Funny Email Stoush Between Copywriter And Wannabe Client Reprinted

by ewenmack

Posted: 13 years ago 22 replies

COPY WRITING

Funny exchange of emails between the two...

all reproduced here How To Deal With Blood-Sucking Leeches Disguised As Wanna-Be Clients | Bret Thomson

#client #copywriter #email #stoush #wannabe

John_S 13 years ago

If only there were some magical way to repel bottom feeders before they contact you.

...Like, you know, with text of some sort.
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DanielleLynnCopy 13 years ago

It was his headline 'samples' that finally made me spit out my coffee.
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- marciayudkin 13 years ago
  
  Ewen,
  
  What is a "stoush"?
  
  Marcia Yudkin
  
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  Mark Andrews Banned 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by marciayudkin
  
  Ewen,
  
  What is a "stoush"?
  
  Marcia Yudkin
  
  It's a word used in Australia and New Zealand meaning a fight or an argument Marcia.
  
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  ewenmack 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Pete Walker
  
  It's a word used in Australia and New Zealand meaning a fight or an argument Marcia.
  
  Also used in USA as seen by this headline...Colorado gears up for local stoush | top1000funds.com
  
  Best,
  Ewen
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Ken Strong 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by ewenmack
  
  Also used in USA as seen by this headline...Colorado gears up for local stoush | top1000funds.com
  
  That's an Australian website, though... I'd never heard the word before. Thanks!
  
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  Mark Andrews Banned 13 years ago
  
  "Give Me Just 3 Hours Working With Trevor
  And He'll Happily Milk Me As Dry As A Camels
  Arse In A Sandstorm - Guilt Free - Guaranteed"
  
  What a fantastic visual.
  
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  Hugh Thyer 13 years ago
  
  I suspect there's actually another reason Bret published this. And it's not for a laugh. Can anyone tell me what it is?
  
  Sanjay - this might enlighten you...
  
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sanjaypande 13 years ago

Honestly I didn't find it fascinating at all. Two people who think they're right going on about themselves (me me me ... see me ... I'm GOS).

As a copywriter one would think he would know how to turn the person off in the first e-mail response. Instead he gives a very "corporate" response which would have undoubtedly garnered an exchange.

Then he posts on his blog publicly and gets support of people reading it because it's funny. It's unprofessional.

Its bloody pathetic what people do for attention these days. My 2-year old daughter could probably give some lessons on the topic.
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Raydal 13 years ago

I get those kind of "great offers" all the time as well. The
last time was to write for a well-known celebrity product.

And these people really think that they are doing you a favor
by even considering you for the job.

I wouldn't invest that amount of time though in the response.
But I guess he wanted to make a point.

-Ray Edwards
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John_S 13 years ago

Can anyone tell me what it is?

Putting a head on a pike. You're talking about a specific kind of, let's call it UNadvertising. Filtering. Prequalifying.

Still amusing. But putting a head on a pike betrays a certain deficiency that should not need the head on a pike in the first place.

In other words, I see what you did there. It's still a big fat fail. You're still doing it wrong.

Copywriting folks. It ain't just for the clients.

This speaks directly to many points. Like getting a ton of sales ...and a ton of returns. Because you did not prequalify.
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- KingOfContentMarketing 13 years ago
  
  Maybe it's because I hang around stand-up comedians every night but it sounds like a comedian telling a "true story." It's still entertaining.
  
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DanielleLynnCopy 13 years ago

As John stated, he was attempting to do more than entertain.

The copywriter was making a public show and 'putting heads on a pike' to create several points in the reader's mind (he's in high demand, he will not tolerate that sort of 'offer', he's willing to be public about his feelings.)

However, I understand what Sanjay is trying to say - it seems like he's allowing himself to be put in an undesirable position - which would make him appear like an ineffective copywriter.

While I personally believe in always treating people with kindness and respect - whether they seem to deserve it or not - there is a market that will respond to his type of "F- you" response. And while he might lose the respect of some professionals for his post, he'll gain the respect of others.

So, was it a smart move? I have no way of judging how that post will impact his image in the long term- or if it will hurt of help him.

And I wouldn't publicly insult others like that.

But it sure was entertaining.
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- Raydal 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by DanielleLynnCopy
  
  And I wouldn't publicly insult others like that.
  
  But it sure was entertaining.
  
  Gary Halbert took on this persona all the time and he was successful.
  
  Although I take your position I must also agree that being this direct
  sells because people think that you are REAL.
  
  An interesting fact is that more people listen to Howard Stern who
  hates him than those who love him.
  
  -Ray Edwards
  
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JasonParker 13 years ago

I'm not even a freelancer but I know the proper and professional way to respond to that. Delete. Get back to work.
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sanjaypande 13 years ago

Persuasion is not just for Yes's. It's also for No's ... How many times did he have to say No?

Besides, you've only heard one side of the story. His version. Perhaps its true. Let's assume it is and call the offender in question - a "dummy"

For some reason he inspired this "dummy" to write him (That is a message to market mismatch).

(I realize there are people on this planet who are severely challenged intellectually, despite giving the impression of being only slightly abnormal ... and they quite often end up in places where they have illusions of power - and sometimes - even actual power")

Now he posts it publicly, so other "dummies" get it.

Sure looks like "Damage Control"

Sorry, still not impressed!
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Cam Connor 13 years ago

Originally Posted by ewenmack

Funny exchange of emails between the two...

all reproduced here How To Deal With Blood-Sucking Leeches Disguised As Wanna-Be Clients | Bret Thomson

At the beginning of the post he asks, "Was I too hard on this guy?"...

After I read Trevor's second e-mail, I knew there was absolutely NOTHING he could say at that point to be too hard on this guy... The way he just pre-supposed that it would be an honor for this guy to work for him for free in hopes for possible future work was just ridiculous... I think Bret probably went easy on him.
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- ewenmack 13 years ago
  
  I see some of our Warriors have been leaving comments on his blog...nice!
  
  Best,
  Ewen
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Hugh Thyer 13 years ago
  
  Some people got it. It's positioning.
  
  Publishing this attracts the people he wants to work with, while repelling those he doesn't want to work with.
  
  People who aren't prepared to pay for high quality copy will be repelled. Freebie seekers will be repelled.
  
  People who are serious paying clients and understand that you have to pay if you want the best will be attracted.
  
  People who are fun to work with will be attracted.
  
  He's saying 'If you're not serious then I don't give a stuff about you. If you're a serious player, and you're prepared to invest in the best then we'll get along'. And the people who are serious investors in quality copy and marketing will be attracted to him because of this attitude.
  
  He's also showing his authority with his clients, and will only work with people who will show him the respect he deserves.
  
  Many of you were offended. Many of you didn't like what you see. You are not the people Bret would want to work with.
  
  Many of you loved it. You thought it was funny. You were glad to see him 'stick it up' this guy. You would get along with Bret.
  
  Hugh
  
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sanjaypande 13 years ago

Offended vs Unimpressed ... There's a BIG difference!
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