24 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
24 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

You've Been Chopped

by Mark Pescetti
19 replies
One of my favorite TV shows is Chopped on the Food Network.

As I was watching the other day, I couldn't help but imagine a similar competition for copywriters.

...

"Introducing Chopped for Copywriters!

There are three rounds:

...Introduction Email for your list. (30 minutes)

...A sales letter or VSL script. (45 minutes.)

...And follow up email. (30 minutes.)

Each round will have four mystery components.

You must use and uniquely structure each component in your copy (i.e. you must talk about the specific subject matter and integrate it into your sales pitch.)

You will be judged on branding, flow or continuity and call-to-action.

If your copy is not up to par...

...you will be Chopped.

Remember contestants...

Every round counts.

The final two writers will also be judged on their overall sales funnel."

Can you imagine the fun?

Mark

P.S. Look for the website (coming soon.)
#chopped
  • Profile picture of the author Steve Hill
    Not a bad idea, and could be fun. I'm not sure how exciting it would be for the viewers, though.

    Narrator: "Looking now at Jimbo's furrowed brow! Let's get a close-up...is that a bead of sweat? Ooooh, Jimbo's thinking hard! And is that eraser wearing down already? Will it last for the whole contest, or will Jimbo be disqualified for premature eraser wear? The suspense is building, folks!"

    Maybe the audience could be entertained in the meantime with these funny bad-lipreading videos from YouTube:

    Signature
    Learn more - earn more: Books for Copywriters
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621229].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author CharismaticMannequin
      Originally Posted by Steve Hill View Post

      Not a bad idea, and could be fun. I'm not sure how exciting it would be for the viewers, though.

      Narrator: "Looking now at Jimbo's furrowed brow! Let's get a close-up...is that a bead of sweat? Ooooh, Jimbo's thinking hard! And is that eraser wearing down already? Will it last for the whole contest, or will Jimbo be disqualified for premature eraser wear? The suspense is building, folks!"

      Maybe the audience could be entertained in the meantime with these funny bad-lipreading videos from YouTube:

      "THE NFL : A Bad Lip Reading"

      Steve,


      I watched that, and started down on a downward spiral into the giggles. Wiping the tears away currently.

      Thanks for the laughs!
      Signature
      50% converting squeeze pages, 12% converting WSO's, and more...
      BenPalmerWilson Copywriting
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7624918].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
    Nah Steve...

    I was thinking the participants would receive an email.

    When they click the link, the stopwatch starts counting down (based on their timestamp.)

    They'd have to send off their finished draft before the time expires.

    Nobody will be watching, yet.

    We'd get a lot of raw, not necessarily polished copy.

    I think it could be fun.

    And since everyone has different processes for writing copy, it would be interesting to see how newbies AND veterans do (e.g. some people start at the end, some people begin with bullets and others actually get going straight from the beginning...)

    We'd probably get more concepts than fleshed out copy.
    Signature

    Do you want a 9 figure copywriter and biz owner to Write With You? I'll work with you, on zoom, to help write your copy or client copy... while you learn from one of the few copywriters to legit hit 9 figures in gross sales! Discover More

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621272].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steve Hill
      Maybe there could be some celebrity copywriting judges, and to make sure everyone is on the same page and to eliminate pre-writing, have project-specific market research and target specifications.
      Signature
      Learn more - earn more: Books for Copywriters
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621391].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
        Originally Posted by Steve Hill View Post

        Maybe there could be some celebrity copywriting judges, and to make sure everyone is on the same page and to eliminate pre-writing, have project-specific market research and target specifications.
        Absolutely.

        Maybe one of the mystery components "in the basket" could be the target niche.

        Or each contest could have a specific theme.

        I was thinking people could submit their application with an example (new or old) of their copywriting skills.

        And based on those submissions...

        The most matched-up copywriters can compete against each other.

        In terms of the judges...

        It's always a matter of who's available.

        But at it's core...

        This would be a totally innovative way for new copywriters to gain exposure.

        Likewise...

        Veterans can show the world how good they really are.
        Signature

        Do you want a 9 figure copywriter and biz owner to Write With You? I'll work with you, on zoom, to help write your copy or client copy... while you learn from one of the few copywriters to legit hit 9 figures in gross sales! Discover More

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621409].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
          Would be great theatre but I can't see it uncovering
          modern day Gary Halberts or John Carltons.

          It took months for Gary to come up with the coat of arms letter
          and the perfume ad.

          John had to dig deep to find his hook for the one legged golf ad.

          The format restricts the greatest asset a copywriter has on a project,
          and that is research time.

          My 2 cents.

          Best,
          Ewen
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621538].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
            Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

            Would be great theatre but I can't see it uncovering
            modern day Gary Halberts or John Carltons.

            It took months for Gary to come up with the coat of arms letter
            and the perfume ad.

