Here's how I write copy... plus FREE copywriting cousre

richard-pc · 10-01-2008, 06:30 AM

Hi there (I originally posted this in the main forum, but it better here I think!).

Over the past few years I've developed my own way of writing copy. I use a few different tools which help me. I'm not saying I'm the best writer, or even qualified to call myself a copy writer, but I'm getting better.

This is how I do it.

1. I do not write a word to start with. I record my thoughts! I use an Olympus WS-210s digital voice recorder to record the first version of my copy. In fact last week, to write a new sales letter, I walked up to the top a hill near where I live, sat down and started recording. It just flowed...

For me, speaking is the best way I work. I don't have to think about typing or spelling, it is just me and my thoughts.

2. I always start my recordings with the words 'Dear XXX". For me this is usually Dear business owner, or managing director.... This just gets me in the right frame of mind and focused on my customer.

3. I try to find a hook. A story. An in... This often takes many attempts, but the beauty of the voice recorder is that you just start another digital note.

4. I then transcribe my voice and put it in a word processor. The beauty of the Olympus model is that you can slow you speech down, so it is easy to transcribe. Rather than using MS word, I use a product called Write Room (on a mac), or Dark Room (on a PC). I've posted about this before, but basically this WP takes over your computer, turns your screen black (or any colour you want), and you are free from the distractions of the rest of your desktop.

5. Because I use a mac, I can get it to speak my copy back to me. This is a vital step in my copy writing and my secret weapon. I guess I am more audio than textual, but I can start to see and hear gaps that need filling... sentences which need cutting or expanding... and places I need to bring the copy back to you, the reader.

Step 5 goes on for quite sometime! Re-listening and fine tuning the copy. But it gets there in the end.

Step 6. Paste the copy into my html editor (GoodPage on a mac, this is outstanding), and then work on bringing it alive on the page with subheads, bold, italics, underline, etc.

You can see the the copy I wrote on the hill last week at Trial The Enterprise Leader Development Programme in Your Company - Risk Free for 60 Days!.

Again, I do no say I am a great copy writer, but I did have a mentor for a year. He is giving away a FREE copywriting course, at Copywriting beat-em up:, this is worth checking out (no aff, just worth checking out).

Anyway, that's how I do it.

How about you?

maurice · 10-01-2008, 07:51 AM

Nice strategy! Sales letter reads well too!

Maurice

vladinati · 10-01-2008, 03:49 PM

WOW! That is a great idea i have a recorder and i never thought of that thanks for the idea.

10-01-2008, 06:30 AM	#1
richard-pc Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bath, UK Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here's how I write copy... plus FREE copywriting cousre Hi there (I originally posted this in the main forum, but it better here I think!). Over the past few years I've developed my own way of writing copy. I use a few different tools which help me. I'm not saying I'm the best writer, or even qualified to call myself a copy writer, but I'm getting better. This is how I do it. 1. I do not write a word to start with. I record my thoughts! I use an Olympus WS-210s digital voice recorder to record the first version of my copy. In fact last week, to write a new sales letter, I walked up to the top a hill near where I live, sat down and started recording. It just flowed... For me, speaking is the best way I work. I don't have to think about typing or spelling, it is just me and my thoughts. 2. I always start my recordings with the words 'Dear XXX". For me this is usually Dear business owner, or managing director.... This just gets me in the right frame of mind and focused on my customer. 3. I try to find a hook. A story. An in... This often takes many attempts, but the beauty of the voice recorder is that you just start another digital note. 4. I then transcribe my voice and put it in a word processor. The beauty of the Olympus model is that you can slow you speech down, so it is easy to transcribe. Rather than using MS word, I use a product called Write Room (on a mac), or Dark Room (on a PC). I've posted about this before, but basically this WP takes over your computer, turns your screen black (or any colour you want), and you are free from the distractions of the rest of your desktop. 5. Because I use a mac, I can get it to speak my copy back to me. This is a vital step in my copy writing and my secret weapon. I guess I am more audio than textual, but I can start to see and hear gaps that need filling... sentences which need cutting or expanding... and places I need to bring the copy back to you, the reader. Step 5 goes on for quite sometime! Re-listening and fine tuning the copy. But it gets there in the end. Step 6. Paste the copy into my html editor (GoodPage on a mac, this is outstanding), and then work on bringing it alive on the page with subheads, bold, italics, underline, etc. You can see the the copy I wrote on the hill last week at Trial The Enterprise Leader Development Programme in Your Company - Risk Free for 60 Days!. Again, I do no say I am a great copy writer, but I did have a mentor for a year. He is giving away a FREE copywriting course, at Copywriting beat-em up:, this is worth checking out (no aff, just worth checking out). Anyway, that's how I do it. How about you?
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10-01-2008, 07:51 AM	#2
maurice Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NYArea, USA. Posts: 77 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Here's how I write copy... plus FREE copywriting cousre Nice strategy! Sales letter reads well too! Maurice

10-01-2008, 03:49 PM	#3
vladinati Warrior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: , , USA. Posts: 28 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Here's how I write copy... plus FREE copywriting cousre WOW! That is a great idea i have a recorder and i never thought of that thanks for the idea.