For anyone looking for a copy critique

23 replies
Ok this is a question to see if it is even worth testing any farther. I know there are a ton of people here who want copy critiques but I wonder how many of you would be willing to pay a stupidly low fee for one?

So here is my question - if you wanted your copy critiqued would you be willing to pay $17 for a video critique of your sales page that would include suggestions on how to better your sales page, your offer, your product?

Just wondering if there is any interest before throwing up a test page?

Tim
#copy #critique
  • Profile picture of the author Russ Reynolds
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author lianwei
    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 FREE. That's the word that makes a big difference..
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    • Profile picture of the author Russ Reynolds
      Originally Posted by lianwei View Post

      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 FREE. That's the word that makes a big difference..
      I am pretty sure that he is aiming for the people who wouldn't pay thousands for a copywriter.

      Maybe Allen should charge $20 for critiques in here.
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  • Profile picture of the author lharding
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Willer
    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.
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    • Profile picture of the author dino_rhino
      Originally Posted by John Willer View Post

      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.
      like $17.01? lol :p
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  • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tully
    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.)
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    • Profile picture of the author TimCastleman
      Kyle -

      Good to see you chime in. Miss your not so weekly newsletter. Great info for sure!

      I agree my first attempt was thrown together and the copy sucks for it. I'll change it when I'm not busy in my offline venture.

      At any rate I did a ton of free video critiques and really enjoyed doing them. Of course since they were free few listened to the advice and some didn't even bother downloading them after I had done them.

      Of course I had one guy force money on me via paypal for it and said it was the best money he had "spent". At any rate I might test it, I might not.

      Tim
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  • Profile picture of the author colmodwyer
    Anyone not utilizing a "pull, prove, push" method does not interest me.
    Ha, that's AWAI isn't it? I can't imagine you'll find Vin admitting to using any of their techniques.

    The reason why you see so many people looking for opinions here is because it is FREE.
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author David Raybould
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
    Banned
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Murdaugh
    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
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    • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tully
      Originally Posted by scottspfd82 View Post

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

      ...

      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."
      Yeah I gotta agree with Scott. At the $17 mark you're going to get a TON of rubbish salesletters to critique. Proabbly people who have either tried to write the letter themselves, or hired a $97 WSO guy.

      Other than saying "scrap it and start over" about the only beneficial thing you can do is verbally re-write their entire letter for them.

      And even if you did that, they still wouldn't have the chops to pull it off and still wouldn't want to invest much more to have you re-write it for them.

      You're better off charging more and targeting a better quality of client. You'll get less critiques to do and get more back-end work out of it.
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      • Profile picture of the author TimCastleman
        Guys and gals -

        Thanks for the comments. A couple of thoughts.

        1. I have no interest in writing for other people. Seriously clients suck and I don't want any. The video thing was an idea to get rid of the free moochers and 1500 post a day here for free critiques of their sales page. I bet if Alan charged even $7 for them to post a "please look at my crappy sales page" request this place would be a ghost town. Plus it would fill my paypal account with money to buy more IM stuff I never use ;-)

        2. The more I charge the more people expect. I know the person WordPro talks about and his products are golden and well priced. For $17 if you get one thing from it you got your money back plus some.

        3. I am not posting a photo of myself to gain trust. I have posted photos in the past but they are of checks and between a cute face or a fat wallet I'll take the latter.

        4. The copy I wrote for the sales page for the video critique sucked. I admit it. So did my copy for the offline marketing stuff. Lucky for me the bank still cashed the checks that rolled in for it.

        Later.

        Tim
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  • Profile picture of the author twright
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Lam
    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 (^__~).
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