#181: Content | B2B Copywriting 101 with Will Hoekenga, Founder of Six Words Studio
Oct 3, 2024
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Will Hoekenga, a seasoned copywriter and founder of Six Words Studio, shares his expertise on creating compelling copy for B2B SaaS brands. He discusses the critical importance of clear positioning in copy that resonates with customers. Will emphasizes the need for collaboration between design and copywriting teams to boost conversions. He introduces the CUB framework to simplify product positioning and explains how to differentiate your brand through unique, customer-centric language, moving beyond generic buzzwords.
Clear product positioning is essential for B2B brands to communicate their value proposition effectively and attract the right audience.
Unique, customer-centric language helps differentiate brands in a competitive B2B landscape by creating relatable and engaging messages.
Collaboration between copywriters and designers is crucial for aligning content and visuals, enhancing user experience and driving conversions.
Deep dives
Leveraging Calendly for Increased Conversions
Using Calendly on websites can significantly enhance conversion rates and improve the sales handoff process. B2B marketing teams utilize this tool to book meetings directly through web forms, capturing leads at the moment of interest rather than relying on follow-up communications. This immediate engagement with prospects is crucial in today's fast-paced market where responsiveness is key. Companies like Smith.ai and Katalon have successfully reported increased bookings and conversion rates, showcasing the effective role of Calendly in optimizing lead management.
The Unique Role of a B2B Copywriter
In the context of B2B SaaS, the role of a copywriter is often misunderstood and underappreciated. A true copywriter focuses on creating high-value web pages that provoke user action, such as booking a demo. Many B2B companies, however, do not employ dedicated copywriters but instead rely on content writers or marketing team members to handle web copy, which can dilute effectiveness. A well-defined copywriting role is essential for maintaining a consistent tone, voice, and conversion-driven web strategy.
The Importance of Clear Product Positioning
Clear product positioning is vital for B2B brands to effectively communicate their value proposition to potential customers. Properly conveying what a product does, the market it serves, and its unique benefits helps attract the right audience while distinguishing the brand from competitors. Marketers need to avoid confusion, unbelievability, or boring language by clearly defining their offerings and differentiators. Effective positioning lays the groundwork for compelling copy that resonates with target customers and drives conversion rates.
The Power of Differentiated Language
The use of unique language that resonates with customers is crucial in setting a brand apart in a crowded B2B space. Basic customer interviews often yield similar benefits and pain points, making it essential for copywriters to dig deeper to find distinct phrases and insights. By harnessing the specific language used by customers, a copywriter can convey a message that feels relatable and engaging, enhancing the perceived connection between the customer and the brand. This tailored approach ensures that the marketing message cuts through the noise and stands out in the marketplace.
Collaboration Between Copywriters and Designers
A successful web page requires ongoing collaboration between copywriters and designers, focusing on both content and visual elements. This teamwork ensures that the structure of a page aligns with customer priorities, maximizing the effectiveness of the message. Involving both parties early in the process allows for the seamless integration of strong copy with impactful design, enhancing user experience. By establishing a collaborative approach, companies can create web pages where the visual and written elements complement each other, driving better engagement and conversion.
Dave sits down with Will Hoekenga, seasoned copywriter and messaging consultant for B2B SaaS brands and founder of Six Words Studio. Will shares his expertise on crafting copy for high-value web pages, like homepages and product pages, that drive conversions and speak directly to customer’s needs.
Dave and Will cover:
The importance of clear positioning and how it can make or break the effectiveness of your web copy.
Why collaboration between design and copywriting is critical for creating a customer-driven page structure that leads to conversions.
How to write web copy that differentiates your brand from competitors using unique, customer-centric language, moving beyond generic industry buzzwords.
Timestamps
(00:00) - - Intro to Will
(05:59) - - Why Having A Dedicated Copywriter Is Not A More Common Hire
(09:48) - - How to Write Web Copy That Makes Your Brand Stand Out Among Competitors
(14:31) - - Simplifying Product Positioning with the CUB Framework (Confusing, Unbelievable, Boring)
(19:31) - Recognizing Your Product’s Differentiation
(23:51) - - How To Enhance Positioning and Structure with Voice and Tone
(24:50) - - 37signals' Example and Inspiration
(33:09) - - How to Collaborate on Design With Your Team
(35:12) - - Why You Should Optimize Copy with Social Proof
(40:21) - - How To Ask Customers Deep Product Questions
(45:07) - - How To Highlight Non-Negotiable Features When Outlining Product Benefits
B2B websites are filled with too much story, too much narrative these days. You visit a website and you have no idea what the product does and how it works.
This is why Navattic has become a popular product for B2B Marketers. They help you build interactive demos so you cangive buyers a real look at the product before they ever talk to sales.
And guess what - it works. They found that companies using interactive demos with Navattic have seen up to a 25% lift in website conversion rates and a 10-20% increase in inbound leads.
They just released their 2025 State of the Interactive Product Demo report, and it proves just how much more control B2B buyers want over the buying process. Buyers have more access to information than ever, and companies are finally catching up by making their product front and center.
Their report breaks down the top-performing demos, why ungated demos drive higher engagement and the best use cases and strategies for making them work.