These days, I do a lot of SEO consulting and content strategy work. But a big part of my career was in copywriting. And when I write copy, some tools help me tremendously. Whether it’s doing research, writing the copy itself, or working with my clients, there are certain resources that help.
I previously shared tools I use for SEO work. I use some of them for copywriting, too. Below are some extras that I specifically use. You don’t need to be a copywriter. But these resources may help you either write your own copy or, when you outsource it, know what to look for or how to fix it.
Before I dive in, a caveat. These are my tools. They don’t have to be your tools. By all means, use whatever you’re comfortable with.
Google Docs
I use Google for pretty much everything. I used to do most of my copy work with Microsoft Word, but when Google came out with their online version (MS wasn’t there, yet), I switched. It’s not just for writing. It’s great for sharing and collaborating, especially with clients, editors, associates, etc.
Google Sheets
Same thing with Google Sheets. With Excel, emailing files back and forth was a nightmare. Which version is correct? Where did I save it? Did I email a copy? Instead, I prefer to use one document in one central location. Plus, the beauty is that it can also import and export in a variety of popular formats.
Google Keep
Research is a critical part of copywriting — or of any marketing endeavour for that matter. I often come across a ton of passages, sources, citations, images, etc I want to use or reference in my copy. With my browser plugin, I can select and save as I go, and add comments and notes to them.
Google Drive
I used to use multiple tools for online storage. The problem was that things got scattered. I prefer sticking everything in one place. And since I use Google for everything (I use Google Workspace for my practice), Google Drive makes it easy to save, share, collaborate on, and associate files with.
Slack
I admit that, for the longest time (particularly when I ran my own agency), I used Basecamp to manage my projects. But as an advisor, I don’t need it as much. Slack is simpler. Communication is the key benefit, with the ability to share, connect with Google assets, other apps like Zoom, etc.
Loom
Loom records my desktop and allows me to do copy critiques, project walkthroughs, demos, etc. It’s a great tool to communicate questions to clients, staff, suppliers, etc. But it’s also a great way to keep personal notes and record ideas. The fact that it integrates with Slack makes it a no-brainer.
CleanShot
Quite simply, CleanSot takes screenshots. But it’s quite effective at that job. It allows me to annotate, edit, and store clippings to the cloud. It also makes it easy to add copy elements such as social proof, create GIFs, and even has a timer if I need to use my mouse during recordings (such as mouseovers).
Q&A Sites
I visit question-and-answer websites for my research all the time. They’re rich sources of information for market research and ideas, too. To write compelling copy that connects with your audience, you need to know the questions people ask and how people talk about the problem you solve. My favorites include:
Grammarly
This is my favorite writing tool. I prefer it over Google Docs’ built-in grammar and spellchecking tools. I occasionally use Hemingway App when I want to check my writing, or when I need to express something with more clarity and conviction. If I do use it, it’s usually with the finished writing.
Headline Analyzer
Offered by CoSchedule, a marketing and editorial calendar, this tool provides a number of scores on your headlines, including readability, sentiment, skimmability, and engagement level. It also counts characters, which is good for headlines in ads and subject lines. I use it all the time.
RhymeZone
I’ve been using RhymeZone for ages. It’s helpful to find rhymes, related words, poems, quotations, literary references, and word variations. With Google Doc, I use several add-ons like PowerThesaurus.org to find synonyms. But when I need to find a related word, a variation, or a descriptive word, I use RhymeZone.
Descript
This is the newest tool in my arsenal. Often, I need to transcribe recordings to use as content for my copy. I often use Otter.ai for my transcriptions, but Descript takes it to whole new level. Its machine-learning capabilities are truly revolutionary, like cutting out all the “ums” and “ahs” in one click.
(I wish I used Descript more. But since upgrading to Mac’s Big Sur, it’s not working anymore. They have said they’re working on an update, so I’m patiently waiting. In the meantime, visit Descript and watch the video. It’s impressive.)
There you have some of my most commonly used tools. I have more, but hopefully this will get things started. What are yours? Let me know.
