Sweary Copy: Smart tactic or too try hard?

Hot Copy

To swear (in copy) or not to swear (in copy) that is the question.

As copywriters, we’re always having to change the way we write to adapt to the times. And these days everyone seems to love to eff and blind like a mofo, right? What once packed a punch, is now old school. And some things that seem edgy are not as great as they’re cracked up to be - or make you sound like a try-hard teen.

Today, we look at the pros and cons of writing sweary copy. Is it a good tactic to add to your belt or is it putting readers off? We’ve even got some fancy psychology and stats around copy with swear words.

Is writing sweary copy something to try or try-hard? Let’s dig in and find out.

Tune in to learn:

• Different types of swearing
• Belinda and Kate's tolerance levels for swearing (one is a sailor, one is not)
• What happened when Kate swore, once
• The vocabulary payoff for swear-bears
• How to respond to a client who asks for swearing
• Different ways you can add swearing to your copy, without swearing in your copy

What do you think?

What do you think when you see swearing in copywriting? Do you love it or hate? Have you written sweary copy before? Let us know on our Facebook page or on Twitter.

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Oh and big hugs to Mandy Yoxall from Australia for her lovely testimonial.

Useful links:

• Kate’s infamous Instagram post
• Tone of Voice Template (Clever Copywriting School)
• Science Says That People Who Curse a Lot Have Better Vocabularies Than Those Who Don't
• BA_Dissertation_What_the_F*ck
• 5 brands using profanity-based wordplay to stir up attention
• 5 F*cking Awesome Examples of Brands Swearing in their Marketing