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Learning copy

by Gray1980
9 replies
Iv been learning copy on my own, writing it and reading books everyday.

Right now I'm a personal trainer, I want to work for myself but im not good at selling, so i figure id learn copy to have hat do the selling.

Would I be correct to say that when I learn a few good copy techniques, that I would write a sales copy poster and put them up around town, that Ill start getting phone calls wanting to buy my service? If the copy I write is good it will make people want to call me and buy my service right?
#copy #learning
  • Profile picture of the author RogozRazvan
    Right ...

    Buy yourself a voice-recorder (replace that with your phone if it is good enough).

    Next time a client comes to you and you are pitching your services, record the conversation. Transcribe it. Divide it into segments. Objections. Offer. Price.

    See what worked. See what didn't.

    Then study a traditional book on copywriting and write your copy. It won't be amazing but it will be a lot better than writing without a working structure.
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  • Profile picture of the author DJ Gelner
    I think your first order of business should be cleaning up your spelling and grammar--tough for folks around these parts to take you seriously when you're making pretty basic mistakes. Maybe you typed this in from your phone (?), but that's still no excuse--if you're making these mistakes now, at least a few of them will seep into your copy.

    As for your second question...you get what you pay for. If you think you can just read a couple of books, write up some flyers, put them up around town and get a line outside your door of people begging for your services as a personal trainer...that's pretty unrealistic.

    For starters, think about what your prospects really want to achieve. For example, if you're a personal trainer, I assume most of your clients want to "get in shape," but you have to suss out the "why" of that. I would start with things like "so they can live longer," "so they're more attractive to the opposite sex," "so they gain more confidence," etc.

    But learning to write copy isn't just an overnight, snap your fingers sort of thing. You might be able to see some results from reading a few books, but the real pros read these books in their spare time because they enjoy reading about copy--they live and breathe it. That's because they spend their days actually writing and practicing.

    Best of luck, Gray1980, but I hope you reconsider your expectations and dedication level before you get too frustrated with the results of your "foray" into copywriting.

    DJ
    Signature

    D.J. Gelner
    Copywriter/Storyteller
    www.djswriting.com

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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Since you are in personal training you may get a lot of inspiration
    from this:

    Add To Cart - Go Behind The Scenes Of Internet Marketing - YouTube

    -Ray Edwards
    Signature
    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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  • Profile picture of the author Gray1980
    Im confused, copy is used for marketing, marketing is what gets customers

    Your saying by me marketing with copy I wont get customers, that makes no sense...

    Im a personal trainer, so how else would i get clients if i dont market??

    I said before Im not a good salesman in person, are you saying someone HAS to be a salesman THEMSELVES if they are going to provide a service??
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomasOMalley
      Originally Posted by Gray1980 View Post

      Im confused, copy is used for marketing, marketing is what gets customers

      Your saying by me marketing with copy I wont get customers, that makes no sense...

      Im a personal trainer, so how else would i get clients if i dont market??

      I said before Im not a good salesman in person, are you saying someone HAS to be a salesman THEMSELVES if they are going to provide a service??
      First learn the basics of writing decent English and how to put a sentence together.
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    • Profile picture of the author Chriswrighto
      Originally Posted by Gray1980 View Post

      Im confused, copy is used for marketing, marketing is what gets customers

      Your saying by me marketing with copy I wont get customers, that makes no sense...

      Im a personal trainer, so how else would i get clients if i dont market??

      I said before Im not a good salesman in person, are you saying someone HAS to be a salesman THEMSELVES if they are going to provide a service??
      The above posters are saying that your problems aren't going to be solved by just writing a good flyer.

      And that learning to copy isn't an overnight job.

      However, here's my thoughts.

      You're going to have to learn to sell in person. When people look for a personal trainer they're looking for someone they like and get along with.

      A couple of years back, I worked at a gym in Goodwood (V. rich estate in the South of England).

      I worked behind the scenes, as a 'leisure attendant' and on the front desk to get a feel for the business.

      There were a few personal trainers, but one was clearly more busy than the others... A woman whose name I forget . In fact, the only woman on the personal training team there... and about 90% of her clients were also women.

      Should that surprise you? No... people gravitate towards people they like and feel comfortable with.

      Most won't hand over their money willy-nilly without meeting and getting a feel for you. So you're going to need to have a face-to-face conversation before they hand over their cash.

      You should spend a few months learning copy and then write an ad for a 2 step-lead generator... something that gets potential clients to raise their hand for a free personal training session with you.

      And from there, you soft-sell them.

      (Hopefully using the persuasion techniques you've picked up in your months of learning, such as future pacing, etc)

      Note: This system seems to be the norm, at least over here in the UK. However, most personal trainers I know are only offering their free session to gym users... they aren't going outside dropping flyers, etc.

      Chris

      Signature

      Wealthcopywriter.com :)

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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    Originally Posted by Gray1980 View Post

    Iv been learning copy on my own, writing it and reading books everyday.

    Right now I'm a personal trainer, I want to work for myself but im not good at selling, so i figure id learn copy to have hat do the selling.

    Would I be correct to say that when I learn a few good copy techniques, that I would write a sales copy poster and put them up around town, that Ill start getting phone calls wanting to buy my service? If the copy I write is good it will make people want to call me and buy my service right?
    If you want to work for yourself, you have to get good at selling. In person, in print, on the phone and anywhere else you'll be interacting with customers. Otherwise you'll spend the rest of your life working for someone who CAN sell.
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    • Profile picture of the author JamesDLayton
      Yep selling is the commodity you can pick up and take anywhere. Unlike most other professions you can do it anywhere, anyway, with any product. I worked retail for 7 years, very good face to face, no problem selling the warranty. Phone calls? Not too shabby. Copy? Getting there, but for me and my OWN personal journey sales copy is my route forward. Since I am upping sticks and moving to the US.

      But I would just go out and talk to people, sell them anything. Damn when I worked in foodstore management I would fill peoples baskets with shit they didn't need just to see if I could do it. Not a good thing of course. But you have to test the waters..

      If you know how people talk, and can sell face to face, you can translate that to sales copy. Since people like to read how they are spoken to. Hence why 50 Shades Of Grey and its ilk outsell Chaucer and de Sade.

      But lonely housewives do not talk like the Marquis...........

      They do act like him .......... if you're lucky.

      James
      Signature
      "We are what we think about
      all day long." - Earl Nightingale
      One of the easiest transformations I ever undertook as a copywriter was reading that quote every day.
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  • Profile picture of the author HelpingYouBeAnExpert
    This is how I learned copy 'm sure most wont agree with it. I get a list and I sell if I fail in selling the copy sucks and if I sell it's good. I do it over and over again and I learn. Again I know most people disagree with this, but that is how I learn I pay for it if I fail and I profit if I'm right.
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