skill, great copywriting takes practice. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro, these 10 targeted exercises will help you write clearer, more persuasive copy – fast.
According to Marketing Experiments, writers who practice specific techniques improve conversion rates 47% faster than those who don’t. Ready to level up? Let’s dive in.
1. The “Before-After-Bridge” Workout
What it teaches: Transforming features into compelling benefits
How to do it:
- Pick a random product (coffee maker, accounting software, etc.)
- Write:
- Before: The customer’s current frustration
- After: Their ideal outcome
- Bridge: How the product solves it
Example:
Before: “Wasting hours on messy spreadsheets”
After: “Financial clarity in minutes”
Bridge: “Our software automates your bookkeeping”
Pro Tip: Do this daily for a week – you’ll start seeing benefits everywhere.
2. Headline A/B Testing Challenge
What it teaches: Writing attention-grabbing headlines
How to do it:
- Write 5 headlines for the same product
- Test them on Coschedule’s Headline Analyzer
- Note which emotional triggers score highest
Variations to try:
- Number headlines (“7 Secrets…”)
- Question headlines (“Tired of…?”)
- How-to headlines (“How to…”)
3. The “Cut It in Half” Edit
What it teaches: Concise writing
How to do it:
- Take an existing piece of copy (yours or someone else’s)
- Rewrite it using exactly half the words
- Keep all key messages intact
Why it works: A HubSpot study found that shorter copy often converts better when testing landing pages.
4. Customer Avatar Interview
What it teaches: Writing to your ideal customer
How to do it:
- Interview 3 actual customers
- Ask:
- “What was your biggest frustration before buying?”
- “What almost stopped you from purchasing?”
- “What results have you seen?”
- Use their exact words in your next sales page
5. The “No Adjectives” Challenge
What it teaches: Powerful verb/noun choices
How to do it:
Write a product description without using ANY adjectives. Only:
- Concrete nouns
- Active verbs
- Specific numbers
Example:
❌ “Amazing, life-changing results”
✅ “Clients gain 3.2 more hours daily”
6. Swipe File Reverse Engineering
What it teaches: Analyzing winning copy
How to do it:
- Collect 5 high-converting sales pages
- For each:
- Highlight emotional triggers
- Note transition techniques
- Mark where they place the CTA
Great sources: Really Good Emails, Swiped.co
7. The “One Idea Per Sentence” Drill
What it teaches: Clear communication
How to do it:
Take a complex paragraph and rewrite it so:
- Each sentence contains just one idea
- No sentence exceeds 14 words
- All jargon is removed
Why it matters: American Press Institute research shows comprehension drops 10% for every extra idea per sentence.
8. Objection Handling Practice
What it teaches: Anticipating concerns
How to do it:
- List every possible reason someone wouldn’t buy
- Write a 1-sentence response to each
- Turn the best into FAQ sections
Common objections:
- “It’s too expensive” → “Costs less than 3 coffees/week”
- “Will it work for me?” → “92% of users see results in 2 weeks”
9. The “Twitter Length” Test
What it teaches: Essential messaging
How to do it:
Describe your product/service in:
- 280 characters (a tweet)
- Then 140 characters
- Then 50 characters
What survives is your core message.
10. Sensory Description Practice
What it teaches: Vivid writing
How to do it:
Describe a product using:
- 1 taste comparison
- 1 sound analogy
- 1 texture reference
Example (for a CRM):
“Frustration-free like your first sip of morning coffee, clicks that sound like satisfied snaps, smooth as fresh notebook paper.”
Putting It All Together
The best writers aren’t born – they’re trained. Schedule just 15 minutes daily for these exercises, and you’ll see dramatic improvements in:
- Clarity
- Persuasiveness
- Conversion rates