Copywriting is not that hard.

[Colin Theriot]

Many people tell me they feel that copywriting is hard.

First they start with a bit of their life story about how their background doesn't support it.

Then they give me lots of well thought-out reasoned explanations as to why it's hard and why they can't do it.

They attempt to persuade me into believing them and agreeing that it's simply something forever beyond their grasp.

Most of them succeed. Some of them overcome any amount of objections I can come up with.

Which actually kind of proves they have all the required skill for writing great salescopy.

Pretty funny, no?

EDIT: I'm sad the mods moved this to the copywriting forum - it's not REALLY about copy, it's about not being a puss.

[Bill_Z]

Nice one

I have to admit, I had some trouble with it when I first started out. I'm getting better though.

[Victoria Gates]

Gotta get people to identify and then solve their problem.

[Willie Crawford]

Writing copy is easy.

Writing copy that converts is another matter for most of
us... but can be mastered with a lot of practice.

When I look at copy that doesn't work, I often find copy
that the writer simply didn't keep revising, and improving.
Very, very few people can go with their first draft but
far too many people seem to do that anyway

Willie

[Colin Theriot]

Originally Posted by Willie Crawford

Writing copy is easy.

Writing copy that converts is another matter for most of
us... but can be mastered with a lot of practice.

When I look at copy that doesn't work, I often find copy
that the writer simply didn't keep revising, and improving.
Very, very few people can go with their first draft but
far too many people seem to do that anyway

Willie

You can't revise what you don't write, and a first draft will always convert better than a zero draft, right?

[Adam Roy]

Well said colin, well said.

I'm one of those people who feel that copywriting is NOT easy.

Here's why:

1 - I'm never sure what to say next

2 - When I know what to say, I'm just not sure how to say it

bleh.

[lesterlim85]

English is not my native language, so you can imagine how nervy I felt when I first wrote the salescopy for my very 1st WSO. In fact, for the whole product creation to launch process, the salescopy is something that "disturbs" me the most.

What I did was to follow what Colin mentioned in his post, and tried to relate to my audience by sharing what I have to offer to satisfy their needs, and then go to copywriting section to get some feedback on it. Fortunately, a few kind souls replied to me and gave me very good advices.

I eventually revised quite a number of drafts before settling for one which I am most comfortable with and the rest is history.

Cheers,
Lester

[James Fortzman]

Copywriting is automatic and instinctive when you are part of your target audience. Just write what you would need to hear to buy. Simple. Problem is, most of us write for markets we aren't intimately familiar with.

[islandbreezes]

Originally Posted by Willie Crawford

Writing copy is easy.

Writing copy that converts is another matter for most of
us... but can be mastered with a lot of practice.

When I look at copy that doesn't work, I often find copy
that the writer simply didn't keep revising, and improving.
Very, very few people can go with their first draft but
far too many people seem to do that anyway -Willie

Originally Posted by Colin Theriot

You can't revise what you don't write, and a first draft will always convert better than a zero draft, right?

...both very good points... I would rather write a first draft then none at all and then go back later (or much later if my brain needs a break) and re-work it... I think that it can be difficult only when there are so many other things taking a person's time and energy! I guess we all have our own strengths and weaknesses as well and it is important to know what they are and outsource where needed!

[Jarrett]

Originally Posted by Colin Theriot

EDIT: I'm sad the mods moved this to the copywriting forum - it's not REALLY about copy, it's about not being a puss.

lmfao.

best edit reason I've seen

[Brandon Ellis]

Nice one boss. I see what you're saying here and agree. They tell you a story, persuade you that can't do it, and are in effect writing copy in words to persuade you they can't do it.

I think a lot of the problem is people just getting down to it and getting it done. Like Willie said, you can always crank it out and then do your edits and revising.

At least at that point you now have something to work with.

The greats write SOMETHING every day, crap or not.

Most of them started by even handwriting out great ads from the past for hours on end until it came natural for them and the developed the knack.

I don't think there is anything wrong with hiring out copy work, but I do think it is one of the greatest skills for any business person to know.

And if you haven't put in the wrench time and learned the skill, don't complain that you Can't do it. You just Haven't done it.

You get whichever you choose.

[Alex Cohen]

Originally Posted by Colin Theriot

They attempt to persuade me into believing them and agreeing that it's simply something forever beyond their grasp.

Most of them succeed. Some of them overcome any amount of objections I can come up with.

Which actually kind of proves they have all the required skill for writing great salescopy.

Pretty funny, no?

Or you could see it as a failure on your part to persuade them.

Instead of answering objections, try another persuasion trigger. Like demonstration. Maybe your "conversions" will increase.

Alex

[Neil AM]

Originally Posted by Colin Theriot

...

Which actually kind of proves they have all the required skill for writing great salescopy.

Hush, you. All this common sense is denting my earning potential.

[Henry White]

Originally Posted by James Fortzman

Copywriting is automatic and instinctive when you are part of your target audience. Just write what you would need to hear to buy. Simple. Problem is, most of us write for markets we aren't intimately familiar with.

With my niches, I'm never going to have any gazillion dollar launch days, so I simply stopped worrying about writing like a professional copywriter.

