How to Transition from Publisher to Copywriter...

[michaelhearne]

Hi everybody

So - I've been writing my own copy for a while now & it has always done really well - really high conversion rates...

And I have been writing for the last year for my "publishing" business but have moved to a passive role now in that business...

My current video sales letter controls in that business - at the end of our last launch - converted 20.3%, 21% & 11% (front-end, membership upsell, big ticket upsell)...

And all my past copy has done well - including direct mail, email, long form & video...

Anyways - it seems like I have the skills to make decent bank as a freelancer, but the problem is I don't have JACK for a rep outside my immediate circle & I'm wondering what is the best way to get one - quick, fast & in a hurry??

After re-arranging my business, I have gone from 60+ hours a week to just a few...

And I'd like to fill some of that time doing freelance projects - but the world at large just doesn't get what I do...

And I don't want any more partnerships right now, so I really just need some advice on how to break into the market of direct-response copy buyers...

Thanks in advance!!

--Michael

[Alex Cohen]

Michael,

Convert direct response copy prospects the same way you convert product prospects... persuade them.

Write a sales piece (letter or video) and drive targeted traffic to it.

Alex

[John_S]

I don't have JACK for a rep outside my immediate circle & I'm wondering what is the best way to get one - quick, fast & in a hurry??

It depends. First off, if you have a high bank niche, with great conversions, you don't stray far from that niche.

Second, if you have your house list then you probably have your answer. Next option may be a press release.

Without information -- and you provide little -- that's about all there is to say.

[michaelhearne]

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

Michael,

Convert direct response copy prospects the same way you convert product prospects... persuade them.

Write a sales piece (letter or video) and drive targeted traffic to it.

Alex

Thanks Alex - I've reached the same conclusion - I'm doing an interview today for a telesummit & will drive traffic to an offer for a copy critique & a class on conversions...

Problem is that these are from not-direct-response-savvy leads - I agreed a few months back as a favor to a friend in my mastermind - not exactly strategic thinking ya digg?

So the problem is that I don't have the targeted traffic - although I do have a video sales letter I can dust off - hmmmmmmm...

Well, you got me thinking...

Know of anybody with a good list I can buy a solo email drop or top sponsor ad from??

Thanks!!!

--Michael

[gjabiz]

First, I'd ask you to define and identify WHOM you think are the Direct Response Buyers of Copywriting services?

You surely have some folks in mind, eh?

That would be the list to TARGET, rght?

What do they want? How can you give it to them?

My contrarian advice, which is treated like poison on this forum, is to do SPEC work...but only for the Big Boys. The guys who can hire you for years to come.

Take them a new product, offer to challenge their current control, again on Spec...that means you don't get paid, you have to prove yourself. You have to prove your copy.

My experience says that many Direct Response marketers, especially well established ones, are always on the lookout for new talent who can sell products via their copy.

So, pick the top 5 DR marketers you'd want to work with...and make em an offer they can't refuse. Finding a copywriter who can sell is always a triumph for the company. Give them the honor of discovering you.

gjabiz

Originally Posted by michaelhearne

Thanks Alex - I've reached the same conclusion - I'm doing an interview today for a telesummit & will drive traffic to an offer for a copy critique & a class on conversions...

Problem is that these are from not-direct-response-savvy leads - I agreed a few months back as a favor to a friend in my mastermind - not exactly strategic thinking ya digg?

So the problem is that I don't have the targeted traffic - although I do have a video sales letter I can dust off - hmmmmmmm...

Well, you got me thinking...

Know of anybody with a good list I can buy a solo email drop or top sponsor ad from??

Thanks!!!

--Michael

[michaelhearne]

Ok - so I get that if i want to go to biz owners & entrepreneurs, I need to put together a sales funnel and drive traffic down it...

That's in the works as we speak...

But I've also learned that there is always a better, faster, higher paying way to do a thing...

I'd like to identify the businesses that pay big for copy, identify the right person to talk to & then go after them - with a plan...

First, by asking "does anybody I know, know my target??"...

If not, then how can I get an appointment to talk to them directly??

I've sold B2B before using FedEx overnight packages & personal assistants to set appointments, followed by a phone sales call, etc.

And I don't mind going that route, but I don't know which businesses to target for someone in my position - someone who has never focused on building a rep or positioning himself - just writing for my own ventures...

I know the names of the big mailers - Agora, Boardroom, etc. - but are these the right targets for me??

I'd love to hear from someone who has written for them who know the game from the inside...

Here's hoping

Thanks again!!

--Michael

[michaelhearne]

Thanks gjabiz - that's the kind of clarity I'm trying to get to...

I have offered to one JV broker to write on spec for any of his big mailer contacts...

And I'm fortunate to have several friends that own $10m plus online businesses - and we are all discussing projects and options...

I guess I'm really just looking to cut to the front of the line sounds like my style!

Thanks dude!!

--Michael

Originally Posted by gjabiz

First, I'd ask you to define and identify WHOM you think are the Direct Response Buyers of Copywriting services?

You surely have some folks in mind, eh?

That would be the list to TARGET, rght?

What do they want? How can you give it to them?

My contrarian advice, which is treated like poison on this forum, is to do SPEC work...but only for the Big Boys. The guys who can hire you for years to come.

Take them a new product, offer to challenge their current control, again on Spec...that means you don't get paid, you have to prove yourself. You have to prove your copy.

My experience says that many Direct Response marketers, especially well established ones, are always on the lookout for new talent who can sell products via their copy.

So, pick the top 5 DR marketers you'd want to work with...and make em an offer they can't refuse. Finding a copywriter who can sell is always a triumph for the company. Give them the honor of discovering you.

gjabiz

[kpaulmedia]

It's all about networking.

[Loren Woirhaye]

Plough the extra dough you're making from your publishing business
into advertising/marketing to the niche of clients you'd like
to work with. A fancy letter boasting of your great prowess
delivered in an attention-getting manner (lumpy mail, for example,
or by courier) may impress some prospects.

Or, if a broke small publisher looking to find work as a writer (a not
uncommon situation), do what most writers starting out as
freelancers do, and take whatever work you can get marketing
to your existing network.

[Alex Cohen]

Originally Posted by michaelhearne

So the problem is that I don't have the targeted traffic - although I do have a video sales letter I can dust off - hmmmmmmm...

Well, you got me thinking...

Know of anybody with a good list I can buy a solo email drop or top sponsor ad from??

Thanks!!!

--Michael

Michael,

One good way to get targeted traffic is through PPC advertising.

If you want to use 2-step marketing, develop and sell a product of interest to your target group, build a relationship with them, and get work that way.

Alex