10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Get ripped off for my effort?

by fx2000
8 replies
The advice given to new copywriters is, find a poor ad, rewrite it and if it's successful, than the business owner pays.What happens if the business owner isn't honest and says it did not work any better than the last one. How can you make sure that doesn't happen?
#copy writing advice #effort #ripped
  • Profile picture of the author nmwf
    The only way you can make sure that doesn't happen is by monitoring the traffic that your ad sends to this person's business and any occurring sales. If this is an online event, there are tools that can help. If it's offline, you'll have to resort to the old-fashioned method of "mentioning a special code" or something. Either way, tracking will help your situation. Google offline customer sales tracking and/or online customer sales tracking tracking. I'm sure one of those phrases will point you in the right direction.
    Signature
    Write comprehensible articles on *any* topic in seconds with First Draft...
    First Draft's: Download | Add-Ons | Templates | Purchase | Support | Affiliates
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10209684].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    Originally Posted by fx2000 View Post

    The advice given to new copywriters is, find a poor ad, rewrite it and if it's successful, than the business owner pays.What happens if the business owner isn't honest and says it did not work any better than the last one. How can you make sure that doesn't happen?
    Why prospect for work when you can position yourself as an expert? That way, clients come to you instead of you chasing them.

    Just saying...

    Alex

    P.S. It's "then" not "than".
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10209777].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author imzunleashed
      Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post


      P.S. It's "then" not "than".

      That was funny
      I want to read more hilarious corrections
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10209949].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
        Originally Posted by imzunleashed View Post

        That was funny
        I want to read more hilarious corrections
        I don't see why that is funny.
        I applaud Alex for pointing out the error so it can be fixed.
        I suspect that only people who are lousy spellers would think that is funny.
        Signature

        Cheers, Laurence.
        Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10211508].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JohnnyFanta
    Seems a long shot to make copy on the off chance that someone is going to like it. I'd try building up a following via socail media and offer a portfolio of your work first.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10210893].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
    Agreed. If the OP wants to be a copywriter, perfect grammar and spelling are non-negotiable.

    On the question, this challenge might be better addressed by trying to be an affiliate, a dropshipper or an independent sales rep. Do the work, place the orders, and you'll know exactly how effective your writing is.
    Signature
    Fifteen Lessons I have learned over 15 years and six businesses (or, My 1000th-Post Manifesto)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10211525].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Complex
      [DELETED]
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10212030].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
        Originally Posted by Complex View Post

        Yes. Because if my shit sells a million but has grammar errors and your shit's flawless and only sells a hundred thousand ...

        Oh wait.

        What?
        Maybe non-negotiable is too strong a term.

        Let me put it this way. If your grammar sucks, you will severely limit your ability to sell your shit in the first place.

        Laziness is a luxury afforded to those who have already paid their dues.
        Signature
        Fifteen Lessons I have learned over 15 years and six businesses (or, My 1000th-Post Manifesto)
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10212070].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author splitTest
    Originally Posted by fx2000 View Post

    The advice given to new copywriters is, find a poor ad, rewrite it and if it's successful, than the business owner pays.What happens if the business owner isn't honest and says it did not work any better than the last one. How can you make sure that doesn't happen?
    Don't forget -- there's risk in any enterprise, including freelance copywriting.

    If writing on spec is your approach, then being "ripped off" is the risk you take. I think it's a veeery small risk... After all, if you can make someone money, they're going to come back to you for more...

    If they don't come back, there's a more likely explanation than you're being ripped off...

    And by the way, in the scenario you describe, the idea is not that they pay you for the spec copy that you voluntarily wrote, but that they come to you (& pay you) for future work.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10211853].message }}

Trending Topics