- Write On
- Posts
- Forget the fruit loops and loop de loops
Forget the fruit loops and loop de loops
Learn how to use open loops in your copy.
Joe Portsmouth
March 29, 2023
Welcome to the 10th issue of Write On!
We’re diving right into the action this week.
Estimated read time: 3 minutes, 5 seconds
But first, a quick shoutout for the crew over at Ship 30 for 30:
It fixed my broken writing system so that I could easily churn out content (on top of a full-time job).
It gave me the confidence to start this newsletter (when my previous newsletter was stalling out).
It helped increase my engagement on Twitter and LinkedIn by relearning the principles of great writing.
Bottom line: Ship 30 is THE course to start writing online and build your audience.
Their next cohort starts in 2 days on April 2nd. With a 100%, no-questions-asked refund policy, you have nothing to lose.
Top Finds This Week:
📖 Storytelling: A sneaky powerful lesson in storytelling from the creators of South Park
🧠 Psychology: 10 science-backed research recommendations that defy common sense (but actually work) to amplify your copywriting
🖼 Framework: How to write engaging content (without being an expert)
📜 Principles: Can you guess the next big thing in marketing? (Hint: it’s not AI or ChatGPT)
⚙️ Resource: The Ultimate CTA Examples Library — create CTAs so good even your grandma will click on them.
🤖 AI: How to turn ChatGPT into your personal writing assistant.
—
🎁 Bonus: In case you missed it, I created a 263-word mega prompt for you using ChatGPT and the PAS copywriting framework. So you can write full marketing emails in seconds (100% free for all Write On subs always)!
Did you know you have access to this copywriting guide (plus 8 others)? Click here to check out the entire collection of Write On copywriting guides.
How To Use Open Loops Like A Pro:
This thread below might look familiar if you clicked on the link to today’s AI section.
Dickie not only delivered a masterclass on how to use ChatGPT as your personal writing assistant…
He showed us how to use open loops like a pro.
Let me explain.
First, let’s align on what an open loop is:
“The open loop technique is a copywriting trick where you open a story in your copy, but never close it with a satisfactory ending. Kind of like opening a loop, but never closing it. It works because our brains are hardwired to seek out the information we desire.”
Dickie used this technique to perfection in his thread. Let’s break it down piece by piece.
The Hook:
“I was just a poor prompt writer.” — This is our starting point. A feeling many people can relate to right now.
“spending hundreds of hours” — A lot must’ve happened in those hours.
“now, it’s my personal writing assistant.” — What the hell happened in those hundreds of hours that changed everything? Loop opened.
The Meat:
Attention spans are short on Twitter. It’s not enough to open the loop in the hook tweet and call it a day.
You need to keep your reader engaged all the way to the end of the thread.
Look at how Dickie effortlessly weaves open loops into the majority of this thread.
This piece of writing flows so smoothly that you have no idea he’s hooked you with open loop after open loop.
7 of the first 8 tweets in this thread have an open loop.
It keeps you reading the next tweet. Then the next tweet. Then the next tweet…
💡 Bottom line: The open loop is a powerful copywriting technique when used correctly. How often are you thinking about open loops when you’re writing copy?
P.S. If you didn’t know, Dickie is the co-founder of Ship 30 for 30 (the course I mentioned at the top of today’s issue). You’d be learning directly from him if you decided to hop aboard. Like I said… highest ROI course I’ve taken as an online writer.
That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading.
See you next Wednesday!
Joe
Always leave on a high note
P.S. Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
I’ve generated over $50,000,000 in email marketing revenue throughout my career. Want me to write emails for you? Shoot me an email, and let’s work together.
Check out a list of my favorite copywriting tools and resources — perfect for any creator or solopreneur.
Craving more writing tips? Check out past issues of Write On here.
P.P.S. And if you've got a moment, I'd love to get your feedback:
What did you think of today's newsletter? |
A WRITE ON REVIEW:
