I think I've cracked this beast...

[Nick Brighton]

Do you remember the time - as a copywriter - when you realize that all those late nights, tests, set backs, failures, learning curves... all actually pay off?

Not just in terms of getting clients, but from proving, unquestionably, that you have what it takes to put words on a page and command money from people's wallets?

Because to me, THAT is what counts... Results.

For the longest time, I have been working for clients and never getting any reliable data back from their campaigns (you know how it is.)

So despite the odd testimonial, elated email, or client referral (thats how I get my clients today)... I never really had solid, first hand proof that my skills are sharp enough to convert people in the real world.

Today, I finally have that wonderful moment of absolute clarity and conviction, where I can clearly see that my skills are worthy.

Although I've given clients the results they needed in the past, and although I have sold my own stuff with my own copy in the past, I never really felt like my copywriting skills were much to write home about.

So what changed?

First, I went out, picked a market, picked an affiliate product to promote... and it bombed. Less than 0.03% conversions from cold traffic.

I looked at the sales copy, and then I went off and did my research.

I came back a few days later with the intel on this market, and wrote my copy.

Just a few days later, I'm sending the same cold traffic, but to my sales copy instead.

And I've shot from the other guy's 0.03% copy, to a whopping 3% conversion...

... on cold traffic.

But here's the kicker...

The other guy's copy had all the usual stuff you're "supposed" to have, such as testimonials, but mine had none.

Not one single element of proof, other than the product owner's experience.

Hope that makes a few folks around here see what's possible, when you do your research and craft compelling sales arguments.

And I should say...

This is in a market that I have no affinity with... and I'm certainly not the market myself. It's totally alien to me, and I only picked it for the sake of proving this to myself.

Bully for you, Nick. Right?

Yeah, screw me for showing off. Screw me for spending night after night, year after year, sacrificing so much of my social life to be able to make a post like this in a forum.

But I don't care. This isn't just a "look-at-me" post.

What I'm trying to say won't whet your whistle if you're a "copywriting uber gooberoo" but it's not supposed to.

I just wanted to put my karmic AND SINCERE thanks out there to everyone I've ever learned from, in this forum, in every book, and on every website I've read over the past 4 years.

There are simply too many to name here, without risk of accidental - yet offensive - exclusion.

And more to the point... I'm posting this to encourage others to stick with it, because having this power seems to come pretty ****ing close to having superhuman powers.

Ok, maybe that's pushing it. But it's darn reassuring to know that all you need is a keyboard or a pen, and you'll never go broke again.

Am I saying I'm the world's best copywriter? No.

Am I saying I'll always be able to crank amazing conversions? No.

But I know, without a shadow of a doubt, I'll never be on the breadline again... internet or no internet.

Because to the rookies in the pack - this stuff darn well works, if you actually have the gritty determination to master your craft, and patience when it doesn't work first time.

Above all the hype, trends, fads and gimmicks that you see in the general forum, nothing compares to the power of being able to sit down and put words into a website or on paper, and see people pull their hard earned money from their wallets.

Screw gadgets, screw social media, screw tons of traffic, screw fancy web design, screw all the **** that surrounds the heart of what really matters in this industry, and dare I say it, in the entire economy... the ability to sell.

If there's one thing you ever bother to learn, learn to write killer copy. I'm sure my peers in this forum will gladly agree, that moment when you realize that you "have arrived" is a very special feeling of liberation that very few will experience.

[Bruce Wedding]

Nick,

Congratulations. It is indeed a good feeling. And I remember when I achieved the same feeling. It is liberating and confidence-building.

I don't have time to share my similar story, but I want to caution copywriters from falsely believing you have achieved this level.

And I'll say with strong emphasis, I am NOT saying this is what you have done. To get 3% on cold traffic is definitely achieving a high level of copywriting skill.

The ones that falsely believe it, are the ones that write a letter for a product sent to a warm, responsive list and think that the 3...5... even 10+% returns are indicative of the same level of achievement. They're not.

Gary Halbert describes, in one of his letters, an excellent way to determine if you have earned the title copywriter. I have quickly searched the archives and can't find it. In a nutshell, he asks you to research a market, read and combine several products into your own product, get a hot list from SRDS and freaking mail it.

If you profit, you're a copywriter.

[Nick Brighton]

I agree Bruce.

