Every Client Will Appreciate If You Use These 4 Tools For Writing

20 replies
Even if your client doesn't insist, submitting additional reports and screenshots associated with these tools can help you a lot. In the first place, you can increase your chances of winning a job by mentioning that you use these tools in your offer. Or, you can surprise your client with the final delivery of your work, which includes some very interesting documents. Either way, you have more reasons to give these tools a chance, than to miss using them in the first place. Here they are.

#1 Grammarly

There are no absolute guarantees that you will submit an error free work. Yet, I believe that you should do your best to avoid making an embarrassing mistake. Of course, there's no tool in the world to mach a flesh and blood proofreader. On the other hand, can you always hire one? This is the moment where all those proofreading and correction tools come in handy. My personal recommendation is Grammarly. If you have your favorite grammar and spelling checker, I have to admit, I'm all ears. For quite some time, I was a devoted Ginger Software user. However, after one embarrassing moment, I decided to give Grammarly a try. Ever since, I have been using Grammarly with no complaints. In case, you are wondering what went wrong, here is my side of the story.

It was a structure something like "could be achieved." The trouble was that Ginger Software failed to notice that I actually wrote "could be achieve." I missed the letter "d" at the end and turned this structure into a BG (Basic Grammar) mistake. My client noticed that and as you might have expected it, he wasn't happy about it. When I tested the same text with Grammarly, this section was clearly marked in the warning red color. Grammarly isn't a perfect tool. There's no such a tool. Let's be clear about it. However, the number of mistakes this program will identify for you is quite a respectable one.

I'm advising you to use the free version with confidence. I paid and used the Premium version for some time. This full version provided me only with a list of synonyms, I was supposed to use to enrich my text. Then the plagiarism tool, which wasn't particularly reliable. You can even choose a writing style. But, honestly speaking, for thirty bucks a month, I expected much more.

#2 Copyscape

There's no free version of Copyscape. I can say freely, I still haven't found a plagiarism tool that can match Copyscape. If Copyscape report says that your text is original, then you can be 100% positive about it. In terms of the price itself, it is totally worth it. If I'm not mistaken, because I pay for the new credits automatically, you pay as less as five cents per check. For five dollars you can check hundred pages. This way Copyscape made it clear that is ridiculous to say that it is too expensive for you to use. If this is still too much for you, then you should put 4 articles 500 words each in a single document and check it. Copyscape gives the best results for the texts up to 2,000 words. My personal choice is to use Copyscape for every single page I write no matter how long it may be.

Believe me when I say, plagiarism is the primary concern for every client. More than once, I have heard client saying, I will test your work with Copyscape. You have an excellent opportunity to convince your client that there's nothing to worry about in terms of original work. You don't have to wait for your client to ask Copyscape report. Why don't you say that this is something you use on a daily basis? In case, you are looking for free alternatives, I can only mention a plagiarism checker you can find on smallseotools website. I really liked it because you get the percentage of the original content. It is really great for you client to see a document saying this work is 100% genuine. The trouble with this free tool is its accuracy. It doesn't check every sentence. You have to sign for this "privilege." Even then, you have to wait for a couple of minutes for the online plagiarism checker to finish its job. So, use the good old Copyscape.

#3 Readability

To make the long story short, all texts are readable. The catch is that some texts are more readable than others. Why? Many factors influence the optimal readability. Your vocabulary, sentence length, and so many other things. I recommend you to pay a visit to thewriter website and use their readability checker. There you will see for yourself how easy to read, understand and remember your text is. One of the most popular recommendations you can hear is that you should write the way you talk. Yet, I have a different kind of advice for you. Imagine that you are writing subtitles for a movie. You need short and simple sentences. The books for children and comic books are the best possible examples for the perfect readability you can possibly find.

Of course, there are not too many clients who have an idea what the readability is. However, you can really shine like a star if you include a readability report. You can even invite your client to test the readability of his website or some of the works he got before you. When you read something and you don't like, there is a chance that a readability score is disappointingly low for that particular piece of writing. For your orientation, I can say that Dr. Seuss and comic books rule the world or readability with the impressive score between 90 and 100. Harry Potter books follow with the score between 70 and 80. If what you write hits the 70 score then you know your stuff. For what is worth, 60 is also good. That is the level of Obama's speeches and BBC news. If you get into the readability zone of 50, 40, or even 30, then it means you write for the Harvard Law Review or you try to imitate Shakespeare.

When you hear from your client that he wants the work that should sound natural, then you know your client wants an extremely readable article. Very often when you get carried away with the use of keywords, you simply kill the readability. Your job is to warn your client. Yet, in the real life, I literally got orders to use certain keywords five or ten times. This is how I ended up with a mechanical text, so to speak. I didn't have the nerves to check the readability of such an unnatural piece of writing. On the other hand, when the quality mattered for real, I was able to write some great articles with 70 and even 80 readability score. Playing with these readability numbers can be a great way to improve your writing style.

#4 Keywords Density

Keywords density checkers can be found all over the Net. They are free and more or less accurate. Some of them treat two or three word combinations. I am definitely not an SEO expert, but I learned to go easy with the use of keywords. I recommend you do the same. I submit a keyword density report only when a client asks from me. When it comes to some basic orientation you shouldn't use a specific keyword combination more than 3 times in a text of up to 500 words in length. Or, your final keywords density report should say something like between 3% and 5%. To tell you the truth, I don't have a clue how they come up with these numbers and I don't care. Nike just do it.

Better with them, than without them

Finally, there is no tool or tech magic in the world that can help you disguise your poor writing. On the other hand, if you already delivering a great piece of writing, what is the trouble of attaching a couple of reports? Trust me when I say, it looks impressive and professional. Don't be afraid. Your client won't think that a robot writes for him. In addition, there's no client in the world who wouldn't appreciate these things delivered with the blog or article you just wrote. It is only a coupe of minutes of extra time and it is not going to cost you more than few bucks. So, it is totally worth it.

You may even say, but I don't need those. OK, I respect that. For a talented and an experienced writer, those are really not necessary. However, if you are compete with a couple of writers who are more or less your match, then these details can tell a difference between winning and losing a job. Also, this can help you get more work from the same client. In a way, you are setting the standards. I remember one client told me that he was asking these reports from other writers, once we successfully accomplished our project.

I believe that this thread would be helpful to both more or less experienced and successful writers. There is plenty of room, clients, projects, work, and money out there for everyone. I'm still learning. I'm also very excited to learn and try something new. If you know that there are better and more efficient tools that the ones I mentioned here, I would really like to hear it. Also, I would like to hear, if these tools helped you get new jobs and win new clients.

I would be a fool, not to try a new tool, wouldn't I?

Cheers!
#client #copyscape #tools #writers #writing
  • These seem like okay tools for content writing.

    For copywriting, they're only kinda important.

    Here's what I mean:

    I have a ton of experience writing. I have a degree in it from an Ivy League university. I've almost finished a graduate degree in it. I've won awards for both fiction and journalism. I've taught basic and advanced college writing courses.

    And when I became a copywriter, I was awful.

    My work did not convert.

    The #1 priority in copywriting (DR or branding) is connecting with your prospect. Your writing ability only matters inasmuch as it helps you connect with your prospect.

    Once I learned to connect with my prospects, sure, my top-notch writing helped me do it even better.

    But seems like every day I see high converting copy that's written kinda terribly.
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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      Originally Posted by Benjamin Farthing View Post

      These seem like okay tools for content writing.

      For copywriting, they're only kinda important.

      Here's what I mean:

      I have a ton of experience writing. I have a degree in it from an Ivy League university. I've almost finished a graduate degree in it. I've won awards for both fiction and journalism. I've taught basic and advanced college writing courses.

      And when I became a copywriter, I was awful.

      My work did not convert.

      The #1 priority in copywriting (DR or branding) is connecting with your prospect. Your writing ability only matters inasmuch as it helps you connect with your prospect.

      Once I learned to connect with my prospects, sure, my top-notch writing helped me do it even better.

      But seems like every day I see high converting copy that's written kinda terribly.
      B,

      Honestly, I think you are referring to a completely new level of game. You are, where I wanna be.

      I look up to the stars, but at the end of the day, I write what a client demands of me. You know, the epic conflict between the critics and box office. I will never win the Oscar, but at least I will pay some bills.

      You can't make the whole world to like your writing, just a guy who is supposed to pay for it.

      I have this on my desktop. So, you see what kind of a "writer" I am.

      Honesty is the best policy.

      Cheers,
      N
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      • Profile picture of the author Transaxtion
        Thanks for the write-up, I use Grammarly fairly regularly for written content, in fact, I'm using it right now as I type! Let's test it out, shall we?
        Grammarly seems to work OK most of the time. Usually, it finds most obvious grammatical errors, it doesn't work all of the time though (like right now as I type) and sometimes it's good to proofread your work instead of relying on software, especially when sending something off to a client. It can be a decent timesaver for sure but the software doesn't seem to your sentences are, and it stays in the green as long as you use lots of commas. Grammarly right now is green for me after that sentence by the way....In my opinion, the sentence I just wrote was a complete turd and Grammarly should h. Even more grammatical errors and missing words and it is still green. I think you get my point, if you're writing a letter to your cat, it's great software but if you are producing content and getting paid, you better make sure you read it and re-read it multiple times and not trust the software so much. The worst thing in the world is for your clients to point out a mistake to you that you should have caught.

        As a side note, I am finding that programs like Grammarly are becoming more and more popular for people who apparently failed English. Frankly, I'm afraid if everyone used Grammarly it might have an adverse effect on the quality of comments I encounter daily. I hope more people don't find out about it for that selfish reason.
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        • Profile picture of the author neshaword
          There is a great article, I am on my phone right now, so I can't find a link. This guy tested Grammarly, Word check tool, and one more against a human proofreader - his wife. We all know what were the results. Yet, Grammarly performed respectfully OK. Use it, but don't rely entirely on it. We are safe to conclude that.
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  • I use Grammarly all the time to get an initial judgement of the quality writers provide me with when they sign-up. However I'm not impressed by their plagiarism checker.

    Copyscape is a lot better in that regard, however Copyscape does have the nasty habit of showing it as 100% original while if you click search a few times more it all of a sudden does show multiple results.

    The only way to get a somewhat reliable outcome is to use both, so that's what I do.
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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      Originally Posted by Passive Solutions View Post

      I use Grammarly all the time to get an initial judgement of the quality writers provide me with when they sign-up. However I'm not impressed by their plagiarism checker.

      Copyscape is a lot better in that regard, however Copyscape does have the nasty habit of showing it as 100% original while if you click search a few times more it all of a sudden does show multiple results.

      The only way to get a somewhat reliable outcome is to use both, so that's what I do.
      That makes two of us and we arent the only ones complaining. For $30 a month more or less, I have the right to expect something in return. Grammarly plagiarism checker is simply unreliable. They should stick to the grammar stuff. There is no need to complicate things with the additional checker. Although it really looks good when you see the percentages. Then again, the clients want to to see only one number and that is 100%. So, Copyscape is still the best solution.
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  • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
    Originally Posted by neshaword View Post

    Even if your client doesn't insist, submitting additional reports and screenshots associated with these tools can help you a lot. In the first place, you can increase your chances of winning a job by mentioning that you use these tools in your offer. Or, you can surprise your client with the final delivery of your work, which includes some very interesting documents. Either way, you have more reasons to give these tools a chance, than to miss using them in the first place. Here they are.

    #1 Grammarly

    There are no absolute guarantees that you will submit an error free work. Yet, I believe that you should do your best to avoid making an embarrassing mistake. Of course, there's no tool in the world to mach a flesh and blood proofreader. On the other hand, can you always hire one? This is the moment where all those proofreading and correction tools come in handy. My personal recommendation is Grammarly. If you have your favorite grammar and spelling checker, I have to admit, I'm all ears. For quite some time, I was a devoted Ginger Software user. However, after one embarrassing moment, I decided to give Grammarly a try. Ever since, I have been using Grammarly with no complaints. In case, you are wondering what went wrong, here is my side of the story.

    It was a structure something like "could be achieved." The trouble was that Ginger Software failed to notice that I actually wrote "could be achieve." I missed the letter "d" at the end and turned this structure into a BG (Basic Grammar) mistake. My client noticed that and as you might have expected it, he wasn't happy about it. When I tested the same text with Grammarly, this section was clearly marked in the warning red color. Grammarly isn't a perfect tool. There's no such a tool. Let's be clear about it. However, the number of mistakes this program will identify for you is quite a respectable one.

