6 Myths Of Being A Copywriter (what you need to know)

[max5ty]

Myth 1: Anyone can do it.

Truth: Most won't make it for the long term.

There seems to be an idea that being a copywriter is a work at home type scheme.

Not true.

Many try to become a copywriter and last for a few letters and then fade away.

To be blunt: It's a career choice, not a part time hobby.

Myth 2: Being a copywriter can be learned.

Truth: You either have it, or you don't.

If you have the personality of a door knob, you won't make it.

A good copywriter has a way with understanding people, they know how to relate to others.

Being a copywriter is a natural talent, it can be perfected with learning -- but isn't something that anyone can do.

Myth 3: I need a mentor.

Truth: Yes and no. Mentors can help perfect your work, but they can't turn you into a copywriter.

Also, if your mentor isn't sending work your way, get another one.

Part of having a mentor, is to be able to do work that you can include in your portfolio.

I've known people who claim to be mentors and yet they know very little about selling a product other than their own services.

Myth 4: I need to buy another course.

Truth: What you need to do is start writing and learn from experience.

The courses can teach you some things, but actual writing will teach you more.

I've seen total newbies with no experience, sell more in a letter than any of the so called experts.

Remember, what used to work, doesn't always still work.

The copywriting field is always open to new ideas and ways to market products.

Myth 5: The gurus know what they're talking about.

Truth: Most of them only know how to market their courses.

Myth 6: Work is hard to find.

Truth: This isn't a business where you hide behind the internet and look for customers.

Put your best shirt (or skirt) on and go out to local businesses and drum up work.

It's not that complicated -- if you need more help, pm me.

Now for some final tips:

Be bold -- there's a ton of local businesses that are begging for someone to help increase their customer base...that's where you come in.

The whole field of mobile phones, etc. is wide open.

Go out and start selling services today -- seriously guys, there's money to be made.

Don't get sidelined by the politics of copywriting.

There are those in the business who want to throw names around as though they're the final say on who's good -- let them do their own thing.

You're you -- you're the next big thing to happen to the copywriting world.

Set your sail for success and keep moving on.

If you're good, you're good -- If you're reading this post, you've got a desire to succeed at copywriting.

Remember, all the great sales letters and headlines that you read about in all the courses that the gurus sell...have all been beaten by other controls.

Skip the hype...skip the waiting till the time is right.

Take some action now (right now) -- get your plan going.

I don't need anyone to like me -- I don't need acceptance by the elite on any forum -- I've been successful and made it...you can to.

Thanks for your time

[Alex Cohen]

Myth 2: Being a copywriter can be learned.

Truth: You either have it, or you don't.

If you have the personality of a door knob, you won't make it.

A good copywriter has a way with understanding people, they know how to relate to others.

Being a copywriter is a natural talent, it can be perfected with learning -- but isn't something that anyone can do.

Copywriting is like any other endeavor that requires a specific skill set.

Some people have a natural affinity for it and become proficient fairly quickly. Others don't, and it's a long slog for them. But they eventually get it.

Anyone who can communicate effectively in writing falls somewhere in between those two extremes and can learn to be a copywriter.

Alex

[max5ty]

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

Copywriting is like any other endeavor that requires a specific skill set.

Some people have a natural affinity for it and become proficient fairly quickly. Others don't, and it's a long slog for them. But they eventually get it.

Anyone who can communicate effectively in writing falls somewhere in between those two extremes and can learn to be a copywriter.

Alex

I guess after 25 years of doing this, and not selling a course, I would say BS.

We could all make everyone happy by saying they had a good chance of being good -- excuse me if I tell the truth...they won't be.

[IMRookie1]

I thought I'd be encouraged to read this post. Might as well buy that course anyway.

[max5ty]

Originally Posted by IMRookie1

I thought I'd be encouraged to read this post. Might as well buy that course anyway.

Sounds like "that one more course" might just get you going.

[Mark Andrews]

As it happens, I'm writing one at the moment.

Trouble is, it's getting to be a bit longer than I thought.

Surprise surprise.

[Daniel Sanchez]

Many years ago the now legendary guitarist Eric Clapton literally trashed every single guitar in his home and all his records swearing never to play the guitar again.

Why?

Because he'd just seen Jimi Hendrix for the first time...and never thought he could ever be that good.


