This Podcast Is Episode Number 0286, And It Is Based On A Guest Article From James Daily Professional Writer And Content Manager At FlashEssay.   Being a copywriter means that you have a responsibility to both your audience and your client. This rule goes double for copywriters that work in the construction industry where even a slight mistake can cause injuries, revenue loss or worse. But how do you go about writing copy for an industry as delicate and important as the construction one? Pauline Farris, a content specialist at IsAccurate says: “Copywriters who inquire about their projects before taking them on will likely bear better results in the long run.” With that in mind, let’s take a look at several steps which can help you write effective copy in the construction industry. No assumptions Copywriters are often hired based on their previous track record. However, when it comes to construction, architecture and civil engineering, this rule doesn’t apply. Every state, company and contractor has their own set of rules and regulations that need to be followed. Copywriters are required to do proper research before writing a single word of copy for their new client. Just because you came to be hired doesn’t mean that you know everything there is to know about the project. Talk to your client and ask them for specific information, special requirements and no-no words you should avoid. Construction industry copywriting is different than essay writing, UI copywriting or even white paper writing. It’s delicate work that can cause irreversible mistakes if it’s not taken seriously. Ask for specific word count Construction industry is unlike any other industry when it comes to copywriting. There will often be very little space left for writers to work with once the project is set in stone. This means that you should talk to your contractor about the word count you can count on (pun intended). Focus your attention to creating very short, direct messages, announcements and warnings. Most construction copywriting revolves around the creation of materials related to construction sites (including the promotional spiel). Make sure that you know how much leeway you have when it comes to your copy before writing a wall of text that won’t fit anywhere. Use negative space Construction industry copywriting differentiates itself from other types of copy with its emphasis on urgency of information. While some copy types might target sales or CTAs, construction industry serves to alert the reader of impending danger. For example, a simple STOP sign with a subsequent elaboration is often enough to drive a successful construction copy forward. This means that you should make ample use of negative space and contrast your writing with the space you are given by your client. Make sure that your writing is as bold and legible as possible. Construction copy also has a much smaller timespan for the message to be delivered. As long as your message is loud, clear and as short as possible, you will have achieved your goal. Don’t be smart – be consistent While this may put some writers off, it may also encourage others to try the construction industry copywriting niche. This niche allows for very little creativity or wiggle room when it comes to mixing and matching words. There are established words that mean different things in our collective society. If you tell someone to “Pay attention”, they will do so without excuse. However, if you try to be clever and say something along the lines of “Hey you, take a look” it will likely end in disaster. Don’t act smart when working in the construction industry because your work may cost someone their health, wellbeing or life itself. Once you get into the groove of using established lingo and follow your client’s rules, you will be much more effective at writing construction industry copy. Implement tools to improve your copywriting Writing tools are an...