If you were in an elevator with an expert copywriter, what questions would you ask?

21 replies
If you were in an elevator with an expert copywriter, what questions would you ask?
#copywriter #elevator #expert #questions
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    We've had variations of this question several times over the years - my own answer is always the same.

    I'd say nothing - being in the same elevator - or restaurant - or restroom - with someone rich or famous does not confer on me the right to interrupt or quiz that person. Only exception might be at a conference where the person was a speaker in which case they might expect to be interrupted.
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    • Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      We've had variations of this question several times over the years - my own answer is always the same.

      I'd say nothing - being in the same elevator - or restaurant - or restroom - with someone rich or famous does not confer on me the right to interrupt or quiz that person. Only exception might be at a conference where the person was a speaker in which case they might expect to be interrupted.

      Moi: You gowin' up or down, poppet?
      EC: How dare you! The current status of my expert copywriting business is no concern of yours. Personally, I never publically reveal my fees, let alone the secrets of my income, assets and taxes.
      Moi: Hey, I meant which floor you gowin'?
      EC: My business has not hit the floor! I'm an expert! I'm a success! Why -- I once got so close to Frank Kern at a networking event, I could smell his cologne. Do you know how much talent it takes to get to that stage? How much hard work and dedication? How much sweat and toil?
      Moi: Prolly jus' a little more than the way you stompin' around right now, I guess. Hey, but listen -- we gonna miss your stop. I right here by the buttons, all you gotta do is say.
      EC: If you must know, I'm going to the penthouse. Yessir -- right to the very top. See? I'm such an EXPERT, I deal only with top flight clients of the most exclusive kind.
      Moi: K, I jus' seein' a friend, way lower down the tower, so prolly ima jump off before you.
      EC: I am not about to THROW MYSELF OFF THE ROOF! Like I said, my expert copywriting business is in GOOD SHAPE. I'm am soooo not in debt. Always moving forward. Always in control. And I would NEVER do that. Especially not on my Mother's birthday, God rest her soul.
      Moi: Hey, babe -- you look kinda stressed out. Mebbe you should give yogah a try. It calms your soul, relaxes your body, an' keeps you fightin' fit for the day ahead.
      EC: Don't make me laugh. Don't you think I've tried everything already? Tried everything so darn hard I've driven myself crazy?
      Moi: Why don't we give sum simple moves a try? You gowin' up anyways, so what you got to lose? Lemme show you real easy bendin' an' swayin' -- as used by ultra wise sage types for like centuries.
      EC: I'm too stressed. It won't work. And my mind's made up. One leap is all it will take. And then my problems ... my nightmare HELL ... will all be over.
      Moi: Hey, I did ballet once. You want I show you how to leap real good? Tellya, big problem plenty dancers got is hurtin' 'emselves -- yanno, cramps an' shin splints. tbh, sounds like you want your exit to be quick an' fast. Las' thing you want is no painful muscle spasms while you plummeting to your doom. Plus also, you gotta leap out real far or you mebbe jus' land on a ledge or sumthin' an' get brain damage or lose limbs .. an' I can show you a surefire springin' technique to guarantee the 100% terminal splatto you hurtin' for.
      EC: Brain damage?
      Moi: Aw yeah -- plenty people in your position goof up an' survive. Only now, they gotta deal with bein' fed mooshie on a spoon for the resta their lives alongside all the debts an' bad stuff they had gowin' on before they took the plunge.
      EC: And you can help me stop this happening? So my plan will work out? So I can be with my beloved mother again?
      Moi: Sure, it is kinda a basic move, jus' needs a little tooition an' you a fit enough lookin' guy to nail it real quick. Only take like five minutes ...
      Aw, but gosh -- I forgot I gotta see my friend. She got BF ishoos an' I promised I'd help her today bcs she in such trouble!
      EC: How much do you want? For five minutes of your time? Things are bad enough as it is! I can't risk being a deformed vegetable for the rest of my life!
      Moi: Let's say 200 bucks.
      EC: I don't have that. I'm ruined. I was thinking more like 10.
      Moi: But you got a car, right? Less'n you walked here.
      EC: Of course. Take my keys. It's in the bay. White Ford. Just show me the moves ...
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by Princess Balestra View Post

        Moi: You gowin' up or down, poppet?
        EC: How dare you! The current status of my expert copywriting business is no concern of yours. Personally, I never publically reveal my fees, let alone the secrets of my income, assets and taxes.
        Moi: Hey, I meant which floor you gowin'?
        ...
        Made my day. And again, I'm surprised by your talent as a writer.

        I was at a Dan Kennedy event years ago, and I was on the elevator. A tall man got on with two beautiful women on his arms. I didn't recognize him...but said..

        "Are you a speaker here?"

        He said "Yes. Why do you ask?"

