best original copywriting frameworks that work

What happened to genuinely impactful content that forges heartfelt connections with readers? In the age of clickbait headlines and keyword-stuffed blog posts, we’ve lost touch with what really matters to people.

As writers, we often get so focused on driving traffic and conversion rates that we overlook why readers come to us in the first place — to find meaning, inspiration and understanding around topics they deeply care about.

Maybe you can relate. You started your blog to share your hard-won experience and insights on a topic. To offer support and community for people struggling with the same frustrations you once faced. To provide clarity and relief to those wrestling with fears, uncertainty and dreams gone awry.

But somewhere along the way, you got distracted by analytics and platform algorithms. The very real hopes, fears and aspirations of the people you set out to serve got buried under money-driven motives and platform performance.

Trust me, I’ve been there too. When we lose touch with the humanity and heart of our readers, content creation becomes joyless and ineffective.

So how do we recapture the essence of resonant copywriting? How do we create content that truly serves readers and addresses what matters most in their inner world?

The answer lies in reframing our copywriting around timeless frameworks structures centered on understanding people’s deepest struggles and aspirations. Frameworks that cut through the noise to forge authentic connections.

In this post, we’ll unpack 10 copywriting frameworks guaranteed to help you create content that resonates at a truly human level. You’ll discover exactly when and how to implement each framework for maximum impact.

My goal is to reinvigorate your passion for serving readers with writing that understands them, moves them, spurs them to action and leaves them better for having read it.

The world needs more copy driven by courage, compassion and conviction not just clicks. Let’s get started.

Why Connection Matters

In the non-stop rush to attract attention, grow email lists and scale revenue, it’s easy to view readers as faceless numbers. Metrics and stats to boost instead of living, breathing people.

But behind every download, share and sale are human beings wrestling with frustrations, fears and desperate hopes. They read our content longing to be understood in their struggle. Seen for who they really are and what they truly care about.

That’s why high-performing copy is about forging human connections first and conversions second.

When we tunnel-vision on metrics, the humanity gets lost. But when we tunnel-vision on humanity, the metrics will follow.

Resonant copywriting puts people ahead of performance. It’s fueled by a spirit of service, not sales. It seeks to illuminate readers’ inner-world speaking to frustrations they can’t fully articulate and dreams they are afraid to voice aloud.

When you consistently create content focused on connecting with the person behind metrics, over time that builds remarkable trust and loyalty no amount of optimization can manufacture.

So let’s explore frameworks guaranteed to help you understand what really makes your readers tick and craft copy that resonates at the deepest level.

Here is the list of copywriting frameworks you’ll know about in this post:

  • HOPES
  • HEART
  • DREAMS
  • JOURNEY
  • CARE
  • DEEP
  • SOUL
  • VISION
  • GROW
  • LEAP

Framework 1 HOPES

Hopes
Obstacles
Pain Points
End Goals
Solutions

How does it work?

With these three easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Step 1

Name the Vision

Identify readers’ highest hopes, end goals and aspirations

Step 2

Spot the Obstacles

Pinpoint the frustrating obstacles, barriers and pain points inhibiting progress

Step 3

Offer the Solutions

Position your content as the guide to finally overcoming obstacles and achieving cherished goals

When To Use It

The HOPES framework is extremely versatile and can be applied to almost any topic aimed at problem-solving, strategizing or overcoming obstacles.

It shines a spotlight on readers’ highest aspirations and the frustrating barriers holding them back. Then positions your content as the guide to finally overcoming obstacles and achieving cherished goals.

From weight loss struggles to navigating career changes, relationship conflicts to financial difficulties, HOPES speaks directly to people’s inner-most desires obstructed by complex problems.

Example

Blog Post Title: From Stressed to Serene Finding Peace While Co-Parenting After Divorce

Sections:

Hopes The longing for a drama-free life and healthy environment for the kids post-divorce.

Obstacles Navigating conflict, establishing boundaries, dealing with difficult ex-spouses.

Pain Points Guilt, anger, grief, exhaustion, resentment.

End Goals A consistent, supportive co-parenting rhythm. Kids who feel secure and cared-for. A serene personal life despite a failed marriage.

