copywriting
Write compelling copy using proven frameworks. Use when: (1) Creating headlines, ads, or CTAs, (2) Writing sales pages or emails, (3) Positioning products, (4) Validating copy quality.
When & Why to Use This Skill
This Claude skill is a comprehensive copywriting engine designed to generate high-converting marketing content using industry-standard frameworks like AIDA, PAS, and StoryBrand. It guides users through strategic workflows—from assessing audience awareness levels to crafting compelling headlines, sales pages, and brand positioning statements. By incorporating automated validation scripts and quality checks (such as the 4U's and 'Red Flag' word removal), it ensures all copy is specific, unique, and optimized for maximum engagement and conversion.
Use Cases
- Creating high-impact headlines and short-form ad copy for social media using the PAS (Problem-Agitate-Solution) or BAB (Before-After-Bridge) frameworks.
- Drafting long-form sales pages and email marketing sequences structured around the AIDA (Attention-Interest-Desire-Action) model to drive customer acquisition.
- Developing a clear brand identity and 'One-Liner' using the StoryBrand SB7 framework to ensure messaging is customer-centric and easy to understand.
- Auditing existing marketing materials to identify and rewrite 'red flag' buzzwords and abstract claims into concrete, falsifiable, and visualizable copy.
- Tailoring content length and tone based on Schwartz’s 5 Stages of Audience Awareness, ensuring the message resonates with both 'Unaware' and 'Most Aware' prospects.
| name | copywriting |
|---|---|
| description | > |
| Write compelling copy using proven frameworks. Use when | (1) Creating headlines, |
Copywriting
Write high-converting copy using proven marketing frameworks.
Quick Start
| Content Type | Formula | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Short ad, cold audience | PAS | Problem → Agitate → Solution |
| Long sales page | AIDA | Attention → Interest → Desire → Action |
| Social media post | BAB | Before → After → Bridge |
| Product description | FAB | Features → Advantages → Benefits |
| B2B/LinkedIn | SCQA | Situation → Complication → Question → Answer |
| Brand positioning | StoryBrand | Hero → Problem → Guide → Plan → CTA → Stakes → Success |
Workflow
What are you creating?
| Goal | Go to |
|---|---|
| Headlines or short-form copy | Headline Workflow |
| Sales pages, emails, long-form | Long-Form Workflow |
| Brand messaging or positioning | Positioning Workflow |
| Check existing copy quality | Validation Workflow |
Headline Workflow
Step 1: Assess Audience Awareness
Determine where the audience is on Schwartz's 5 Stages:
| Stage | They know... | Headline approach |
|---|---|---|
| Unaware | Nothing about the problem | Lead with emotion/identity |
| Problem-Aware | The pain, not solutions | Agitate the problem |
| Solution-Aware | Solutions exist, not yours | Differentiate your approach |
| Product-Aware | Your product, need convincing | Features, benefits, comparisons |
| Most Aware | Ready to buy | Price, offer, urgency |
For detailed strategies, read references/awareness.md.
Step 2: Select Formula
| Awareness Level | Best Formula |
|---|---|
| Unaware | Story-led, soft PAS |
| Problem-Aware | PAS, BAB |
| Solution-Aware | FAB, 4Ps |
| Product-Aware | AIDA, FAB with comparisons |
| Most Aware | Direct CTA, offer-focused |
Step 3: Apply Three Rules Validation
Before finalizing, every headline must pass:
| Rule | Test | Fail → Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Visualize | Can you see it? | "Transform workflow" → "From couch to 5K" |
| Falsify | Is it provable? | "High quality" → "Handstitched in Vermont since 1923" |
| Unique | Could a competitor say it? | "The better solution" → "1000 songs in your pocket" |
Step 4: Score with 4U's
Rate 1-4 for each. Target: 3.5+ average.
| U | Question |
|---|---|
| Useful | Does it show clear benefit? |
| Urgent | Is there time pressure? |
| Unique | Does it stand out? |
| Ultra-specific | Are there concrete details? |
Step 5: Validate
npx tsx scripts/validate-copy.ts "Your headline here"
Long-Form Workflow
Step 1: Assess Audience Awareness
Same as Headline Workflow Step 1. Key insight: Copy length increases as awareness decreases.
- Most Aware → Short, direct offer
- Unaware → Long-form education required
Step 2: Select Framework
| Scenario | Framework |
|---|---|
| Standard sales page | AIDA |
| Webinar/infomercial style | 4Ps (Promise → Picture → Proof → Push) |
| Email sequence | AIDA spread across emails |
| Problem-heavy audience | PAS expanded |
Step 3: Apply AIDA Structure
| Stage | Goal | Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| Attention | Stop the scroll | Bold headlines, questions, shocking stats |
| Interest | Build curiosity | Benefits, stories, "what's in it for me" |
| Desire | Create want | Social proof, transformation, FOMO |
| Action | Drive conversion | Clear CTA, urgency, risk reversal |
For full formula details, read references/formulas.md.