Moral of the story...

Some people just have "the gift" - while others have to plow through years and years of hard work....

But eventually you'll get good and stand on your own.

I've seen people who can barely speak English turn themselves into amazing, well paid writers.

Not everyone can be an Olympic athlete. It takes certain attributes plus training to reach a world class level.

But anyone can get P90X fit if they put in the time.

Some things you can control and others you cannot. Knowing the difference can mean the difference between being another "has been" or a a force to be reckoned with.

If you say "you're just born with it"....

I say BS.

Unless some major mental or physical limitation prevents you from reaching a goal, there is nothing different between you and anyone else whose achieved success.

Originally Posted by max5ty

I guess after 25 years of doing this, and not selling a course, I would say BS.

We could all make everyone happy by saying they had a good chance of being good -- excuse me if I tell the truth...they won't be.

[Alex Cohen]

Originally Posted by max5ty

I guess after 25 years of doing this, and not selling a course, I would say BS.

We could all make everyone happy by saying they had a good chance of being good -- excuse me if I tell the truth...they won't be.

Please re-read my post. I didn't say "everyone". I said "anyone who can communicate effectively in writing".

Big difference.

Alex

[Mark Andrews]

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

Please re-read my post. I didn't say "everyone". I said "anyone who can communicate effectively in writing".

Big difference.

Alex

Correct.

General Writing and Grammar Help: everyone anyone, dictionary states, internet forums

[ewenmack]

Originally Posted by max5ty

Remember, all the great sales letters and headlines that you read about in all the courses that the gurus sell...have all been beaten by other controls.

If that doesn't give ad people comfort, then they had better quit
and go work for a wage.

Best,
Ewen

[jameliberal]

Unless some major mental or physical limitation prevents you from reaching a goal.I do add social limitation ..

[Christian Chan]

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

Copywriting is like any other endeavor that requires a specific skill set.

Some people have a natural affinity for it and become proficient fairly quickly. Others don't, and it's a long slog for them. But they eventually get it.

Anyone who can communicate effectively in writing falls somewhere in between those two extremes and can learn to be a copywriter.

Alex

I guess you lack the experience to understand that copywriters are born, not made.

[Alex Cohen]

Originally Posted by Christian Chan

I guess you lack the experience to understand that copywriters are born, not made.

Guess (verb) defined: Estimate or suppose (something) without sufficient information to be sure of being correct.

[marciayudkin]

For a few years, I was a college writing teacher.

I taught English Comp, English 101 at any school in Massachusetts that would hire me, everything from a law school to a business school to a liberal arts college to a community college. I had students who had come from wealthy, privileged backgrounds and others who were poor, older immigrants.

I did not know what to expect. But what I found was that the immigrants and kids labeled "dumb" did as well as the ones from better backgrounds. If they did the assignments and paid attention in class, their writing improved. Very dramatically.

In fact, if you compared the first assignment students turned in to their final one, you would not have been able to match them up. Those who started off dull and conventional often found their voice. By the end of the class, I was receiving very few dull or perfunctory essays.

To my surprise, I discovered that good writing could be learned. The key factor, as I said, was whether or not they wanted to learn.

Now this was creative prose writing, self-expression that I was teaching. But had I been teaching copywriting, I believe the results would have been the same.

Anyone with the interest can learn to become a competent copywriter.

As Alex said, it doesn't mean anyone can join the greats.

Marcia Yudkin

[Glenn@AllGoodCopy]

I tend to think copywriting is divided into two elements which I call 'technicals' and 'emotionals'.

The ‘technicals’ are issues to do with form (promise, picture, proof, push), sentence structure, pacing, paragraphing, Flesh Kincaid and ‘boring’ stuff like that.

The ‘emotionals’ are those techniques you employ when you step behind the scenes into people minds (cue the music from The Twilight Zone).

The technicals, I think anyone can learn using rote learning and a bit of common sense. But the mastering the emotionals are what seperate competent copywriters and those that will have great success.

The truth is that great copywriting is all about coming up with new and original ideas and the ability to come up with those ideas can't necessarily be taught.

On the upside, as with anything, if you stick hard enough at it and dedicate enough thought to it, it is possible. People tend to think that Picasso was born with innate talent but he had to study, stress and graft a lot more than people realise.

