TOC #220: Being amazing is ANNOYING and CRIPPLING (here's how to fix!)
(March 11, 2025) How to get started writing your website copy when you don't know where to start and everything feels hard
Crippling.
It's crippling!
Like actually, genuinely, literally CRIPPLING. In caps lock.
You don't even have to have a squirrel rattling around your brain to agree with me.
(Although you may agree with me much more fiercely if you do.)
Getting started is crippling.
Not getting started on anything specific. Just getting started. Period.
Doesn't matter if you're dreading the task or if you're amazing the task, getting started is crippling.
Honestly, I often find it even more crippling to get started if I AM amazing at the task, because then my brain is like “what the fuck, Sara, we have to go be amazing today? are you fucking kidding me? can't we just be average or something? you're so annoying” and then she squirrels off to the gym and pretends like she doesn't have a damn thing to do.
Or, worse: she squirrels off into another task that does NOT need to be done at that exact moment — realistically, it doesn't need to be done at all for weeks — despite the original crippling task needing to be done now, right now, today.
As you know, I am an Expert Website Copywriter.
(I used title case just now so you'd know I mean business.)
Website Girl, if you will.
According to me, and my website, and my Instagram title, and everyone who has ever worked with me or learned from me, I am Good At Website Copy.
(See that title case again? Business.)
So I should be… good at starting my website copy projects, right?
One would think!
Alas, I am not.
I have worked tirelessly for YEARS to get Good At Starting My Website Copy Projects.
Buuuut I have ADHD.
So, unfortunately, I am Not Good at Getting Started.
HOWEVER!
I am happy to report that I am Better at Getting Started then when I first became a Website Copywriter all those years ago, and I'm here to share with you exactly what I do when I'm dreading the Getting Started.
The first step is setting myself up for success.
For me, this means scheduling out my project with the appropriate amount of time on my calendar, the second my client books their kickoff call.
Then, I tell the client a due date 2 days later than the one I put on my calendar.
Then, I forget I ever said that to them, and internalize my calendar's due date as the truth.
(Fast forward with me through the rest of the onboarding, the reviewing of the questionnaire, and the kickoff call.)
Then, I spend an hour working on the project immediately after the kickoff call, because I've come to realize this is when I'm the most Fired Up about the project.
Then, when it comes time for me to sit down and spend a considerable time drafting the actual website, I start with the easiest parts.
How to start your website copy when you don't know where to start
If I were you, DIYing my own website copy right now, this is what I'd do:
I'D START WITH THE EASIEST PARTS.
Writing your own website copy only feels complicated because you're MAKING it feel complicated.
You don't need to write it in order.
You don't need to “make everything sound professional.”
You don't need to be a professional copywriter.
You just need to START.
So, if I were you, 👇 THIS 👇 is how I'd do it:
WITH THE EASIEST PARTS.
(This actually *is* what I do as a professional expert website copywriter, so I don't know why I said “if I were you” bc… this is what I do as me. Bye.)
For me, the easiest parts are the things I don't need to be too strategic or creative about. They're the things that I can write quickly, to build momentum.
Here are two easy things you can start with!
#1 — Keyword-rich headlines for Home and Services
Because I do my keyword research prior to writing my website copy (highly recommend, so you don't have to redo any of your copy after finding the best keyword for each page), I already have my chosen keyword for each page.
This makes it wicked easy for me to just plug in the keyword into the headline!
If you're struggling with this, use a formula like:
“[Keyword] for [audience] who wants to [solution]”
OR
“The [adjective] [keyword] for [audience] who hates [insert thing you'll take off their plate]”
OR something easy as…
“[Keyword] services] for [audience]”
#2 — The “what's included” section of the Services page
This section is always super easy to write because, well… duh, right? You're writing what's included. You're writing how much it costs. You're writing all the WHATs, which are easy.
Once you have the WHATs done, you can move onto the HOWs (like your process, etc) which are easy, too.
Then, you have enough momentum for all the WHYs.
After that, I'd move onto another Easy Task: filling in all of the testimonials on all of the pages — they might even give you copy ideas! Slay.
IF YOU WANT DIY-ING YOUR WEBSITE COPY TO BE EASIER → I quite literally made this course for YOU.
Site Series® SPRINT is the only website copywriting course that teaches you EVERYTHING you need to know about web copy without overwhelming the fuck out of you, because each task is broken down into little sprints (like the ones you just read above!) — making drafting feel SIMPLE.
The course covers copywriting basics, website copywriting, SEO, and website launching, so you won't leave the course confused about A THING.
I also review the website copy for ALL of my students, so you can be sure your site is a slay and a half before launching it. Get the course details here!
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If we haven’t had the chance to *virtually* meet yet, hi! I’m Sara Noel—website copywriter and marketing mentor for creatives, copywriters, and all-around cool people. If you like my content and you want even more BTL in your life, here are a few ways you can connect with me:
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