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How Can I Recover Quickly From This Stupid Mistake?

by rockawesome
6 replies
I've been writing for the web for about 3 1/2 years and I've been working as a copywriter for just over a year. I'm getting married in December, and since I'm a full-time grad student, I can't have a regular job to save up some cash.

(Besides, who wants a regular job when you can write online?)

I'm trying to market my content and copywriting, but I can't (and won't) compete with the ultra-cheap, low-quality content mills that just won't go away. I try to put in the time to make sure every article, blog post, and email I write is actually good.

However, I've got a problem: even though the content I've written has been really good, I made the stupid mistake of never collecting reviews. When I put up a WSO thread, many of those who received review copies never delivered their reviews. (Can't really blame 'em - free content, right?)

How can I get quality reviews quickly (or good-paying jobs quickly)? I'd like to get enough work to make $1,000 this month, but without that social proof, I'm not getting any bites.
#mistake #quickly #recover #stupid
  • Profile picture of the author Rhino99
    Firstly, you're making a good move to try and differentiate yourself from the content mills. Working for their sweat shop rates will a) burn you out b) you'll find it difficult to sustain a healthy income without working every waking hour. I always try to get testimonials from every new client, in your case why don't you approach the clients you've previously written for over the last 3.5 years? Collecting all their email addresses together is also a good opportunity to prime your sales lead machine, because of the 80/20 rule you can expect to get most of your work from existing clients. Advise them that you'll add a link to their testimonial on your website to give them some link juice to help sweeten the deal.
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    Matt Ambrose Direct Response Copywriter
    www.copywriterscrucible.com

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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
    You're a copywriter, right?

    Do you know how many copywriters sell their services, at 5 figure prices, just on the merit of the copy alone?

    Create an irresistible offer.

    Demonstrate your value.

    Show the WF nation you understand their circumstances, wants and needs.

    Mark

    P.S. Get out of the content game and focus on exclusively writing copy. You need $1,000 a month (or just this month?) Just two $497 clients will get you within $6.
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    Do you want a 9 figure copywriter and biz owner to Write With You? I'll work with you, on zoom, to help write your copy or client copy... while you learn from one of the few copywriters to legit hit 9 figures in gross sales! Discover More

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    • Profile picture of the author rockawesome
      Originally Posted by Mark Pescetti View Post

      P.S. Get out of the content game and focus on exclusively writing copy. You need $1,000 a month (or just this month?) Just two $497 clients will get you within $6.
      True words. I describe my content work as making myself too busy to sharpen the saw and get the real money. I do it to (barely) pay the bills, but then I don't have the time or energy to do great copywriting work. It's a vicious trap.

      Any advice on where to find the clients that pay more, or will that all be inbound? (I don't have a mentor to bother with these questions, so I really appreciate your input.)

      Until I find the bigger copywriting jobs, I'll approach some former clients and see what they have to say. Thanks!
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      Need a great content strategy, but don't have the time to analyze traffic and create great content yourself? Visit www.rockawesome.net to see professional content marketing plans that cost less than an intern.

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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
        What exactly is it that you do... write web content (articles and blog posts) OR write web sales copy?

        If it's the latter, getting clients is easy. Simply write an offer page that highlights the results you've gotten clients in the past and drive targeted traffic to it.

        Results are the name of the game.

        Those clients don't have to be named. Just the specific result and the industry will do the trick.

        To get higher-paying clients, base your fees on the value you bring to the table.

        Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    Check out the videos in this thread to get some good ideas on building your "my story."

    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...rytelling.html
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    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
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  • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
    If you'd really like to make good money writing copy then
    you should seriously consider focusing on direct response
    copy...writing sales letters, optin pages, lead generating
    reports etc etc.

    One of the first copywriting jobs I ever got paid for I
    charged my client $1,500 to do a lead generating report
    and a couple of online press releases (they used to get
    you ranked high on google very quickly back then).

    The key is to be the rainmaker for your client.

    It's really difficult doing that when you're just writing
    articles but if you're writing them something that brings
    in real sales that's a whole different ball game.

    Kindest regards,
    Andrew Cavanagh
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    Old School Copy Like This Is BACK & Converting Like Crazy!
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