Do you need tools for online copywriting?

I’m updating/rewriting this post in 2023.

It was about the online copywriting tools that I was using while working on various copywriting projects for my clients.

When I wrote and published this post in 2008, I was using DarkRoom and Text Pad for writing. I couldn’t afford MS Word. I don’t know why I didn’t use Google Docs.

Every few years I’m bitten by this bug of using just text editors, and no word processors.

These days, having used Google Docs and MS Word (Windows 365) continuously for the past 5-6 years, I have concluded that working on long documents on text editors is a waste of time.

In the previous version of this post, I also mentioned that I was using the Atlantis word processor, though, I don’t remember how I felt using it.

Do you use, or do you need tools for online copywriting? It depends on what you consider as tools.

Of course, you need a word processor, or a text editor to write. This goes without saying.

Your word processor can be advanced, like MS Word, or minimalistic but collaborative like Google Docs. Depends on how many features you need.

Over the years I have realized that one shouldn’t meddle with lots of word processors and text editors. Yes, there is novelty for a few days, and you are more focused, ultimately, you should settle for a single word processor because what matters is, the quality of your writing.

So, do I use special tools other than MS Word and Google Docs?

Proofreading and grammar are inbuilt these days so for those, you don’t need additional tools.

For researching and finding useful reference, I use Google search or sometimes Twitter.

I’m heavily using ChatGPT for online copywriting these days for creating rough drafts and outlines.

I’m not happy with the quality of its writing – very drab or clichéd.

But it’s good for getting a sense of what you’re going to write.

For example, if you create a prompt for ChatGPT to create an outline for a blog post titled “Key elements of writing a sales letter that converts” it quickly gives you 5-6 headlines or subsections to work on.

If you’re looking for a long form content piece, tell ChatGPT to mention at least 15 key elements.

For a landing page you can even tell ChatGPT to use some power words and action words. You can even suggest what action words to use.

For saving information for online copywriting (that can be used later) I use Microsoft OneNote. For quick note-saving I use Google Keep but most of the bulk saving goes into OneNote.

Other than these, I’m not using any other online copywriting tools.

Do you need different online copywriting tools?

Not necessarily. Use a word processor. You can even write good copy on your mobile phone for that matter.

ChatGPT definitely helps you work faster but it is not a long-term solution because as a copywriter you need to own your own writing skills and too much dependence on ChatGPT breeds mediocrity and laziness.