12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Copywriting in real life?

by Joshua P
8 replies
Hey everyone,this is Joshua

I had a question for everyone learning and ones that have already mastered copywriting - does any part of what you learnt in copywriting help in real life and something like making more friends and getting a girlfriend,etc. ?

All I've done so far is I read a book on how to write a web copy which did not include what I mentioned above..and I am almost certain the book was not too good and didn't have enough info.


Now more about me - I love human psychology and how humans work..I just love it and over the time being quiet and observing people I'm in a position today to tell more than 50% facts about a stranger Correctly by just observing him/her for say 10-15 minutes..but then comes the other part - I try to communicate with them and my experience says that their body language is trying to tell me "such a boring freak.please go away" and some tell me on my face "boring!" and walk away.

I am very interested at learning copy and I believe I'll do good if not too good.
But as an almost 21 year old guy I need to solve this issue first and I think learning copy will partly teach me a lot since I hardly utter a word off my mouth..and when i do its only when its needed,which I believe is because I am boring and I need to change this ,I need to persuade other people so that I can get along with them with words and no more seem boring.

---------

Facts about me -
Well, I'm like one of those guys you most probably know in real life who doesn't get along with people easily..not because I have issues with other people..but because I am overly conscious and not good looking at least according to me,ones who like me(my relatives) say i am too cute and stuff and I can see their purpose for calling me so..its so that i feel good.

Would you believe if I tell you I've had 1 ,just 1 good friend in my entire life..and I'll be turning 21 soon.
And even that 1 friend is almost exactly like me so you can imagine even that friend wasn't any such accomplishment..but we enjoyed a lot together before being separated (we stayed in the same 21-floor building and thats why we got together in the first place for the first time..which was maybe when I was like a 7 year old kid)

I have never dated a girl before..I talk to them for sometime or maybe some days and all of them go away and honest ones tell me that I am boring and that I need to improve.

* Now the most shocking thing..the past life of mine,from what I can recollect(maybe all the years since I was 12 or something till date) I can count the days on which i spoke more than 10 to 15 sentences a day easily within a few minutes..meaning I rarely talk at all and people tell me
"why don't you speak man,whats wrong? "

And I always thought I'm fine I feel good being quiet and that I do not need to speak.
-----------------------
#copywriting #life #real
  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    You don't speak much but man do you ramble when you write. I didn't really follow that at all, since it reads more like a diary post.

    To take a stab at the question though - you get better by doing. That's everything in life. Want to be a better writer? Write. Want to be better with people? Hang out with more people. Want to date women? Start talking to women. Easier said than done, I know. But stop wondering and start doing...good things in life ain't gonna just walk up to you and hit you upside the head while you're studying people.
    Signature

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

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7464525].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    if you believe you're boring, you're right.
    It seems to me that you should be reading books on self esteem, not copywriting.
    Signature

    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7464534].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Shazadi
    Angie got at the heart of the problem. This is a copywriting forum, and no, learning how to create sales copy is unlikely to help you make friends. You need to get out in the world and practice. Speaking to someone in person is very different than having time to think over your words and edit as in writing. Perhaps join a club or other organization to meet people with similar interests?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7464752].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    Joshua,

    So that you don't let go of your dream of being a copywriter.

    Here's a true story.

    I have a vey good friend, who studied, practised and slaved away and became a really good copywriter.

    She is also very introverted and shy and hates talking face to face with people.

    Fact is she doesn't have to.

    Being highly intelligent she followed my advice in how to get clients.

    She gets them all by sending out Flyers, Postcards and Sales Pieces.

    She doesn't follow them up - she waits for an email or the phone to ring.

    Yes, she hates the phone calls, has a quick a chat and diplomatically says she'll put a full proposal together by email.

    95% of the time everything is done in writing.

    And she's doing very well.

    I'm delighted to say with the acclaim she gets from her copywriting results her self confidence is improving.