Step 4: Layer in Persuasion
Apply Cialdini's principles where appropriate:
| Principle | Copy Element |
|---|---|
| Reciprocity | Lead magnets, free value |
| Social Proof | "Join 50,000+ users", testimonials |
| Authority | "Featured in Forbes", credentials |
| Scarcity | "Only 3 left", countdown timers |
| Unity | "For developers, by developers" |
For full list, read references/persuasion.md.
Step 5: Validate
Run copy review checklist:
- One Mississippi test (understood in <2 seconds?)
- Every line visualizable?
- Every claim falsifiable?
- Competitor couldn't sign it?
- No paragraph >2 lines?
- No red flag words?
npx tsx scripts/validate-copy.ts "Your copy here"
Positioning Workflow
Step 1: Fill Positioning Canvas
FOR: [Target customer]
WHO: [Has this problem/need]
WE ARE: [Category/frame]
THAT: [Key benefit/difference]
UNLIKE: [Competitor/old way]
WE: [Proof point/unique capability]
Step 2: Apply StoryBrand SB7
Position customer as hero, brand as guide:
| Element | Role | Question |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Character | Hero (customer) | What do they want? |
| 2. Problem | External, Internal, Philosophical | What's blocking them? |
| 3. Guide | Your brand | Why can you help? |
| 4. Plan | 3-step process | How do they succeed? |
| 5. Call to Action | Direct + Transitional | What should they do? |
| 6. Failure | Stakes | What if they don't act? |
| 7. Success | Transformation | What does winning look like? |
Core principle: "If you confuse, you lose."
Step 3: Generate One-Liner
Formula: [Problem] + [Solution] + [Result]
Example:
"Most businesses struggle to explain what they do. We help you clarify your message. So customers actually listen."
Step 4: Apply Three Rules
Same as Headline Workflow Step 3. Every positioning statement must:
- Visualize (concrete, not abstract)
- Falsify (provable, not adjective soup)
- Be Unique (competitor couldn't say it)
Step 5: Run Tests
- T-shirt test: Would you print this on a shirt?
- One Mississippi: Understood in under 2 seconds?
- Competitor test: Could they sign this ad?
For detailed frameworks, read references/positioning.md.
Validation Workflow
Quick Validation
npx tsx scripts/validate-copy.ts "Your copy here"
Red Flag Words (Automatic rewrite)
| Red Flag | Problem |
|---|---|
| "Innovative solution" | Abstract, unfalsifiable |
| "Best in class" | Generic, competitor could say it |
| "Seamless experience" | Can't visualize |
| "Transform your..." | Abstract verb |
| "Cutting-edge" | Meaningless buzzword |
| Multiple adjectives | Hiding weak nouns |
| "And" 3+ times | Scope creep |
Full Checklist
For comprehensive validation, read references/validation.md.
Core Formulas Reference
PAS (Problem → Agitate → Solution)
The go-to for short-form copy.
| Stage | Goal | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Problem | Name the pain | "Spending hours on copy that doesn't convert?" |
| Agitate | Amplify emotion | "Every failed campaign costs leads and credibility." |
| Solution | Present cure | "Our AI writes high-converting copy in seconds." |
AIDA (Attention → Interest → Desire → Action)
The foundation for long-form sales.
| Stage | Goal |
|---|---|
| Attention | Stop the scroll with bold hook |
| Interest | Build curiosity with benefits |
| Desire | Create want with proof and emotion |
| Action | Clear CTA with urgency |
BAB (Before → After → Bridge)
Best for transformation stories.
| Stage | Goal |
|---|---|
| Before | Paint the problem world |
| After | Show transformed outcome |
| Bridge | Your solution connects them |
For all 7 formulas with full examples, read references/formulas.md.
Output Format
Always return copy with explanation:
**Copy:**
[The generated copy]
**Framework:** [Name]
[1-2 sentences: why this framework fits the use case]
**Validation:**
- Score: [X/4]
- [Any red flags or recommendations]
References
| File | When to read |
|---|---|
references/formulas.md |
Need full formula details or examples |
references/awareness.md |
Assessing audience awareness level |
references/persuasion.md |
Layering in psychological triggers |
references/positioning.md |
Brand messaging, StoryBrand, Three Rules |
references/validation.md |
Full quality checklist, 4U's scoring |