logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2019
30m 42s

Sweary Copy: Smart tactic or too try har...

KATE TOON & BELINDA WEAVER
About this episode

To swear (in copy) or not to swear (in copy) that is the question.

As copywriters, we’re always having to change the way we write to adapt to the times. And these days everyone seems to love to eff and blind like a mofo, right? What once packed a punch, is now old school.  And some things that seem edgy are not as great as they’re cracked up to be - or make you sound like a try-hard teen.

Today, we look at the pros and cons of writing sweary copy. Is it a good tactic to add to your belt or is it putting readers off? We’ve even got some fancy psychology and stats around copy with swear words.

Is writing sweary copy something to try or try-hard? Let’s dig in and find out.

Tune in to learn:

  • Different types of swearing
  • Belinda and Kate's tolerance levels for swearing (one is a sailor, one is not)
  • What happened when Kate swore, once
  • The vocabulary payoff for swear-bears
  • How to respond to a client who asks for swearing
  • Different ways you can add swearing to your copy, without swearing in your copy

 

What do you think?

What do you think when you see swearing in copywriting? Do you love it or hate? Have you written sweary copy before? Let us know on our Facebook page or on Twitter.

Share the pod love

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Oh and big hugs to Mandy Yoxall from Australia for her lovely testimonial.

Useful links:

 

 

Up next
Dec 2021
Hot Copy Christmas Special!
Hello and welcome to this special festive episode of the Hot Copy Podcast. Belinda and I have come back together to roast some chestnuts, neck some egg nog and talk all things copy. So if you’re ready to put up your stockings with us and wait for Father Christmas to slip down you ... Show More
56m 26s
Sep 2020
End of Series 1! Series 2 coming in 2021.
Did you know we've been creating this podcast since 2015 -- never missing an episode? Well, not until 2020. 2020 has been the year of "the surge" for us both. In this special episode, we go through how we've handled working through the pandemic and what's happening with the Hot C ... Show More
29m 17s
Aug 2020
Regional Copywriting: Marketing to a Rural Audience with Sarah Walkerden
Have you ever felt cooped up in a corporate office, staring outside at the trees, wishing you could leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind? Waking up mid-morning, taking a coffee onto the veranda, and staring out at wide-open pastures with birds chirping? While it’s a ni ... Show More
19m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2024
#641: Podcasting Secrets & Strategies For Dominating The Charts with Hala Taha, Founder Of YAP Media
How LinkedIn can elevate your podcast and your business with Hala Taha. If you're listening to the Online Marketing Made Easy show, I'm guessing you're a fan of podcasts, right? If you've ever thought about starting a podcast or wanted to leverage LinkedIn to grow your podcast an ... Show More
43m 58s
Mar 2024
#661: The Copywriting Tips & Trends You Don’t Wanna Snooze On In 2024 with Laura Belgray
My friend, today's episode is truly a treat! My fantastic guest and I go way back (I'm talking 15 incredible years) and she is a real-deal copywriting genius who had her first million-dollar year just as she turned 50. She's here to share all of her proven copywriting tips and tr ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 2023
DBE 0138: How to Monetize Your Podcast and Build an Engaged Community with Kacia Ghetmiri
In this episode of the Digital Business Evolution podcast, Jess is joined by the amazing Kacia Ghetmiri! Get ready for a juicy episode all about tactical ways to engage with your community, why quitting is not a bad thing, and monetizing your podcast. Kacia explores how to effect ... Show More
1h 12m
Nov 2022
Hala Taha: How I Built A Personal Brand And Massive Following On LinkedIn and YAP Podcast (Creative Counsel Podcast)
The podcast world has blown up over the past decade, so the rules for podcasting have changed rapidly and significantly. How can a strong personal brand and social media presence improve your chances of gaining a large podcast following? Good news - The Podcast Princess has the a ... Show More
56m 29s
Aug 2024
Building a Personal Brand Using Words with Delia Monk
Delia Monk is a sales copywriter and positioning expert for coaches, creatives and consultants. In this episode, Chris and Delia discuss how Delia’s previous travel business was impacted by the pandemic, and how she decided to use her writing skills and develop a career as a prof ... Show More
29m 20s
Oct 2019
54: Content to Cash
If you think that spending a lot of time creating a ton of content will attract your dream clients and turn them into paying customers... then you're committing one of the most common mistakes in content marketing! In this episode, I tell you how you can create high quality conte ... Show More
9m 27s
Jan 2025
607: Why You're Probably Wasting Money On Digital Marketing (And What Works Better At Getting Clients) with John Tyreman of Red Cedar Marketing
In this episode, Rion Willard dives into the world of podcasting for professional services firms with John Tyreman, the mastermind behind Red Cedar Marketing. John shares his journey from agency life to becoming a fractional marketing director, carving a niche in podcast marketin ... Show More
49m 21s
Feb 2025
#752: The Art & Science of Sales Page Copy: Tips From Pro Copywriters
Quick tips for writing irresistible copy! From emails to social media and sales page messaging, listen for tricks that will sell your product instantly. In this episode, I share: (4:47) How to clearly define the problem your offer solves (9:40) Simple tips for writing personalize ... Show More
36m 56s
Jan 2024
"I Make $10k to $30k Per Month From My Sweet Food Blog"
Want some timely tips on how to grow an audience and brand from the ground up? Jessica Holmes is on the podcast to share the surprisingly unique perspectives she's gained from growing a successful food blog. Just as a sample: She wants direct traffic more than SEO traffic She use ... Show More
59m 56s
Jun 24
Design Like a Big Brand, on a Small Budget with Jen Olmstead
The Website Upgrade Your Business Has Been Waiting For Want a brand that instantly builds trust and makes you money? It all starts with your website. In this episode, I’m joined by Jen Olmstead, co-founder and lead designer of Tonic Site Shop. Jen is a design powerhouse with a jo ... Show More
41m 58s