How to Hook More Clients - the "Non-Guru" Way

Postcard containing an appealing, easily understandable special offer.

This has worked for many of my just-getting-started mentorees.

Marcia Yudkin

What Marcia said...

Followed by what Bryan said...

Followed by email.

Done with a list of 100 decision makers from a very specific industry which you position yourself as a specialist in.

Hellor Copydog

I have only two directions I start from.

1. Product(s) I like, I go after companies that sell similar product(s).
2. Industry I like, I go after companies in that industry.

I write sales letters when I'm prospecting. That works well for me.

With that said, each copy writer has to find their own way.

With all the different mediums to choose from, what appeals to them most, master it.

If you like writing post card copy - send post cards
If you like writing email copy - send emails
If you like writing sales letters - send sales letters

Reason?

Their writing will flow smoother with a medium they gravitate towards.

Chinchilla

All great points.

I like the overall consensus.

Write to the people you want to write for.


Steve

My advice is don't sell anything, try to help people resolving their problems or facilitate their task and they will recommend you to other prospects.

I'm not too sure what you mean by "non-guru" way of hooking more clients, but positioning is very important when selling them copywriting services.

I send them a copy of my report, my book, and a lead gen letter. Gets me about a 20% to appointment (face-to-face) rate

Hook??

Fishing, towing or getting a bad act off the stage?

You are of course familiar with the starving crowd/hamburg stand?

Problem for many newer copywriters, they build it in the middle of starving vegans.

Old saw, bait the hook to catch the fish you want. Deep sea fisherman use different bait than a bass fisherman. Then there is nature.

Big bad brown bears, one of the most ferocious beasts out there, let the fish come to them. They know to stand in the stream, especially with spawning salmon and let them jump right into their arms.

So, what are you fishing for?

You have testimonials from big gurus, including a RETIRED Bencivenga, have you asked him to refer work to you? Have you asked any of those people you have bought from, or have gotten testy's from, for a referral?

How many referrals have you asked for from those samples on your site?

I'm just trying to point out, that even if you have been taught to fish, to feed yourself...you still have to catch the fish.

Think for a day or two on ways you can be the bear, and what would that river look like where you get them to come to you? It might be leveraging a river of results, referrals and repeat customers, eh?

GordonJ

Copy,

I once had a long email "chat" with Gary Bencivenga.

Not only is he the best copywriter on the planet but also one of the nicest people I have ever "spoken" to.

It never even occurred to me to ask him for an "opinion" or a "testimonial" on my writing.

But you did.

So, I can't see a problem in you asking every potential client you choose - if they would like you to write some Ads for them.


Steve