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Rookie HERE! need ADVIE and GUIDANCE!

by RookieJr
11 replies
Dear, experienced copywriters of the warrior forums. I am 19 years old still living with my folks Im currently getting my real estate license here in Missouri. By fall of next year I will be moving out to either Kansas city or oregon state, or even Germany. depending on were my significant other wishes to further her education in pre-med. Simply because she is one that I trust, perhaps to even experience the rest of my life. But either way I'll be doing real estate on the side and I wish to do copyright as a career. Writing is something I've always been passionate about however I haven't quite written enough in one particular piece to consider it a novel or story. I've written everything from poetry, music, short stories, screenplays, and now advertising. I never thought I would have so much interest in something such as copyrighting. Reason I have found so is because my girlfriends stepfather is in advertising himself. Yes he owns his own marketing firm, but I'll just come out and say he does not like me. So going to him is not a reliable source. My grandfather on my dad side has been the dean of the local community college in English literature for 32 years. My mom's side herself has been in theater as her major however switched occupations to clock and watch repair. My whole families background is English literature, and communication arts. Yet I regret to say I've no actual experience "copywriting" but my Resume in the topics started when I entered this world through my parents. Like I said I am very passionate, and willing to learn anything and except all criticism both constructive and critical negative. So I say to my fellow future copywriters got any extra work to send to a young mans way just starting out?


Sincerely: Seth Warner
#advie #guidance #rookie
  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Gould
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author RookieJr
      To all of the copywriters reading this post. If there is any work on your plate you think you will not be able to get to. I am fully willing to take it off your hands if available.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
        Copywriting 101: Make your copy easy to read.

        17 sentences in one paragraph is, well, a nightmare.

        Alex
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      • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
        Originally Posted by RookieJr View Post

        To all of the copywriters reading this post. If there is any work on your plate you think you will not be able to get to. I am fully willing to take it off your hands if available.
        You must have missed the helpful posts above. By the way, there's a difference between asking for advice/guidance and begging for work. If you're not willing to put in the time and learn first, there's no way in hell I'm passing off my "extra work" to you. I refer my clients to people whose work I respect.

        The answer: study. Write. Study more. Rip your stuff apart and put it back together. Write more. Consider getting a mentor. WRITE. And I second checking your work for errors and readability.
        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 DavidG
    Yeah Harry Browne's book is a fantastic read.

    And although some people may find writing controls by long hand a waste of time, I personally believe it's a good starting point.

    Obviously what you should study is the concepts and ideas used. But the flow and tonality will naturally come out as you get better and better.
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  • Profile picture of the author RookieJr
    Like I said, I am brand new at this and not sure how to start out. To angiecolee I would LOVE to apprentice under someone. In face that would be fantastic. How ever I am not sure where to start or who to talk to. clearly I have found the right place to go.

    I have some copy written already as ruff drafts. Would any of you be willing for me to email them, and go over them to help, build my skill, criticize my work further?
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    • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
      Originally Posted by RookieJr View Post

      Like I said, I am brand new at this and not sure how to start out. To angiecolee I would LOVE to apprentice under someone. In face that would be fantastic. How ever I am not sure where to start or who to talk to. clearly I have found the right place to go.

      I have some copy written already as ruff drafts. Would any of you be willing for me to email them, and go over them to help, build my skill, criticize my work further?
      One on one time costs money - I recommend doing a search here for critiques and reading all the comments. You'll see the same issues popping up again and again. Read the stickies at the top - pick up those books and start learning. Use the checklist to improve your work. Write something and post it here for critique, and understand that everyone knows it takes guts to post but you're going to get ripped anyway.

      Like any business, this is going to cost you. It will cost time, money, or some combination of the two. It's up to you to decide what you want to spend.
      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 Mark Andrews
        Banned
        Fact is, harsh truth, you're not a good writer. Far from it.

        Stick to real estate. You'll save yourself much time and hassle. Young man, you can't even spell 'copywriting' properly. Not to mention other typos plus a whopping great chunk of text above. Ever thought of using more white space? Definitely makes large chunks of text easier to read.

        You're asking for work too when you don't have any experience in the game. Question, why would I be willing to palm off my credibility to a complete unknown such as yourself who can hardly string a coherent sentence together properly?

        Not to burst your bubble but you have a practically zero chance of making it in this industry. Like I said, stick to real estate.

