BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula?

UrbanAntonio · 01-04-2009, 06:47 PM

Here is a question that perplexes me...

Do you follow the formula or do you be yourself, use your own voice and be unique in your niche???

Seems like a conflict

Any advice on being myself or following hte forumla for effective sales copy???

Antonio

Raydal · 01-04-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UrbanAntonio

Here is a question that perplexes me...

Do you follow the formula or do you be yourself, use your own voice and be unique in your niche???

Seems like a conflict

Any advice on being myself or following hte forumla for effective sales copy???

Antonio

This all depends on what you mean by "be yourself" since there doesn't need to
be a conflict between both.

The "formula" was designed based on sales psychology but this doesn't take
away your "voice" from the copy. Every writer has a style and a voice but
this can still fit into the formula that you refer to.

It would be wise then to find your own style but follow the 'rules' of persuasion
at the same time.

-Ray L.,

UrbanAntonio · 01-04-2009, 07:42 PM

thank you for clarifying that
antonio

Stephen Dean · 01-04-2009, 08:01 PM

Copywriting is part art and part science. There are formulas but there's room to grow. Every project is different.

Writing copy is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle that has no correct
solution.

Cheers,
Stephen

bambi211 · 01-04-2009, 08:48 PM

For me in copywriting there are rules but you can still impart your own style when you write.

BrianMcLeod · 01-04-2009, 09:26 PM

Hi Antonio,

In your life you will likely meet many, many great salespeople that have divergently different styles, techniques, mindsets... what have you...

However, one thing all great salespeople have in common is this...

They possess a mastery of the mechanics of persuading someone to buy and completing that transaction smoothly. Great closers and copywriters live by RESULTS, not style.

Adhering to proven principles of selling and being yourself don't need to be mutually exclusive -- in fact, I'd go so far as to say that they CANNOT be if you ever hope to become exceptional at selling or writing copy.

Hope this helps,

Brian

TimCastleman · 01-04-2009, 10:24 PM

There are people who have been doing this much longer than you and I and in addition there are things that have worked 50 years ago just like they do today. If I were in your shoes I'd play follow the leader at first. No need to remake the wheel.

Dean Dhuli · 01-05-2009, 12:45 AM

There are times when I see a sales letter and think, "I wish I could write like that!" But I can never do that. Because that just isn't my style.

Sure, that letter was good. I'd have written that in a different way and that'd have been good too.

That's what makes each copywriter different...and unique.

So formulas are great because they provide guidance. But that doesn't mean you can't develop your own unique style while sticking to the formulas.

daddyg · 01-05-2009, 04:48 AM

I'm certainly no expert on copywriting but I think it's well worth learning and understanding some of the basic principles of copywriting first, and then developing your own style or personality around them.

Web Copy That Sells is an excellent copywriting book that is worth checking out. Also Robert Bly's stuff.

dorothydot · 01-05-2009, 06:39 AM

Yes, everyone has it right. You produce your very own style within the parameters of copywriting formulas that have been proven to work through the ages.

To me it's like writing poetry. Each poet has their own style; each poem has its own structure. Just compare Shakespeare to e e cummings, for example.

Every word has to do surface duty as well as reach-down-deep duty in copywriting; every word has to bypass your prospects' conscious minds and penetrate their subconscious. This is no simple chore! Although the end product, done correctly, will make most unaware readers say, Hey! I could've written that!

Hope this helps,
Dot

UnityinAustralia · 01-06-2009, 06:32 PM

follow the formula. I've strayed from the formula and results dropped. Went back to the formula and results picked up again.

Like a martial artist - learn the system as it is, then adapt and change it to suit yourself.

But fundamentally, you will still be following the same sales mechanics and psychological triggers that have been tested over time.

01-04-2009, 06:47 PM	#1
UrbanAntonio UrbanAntonio Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The City that Never Sleeps Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Social Networking	BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula? Here is a question that perplexes me... Do you follow the formula or do you be yourself, use your own voice and be unique in your niche??? Seems like a conflict Any advice on being myself or following hte forumla for effective sales copy??? Antonio

01-04-2009, 07:42 PM	#3
UrbanAntonio UrbanAntonio Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The City that Never Sleeps Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Social Networking	Re: BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula? thank you for clarifying that antonio

01-04-2009, 08:01 PM	#4
Stephen Dean Master Copywriter War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: WA , USA. Posts: 1,052 Thanks: 133 Thanked 192 Times in 99 Posts Social Networking	Re: BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula? Copywriting is part art and part science. There are formulas but there's room to grow. Every project is different. Writing copy is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle that has no correct solution. Cheers, Stephen
	Occupation: Best Copywriter Ever. Clients: Matt Bacak, Jim Edwards, Ryan Deiss and more. I write sales copy that demands champagne celebrations: Hire A “Champagne Celebration” Copywriter.