Solutions Setting clear expectations, managing reactions, self-care, counseling, enforcing boundaries.

Framework 2 HEART

Hopes
Emotions
Aspirations
Relationships
Transformation

How does it work?

With these three easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Step 1

Go Internal

Explore readers’ inner emotional worlds, relationships, desires and dreams they long for

Step 2

Embrace Vulnerability

Spotlight readers’ unvoiced pains and dreams they are afraid to give voice to out loud

Step 3

Build Community

Offer resonant support and community around these shared struggles

When To Use It

The HEART framework centers directly on people’s inner emotional world what they feel, desire and long for deep down.

It’s perfect for more personal topics involving relationships, personal growth, finding purpose and chasing dreams. Content where vulnerability and emotional intelligence are assets.

Example

Blog Post Title: From Stuck to Unstoppable Reigniting Career Passion at Midlife

Sections:

Hopes Reawakening a sense of purpose and vitality in your work.

Emotions Frustration, boredom, fear, uncertainty about the future.

Aspirations More creativity, impact, freedom, meaning.

Relationships Tensions with colleagues, managers, family due to career uncertainty.

Transformation Reassessing skills and interests. Brainstorming new possibilities. Carving your own career path.

Framework 3 DREAMS

Desires
Roadblocks
Expectations
Aspirations
Motivations
Success

How does it work?

With these three easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Step 1

Ignite Ambition

Unpack the specific vision and ambition that energizes readers’ growth efforts

Step 2

Dissect Doubts

Identify the self-limiting obstacles, assumptions and patterns holding readers back from progress

Step 3

Outline the Path

Offer a clear path forward to help readers get from stuck points towards successfully achieving their goals

When To Use It

DREAMS is fantastic for goal-focused content about ambition, achievement and growth. It addresses both the vision that energizes people’s efforts and self-limiting obstacles holding them back.

From fitness goals to launching a business, advancing in a career to cultivating healthy habits, DREAMS helps guide readers from stuck to success.

Example

Blog Post Title: 9 Habits Holding Back Your Weight Loss Success

Sections:

Desires What fitness level and physique you wish you had.

Roadblocks Behaviors like emotional eating, procrastination, poor sleep that inhibit progress.

Expectations Assumptions and mindsets that set unrealistic standards. Perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking.

Aspirations Motivating visions of health, confidence and strength goals.

Motivations External motivations vs meaningful internal motivations and commitment.

Success Defining and achieving weight loss success on your own terms through self-awareness and sustainable systems.

Framework 4 JOURNEY

Journey
Obstacles
Understanding
Reach
Needs
Engagement
Yield

How does it work?

With these three easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Step 1

Map the Terrain

Outline the long emotional journey readers must navigate, including challenges faced along the way

Step 2

Name the Dragons

Specifically highlight fears, obstacles and points of resistance or denial that inhibit forward movement

Step 3

Offer Guidance

Provide resources and support tools needed to progress through stuck points on the journey

When To Use It

JOURNEY is exceptional for laying out a clear path to help readers make tangible progress from Point A to their desired future state.

It identifies pain points, but also builds motivation and momentum. Perfect for strategic topics involving learning curves, wayfinding uncertain terrain or mastering complex challenges.

Example

Blog Post Title: Navigating the Journey of Alzheimer’s Caregiving

Sections:

Journey The long emotional path of assuming a caregiver role as a disease progresses.

Obstacles Denial, fear, difficult behaviors, complex healthcare system.

Understanding Education about the disease and available support resources.

Reach Asking for and accepting help. Being proactive securing assistance.

Needs Caring for own mental and physical health amidst demands.

Engagement Ongoing participation in care community for learning and support.

Yield Emerging as an effective, empathetic caregiver.

Framework 5 CARE

Curiosity
Aspirations
Relationships
Emotions

How does it work?

