Is This A New Idea? Opportunity For Autoresponder Writer

[pkmembers]

I met an autoresponder copywriter at a networking event last week. It gave me an idea - but is it common practice?
I'm starting to neglect the autoresponder series for my +30,000 optin gamers (xbox, ps3, wii). I asked the copy guy to write several months of messages so I can load them into my autoresponder.


Here's my 'a-ha' moment. I don't want to pay. So I asked him to do the work for free. Why would he work for free (I hear you say)? What if we agree to share the affiliate commissions generated by the list. He gets commissions from 50% of the 'money' messages. He ensures 80-90% of the emails are 'naked' and good content.

How will it work? The copy guy includes his own affiliate link in 50% of the money messages and mine in the remaining. On the other hand, he has all the affiliate links with a unique tracking id and paypals me my share every week.


Is this a common practice? Let me know.

GREAT STUFF!
Paul

ps I'm waiting to hear from the copywriter, but I'd be happy to JV with another copy partner

[Ross James]

Most big name copywriters charge a fee upfront and get a commission - that's performance based copywriting. Well known copywriters almost always get paid first, guys just starting out like myself would take an opportunity like this in a heartbeat. Not to say whoever is writing your copy is just starting out but that's usually in most cases how it works.

Best,

Ross

[Daniel Scott]

There's almost always a "kill fee" attached - so if you don't mail (for whatever reason) we're covered.

And frankly... once you've got our work... there's no guarantee we'll ever hear from you again, let alone get paid.

Hence the kill fee.

Some people work for nothing up front, like Ross said... but it's usually only in a situation where we trust the other person explicitly.

-Daniel

[BrianMcLeod]

Originally Posted by pkmembers

Here's my 'a-ha' moment. I don't want to pay.

Now, that's the kind of revelation I'm always
on the lookout for in a potential "partner"....

[pkmembers]

Originally Posted by Daniel Scott

There's almost always a "kill fee" attached - so if you don't mail (for whatever reason) we're covered.

And frankly... once you've got our work... there's no guarantee we'll ever hear from you again, let alone get paid.

Hence the kill fee.

Some people work for nothing up front, like Ross said... but it's usually only in a situation where we trust the other person explicitly.

-Daniel

Daniel - you've given me a terrific insight into the thinking of a copywriter. I really appreciate your candid reply.

A lot of JV's rely heavily on trust. One way to build upon the trust, to avoid the kill fee, is grant full access to the autoresponder with all the contacts, message and previous emails. That puts the power back in the hands of the copywriter JV partner because they decide when, and how frequently, to email. Then the trust is that the copywriter doesn't simply download the contacts into their own autoresponder and run off with your list or promote high gravity products with his/her affiliate link and low gravity products with the list owners affiliate link . GREAT STUFF! Paul

Originally Posted by BrianMcLeod

Now, that's the kind of revelation I'm always on the lookout for in a potential "partner"....

Hey Brian - have you been stung before by a JV partner? What are the warning signs? GREAT STUFF! Paul

[eramedia]

I would personally only ever use a copywriter on recommendation. Get some experienced warriors to pm you with recommendations. Some good honest, trustworthy people still exist.

[wcmylife]

@eramedia - trustworthy copywriters?....I think in this case it's a matter of trusting pkmembers as he wants an auto-responder service done without any upfront-payment on the basis of including an affiliate link of the copywriter.

@pkmedia
1. You said several months of copy - but what frequency are we talking about. Once a week, twice a week or 10 times each month...that was not specified.
2. Do you have an average word count to maintain on each email or do you leave that up to the copywriter?
3. Your niche is the gaming market - what if the copywriter is willing to take you up but does not promote a gaming affiliate - then the offer would be of no use to him?
4. Without an upfront payment - I think many warriors would think twice about the proposal.

.best

[pkmembers]

Originally Posted by wcmylife

@eramedia - trustworthy copywriters?....I think in this case it's a matter of trusting pkmembers as he wants an auto-responder service done without any upfront-payment on the basis of including an affiliate link of the copywriter.

