What Copywriters Need To Know About Design, with Lori Haller
Mar 3, 2025
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Lori Haller, a graphic designer specializing in direct response marketing, shares her insider knowledge on how design can elevate copywriting. She believes that while 'Copy is King, Design is Queen,' emphasizing the need for a compelling opening in sales materials. Lori discusses her detailed three-part copy review process, highlighting the interplay between copy and design for optimal reader engagement. She also stresses understanding your audience to craft relatable copy that resonates, ensuring both elements work together for maximum impact.
The synergy of copy and design is essential, as compelling copy attracts attention while design enhances trust and guides the reader effectively.
Implementing a 'heavy on the top' strategy with strong headlines and visuals is crucial for capturing attention in today's fast-paced media environment.
Deep dives
The Synergy of Copy and Design
Effective sales copy is emphasized as the foundation of persuasive marketing, encapsulated in the phrase 'copy is king, design is queen.' While compelling copy draws in potential customers with engaging language, the design plays a crucial role in enhancing that message, fostering trust, and guiding the reader through the content. The podcast highlights that a harmonious blend of impactful copy and thoughtful design can significantly boost conversion rates. Without this synergy, marketing efforts risk falling flat, making it essential to prioritize the interplay between the two elements.
Importance of a Strong Opening
The concept of 'heavy on the top' is presented as a critical strategy for effective communication in both print and digital media. The opening elements, such as headlines and subheadings, are positioned as vital components that capture a reader's attention instantly. Incorporating strong visuals, relevant logos, and a clear structure at the top enhances the likelihood of captivating the audience and keeping them engaged. This approach is especially relevant in an age where readers have limited attention spans and often scroll through content quickly.
Three-Part Copy Review Process
A detailed three-step copy review process is introduced, underscoring the importance of preparation and audience-centric evaluation. The first step involves absorbing the copy without any preconceived notions, focusing on content flow and coherence. The second part emphasizes stepping into the shoes of the target audience, understanding their needs and pains, and ensuring that the copy resonates with them on a personal level. Finally, the review expands to include market alignment and visual elements, ensuring that every aspect is harmonized to drive engagement and conversion.
One of the greatest insiders in direct response today is not primarily a copywriter, but a graphic designer.
Actually, our returning champion Lori Haller is a designer… and so much more.
She works side by side with many of the greatest copywriters of our time to help create control-beating packages, for clients like Boardroom, Healthy Directions, Dr. Al Sears, Nutri-Health, KCI Communications, and Agora.
She has coached clients around the world, and she is an in-demand speaker and trainer.
I’ve only scratched the surface of Lori’s incredible and long list of credentials. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who knows more or who has done more.
Her company, DesigningResponse, based in Germantown, Maryland, has built a reputation for creating award-winning, sales-generating direct mail, online promotions, space advertising, and product development.
Today she’s going to share some of her secrets for using design to get better conversions from your copy.
Here is what we asked her:
1. You are well known for saying “Copy is King, Design is Queen.” Could you talk about that?
2. Help us understand the importance of what needs to go at the top of a sales page. What are the key elements and the reason for designing that way?
3. Could you walk us through what you do in your three-part copy review. (take your time and be as thorough with this answer as you like)
4. I’ve heard that you have an approach where the design can force the reader to go through the copy in a certain sequence. How does that work?
5. How do you match images with the people who will be reading the copy?
6. As a designer, what do you do to get into the prospect’s head?
7. Summing up, what are the top three or four things a copywriter should know and remember about the role of design?
RESOURCES
Lori’s website: https://lorihaller.com
Lori’s videos:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-haller-b2840717/details/featured/ Download.
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