Copywriting is a highly sought-after skill in the digital age, as businesses are increasingly looking for ways to attract customers and grow their online presence. To become a successful copywriter, one must have well-defined goals and use strategic approaches to reach them.
SMART goals provide clarity and direction for copywriters on what they intend to achieve and how they can do it within a predetermined timeline. Below you will find everything you need to know about the SMART framework.
What is a SMART Goal?
Copywriters should establish goals in tandem with the SMART technique. For those who don’t know, SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.
Need more clarity? SMART goals are:
- Specific: Having concrete goals in place keeps everyone involved accountable. Copywriters will know precisely what needs to be done and how much time is available to complete it—leaving no surprises or unanticipated tasks along the way.
- Measurable: Copywriters must ensure that their goals are measurable. This means they should have a clear idea of how they can track the outcome.
- Attainable: When developing goals, you must be as realistic as possible. Unrealistic goals can lead to frustration, which may cause you to become unmotivated. So finding a balance between challenging and attainable goals is crucial when setting expectations.
- Relevant: Make sure you pursue goals that align with what you view as meaningful. When it comes time to achieve them, you will remain motivated and energized.
- Time-based: Setting deadlines ensures you progress toward efficiently meeting your overarching goal. It also urges you to celebrate successes as you reach each milestone.
Consider following the 5 criteria above to boost your likelihood of success as a copywriter. You’ll take the necessary, actionable steps to increase productivity and streamline your workflow.
11 Examples of SMART Goals for Copywriters
Let’s take a look at several SMART goals examples for copywriters:
1. Increase Client Acquisition Rate
“The goal is to increase our client acquisition rate by 15% within the next 12 months. To achieve this, I must establish relationships with at least 10 new clients and generate more leads through outbound marketing campaigns.”
Specific: The statement is clear and concise, stating precisely the objective and how it will be met.
Measurable: Track the number of new clients acquired and leads generated.
Attainable: This is achievable by putting in the effort to establish relationships with new clients and generate more leads.
Relevant: This goal is relevant to the company’s growth because acquiring new clients and generating leads can increase revenue.
Time-based: There is a 12-month timeline for accomplishing this goal.
2. Leverage Networking Opportunities
“I will attend a monthly local professional development event for the following 6 months to build my network and strengthen my marketing skills. By attending these events, I plan to make at least three useful connections to help me in my career as a copywriter.”
Specific: The copywriter plans to attend a professional development event for the next 6 months and make three valuable connections.
Measurable: How many connections are made and the quality of these connections are key measurements to judge success.
Attainable: This goal is achievable if one takes the time to attend the events and meet people.
Relevant: This is pertinent for a copywriter as it will help build their network and refine their marketing skills.
Time-based: The goal must be achieved within 6 months.
3. Improve Writing Speed
“I aim to increase my writing speed by 30% in 7 months. I will track my average words per minute and use a timer to measure my writing speed when producing copy.”
Specific: This goal is clear because it has an exact numerical measure: a 30% increase in writing speed.
Measurable: Track your words per minute using a timer or other tracking device to check your progress.
Attainable: This goal is achievable if you set aside time daily to practice writing and employ other strategies to improve efficiency.
Relevant: Improving your writing speed is essential if you want to stay productive and meet your goals in the copywriting industry.
Time-based: This SMART goal has a time limit of 7 months.
4. Build Professional Portfolio
“I want to improve my overall portfolio by creating three new pieces of copywriting work each month, including blog posts, website content, and advertising copy, for the 9 months ahead. I’ll also update my portfolio bi-monthly to keep it current and reflect the best of my recent work.”
Specific: The goal of creating three new pieces of work each month and updating twice a year is clearly outlined.
Measurable: The individual can count the amount of work they’ve created and the number of times they’ve updated their portfolio.
Attainable: This is absolutely doable if given the necessary resources and time.
Relevant: This goal is appropriate for the person’s desire to improve their portfolio.
Time-based: Goal achievement will be reached after 9 months.
5. Expand Subject Knowledge
“I’ll research and become proficient with the latest digital marketing trends and technologies by attending at least one workshop or online course each month for the next 6 months. I want to become a better copywriter, giving my clients up-to-date advice and delivering the best results.”
Specific: The SMART goal clearly describes the action needed to expand subject knowledge.
