Why Do You Come Here... to the Copywriting Forum?

I come here for the same reason I go anywhere, to observe human behavior. This particular forum is like no other on WF. Some of the comments here can be pretty harsh but that's very often what people need. This place is also loaded with high drama and hero worship and all kinds of freaky haps. It's a hoot to watch it.

I also like to help when possible. But more and more, here and on the main forum it's hard to find people who are really in earnest. I guess that's common. People somehow think Internet marketing is a game of some kind and you can pull $ out of thin air. There was a time back in '08 and '09 when I'd do two or three comprehensive reviews for strangers every week.

And many of them wouldn't even acknowledge the critique unless it endorsed the often silly sh*t they doing. Still, I'd do it because the message often finds its way to appreciative eyes just the same. I also believe in what I call a kindness pool. It's like a bank. You gotta make deposits if you expect to draw from the well every so often.

Lately I've been busy creating products and working on my own stuff and don't have as much time as I used to. And like you, I sometimes come here or to the main board for a break and end up with some inspiration when I read someone finally getting it after struggling or I see someone else contributing to the kindness pool. Circles and cycles...

To "bring the fresh", first thing in the morning.

Yes, you're ranting. You've posted three threads with the same title. This comment is supposed to be what exactly? Why do you think I "bit off more than I can chew"? Why do you think it "abundantly obvious"? Why do you think I'm "getting reamed"?

My perception is you're either drunk, on crack, have no idea what you're blathering on about ...or all three.

Update: rereading your post a few times I realise what you're trying to say. You're saying I'm too harsh on the newbies. Well now thats a funny thing isn't it. Half these guys PM me and thank me for the public bollocking I've given them. And some of these same guys - the tougher and smarter ones - go on to pick my brains or run copy past me. They're the ones that have a chance of making it. They're also smart enough to see that sometimes I say things for effect and - shock horror - to get the post noticed.

The latest victim - Nick - took my comments in good grace. He might actually learn something.

http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...-ya-favor.html

Quote:
Kill yourself. Go jump off a cliff right now. Your writing is terrible. Atrocious. Straight out of the School of No Idea.
Later in the thread, after I wrote a Radio spot using his concept, he wrote -
To answer your question "Why do you come here?"...to take the mickey out of newbies and make them look ridiculous. You believe that?

Good question Reflection Marketing.

I came here over 400 posts ago -- if you count all the deleted ones, LOL.

Seriously though...

I wanted to learn about online marketing/copywriting/advertising.

I've discovered a great deal.

There's a lot I'm still learning.

I was reading books on marketing and advertising way before the internet was ever thought of...back some 40 years ago when I was growing up.

But...I've heard phrases and names of people on here that I'd never heard of before.

Seems the online world is much more forgiving.

You can instantly change things in your sales piece without waiting on print shops or the next edition of magazines and newspapers, etc.

The competition is a lot more fierce -- all you have to do is google any topic and you'll find thousands of sites wanting your attention.

I enjoy reading the comments.

There's some brilliant people who post on here.

Overall, I think the same rules apply to both online and offline marketing...with some slight differences.

At about 6' 6" and 280 pounds with almost no fat...if I were just starting out I'd probably go into the UFC.

But at my age now, the young uns would pound my face into the mat.

Knowing your limitations can save yourself from a lot of pain

Then again, maybe I'm still thinking about the big pay-per-view fights last night.

Guess I'll just have to stick with what I know.

There are those who say I'm not qualified to comment here because I've never sold anything online.

That's about to change...I think I'll give some a run for their money.

Just some rambling thoughts.

Have a great day!

I definitely come here for the entertainment value (as Mark Andrews stated.)

And don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with giving extremely blunt responses when people post their copy here for feedback.

Although I do agree with someone who recently said it's hard to provide appropriate feedback when you aren't aware of all the variables (of course I'm paraphrasing.)

That aside (as well as the sometimes ignorant requests people make with no regard for the space they're takin' up on the main copywriting index page)...

...This forum is an absolutely invaluable tool for copywriters and marketers to gain a multitude of perspectives to help them rise above mediocrity.

