If Gary Halbert were starting over today...

Kevin Rogers · 01-25-2011, 02:29 PM

A common question of people struggling to establish a freelance copywriting biz is…

"If you had to start over today with none of your contacts, no reputation and no money, what's the first thing you would do to get clients?"

It's a smart question because a) as newbies, we're searching for that elusive blueprint ourselves and b) it's intriguing to think what someone with the skill level of a John Carlton or Gary Bencivenga would do if they were suddenly in the same boat as us.

When I posed that question to Carlton the other night on a call, he reminded me that when Gary Halbert was released from the Federal penitentiary, he was in that exact scenario...

"[Gary] wrote what was within months a $15,000 - $30,000 job -- for a $100," he said, and explained how Halbert went on to quickly rebuild his reputation from the bottom up.

He also talked openly about the very first "copy jobs" he did (writing restaurant menus for free) just so he could get the experience of dealing with a client.

It reminded me of the first paid job I ever landed through my original mentor, Vin Montello, and how he had to coach me through writing samples the client wanted because I was so clueless.

The important lesson in these stories relates to a consistent observation I've had about two common traits of the well-fed freelance copywriters I know…

1. When they started, all that mattered was having a reason to write copy.

They hooked up with any client they could without concern over getting a raw deal on price or whether they were getting the respect they deserved. They eagerly embraced the "shameless whore" stage knowing experience was the only way to build a reputation -- and a career.

2. They all got really good, really fast.

They didn't spend years "studying" the craft before they landed their first gigs.. they just strapped on their selling helmets and leaped into the trenches.

I believe there's a certain level of innate passion that fuels any sales career, but especially in freelance copywriting where you've got to sell yourself to the client as skillfully as you sell products for the client.

John didn't necessarily agree with about the necessity of passion, but when you hear him describe his first client check as his most life-altering event next to sex… I'm not sure what else to call it.

If you happen across this interview, I'd be interested to hear your take.

(This call with John, where he answers questions directly from Warrior members like Ross, Scott, Danielle, Calvin and others has just been posted on a website somewhere, but I refuse to reveal the address because there are evil, capitalist affiliate links on the page. So if you find it, listen at your own risk and please DO NOT click those links. They will only lead to more knowledge… dirty, dangerous knowledge.)

Ken_Caudill · 01-25-2011, 02:36 PM

I'd just pitch Carlton's courses on WF. What the hell.

RaptorGabe · 01-25-2011, 02:38 PM

Well put

....just do it right?

Ross James · 01-25-2011, 02:52 PM

Thanks Kevin. That is a cleaned up version of my question. I hear it being asked a lot in different places, there's a lot of 'raw behind the ears' copywriters trying to get their sails set in the right direction. Checking out your blog now. I gotta get that RSS feed sent to my phone! Appreciate it!

-Ross

Kevin Rogers · 01-25-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross James

Thanks Kevin. That is a cleaned up version of my question. I hear it being asked a lot in different places because there are a lot of 'raw behind the ears' copywriters trying to get their sails set in the right direction. Appreciate it!

-Ross

Yep. I asked your version more directly on the call.

The Copy Nazi · 01-26-2011, 03:22 AM

"Discover how former barman
Kevin Rogers
went from pulling beers in a slophouse...
to pulling in millions of dollars
for his elite copywriting clients

and get this -

his hair grew back...
he scored with a Russian supermodel...
and the GOD of I.M. copywriting
John Carlton
gave him a permanent gig!

best,
The Copy Nazi

247Copywriter · 01-26-2011, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Rogers

They eagerly embraced the "shameless whore" stage knowing experience was the only way to build a reputation -- and a career.

A shameless whore?

Cool!

Who wants to get into bed with me today?

Do you want to be the first Kevin? Any crumbs falling off your table, cheapo clients you're not interested in... please feel welcome to send them my way.

Anything is better than nothing during quiet periods.

My email address is below...

Kevin Rogers · 01-26-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metronicity

"Discover how former barman
Kevin Rogers
went from pulling beers in a slophouse...
to pulling in millions of dollars
for his elite copywriting clients

and get this -

his hair grew back...
he scored with a Russian supermodel...
and the GOD of I.M. copywriting John Carlton gave him a permanent gig!

best,
The Copy Nazi

Brilliant! Only, can we make the supermodel Asian? Russian babes leave bruises.

davemiz · 01-26-2011, 07:58 AM

mal, you F'ed up.... it's supposed to be:

He Scored With Two Wealthy, Lonely European Supermodels...

:-)

Oxbloom · 01-26-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davemiz

mal, you F'ed up.... it's supposed to be:

He Scored With Two Wealthy, Lonely European Supermodels...

:-)

Nah. We tested it, and the Russian outpulled almost 2:1. Pretty sure it tapped into mail order Russian bride fantasies that are hardwired into the collective unconscious.

