Good Copy Scares The Living Hell Out of Me

16 years ago

I don't have much experience with copywriting as I am still relatively new to the world of IM, although I am pretty good at gaining a reader's click through in my articles. Don't know if this is considered copywriting though. But I will put my skills to the test very soon when I finish writing my free ebook that will be used to build my list.

Oh yeah, and I made my first Newbie Blueprint affiliate sale yesterday.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124075].message }}

Daniel Molano

16 years ago

Originally Posted by HiddenCrimson

I don't have much experience with copywriting as I am still relatively new to the world of IM, although I am pretty good at gaining a reader's click through in my articles. Don't know if this is considered copywriting though. But I will put my skills to the test very soon when I finish writing my free ebook that will be used to build my list.

Oh yeah, and I made my first Newbie Blueprint affiliate sale yesterday.

I guess copywriting could also refer to your articles and how you 'pitch' the reader to click through, but it refers mostly to an actual sales letter for any given product.

And I'm glad my report (and its affiliate program) are working out for you!

Good luck with your free report, PM me if you would like a review.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Como Ganar Dinero Por Internet - Spanish Make Money Online Site

Daniel Molano - LinkedIn Profile

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124087].message }}

Michael Shook

16 years ago

Back when the internet was still just a glimmer in Al Gore's eyes, I was writing copy for direct mail. It is easy to get sold on reading good copy because you like doing that. No problem there.

This is what I used to teach people in order to avoid being sold on everything. Just read the copy from the bottom of the page up. Good copy is designed to flow ina cascading fashion from the top to the bottom of the page. If you can break that system and read it in another way, you will not be falling under the spell.

Unless, you're looking at genius copy. Which can read (through the subheads anyway) down the page and up the page. But that is really rare. If you read from teh bottom to the top, you can probably break the spell.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124147].message }}

Paul Myers

16 years ago

Daniel,

Welcome to our world.

A truly good copywriter is as dangerous as a beautiful woman. You know there's something more going on, but it's just so damned seductive...

And they both know when they're THAT good.

Good luck with it.

Paul

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

.
Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124286].message }}

zephyrwriting

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

Daniel,

Welcome to our world.

A truly good copywriter is as dangerous as a beautiful woman. You know there's something more going on, but it's just so damned seductive...

And they both know when they're THAT good.

Good luck with it.

Paul

Save us from a beautiful woman that is a truly good copywriter too!

-Vish.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124292].message }}

Daniel Molano

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

Daniel,

Welcome to our world.

A truly good copywriter is as dangerous as a beautiful woman. You know there's something more going on, but it's just so damned seductive...

And they both know when they're THAT good.

Good luck with it.

Paul

Paul, that has to be the most perfect simile to describe what I'm going through hehe

Thanks

Signature

Como Ganar Dinero Por Internet - Spanish Make Money Online Site

Daniel Molano - LinkedIn Profile

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[125015].message }}

NickMarks

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel Molano

I didn't post this in the copywriting section because it's not exactly copywriting related per say, hear me out.

Lately I've been doing a lot of research on copywriting so I can improve my work and sales. And through that research I have been looking at the sales copy from some of the best. Well guess what, I am being sold!

Even though I know for certain probably half or more of the things being said in the copy of a sales letter are probably not true or exaggerated and that most testimonials are just probably JV material, I'm still buying! Damn some stuff out there is REALLY damn good, and I'm talking copy from actual warriors too.

Thank god the stuff I have bought is actually good, but I really don't need such distractions, I was doing RESEARCH for crying out loud, and I ended up purchasing products, which albeit being good, they are taking me out of focus!

I am definitely going to hire a TOP copywriter very soon, I am usually VERY picky and they are still selling me.

Worst part is, I swore I would NEVER fall prey to this yet here I am, now that I'm making money all I want to do is spend it! So much for reinvestment, huh?

Anyway, what's your experience with this?

That's so very true! lol Great copy should sell you, you just really need to think outside of the box.

About hiring a top copywriter: You should just do it yourself. The more letters you write, the better you will get. The truth is, we know our niche better then most copywriters.

I've spent $10K on some of my sales letters And some of those, I think I could have done a better job. I now do most of all my sales letters. They convert like crazy and I save tons.. It really depends too. If you have a big ticket item, then top copywriters may be a good may to go too. But I just like doing my own.. On the other hand, I have been doing this for 9 years now.. lol

Just keep getting your sales letters out. Even if you don't market them, you'll get better with every letter you write.

Thanks

Signature

Nick Marks is an author, speaker and was announced as the Internet Marketer Of The Year 2007 by Russell Brunson & DotComSecrets.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124300].message }}

NickMarks

16 years ago

And another point, if you write a letter, and you won't buy it, it prob needs some more work. I know my letter is done, when I want to buy MY own product! How cool is that!?