Measurable: You can measure success by attending at least one monthly workshop or online course.
Attainable: This goal can be easily achieved with adequate research and dedication.
Relevant: Expanding subject knowledge is relevant to becoming a better copywriter.
Time-based: The goal should be achieved within 6 months.
6. Increase Social Media Reach
“I will increase our social media reach by 10% within four months by creating and scheduling content that resonates with our target audience. I’ll also focus on building relationships with influencers and industry thought leaders to expand our reach.”
Specific: This goal is evident in that it outlines what you need to do (create content, schedule content and build relationships with influencers) and how often (over the next four months).
Measurable: You can track the number of followers, likes, and shares on each post to assess your progress.
Attainable: Increasing social media reach is definitely possible if you create content that appeals to your target audience and engages with influencers.
Relevant: Social media reach is vital in gauging your brand’s presence online.
Time-based: Four months is required to meet this particular goal.
7. Develop Specialty Niche
“I will specialize in a certain area of copywriting that I am passionate about, such as health and science, by the end of two years. I want to attract more clients looking for someone with expertise in a specific niche or provide services that expand the scope of my existing client base.”
Specific: The statement outlines the type of copywriting and the time frame for completion.
Measurable: Make sure to measure your progress by tracking the amount of time spent researching and developing your niche.
Attainable: The given timeline is sufficient to specialize in a copywriting niche.
Relevant: Developing a specialty in copywriting can attract new clients and increase your skill set.
Time-based: Success will be reached after two years.
8. Enhance Storytelling Skills
“I will improve my storytelling skills to create a more compelling narrative for our audience by the end of this quarter. I want to engage and connect with our customers through powerful storytelling and make them feel a part of our brand.”
Specific: This goal is targeted at improving the quality of storytelling.
Measurable: Changes in storytelling skills can be evaluated at the end of this quarter.
Attainable: Enhancing storytelling skills is achievable with enough practice and effort.
Relevant: Storytelling greatly impacts customer engagement, making this an important objective.
Time-based: There is a deadline of the end of this quarter for achieving this goal.
9. Refine SEO Knowledge
“By the end of one year, I will become proficient in SEO best practices. That includes being able to write copy that is both optimized for search engines and engaging for readers. I’ll also be able to identify opportunities to integrate keywords into existing copy without sacrificing readability.”
Specific: You have precise actions available—learn SEO best practices.
Measurable: Make sure you can apply SEO techniques by the end of the year.
Attainable: This is a realistic goal since one year is enough time to become proficient in SEO best practices.
Relevant: This goal relates to your primary objective of becoming proficient in SEO.
Time-based: You should expect goal attainment within a year.
10. Streamline Editing Process
“I want to cut down on the time spent editing our content by creating an organized checklist that outlines each step of the editing process. This will allow me to work more efficiently and reduce the need for rewrites. I’ll complete this task in four months by developing a workflow system that the entire copywriting team can use.“
Specific: The individual wants to create a checklist that outlines the editing process.
Measurable: They will develop a workflow system that the entire copywriting team can use.
Attainable: This is achievable because the person has a specific plan of action in place and a timeline to accomplish it.
Relevant: The goal is appropriate because it will help streamline the editing process and save time.
Time-based: You have four months to streamline the overall editing process.
11. Meet Deadlines Consistently
“I will consistently work hard to meet deadlines by creating a system that helps me manage my time and prioritize tasks. This system should be in place after three months. I’ll aim to be more organized and efficient, which will ultimately make my work better.”
Specific: This is specific because the person plans to become more organized.
Measurable: Evaluate your progress in this goal by checking off the boxes after completing each step in the plan.
Attainable: Creating a system for managing time and prioritizing tasks is achievable within three months.
Relevant: This goal is appropriate because meeting deadlines consistently is an essential skill for any copywriter, allowing them to produce quality work promptly.
Time-based: Completion of this goal is expected after three months.
Final Thoughts
SMART goals can help copywriters to stay focused and motivated throughout the journey. By identifying these goals, copywriters can make sure that their work is being done efficiently.
Understanding how to use the SMART method will encourage copywriters to maximize their full potential while creating captivating content.
They will do everything necessary to stay productive and successfully achieve their creative writing objectives. Fewer obstacles will prevent them from succeeding in their roles and responsibilities.
