Possibly the most important thing you could ever read in your copywriting career.

I wrote this as a blog post today, but instead of linking to it (which could be construed as self promotion) I'm simply going to copy it in its entirety here.

And then duck.

Because a lot of you are *not* going to like what I have to say. It could make a big difference to many of you, and really improve your business if you take it to heart - but I don't expect that to be the case. As with most major changes, 99% of people will fight it all the way.

But here it goes anyway...

"



... are also my top 2 favorite quotes.


They aren't really "quotes" in the sense that someone famous once wrote them, or said them during an interview. They are simply things that I say, because they make sense both in business and in life.


I was reminded of the first one today while surfing a well-known internet marketing forum, where I have been a member since 2005.



Any potential client who comes in seeking a copywriter but doesn't offer $1500+ per sales letter is instantly flamed, scoffed at, and asked never to return. And may God have mercy on your soul if you enter the Copywriting forum, and ask for a content writer (this is among the greatest faux pas one can commit, apparently. Despite myself and other high level copywriters also working in content.)



Like me, he only visits the forum periodically, because we're both simply too busy running our business to be bothered with posting 15+ times each day on a forum. But he started a thread offering an excellent opportunity for newer copywriters, offering to recommend them to some of his own private internet marketing students.



He just wanted some reliable people he could recommend to his students.



No commission required, no freebie work had to be given up, nothing. And to have your name recommended by Harlan Kilstein? That's like a sainthood in some circles.


But then he made "the ultimate mistake" - and said that the work would probably be low pay.


While a couple of individuals saw this for what it was - really, a potentially career making opportunity - others did not. Others followed the herd, did as monkeys do, and publicly scoffed at the idea of low pay.



Sure, I talk about cheap content and cheap copywriters sometimes - but it is usually brought about when I see a client come to me, after having been burnt by a "cheap" writer, and genuinely wanting to help others avoid the same fate.


But these writers almost seem to believe that publicly denouncing low paying projects is a way to *prove* that they command higher fees.

It isn't.


All it *proves* is that they have far too much time on their hands to surf internet marketing forums looking for copywriting work, and far too little client work to actually keep them busy.


And it reminded me of this saying...



What would have been wrong with looking down your nose at the project, and simply moving on? Nothing. Why was it necessary to publicly state your displeasure with a project you had absolutely no interest in taking?


Because everyone else does, that's why. The problem with that, is that if you don't do anything different, you can't do anything BETTER.



Do you see high end copywriters who command six-figure salaries sitting on internet marketing forums, whining about $100 copywriting projects? No, because they're too busy MAKING MONEY.


So instead of following the herd, branch out. Do something different. Get attention for being unique for a change, instead of just voicing the same opinion that everyone else has.



My other favorite quote? "Everyone makes a choice between greatness and mediocrity. Greatness is only rare because mediocrity is easier."


Why do I love that saying?

Because to me, in a nut shell, it says "HEY. YOU. The one on the couch, eating cheetos in your underwear. I know it is easy to be lazy, but you're never going to achieve anything at that rate. Get up and do something outside of your comfort zone, and amazing things can happen!"


Which is true. It falls along the same lines as the above quote. If you do the same thing as everyone else, and always take the path of least resistance, you're going to get the same results as everyone else. And everyone else? Well, they're not seeing massive success. At least not most of them.


There is a reason only a small percentage of the population falls into the category of "super rich" - because creating wealth takes work, dedication, and a willingness to be DIFFERENT.



Try it today. Go out, be different. Try something outside of your comfort zone. Put on some pants, put down the cheetos, and get off the couch.


You could be amazed at what happens next...