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

Nick Marks is an author, speaker and was announced as the Internet Marketer Of The Year 2007 by Russell Brunson & DotComSecrets.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124306].message }}

Fabian Tan 16 years ago

Traffic + Copy => Money

Can't fail with it

Spend your 'working time' on either of these two activities, and you are among the most productive marketers online. Even if you're creating a product, that's 'copy'. Your customers can't actually see or touch or feel your information product, they only can see your sales page.

Fabian
- Thanks
Signature

High Quality Solo Ads: Get 100 To 1,000 Quality, Targeted Clicks In The Internet Marketing Niche!
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124310].message }}

AndrewCavanagh

16 years ago

Hey Daniel feel free to check out the sales letters for ALL my products!

I've PMd them to you!!!

Just kidding.

I think it should be said that really good copy is about doing the research to discover the most compelling facts about a product or service.

It's not about making overblown claims or misleading people.

Really good copywriting is about finding a truth that is so compelling a huge percentage of people who see your copy can't help but buy.

It helps a lot if you're selling a high quality product to begin with!

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Old School Copy Like This Is BACK & Converting Like Crazy!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124316].message }}

Peggy Baron

16 years ago

Sometimes it helps just to skip down to the price of the product before I get too far into reading the copy. Sometimes the price can be like a cold shower.

Other times I pretend like I'm a copywriting guru and I critique the sales page. "Hmmm.... like that. Mmmm.... love how they did that. A brilliant piece!"

And when I'm doing neither of the above, I'm whipping out my wallet.

Peggy

Thanks
2 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124884].message }}

theredcell 16 years ago

I like the trick of starting to read from the bottom. I'll try that next time I am going to a product page I feel may be hyped up. I do understand what you are saying though about purchasing products that you were just referencing a sales letter. I thought I was done purchasing myself and I now find myself with 3 products to get through.

Luckily for me, I did my research and looked at reviews from people in these forums that mostly did not affiliate sigs to the product they were giving props to and some had no sig at all. I purchased a few of them and they turned out to be gems. A few were in my eyes duds because the sales page was so hyped and the product did not live up to no where near the expectations. From those marketers, I would most likely not by again. They are either really good copy writers or have hired great copy writers.

I do however read, study, and print all Paul Myers emails. Keep up the good work sir, your stuff is awesome...

Jose
- Thanks
Signature
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124922].message }}

Steven Wagenheim

16 years ago

The key to avoiding getting sucked in by every good piece of copy out there,
and you'll reach this point once you've been successful, is to stop looking
at sales pages and go about your business UNTIL you feel there is something
out there that you actually NEED.

For example, just a little while ago, I decided I wanted to really bone up on
Adwords, so I went shopping. I found what I felt was the best book and
bought it. Plain and simple. I didn't go looking at books for traffic generation
or web 2.0 or whatever. I just looked for what I needed.

It takes a great deal of discipline to do this. Fortunately, I have it and am
a cheap SOB to boot. So it takes a ton to get me to buy anything. I am
almost immune to salescopy these days.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

My Soundcloud Music Channel

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124925].message }}

Kyle Tully

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

The key to avoiding getting sucked in by every good piece of copy out there,
and you'll reach this point once you've been successful, is to stop looking
at sales pages and go about your business UNTIL you feel there is something
out there that you actually NEED.

I think this is spot on Steven.

If you're reading more than 1 or 2 salesletters a week -- for purposes other than learning copywriting, studying the competition etc -- then you're probably still searching for that "magic money-making bullet" that simply doesn't exist.

I read good copy every single day. But it's for education purposes. I'm always looking to learn something. Buying the product doesn't even enter my mind.

Thanks

Signature

Consulting Tycoon

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[124985].message }}

Loren Woirhaye

16 years ago

The most vital factor to getting sales is not the skill of
the copywriter in my experience... it's whether you have the
product positioned in front of DESIRE.

Many products out there fail not because the copy "blows"
but because the product isn't interesting.

Of course often to break into a market you'll need to experiment
to see what people are looking for... often a "magic blue pill"
to solve all their problems in a certain area.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

HOT! $25,000,000/yr Copywriter's Secret Bookâ€”FREE! |
*Breakthrough Marketing Blog (+ goodies) *
CopyWriting Services

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[125005].message }}

Kyle Tully

16 years ago

Originally Posted by malibumentor

The most vital factor to getting sales is not the skill of
the copywriter in my experience... it's whether you have the
product positioned in front of DESIRE.

Many products out there fail not because the copy "blows"
but because the product isn't interesting.

Of course often to break into a market you'll need to experiment
to see what people are looking for... often a "magic blue pill"
to solve all their problems in a certain area.

Isn't product positioning and desire part of the copywriters job?

Some of the best copywriters in the world write HOT copy for probably the most boring category of product you can imagine -- newsletters!

