Persuasive Writing with AI

Marketing copy is where words directly impact revenue. Every word must earn its place. AI excels at generating variations and testing different approaches—but marketing copy requires understanding of psychology, persuasion, and your specific audience that AI alone doesn't have.

The sweet spot: Use AI for ideation and variation, then apply your marketing judgment to select and refine winners.

Email Marketing with AI:

Subject Line Generation:

Subject lines determine whether emails get opened. AI can generate dozens of options quickly:

Effective prompt structure:
'Generate 10 email subject lines for: Audience: [specific audience segment] Email purpose: [announcement/promotion/nurture/etc] Key benefit: [what's in it for them] Tone: [urgent/curious/helpful/exciting] Constraints: - 40-50 characters (mobile preview) - No spam trigger words (free, limited time, act now) - Include [specific keyword if needed] - A/B test worthy—distinctly different approaches Product/Context: [brief description]'

Example:
'Generate 10 subject lines: Audience: E-commerce store owners with 100-500 orders/month Purpose: Announce new inventory management feature Benefit: Automatically prevents overselling Tone: Relief/problem-solved Constraints: 40-50 chars, no hype words Provide 3 benefit-focused, 3 curiosity-focused, 2 question-based, 2 urgency-based'

Preview Text Optimization:

The preview text (first 40-90 characters) works with the subject line:

Prompt:
'For this subject line: '[subject]' Write 3 preview text options that: - Extend the intrigue (don't repeat subject) - Add one new piece of information - Create desire to open - 60-90 characters Email content: [brief summary of email]'

Email Body Frameworks:

AI can apply proven copywriting frameworks:

PAS (Problem-Agitate-Solution):
'Write email body using PAS framework: Problem: [specific pain point] Agitate: [why this hurts/costs them] Solution: [your product/service] Details: - Keep to 150 words - One clear CTA: [action] - Conversational tone - Include social proof: [statistic or testimonial] Audience: [description]'

AIDA (Attention-Interest-Desire-Action):
'Write promotional email using AIDA: Attention: Open with surprising stat about [topic] Interest: Explain why [product] solves [problem] Desire: Paint picture of life with problem solved Action: CTA to [specific action] Length: 200 words Tone: Excited but not salesy Offer: [your offer]'

Personalization at Scale:

Prompt for variable segments:
'Write email template with personalization variables: Base message: [core message] Create variations for: - New customers (first 30 days) - Active customers (used in last week) - Dormant customers (30+ days inactive) Each should: - Reference their behavior level - Adjust tone accordingly - Include relevant CTA Mark variables with [brackets]'

Sales Copy and Landing Pages:

Headline Testing:

Headlines are the most important element on any page:

Prompt:
'Generate 12 landing page headlines for A/B testing: Product: [description] Target: [audience] Main benefit: [benefit] Provide 3 of each type: - Direct benefit ('Get X in Y time') - Question-based ('Struggling with X?') - How-to ('How to X without Y') - Transformation ('From X to Y') 6-10 words each. Avoid hype.'

Value Proposition Development:

Prompt:
'Help me craft a compelling value proposition: Product: [description] Target customer: [specific segment] Primary benefit: [benefit] Unique differentiator: [what competitors don't offer] Format as: - One-line value prop (10-15 words) - Supporting subheadline (20-30 words) - Three bullet points of proof/benefits Make it specific and credible, not generic hype.'

Feature → Benefit Translation:

AI helps translate technical features into user benefits:

Prompt:
'Translate these product features into customer benefits: Features: - [Feature 1: technical description] - [Feature 2: technical description] - [Feature 3: technical description] For each, write: - Benefit headline (5-7 words, benefit-focused) - Description (30-40 words, outcome-focused) - Mini case study (50 words: specific scenario) Audience: [description—avoid jargon they won't know]'

Social Proof Integration:

Prompt:
'I have these testimonials/data points: [Paste raw testimonials or stats] Transform into compelling social proof sections: 1. Pull the most powerful quote from each testimonial 2. Add context (who they are, their situation) 3. Emphasize the transformation/result 4. Format for landing page (25-30 words each) Make them feel authentic, not salesy.'

Ad Copy Creation:

Google/Facebook Ads:

Prompt structure:
'Create ad copy for [platform]: Product: [description] Audience: [targeting details] Goal: [clicks/conversions/awareness] Offer: [specific offer] Format: - Headline: [character limit] - Description: [character limit] - CTA: [action] Constraints: - No sensational claims - Include price/offer if applicable - Qualify audience (filter out wrong people) Generate 5 variations testing different angles'

Example for Facebook:
'Create 5 Facebook ad variations: Product: Online course on freelance writing Audience: People considering quitting 9-5 to freelance Goal: Course enrollment Price: $297 Format: - Headline: 40 chars max - Primary text: 125 chars - CTA: 'Learn More' Test angles: fear (staying stuck), aspiration (freedom), social proof (others succeeding), curiosity (unique method), urgency (limited spots)'

Retargeting Copy:

Different copy for people who've already interacted:

Prompt:
'Write retargeting ad for people who: - Visited landing page - Didn't purchase - 3-7 days ago Address likely objections: - [Objection 1: e.g., price] - [Objection 2: e.g., timing] - [Objection 3: e.g., trust] Include: New angle or information they didn't see initially Offer: [e.g., payment plan, guarantee, bonus] Tone: Understand their hesitation, provide reassurance'

Product Descriptions:

E-commerce Product Copy:

Prompt:
'Write e-commerce product description: Product: [name and basic description] Features: [list] Target customer: [description] Purchase context: [when/why they're shopping] Structure: - Hook line (15-20 words): Why they need this - Features (50-75 words): What it is/does - Benefits (50-75 words): How life improves - Specifications: [list key specs] Tone: [specify] SEO keyword: [keyword to include naturally]'

Variation Testing:

Prompt:
'For this product: [description] Create 3 description variations emphasizing different angles: Version A: Emphasize quality and durability Version B: Emphasize convenience and time-savings Version C: Emphasize status and how it makes them look Same info, different emotional appeal. 100 words each.'

Call-to-Action (CTA) Optimization:

Button Copy:

Prompt:
'Generate 10 CTA button options for: Action: [what happens when clicked] Page context: [what page, what they've read] Offer: [what they get] Requirements: - 2-5 words - Action-oriented verb - Value-focused (not just 'Submit' or 'Click Here') - Creates urgency or curiosity - Appropriate for [B2B/B2C] context Examples of good CTAs for reference: 'Get My Free Guide,' 'Start Saving Today,' 'Show Me How''

CTA Context:

The line before the CTA button matters:

Prompt:
'Write the sentence BEFORE this CTA button: '[button text]' Purpose: Increase motivation to click Options: - Overcome objection: [specific concern] - Add urgency: [why now] - Summarize value: [what they get] - Social proof: [others doing it] Write 5 variations (15-25 words each) testing different psychological triggers.'

Email Sequences and Nurture Campaigns:

Welcome Series:

Prompt:
'Design 5-email welcome sequence for new subscribers: Business: [description] Subscriber opted in for: [lead magnet] Goal: Move them toward [desired action] For each email: - Subject line - Purpose (what this email achieves) - Key points (2-3 main messages) - CTA - Send timing (Day 1, Day 3, etc.) Sequence should: Build relationship, provide value, soft-sell to [product/service]'

Re-engagement Campaigns:

Prompt:
'Write 3-email re-engagement series for inactive subscribers: Inactive defined as: No open in 90 days Previous engagement: [what they were interested in] Email 1 (Day 1): Are you still interested? - Acknowledge absence - Remind of value - Ask to confirm interest - Tone: Casual, not desperate Email 2 (Day 4): Last chance / special offer - Incentive to re-engage - Clear benefit - Easy action Email 3 (Day 7): Goodbye (unsubscribe them gracefully) - Thank them - Leave door open - Final value piece Write full copy for each, 100-150 words per email.'

Conversion Optimization Techniques:

Objection Handling:

Prompt:
'My product: [description], Price: [price] Common objections: 1. [Objection] 2. [Objection] 3. [Objection] For each, write: - Empathy statement (acknowledge their concern) - Reframe (new perspective) - Proof point (why concern is mitigated) - Format as FAQ (Question → Answer, 50-75 words) Make answers feel honest, not salesy deflection.'

Guarantee Language:

Prompt:
'Write compelling guarantee copy for: Product: [description] Guarantee terms: [e.g., 30-day money-back] Create: - Headline for guarantee section (8-12 words) - Explanation (75-100 words) that: - Makes process easy - Removes risk - Builds trust - Doesn't sound defensive Include: Simple instructions for claiming refund'

The Marketing Copy Checklist:

Before using any AI-generated marketing copy:

• ☐ Specific to audience: Could only be written for this segment?
• ☐ One clear message: Not trying to say too much?
• ☐ Benefit-focused: Outcomes, not features?
• ☐ Credible claims: Can you back up everything stated?
• ☐ Clear CTA: Obvious next step?
• ☐ Appropriate urgency: Motivating without being manipulative?
• ☐ Brand voice: Sounds like your brand?
• ☐ Mobile friendly: Works on small screens?
• ☐ A/B testable: Clear hypothesis for testing?
• ☐ Legal/compliant: No problematic claims?

Common Marketing Copy Mistakes:

1. Feature Dumping:

AI tendency: Listing all features without connecting to benefits.

Fix: For every feature mentioned, immediately state 'which means you can [benefit].'

2. Generic Superlatives:

AI tendency: 'Revolutionary,' 'innovative,' 'cutting-edge,' 'world-class'

Fix: Replace with specific, measurable claims. Instead of 'incredibly fast,' say 'loads in under 2 seconds.'

3. Burying the Lede:

AI tendency: Building up to the offer instead of leading with value.

Fix: Put the most compelling benefit in the headline. Context can come second.

4. Weak CTAs:

AI tendency: 'Click here,' 'Learn more,' 'Submit'

Fix: Value-driven: 'Get My Free Guide,' 'Start Saving Today,' 'See My Results'

Marketing copy is where your judgment matters most. AI generates raw material—your marketing expertise selects what works and refines it for maximum conversion.