Man that worries me when a product owner wouldn't invest $20 to get a critique like that.

Hardly worth it for you to fire up Camtasia.

Why don't if for $50 but do it for 15 minutes on Gotowebinar so they can be involved and still keep the video recording.

I doubt people will go for that.

If they have to pay hundreds and thousands for a good sale copywriting, why would they want another video critique?

The reason why you see so many people looking for opinions here is because it is . That's the word that makes a big difference..

Hey Tim,

I think that's a good idea. There are lots of people that are trying to get off the ground with IM and having to do everything themselves. It's embarrassing to keep asking for favours from the members to get some feedback on sales copy, but your suggestion is affordable and I think will make people feel better about their end result (i.e. it wasn't completely build by begging, borrowing etc).

I'd go for it. It's not that I'm tight, I'm just poor.

Cheers, Lee.

Why don't you do a couple free video critiques for free on the forum so you prove your skill. Then tell people you'll do a critique for money? You can probably get way more than $17 then.

Prove yourself first, then ask for money.

There are plenty of people who will pay for a critique.

E.g. I did a WSO for $97 and got a handful in the first few days.

It all comes down to how you sell it.

(And if you can't sell it then you probably shouldn't be critiquing others.)

Ha, that's AWAI isn't it? I can't imagine you'll find Vin admitting to using any of their techniques.

But for all you know, the opinions offered here are about as valuable as a kick in the teeth - which is also generally free - in fact, in most cases you won't even have to ask.

Anyway.

Tim,

I think it's a double edged sword. $17 is probably more than the market is willing to bear. And I can't imagine you'll be able to make a living from it if you do find buyers.

Plus, what does it cost in positioning and future sales to be the "$17 critique guy?"

To me a $17 critique service means you're useless, aren't doing your due diligence (15 minutes isn't a detailed critique) - or both. In any case, I'm not going to be looking to you when I've got $5,000 save up and need a sales letter.

I think the copywriter you mentioned had the right idea. I'd rather lose out on the $17 and offer free critiques to REAL prospects, than mess around with tire kickers who think $17 is going to get them a valuable copy critique.

I guess it depends what your end goal is out of this.

As always, all of the above is just my opinion. Testing will of course yield the right answer.

Colm

Tim-

Colm's point about weeding out the
tire kickers is a very valid one.

At the start of my career I made the
mistake of charging WAY too little for
my services.

The handful of clients I had were the
most difficult I've ever dealt with, by far.
They simply didn't appreciate the copy
or the effort I put in, because they'd
paid so little for it.

They'd make huge changes to the copy,
then complain that it didn't sell, and
completely disregard almost all my advice.

It was not fun.

Fast forward to these days, when it
would cost you six or seven grand to
hire me, and the clients are much
easier to deal with.

At the higher price points, you're
dealing with serious business people
who (for the most part) understand
the value of good copy and good writers.

Bottom line- you charge bargain basement
prices, you'll get bargain basement clients.

-David Raybould

Tim, here's a tip on improving your sales and boosting your credibility - throw up a headshot. Both here on the Warrior Forum and in your personal sales pages. Preferably a smiling close-up.
BTW I don't agree with "charge bargain basement prices, you'll get bargain basement clients" as David says. I've been running copywriting WSOs at $97 a shot and it has gained me several great clients - who go on to pay a great deal more than $97 for my services. In this economy people are looking for, what I call "Bullshit deals" - really dirt-cheap prices on outstanding products. The secret is to stress and to prove, that normally you charge an arm and a leg for your services. $17 critiques might fly - if you do some at least three times that price and get good testimonials - not 30-post "Joined in July" types. And, as someone else has said, you need to embed a few video examples. Definitely use "Before & After" shots - they're irresistible to us all . And cite before & after conversion figures.

Tim,

Probably none of my business, but I don't see why anyone would want to offer $17 critiques...

Even if it's a 15 minute critique you're still going to spend roughly an hour talking to potential buyers, recording videos, researching markets, etc.

If you break down all of the work that's really involved in doing what you're thinking, you're looking at minimum wage.

Also, speaking from experience, I hate criticizing other peoples work. There are some obvious things I can suggest, but for the most part it's always things like "I wouldn't tell the story like that" or "I really don't like the tone of your letter."

Critiquing other peoples stuff is a pain in the ass... Writing is a creative process, every sales letter I see is different from how I'd do it, it doesn't always make it wrong.

I've considered offering it at a much higher price point, mainly as a lead gen for clients. I haven't done it because I don't need to.

But man, seriously, $17 critiques? Is it worth the time?

And (no offense) but I've seen the copy for your critiquing service... If you can't sell the service yourself you're in no position to be offering it to others, even at $17.

I'd rethink the entire strategy. Just my .02.

-Scott

Thank you for this conversation, As I am new to Copywriting and even asking for a review understanding the "professional" copywriters point of view is beneficial when it comes time to pay for one.

I just know I wouldn't do it for $17.... $97... possibly (but not really), 'cause then at least it pays for my time to read, record, render, produce, upload and then fit into my site. I'd rather do a few videos for free here and there just to keep people interested, but that's no where near what I'd be charging for a critique.

You're better off moving the free line and convey a deeper message: I know how to convert visitors into buyers, let me do it for you!

Besides, it makes you look better (^__~).