    I'm advising you to use the free version with confidence. I paid and used the Premium version for some time. This full version provided me only with a list of synonyms, I was supposed to use to enrich my text. Then the plagiarism tool, which wasn't particularly reliable. You can even choose a writing style. But, honestly speaking, for thirty bucks a month, I expected much more.

    #2 Copyscape

    There's no free version of Copyscape. I can say freely, I still haven't found a plagiarism tool that can match Copyscape. If Copyscape report says that your text is original, then you can be 100% positive about it. In terms of the price itself, it is totally worth it. If I'm not mistaken, because I pay for the new credits automatically, you pay as less as five cents per check. For five dollars you can check hundred pages. This way Copyscape made it clear that is ridiculous to say that it is too expensive for you to use. If this is still too much for you, then you should put 4 articles 500 words each in a single document and check it. Copyscape gives the best results for the texts up to 2,000 words. My personal choice is to use Copyscape for every single page I write no matter how long it may be.

    Believe me when I say, plagiarism is the primary concern for every client. More than once, I have heard client saying, I will test your work with Copyscape. You have an excellent opportunity to convince your client that there's nothing to worry about in terms of original work. You don't have to wait for your client to ask Copyscape report. Why don't you say that this is something you use on a daily basis? In case, you are looking for free alternatives, I can only mention a plagiarism checker you can find on smallseotools website. I really liked it because you get the percentage of the original content. It is really great for you client to see a document saying this work is 100% genuine. The trouble with this free tool is its accuracy. It doesn't check every sentence. You have to sign for this "privilege." Even then, you have to wait for a couple of minutes for the online plagiarism checker to finish its job. So, use the good old Copyscape.

    #3 Readability

    To make the long story short, all texts are readable. The catch is that some texts are more readable than others. Why? Many factors influence the optimal readability. Your vocabulary, sentence length, and so many other things. I recommend you to pay a visit to thewriter website and use their readability checker. There you will see for yourself how easy to read, understand and remember your text is. One of the most popular recommendations you can hear is that you should write the way you talk. Yet, I have a different kind of advice for you. Imagine that you are writing subtitles for a movie. You need short and simple sentences. The books for children and comic books are the best possible examples for the perfect readability you can possibly find.

    Of course, there are not too many clients who have an idea what the readability is. However, you can really shine like a star if you include a readability report. You can even invite your client to test the readability of his website or some of the works he got before you. When you read something and you don't like, there is a chance that a readability score is disappointingly low for that particular piece of writing. For your orientation, I can say that Dr. Seuss and comic books rule the world or readability with the impressive score between 90 and 100. Harry Potter books follow with the score between 70 and 80. If what you write hits the 70 score then you know your stuff. For what is worth, 60 is also good. That is the level of Obama's speeches and BBC news. If you get into the readability zone of 50, 40, or even 30, then it means you write for the Harvard Law Review or you try to imitate Shakespeare.

    When you hear from your client that he wants the work that should sound natural, then you know your client wants an extremely readable article. Very often when you get carried away with the use of keywords, you simply kill the readability. Your job is to warn your client. Yet, in the real life, I literally got orders to use certain keywords five or ten times. This is how I ended up with a mechanical text, so to speak. I didn't have the nerves to check the readability of such an unnatural piece of writing. On the other hand, when the quality mattered for real, I was able to write some great articles with 70 and even 80 readability score. Playing with these readability numbers can be a great way to improve your writing style.

    #4 Keywords Density

    Keywords density checkers can be found all over the Net. They are free and more or less accurate. Some of them treat two or three word combinations. I am definitely not an SEO expert, but I learned to go easy with the use of keywords. I recommend you do the same. I submit a keyword density report only when a client asks from me. When it comes to some basic orientation you shouldn't use a specific keyword combination more than 3 times in a text of up to 500 words in length. Or, your final keywords density report should say something like between 3% and 5%. To tell you the truth, I don't have a clue how they come up with these numbers and I don't care. Nike just do it.