However, what intrigues me more is the unending way people are always affecting and feeling affected by the threads and comments posted here.

This forum definitely attracts a rare breed of experts who are far too willing to give of themselves (even when they're under extreme pressure and deadlines) to invest their energy into the copywriting arts.

Like TravlinGuy said, this is a truly unique forum.

I've never been one to really engage in these sorts of platforms until the past year or so.

Sure, I've spent time on stevepavlina.com and interacted with other new agey people about whether we exist in a subjective or objective reality, but this forum brings out completely different aspects out of people.

The amount of passionate responses provided here is a real testament to what's truly possible for how the internet can be positively used.

I mean, here I am, hungover, in a small mountain community an hour south of the Oregon border.

And I'm able to instantaneously draw upon the unique assets of proven and aspiring copywriter's from all around the world any time I need a jolt of stimulation to get back into the creative flow.

But even better, I get to watch the interactions on this site like a scientist observing some sort of grand psych/human nature experiment.

And believe me, if you're REALLY paying attention to the emotionally-charged responses of people on this site, you've got tons of fodder to work with for understanding how to elicit very particular emotional responses in your own copy.

You can't buy that kind of information - where you get to see how all different types of people respond to various expressions of copy.

My point?

I appreciate the time of everyone who takes the time to lurk here and keep the distinction between copywriting and content writing alive.

After all, it seems EVERYONE considers themselves a writer these days.

Of course, unless you're able to create or elicit REAL emotion and compel REAL action in the people reading your copy...

...You're NOT a writer.

You're just someone who enjoys writing.

And there's a world of difference in the two.

Cheers!

Mark Pescetti

P.S. Nobody answered the most important question in my post... Have you ever tried Big Daddy from the Speakeasy Brewery in San Francisco? They also have the Prohibition Ale for the more wussy type beer drinkers out there...

P.P.S. I apologize for the triple post that happened last night. A combination of beer and shotty internet created the perfect storm of stupidity.

By the way... as an add on to the thread topic question, what compels you to leave a comment... or not?

This post has had over 100 views and yet only the regulars have posted feedback.

Come on lurkers...

Dive in and join the conversation!

Mark

P.S. I get emailed and called a few times week from people visiting one of my websites referred by this forum. And yet only once have I taken on a client from the Warrior Forum. When more newbies and people looking to market their products or services engage on this forum, it reveals more about the supposed experts who are mainstays here... which ultimately helps lurkers choose which copywriters they're interested in pursuing to hire... Resonance is a HUGE part of developing successful copy.

P.P.S. When clients or potentials clients want me to review their copy, I never respond on a whim like I do here. I always ask all the questions I need to reach the core of what emotions we're intending to elicit, what benefits or value we can spotlight, how we can set the entrepreneur up as the authority and steps we can take to make prospects feel like they need to qualify to buy. However, you'll notice that here on the W.F., most copywriters just respond on instinct. It's fascinating to watch and even better to observe when the posters immediately utilize the information they're given.

P.P.P.S. Can the Copy Nazi please just once say, "No review for you! Next!"...?

To learn and network. There's too much information on here to not take advantage of it.

Every critique, "Top 10 things. . .", "Best way to. . .", "How to. . . " etc is valuable.

Once you're here for a little bit, you learn more and more who to listen to and who not to. There are a lot of people here who really know what they're talking about.

So it's either I don't come here and waste my time Googling pointless nonsense. . . Or I spend my down time getting to know some talented professionals and soak up their useful knowledge.

I came here to find the check-list, and also maybe hire a copywriter. Oh, and probably get some critique after I've written my first english copy

1. To listen to people who started writing copy when Regan was in office.
2. To guide newbies.
3. To learn new things, refresh old ones and get different perspectives of issues.
4. To position myself as an expert in my field; gain the respect of intelligent people.
5. Get free stuff. Advice, critiques, consultancy etc

Just to learn from and participate with good Copywriters.

Whenever I get the feeling that I'm not actively getting better as a writer, I'll stop by here and lurk for a few minutes. I always say that great writing is about attention to detail more than anything else, and the written word has so many little (variations/quirks/hidden gems). Every word you use sends a message - it tells something different about the person writing it, and inspires a different feeling in the person reading it.

