6 Copywriting Myths That Could Be Costing You Clients

There’s a ton of advice going around about the do’s and don’ts of copywriting, and it’s easy to get caught up in all the opinions. And here’s where it gets spicy: some of these so-called “do’s” might be hurting more than helping. Just following every made-up “rule” out there could actually be costing you—big time.

If you’re laying the professional talk on thick, or stuffing keywords literally everywhere, you might be missing what your clients actually want: a real connection and a reason to trust you. These myths are probably what’s blocking the right people from reaching out to you. 

Let’s get into a few copywriting myths:

Myth 1: I need to sound professional

The Real: Sounding professional can actually make you sound more textbook and less like a real person. 

Think about it: People want to work with people they can relate to. Sure, what you know, what you’ve learned, and the cool accolades you've picked up are important. But using overly formal language just pushes people away. It's like meeting someone who only talks in industry jargon—all you really hear is womp, womp, womp. 

The Fix: Be yourself! Talk like you're a real person, not a sales bot. Use conversational language, like you’re talking to a friend. Your dream clients are looking for someone they vibe with—someone who gets them and really cares about helping them. 

Myth 2: The more keywords, the better. 

The Real: Keyword stuffing is like putting on twenty pairs of pants—it just ends up looking messy and distracts from the real point. 

Yeah, SEO is important. But stuffing keywords into every sentence doesn't help—it only hurts readability but makes you sound spammy as hell. And Google HATES that! Keyword stuffing won’t do you or your readers’ experience any favors.

The Fix: Focus on a few strategic keywords and add them naturally. Stuffing as many keywords as possible on your page is not the goal. It’s about using the right ones that connect with what people are actually searching for. Keep things easy to read—when your content flows, people will stay, engage, and might even reach out.

Myth 3: It’s all about me and what I offer.

The Real: I’m so serious—your website isn’t really about you; it’s about your clients and how you make their lives better. 

A website that’s all about “I” and “we” are a total turn off. Your clients want to know what’s in it for them. Sure, they want to know you’re good at what you do, but that’s not what’s going to make them stay. They need to see how you’ll solve their problem and make things easier for them. 

The Fix: Flip the script. Instead of saying, “I offer personalized nutrition plans.” try, “No more confusing diets, just a nutrition plan that makes healthy eating as easy as having a nutritionist right in your kitchen.” Focus on what your clients actually get, not just the services you offer. This way, they feel like you’re speaking directly to them (and that’s exactly what you want). 

Myth 4: Longer copy is better—it shows I know my stuff

The Real: No one has the time or patience for dissertation-length website copy. 

Going on and on is overwhelming to people. Instead of being impressed, they’ll probably hit the X if they can’t quickly find what they’re looking for because most people are skimmers.

The Fix: Keep it simple and skimmable. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and headers to break up the text and make it easy to read. Just like natural breaks happen in conversations—keep that in mind for your website. So trim the extra stuff, and make every sentence earn its keep. When people are already overwhelmed, the last thing they want to do is read through a long story. 

Myth 5: A CTA should just be a button at the bottom

The Real: Your CTA (call to action) is more than just a button—it’s where people decide “I’m IN,” or “I’m OUT!” 

A good CTA isn’t vague because it’s literally where people take action—to sign up, book a call, or buy something. It’s the last stop to convince people that you have what they need and the reason they should get it. A weak CTA leaves people confused about what to do next, which usually means they’ll bounce. 

The Fix: Put some respect on your CTA. Make it specific and clear, so people know exactly what they’re getting. Instead of a generic, “Let’s Work,” try something more engaging, like “Let’s Do This Thing!” A good CTA makes people want to take action.

Myth 6: I don’t need to regularly update my website copy

The Real: Your website copy shouldn’t just sit there collecting dust. It needs to be updated regularly to stay relevant and engaging. If you’re not doing that, it becomes outdated and out of sync with your business. An old, irrelevant website won’t attract the right people. 

The Fix: Look at your website as something that grows with your business. Every few months, give it a look to see if it’s still in line with what you offer and how you talk to your people. Whether it’s updating a service or tweaking your About page, just keep it real, relevant, and engaging for the right people.

If your dream clients are nowhere to be found, it might be because some of these myths are influencing your website copy. Good website copy isn’t about sounding professional, stuffing keywords, or talking all about yourself. It’s about connecting with your people in a way that feels personal, relatable, and 100% you. 

Chances are, a few outdated ideas could be holding you back. The truth is, your website should bring the right people to you (not sending them in the other direction). 

Cut out the myths and keep things up to date, and your website will start doing its job—attracting clients and actually getting you results. 

If you want another set of eyes on your website, look over my services to see how I can help you.