    Better with them, than without them

    Finally, there is no tool or tech magic in the world that can help you disguise your poor writing. On the other hand, if you already delivering a great piece of writing, what is the trouble of attaching a couple of reports? Trust me when I say, it looks impressive and professional. Don't be afraid. Your client won't think that a robot writes for him. In addition, there's no client in the world who wouldn't appreciate these things delivered with the blog or article you just wrote. It is only a coupe of minutes of extra time and it is not going to cost you more than few bucks. So, it is totally worth it.

    You may even say, but I don't need those. OK, I respect that. For a talented and an experienced writer, those are really not necessary. However, if you are compete with a couple of writers who are more or less your match, then these details can tell a difference between winning and losing a job. Also, this can help you get more work from the same client. In a way, you are setting the standards. I remember one client told me that he was asking these reports from other writers, once we successfully accomplished our project.

    I believe that this thread would be helpful to both more or less experienced and successful writers. There is plenty of room, clients, projects, work, and money out there for everyone. I'm still learning. I'm also very excited to learn and try something new. If you know that there are better and more efficient tools that the ones I mentioned here, I would really like to hear it. Also, I would like to hear, if these tools helped you get new jobs and win new clients.

    I would be a fool, not to try a new tool, wouldn't I?

    Cheers!
    I have hired scores of writers. Both the so-called content and the real Copy Writer.

    It could be age, but, I wouldn't hire a single person who admitted to using any of these tools, especially copyscape. Almost all contracts I've had as a writer or someone who hires writers, have indemnity clauses in them. They might be useful tools for YOU to use while writing, but I strongly caution you about letting your clients know you do use them. They immediately mark you as an amateur, not a professional, and therefore, worthy only of a few bread crumbs from the table, if that.

    So, NO, not every client will appreciate their use. Especially the ones who actually pay writers what they are worth.

    GordonJ
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    • Originally Posted by GordonJ View Post

      I have hired scores of writers. Both the so-called content and the real Copy Writer.

      It could be age, but, I wouldn't hire a single person who admitted to using any of these tools, especially copyscape. Almost all contracts I've had as a writer or someone who hires writers, have indemnity clauses in them. They might be useful tools for YOU to use while writing, but I strongly caution you about letting your clients know you do use them. They immediately mark you as an amateur, not a professional, and therefore, worthy only of a few bread crumbs from the table, if that.

      So, NO, not every client will appreciate their use. Especially the ones who actually pay writers what they are worth.

      GordonJ
      I've never used Copyscape. I see having to use it as kind of fishy, so I could understand the distaste for it. I do my own work, plaigarism hasn't come up, and my style is distincitve enough that I've never had a client ping me on anything accidental either.

      Grammarly is quite useful however, I type like I speak and there're some huge errors I make on occasion. For instance, if I wasn't conciously thinking about it right now, the "there're" would have come out as "there's." It's also good for catching typos, when I produce a long buyer's guide or storied piece of copy it happens on occasion.

      I don't make a habit of telling clients what I use, but I've had many REQUEST that I use Grammarly before receiving the first piece.

      Grammarly is also semi-useless for anything highly stylized, there I just use it as a net to catch any typos which weren't apparent from a couple of proofreading passes.
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      • Profile picture of the author neshaword
        When I have to write from the scratches based on my research or the interview with a client, then I honestly save my Copyscape credits. Yet, in most of the cases, I had to do the rewriting work, which means that Copyscape is an absolute must in these cases.

        Just one more thing. I am curious. You said that you write as you talk, which is an ideal situation. I am eager to know, what's your readability score.

        Thank you,
        N
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        • Originally Posted by neshaword View Post

          When I have to write from the scratches based on my research or the interview with a client, then I honestly save my Copyscape credits. Yet, in most of the cases, I had to do the rewriting work, which means that Copyscape is an absolute must in these cases.

          Just one more thing. I am curious. You said that you write as you talk, which is an ideal situation. I am eager to know, what's your readability score.

          Thank you,
          N
          I really don't know, seeing as I've never used it. I'll put in some work from this morning and see what happens.

