Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Copywriting Tips From The Joker

Batman's eternal archenemy, The Joker, was created in 1940. Originally conceived as a 'one-and-done' villain, he was somehow spared, and the rest, as they say, is history. This, btw, isn't new: Many iconic literary and movie characters that were intended for an early knockout were given a longer life, and became all-time classic characters.

In television and movies, of course, he was played memorably by iconic actors: The late Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, and Juaqin Phoenix, each one bringing his unique talents and spin on the role: Campy, funny, psychotic, serious - or all four. The Joker has many memorable quotes, most of them between himself and Batman. Many of which can be applied to the world of copywriting and content writing. Time to put on some makeup on your copywriting and content - Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! copywriting tips from The Joker!

"Why so serious?"

Short, sweet, and straight to the point. It hits and stays with the viewer, user and reader. Like Sherlock Holmes' famous catchphrase, The game is afoot! It's Halloween, so - why so serious? Why is your living room so serious? Liven it up with [....] Why at home (alone?), why with (this brand/service)?

"Put on a happy face!"

An earlier (Jack Nicholson, the be precise), more cheerful incarnation of Why so serious. A more 'call to action' line, if you like: Put on a happy face! With Joker aloe vera cream, with this 25% coupon, only until Halloween!

“If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”

Life lesson: Don't sell yourself, or your copywriting services, short.

"See, the problem with today's advertising is that creativity is less appreciated

“I’m a man of simple tastes. I like gunpowder, dynamite, gasoline.” 

When starting a paragraph, or an email, give tem an interesting tidbit to pull them in. Who's not going to at least finish the paragraph, or listen to the first five minutes, of a person who says such a sentence? For instance: 'Our products won't last forever. Maybe 15, 20 years, tops.'

"I see the funny side. Now I’m always smiling.” 

Value + benefits = results for the customer.

"Wait till they get a load of me..."

That's how your customers/users should feel once they engages/buy your produc services/products..

“You can’t make an omelet without breakin’ some eggs!”

Sometimes, you want to state the obvious - but you want to do it in a way your audience will 'get it' easily. Remember the tagline, 'Snickers really satisfies?'

“Haven’t you heard of the healing power of laughter?” 

"Haven't you heard that this [product/service] can reduce/increase your [whatever?] Well, it's about time you do!"

“Ho-ho, a joke a day keeps the gloom away!”

From the school of "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Or, "one of our products a day keeps your [gloom/insects/large bills] away."

"You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”

How about "Ever danced with 100 roaches in the moonlight? Well, to keep on the safe side, this Halloween use Raid..."

"This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object."

One of the more delicate tasks of a copywriter/content producer these days is to create an attention grabbing headline, or a an email subject line that will generate enough curiosity for your user to pause and read (and open, in the case of an email).

"How about a magic trick? I'm going to make this pencil disappear."

From candies to sandwiches to coupons, there's a lot of ways you can use a phrase like this.

Published your campaign? Bravo...