It's nice to read the thoughts of people who are trained to think on that kind of detailed level.

I pop in on this forum now and again just to see what's going on with whom and to see if the forum is still full of snarkiness or if things have become more tame in my frequent absences.

There are a few "names" here I like to read comments from. Since I don't know anyone here personally, I have to say the "names" are what draw me -- but honestly it's more the attitudes I enjoy and come here for. <reveal> I'm a sucker for confident attitudes. </reveal>

EDIT: When I say I don't know anyone personally, I mean we've never met face to face. There are a few I speak to off-forum through Skype or other channels. Anyway...

This last time I popped over, I found two opportunities to "do something" myself, and took advantage of both. One was done in private. The other (gjabiz's challenge) became pretty public.

What gets me to comment? Feeling like I have something relevant/meaningful/worthy to add to what's already been said or to share.

So there ya go. This is why I come here and (sometimes) comment.

I like to learn more and understand the broader context in which I exist. When you know the community and what expectations are for your work, what people are judging you by, it's really helpful and gives me a road map of where to go.

I've tried existing all on my own, but then I couldn't market my skills as being better than the next guy's.

It helps a ton to listen and learn.

I come to the forum to find out new ideas and resources.

I like to share the helpful resources I have found as well.

Plus, I good some good laughs from some of the posts.

Overall, a good time.

Entertainment primarily, learning secondarily.

Because I'm permanently perturbed by all the critique requests from people too cheap to hire a real copywriter and in direct violation of the charter for this sub-forum, I admit to taking pleasure in ripping them apart. It's stress relief for me.

But there is an occasional nugget of wisdom posted by good copywriter's, and that makes the visits worthwhile.

I'll be Frank, I come here to see what certain people are up to. Sort of like, just lurking now. I'll always keep coming back, this place will do that to you.

It's great to come here and speak with others that actually know what you're talking about.

Do you have friends that have no idea what "copywriting" is?

Yes, I do as well. I try to explain but it ends up people don't get it.

Best,

Bill Jeffels




.

Just thought I'd update my reason for coming here...

...Because I get ideas here that have made me lots of money!

Just this morning I was browsing through some of the threads and BAM, I got an idea that triggered by one of the comments.

Since about 4 hours ago, that idea was written, posted online and is generating more residual income for me.

It's just a reminder that ALL OF US are ALWAYS one idea away from manifesting abundance!

This place (the copywriting forum) is whatever you make of it.

Some people don't like the threads that ask for critique.

And I get it.

Some people REALLY enjoy sharing their perspectives, like me.

And some people just appreciate the value they receive from lurking.

I love it all...

I come here because I like reading what other copywriters think. And I'm also here to learn.

I admit, I first came here at the urging of a friend who was already a warrior. He haunts other sections of the forum, but thought that the Copywriting sub-forum would be a great place for me.

I joined. I forgot about joining. I was prodded by said friend and came back. I lurked. Then I was intrigued.

Here, there is free sharing of ideas. There are more experienced people helping out newer people. There are newer people bringing fresh perspective to the more experienced. There is a general elevation of everyone who knows how to utilize a valuable tool such as this to advance themselves and their peers.

As mentioned above - if you want to draw on kindness, you must make a deposit in the bank every once in awhile.

So, I come here to be mentally stimulated. I come here to see what others think about random subjects. And I come here to be in the company of people who live and breathe what I do and share my perspective on business, even if limited.

Also, it never hurts to be a girl outnumbered by dudes

Why do I come here?

To be inspired.... To learn... To Share.... And on some days.... To NOT get ticked OFF!

At least that is my main goal.

To listen to the guys and gals who know what they are doing (and try to zone out the ones that don't.)

I always find a gem or two so it is worth popping in.

Have a good week all of you!

I came here cuz' I'm a bit into this business, but I mostly work for Russian markets. Got to get interested in what's goin' on here, to say so.

Great intercultural experience.

I come here to gain inspiration and learn from the best.