Copywriting
When we put our messaging out into the world, we want it to be as effective, digestible, and powerful as possible. Whether it’s an email, a campaign trifold, or other written political content, there are a few basic guidelines to follow.
Copywriting Tenets
Know your audience
- Who is this messaging being directed to? The general public? Other DSA members only? Some combination of the two?
- Try to avoid jargon as much as possible. When jargon is unavoidable, briefly explain the term, or link to another DSA source that explains it.
- Use language that is already used by the target audience, which may vary by region, class, or other factors.
Grab the audience’s attention
- Draw the reader in with a bold statement or question relating to your campaign or issue.
Write with purpose
- What do you want from the people reading the information you’re presenting? Is this text informational, a call to action, or something else?
- Whatever the “ask” is, make it clear and put it up front. Put key phrases in bold.
Make it political
- Assert DSA’s demands around the issue clearly.
- What is capitalism’s role in creating the issue you’re describing?
- What’s the socialist view on how to fix it?
Copywriting Examples
- A committee to join: Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee
- An action to take: Medicare for All: House Pressure Campaign
- An event to attend: YES on 15 (Tax the Rich to Fund Schools and Services)