        Smoking hot,


        Mark Andrews
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve Hill
      Originally Posted by RookieJr View Post

      Like I said, I am brand new at this and not sure how to start out.
      You can do whatever you set your mind to do, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

      That being said, the basic skills of grammar, punctuation, and spelling do need improvement before you'll be ready for copywriting.

      One good place to start for advice and examples would be at copyblogger.com. They have free tutorials, good blogs, and good information. Scroll down to the bottom of the main page for the links.

      Once you have the basics down and a good sense of where you want to go, you'll be on your way. Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author RookieJr
    October 24, 2012
    Mark Andrews
    Evolution
    Homo sapiens
    United states: the land of Dream, and freedom, not being afraid to stand up for what we believe in.


    Dear Mark Andrews,

    The human race has not come as far as it has based upon simple traits of egotistical, lethargic, gelatinous, narcissism. It has come to the current status by a small thing called teaching, and other parenting traits to ensure the future generations proceed correctly.
    Unless you came in this world writing the most perfect literature from your mothers womb, then someone taught you also from scratch. I am not simply going to change my passion because of some bully who has nothing better to do then feed on the young, who are not as experienced as he.
    I simply came to this forum to seek advice, not attempted manipulation, trying to scare me off. Thank you Angie so much for your professional advice of business. It is most definitely helpful, and I will take all of it into high consideration, and I am on my way to Barnes & Noble.
    Have a great day Angie

    Sincerely yours,

    seth warner
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
      Banned
      Originally Posted by RookieJr View Post

      October 24, 2012
      Mark Andrews
      Evolution
      Homo sapiens
      United states: the land of Dream, and freedom, not being afraid to stand up for what we believe in.


      Dear Mark Andrews,

      The human race has not come as far as it has based upon simple traits of egotistical, lethargic, gelatinous, narcissism. It has come to the current status by a small thing called teaching, and other parenting traits to ensure the future generations proceed correctly.
      Unless you came in this world writing the most perfect literature from your mothers womb, then someone taught you also from scratch. I am not simply going to change my passion because of some bully who has nothing better to do then feed on the young, who are not as experienced as he.
      I simply came to this forum to seek advice, not attempted manipulation, trying to scare me off.

      Sincerely yours,

      seth warner
      Seth...

      I'm not American. You can keep your American dream. Live it big. Live it large. Do whatever the hell you want.

      What you do is up to you.

      Me? I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I didn't go to university. I have not a qualification, a piece of paper to my name. Self employed since 14 years old - I'm now pushing 46. Which kind of gives me a little wider and more experienced perspective on the world than a young 19 year old lad.

      I've raised a family, traveled extensively, read widely, spoken to audiences in many places, I've lived and worked for decades in the trenches. Directly in the school of hard knocks.

      Let me put it to you this way...

      You tell us you're going for your real estate license in MI.

      I'm saying to you as a bit of tough love, friendly advice call it what you will, stick with it.

      Don't chop and change on a whim when you know next to nothing about another profession such as this one. Do this throughout your life son and its a recipe for disaster. Stick with what you know - where your real passion is. If this is real estate - then bloody go for it. Concentrate and focus all your energy to get the outcome in life you want.

      Pour all of your energy in to it. Learn as much as you can. Ask plenty of questions and listen carefully to those more experienced and older than yourself. Learn when to speak and when to stick a sock in it. Do this and you'll get by just fine.

      If you're absolutely determined - excellent! I praise you for having such determination, for in this business, you're going to need it by the shed load.

      Hopefully too, you've got a spare 10,000 hours in front of you. For your personal learning curve in this business is going to be extremely steep - make no mistake about it.

      Countless guys just you have come into this forum over the past few years saying they want to learn copywriting. Thing is...

      ...when they realize what's involved by gum they don't half run a mile or three in the opposite direction. Out of about 500 guys who have stated, just like you, that they'd like to become a copywriter, I bet no more than half a dozen have stayed the course.

      Believe you me, real estate, becoming a realtor is going to be much easier.

      I'm simply warning you in advance what to expect in this business.

      If you're a stubborn bugger like me you might make it. Somehow though... my money is on the bet a few months from now, we'll never see you here imparting your wisdom to the rest of us. Hopefully you will be but somehow, I highly doubt it. I very highly doubt it.

      Now go follow your dream.

      Smoking hot,


      Mark Andrews
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  • Profile picture of the author TheSalesBooster
    I suggest you spend some time reading a couple of books on copywriting. This will give you an understanding of the basics and you can go from there.
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