If you could ask a copywriter any question...

by 21 replies
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... what would it be?

I'm interested to hear what types of questions you warriors have for copywriters, whether it is about the business of copywriting, how to write sales copy, when sales copy is necessary, etc.

If you have a burning question for a copywriter, post it here!

If I like your question, with your permission I would like to answer it on my blog - with a link back to your website in the post, of course. A great way to get some questions answered by an experienced copywriter, without having to fork out any cash!

My way of helping those of you I know are lurking here with questions, but are too new or afraid to ask.

(Plus I'm lacking inspiration for my own blog posts these days, and I thought this would be a great way to generate ideas while helping out some fellow warriors!)

So ladies and gents - let me have it! What is your biggest burning question?
#copywriting #copywriter #question
  • Oh, I really like this thread! I'm sure there are much better questions that could be asked but my biggest need right now is getting the practice and studying the right tools to make sure I am not following someone that has no clue what they are talking about.

    So, here are mine:

    1. What are 5 or 6 concrete things that a budding copywriter can do to improve their copywriting abilities? (Besides reading, I've done a ton of that and need to do actual exercises to improve.)

    2. What copywriters do they look up to that really know their stuff?
  • I would like to know how a new copywriter would go about finding local clients to provide services for, how to market to them (especially small, local businesses) and what sort of rates are fair at this level of the trade.

    To put my question into sharper focus, I am asking what a new copywriter could offer his local businesses if he is attempting to win them as clients. I am also asking what sort of 'ballpark rates' would be good if they copywriter wants to be paid fairly.

    Thank you for the chance to ask questions! I hope you'll post a link to your blog when you answer anything anyone asked so we remember to go check it out!
    • [1] reply
    • Not trying to sound like an ass...

      But aren't you just "testing the waters" in regards to if you are good or bad at writing copy? I REALLY hope you are not suggesting that you are planning on writing copy for small businesses...
      • [1] reply
  • Great questions, guys! I'll pick a few and start writing about them, I'm not sure how to go about sharing the answers...

    Obviously it would be easiest to link directly to the blog posts but that may be seen as self promotional (which I'm always overly aware of, because not only would I hate for some people to think I'm doing that, but I'd hate to encourage others to do it - kind of opens a door to spammers...)

    Maybe I'll just PM you if I choose your question and let you know! Of course, my website is in my signature, and if you click on "blog" in the upper right hand corner, it will take you there. You can always subscribe via RSS if you want to see all of the answers coming up!

    Thanks again for the great inspiration, guys!

    - Cherilyn
    • [1] reply
    • Cherilyn,

      What's wrong with self-promotion as long as you're giving good content.

      We are marketers, aren't we?
  • True Rezbi, but I'd hate for the warrior forum to become a repository of good sounding forum topics with "check out this blog post..." and a link as the content.

    Having been here for so long, I guess I feel the need to set an example!

    Maybe I'll copy/paste the blog posts here, and link to them at the bottom if no one minds?

    I'm still open to more questions, if anybody has some! I'm using the "Editorial Calendar" plugin for wordpress to schedule these posts over the next couple of weeks, if you're curious how I keep all of these ideas organized

    - Cherilyn
    • [1] reply
    • I got a bit carried away and came up with 5 questions,

      Firstly I would ask what their method is for showing some proof:


      Eg- Can I would see some proof/ % of your conversions, and can you explain how you will show me these stats.

      and would ask for their 4 best project and their conversions,

      Eg-
      Sales letter (1)- 8 % conversion rate
      Sales letter (2)- 4% conversion rate
      Squeeze page (1)- 60% opt-in rate.
      one more...

      and then ask to see some of their least converting projects too, with their % rates. This can show how open they are to honesty, but then again they can also lie when showing their results.

      If i was feeling like using their service I would ask to see some 'stats' as proof- with the script testing software they used to test the %, but generally just would ask for their method of showing some proof/results of their past projects.




      If somebody wanted to learn copywritting, What would be the first 5 steps you would advise them, to get started? (eg Step 1, Read loads of sales letters and study them, Step 2 Learn neuro linguistic programming... etc)

      Now a different style of question.

      Has the style of a copywriter's writing changed in the past 5-10 years?

      If so...How has the style of copywriting changed in the past 5-10 years?
      in terms of
      • adapting to the market....
      • eg- have words changed? words that worked 5 years ago act poorly in todays copywriting age?
      • how has structure of sales letters changed compared to 10 years back?
      • Have you as a copywriter noticed a big change in the style of copywriting?
      • how have you adapted to these changes? (i assume just learning new styles of writing + learning from others) ?

      This above question e) Is Not based on a copywriters fees, conversion or a copywriter skills.....but a 'change in the market' and style of a copywriters writing- SO i am providing a 'different' style of questions which I thought you might appreciate
      • [2] replies
  • It sounds like creative writing, article writing and copy writing is more or less the same thing? Am I correct or is there a difference? If so, could you point them out.
    If I like to outsource my work, how would I know who is a serious good article/copy writer and who is fake? Can one tell?
    I am so new to all of this and this is actually my first post on a forum except for forums I placed regarding my offline business.
    Thank you for the opportunity.
    • [1] reply
    • There is a difference between article writing and copywriting.

      I think this is a great question and should be added to the blog, as im sure she has a great answer for it!
  • Some more great questions here! I'll add them to the list
  • Hi,

    I'm new around here, but seem to struggle with copy and article writing. My main problem common to both is incorporating my profitable keywords into my copy/article without sounding too salesy. Do you just write first and then inject the keyword phrase and LSI keyword phrases afterward? Or do you have another technique? Any tips on how to not sound salesy even without the keywords?

    Thanks,
    Adrienne
  • Why are you writing copy for others instead of writing it for yourself?
    • [2] replies
    • Thank you Cherilyn for starting this thread, some great information has already been shared.

      I'm curious to know how the more experienced copywriters here built their income stream?
      We all start somewhere, right? Some new copywriters charge a beginners price tag of $250, while others charge way more right off the bat because they are convinced they deserve the moola.

      What prompted YOU to raise your prices?
      When did you do it, and how did you get the confidence to do it?
      • [1] reply
    • LOL Amen to that brother!
  • Question: how do you get quality clients? what are the precautions so that you won't end as a "sweatshop" writer?
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