Copy Tips for Non-English People

Hi Dave,

This one is simple and you don't have to mail to your list for me.

This is what you do, write your sales copy out, create an irresistible offer and just find someone on fiverr that can help you with proof reading it. Do your due diligence in finding someone with a good reputation and you're good to go. A simple solution that will cost you less than lunch

It's more about communicating the value in your offer and you don't need a Phd. in English to do that. It's still important, but with today's technology you have things like fiverr to help with that.

Hope that helps,

Ross

Seek help from the pros, too, via library books and free articles online full of tips. You can start by going to Amazon.com, search for copywriting books, then see if your local library stocks any of them - -or similar ones.

Then search authors of the above books on Google and go through their author websites for articles and tips.

I think you do a pretty good job, amigo.

Anywho, here are my tips broken up by category:

Speaking better English...

First off, read a lot of the "gritty" English work.

Pick up James Patterson, Mark Twain, Clive Cussler, John D. McDonald, etc.

Then watch some Clint Eastwood movies, and pretty much a bunch of popular TV shows (like House).

These guys, these shows, reflect the mind and behaviors of American culture. You'll discover the idioms, ideals, social norms, etc.

Read the newspaper, even. Pick up a copy of the Oxford's "Dictionary of American Proverbs." (I own it - quite expansive for very little money).
Read Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Vanity Fair, People, and a score of others.

If you want to learn the English language to sell, you have to understand the true medium of how we speak.

Also, do you have any friends who are Native that can read over your copy with you? They might point and say, "I don't understand this expression." Then you fix it.

The point: bury yourself in the culture, just like you bury yourself in research when trying to understand a product's market.

You'll be off to the races.

To improve your copywriting...

Your lead-in confuses.

"How's A Personal 'Success Plan' For Starting 2011 With?"

Sorry man. It confused the heck out of me.

Try something more like... "If You Want To Make 2011 Your Best Year In Business..." or "Dave Lianelli, online six-figure earner and author, reveals..."

And then your headline.

The deck copy, the copy beneath headline, could use some improvement. You're smart to use the phrase, but I see it repeated several times in the copy. Your deck should be to expand on the benefits of the headline.

"This Blueprint Takes You Buy The Hand And Practically Leads You To The Promised Land Of Financial Success..."

Also, near the beginning, you say 'beloved ones.' You can just say "loved ones" or "family" and get the same impact in a way that doesn't interrupt the copy.

Also,

"Have you made your new year resolutions yet? How often have you made and achieved them? Did you ever succeed to quit smoking? Or buy that dream car? Or got rid of that belly-fat? How about making $10,000 a month?

Most people I know SUCK at keeping and achieving those resolutions. Heck, most even give up after a week or two. You can say you're not one of them, but I bet you have never achieved that true financial success - otherwise you wouldn't be reading this right now!"

...Is no bueno. Too much negativity and abuse.

Instead, you're better off with..

"Have you ever wondered why your New Year's resolution seems impossible? You set the goal, you have the dream... but every day, it seems to get farther and farther away.

Did you ever try to quit smoking... or lose those 5 pounds of belly fat...

Or go from paycheck-to-paycheck living to starting out every month with bills paid and an extra thousand in spending dollars?

The truth is, most people struggle with their goals. They're disorganized.

Why?

Because they know what they want. But like you, they don't know how to get it.

Know what, though? I have hope for you. Because most of the time, they never even make it to this page. But you did. And you want to know how."

See, you're playing on the same "failure, life is hard" angle, but you're uplifting instead of abusive. You're telling them, "Hey, I know achieving goals is hard. But I know you're trying because you're here and I applaud you for that."

Anyway, just some tips.

All the best Dave,

Angel

Guys, thanks a bunch for all the advice.

I'm already doing a lot of what you suggested. Next to watching English-spoken movies and series, I only read English books. I try to study the blogs and articles of successful copywriters.

@ARSuarez, thanks for the amazing feedback on my WSO. I immediately applied your tips. You are totally right about the negativity. I've implemented all your recommendations and made some further changes myself.

Check it out!

Here is what Carlton had to say about linguistics.

Probably the best but hardest way to do this is immerse yourself in the country. I travel a lot to Spanish speaking countries. I can tell in an instant whether you learned English in school or an English speaking country.

Thanks a bunch Ross!

Bruce, you're right. Living/traveling in English-speaking countries is probably the best I can do.

I've also bought several audio-books from Audible to expand my knowledge and vocabulary. For that reason, I've downloaded all kinds of genres.