    And slowly but surely she is getting happier about speaking directly with clients.

    I can't see any real problem in you doing the same.


    Steve
    Signature
    http://www.warriorforum.com/warriors...right-now.html
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7465020].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Joshua,

    If you have a printer, print these three pages out.

    The first is a HOTSHEET on persuasion as a copywriter.

    http://www.angelfire.com/biz/gjbiz/persuade.pdf

    Look at the graphics which symbolize the "sales" process. Meeting people can follow the same process.

    The second thing to print out is:

    http://www.angelfire.com/biz/gjbiz/pop.jpg

    Here is a brief explanation and you are welcome to contact me (prefer email, I don't always sign in and your WF IM may not be seen for days)...gjabiz@yahoo.com

    Here's how to use your copywriting skills in the Real World.

    In copywriting, you are removed from your target. You must use REMOTE means to persuade and influence.

    In the real world, you can be face to face (but not always) and the common ground is your target's PREOCCUPATION.

    As it is today, YOU are preoccupied with self. At some point in the future, when you become more interested in the other person than in what you think they think of you...

    YOU will come to understand, that in copy writing or face to face influence, it isn't about you at all.

    IF you print these 3 pages out and go over them, feel free to contact me for further interpretation and the finer points of what these 3 hotsheets have.

    gjabiz


    Originally Posted by Joshua P View Post

    Hey everyone,this is Joshua

    I had a question for everyone learning and ones that have already mastered copywriting - does any part of what you learnt in copywriting help in real life and something like making more friends and getting a girlfriend,etc. ?

    All I've done so far is I read a book on how to write a web copy which did not include what I mentioned above..and I am almost certain the book was not too good and didn't have enough info.


    Now more about me - I love human psychology and how humans work..I just love it and over the time being quiet and observing people I'm in a position today to tell more than 50% facts about a stranger Correctly by just observing him/her for say 10-15 minutes..but then comes the other part - I try to communicate with them and my experience says that their body language is trying to tell me "such a boring freak.please go away" and some tell me on my face "boring!" and walk away.

    I am very interested at learning copy and I believe I'll do good if not too good.
    But as an almost 21 year old guy I need to solve this issue first and I think learning copy will partly teach me a lot since I hardly utter a word off my mouth..and when i do its only when its needed,which I believe is because I am boring and I need to change this ,I need to persuade other people so that I can get along with them with words and no more seem boring.

    ---------

    Facts about me -
    Well, I'm like one of those guys you most probably know in real life who doesn't get along with people easily..not because I have issues with other people..but because I am overly conscious and not good looking at least according to me,ones who like me(my relatives) say i am too cute and stuff and I can see their purpose for calling me so..its so that i feel good.

    Would you believe if I tell you I've had 1 ,just 1 good friend in my entire life..and I'll be turning 21 soon.
    And even that 1 friend is almost exactly like me so you can imagine even that friend wasn't any such accomplishment..but we enjoyed a lot together before being separated (we stayed in the same 21-floor building and thats why we got together in the first place for the first time..which was maybe when I was like a 7 year old kid)

    I have never dated a girl before..I talk to them for sometime or maybe some days and all of them go away and honest ones tell me that I am boring and that I need to improve.

    * Now the most shocking thing..the past life of mine,from what I can recollect(maybe all the years since I was 12 or something till date) I can count the days on which i spoke more than 10 to 15 sentences a day easily within a few minutes..meaning I rarely talk at all and people tell me
    "why don't you speak man,whats wrong? "

    And I always thought I'm fine I feel good being quiet and that I do not need to speak.
    -----------------------
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7465793].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    It's certainly helped me understand human behaviors better, but that won't help you make more friends or find a girlfriend. You need social skills to make all that magic happen. In fact, sometimes understanding human behavior makes it harder to make friends and get more dates. I say this because most people aren't comfortable with having their "mail read," especially when you're accurate.

