Ep 246 // 5 Easy Copy Changes to Skyrocket Sales this Holiday Season
Podcast: Simple SEO and Marketing
Host: Faith Hanan, Marketing Strategist, Copywriter, Christian Business Coach, Barrel Racer
Release Date: November 3, 2025
Episode Overview
In this actionable solo episode, Faith Hanan shares five practical copywriting changes that entrepreneurs and small business owners can make to boost their sales during the holiday season. Faith’s approach is rooted in clarifying messaging, keeping content simple, and focusing on customer benefits—all without resorting to sleazy sales tactics. With a blend of encouragement and humor, Faith emphasizes how simplifying your message can yield better results, especially as consumer trust is at an all-time low.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The "Sell More Without the Sleaze" Mindset
- Context: Faith introduces her upcoming 3-day Boot Camp designed to help business owners sell confidently, rooted in authenticity and service rather than manipulative tactics.
- Memorable Quote:
“The sales tactics taught to business owners have felt like a weird combination of a Nickelodeon slime episode and quick runaway. There's a used car salesman. Only now you're...afraid of coming off like a used car salesman.” — Faith (00:10)
- Emphasis: Sales doesn’t have to feel sleazy. Authenticity and a service-focused mindset lead to better sleep—and more sales!
2. Review of Neuroscience & Message Simplicity
- Reference: Faith briefly recaps a previous episode about the neuroscience behind why simple, clear messages convert better than complicated ones.
- Insight:
“A simple, clear message sells, when a complicated, highfalutin' sounding message just really doesn't...It's very important that you have a simple, clear message.” — Faith (02:35)
3. Five Easy Copy Changes to Boost Sales
Step 1: Take Three Steps Back
- Explanation: Step out of your expert role and consider how your messaging sounds to a total outsider.
- Example:
“You're so close to the technical aspects of what you do that you forget—not everybody is that in the weeds...Your ideal client is just concerned about, ‘Am I going to go to jail for accidental tax fraud?’” — Faith (04:12)
- Action Point: Focus on what really matters to your audience—the big-picture benefits—not just features.
Step 2: Use Word Count Tools to Shorten Copy
- Explanation: Break up long paragraphs and sentences to prevent overwhelming the reader.
- Guidance:
“I want you to look at your word counts by chunk...I don't want you to have giant chunks of text on your sales page or homepage. It’s not supposed to be a blog.” — Faith (06:25)
- Tactic: Aim for sentences under 13–15 words and keep paragraphs concise.
Step 3: Keep It at an 8th Grade Reading Level
- Explanation: Make your messages easy to process, even for highly educated audiences.
- Tips:
- Eyeball for complexity—substitute simpler words where possible.
- Use tools like Yoast to check readability.
“Your person can probably read above an 8th grade reading level. But...a simple message that doesn't make their brain work hard to figure out what it is you do and how you can help them.” — Faith (08:17)
Step 4: Focus on Benefits, Not Just Features
- Explanation: Highlight how the product changes the customer's life, not just specs or credentials.
- Examples:
“When I went shopping for a washing machine, I did not...care about the motor power...I care: ‘Will this get baby poop stains out of my kid’s clothes?’” — Faith (10:05)
“Busy stay-at-home moms...do not care that your course has 87 modules. They care if they can sit and get through the material during nap time.” — Faith (11:30) - Action Point: Ensure benefits are front and center, with features supporting them only as needed.
Step 5: Test Your Copy Outside Your Industry
- Practice: Ask someone with no knowledge of your field to read your copy. Ask:
- What do you think this means?
- Was anything unclear?
- Could this be said more simply?
- Faith’s Personal Example:
“I have people in my life that I do this with...‘Hey husband, will you please read this, tell me if it makes sense?’” — Faith (12:46)
- Litmus Test: If a 5-year-old could explain what you do, your message is clear.
“You want your copy...to be so easily understood that a five or six-year-old could tell you what it is you do and how you help people.” — Faith (13:45)
Actionable Takeaways
- Audit your copy for clarity by following these five steps.
- Don't let expertise cloud your writing—always step back and refocus on client perspective.
- Simplify sentence structure and terminology for maximum accessibility.
- Get feedback from non-experts to pinpoint confusing messaging.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On sales and authenticity:
“I want you to be able to sell more this holiday season. I don't want you held back by things that are really easy to fix inside of your messaging, your systems and your mindset because you have a gift. You are a gift to the marketplace with your God-given gifts.” — Faith (15:32)
Important Episode Timestamps
- 00:10 — Introduction & Boot Camp announcement
- 02:35 — Why simple messages work better for sales
- 04:12 — Step 1: Take three steps back
- 06:25 — Step 2: Use a word count tool
- 08:17 — Step 3: Keep copy at an 8th grade reading level
- 10:05 — Step 4: Focus on benefits over features
- 12:46 — Step 5: Test your copy outside your industry
- 15:32 — Encouragement to entrepreneurs
Tone & Style
Faith’s approach is warm, encouraging, and practical, with a conversational style peppered with relatable humor and personal anecdotes. She keeps Jesus-loving entrepreneurs in mind throughout, balancing strategic marketing insights with faith-driven motivation.
Additional Resources
- Sell More Without the Sleaze 3-Day Boot Camp: faithhanon.com/more-sales
- Faith’s Website & Contact: faithhanon.com | info@faithhanon.com
- Faith’s Community: Facebook group link in show notes
Summary prepared for listeners who want actionable steps to clarify messaging and boost sales using honest, approachable copywriting—just in time for the holiday season.