        I said "Well, your hair is slicked back, you are wearing a custom fitted suit...you are wearing sunglasses in doors, and you have two women, one on each arm, that are obviously hired for this effect. My guess is that you are a Guru, and are speaking this afternoon".

        He smiled and said something like" Yup. Got it all right. Are you sure you don't recognize me?" Then he told me his name. I can't remember it now, but he was a guru in the pest control business.

        I was on the elevator with two friends also attending the event. After this guy got off the elevator, they started saying "Damn, Claude! You sure have nerve", "Do you talk to everyone you meet like that? He's a celebrity", and things to that effect.

        I said "He did all of that for attention...to draw a reaction. And I didn't meet him, he met me".



        By the way, I did once meet a high end copywriter at a marketing event, and I asked him to explain how to write in a woman's voice, something I've never been able to do. Five minutes of pure gold there.

        But Kay is right, I think. If I saw him on the street, I wouldn't bother him, or in a restaurant.
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  • Profile picture of the author SARubin
    Originally Posted by Kamerongroup View Post

    If you were in an elevator with an expert copywriter, what questions would you ask?
    Whenever I'm in an elevator with anybody, recognized expert or not, I might casually start with a quip about a current situation.

    Depending on how they respond, I might casually continue with "So, what do you do for a living?" , and see where it goes from there.

    If they respond favorably and enthusiastically, I'll ask another open ended question and then I shut up and let them talk. Whatever they say might have value.


    ... Or I might say nothing at all. Depending on the day, the atmosphere in the elevator, and how long the elevator ride is supposed to last.
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  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Can you press 5 for me? Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author myob
    You look like a perfect fit for my international marketing company. Have you thought about diversifying your income?
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  • Hellor Kamerongroup,

    Originally Posted by Kamerongroup View Post

    If you were in an elevator with an expert copywriter, what questions would you ask?
    Did you just fart?

    Chinchilla
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  • Profile picture of the author spartan14
    And do you think that in an elevator someone can give you an answer that will change your life suposing the elevator takes 60 seconds to finish ? Its like asking someone to teach you math in 60 seconds .I think better i would try to convince him to be my mentor ,i would thing on a way to show him my burning desire to convince him that i want it so bad
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  • Profile picture of the author Carlo Sala
    "I've heard you are a copywriter, are the rumors true?
    Le copywriter: Yeah
    Me: cool , cool,
    cool"
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  • Profile picture of the author keondre jordan
    I understand that you want to respect the experts time and effort by leaving him alone, but it's always good to gauge the situation as every circumstance is different.

    Start with an open ended question and "listen" to the tone of voice and body language. These two factors are vital for seeing if someone is open to your company.

    You miss every shot you don't take in this world. An expert giving you the arbitrary middle finger because you wanted more knowledge in the field should only be taken with a grain of salt.
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  • Profile picture of the author JPs copy
    "Write me an email to sell this pen"
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  • Profile picture of the author enigma55
    I'd probably ask him if there's anything he'd like to know, as he might not get a second chance. My time is valuable, and my knowledge even more so. And I can only spare the obligatory, much vaunted, 60 seconds.
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  • Profile picture of the author aktar al
    It is really good question as I am thinking of launching my own online niche product and thinking of doing the copyright ing stuff doing myself it is good to know such facts
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  • Profile picture of the author Hostech Support
    I think it's just a matter of a few seconds or minutes, that you both are together. In that duration, would you like to annoy that stranger? It's acceptable to take a selfie or an autograph of that renowned person, but showering a questionnaire, might put him in a boring situation. Let the situation be relaxing, just share a smile that would e unforgettable to both of you
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  • why are we still here? just for suffer?)
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  • Profile picture of the author King Manu
    If I would be really interested in their knowledge, I'd ask if we can get in touch in the future.


    Because there's no ONE answer that is going to provide anything valuable to me.

    When you go to a master chef, you only order one bite?


    Or I would simply ask if they spoke recently with someone looking for a magic answer. I bet they'd have hilarious experiences.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    The question I get asked the most is, "Do you know what time it is?"

    Apparently most people don't wear watches like they used to.

    (I don't wear a watch either, so I just make up a time.)

    Alex
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  • Bumps, hiccups, farts -- plus, also the seemingly random buzzin' of trooth seekahs on a day out ...

    tbh it is real weird how eructational fancy from beyond the dead can be graced with zappo noo life.

    So mebbe the next late in here oscillator might wanna look in on my earlier ansa from frickin' APRIL, when evrywan was much less proto-dead than we are at present.

    Tellya, I would so love to have ansas for evrythin', but as a ditzy flopout gal it it all I can do to repeat musself las' time I said sumthin' marginally unstoopid.

    Howevah, if'n evrythin' multi-choice now, run with C.
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  • Profile picture of the author KristofferIM
    "Which floor?"
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