01-04-2009, 08:48 PM	#5
bambi211 Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula? For me in copywriting there are rules but you can still impart your own style when you write.
	I am interested in learning more on the Philippine remittance industry.

01-04-2009, 09:26 PM	#6
BrianMcLeod Fingers of Fury War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami, Florida, USA. Posts: 2,110 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 1,289 Thanked 1,486 Times in 637 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula? Hi Antonio, In your life you will likely meet many, many great salespeople that have divergently different styles, techniques, mindsets... what have you... However, one thing all great salespeople have in common is this... They possess a mastery of the mechanics of persuading someone to buy and completing that transaction smoothly. Great closers and copywriters live by RESULTS, not style. Adhering to proven principles of selling and being yourself don't need to be mutually exclusive -- in fact, I'd go so far as to say that they CANNOT be if you ever hope to become exceptional at selling or writing copy. Hope this helps, Brian
	Brian McLeod The Warrior Event 2012 - March 10-11 - Raleigh NC! Direct Response Copywriting \| Get on my private list immediately...

01-04-2009, 10:24 PM	#7
TimCastleman Gunslinger War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,647 Blog Entries: 34 Thanks: 155 Thanked 742 Times in 292 Posts	Re: BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula? There are people who have been doing this much longer than you and I and in addition there are things that have worked 50 years ago just like they do today. If I were in your shoes I'd play follow the leader at first. No need to remake the wheel.

01-05-2009, 12:45 AM	#8
Dean Dhuli Copywriter & Marketer War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 426 Thanks: 20 Thanked 37 Times in 31 Posts Contact Info	Re: BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula? There are times when I see a sales letter and think, "I wish I could write like that!" But I can never do that. Because that just isn't my style. Sure, that letter was good. I'd have written that in a different way and that'd have been good too. That's what makes each copywriter different...and unique. So formulas are great because they provide guidance. But that doesn't mean you can't develop your own unique style while sticking to the formulas.
	FREE WSO- 12 Ways to Test and Optimize Offers Quickly and Cheaply with PPV Traffic! Make every dollar of your PPV money work more!

01-05-2009, 04:48 AM	#9
daddyg HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: United Kingdom. Posts: 111 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula? I'm certainly no expert on copywriting but I think it's well worth learning and understanding some of the basic principles of copywriting first, and then developing your own style or personality around them. Web Copy That Sells is an excellent copywriting book that is worth checking out. Also Robert Bly's stuff.
	Graham Cox (a.k.a Daddyg) What would an increase of 249.84% in your email subscriber list be worth to you? Grab your copy of Ultimate Footer Ad NOW

01-05-2009, 06:39 AM	#10
dorothydot Selling with Stories War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 497 Thanks: 289 Thanked 120 Times in 102 Posts	Re: BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula? Yes, everyone has it right. You produce your very own style within the parameters of copywriting formulas that have been proven to work through the ages. To me it's like writing poetry. Each poet has their own style; each poem has its own structure. Just compare Shakespeare to e e cummings, for example. Every word has to do surface duty as well as reach-down-deep duty in copywriting; every word has to bypass your prospects' conscious minds and penetrate their subconscious. This is no simple chore! Although the end product, done correctly, will make most unaware readers say, Hey! I could've written that! Hope this helps, Dot
	"Sell the Magic of A Dream" www.DP-Copywriting-Service.com

01-06-2009, 06:32 PM	#11
UnityinAustralia Looking for JV partners Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: BE yourself or Follow the Sale Page Formula? follow the formula. I've strayed from the formula and results dropped. Went back to the formula and results picked up again. Like a martial artist - learn the system as it is, then adapt and change it to suit yourself. But fundamentally, you will still be following the same sales mechanics and psychological triggers that have been tested over time.