          For what it's worth, this is what happened with Readability. It was a fairly technical article focused on a specific subset of a skill in one of my niches, so without knowing the exact specifications behind the metrics it looks pretty good.
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  • Profile picture of the author gingerninjas
    Originally Posted by neshaword View Post

    Even if your client doesn't insist, submitting additional reports and screenshots associated with these tools can help you a lot. In the first place, you can increase your chances of winning a job by mentioning that you use these tools in your offer.
    Cheers!
    I respectfully disagree.

    I feel these tools are to ensure the writers work is error free, and it should be mandatory that whatever tools they use to ensure the spelling, readability and grammar are 100% then that's their choice.

    Using Copyscape is fine, and many clients require this however I don't see how you could provide a screen shot of all the details of grammarly anyway, especially for a large document.

    I understand you're trying to propose that these tools are handy to use, however I don't think the client really wants to see this exactly they want to see the content / copy that they paid to be created not the reports that show errors and updates.

    Clients are usually time poor, so it's important to provide what they want in the way they wanted it, not extra fluff.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Jeffels
      I assume you're not referring to direct response copywriting when you are referring to these "tools."

      Bill


      .
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      • Profile picture of the author Bill Jeffels
        neshaword,

        This may come in handy for you.

        Content writer: A website content writer or web content writer is a person who specializes in providing relevant content for websites. Every website has a specific target audience and requires a different type and level of content. Content should contain words (key words) that attract and retain users on a website

        Copywriting is written words conveyed through online media and print materials. This type of written material is often used to persuade a person or group. The copywriter is responsible for producing compelling and persuasive material. The ultimate goal of copy is to get the reader to take a particular action.

        Bill


        .
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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      It was respectful, so it's acceptable, lol.

      I send error free reports. There's no point to bother your client with the errors you made and then fixed. Yet, when I send a shiny white Copyscape screenshot and a Grammarly report, which is all green, it really looks nice. The first thing a client has to do is to check the quality of work. This way I am sending a message, I already did it. Please focus on the content itself.

      I heard from my colleagues there are clients who also use Copyscape and Grammarly a lot. So, what's the harm?

      Cheers!
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      • Profile picture of the author DABK
        The harm is not in the tool, it's in choosing to work with people who use the tool.

        They have low expectations, they will, therefore, value what you do as not having much value.

        Find yourself clients who measure success in more advanced ways, you'll make more money.

        What you propose is perfectly fit for the crowd that bought into Google wants fresh content.

        Find yourself people who belong to the crowd I want my web pages to sell for me day in and out and people from similar crowds.


        Originally Posted by neshaword View Post

        It was respectful, so it's acceptable, lol.

        I send error free reports. There's no point to bother your client with the errors you made and then fixed. Yet, when I send a shiny white Copyscape screenshot and a Grammarly report, which is all green, it really looks nice. The first thing a client has to do is to check the quality of work. This way I am sending a message, I already did it. Please focus on the content itself.

        I heard from my colleagues there are clients who also use Copyscape and Grammarly a lot. So, what's the harm?

        Cheers!
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  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    I don't use any of these tools, and I promise my clients don't appreciate me any less.

    How many times do you need to hear "get out of your own way" before you take action, Nesha?

    You're positioning yourself as an expert and wondering aloud how to get out to a higher level.

    All the positioning you're doing is pointless, because it's meant for the level (if that) you're currently at.

    What I do is not some mystical art that newbies can't figure out. How do I know this? I WAS a newb once. All the successful people here were also new at this once. We took risks, made hard choices, learned hard lessons, fell on our faces more than once.

    Do something different, including stopping posting these pointless articles posing as copy. Otherwise you're just fitting the definition of insanity to a tee.
    Signature

    Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

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  • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
    Nesha is a classic case of being too far removed from the money.

    Here's what happens when you are...

    1 You are a commodity which is seen as an expense
    by those who control the money.

    Compare this to 24-year-old Scott.

    I helped him get a job in sales in London.

    On Wednesday he's flying out to Spain for an all expenses paid holiday.

    Last week he won a trip to South Africa.

    Why?

    Because he goes out and brings in the money.

    Lot's of it.

    Every Pound he brings in, his employer knows it's from him.

    Scott chose to be accountable for the money he brings in.

    You want more money...get measured for how much you bring in
    from your client's or employer.

