Best way to find a copywriting mentor?

[GuerrillaIM]

Hey Guys,

As some may know, I lost my business a few months ago and I am on the journey to get something up and running. To be honest things are going slow but I feel like I am getting somewhere and have learnt a lot in the last couple of months.

I am at the phase now where I have a lot of copywriting to do for the various ideas I have. I am not a copywriter, but I have a very deep understanding of sales and have written very successful copy in the past.

If I could afford it I would love to be able to get someone to write the copy for me but no one in my price range is going to deliver the level of copy that I expect.

As the next best thing I have had the idea that I will write the copy myself. I have good understanding of the sales process; delivering benefits, backing up claims with proof and making an irresistable offer. My main problem is that my writing is a little clunky, and does not flow too well.

In the past I worked with a seasoned copywriter and I would give my copy to him and he would just touch it up a little and maybe cut certain bits out or tell me to re-write something etc.. The result of this was some of the best copy (in my opinion) I have ever used.

Unfortunately due to health problems and retirement this copywriter is unavailable and I am unsure how to find someone else. Previously I held the copywriter on retainer but now I am really counting my pennies so I would think maybe an hourly rate would work better.

It can be very difficult to find good copywriters on the freelance sites who have a true understanding of sales copy. Does anyone have any suggestion as to how I should go about trying to find this sort of copywriting assistance?

Many thanks in advance.

Mike

[John_S]

Take out the old versions of previous work. Give it to the copywriters you're looking at. The ones who come closest to what your original copywriter came up with is the one you'll be most comfortable with.

Unfortunately, that's really the only practical way. It's not the best way -- you may pass up copywriters with different techniques or even a better copywriter -- but it's a way for you to essentially get back to what you had before.

[MikeHumphreys]

Mike,

John's advice is quite good. I'd also look at the copywriters you're considering and see what types of testimonials or case studies they have accumulated to date. Ask them what their fee would be for critiquing your salesletter.

Since you mentioned being on a really tight budget right now (and reading a few of your recent threads about your business downfall), I don't recommend one-on-one mentoring with a copywriting teacher.

For more of a bootstrapping route, I'd suggest either Ray L. Edward's LearnCopy.com site or reading any of the books in this thread: Top Copywriting Books... Ever

As for smoothing out your copy, you can try doing multiple editing sessions. Read the sales letter out loud and listen for spots that are clunky or unclear. I've done as many as 14 revisions on a salesletter until I felt it was ready for use.

Good luck,

Mike

[GuerrillaIM]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't really have the money right now to pay for work that isn't essential.

It's a toughie to do this on a budget. I am fairly well read on copywriting (I have several from that list), there are some books on my shelf though which I will definately be re-reading now. It is not so much the theory that I lack, it is the fine tuning that comes with years of consistent work in the same field. I find it hard to hold a tone consistently and to make my paragraphs flow. And I obviously make rookie mistakes often and only spot them when they are pointed out to me.

My frustration in the past has been whenever I work with copywriters from freelancer sites it makes me want to scream as 99% of applicants seem to have no real training or research and a concept that writing sales copy is about blagging it and making everything look like a $7 ebook sales letter. Maybe I am being a little harsh, I have the same problem with graphic designers. I have to go through several applications to find 1 that has a genuine talent.

I think you are right, I will just have to do my best and do many revisions. I have written some scripts for voiceovers (which aren't cheap) and I guess I am being a little nervous as once its recorded its recorded. Recent events have knocked my confidence a little, I should just suck it up and do my best and stop looking to other people for validation.

[Alex Cohen]

Are you a good verbal communicator? If so, construct an outline of what you want your sales letter to say. Record yourself speaking the content. Then go back and transcribe the recording.

That would certainly help with the tone and flow.

Alex

[Reco Davis]

That's good advice by Alex. I was told to do that years ago and it improved my writing (not just copywriting) exponentially. Something to do with finding your voice... It works!

[Ken_Caudill]

Define exactly what problem your product solves, then find your unique selling point. Everything flows from those two points.

Why should you buy it?

Why should you buy it from me?

Hope this helps.

[danish muzaffar]

Try to Follow the steps of your previous writer or if possible hold a meeting with him and discuss all levels of copywriting. You cant make a sea in one Cup, its takes time but when you have grip on it , whole world is yours

[mathiaslebesby]

Hey.

English is not my first language and I have never written a good sales letter before, but if you want I can take a look at your work for free.
I'm not saying I will be able to produce top notch copy, but I can give you my honest opinion and give you new ideas.
Later maybe you can take a look at my work?

"Poor dad work to make money, rich dad work to learn." Robert Kyaasakiki.
I want to learn how to become a great copywriter and the only way to learn is by practising.

PS: I've read "on writing" and taken one of Ray Edward's classes from which I have some excellent notes somewhere.

[Raydal]

A major attraction of my program is that I critique all the work done
by my students and there is a small window to get in that would
not be opened again at this price. You may want to check that
out.

-Ray Edwards

[Ronak Shah]

If you'd like, try Raydal's program.

If you got around $2000 for the first month of coaching, give Robert Bly's coaching program a shot.

Robert Bly is the amongst the best in the business else Ray's program is good enough.

Getting a full-flegded copywriting mentor and getting someone to just critique your sales letter may not be exactly the same.

I'd like someone who would not only critique my sales letter but also guide me through communicating with clients, negotiating with clients and teach me ways of attracting more clients.

It's got to do more with writing sales letters as a business for me. Don't know if you just want to learn the skill or you want the complete package. Choose accordingly.

[Jag82]

Originally Posted by GuerrillaIM

It can be very difficult to find good copywriters on the freelance sites who have a true understanding of sales copy. Does anyone have any suggestion as to how I should go about trying to find this sort of copywriting assistance?

Many thanks in advance.

Mike

Hi Mike,

I always believe in the power of "modeling" as the fastest
shortcut to success.

If you are selling a certain product, Google it, and look at
your competitors' sales copy. You can model everything,
from the headlines to the bullets to the offer.

That's probably the fastest way to get up a decent copy
if you are strapped for time and limited by knowledge.

Of course that's no substitute for a good copywriting
education though. You always want to invest time in that.


Back to modeling, I like Bob Bly's copy. And I look at this
copy a lot for inspiration, especially his bullets.

You can read a lot of them here (his product pages):
Bob Bly: Copywriter

John Carlton is another damn good copywriter,
whose work I refer to a lot.

Jag