2024 Marketing Trends: Microcopy

You may not realise it, but you’re constantly reading copy. No, we’re not saying that your subconscious is taking over and forcing you to thoroughly read every boring LinkedIn post you come across without you even noticing. We’re talking about copy so small that you barely even register the words, but so compelling that you follow their clear instructions without hesitation – or, as the professionals call it, microcopy. 

And here’s exactly why it’s all you’ll be hearing about in 2024.

What is microcopy (and where can you find it)?

It’s exactly what it sounds like. Microcopy can be characterised as tiny pieces of content that help users move along to the next stage of their journey. This could be at the checkout of an ecommerce shop, on a lead-generating contact form, or during the sign-up stage for an app.

But to really see how it works, let’s consider one of the most infamous users of microcopy of all time: Facebook. As a social media site, the job of their UX team is to encourage users to spill their guts online (metaphorically, of course). So how does their copy support this? They ask us a simple question as soon as we log on: What’s on your mind?

This almost unnoticeable piece of copy serves two functions: on a surface level, it lets us know that we can type in that text bar; but more importantly, it encourages users to share personal information about how they’re feeling or what they’re going through in that moment. 

Microcopy is getting big

While microcopy has been historically under-used and under-appreciated, 2024 could be the year that it gets big. With the rise of TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, our collective attention spans are getting shorter – we’re skimming articles, looking for quick laughs, and scrolling through social media at lighting speed (about two seconds per post, to be exact). So how can content marketers adapt? By saying more, with less.

Microblogging, or snackable content, will be vital in 2024 and beyond. Think short summaries of long-form blogs, snappy social media captions, and personalised microinteractions. Essentially, it’s the job of skilled marketers to deliver value to their readers in under 100 words. 

With great microcopy comes great responsibility 

Though you may not notice it, effective micro-marketing helps you make simple decisions every day. From prompting you to ‘submit’ your personal information to helping you navigate troubleshooting errors on your device, these tiny pieces of content have more power to influence than you might think.

And it’s for that reason that marketers need to harness microcopy responsibly, to help customers rather than hinder or take advantage of them. But where do you possibly start? Luckily, Making You Content is here to put your copy under a microscope.

We have 10 years of experience crafting compelling copy of all sizes. Our focus is always around adding value to our clients and their customers – and we’re constantly upskilling our team to keep up with the latest industry trends. Discover how we can support your copy needs, whether they’re micro or macro, by getting in touch today.