    Yeah, scary thought that, as they go back to their sad existence.

    Best,
    Ewen
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    • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
      Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

      Nesha is a classic case of being too far removed from the money.

      Here's what happens when you are...

      1 You are a commodity which is seen as an expense
      by those who control the money.

      Compare this to 24-year-old Scott.

      I helped him get a job in sales in London.

      On Wednesday he's flying out to Spain for an all expenses paid holiday.

      Last week he won a trip to South Africa.

      Why?

      Because he goes out and brings in the money.

      Lot's of it.

      Every Pound he brings in his employer knows it's from him.

      Scott chose to be accountable for the money he brings in.

      You want more money...get measured for how much you bring in
      from your client's or employer.


      Yeah, scary thought that as they go back to their sad existence.

      Best,
      Ewen
      0

      Pretty much sums it up. There have been several "Scotts" right here, some admitting to never having read a single book on copy, until after they became well paid.
      From Napoleon Hill in Think And Grow Rich:

      “I bargained with life for a penny
      and life would pay no more,
      however, I begged at evening
      when I counted my scanty store;


      For life is a just employer
      he gives you what you ask
      but, once you have set the wages
      why, you must bear the task;

      I worked for a menial’s hire
      only to learn dismayed
      that any wage I had asked of life,
      life would have willingly paid.”

      If the poem fits...

      GordonJ
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  • Profile picture of the author wordsandthebees
    I run my work through Grammarly for my own peace of mind that I haven't missed a silly mistake, however I don't always find it completely accurate.
    As for Copyscape, I write my work from scratch so there's no possibility that it could even be remotely similar to anything else that's already online.
    With that being said, whether I choose to use the tools for my own peace of mind or not, I wouldn't ever pass these documents onto a client. In my limited experience, clients are generally time poor and really have no interest in how you arrived at your finished product.
    To me, providing those reports is giving them more paperwork to sift through and is comparable to showing your workings out in the margin of a maths equation at high school. Why do they need it?
    They are paying you to give them a finished piece of work, not prove to them that you didn't cheat to get there. That alone would sound alarm bells for me.
    The most important thing that your writing needs to convey is a connection to the audience and there is no 'tool' for that. Indeed, I've bought more than once from someone who's missed a comma or a capital letter here and there, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
    Correct grammar is so super important and there's no way that should ever be overlooked, but when writing genuine copy, there's much more to focus on.
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    • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
      Originally Posted by wordsandthebees View Post

      I run my work through Grammarly for my own peace of mind that I haven't missed a silly mistake, however I don't always find it completely accurate.
      As for Copyscape, I write my work from scratch so there's no possibility that it could even be remotely similar to anything else that's already online.
      With that being said, whether I choose to use the tools for my own peace of mind or not, I wouldn't ever pass these documents onto a client. In my limited experience, clients are generally time poor and really have no interest in how you arrived at your finished product.
      To me, providing those reports is giving them more paperwork to sift through and is comparable to showing your workings out in the margin of a maths equation at high school. Why do they need it?
      They are paying you to give them a finished piece of work, not prove to them that you didn't cheat to get there. That alone would sound alarm bells for me.
      The most important thing that your writing needs to convey is a connection to the audience and there is no 'tool' for that. Indeed, I've bought more than once from someone who's missed a comma or a capital letter here and there, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
      Correct grammar is so super important and there's no way that should ever be overlooked, but when writing genuine copy, there's much more to focus on.
      This is pretty freaking brilliant.

      This is how we can tell you're not a copywriter - you have no idea who your prospect is.

      By and large, most business owners and marketers I've encountered are busy people. I know half my time is eaten up in pointless meetings and the other half with work and prospecting and editing. If I've already gone through the trouble of finding someone to outsource the work to, and I chose you, why would you even bring up the seed of doubt in my mind in the first place?

      You're proving something that shouldn't need to be proven if you're doing the work properly and selling your services properly. If you've built value in what you do, your client is hiring you for your KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE, not your ability to run reports.

      I don't want to read your research. I don't want to see your sources. I sure as hell don't want to read reports that show me you're on the up and up. I, personally, wouldn't hire someone that I didn't think was operating above board.
      Signature

      Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

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