As long as it ain't broke, I'm not going to putz around with it very much trying to "fix" it! So far that's working out just fine.

[Ken_Caudill]

Originally Posted by Colin Theriot

You can't revise what you don't write, and a first draft will always convert better than a zero draft, right?

Damn. There is intelligent life on this forum.

[Goldenboy]

The most challenging part in writing is to start writing. We are often faced with challenges such as what to start, what to write and how it should be written. I totally agree with colin that writing requires some drafts before making your final writing. Copywriting is not that easy as they say, start by trying to read some articles on how copywriting is to be done and seek advises from people who know how to make some copywriting. You are still learning and it is normal to experience difficulties, and as time passes by, I know in time you will become a successful copywriter yourself.
The important ingredient to become one of the successful copywriters is not to give up on what you want to do that easy. If at first you fail, get back on your feet and try it again until you will be successful.

[hamzah3]

I agree with you.I have little knowledge about copywriting .But I think it is the backbone of any business which is related to content production and selling information.And I hope one day with practice I will also become a good copywriter

[Rezbi]

It's not the writing that's hard.

What's hard is the preparation beforehand to make the writing easy.

I find it bl**dy hard.

That's probably why it takes me ages.

But when it's done and dusted, the finished product usually reflects the amount of work I put in.

[RobCopywriter]

Writing copy that converts is difficult for those who aren't good at writing (like it's their forte). Plus people also have other things they have to do that they are better at or need to do so spending time copywriting isn't always the best way to spend their time.

I recently talked to a woman who is a product affiliate of something she is really passionate in. For the past 2 months, she has been trying to rank well in online marketing which is technically something that anyone in this world can do if they have a computer. But she says she just doesn't want to waste time battling it any more because it's not her forte and its eating up her time she could be using to sell products, give presentations, prospect, etc.

[Colin Theriot]

Originally Posted by Adam Roy

Well said colin, well said.

I'm one of those people who feel that copywriting is NOT easy.

Here's why:

1 - I'm never sure what to say next

2 - When I know what to say, I'm just not sure how to say it

bleh.

That gets better with practice. And if you need it, study other letters. Though only when you get stuck. If you study before practice, you can avoid ever getting to the practice.

Originally Posted by Rezbi

It's not the writing that's hard.

What's hard is the preparation beforehand to make the writing easy.

I find it bl**dy hard.

That's probably why it takes me ages.

But when it's done and dusted, the finished product usually reflects the amount of work I put in.

That too, gets better with practice. Especially since what you learn in one letter can be applied to the next. Eventually you get to a place like where I am where I have a nice set of templates and patterns that I can use like building blocks instead of having to start completely from scratch.

Originally Posted by RobCopywriter

Writing copy that converts is difficult for those who aren't good at writing (like it's their forte). Plus people also have other things they have to do that they are better at or need to do so spending time copywriting isn't always the best way to spend their time.

I recently talked to a woman who is a product affiliate of something she is really passionate in. For the past 2 months, she has been trying to rank well in online marketing which is technically something that anyone in this world can do if they have a computer. But she says she just doesn't want to waste time battling it any more because it's not her forte and its eating up her time she could be using to sell products, give presentations, prospect, etc.

That's a whole different topic, Rob. Recognizing your own strengths and weaknesses is valuable, and you should outsource what you suck at and focus on what you're good at.

What I'm talking about are the people who say "I can't" when they are really saying "I won't because..." and they make up a story and myriad excuses to keep them from ever trying. And that's NOT learning your strengths. That's avoidance and excuse making.

You make a good point, it's just not at all connected to what I was saying.

[Frances Colleen]

Originally Posted by Adam Roy

Well said colin, well said.

I'm one of those people who feel that copywriting is NOT easy.

Here's why:

1 - I'm never sure what to say next

2 - When I know what to say, I'm just not sure how to say it

bleh.

I think it will do you well to put yourself in your reader's shoes and write from your subconscious, no matter how awkward or bad it looks on paper. Thoughts don't hesitate and stutter. You'll be amazed at how many words you get down. But here's the thing: just get it down first. How to make it right and beautiful can come later.

[kenboss]

Originally Posted by Colin Theriot

Some of them overcome any amount of objections I can come up with.

Which actually kind of proves they have all the required skill for writing great salescopy.

ALL the required skill? I'm going to humbly beg to differ there... overcoming objections in a rational, bullet-pointy way is not always going to get the readers to actually reach for their wallets.

I have seen numerous sales pages that cover all the bases, leaving me with no possible rational reason why I shouldn't buy the product, but so ho-hum and uninspiring that I don't even come close to pushing the buy button.

Getting people excited is a more valuable, and much rarer skill, IMHO. Bypassing 'persuasion' and pushing the Hungry button.

Being able to say, in effect: you KNOW you want this, bro, so I won't mention the objections if you won't!! (wink wink) just push this ADD TO CART button to get this tasty morsel.... mmmmm...

[AvJake]

Can any of you suggest a good copywriting book that you would categorize as a "must have." I'd be interested in hearing what you guys have in mind.

Thanks :-)