My one piece of advice if you want to become a copywriter - read a sales promotion everyday.

Hope that helps,
Glenn

[The Copy Nazi]

Originally Posted by Christian Chan

I guess you lack the experience to understand that copywriters are born, not made.

One of the dumbest (and rudest) comments I've seen here.

For what it's worth - I don't think copywriters are born. Just as rocket scientists, musicians, accountants, painters - whatever - aren't born.

The more you practice something - the better you get. Simple as that.

But I'll admit - some people have more flair for writing than others. They have that certain something.

One thing I find that makes for a good writer - yes - "writer" - and "copywriter" - is an "inquiring mind".

I would say - be interested in everything - no matter how banal it may appear. You never know when that's gonna come in handy.

Case in point - I once worked as a bee-keeper's assistant. I had this romantic notion that I could help save the planet - or some bloody thing - by becoming an apiarist.

That notion went South on the first day on the job after copping 25 bee-stings - my hand blew up like a Christmas ham.

But years later...guess what?...I had to write a piece for a honey press ad.

The head was "Honey - I've shrunk the forests". Talked about how logging in the Tasmanian old-growth forests was destroying the Leatherwood honey industry.

Born salesmen...born copywriters? Nah.

[Exel]

I always find the notion that 'people are born for something' quite funny.

I believe it came to be as an excuse for people who are bad at certain skill, and to avoid
admitting their incompetence compared to someone who is good at it, they say - "meh he
is just born with it".

Hard work will always beat genius who refuses to work hard, there are infinite examples of it.

[Paul Myers]

Marcia,

To my surprise, I discovered that good writing could be learned. The key factor, as I said, was whether or not they wanted to learn.

Thank you. I've been saying this for years, and rarely hear anything but "You're born with it or you aren't." That baffled me until I thought about the motivation behind such comments.

Anyone who can string together two coherent sentences can learn to write well.

Now this was creative prose writing, self-expression that I was teaching. But had I been teaching copywriting, I believe the results would have been the same.

Yep. At least, as you say, to the level of "competent."

There's a personality formula that makes it easier. A large ego and the ability to empathize with, or at least emotionally understand, your prospects. The tension between those two creates a mental space in which writing effective copy becomes an art, rather than a mechanical process.

Christian,

I guess you lack the experience to understand that copywriters are born, not made.

I guess you lack the experience of ever having taught a lousy writer to create effective copy. Or any other form of textual communication.

Good writing is an expression of clear thinking. Everything else comes down to "thinking about what?" Good copywriting is an expression of clear thinking in the match of desires and benefits, and changing that ratio to motivate the person to value the product more than the other things they could be doing with the money that's required to make the purchase.

Everything else is mechanics.

It's easy to learn to write good copy. It's sometimes harder to remember to do so, but that's a different thread.


Paul

[Paul Myers]

Max5ty,

You either have it, or you don't. [...] A good copywriter has a way with understanding people, they know how to relate to others.

I know a gentleman who would serve as definitive proof of the inaccuracy of this statement. He is a high-functioning autistic, who was born with essentially zero native capacity for relating to the emotional states of others. His brain is literally not wired for the kind of understanding you describe.

Through a lot of careful study and a constant awareness of the meaning of cues that most people take for granted, he's learned to be one of the most effective communicators I know in any form of writing.

Most of his paid work is in technical fields. He's got a couple on Amazon. "A Practical Guide to UNIX® for Mac OS® X Users" and "Beginning Portable Shell Scripting: From Novice to Professional." In private communication, he is every bit as persuasive and insightful as anyone I've met.

That's about as extreme an example of "not born with it" as I can imagine. And yet, he learned.


Paul

[ewenmack]

This post and comments serve to show the making of blanket statements under the banner of truth, myth and lie draws out the other point of view which may not of been considered.

Off topic, but a lesson in communication.

Best,
Ewen

[marciayudkin]

This post and comments serve to show the making of blanket statements under the banner of truth, myth and lie draws out the other point of view which may not of been considered.

Interestingly, a majority of the blanket statements in the first post have gone unchallenged, indicating that many of us accept them. It's only one or two of the blanket statements that have generated disagreement and discussion.

So it's not as if all blanket statements or myth-busting claims are bad. Some are useful pointers or reminders.

Marcia Yudkin

[max5ty]

Here's the point I'm trying to make.

