top of page
Writer's pictureSyntactical
Jan 14, 20222 min read

Short-Term Research Skills

Some forms of research are conducted over a period of years and years. But copywriters? We rarely have the luxury of that much time. So, what about short-term research skills?


What does it take to conduct effective research on a quick turnaround?


1. Narrow It Down


  • Information overload can paralyse you - so rein it in

  • Whenever possible, narrow things down, both in terms of topic and angle

  • Maintain a consistent awareness of when you're on or off topic - it's easy for research to tip into procrastination if you don't monitor yourself

  • Outline, plan ahead

  • Be highly specific

  • Target your research



2. Focus on Memorable Details


  • When you begin to conduct your research, what stands out to you?

  • What you sound most enthused about is what your audience will remember

  • Choose concrete details to ground your writing - statistics, case files, personal stories

  • Create and emphasise succinct and powerful one-liners

  • Choose the details that matter, lose the ones that don't - if you pack an article too full of facts, you put yourself in danger of losing your audience



3. Look For the Right Experts


  • The internet is saturated with self-proclaimed "experts"

  • Make sure that you're streamlining the research process by turning to the right sources from the word GO

  • Assess: What credentials does the source have? What evidence does the source present? How can I fact-check these claims?

  • Be sure that you understand the material correctly - misuse of academic language or misinterpretation of academic meaning will damage a copywriter's credentials



4. Don't be Afraid of Personal Touch


  • Nobody can know everything about a given topic after three days

  • Some personal touch can fill potential knowledge gaps

  • Rather than focusing on what you don't know, focus on what it is that only you can bring to the article

  • How much wiggle room is there in the brief you've been given? Is there space for the anecdotal? For translatable experiences?

  • Find an angle, tell a story



If you're interested in Syntactical's flexible range of copywriting services, don't hesitate to get in touch.


bottom of page