Copywriting

Copywriting & Microcopy

Words are interface elements. They reduce confusion, build trust, and drive action. This skill helps you write copy for every surface of your product — from headlines to error messages.

> If ABOUT-ME.md and/or MY-ICP.md exist in the project root, read them before writing. Use ABOUT-ME.md for voice and tone — write like the founder. Use MY-ICP.md for message framing — speak to the customer's pain in their language. When both exist: the founder's voice delivers the customer's message.

Core Principles

• Clarity over cleverness. The user should never have to re-read a line.
• Write like a smart friend, not a corporation. Warm, direct, confident.
• Every word must earn its place. Cut ruthlessly.
• Benefits before features. "Save 4 hours a week" beats "Automated reporting."
• The best microcopy is invisible — it prevents the question before it's asked.
• Use the user's language, not your internal jargon.
• Specificity builds credibility. "Join 12,847 teams" beats "Join thousands."

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Workflow

- [ ] Identify what you're writing (headline, CTA, error, empty state, etc.)
- [ ] Define the ONE job this copy has (inform, persuade, reassure, guide)
- [ ] Write a draft using the patterns below
- [ ] Review against the voice checklist
- [ ] Test: read it aloud. If it sounds stiff, rewrite.

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Headlines

Formulas that work:

• [Desired outcome] without [pain point]: "Ship faster without breaking things"
• [Action verb] your [noun]: "Automate your workflows"
• The [noun] for [specific audience]: "The CRM for founders who hate CRMs"
• [Specific result] in [timeframe]: "Launch your landing page in 10 minutes"
• Stop [pain]. Start [gain]: "Stop chasing invoices. Start getting paid."

Tell AI:

Write 5 headline options for our [page type]:
- Product: [what it does]
- Audience: [who it's for]
- Main benefit: [what they get]
- Use these formulas: outcome without pain, specific result in timeframe, the X for Y
- Make each under 10 words
- Show the strongest option first with reasoning

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Button & CTA Copy

• Use first person: "Start my free trial" not "Start your free trial"
• Be specific: "Create dashboard" not "Submit" or "Continue"
• Reinforce value: "Get my report" not "Download"
• Reduce anxiety: Add reassurance below CTAs ("No credit card required", "Cancel anytime", "Free for up to 3 projects")
• Destructive actions: Name the consequence. "Delete project" not "Delete". Confirmation: "This will permanently delete 'Acme Dashboard' and all its data."

Tell AI:

Write CTA copy for our [signup / pricing / feature] page:
- Primary action: [what the user does]
- Current CTA text: [what it says now]
- Anxiety reducers needed: [credit card concern, commitment concern, etc.]
- Give me 3 options: safe, bold, and playful
- Include the helper text that goes below the button

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Error Messages

The most underrated copy in any product.

• Say WHAT happened in plain language.
• Say WHY it happened if it helps.
• Say HOW TO FIX IT — always.
• Never blame the user.

| Bad | Good | |-----|------| | "Invalid input" | "That email address doesn't look right — check for typos." | | "Error 403" | "You don't have access to this page. Ask your team admin for permission." | | "Something went wrong" | "We couldn't save your changes. Check your connection and try again." |

Tell AI:

Write error messages for these scenarios in our app:
1. [Form validation failure — what field, what's wrong]
2. [API/network error — what the user was trying to do]
3. [Permission error — what they tried to access]
4. [Not found — what they were looking for]

For each: plain language, no blame, include how to fix it.
Follow this pattern: What happened + Why (if helpful) + How to fix it.

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Empty States

Never leave a blank screen. Empty states are onboarding opportunities.

Structure: [Illustration or icon] + [What this area is for] + [Single CTA to get started]

Example: "No projects yet. Projects help you organize your work into focused streams. [Create your first project]"

Tell AI:

Write empty state copy for these screens:
1. [Screen name — what it shows when populated]
2. [Screen name — what it shows when populated]
3. [Screen name — what it shows when populated]

For each: one sentence explaining what this area is for + one CTA button text.
Keep it encouraging, not sad. The user just got here — show them the path forward.

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Onboarding Copy

• Welcome screen: Reinforce the value prop, not "Welcome to AppName."
• GOOD: "Let's get your first dashboard live in under 5 minutes."
• Progress indicators: "Step 2 of 4 — Connect your data source"
• Skip options: Always let users skip. "I'll do this later" not just "Skip."
• Tooltips: One idea per tooltip. Under 15 words.

Tell AI:

Write onboarding copy for our setup wizard:
- Product: [what it does]
- Steps: [list 3-5 setup steps]
- Aha moment: [when the user first gets value]

For each step: headline (under 8 words), description (under 25 words), button text.
Welcome screen should promise a quick win, not just say "Welcome."
Include skip option text for optional steps.

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Pricing Page Copy

• Plan names should signal audience: "Starter", "Team", "Business" — not "Bronze", "Silver", "Gold"
• Highlight the recommended plan with "Most popular" or "Best for most teams"
• Feature lists: Lead with differentiators, not shared features
• Use per-unit framing when it helps: "$8/user/month" feels smaller than "$80/month for 10 users"

See pricing skill for tier design and pricing strategy.

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Notification & Alert Copy

• Toasts: 6-10 words max. "Project saved" or "Invite sent to 3 teammates."
• Confirmation dialogs: State the action and consequence. "Delete 'Q4 Report'? This can't be undone."
• Success states: Celebrate briefly, then redirect. "You're all set. Your first report will be ready in about 2 minutes."

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Settings & Admin Copy

• Label everything as if the user has never seen it.
• Use helper text under form fields to explain implications.
• Toggle descriptions should state what ON means: "Email notifications — Receive an email when someone mentions you."

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Voice Calibration

• Casual moments (empty states, success, onboarding): Warmer, friendlier.
• Critical moments (errors, destructive actions, billing): Clear, calm, precise.
• Never use humor in error states or when the user might be frustrated.

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Copy Review Checklist

Before shipping any copy:

- [ ] Can a stranger understand this without context?
- [ ] Is every word earning its place? (cut filler)
- [ ] Benefits before features?
- [ ] Specific rather than vague?
- [ ] Active voice, not passive?
- [ ] Reads naturally aloud?
- [ ] Matches the moment's tone (casual vs. critical)?

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Common Mistakes

| Mistake | Fix | |---------|-----| | "Get started" on every button | Name the specific action: "Create project", "Send invite" | | Clever headline nobody understands | Test: would a stranger get it in 5 seconds? | | "Something went wrong" errors | Say what happened and how to fix it | | Empty screens with no guidance | Every empty state is an onboarding opportunity | | Corporate voice ("We are pleased to...") | Write like a human. "Here's what happened." | | Same CTA copy everywhere | Match CTA to the specific value of each page |

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Related Skills

• landing-page — Full page structure and section-by-section copy
• conversion — CRO techniques to make copy convert better
• humanize — Remove AI writing patterns from generated copy
• brand-identity-generator — Establish voice and tone before writing

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: whawkinsiv
• Source: whawkinsiv/solo-founder-skills
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.