I think the key thing is the cold traffic aspect. If I can send totally cold traffic (who weren't necessarily looking to buy anything that day) and coax cash out of their wallets without building a relationship, or showing any numerical or social proof, then I KNOW I'm on my way.

THAT is the crux of this situation, and what finally led me to believe that I really DO have what it takes to make it in this game.

[Alex Cohen]

Congrats Nick!

Yes, it's a golden moment for sure.

Mine came when I got my first call from a prospect (I had sent postcards to drive prospects to my website which asked them to call me) emotionally asking if his geographical area was still available. It was a thrill to realize that all the various persuasion elements had worked together to get the conversion. And it made me realize I could influence people to spend money with written words (he was already sold when he called).

Alex

[Nick Brighton]

Wow Alex, it must be even more prominent in person, and I've done offline sales jobs in the past!

I always told myself to do this, but after a few earlier fails in the years gone by, I had fear.

But then I realized... all you need is one converting piece, with your own product, and you're on your way to a wealthy future.

I had the backend strategy, the scaling, all the ideas to make the money... but I didn't have a front end product in any market (let alone one that could convert!)

Guess that's about to change

P.S - I don't want to imply that I'm giving up the copywriting career, just bolstering it and adding a few wings to my bow at the same time.

[Sebastion]

That's inspiring. I'm helping my friend craft a sales letter now. I've already put twelve hours into this, and I need one more draft before we start testing. I'm super excited to see if it converts.

Inspirational to hear you are off the breadline.

[Nick Brighton]

Originally Posted by Sebastion

That's inspiring. I'm helping my friend craft a sales letter now. I've already put twelve hours into this, and I need one more draft before we start testing. I'm super excited to see if it converts.

Inspirational to hear you are off the breadline.

Cool, hope it goes well.

For me, it's not so much "off the breadline" as I'm doing very well as a hired copywriter, but more a case of freelance to free living.

One relies on clients... the other pays you for work you do once.

[sethczerepak]

Originally Posted by Nick Brighton

Yeah, screw me for showing off. Screw me for spending night after night, year after year, sacrificing so much of my social life to be able to make a post like this in a forum.

I wouldn't screw you for that Nick...you'd have to start by at least buying me dinner...

[ewenmack]

My Magical Moment was back in the 90's.

Got money in the mail for $1,075.

It was from a classified ad, followed up with a mail piece.

The ad respondent called a toll free number and listened to my recorded message,
which was reading the ad and asking to leave their mailing address and I would send the information.

I posted the check back, partly because I hadn't the training package made up...
and mostly because I chickened out.

Wished I had copied and framed that check.

Pulled the plug before price testing, just went with $1075, and got it.

My problem wasn't asking for, and getting over $1,000 from strangers,
but me delivering the training package.

I gotta tell you though, it was a fantastic feeling handling that $1,075 check.

It to me, back then, almost defied logic. Who in their right mind,
sends a complete stranger, over a $1,000?

Obviously people did, and still do.

Over and out from money-is-in-the-mail Ewen.

[Nick Brighton]

Originally Posted by sethczerepak

I wouldn't screw you for that Nick...you'd have to start by at least buying me dinner...

McDonalds ok?

Originally Posted by ewenmack

My Magical Moment was back in the 90's.

Got money in the mail for $1,075.

It was from a classified ad, followed up with a mail piece.

The ad respondent called a toll free number and listened to my recorded message,
which was reading the ad and asking to leave their mailing address and I would send the information.

I posted the check back, partly because I hadn't the training package made up...
and mostly because I chickened out.

Wished I had copied and framed that check.

Pulled the plug before price testing, just went with $1075, and got it.

My problem wasn't asking for, and getting over $1,000 from strangers,
but me delivering the training package.

I gotta tell you though, it was a fantastic feeling handling that $1,075 check.

It to me, back then, almost defied logic. Who in their right mind,
sends a complete stranger, over a $1,000?

Obviously people did, and still do.

Over and out from money-is-in-the-mail Ewen.

Why didn't you get the training done? Too much work? Lack of time? Other?

Was it for personal training, or a physical product?

That's a great accomplishment though!

[ewenmack]

Originally Posted by Nick Brighton

Why didn't you get the training done? Too much work? Lack of time? Other?

Was it for personal training, or a physical product?

That's a great accomplishment though!

Nick, I felt I didn't really have the knowledge in the end.

