Copywriting.org Interviews Madiha Hashmi

I discovered copywriting in an unexpected way. I had gone to grad school with the intention of majoring in marketing, but I found that coursework to be incredibly dry and uninspiring. On a whim, I decided to take online classes on copywriting from THE COPY ACCELERATOR, and it changed my life. I was immediately drawn to the challenge of using words to persuade people. In this class, we studied the fundamentals of how language can be used strategically to connect with readers, tap into their emotions, and ultimately move them to action. We looked at famous examples of copywriting from history, such as Benjamin Franklin’s 1732 pamphlet “The Busy-Body” which is considered one of the earliest pieces of American advertising. We also looked at some more modern works, such as David Ogilvy’s iconic “Man in the Hathaway Shirt” ad from 1951, which helped catapult the brand into international fame. After seeing these powerful examples, I knew that copywriting was something I wanted to pursue professionally. Since then, copywriting has come a long way—from print ads and radio scripts, we now have digital media as another platform for writing persuasive content. Over time I have developed strategies for crafting persuasive language that takes into account both the psychology behind communication as well as data-driven insights from analytics and research findings. My journey with copywriting has been a rewarding one; it’s allowed me to develop valuable skills while also helping me reach audiences all over the world with relevant messaging crafted specifically for them. It’s an exciting field with endless possibilities.