    PS: You might want to post topics like this in the mind warriors forum or the off topic forum in the future.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7466762].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
      My opinion...

      The Original Poster (OP) asked about copywriting and if the skills one learns can be used in the Real World. So, he's in the right forum.

      Also, the Pictogrigm of Persuasion (POP)is a tool. Like any tool, it depends who is using it as to it's results.

      Now, here's How to Find the Girlfriend of Your Dreams using the POP.

      A few years back a Warrior was looking for his ideal girl and he wanted to manifest a wife with large breasts. No need to comment on HIS desires...to each his own.

      Anyhow, he KNEW what he wanted. And he DID find the girl of HIS dreams and married her, and became a believer in "manifestation".

      So, as a person develops their copywriting skills, they DO study human behavior and do get a foundation of motivation and what people want.

      I don't believe that "In fact, sometimes understanding human behavior makes it harder to make friends and get more dates"...that simply means you don't understand YOUR own human behavior.

      But, back to the OP and his quest.

      In remote marketing a smart marketer finds a hungry crowd, or a niche group of people with a high passion index for their product.

      They focus on what the PROSPECT wants. They learn all they can about their target market and then craft their promotion to appeal to their target, as the POP clearly shows.

      In Remote Direct Marketing, there is an Intersection, where your target meets your promotion in whatever Media your research or tests have shown to be the most productive. Could be email, snail mail, magazines, magalogs, TV or whatever.

      NOW, to the real world. The Warrior seeking a large breasted girl knew what he wanted...

      So, to the OP... what sort of friends do you want? What kind of girl would you be looking for?

      Start here: if you go to a bookstore, what TWO magazines would you read, which probably shows you have an interest in ________ ?

      Where do people who also have this interest hang out?

      Where would you INTERSECT WITH THESE PEOPLE?

      Where would your IDEAL girl be?

      See, all you have to do is get on HER track and wait for her to run you over.

      But, it begins with knowing what is going on inside her bubble of PreOccupation. And there is an old saying that goes: "what you are seeking is seeking you"...

      and the best way to "attract" your girl is to be the guy she is looking for.

      You (OP) can start a program of self-development, and focus on your interests and what you would like to see yourself doing...and then you simply go where people go to do or participate in things or activities where like minded people hang out.

      There are millions of socially awkward people living happily married lives, so social skills are only necessary in the constraints of your "peer" group...think of the TV show, the Big Bang Theory.

      ComicCon attracts tons of people and so if you are looking for a girl friend who likes Star Wars, for example, attend those type of conventions. If you want a business oriented girl, start going to business like meetings.

      One thing, join Toastmasters or a similar group in your area, stay a year and you will develop some great social skills.

      To the OP, go over the POP very carefully, most people just read the words and don't bother to understand the power...which is why I offered to further explain it to you. Those who have taken some time to actually understand the POP, come away with far more than a simple understanding of human behavior.

      YES. You can use your copywriting skillls in the REAL WORLD if you so choose.

      gjabiz


      Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

      It's certainly helped me understand human behaviors better, but that won't help you make more friends or find a girlfriend. You need social skills to make all that magic happen. In fact, sometimes understanding human behavior makes it harder to make friends and get more dates. I say this because most people aren't comfortable with having their "mail read," especially when you're accurate.

      PS: You might want to post topics like this in the mind warriors forum or the off topic forum in the future.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7470629].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ERPLeadsWriter
    The only correction I'd like to give the OP is that "Real World" can be a misnomer, especially in a business setting (like WF). Taking part in business (even in the smallest way) already puts you in the real world.

    With that said, I assume that what you actually mean by "Real World" is anything else besides business, correct?

    If yes, I can say it has taught me about writing as much as it has about business. It's made me more more sensitive towards the technical side of writing. Granted, there are still things from copywriting which I don't automatically apply to other forms (e.g. literary prose). It's also taught me discipline and improved the way I measure the speed of my production.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7474051].message }}

Trending Topics