Anyone bought 'Getting Your First Client' from AWAI?

[arfasaira]

hey everyone, has anyone bought 'Getting Your First Client'? It's published by AWAI and I wanted to know if it was really as good as the hype.

I know we have these discussions all the time, but I keep thinking that there is some secret society where all the top paying gigs are and only the guys at the top know about it!

Someone please enlighten me if any such place actually exists!

[marciayudkin]

I know we have these discussions all the time, but I keep thinking that there is some secret society where all the top paying gigs are and only the guys at the top know about it!

The top-paying gigs are not normally listed anywhere. They reside in relationships, where trust and admiration have already been established.

Sorry to disappoint you! But from the wording of your question, it sounds like you already suspected that.

Marcia Yudkin

[arfasaira]

Originally Posted by marciayudkin

Sorry to disappoint you! But from the wording of your question, it sounds like you already suspected that.

Marcia Yudkin

Yeah! I did suspect it! I am doing pretty well offline, but writing sales letters for high paying clients seems to be elusive.

Right now I have written a report aimed at health practices with a soft pitch at the end for my services. It worked with a local optician who has given me a substantial order.

But yes, you are right, you have to build your credibility and trust first.

[Daniel Scott]

Back when I was newer... I wondered what I was doing wrong.

All the high-paying gigs (if you call $5 - 6k high paying) were from colleagues... word-of-mouth referrals... and networking contacts.

Then I realized something...

...that's how everybody else gets those high-paying clients too!

So my advice to you is:

1. Get good. REALLY good. Be one of the people who is known for consistently getting brilliant results for clients.

2. Get your rep established among other copywriters. We're always passing on work to each other.

3. Network. Go to seminars etc where you can hang out with the heavy hitters. You'd be amazed how valuable a good copywriter's insights can be, even to guys who routinely make seven figures a year.

4. Always be seeking to improve. Relish having your work torn apart by the guys who have been there, done that. They're giving you a VERY valuable education for free.

Basically... don't just get good... make sure you show people how good you are. Don't be afraid to toot your own horn when it's justified.

And be likable... people hire people they like. If you're a cool person and you can bring in the bacon, you're more or less home and hosed.

Finally... remember it takes time for your name to catch on and your reputation to build... and some people take longer than others. Don't get frustrated... it just takes time for your rep to spread through the community.

Just a few thoughts.

-Daniel

[ARSuarez]

Originally Posted by Daniel Scott

Back when I was newer... I wondered what I was doing wrong.

All the high-paying gigs (if you call $5 - 6k high paying) were from colleagues... word-of-mouth referrals... and networking contacts.

Then I realized something...

...that's how everybody else gets those high-paying clients too!

So my advice to you is:

1. Get good. REALLY good. Be one of the people who is known for consistently getting brilliant results for clients.

2. Get your rep established among other copywriters. We're always passing on work to each other.

3. Network. Go to seminars etc where you can hang out with the heavy hitters. You'd be amazed how valuable a good copywriter's insights can be, even to guys who routinely make seven figures a year.

4. Always be seeking to improve. Relish having your work torn apart by the guys who have been there, done that. They're giving you a VERY valuable education for free.

Basically... don't just get good... make sure you show people how good you are. Don't be afraid to toot your own horn when it's justified.

And be likable... people hire people they like. If you're a cool person and you can bring in the bacon, you're more or less home and hosed.

Finally... remember it takes time for your name to catch on and your reputation to build... and some people take longer than others. Don't get frustrated... it just takes time for your rep to spread through the community.

Just a few thoughts.

-Daniel

This is why I love getting absolutely brutal critiques of my copy.

Best,

Angel

[MikeHumphreys]

Originally Posted by Daniel Scott

4. Always be seeking to improve. Relish having your work torn apart by the guys who have been there, done that. They're giving you a VERY valuable education for free.

-Daniel

Daniel shared a lot of great points. I'm going to comment on #4 here.

A lot of new(er) copywriters are ultra-sensitive to criticism which is the wrong approach to take. You should embrace all feedback, even if it's another copywriter telling you that what you wrote flat-out stunk.

Consider it tough love.

Because once you start charging $5K and up, it's a different playing field. The clients know what high-quality copy looks like and they expect that you will deliver it... and deliver it consistently.

And if what you wrote bombed... well, you have to ready to step in calmly and know how to fix it fast.

One of my favorite fiction authors is former Navy Seal Commander Richard Marcinko. Each of his "Rogue Warrior" series has his 10 SpecWar Commandments. IMHO, this one really applies to all copywriters:

"I shall punish thy bodies because the more thou sweatest in training, the less thou bleedest in combat."

Talk to any of the high-level copywriters who you admire or respect.

All of us have stories about getting our copy completely shredded by our mentors... dealing with difficult to please or problem clients... fixing a launch that flopped while the launch was happening and countless other challenges.

It's those challenges that helped make each one of us a stronger and better copywriter. We trained hard... sweat and bleed in training when we had to, so we wouldn't be as likely to fail when our client's business is counting on what we write to work.

That's one of most appealing things to offer your clients... that you can truly be their go-to copywriter and business consultant.

My 3 cents,

Mike

[arfasaira]

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

Daniel shared a lot of great points. I'm going to comment on #4 here.

A lot of new(er) copywriters are ultra-sensitive to criticism which is the wrong approach to take. You should embrace all feedback, even if it's another copywriter telling you that what you wrote flat-out stunk.

Consider it tough love.

Because once you start charging $5K and up, it's a different playing field. The clients know what high-quality copy looks like and they expect that you will deliver it... and deliver it consistently.

And if what you wrote bombed... well, you have to ready to step in calmly and know how to fix it fast.

One of my favorite fiction authors is former Navy Seal Commander Richard Marcinko. Each of his "Rogue Warrior" series has his 10 SpecWar Commandments. IMHO, this one really applies to all copywriters:

"I shall punish thy bodies because the more thou sweatest in training, the less thou bleedest in combat."

Talk to any of the high-level copywriters who you admire or respect.

All of us have stories about getting our copy completely shredded by our mentors... dealing with difficult to please or problem clients... fixing a launch that flopped while the launch was happening and countless other challenges.

It's those challenges that helped make each one of us a stronger and better copywriter. We trained hard... sweat and bleed in training when we had to, so we wouldn't be as likely to fail when our client's business is counting on what we write to work.

That's one of most appealing things to offer your clients... that you can truly be their go-to copywriter and business consultant.

My 3 cents,

Mike

Excellent advice here and so true as well. When I was training, I requested to do an additional sales letter for extra practice and had to rework it a few times until I got it right.

I still get nerves when I write a sales letter because I always have that niggling thought at the back of my mind that I need to go over it again and again. Looking back, I was never happy with it until my coach said so, and sometimes it would be frustrating if I thought I had 'got it' and I hadn't.

Just goes to show why higher paid copywriters are where they are - they haven't just crafted words, they have crafted their years of understanding and experience into their letters and each one is a labor of love.

Great quote - ill be keeping that one!

Thanks for your insight.

[Ken Strong]

Originally Posted by Daniel Scott

you're more or less home and hosed.

I'm going to assume that's a good thing.

[oliviasmith]

well this society seems to be a interesting one. Well i have no idea where it is but do let me know if u come to know it's location.