With these three easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Step 1

Spark Curiosity

Stimulate curiosity, openness and questioning into the experiences of others unlike yourself

Step 2

Confront Barriers

Explore vulnerabilities, barriers to intimacy, conflicts and poor communication inhibiting connections

Step 3

Shift Perspective

Guide readers in nurturing emotional intelligence and meaning instead of quick behavioral fixes

When To Use It:

CARE spotlights people’s core emotional needs. It works beautifully for topics involving personal meaning, fostering connections, deepening relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Rather than offer prescriptive advice, it stirs curiosity in the experience of others and exploration of your own psyche.

Example

Blog Post Title: Cultivating Courageous Curiosity In Life and Relationships

Sections:

Curiosity Moving from judgment to genuine openness and questioning.

Aspirations Hopes around more authenticity, vulnerability and intimacy.

Relationships Barriers to meaningful connection. Conflict avoidance and poor communication.

Emotions Unpacking the role of fear, trust issues, childhood experiences etc.

The goal isn’t quick-fix behavioral tips, but rather nurturing emotional intelligence and meaning.

Framework 6 DEEP

Desires
Emotions
Expectations
Pain Points

How does it work?

With these three easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Step 1

Reveal Blindspots

Explore and dissect subconscious patterns, behaviors or undiagnosed emotions that may be secretly sabotaging readers’ progress

Step 2

Name Your Demons

Pinpoint specific fears, anxieties, feelings of unworthiness or other emotions inhibiting readers’ ability to take risks and grow

Step 3

Realign Expectations

Help readers reorient external and internal expectations towards their own inner truths and definitions of success

When To Use It

DEEP dives into motivating inner desires but also explores how expectations and emotional barriers may exert a strong undertow.

Great for shedding light on subconscious patterns like perfectionism, people-pleasing, impostor syndrome anything blocking people from their potential. Allows readers to get DEEP with self-work.

Example

Blog Post Title: Why You Self-Sabotage and How to Break Free

Sections:

Desires Natural drive toward self-actualization + your unique definition of success.

Emotions How anxiety, unworthiness, jealousy etc inhibit risks required to grow.

Expectations Internalized societal expectations that feed impostor syndrome. Fear of judgment.

Pain points Ways undissected emotional patterns sabotage progress through chronic inaction, distraction, self-handicapping.

The path forward is self-awareness + reorienting from other’s expectations to one’s inner truth.

Framework 7 SOUL

Suffering
Obstacles
Understanding
Liberation

How does it work?

With these three easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Step 1

Withhold Judgement

Meet readers within darkness of their suffering with compassion instead of criticism, judgement or hollow platitudes

Step 2

Make Space for Pain

Carve out space to listen without judgement as readers give voice to grief, anger, trauma or other suffering

Step 3

Shine a Light

Gently illuminate pathways forwards into greater healing, peace and agency after time spent sitting with the rawness of pain

When To Use It

SOUL provides a compassionate container for holding space around suffering physical illness, grief, burnout, trauma, addiction etc.

It meets people within their darkness, listens without judgment, then gently illuminates pathways forward into greater peace. The focus is on progress through understanding over quick fixes or “shoulds”.

Example

Blog Post Title: From Darkness to Dawn Overcoming Addiction Through Sacred Suffering

Suffering The physical/emotional/spiritual agony of addiction rock bottom. Pain so all-encompassing it summons surrender.

Obstacles Self-medicating behaviors. Denial, isolation. Codependent relationships enabling addiction.

Understanding Education around root causes like childhood trauma and pathways in the brain. Recognition of patterns and warning signs. Dissecting the whys offers compassion and clarity.

Liberation Stepping from helpless suffering into agency and accountability. Building tools and community. The dawn after the long night.

Framework 8 VISION

Values
Inspiration
Significance
Ideals
Obstacles
Needs

How does it work?

With these three easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Step 1

Awaken Purpose

Prompt self-exploration around what gives readers’ life meaning, including their values and sense of purpose

Step 2

Expose Resistance

Help readers examine and articulate fears, conflicts or other obstacles inhibiting them from doing work grounded in their sense of purpose

Step 3

Craft Your Legacy

Guide readers in taking tangible steps towards crafting an intentional life centered around doing purpose-driven work that leaves a legacy

When To Use It

VISION prompts self-exploration around what gives life meaning. It examines inspirations, obstacles and needs around doing purpose-driven work grounded in personal values and making a difference.

