Help! Feedback for Newbie Copywriter

4 replies
Hi all,
I'm starting out on a brand new journey of becoming a copywriter. I've been a small business owner in the past and have done all the copywriting for myself and have always had great feedback. With a baby on the way I'm now looking to move into copywriting more seriously to allow a more flexible working schedule.

I've started working with a few clients for free. Most of them are friends. This is so that I can practice because, of course, writing your own copy is hugely different to writing copy for someone else.

Sorry for the longish background intro...

I'm currently working on a "profile summary / about page" for a lady who is opening a Zumba fitness studio in her garden and I would hugely appreciate some constructive feedback because I'm really struggling.

She did not like Version 1. She wanted it focused more on the studio space than herself, but she also wanted it to be more conversational and more reflective of her own personality, which is VERY bubbly and a bit eccentric. She felt that her personal story was not really in that piece of copy.

So I've just written the first draft of Version 2. It's too long I think. I also find it a bit too fluffy, but she's quite fluffy in her personality and my Version 1 was too neutral for her. So perhaps this is more in line.

I feel very insecure about this piece. What do you think? I'd appreciate any comments and feedback. I guess the biggest challenge here is to find that tone of voice that represents the client authentically without compromising the copy to become so wishy-washy and fluffy that it just buries itself.

So without further ado. Here are Version 1 and 2.

Version 1
I'm Emma, founder and chief Zumba instructor at Zest4Life Studio in Seattle. I'm inviting you to join me for movement and dance in my friendly and intimate private studio.

Zumba is so much more than just fitness and weightloss. For me, it's all about stimulating our physical and mental energies and re-balancing our hectic work and life schedules by moving, sweating and laughing together. It's about tackling everyday stress and tiredness. And if we tone up and shed a few pounds along the way that's great, too.

In my bright and airy studio I aim to provide a welcoming atmosphere for participants of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels.

Never done Zumba before? Don't worry! Come and try this burst of energetic movement and music. Refresh your spirits, make new friends and increase your fitness today.

Get in touch with me to chat and find out more. I'm looking forward to meeting you.

Version 2
Zest4Life Studio is a new movement and Zumba fitness studio founded by me, Emma, in Seattle. My studio is a warm and friendly space where I invite people to join me for what I call a Zesty Hour!

Let me tell you more.

I created my studio to be a special place where we can come together to share movement and dance. It's located in the back of my secure, private garden far away from distraction. It's a place of energy and enthusiasm. Here we can each unlock our personal potential and surprise ourselves.

Zumba fitness is a great way to move our bodies with simple, but effective steps and routines. There's a reason it's so often called "exercise in disguise"! Especially when combined with other fitness, dance and even yoga elements, it allows us to fill the air with physical creativity and imagination - all driven by infectious rhythms and music.

I will inspire you to move and sweat, to feel your body and find your hidden spark. I'm a true believer that "energy calls energy". By this I mean that our effort and exercises will awaken our zest and boost our spirits. I will guide you from discovering the joy of movement to nurturing a new-found vitality. You will cherish being in the moment, breathing and sweating with a smile. Join me in this journey and reap the rewards of a Zesty Hour.

Let me welcome you in my bright, yet intimate garden studio.

Don't worry if you've never done Zumba before. It's just one great way of approaching life with zest. Don't worry if it's been a long time since you've exercised your body and lungs. Zest4Life Studio is a space I created especially for sharing the adventure of refilling, refueling and energizing in an inclusive atmosphere, free of judgment.

Let's claim back our vivacity and let it flow out from the studio into our everyday lives.

Give me a call on XXXXX or drop me an email if you'd like to find out more. I'm looking forward to meeting you.
#copy #copywriter #critique my salespage #feedback #newbie
  • Don't sweat, oops I think you're supposed to - with a smile. The copy on Version 2 is not bad - but like you I don't like it!

    Only because the client has demanded you say what she wants - fluff, fluff and more fluff - and you've done well in writing it with as much copywriting prowess as you can.

    Yes, "quirky" clients can be fun but often a bit challenging.

    Personality in copy is usually good, providing it doesn't make potential customers flee and run for the hills (rather than in her exercise studio),

    And there is the "key" that unlocks the money vault - what do the paying CUSTOMERS want?

    Can you talk to any and get a clear idea?

    Is it near to or far away from Version 2?

    If they want all the "zest, hidden sparks and energy calls energy" stuff then fine.

    If not you can tell your client the upsetting news and hopefully she'll let you "adjust" the copy.

    She may insist that HER personality is all that matters and she won't change her persona one iota - in which case you have to find customers who are the same as her (no point in finding the multitudes of others who could make her a lot more money - because how long will they put up with her?)

    And you use the copy and the media that has the best chance of attracting them.

    But I'm not sure if "Happy Hippy Monthly" or 'New Age Daily" are still being published.


    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author annacopy
      Thanks Steve, for your comment. I appreciate it.

      I agree wholeheartedly with everything you say. It's my first experience working with someone so eccentric and yes "hippy". I'll be curious to see what she thinks of the two different versions.

      The other thing I struggle with is what to do when you might satisfy the client's needs more closely with a particular piece of writing, but you feel you've lowered your own standards doing so...

      Steep learning curve.
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  • Profile picture of the author wrcato2
    I like #2 better but I would remove (me) and use benefits in bullets. Try that and come back with the #3.
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    • Profile picture of the author annacopy
      Originally Posted by wrcato2 View Post

      I like #2 better but I would remove (me) and use benefits in bullets. Try that and come back with the #3.
      Yes, I had thought of bullet points too, but was rather unsure as the client specified she wanted a very personal and conversational tone.

      I'm meeting her today and we shall see what she says.

      One other learning curve is to accept that some clients won't ever be happy and / or I might just not be able to hit their tone. Probably won't be the last time this happened especially as I'm still learning how to delve into someone else's mind. I suppose it's the key still to develop as a budding copywriter!
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