Starting copywriting

Why does someone have to hire you for you to start doing? Just throw up a squeeze page. For anything. Doesn't matter. Just practice writing the copy. Then do a sales letter. Then repeat. You will get better.

That's a suggestion I've seen here, but I felt like my perspective would be too one-sided. I can imagine and guess what a product might need, but I feel like I'm too far outside the actual "universe" of the product to talk with any kind of authority unless I have someone I can interact with to talk about their product history, results, past challenges, etc.

Hi sib,

So your dilemma is you don’t feel you can charge a decent rate for your copywriting expertise because you’re not sure if you’re good enough to deliver the results.

But you’ll never find out until you start writing copy.

And you don’t have any clients or a product of your own.

So, here’s a suggestion – it’s only a suggestion, you don’t have to do this.

Think very carefully before you do. Many people including me might tell you not to do it.

And I should warn you it could cost you a bit of money.

But if you just can’t justify a copywriting fee it could be a very interesting and hopefully an amazing experience.


Write a Flyer for potential clients saying you’ll write them a Flyer. Or it could be a sales letter, website, squeeze page etc.

Say it is a Flyer - you’ll write it, pay for 2,000 and distribute them – so the client is not taking any financial risks.

They only pay you an agreed fee based on results – when achieved it'll cover all your costs and make you a profit.

Do this one client at a time – so you really concentrate on writing blisteringly brilliant copy. And you’re not spending too much cash.


Now, as you can imagine this really is a sensational offer for clients (make sure your Flyers state it’s a very “limited” special offer – so you get a fast response). Give a good "reason why' you're doing it. You want to prove how good you are... You realise times are tough and you don't want clients taking any chances...

And only pick good, trustworthy and honest clients. Usually your "instinct" helps you decide. If you get a "bad feeling" about a client, politely and diplomatically walk away.


3 things can happen.

You’ll get a client and the results are dismal (you’ll take a hit on the Flyer costs but you’ll practise like hell to improve your copy, because you don't want this happening again. If it continually does, maybe copywriting is not your destiny. But no clients were burned as you were finding out)

You’ll get a client and the results are good – but they don’t pay you the agreed “success” fee (sadly, despite trying to pick the best people, this does occur. And at some stage like most of us, you'll experience it. And not get paid the "promised" fees. It’ll make sure you choose your clients even more carefully. Again, only ever work with clients you feel you can truly trust. And who have outstanding products or services. Try to have safeguards to ensure you are not ripped off. If you are, then thankfully your costs weren't too high. But be very aware of the risks).

You’ll get a client and the results are good and they do pay you (this will give you a huge confidence boost and you’ll really start to believe in your abilities).

You can do this as often as you like - building a portfolio of delighted clients.

Sooner or later, and if you make the effort it'll be sooner - you’ll discover you really can charge the fees that you genuinely know you deserve.


Steve

Prey on the old and toothless in the jungle.

That is referring to the ads you see.

Think about how easy it would be to write a better one.

Not because you think you can.

But because you have seen the numbers from
an existing high performing ad.

Think of all the offline areas, flyers, newspaper and Yellow pages.

Have you seen numbers what ads have brought in?

Here's a couple of examples you can use as a reference...

http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...t-mailing.html

http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...ages-ad-2.html

http://www.4hb.com/0255ysanalysiswinlet.html


The plumber ad was mostly copied by my client for his electrician client.
He said it brings an extra $30,000 per month.

Best,
Ewen

Rich,

Yes, I would warn against doing it. And I explained all the downsides.

My suggestion was not for clients who are refusing to pay. We all know never, ever to choose those people.

It was a suggestion for new copywriters who because of their inexperience "don't feel" they can justify charging a fee.

And by using it very carefully, for some people, maybe not sib, it is the only way they'll ever get a start to work with clients and give themselves the chance to build up their ability and confidence. And get paid.

And put themselves, as quickly as possible, in a position where they can charge a fee that they rightly deserve.


Steve

Buy some PLR products in a niche you feel confident
you can get some forum sig-line traffic for (video games,
fitness, etc.), write your own sales letters, and drive
traffic to your sales letters by participating in forums.

I'd recommend driving traffic to a blog you fill with
your own pre-selling content, a type of writing that is
not exactly sales letter copy, but an essential
component in online direct response marketing
nonetheless and closely related to email copy.

It's easier than you think... but if the niche doesn't
turn you on it can be boring.