            John had to dig deep to find his hook for the one legged golf ad.

            The format restricts the greatest asset a copywriter has on a project,
            and that is research time.

            My 2 cents.

            Best,
            Ewen
            That's a matter of perspective.

            Even the chefs on Chopped are faced with ingredients they aren't familiar with.

            They can't research.

            This is the classic "write like there's a gun to your head" type stuff.

            Will every winner go on to become a name copywriter?

            Hell no.

            But if it's done right, it could still lead to some great exposure.

            Going back to the research objection...

            They can still devote a few minutes to research.

            They just have to know how to research effectively to get the most information they can - in an incredibly short amount of time.
            Signature

            Do you want a 9 figure copywriter and biz owner to Write With You? I'll work with you, on zoom, to help write your copy or client copy... while you learn from one of the few copywriters to legit hit 9 figures in gross sales! Discover More

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621581].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
    A fascinating concept!

    Joel Comm did something similar a few years ago with a program called "" although the time period was much longer. IIRC, the whole competition took a couple of weeks.

    The whole series is on YouTube.

    Marvin
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621351].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    This is a great idea for getting the creative juices flowing. I'm gonna try it out for a month.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621603].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
      Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

      This is a great idea for getting the creative juices flowing. I'm gonna try it out for a month.
      That'll make you a fantastic judge - when the time comes.
      Signature

      Do you want a 9 figure copywriter and biz owner to Write With You? I'll work with you, on zoom, to help write your copy or client copy... while you learn from one of the few copywriters to legit hit 9 figures in gross sales! Discover More

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621616].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author max5ty
    I've seen some crappy copy that turned out to be hotter than a two peckered billy goat.

    I've seen some supposedly great copy that crashed quicker than a 50 pound chunk of frozen sewage from a 747.

    Only the ever knowing and sometimes mysterious market decides what works and what doesn't.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621683].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
      Originally Posted by max5ty View Post

      I've seen some crappy copy that turned out to be hotter than a two peckered billy goat.

      I've seen some supposedly great copy that crashed quicker than a 50 pound chunk of frozen sewage from a 747.

      Only the ever knowing and sometimes mysterious market decides what works and what doesn't.
      Two peckered billy goat?

      Anyways...

      Agreed.

      Of course...

      Any material generated for Chopped Copywriting is owned by Mark Pescetti L.L.C.

      ;-)

      I'll let you know what works and what flops.
      Signature

      Do you want a 9 figure copywriter and biz owner to Write With You? I'll work with you, on zoom, to help write your copy or client copy... while you learn from one of the few copywriters to legit hit 9 figures in gross sales! Discover More

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621717].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
      Banned
      Originally Posted by max5ty View Post


      I've seen some crappy copy that turned out to be hotter than a two peckered billy goat.
      What the blazing dickens is a two peckered billy goat?

      Marcus, what kinky sex have you been up to this past month or so on that ranch of yours down south?

      Told you to stop that sheep shaggin' malarkey, you carry on like this and you'll end up a Welshman.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621733].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author max5ty
        Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

        What the blazing dickens is a two peckered billy goat?
        Sheeesh...you young kids today, I swear.

        Actually I think I first heard it at a Joe Sugarman seminar back in the 80's.

        Something about the post reminded me of something.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621948].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    I love the idea, Mark. While I agree it probably wouldn't be fascinating television (CRAP, I HAVE A CRAMP IN MY WRITING HAND!), I think it'd be fantastic for generating some amazing ideas. I know some of my best stuff comes from when I'm under pressure. Granted at that point, I'm usually steeped in research so the idea generation is a little easier.
    Signature

    Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621731].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Pusateri
    "The product is facial scrub. Your basket contains Stalinism, a dinner roll and Duran Duran. Good luck!"

    I like that it takes copywriters out of their comfort zone and forces them to take chances.

    Great fun.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621873].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
      Originally Posted by Pusateri View Post

      "The product is facial scrub. Your basket contains Stalinism, a dinner roll and Duran Duran. Good luck!"

      I like that it takes copywriters out of their comfort zone and forces them to take chances.

      Great fun.
      Oh God, I just laughed so hard I got some looks. And the thoughts that popped into my mind...
      Signature

      Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7621900].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
      Originally Posted by Pusateri View Post

      "The product is facial scrub. Your basket contains Stalinism, a dinner roll and Duran Duran. Good luck!"

      I like that it takes copywriters out of their comfort zone and forces them to take chances.

      Great fun.
      Brilliant man!

      That's exactly what I'm talking about...
      Signature

      Do you want a 9 figure copywriter and biz owner to Write With You? I'll work with you, on zoom, to help write your copy or client copy... while you learn from one of the few copywriters to legit hit 9 figures in gross sales! Discover More

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7626211].message }}

Trending Topics