I guess the little voices in my head saying, "Man who are you kidding"
got to me.

It was to be a big fat written manual.

It still taught me what's possible with the right words
and right plan of attack.

Got to thank Jeff Paul for helping me there.

Your post reminded me of that experience,
which I had long forgotten.

Best,
Ewen

[Kevin Rogers]

Nice work, Nick!

It's a great moment you describe, and usually happens on a much smaller scale than the ones hear about, like the mega-launches we all know owe more than just copy to their success.

My big moment was long before I'd ever heard of ClickBank... when a local landscaper asked for my help generating new account leads.

He thought I was crazy when I insisted he print 200 copies of the single page letter I wrote him, stuff them into envelopes and hand address each one to homes in the neighborhoods that best complimented his current route.

But he did it and was shocked when it quickly landed him 5 new accounts that week (word of mouth added another 3 by months end).

There's nothing like your first. Only gets more complicated from there.

Thanks for the memories, Nick and keep kicking ass.

Kevin

[Nick Brighton]

Originally Posted by Kevin Rogers

Nice work, Nick!

It's a great moment you describe, and usually happens on a much smaller scale than the ones hear about, like the mega-launches we all know owe more than just copy to their success.

My big moment was long before I'd ever heard of ClickBank... when a local landscaper asked for my help generating new account leads.

He thought I was crazy when I insisted he print 200 copies of the single page letter I wrote him, stuff them into envelopes and hand address each one to homes in the neighborhoods that best complimented his current route.

But he did it and was shocked when it quickly landed him 5 new accounts that week (word of mouth added another 3 by months end).

There's nothing like your first. Only gets more complicated from there.

Thanks for the memories, Nick and keep kicking ass.

Kevin

Cheers Kevin!

My first sales letter that actually "worked" was actually a while ago... almost 3 years in fact.

It was ugly as hell, terribly written and very long... but it has emotion, and scraped a 1% consistent conversion from cold traffic.

But since then, I've only really written for clients, and as I say, it's not like I've been clueless for my copywriting career, it's just that I never had that real first hand validation very often.

Maybe it was because I was working the same markets a lot (and felt like I was a one trick pony)... plus clients wouldn't feedback quantifiable data...

Either way, I just wanted to prove to myself that my skills pay the bills, with my own eyes.

P.S - For 7 days, this letter I wrote is now converting at 5% consistent on cold traffic. The product is $18.

Goes to show if you pick a good market, do your research, and give em' more than you're asking for in price, then you're going to see results.

P.P.S - Kevin, your writing style resonates with me, and I've really benefited from studying some of your work. The adjectives and superlatives you use remind me of Carlton... and I love that writing style more than any other.

[AdmiralGloom]

Personally, all I can hope is that I even turn out partially as good as some of the copywriters in this forum, including you all. It always been a pleasure clicking on your signatures and reading your sales copies.

Congratulations to all of you. I just started my 2nd project and I am really starting to love this more and more.

All I can do is practice and study, practice and study, practice and study.

Back to practicing and studying.

[enSo]

Congrats on your realization! And I completely agree - copywriting is definitely the most important skill in this business. I've seen it proven time and time again how changing a few words around can explode conversions.

[HowToMakeAWebsite]

This is encouraging story. I think so many times in internet marketing we think we know less then we really do. Most of the time we need to follow our gut and put into play what we already know. Your story proves it. Awesome post thanx for sharing.

[BacklinkExcellence]

Thanks for sharing your story Nick and congrats on your success! I think it's damn solid to get 3% from cold traffic and without the usual proof. Good job dude.

I think it's about time someone is asking this, are you for hire?

[Nick Brighton]

Originally Posted by BacklinkExcellence

Thanks for sharing your story Nick and congrats on your success! I think it's damn solid to get 3% from cold traffic and without the usual proof. Good job dude.

I think it's about time someone is asking this, are you for hire?

Haha, thanks buddy.

Yeah, I'm still going to write copy for clients. But my rates are going up...

[Bruce NewMedia]

Nick, this is one of the best posts here in awhile. Your simple little story no doubt will provide inspiration to a lot of copywriters, just like it does to me. ...and you know what else?

...even if you do end up on the streets with a tin cup one day, you'll absolutely have the best "Will Work For..." sign on the block! :-) lol
_____
Bruce

[MrPolarZero]

this post is yet very inspiring. I'm so glad I've visited this thread