Part of 🧠SECTION 1: Copywriting & AI – The New Opportunity in AI Copywriting Business Crash Course (25-Part Series)
Or: How to Write Words That (Gently) Make People Do Things Without Feeling Like a Used Car Salesman
Let’s Kick Things Off with a Question:
Have you ever convinced someone to try pineapple on pizza… and they actually liked it?
If so, congratulations — you’ve already dipped your toe into the warm, mysterious waters of persuasive writing. 🍕
Now, let’s take that natural charm and build it into something you can use in emails, sales pages, ads, and even awkward birthday card sign-offs.
Wait, What Is Persuasive Writing, Anyway?
Imagine writing something that makes a person feel understood, then gently nudges them to say “yes” — to a product, an idea, or even a lifestyle change. That’s persuasive writing.
It’s not manipulation.
It’s not trickery.
It’s empathy with a keyboard.
At its core, persuasive writing is about connecting with real people, not “target demographics” in sterile spreadsheets.
You’re not writing at someone. You’re writing to them. (Or better yet, with them in mind — like you’ve been secretly watching their Netflix queue and know exactly what they need.)
My First Lesson in Persuasion (True Story)
When I was twelve, I wanted a puppy. My mom was firmly anti-dog. So, I wrote her a letter.
It started with:
“I get it. You don’t want fur on the couch and chewed-up slippers.”
Then I hit her with:
“But I also know how you always wanted a companion on your evening walks — one who doesn’t complain the whole time.”
I included a photo of a sleepy golden retriever and ended with:
“His name could be Charlie. Just imagine us walking him through the park after dinner.”
Boom. We got the dog.
No bullet points. No corporate lingo. Just empathy, emotion, and a little vision-casting.
That’s persuasive writing. Whether you’re 12 or building a funnel for a six-figure brand.
Alright, So What Makes Writing Persuasive?
Let’s break it down like a Netflix drama intro — quickly, with mood:
1. Empathy: Feel Before You Sell
If you don’t understand your reader’s pain, frustration, or dream… you can’t persuade them. Period.
Ask yourself:
- What keeps them up at night? (Besides TikTok.)
- What do they wish someone would just get?
- What change are they craving?
Write like you’ve been in their shoes. (Even if you hated the shoes.)
2. Emotion: Logic Doesn’t Sell Alone
People buy with emotion and justify with logic. That’s why we fall in love with a brand story before we care about the product specs.
Want proof? Think about your last impulse buy. Did you “analyze the ROI of the investment”? Or did you feel some type of way?
Right. Emotion wins hearts — and wallets.
3. Clarity: Say It Plainly or Lose the Game
Let me be blunt for a second. If your copy sounds like it was written by a robot who swallowed a thesaurus? You’ve already lost.
Use real words. Talk like a human. Aim for clarity, not cleverness.
A confused reader doesn’t buy. They bounce. They ghost. They find another tab and never return. RIP.
4. Specificity: Vague Doesn’t Persuade
Compare:
- “We help businesses grow online.”
vs. - “We helped a small handmade soap brand triple their revenue in 3 months through a killer email strategy.”
Which one hits harder? (Exactly.)
5. Structure: Guide the Eye, Don’t Overwhelm It
Keep your writing scannable:
- Short paragraphs
- Bullet points (like this)
- Bold when it matters
- White space = breathing room
No one wants to climb Mount Paragraph.
Quick Sidebar: What AI Can and Can’t Do for You
AI is super helpful when you’re starting out. It can help you:
- Brainstorm headline ideas
- Generate first drafts
- Reword awkward sentences
But here’s the thing: AI doesn’t know what it feels like to cry over a failed launch. Or to light up at the idea of working from a beach in Lisbon with your laptop and an overpriced coffee.
You do.
That emotional insight? That’s where persuasion lives.
AI’s the sous chef. You’re the head chef. Don’t forget that.
Examples Time! (Because Theory Without Practice is Just Homework)
Example 1: Meh Copy
“Join our newsletter for updates.”
Yawn. We’ve seen that a thousand times.
Now, let’s add empathy + clarity + a sprinkle of sass:
“Hate boring emails? Ours aren’t. Get smart insights, real talk, and zero spam. We send emails we’d actually open.”
See the difference?
Tiny Persuasive Writing Tricks I Swear By:
- Use “you” a lot. It’s about them, not you.
- Swap “features” for “benefits.”
(Not “50GB of storage” — it’s “room for all your files, photos, and spontaneous video ideas.”) - Add a why now?
(Urgency matters: “Only 3 spots left” hits different.) - Paint a picture of what life could look like after they say yes.
Final Thoughts (aka The Pep Talk Section)
Learning persuasive writing is a lot like learning how to flirt. Awkward at first. Occasionally cringey. But when you get the hang of it? Pure magic.
You don’t need to be the loudest, smartest, or funniest person in the room. You just need to:
- Pay attention
- Tell the truth (the good kind)
- Make your reader feel seen
And hey, it’s okay if your first attempts feel weird. That’s called progress.
So go ahead. Write something today. Persuade gently. Speak with heart. Let AI help you get there faster, but make sure you’re still the one steering.
We need your voice in the mix.
Especially if you’re the kind of person who’d write their mom a heartfelt letter just to get a dog named Charlie.