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Best Way to Approach ClickBank Clients?

by Microniche
9 replies
Hi Guys,

Aspiring Claude Hopkins here, trying to land my first real client.

I've done a few "copywriting" jobs on elance but the clients were morons who didn't even test the copy to see if it converted. So while I'm confident in my knowledge and skills, I'm unproven.

It's time to remedy that. My plan is to approach a few mid-level vendors on ClickBank whose products I like, and offer to re-write their sales pages.

My question is...if you were in my shoes (no portfolio, or testimonials), how would you structure the offer?

Compensation entirely on the back-end? Small retainer upfront? Percentage of sales? Percentage of increase in sales?

While I'm doing this mainly to have a raving review to build off, I don't work for free. And I think it's only fair that the client have some skin in the game too.

Thanks for the help,

Julian
#approach #clickbank #clients
  • Profile picture of the author Mikesweeney
    Originally Posted by Microniche View Post

    Hi Guys,

    Aspiring Claude Hopkins here, trying to land my first real client.

    I've done a few "copywriting" jobs on elance but the clients were morons who didn't even test the copy to see if it converted. So while I'm confident in my knowledge and skills, I'm unproven.

    It's time to remedy that. My plan is to approach a few mid-level vendors on ClickBank whose products I like, and offer to re-write their sales pages.

    My question is...if you were in my shoes (no portfolio, or testimonials), how would you structure the offer?

    Compensation entirely on the back-end? Small retainer upfront? Percentage of sales? Percentage of increase in sales?

    While I'm doing this mainly to have a raving review to build off, I don't work for free. And I think it's only fair that the client have some skin in the game too.

    Thanks for the help,

    Julian
    How about you create your own product? If you get some proven winners under your belt, you'll have all the proof you need. And you may be able to skip the whole "shameless whore" phase that John C. commonly talks about.
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    • Profile picture of the author Microniche
      Originally Posted by Mikesweeney View Post

      How about you create your own product? If you get some proven winners under your belt, you'll have all the proof you need. And you may be able to skip the whole "shameless whore" phase that John C. commonly talks about.
      Mike, if had my own successful products, I wouldn't be freelancing. I see that suggestion thrown around a lot. But honestly, how many newbies have the resources to put together their own info product and drive paid traffic to it?

      I'm using freelance work as a base to jump into creating my own products.

      Not sure how what I'm proposing is "shameless whoring". If my copy performs, my client has a lot to gain. And I'll structure the deal to where it's obviously in my interest that it does perform. I was just hoping for some specific suggestions from the experienced guys here...

      Also, it's worth mentioning that while I'm a newbie when it comes to copywriting, I am highly experienced in the industry I'll be writing in (fitness/health). I know how that market thinks, and how to write in a manner that resonates with them.

      Point being...I'm bringing more to the table here than your average newbie. .
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      • Profile picture of the author TjarkHartmann
        Perhaps the best way to go about this would be to write some of the copy for the product first, and show them the sample.

        If they express interest you can negotiate from there.

        Some options include royalties, a fee based on if it hits a certain conversion rate, referrals, testimonial, or the promise of additional work if the copy performs well.

        Best,

        Tjark Hartmann
        Signature

        Tjark: Pronounced like "Jacques" in Jacques Cousteau.

        www.TjarkHartmann.com

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      • Profile picture of the author Mikesweeney
        Originally Posted by Microniche View Post

        Mike, if had my own successful products, I wouldn't be freelancing. I see that suggestion thrown around a lot. But honestly, how many newbies have the resources to put together their own info product and drive paid traffic to it?

        I'm using freelance work as a base to jump into creating my own products.

        Not sure how what I'm proposing is "shameless whoring". If my copy performs, my client has a lot to gain. And I'll structure the deal to where it's obviously in my interest that it does perform. I was just hoping for some specific suggestions from the experienced guys here...

        Also, it's worth mentioning that while I'm a newbie when it comes to copywriting, I am highly experienced in the industry I'll be writing in (fitness/health). I know how that market thinks, and how to write in a manner that resonates with them.

        Point being...I'm bringing more to the table here than your average newbie. .
        As someone who creates his own products, I can tell you it doesn't cost much to create one. Camtasia, Audacity Powerpoint and Word can pretty much take care of everything.

        You really don't even need to have product images created either. Many of the VSL's for Grand JV -- the creators of the product "Obsession Phrases" -- don't even have an ebook cover in their videos.

        Furthermore, Clickbank vendors/affiliates are constantly scouring the market place for converting offers. If your stuff converts -- people will find it. Which means high converting JV traffic.

        Good luck to you though.

        - Mike
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      • Profile picture of the author joe golfer
        Originally Posted by Microniche View Post

        Mike, if had my own successful products, I wouldn't be freelancing. I see that suggestion thrown around a lot. But honestly, how many newbies have the resources to put together their own info product and drive paid traffic to it?

        I'm using freelance work as a base to jump into creating my own products.

        Not sure how what I'm proposing is "shameless whoring". If my copy performs, my client has a lot to gain. And I'll structure the deal to where it's obviously in my interest that it does perform. I was just hoping for some specific suggestions from the experienced guys here...

        Also, it's worth mentioning that while I'm a newbie when it comes to copywriting, I am highly experienced in the industry I'll be writing in (fitness/health). I know how that market thinks, and how to write in a manner that resonates with them.

