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Is Copywriting An English Thing?

by tayuyaa
15 replies
Hey guys,

I came up with this conclusion...Am I wrong?

I mean I live in France and I want to improve my copywriting skills, but I cant find any course on it or big "gurus" such as John Carlton in France, It simply doesn't exist...

Does anyone of you know a french copywriter?

So what does it mean, it means that to learn copywriting you have to speak english, what guys do you think?

I ask this because sometimes it's hard for me to understand all the words and expression on the sales letter, it's really a job in a job....
#copywriting #english #thing
  • Profile picture of the author Ashley Gable
    I think Mal, The Copy Nazi, lives in France. But dont hold me to that. I am not sure whether he is French, or just lives there.
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  • Profile picture of the author abugah
    Copywriting is about persuasion and you can influence people in any language. Start by understanding the psychology of human beings; which never changes. Then move on to get the best way to convey your messages to the right audience.

    I guess there are great French writers. Perhaps there are stunning direct response Ads that that people have talked about for years. Study them.

    By the way, a headline is a headline regardless of the language it is in. The purpose is to flag down the reader.

    In my opinion you can still be a great French copywriter. Why don't you be the first John Carlton French copywriter?
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    • Profile picture of the author tayuyaa
      Originally Posted by Ashley Gable View Post

      I think Mal, The Copy Nazi, lives in France. But dont hold me to that. I am not sure whether he is French, or just lives there.
      Yes I've seen that too, maybe he could help...

      Originally Posted by abugah View Post

      Copywriting is about persuasion and you can influence people in any language. Start by understanding the psychology of human beings; which never changes. Then move on to get the best way to convey your messages to the right audience.

      I guess there are great French writers. Perhaps there are stunning direct response Ads that that people have talked about for years. Study them.

      By the way, a headline is a headline regardless of the language it is in. The purpose is to flag down the reader.

      In my opinion you can still be a great French copywriter. Why don't you be the first John Carlton French copywriter?
      Thanks, I totally agree with all you said here. I know that copywriting is about persuasion and human psychology, however my question was if anyone knows a french copywriter or a sales letter in french...about direct response ads I see a lot of them each day on my mail box but they all look like ads, they definitely don't know the "A-Pile" "B-Pile" stuff that Gary Halberts talked about and which is totally true.

      Anyway I keep learning each day from English copywriters as they seem more advanced in this business than anyone else in the world!

      thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Pusateri
    I'm no expert on French culture and attitudes, but I do know they are very different from those of native English speakers.

    So I guess the question becomes: How do you employ methods of persuasion in a peculiarly French way.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Gould
    Originally Posted by tayuyaa View Post

    Does anyone of you know a french copywriter?
    Christian Godefroy, a few sites actually state he's Swiss, but his writing's in French.
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    Andrew Gould

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    • Profile picture of the author tayuyaa
      Originally Posted by Andrew Gould View Post

      Christian Godefroy, a few sites actually state he's Swiss, but his writing's in French.
      Ah yes you're right I forgot about this guy, thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Increase Media
    Copywriting is not just an English thing. It's the art of selling or salesmanship in print. Everyone will buy something at some point in their lives....the key is learning what makes people buy and how to get them to buy whatever it is you're offering.

    The best thing to do is get the best course you can in the language you can understand and go from there.
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  • Profile picture of the author jtunkelo
    Once you learn the skill in English, you CAN apply it in other languages. I have.

    The universals of persuasion and human nature are there, but you also need to be aware of cultural differences. For instance, Americans respond very strongly to utilitarian principles (i.e. benefits) but many European countries respond more to tradition and theory.

    Also, you cannot just use English structures when you write in other languages - you need to do more than translate, rewrite it using the natural vehicles of that language and culture. You'll get the hang of it after a couple of true tries.
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    Need a quick, effective copy critique to boost your conversion? 24-hr turnaround:
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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Warriors
    In a word?

    No.

    Copywriting transcends language and culture and speaks to universal human emotions.

    I assure you there are many copywriters in France. In fact, isn't fashion and cosmetics a huge industry in france? You can bet those industries employ copywriters, since they advertise so much in magazines (though maybe not direct-response copywriters of the type you see on the warrior forum).

    If you need advice on copywriting, and you don't find many French language copywriting gurus, just take advice from an English speaking guru and apply it to what you know about French culture.

    There is one hidden example of how to do this in this blog post: How To Prepare To Write Copy « constantcopy

    Here, I talk about the importance of scanning forums and finding out the kind of language people use to describe the features and benefits associated with certain types of products. If you want to market a product to a French audience in the French language, look around on French forums related to the niche, find out what kind of vocab will be used, and use that vocab in your copy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Copywriting IS an English thing. There has always been selling and
    persuading but "copywriting" as a discipline is mainly and American
    invention. With American consumerism skyrocketing in the 1920's
    and the use of radio and later TV for advertisement--these are
    what propelled copywriters into marketing forefront.

    I'm sure there are French direct marketers, but copywriting as
    I understand it is mainly an American phenomenon hence the
    scarcity of copywriting resources in other languages.

    I'm open to correction.

    -Ray Edwards
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    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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    • Profile picture of the author tayuyaa
      Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

      Copywriting IS an English thing. There has always been selling and
      persuading but "copywriting" as a discipline is mainly and American
      invention. With American consumerism skyrocketing in the 1920's
      and the use of radio and later TV for advertisement--these are
      what propelled copywriters into marketing forefront.

      I'm sure there are French direct marketers, but copywriting as
      I understand it is mainly an American phenomenon hence the
      scarcity of copywriting resources in other languages.

      I'm open to correction.

      -Ray Edwards

      That is exactly my point and I agree with you.

      Now I also agree with the other as copywriting is used differently from one country to an other, each country as its own criteria and so on, but still it remains the same as we all have basic needs...

      Thanks all for your input.



      Timothee, the 1rst French Copywriter
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  • Profile picture of the author RHert
    You've gotten some good advice from the others here. Copywriting is used everywhere. Learn what you can and apply it to your culture.
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    Copywriting at it's Best! - Tips and tricks to connect with your reader.
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  • Profile picture of the author LiamElliott
    Copywriting is very broad, any commercial writing can be considered copywriting. I'm sure you've got brochures, tv ads, radio ads, magazines, and billboards in france. Each of these require a professional copywriter, even the radio and television scripts.

    Sales letters are just one small area of creative advertising. Copywriting exists in every language, culture, and location.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
      Doesn't Jack Forde make his masion in France?

      --- Ross
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