Back in the 80's when I was training salespeople, there were those who you would have thought would be great at sales -- turned out they didn't have the skills to deal with rejection, etc.

You could teach them all the fundamentals of selling...but you couldn't change their way of thinking or their attitudes when it came to dealing with other people.

They were just wired differently.

Then there were those that you thought probably wouldn't last -- sometimes they turned out to be some of the best in the business -- they had a quality about them that couldn't be taught...it was something they were born with.

Since copywriting is simply "Sales In Print", there are certain qualities that make a copywriter what they are.

They understand people and can relate to them on their level.

They have a drive to succeed at what they're doing.

You can teach someone all the proper ways to put a headline or sales letter together, but when it comes to teaching someone how to communicate with people...it's difficult.

Some people are just simply born with skills that help them in copywriting.

I'm not trying to put a damper on anyone's idea to be a copywriter -- nobody knows if you have the talent to be good or not.

I'm simply being honest -- not everyone has what it takes.

If you're a bumbling, clumsy, awkward individual that fails at most things...then you come along and end up writing killer sales letters that produce fortunes, I'd say you have special abilities that you were born with.

[ewenmack]

Originally Posted by marciayudkin

Interestingly, a majority of the blanket statements in the first post have gone unchallenged, indicating that many of us accept them. It's only one or two of the blanket statements that have generated disagreement and discussion.

So it's not as if all blanket statements or myth-busting claims are bad. Some are useful pointers or reminders.

Marcia Yudkin

Thanks for drawing my attention to this.

My fault for not being clearer.

My purpose was to draw attention to where there was disagreement and use it as an example on how blanket statements, outside this post, can lead to disagreement.

Not a good outcome when we want to put our strongest case forward.

This is a sideline point to the original post and discussion
which I feel should end now.

Best,
Ewen

[ewenmack]

Originally Posted by max5ty

Some people are just simply born with skills that help them in copywriting.

This is "politically incorrect" when you think of all the social programs set up to give to the "have nots".

The gaps typically remain despite concerted interventions.

And telling people they will be good at copywriting, when we know deep down,
that many won't be isn't helpful in the long term.

Yes we can get people to adequate level, but many not at even a passable level.

It's like teaching kids at school not to beat others in sport.

The loser knows they lost no matter how much it's masked.

The masters at something are losers at other things in terms of their skills.

No need to make another feel bad about the situation.

We can encourage them where they have strength.

Best,
Ewen

[max5ty]

Originally Posted by ewenmack

This is "politically incorrect" when you think of all the social programs set up to give to the "have nots".

The gaps typically remain despite concerted interventions.

And telling people they will be good at copywriting, when we know deep down,
that many won't be isn't helpful in the long term.

Yes we can get people to adequate level, but many not at even a passable level.

It's like teaching kids at school not to beat others in sport.

The loser knows they lost no matter how much it's masked.

The masters at something are losers at other things in terms of their skills.

No need to make another feel bad about the situation.

We can encourage them where they have strength.

Best,
Ewen

Good points.

I'd like to be a famous singer that traveled around on one of those big tour buses...

Truth is, I can't carry a tune.

When I was young, my mom made me take piano lessons.

Mrs. Huber, poor old lady, was my teacher.

A couple times she sent me home with a note saying I wasn't willing to learn.

Actually, I was trying, I just didn't have an ear for music

[BlairBarnes]

Originally Posted by Exel

Hard work will always beat genius who refuses to work hard, there are infinite examples of it.

I agree. I do believe that as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort you can achieve almost any goal. Einstein's teachers thought he was slow.

Of course...if you are not gifted naturally enough athletically than you will never make it to the Olympics, but if you do have a little bit of a gift and you work hard and develop it...you will get there.

So I guess it is true that you have to be born with somewhat of a gift...but it doesn't have to be very big as long as you are willing to develop and better yourself through hard work. That is the real difference.

There are many people who are very naturally talented but they do not put in the hard work and never end up going anywhere. I guess being born with the drive to work hard no matter what is a gift in itself, and I think it is more important than any "natural talent".

[Ken_Caudill]

People can become better writers and salesmen through practice and diligence. What I hate is the belief promulgated by some course salesmen that people who can't write a lick can suddenly become pashas of persuasion by attending a seminar or taking a quick course.