@pkmedia
1. You said several months of copy - but what frequency are we talking about. Once a week, twice a week or 10 times each month...that was not specified.
2. Do you have an average word count to maintain on each email or do you leave that up to the copywriter?
3. Your niche is the gaming market - what if the copywriter is willing to take you up but does not promote a gaming affiliate - then the offer would be of no use to him?
4. Without an upfront payment - I think many warriors would think twice about the proposal.

.best

wcmylife - Thanks for your comments. I've got a JV with a copywriter following this thread post which is great! Nevertheless, let me tackle your questions:

1. It's up to the copywriter to determine the most suitable frequency.
2. Again, its up to the copywriter who has access to my autoresponder.
3. You're right - the copywriter needs to promote gaming relevant affiliate links otherwise the list will simply unsubscribe.
4. I understand that upfront payment is necessary for many copywriters. I guess my view is that I've paid in time and money to build the list - but I need a copywriter JV partner to help convert the list.

GREAT STUFF! Paul

[sethczerepak]

It really boils down to trust. I'll take getting paid based on performance any day. However, it requires BOTH dynamics of trust to be present:

1) Character: the willingness to follow through on their end of the bargain and pay you.
2) Competence: their ability to market your page well enough to get it in
front of interested customers instead of warm bodies...or to launch the friggin' thing instead of sitting on it until they grow a Gandolf beard.

This is why I always say, being a good writer is less than 10% of the game. More important is being able to read people and determine if the relationship is worth taking a chance, then being a good ballsy negotiator.

[wcmylife]

@Paul - thanks for the explanation - just for the adventure, would of been tempted to try it out but I am not into the gaming market, although I once did a PR for the XBOX Boys - read band who sang about the XBOX - while they were vying for a sponsorship with Microsoft. The sponsorship did not go through but they went on to do 3.1 million dowloads at $1 a download...it's a good market - competitive but good...all the best with it.

[Ross James]

Originally Posted by wcmylife

@Paul - thanks for the explanation - just for the adventure, would of been tempted to try it out but I am not into the gaming market, although I once did a PR for the XBOX Boys - read band who sang about the XBOX - while they were vying for a sponsorship with Microsoft. The sponsorship did not go through but they went on to do 3.1 million dowloads at $1 a download...it's a good market - competitive but good...all the best with it.

Quite the clever reframe.

I'm not into the gaming niche...although...(inserts indirect suggestion)

[pkmembers]

Originally Posted by sethczerepak

This is why I always say, being a good writer is less than 10% of the game. More important is being able to read people and determine if the relationship is worth taking a chance, then being a good ballsy negotiator.

Seth - Thanks for your observations. Trust is indeed important. I've been burnt twice, but not as bad as my previous partner who lost his house because a clever scammer. I guess trust is more important when things start to work and lots of money is made.

I'm also working with a partner to launch an Internet Marketing Cruise ship event. We have no agreements, no partnership documents. Its simply 'my word is my bond'. However, I trust him. You get much more done with trust as the cornerstone of a partnership.

Originally Posted by wcmylife

@Paul - thanks for the explanation - just for the adventure, would of been tempted to try it out but I am not into the gaming market, although I once did a PR for the XBOX Boys - read band who sang about the XBOX - while they were vying for a sponsorship with Microsoft. The sponsorship did not go through but they went on to do 3.1 million dowloads at $1 a download...it's a good market - competitive but good...all the best with it.

wcmylife - I'm please you are tempted because it may inspire other large list owners to have the same arrangement with copywriters.

Originally Posted by Ross James

Quite the clever reframe.

I'm not into the gaming niche...although...(inserts indirect suggestion)

Ross - GREAT STUFF!

[Ross James]

Paul... It's just funny to me when people try to use persuasion on here in hopes of finding new work. I'm not mad about it, I've probably done it myself not knowing any better. It's just to easily detectable. And I call it as I see it.

Like for example, now when I go buy something; like I just did on valentines day, I feel like im being gamed yet their game is much weaker than mine so their salemanship on me turns out to be a lesson on how to use persuasion more effectively, instead of me actually buying anything. That's why its easier to shop online. Lol

Best,

Ross