Awesome ideas! Thanks everyone. I wish I knew where the "thank" button is, but I'll find that sooner or later

You need to have 5 (I think) posts before the button appears.

Another route is go to clickbank and start poking around. Look for low gravity products that have really bad sales letters. Re-write the letter, then on the order button link to the vendor's order page through you aff link (There used to be a software that did this)

Next, run some traffic and track how many affiliate sale you make and figure your conversion by tracking uniques on your site.

If you have a winner, keep running traffic and making affiliate sales. After it's proven you can contact the product owner, show your stats, and offer for them to buy your letter at a premium. Oh, and I would actually build a squeeze first so you can build a list at the same time.

Yes, I know the inter web can be the route to untold riches, fame and fortune.

The snag is, after you've written your epic masterpiece, you may need to be armed with a degree in calculus and a doctorate in algorithms...

...because using a plethora of advanced and often nightmarishly expensive techniques you have to build a circulation of target readers who'll drool at your wondrous words.

And those good people are frantically hoping their ISP doesn't crash before they get a chance to punch in their credit card number to buy the stuff that fulfils their every dream... (they're also praying their credit card details won't be swiped by a malicious hacker)...

I think they call all this "driving traffic" to an inter web site.

To get faster results, it can be much easier creating a blazingly good flyer, postcard, or sales letter and just knock them out personally or bung them in the post.


Steve

Lucky for me I was taught Persuasive writing in Primary School and all through Secondary School which, in essence, is Copy-writing...

So it's been more of a natural, second nature type of thing for me ...Something that I have grown with... So, I don't have to read these copy-writing books or study every sales-page on the interwebs to boost this particular skill-set.

However what I would recommend to you, since you are just beginning this odyssey into the unknown, is to first procure some persuasive writing and / influence scriptures... and also, more importantly, I'd advise you to start writing poetry. This helps with how you structure your sentences, paragraphs and hold the attention of your spectators.

Now go forth and seek the truth!

Good luck,
OP

Don't even worry about writing for anyone else.

Not yet.

Your first responsibility is to create your own product.

Write the sales copy (whether it's a sales letter and/or video script,) craft your funnel and start driving traffic to it.

However...

Before you can do that.

You need to write down all of the topics that you're passionate about and feel you can contribute to HELP people make their lives better.

Now...

Out of those topics, how many of them have a thirsty audience actively searching for your potential ideas?

Got it?

Create a product that speaks to those people (and only those people.)

Get their eyes on your copy.

See if it converts.

If it does, advertise your results.

If it doesn't, fix the copy.

Rinse. Repeat.

Seriously though...

Your first step as a copywriter is to show YOURSELF that you have what it takes.

Then...

You can start taking on clients, because you KNOW you can HELP them.

My take.

Mark

P.S. Heed the advice above. Don't ever take on bottom feeding clients. You can't help people who don't think successful thoughts (or take success-minded action,) become rich. You'll only get burnt out and nurture the belief that the copywriting business sucks.

P.P.S. It doesn't suck.

You dare utter these words to me? The patron of all posts, both long and short?

SCOUNDREL

Never have I been cursed with such foul words! Such gluttony and open disobedience must be punished!...

In your haste you hath failed to realize the aftermath of the storm that I will cast above you! ... You hath neglected to understand the ghastly doom that I bring!... Like a true peasant, you hath underestimated the sheer magnitude of the power that exists in just the left side of my cockus erectus.

Who DARES to address The OP in such a fashion?

** the peasant rubs his hands together, gesturing a desperate plea for his life... He then attempts to escape the OP's fortress, when suddenly all the doors and windows slam shut causing a thick cloud of dust to spread across the room**

You fool? Can't you see?? ... There is no escape!

You will incur the wrath of the all seeing, and all knowing OP...

** the peasant again goes AWOL attempting to elude the OP ...as he runs towards the gates, his dirty sandal gets trapped in a small crack in the ground causing the peasant to tumble foolishly across the room**

STOP THIS MADNESS!

you hath come to engage me in battle... you hath begrimed me with the most sinful incivility... you hath threatened to remove my mask and reveal my identity to the public - and now you wish to leave?

Not EVER!...

I shall make an example out of you... years from now, people will look upon the remnants of your repugnant carcass in disgust! ..not only that, but they will look onto it as a cautionary tale of what becomes of all those who encounter the OP

Find a swipe file or live pieces that you know convert and hand write them 5 times each. Also get the classic copy books and write those ads. You'll learn it intrinsically rather than learning a bunch of rules.