The Copy Nazi · 01-26-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Rogers

Brilliant! Only, can we make the supermodel Asian? Russian babes leave bruises.

Hmmm...how about

"he scored with a slant-eyed supermodel"

ASCW · 01-26-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metronicity

Hmmm...how about

"he scored with a slant-eyed supermodel"

Please don't talk about my mother that way.

01-25-2011, 02:29 PM	#1
Kevin Rogers HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 308 Thanks: 156 Thanked 306 Times in 86 Posts Social Networking	If Gary Halbert were starting over today... A common question of people struggling to establish a freelance copywriting biz is… "If you had to start over today with none of your contacts, no reputation and no money, what's the first thing you would do to get clients?" It's a smart question because a) as newbies, we're searching for that elusive blueprint ourselves and b) it's intriguing to think what someone with the skill level of a John Carlton or Gary Bencivenga would do if they were suddenly in the same boat as us. When I posed that question to Carlton the other night on a call, he reminded me that when Gary Halbert was released from the Federal penitentiary, he was in that exact scenario... "[Gary] wrote what was within months a $15,000 - $30,000 job -- for a $100," he said, and explained how Halbert went on to quickly rebuild his reputation from the bottom up. He also talked openly about the very first "copy jobs" he did (writing restaurant menus for free) just so he could get the experience of dealing with a client. It reminded me of the first paid job I ever landed through my original mentor, Vin Montello, and how he had to coach me through writing samples the client wanted because I was so clueless. The important lesson in these stories relates to a consistent observation I've had about two common traits of the well-fed freelance copywriters I know… 1. When they started, all that mattered was having a reason to write copy. They hooked up with any client they could without concern over getting a raw deal on price or whether they were getting the respect they deserved. They eagerly embraced the "shameless whore" stage knowing experience was the only way to build a reputation -- and a career. 2. They all got really good, really fast. They didn't spend years "studying" the craft before they landed their first gigs.. they just strapped on their selling helmets and leaped into the trenches. I believe there's a certain level of innate passion that fuels any sales career, but especially in freelance copywriting where you've got to sell yourself to the client as skillfully as you sell products for the client. John didn't necessarily agree with about the necessity of passion, but when you hear him describe his first client check as his most life-altering event next to sex… I'm not sure what else to call it. If you happen across this interview, I'd be interested to hear your take. (This call with John, where he answers questions directly from Warrior members like Ross, Scott, Danielle, Calvin and others has just been posted on a website somewhere, but I refuse to reveal the address because there are evil, capitalist affiliate links on the page. So if you find it, listen at your own risk and please DO NOT click those links. They will only lead to more knowledge… dirty, dangerous knowledge.)
	The Conversion Kings

01-25-2011, 02:36 PM	#2
Ken_Caudill Here for the Beer War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 2,053 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 799 Thanked 1,280 Times in 795 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: If Gary Halbert were starting over today... I'd just pitch Carlton's courses on WF. What the hell.
	Sales Copy That Converts *Miracle Sales Copy Cures Cancer*

01-25-2011, 02:38 PM	#3
RaptorGabe GabrielBryan.com War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lincoln, CA Posts: 237 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 59 Thanked 42 Times in 35 Posts Social Networking	Re: If Gary Halbert were starting over today... Well put ....just do it right?
	Would you like 1-On-1 Coaching with me? CLICK HERE for a Warrior Forum Special Price Gabriel Bryan \| CEO Bryan Business Development

01-25-2011, 02:52 PM	#4
Ross James Meta Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Boston Suburbs, USA Posts: 487 Thanks: 96 Thanked 80 Times in 71 Posts Contact Info	Re: If Gary Halbert were starting over today... Thanks Kevin. That is a cleaned up version of my question. I hear it being asked a lot in different places, there's a lot of 'raw behind the ears' copywriters trying to get their sails set in the right direction. Checking out your blog now. I gotta get that RSS feed sent to my phone! Appreciate it! -Ross

01-26-2011, 03:22 AM	#6
The Copy Nazi Mal Lambe War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Bunker, Paris Posts: 2,484 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 791 Thanked 1,479 Times in 700 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: If Gary Halbert were starting over today... "Discover how former barman Kevin Rogers went from pulling beers in a slophouse... to pulling in millions of dollars for his elite copywriting clients and get this - his hair grew back... he scored with a Russian supermodel... and the GOD of I.M. copywriting John Carlton gave him a permanent gig! best, The Copy Nazi

01-26-2011, 07:58 AM	#9
davemiz Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 1,574 Thanks: 14 Thanked 210 Times in 137 Posts	Re: If Gary Halbert were starting over today... mal, you F'ed up.... it's supposed to be: He Scored With Two Wealthy, Lonely European Supermodels... :-)
	Dave Miz “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” ― Dalai Lama XIV