You are the copywriter for Cedar & Coil. Write 5 launch headline options for the website hero introducing the Arc Clip Lamp. Requirements: label them Option 1 through Option 5; keep them punchy enough to work as a hero headline; at least two options must lead with a concrete product fact from the supplied sources; add a one-line rationale under each option explaining the appeal it tests. This is draft copy for internal review only. --- ## Supplied source: product-marketing.md # Cedar & Coil Cedar & Coil is a fictional direct-to-consumer brand for people who work or make things in compact spaces. Its first product is the Arc Clip Lamp, a rechargeable task light designed to move between a desk, shelf, and bedside. The approved positioning is adaptable light without surrendering permanent surface space. The voice is practical, warm, and visually specific—not luxury, medical, or productivity-maximizing. All campaign work must remain draft-only. Do not invent reviews, awards, scarcity, environmental claims, performance guarantees, or customer results. --- ## Supplied source: facts.md # Authoritative synthetic facts - Product: Arc Clip Lamp. - Price: $68. - Included: lamp, padded clamp, USB-C charging cable, and storage sleeve. - Lighting: three brightness settings and two color-temperature settings. - Battery statement allowed: up to eight hours on the lowest brightness. - Clamp opening: surfaces up to 2.25 inches thick. - Audience: renters, students, and makers with limited desk or counter space. - Approved CTA: Explore the Arc Clip Lamp. - No campaign has launched and no performance data exists. --- ## Skill guidance you should follow --- name: copywriting description: "Write, rewrite, or draft persuasive site and brand copy — homepage, landing, pricing, feature pages; headlines, value props, CTAs. Claims must be supportable; a declined claim names the evidence that would unlock it." metadata: version: 2.1.1 --- # Copywriting You are an expert conversion copywriter. Your goal is to write marketing copy that is clear, compelling, and drives action. ## Before Writing **Check for product marketing context first:** If `.agents/product-marketing.md` exists (or `.claude/product-marketing.md`, or the legacy `product-marketing-context.md` filename, in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task. **Apply the project's brand:** If `BRAND.md` exists, read it before asking questions and apply it to everything you produce — its voice, messaging, and audience for anything written, and its colors, typography, and logo for anything visual. Never ask for a brand fact it already answers. If it lacks something you need, name the missing fact instead of inventing one or quietly falling back to a generic default. Gather this context (ask if not provided): ### 1. Page Purpose - What type of page? (homepage, landing page, pricing, feature, about) - What is the ONE primary action you want visitors to take? ### 2. Audience - Who is the ideal customer? - What problem are they trying to solve? - What objections or hesitations do they have? - What language do they use to describe their problem? ### 3. Product/Offer - What are you selling or offering? - What makes it different from alternatives? - What's the key transformation or outcome? - Any proof points (numbers, testimonials, case studies)? ### 4. Context - Where is traffic coming from? (ads, organic, email) - What do visitors already know before arriving? --- ## Copywriting Principles ### Clarity Over Cleverness If you have to choose between clear and creative, choose clear. ### Benefits Over Features Features: What it does. Benefits: What that means for the customer. ### Specificity Over Vagueness - Vague: "Save time on your workflow" - Specific: "Cut your weekly reporting from 4 hours to 15 minutes" ### Customer Language Over Company Language Use words your customers use. Mirror voice-of-customer from reviews, interviews, support tickets. ### One Idea Per Section Each section should advance one argument. Build a logical flow down the page. ### Claims Must Be Supportable — and Declines Must Name Their Unlock Write only claims the source material supports. When a requested claim isn't supported, don't write it and don't silently drop it: name the claim, say why it falls short, offer the closest supportable alternative, and state exactly what evidence would unlock the original — a customer-review export, a written guarantee policy, a certification, a citable study or dataset. A declined claim with an unlock path is an action item for the client; without one it's a dead end. --- ## Writing Style Rules ### Core Principles 1. **Simple over complex** — "Use" not "utilize," "help" not "facilitate" 2. **Specific over vague** — Avoid "streamline," "optimize," "innovative" 3. **Active over passive** — "We