When talking about powerful copywriting within a fast-paced context of the digital marketing in Pakistan, one name instantly comes in mind. It was a cool and cloudy day in Abbottabad. I was just relaxing at the nearest park, browsing through internet. While scrolling through my newsfeed, I noticed the name Gary Halbert (The prince of print). “Who is this guy?” I, as a copywriter, got curious upon knowing his connection to advertising. So, I proceeded to investigate Gary more and what made him so influential. Gary Halbert is known as the highest-paid copywriter that ever worked on the planet. He was not just writing letters, but messages which were so close to people’s hearts it often seemed impossible. I am here to share some of the great lessons from Gary Halbert for digital Business Owners and Copywriters in Pakistan.
1. Catchy Headlines Matter
You know the feeling where you have a story that catches your eye, the headline is interesting and irresistible you cannot help but click.
Gary, however, knew well how this could be accomplished.
He said that if your headline fails to pin the reader’s attention on it, then your content might as well not exist.
Your headline is the first contact you make with your prospect, think of it as an introduction, thus it has to grab their attention and compel them to read the remaining part of your text.
2. Know Your Audience
Alright, let’s get real, how much do you know of your audience?
Any of you have ever tried to engage in a conversation that aimed at establishing freely given consent with a fellow human individual that just did not seem to understand you for some reason? Frustrating, right? Gary always stressed one ought to understand who the target audience is. Many copywriters in Pakistan dos this mistake.
Just picture how you would feel if a business man came to Karachi in the middle of July and offered to sell heavy winter coats – ridiculous is it not?
Ah, well, as you may have noted, you need to be sure who your stakeholders are, what they want, what problems they’re facing. But until you are prepared to take the time to find out and then proceed to speak their language, you are not offering them what they really want.
3. Tell a Good Story
Are you aware of how captivating a story can be that at some point it becomes difficult to remain conscious of the environment.
I bet you can recall one story that was so interesting that you didn’t think of anything else around you. It was also worth tuning in and listening to Gary as he spun stories that were enthralling to the readers.
He realized that story telling was not a preserve of the evening before sleep–it is a major technique in marketing.
Stories build connections that even statistics and numbers cannot do when narrating your brand’s story or a customer’s testimonial.
4. Keep It Simple
why complicate things when simplicity works best?
Ever read something so complicated that you had to re-read it multiple times? Gary knew better than to confuse his audience.
He believed in keeping things simple.
Why use ten-dollar words when a ten-cent word will do?
The simpler your message, the clearer it will be. And in the world of digital business, clarity is everything.
5. Test Your Ideas
How frequently do you validate your assumptions before implementing them?
We all know that feeling where you think ‘Let’s just try this and see if it will stick’. Gary was never going to let success just happen. Before he’d communicate something he wanted to have people receive it, he would examine to see if they would understand/care.
And guess what? We have even more tools nowadays to achieve the same.
To get your ads more effective, the ones that you are publishing, you should split test your ads, and even your headlines and see what performs the best. It is the only way to establish which among them is effective in the real sense of the word.
6. Use Emotions in Copy
Why do some ads make us feel so deeply while others just fall flat?
You’ve felt it, right? Successful copyuwriters in Pakistan are already implementing this hack.
That ad that tugs at your heartstrings or fills you with excitement?
Gary knew exactly how to push those emotional buttons. He didn’t just write, he made people feel something. And emotions drive action.
Whether it’s urgency, joy, or fear, use those feelings to move your audience. When people feel, they act.
7. Build Trust
Would you buy from someone you don’t trust? Probably not, right?
Think about the people you trust most in your life. Gary knew that trust wasn’t just important—it was everything . Especially in a place like Pakistan, where relationships matter, trust can make or break your business. Be honest, show your expertise, and let your customers know they can count on you. Trust isn’t just earned; it’s what keeps your audience loyal
Write to Compel!
Having read through this piece from Gary Halbert, it is now about time that you applied what you have learnt on your own. Stuck with writing happy copy? Allow Contentaligent get the magic done for you
Hey, I would love to hear from you!
What’s one copywriting lesson you have learned that made a difference?
Got any questions? Drop them in the comments below, and let’s chat!