Just think, you're paying $20 - $200 a month for a few pieces of paper. The newsletters themselves are usually FAR less interesting than the copy that sells them.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Consulting Tycoon

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[125020].message }}

Loren Woirhaye

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Kyle Tully

Isn't product positioning and desire part of the copywriters job?

Some of the best copywriters in the world write HOT copy for probably the most boring category of product you can imagine -- newsletters!

Just think, you're paying $20 - $200 a month for a few pieces of paper. The newsletters themselves are usually FAR less interesting than the copy that sells them.

Sure... ideally it is. Great copywriters are often marketing and image
consultants as well in effect.

If the product itself cannot be honestly positioned in front of a reachable
market though even exceptional copy may have a hard time making
the effort profitable.

"A pig with lipstick is still a pig" - and a product that simply doesn't provide
a compelling value can in some cases be dressed-up and creatively marketed,
but in many cases this isn't feasible. When you reach the point where
you have to deceive the reader of the salesletter into believing the
product will deliver value to him or her that it will not, then you've
crossed a line.

What I am trying to say here is that selection of a product to fit the
market is a more appropriate (and cheap) strategy than thrusting an
uninspired product on the marketplace held aloft only by good copywriting.

I guess it depends where your values are. If you are willing to sell anything
to anybody and say anything to do it then I guess you could sell somebody
a bottle of mud and tell them it's a skin cream...oh wait - I think that's been
done already.

Thanks

Signature

HOT! $25,000,000/yr Copywriter's Secret Bookâ€”FREE! |
*Breakthrough Marketing Blog (+ goodies) *
CopyWriting Services

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[125137].message }}

ecoverartist

16 years ago

As a copywriter, I learned from the best sales force out there -awaionline.com and I highly recommend their course if you want to learn copywriting for EVERYTHING - online, direct mail pieces, catalog copywriting. I even took an (unrelated) course on writing Adwords ads and the conversion rates on some of them are as high as 80%!

The way I see it, if I don't have you pressing the Order button on your own product as soon as you read the sales letter - I haven't done a good enough service!

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Sherice Jacob - Conversion Expert & Copywriter
BIG BRAND Copywriting WSO! 6+ Years Running!
101 Blog Writing Prompts for Your Business

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[125026].message }}

Daniel Molano

16 years ago

Thanks for the insight Steven and Kyle, that really helps.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Como Ganar Dinero Por Internet - Spanish Make Money Online Site

Daniel Molano - LinkedIn Profile

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[125049].message }}

Paul Myers

16 years ago

Daniel,

Paul, that has to be the most perfect simile to describe what I'm going through hehe

Glad you liked it. That's your first lesson in professional copywriting, by the way:

Know what your reader is feeling, and say it back to them in a way that proves you know.

Jose,

A few were in my eyes duds because the sales page was so hyped and the product did not live up to no where near the expectations. From those marketers, I would most likely not by again. They are either really good copy writers or have hired great copy writers.

They didn't hire great copywriters. A great copywriter, or even a decent one with any brains, will suggest changes to the offer to make sure it's worth the price. And they know how to position the product to control expectations.

Great copywriters don't lie. They don't need to.

If the merchant did the copy on their own, that's even less forgivable. They control every aspect of the thing, and could easily make the changes needed to either make the product match the claims they present, or change the claims.

It's not uncommon for me, when writing a letter for one of my own products, to think of a cool benefit, add it to the letter, and THEN go back and add it to the product.

The real killer stuff happens when you write the letter first, then create the product to match.

I do however read, study, and print all Paul Myers emails.

Thanks. Don't miss today's. It relates directly to this issue.

Paul

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

.
Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[125254].message }}

Daniel Molano

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

Daniel,Glad you liked it. That's your first lesson in professional copywriting, by the way:

Know what your reader is feeling, and say it back to them in a way that proves you know.

Jose,They didn't hire great copywriters. A great copywriter, or even a decent one with any brains, will suggest changes to the offer to make sure it's worth the price. And they know how to position the product to control expectations.

Great copywriters don't lie. They don't need to.

If the merchant did the copy on their own, that's even less forgivable. They control every aspect of the thing, and could easily make the changes needed to either make the product match the claims they present, or change the claims.

It's not uncommon for me, when writing a letter for one of my own products, to think of a cool benefit, add it to the letter, and THEN go back and add it to the product.

The real killer stuff happens when you write the letter first, then create the product to match.Thanks. Don't miss today's. It relates directly to this issue.

Paul

I just read about that in the Bencivenga Bulllets, 1 part of succesful copy is selling the dream, the other part (which most people overlook) is being able to back up the offer.

Thanks

Signature

Como Ganar Dinero Por Internet - Spanish Make Money Online Site

Daniel Molano - LinkedIn Profile

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[125351].message }}

Good Copy Scares The Living Hell Out of Me

Trending Topics

Should i Index Author pages?

best high quality crypto traffic.

Some interesting stats about brand comms

Fixing a massive traffic drop after rebranding

Meta AI now has Google Search results