        Point being...I'm bringing more to the table here than your average newbie. .
        Easy, champ, "shameless whoring" is a term John Carlton uses to describe the early stages of a copywriter's career in the dark arts. I don't think it was directed at you. As far as Clickbank, maybe try Michel Fortin's Bypass Surgery strategy here:
        No Product? Start With Bypass Surgery - Michel Fortin
        Signature
        Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
        - Jack Trout
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        • Profile picture of the author Microniche
          Originally Posted by joe golfer View Post

          Easy, champ, "shameless whoring" is a term John Carlton uses to describe the early stages of a copywriter's career in the dark arts. I don't think it was directed at you. As far as Clickbank, maybe try Michel Fortin's Bypass Surgery strategy here:
          No Product? Start With Bypass Surgery - Michel Fortin
          I wasn't offended by the term. It's just I'm not planning to shoot out emails with my begging bowl out. It's a value proposition (and I'd ask for a healthy fee mainly on the back-end).

          Has anyone here done something like that, to launch their freelancing career? Or do most copywriters get their start creating their own products?

          That Fortin affiliate guide is fantastic by the way, and I'll certainly be using it as a reference in the very near future.But I just don't have the cash to throw into paid traffic at the moment.

          Obviously, I need to sort out the cash flow situation. And I'm working on it.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
        Originally Posted by Microniche View Post

        Mike, if had my own successful products, I wouldn't be freelancing. I see that suggestion thrown around a lot. But honestly, how many newbies have the resources to put together their own info product and drive paid traffic to it?

        I'm using freelance work as a base to jump into creating my own products.

        Not sure how what I'm proposing is "shameless whoring". If my copy performs, my client has a lot to gain. And I'll structure the deal to where it's obviously in my interest that it does perform. I was just hoping for some specific suggestions from the experienced guys here...

        Also, it's worth mentioning that while I'm a newbie when it comes to copywriting, I am highly experienced in the industry I'll be writing in (fitness/health). I know how that market thinks, and how to write in a manner that resonates with them.

        Point being...I'm bringing more to the table here than your average newbie. .
        Don't be so quick to flush Mike's suggestion down the toilet.

        Since your goal is to create and sell your own products, there's no better time to start than now... right at the beginning of your swim in the internet marketing pool.

        If you need to, get a part time job to pay for traffic generation. Or sell something you own.

        Work with someone who can get you up to speed quickly.

        Matt Olson offers product creation coaching. He's an excellent coach and can help you get in the game in just a short time.

        http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...s-welcome.html

        Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
    Originally Posted by Microniche View Post


    It's time to remedy that. My plan is to approach a few mid-level vendors on ClickBank whose products I like, and offer to re-write their sales pages.

    My question is...if you were in my shoes (no portfolio, or testimonials), how would you structure the offer?

    Compensation entirely on the back-end? Small retainer upfront? Percentage of sales? Percentage of increase in sales?
    I wouldn't approach them at all. If you don't have a strong portfolio or track record, you have little or no leverage to close a deal with them. Then there's the issue of whether they can/will pay you what you want to be compensated for your time. Maybe they can only afford to pay you $300 for a new salesletter and don't want to pay royalties. Is that worth your time to take on that project? Only you can make that decision.

    Personally, I'd set-up my own affiliate sales page and drive my own traffic to the ClickBank order form in the manner that Fortin documented in his ClickBank Bypass method.

    If they're paying attention in the slightest, they'll see the influx of sales coming from your CB handle or your URL.

    Then you have leverage. Then you have something to get additional compensation to write a salesletter like yours for them.

    Or you can do like A LOT of copywriters I know and that's do the Bypass method and not deal with the CB vendor directly. If they're paying affiliates 50-75% of sales, then you can get paid that ongoing from one salesletter. And the beautiful thing is, ClickBank is NEVER late in paying their affiliates.

    While I'm doing this mainly to have a raving review to build off, I don't work for free. And I think it's only fair that the client have some skin in the game too.

    Thanks for the help,

    Julian
    You need more than one raving review. You should never work for free. Even when you write something for yourself, it's in return for a percentage of future sales.

    Speaking from experience, I've produced 8 figures in new sales for my copywriting clients. So believe me when I say it's A LOT easier to structure deals where all parties have skin in the game when you have a strong portfolio and professional reputation to help close the deal.

    Best of luck,

    Mike
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    Kickstart Your Copywriting Business: How To Get Loads of New Clients FAST!

    Kick-A$$ Eight-Figure Producing Copywriting Gun For Hire | Marketing & Copywriting Blog
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  • Profile picture of the author JonMills
    Originally Posted by Microniche View Post

    Hi Guys,

    Aspiring Claude Hopkins here, trying to land my first real client.

    I've done a few "copywriting" jobs on elance but the clients were morons who didn't even test the copy to see if it converted. So while I'm confident in my knowledge and skills, I'm unproven.

    It's time to remedy that. My plan is to approach a few mid-level vendors on ClickBank whose products I like, and offer to re-write their sales pages.

    My question is...if you were in my shoes (no portfolio, or testimonials), how would you structure the offer?

    Compensation entirely on the back-end? Small retainer upfront? Percentage of sales? Percentage of increase in sales?

    While I'm doing this mainly to have a raving review to build off, I don't work for free. And I think it's only fair that the client have some skin in the game too.

    Thanks for the help,

    Julian
    First off. Don't do commission. That is a fools game. It works in large companies that hire big guns for magazines, but not on the internet where most people are scammers.

    Why? 99% of clients I have come across even those who show some knowledge of funnels are not tracking!

    Second, do you really want to give your time to someone in hopes they will be honest enough to pay you later. Forget that crap.

    Pay upfront 100% or 50% down, 50% upon delivery ( before edits )
    Signature
    http://www.thecopywriterwhisperer.com/ Persuasion at it's best!
    http://www.affiliateorganizer.com/ Organize your entire online business - Super affiliates give it the thumbs up!
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