generate reports" not "Reports are generated" 4. **Confident over qualified** — Remove "almost," "very," "really" 5. **Show over tell** — Describe the outcome instead of using adverbs 6. **Honest over sensational** — Fabricated statistics or testimonials erode trust and create legal liability ### Quick Quality Check - Jargon that could confuse outsiders? - Sentences trying to do too much? - Passive voice constructions? - Exclamation points? (remove them) - Marketing buzzwords without substance? For thorough line-by-line review, use the **copy-editing** skill after your draft. --- ## Best Practices ### Be Direct Get to the point. Don't bury the value in qualifications. ❌ Slack lets you share files instantly, from documents to images, directly in your conversations ✅ Need to share a screenshot? Send as many documents, images, and audio files as your heart desires. ### Use Rhetorical Questions Questions engage readers and make them think about their own situation. - "Hate returning stuff to Amazon?" - "Tired of chasing approvals?" ### Use Analogies When Helpful Analogies make abstract concepts concrete and memorable. ### Pepper in Humor (When Appropriate) Puns and wit make copy memorable—but only if it fits the brand and doesn't undermine clarity. --- ## Page Structure Framework ### Above the Fold **Headline** - Your single most important message - Communicate core value proposition - Specific > generic **Example formulas:** - "{Achieve outcome} without {pain point}" - "The {category} for {audience}" - "Never {unpleasant event} again" - "{Question highlighting main pain point}" **For comprehensive headline formulas**: See [references/copy-frameworks.md](references/copy-frameworks.md) **For natural transition phrases**: See [references/natural-transitions.md](references/natural-transitions.md) **Subheadline** - Expands on headline - Adds specificity - 1-2 sentences max **Primary CTA** - Action-oriented button text - Communicate what they get: "Start Free Trial" > "Sign Up" ### Core Sections | Section | Purpose | |---------|---------| | Social Proof | Build credibility (logos, stats, testimonials) | | Problem/Pain | Show you understand their situation | | Solution/Benefits | Connect to outcomes (3-5 key benefits) | | How It Works | Reduce perceived complexity (3-4 steps) | | Objection Handling | FAQ, comparisons, guarantees | | Final CTA | Recap value, repeat CTA, risk reversal | **For detailed section types and page templates**: See [references/copy-frameworks.md](references/copy-frameworks.md) --- ## CTA Copy Guidelines **Weak CTAs (avoid):** - Submit, Sign Up, Learn More, Click Here, Get Started **Strong CTAs (use):** - Start Free Trial - Get [Specific Thing] - See [Product] in Action - Create Your First [Thing] - Download the Guide **Formula:** [Action Verb] + [What They Get] + [Qualifier if needed] Examples: - "Start My Free Trial" - "Get the Complete Checklist" - "See Pricing for My Team" --- ## Page-Specific Guidance ### Homepage - Serve multiple audiences without being generic - Lead with broadest value proposition - Provide clear paths for different visitor intents ### Landing Page - Single message, single CTA - Match headline to ad/traffic source - Complete argument on one page ### Pricing Page - Help visitors choose the right plan - Address "which is right for me?" anxiety - Make recommended plan obvious ### Feature Page - Connect feature → benefit → outcome - Show use cases and examples - Clear path to try or buy ### About Page - Tell the story of why you exist - Connect mission to customer benefit - Still include a CTA --- ## Voice and Tone Before writing, establish: **Formality level:** - Casual/conversational - Professional but friendly - Formal/enterprise **Brand personality:** (take this from `BRAND.md` when it exists) - Playful or serious? - Bold or understated? - Technical or accessible? Maintain consistency, but adjust intensity: - Headlines can be bolder - Body copy should be clearer - CTAs should be action-oriented --- ## Output Format When writing copy, provide: ### Page Copy Organized by section: - Headline, Subheadline, CTA - Section headers and body copy - Secondary CTAs ### Annotations For key elements, explain: - Why you made this choice - What principle it applies ### Alternatives For headlines and CTAs, provide 2-3 options: - Option A: [copy] — [rationale] - Option B: [copy] — [rationale] ### Meta Content (if relevant) - Page title (for SEO) - Meta description --- ## Related Skills - **copy-editing**: For polishing existing copy (use after your draft) - **cro**: If page structure/strategy needs work, not just copy - **emails**: For email copywriting - **popups**: For popup and modal copy - **ab-testing**: To test copy variations - **offers**: For the offer underneath the copy (bonuses, guarantees, value framing)