Perfect for coaching-style content about finding fulfillment, leaving a legacy, crafting an intentional life centered on significance over success alone.

Example

Blog Post Title: From Golden Handcuffs to Purposeful Work

Values What matters most: Creativity? Community? Autonomy? Applying strengths?

Inspiration Heroes, causes and dreams that energize. Moments you felt fully alive.

Significance Defining fulfillment beyond money or accolades. How to uplift others through gifts only you offer?

Ideals Your unique vision for work integrating values, talents and sense of purpose.

Obstacles Fears, conflicts and “shoulds” holding you back as you dare to dream.

Needs Systemic shifts enabling more people to do meaningful work.

Framework 9 GROW

Goals
Roadblocks
Outcomes
Wins

How does it work?

With these three easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Step 1

Set Audacious Goals

Guide readers in setting clear tangible end revenue targets and metrics needed to qualify “success”

Step 2

Shift Limiting Mindsets

Help identify self-limiting assumptions, fears or other mental obstacles inhibiting readers from realistically achieving their defined vision of success

Step 3

Maintain Forward Drive

Keep readers progressing towards their end goals by consistently celebrating small wins and milestones along the way

When To Use It

GROW simplifies an achievement framework into just 4 straightforward elements excellent for pieces offering clear plans and structured systems.

It maintains focus on actual attainment results rather than vague inspiration alone. Perfect for data-driven analytical personalities.

Example

Blog Post Title: How I Grew My Side Hustle Into a Full-Time Business in Just 12 Months

Sections:

Goals Reverse engineer exactly where you intend be one year from now revenue-wise. Get ultra clear on tangible end targets.

Roadblocks Self-limiting assumptions of the “that could never be me” variety. Also marketplace viability concerns.

Outcomes The metrics, content, assets and inroads needed to reasonably hit your goals. Break into 90-day action plans.

Wins Celebrating incremental progress to maintain momentum. Small wins build towards ultimate victory.

Yes you can!

Framework 10 LEAP

Longings
Expectations
Aspirations
Possibilities

How does it work?

With these three easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Step 1

Dream Without Limits

Help unleash readers’ ability to dream audaciously about adventure, meaning and abundance by expanding their perspective on future possibilities

Step 2

Challenge Constraints

Guide readers in questioning and challenging fears, assumptions and stories they tell themselves about what is possible for them to achieve

Step 3

Make the Impossible Real

Prompt readers in tangible goal-setting and system-building to help them bridge present reality towards their biggest, boldest dreams for their future

When To Use It

If HOPES focuses on problem-solving, LEAP zeros in on opportunity-seeking. It unleashes desire for growth rather than just overcoming hardship.

Fantastic for goal-setting content focused on positive visions of “What could be”. Allows people to articulate yearnings and dare to dream big by expanding their perspective on possibilities.

Example

Blog Post Title: 5 Years From Now Living Your Wildest Dreams

Longings The ache for more adventure, meaning and abundance. Vision board your 5-year fantasy life.

Expectations How fears and assumptions restrain possibilities. Does your story limit your dreams?

Aspirations Your definition of an extraordinary life. What audacious 5-year “Wouldn’t it be cool if…” dreams ignite you?

Possibilities Brainstorming goals and systems to reasonably bridge present reality to future technicolor dreams!

Go Forth and Resonate

There you have it — 10 copywriting frameworks guaranteed to help you craft content that truly resonates by putting people ahead of performance.

I hope these detailed examples and instructions on when and how to implement each framework inspire you to get back in touch with the living, breathing people behind the metrics.

While clicks and conversions have their place in sustaining an income, they must never eclipse the human hearts yearning for content that illuminates and uplifts.

May your writing overflow with courage, compassion and conviction. Go resonate!

About the Author

Meet Alex Kosch, your go-to buddy for all things AI! Join our friendly chats on discovering and mastering AI tools, while we navigate this fascinating tech world with laughter, relatable stories, and genuine insights. Welcome aboard!