It's a big fat lie, boys and girls.

If you think having a limited vocabulary (so that you can communicate on a fifth grade level) or not knowing basic rules of grammar (so that you can write like you talk) equate to some kind of common touch, you're crazier than a hootie owl.

[yecall]

I think anyone can do it, but not everyone can do it WELL. It really helps if you have spent your life reading many books on all subjects. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of being well-read for anyone who wants to be a writer.

[MikeHumphreys]

Great thread!

Personally, I don't agree with the "copywriters are born, not made" idea. I made it into my early 20's with a strong hate/dislike for marketing and sales. It was one of the major reasons why I originally chose to get degrees and go into the health care fields.

It wasn't until I was a struggling self-employed massage therapist for several years that I realized learning how to effectively market and sell your services meant the difference between starving and success... And I had gotten to the point where I was tired of starving.

Myth 6: Work is hard to find.

Truth: This isn't a business where you hide behind the internet and look for customers.

Put your best shirt (or skirt) on and go out to local businesses and drum up work.

IMHO, this is probably the biggest point that Max mentioned. The busiest copywriters I know aren't always the most skilled at copywriting. They are extremely good at finding and closing new clients or projects.

The other skill I've noticed among the "who's-who" of top copywriters... almost every single one of them has done face-to-face selling at some point in the past and become pretty successful at that too.

At the end of the day, copywriting truly is "salesmanship in print".

My 3 cents,

Mike

[Glenn@AllGoodCopy]

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

The other skill I've noticed among the "who's-who" of top copywriters... almost every single one of them has done face-to-face selling at some point in the past and become pretty successful at that too.

Very good point, Mike.

I often find you can learn more about copy by spending an hour watching and listening to market sellers (not sure if you have these guys in US: people shouting from their stalls, trying to encourage people to buy stuff - usually in an east-end accent!) than you can from the vast majority of books on the subject.

[ewenmack]

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

The other skill I've noticed among the "who's-who" of top copywriters... almost every single one of them has done face-to-face selling at some point in the past and become pretty successful at that too.

I did 3 months of door to door selling in winter.

Hard to think of a tougher selling environment when you are collecting for a charity nobody knew.

Some streets I got hounded out because they thought I was a scammer.

Some houses I got attacked by dogs.

You got dropped off in a van in the morning with a street map and picked up at another point at the end of the day.

Then you get back to the office and count all the coins and few notes.

Just another days work for a pro charity collector.

All the years latter, I can't think of how I benefited from the experience.

I already knew how to stick to a job when the going got tough.

Don't recall any special ways to diffuse the "never heard of you" barrier.

So selling via door knocking for charity isn't something I can recommend.

Best,
Ewen

[MikeHumphreys]

Originally Posted by ewenmack

I did 3 months of door to door selling in winter.

Hard to think of a tougher selling environment when you are collecting for a charity nobody knew.

Some streets I got hounded out because they thought I was a scammer.

Some houses I got attacked by dogs.

You got dropped off in a van in the morning with a street map and picked up at another point at the end of the day.

Then you get back to the office and count all the coins and few notes.

Just another days work for a pro charity collector.

All the years latter, I can't think of how I benefited from the experience.

I already knew how to stick to a job when the going got tough.

Don't recall any special ways to diffuse the "never heard of you" barrier.

So selling via door knocking for charity isn't something I can recommend.

Best,
Ewen

Hey Ewen,

Man, that sounds like a rough sales job!

Speaking objectively... I'd say you gained a thicker skin to rejection... learned how to overcome objections and close the deal better than you knew before taking on such a challenging job.

Those skills help with talking with prospective clients and probably add some more "juice" to your writing... especially with overcoming objections or closing the sale in copy.

But that's just my opinion... please take it as such.

Take care,

Mike

[Izzy9]

I have no sales experience years ago and I stumbled upon copywriting through an email that I got somewhere. After I read the entire letter, I was very convinced in buying the item. I guess that was when I learned about the world of copywriters. It's really a skill and I'm still in the process of learning it.

[pronetwriter]

This is so much on point!The internet is not an excuse to avoid getting down to the nitty-gritty.Copywriting is all about improving a business' sales.If you can't do that immediately with your writing,why should anyone hire you?I also believe in learning by writing and...writing some more.Reading from so called "experts" can only go so long.