Content that gets read has a 'just-right sense of incongruity'.

Hello, this is Iguchi.

As a sole proprietor, I spend my days forming and testing hypotheses while exploring WEB marketing and sales promotion methods that can be practiced even with a small budget.

In this note, I focus on marketing terms that you might have heard of but are often used in a vague way. Based on my own research and real-life experience, I have summarized them in the simplest language possible.

I would be happy if even those who are not good with technical terms could think, 'I see, that's what that means.'

By the way, have you ever had an experience like this?

'I feel like I'm conveying it properly, but for some reason, it's not being read...'
'Even when I post on social media, the response is weak...'

I was the same at first, and I was always worried, 'What can I do to make readers stop and take notice?'

That's when I encountered this theme, 'Paradox Copy'.

After looking into it, it clicked, and I understood, but Paradox Copy is 'a technique to instantly grab the reader's attention by intentionally defying common sense'.

However, it's not just about being eccentric; the key is a 'just-right sense of incongruity' that makes the reader genuinely curious, thinking, 'Wait, what does that mean?'

In this article, I will explain as clearly as possible why Paradox Copy is effective and how to use it to move the reader's heart, including the points where I myself got lost.

By the time you finish reading this article, you should surely have gained a small insight like, 'Oh, I should use a paradox in this kind of situation!'

Now, let's take a look at the fun of 'Paradox Copy' together.

What exactly is 'Paradox Copy'?

When I looked into it, 'Paradox Copy' is, simply put, 'a writing technique that uses expressions that intentionally defy general common sense or expectations to grab the reader's attention and leave a strong impression of the message'.

You're probably thinking, 'Wait, what does that mean?'

But this 'Wait?' is exactly what Paradox Copy aims for.

It's a mechanism that makes readers want to keep reading because they feel, 'Huh? That's strange,' or 'That's different from the norm.'

If I were to compare it to something familiar, is it like 'a dish with a twist'?

If I were to compare it, I thought Paradox Copy is like 'a dish with a twist'.

For example, if a ramen shop wrote, 'We intentionally do not season our food at all', what would you think?

'Huh? No seasoning? Is that even delicious?' Doesn't that make you a little curious?

Perhaps your imagination runs wild, thinking there might be a reason, like 'to bring out the maximum flavor of the carefully selected ingredients' or 'because we want you to customize it to your own taste.'

If it were a normal ramen shop, even if they wrote, 'Exquisite! Rich soup ramen!', you would just end up thinking, 'Well, I'm sure it's delicious.'

But when you hear 'no seasoning,' you get hooked.

By defying general expectations, you attract interest and make it easier for people to listen to the explanation that follows.

This is the magic of Paradox Copy.

How can freelancers utilize 'Paradox Copy'?

Now, this is where the real work begins!
How can we, as sole proprietors and freelancers, incorporate this 'Paradox Copy' into our own businesses?

Let's think about it in concrete scenarios.

1. Grab the reader's attention with the title or introduction of a blog post!

Blogs have to be chosen by readers from among a lot of information.
In such cases, Paradox Copy is very useful.

• Normal title example: 'Marketing strategy for freelancers to succeed'

• Paradox Copy application example: 'Do freelancers succeed more by "not trying hard"? The success rule that looks like common sense'
  By using words that are the opposite of the common sense that 'you succeed by trying hard,' it stimulates the reader's question, 'Wait, why?'

2. Appeal with 'unexpectedness' in service introduction text!

You can also use it when conveying that your service is actually this unique!

• Normal introduction text example: 'Web consulting to accelerate your business'

• Paradoxical copy example: "Do you get more sales by NOT taking on consulting? What is the 'contrarian strategy' that stabilizes lead generation?"

  • By presenting the opposite of the common perception that 'you get more sales by not taking on consulting,' you pique the reader's curiosity with a 'Wait, what does that mean?' and create a flow that makes them want to read on.

3. Make them look twice with your SNS posts!

Paradoxical copy is also effective on SNS, where you have to win with short text.

• Normal post example: "Reading is important for improving your writing skills!"

• Paradoxical copy example: "The secret to improving your writing is 'not writing'? Revealing the surprising truth!"
  The paradox of 'not writing' attracts interest and conveys the intention of getting them to read the rest.

What do you think? Looking at it this way, don't you think we can add elements to our content that make people go 'Aha!'?

Summary: What I realized by learning about 'paradoxical copy'

After researching 'paradoxical copy,' the thing I felt most was that 'you need a more in-depth approach to draw out the reader's interest.'

It's not just about conveying facts, but how to make the reader take it as a 'personal matter' and want to know more deeply.

I feel that this paradoxical copy is packed with hints for that.

Of course, it's not just about using a paradox; you need an explanation that follows to make them truly understand that 'paradox'.

Only by including that can you truly capture the reader's heart.

"But how should I come up with paradoxical ideas?"

"If I do it too much, won't it just look like I'm trying to stir up controversy?"

These kinds of questions also came to mind.

Next time, I want to dig deeper into this area and find more practical hints I can use!

Thank you for reading until the end.

I would be happy if this article led to a small realization of 'I see, that's what it was!' or provided a hint for your own ideas.

Following me would be a great encouragement.
I will follow you back too ^^