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So frustrated trying to find a good copywriter...

by BrianFedor
23 replies
I've tried a few ways to connect with a good copywriter who can review the existing sales copy on my sales page. I've already taken the time to go through the checklist here: http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...-critique.html

I know that there is a huge directory of copywriters listed in the Warrior Forum's "Copywriting Forum", but I simply don't have enough time to go through all of them. Not to mention that there isn't any rating system for the people in that list.

What I'm looking for is an experienced copywriter who:
- is confident that they know how to increase conversions
- can critique and make recommendations about my existing sales copy
- won't charge me thousands of dollars to do this for me
- can show me examples of sales copy they've written, especially if it's for products that have sold really well

Anyone who doesn't fit each of these four criteria will not be considered. I'm not trying to be harsh, but I only have so much time.

[UPDATE]
After having received several great responses from forum members, I recognize that I will need to provide more detail regarding my product and its niche than I have here. I will work on this more, and will reach out to those who have commented or contacted me via PM with these details. For now, here is the link to the full sales page (the link in my signature is just for the free guide, which is different):
http://www.howdoyougetmalware.com/ho...mputer-viruses
[END UPDATE]

If things go well enough with whoever it is that I find to help me with this, then I will very well make this person my dedicated copywriter for anything I am doing or will do in the future.

Thanks in advance for any leads you can provide!
#copywriter #sales copy #sales page #squeeze page
  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    Are you a Colts fan? That costs extra.

    Regarding your quest for a copywriter, it helps if you can share an approximate budget and what niche or industry you are in.

    Here's a fairly good example of what a copywriter needs to see if they fit your situation. Good luck.

    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...wordsmith.html

    Here's some good info:

    http://www.thegaryhalbertletter.com/...opywriters.htm
    Signature
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    - Jack Trout
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  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
      Brian,

      I'd suggest that you offer a bit more specifics on your project so the right copywriters will either contact you or be recommended to you.

      Not every copywriter writes for every niche... especially the veteran ones who realize that certain niches or products don't interest them or aren't a strong suit of theirs.

      Case in point... say your product is for "underwater basketweaving".

      As the product owner, you may find it an exciting product... but as a full-time copywriter, I don't get excited about the prospect of spending dozens of hours researching the niche and studying the product... it's also a niche that I can say with 100% accuracy that it's not a strong suit of mine either.

      Also, "arm and a leg" is subjective... what one person considers to be expensive for a product or service is perfectly acceptable to someone else.

      What is your preferred budget range to hire a copywriter?

      Hope that helps,

      Mike
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      Kickstart Your Copywriting Business: How To Get Loads of New Clients FAST!

      Kick-A$$ Eight-Figure Producing Copywriting Gun For Hire | Marketing & Copywriting Blog
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      • Profile picture of the author BrianFedor
        Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys View Post

        Brian,

        I'd suggest that you offer a bit more specifics on your project so the right copywriters will either contact you or be recommended to you.

        Not every copywriter writes for every niche... especially the veteran ones who realize that certain niches or products don't interest them or aren't a strong suit of theirs.

        Case in point... say your product is for "underwater basketweaving".

        As the product owner, you may find it an exciting product... but as a full-time copywriter, I don't get excited about the prospect of spending dozens of hours researching the niche and studying the product... it's also a niche that I can say with 100% accuracy that it's not a strong suit of mine either.

        Also, "arm and a leg" is subjective... what one person considers to be expensive for a product or service is perfectly acceptable to someone else.

        What is your preferred budget range to hire a copywriter?

        Hope that helps,

        Mike
        Thanks for this, Mike! You helped me to realize that not every copywriter will be able to write in this niche, which is the computer software or computer maintenance/repair niche.

        I have pulled the "arm and a leg" verbiage since I now realize that it is too subjective. All of the great advice I'm getting from the responses here is going to help me as I learn more about finding experienced copywriters.

        Thanks again!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
    Banned
    Your thread belongs in this section Brian:

    Wanted - Members Looking To Hire You
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    Just as an antidote.

    Although none of us are seeking demanding clients screaming "I want a top quality, high result achieving copywriter but don't want to pay the price"

    Let's assume that Brian isn't inferring this.

    So he does face a frustrating problem - many people just don't know where to find us.

    Yes, he can trawl through the lists and posts, bung an Ad on MLTHY. And probably get blitzed with replies.

    Wade through dozens of "samples" which don't really prove a thing - as Mark correctly pointed out.

    He can and should do what Joe, Mike and Ken suggest and give us a lot more information.

    But he may prefer not to disclose it in an "open forum"

    It looks like he was just asking a few good people to recommend a few good people.

    You can't really blame him for doing that.


    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
      Banned
      I actually ruthlessly edited my reply Steve before you posted, no doubt whilst you were writing your reply out. Came across a little harshly and noticing the geezer was a brand new member, I thought better of it and deleted 99% of my initial reply.

      Kindest regards,


      Mark Andrews
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      • Profile picture of the author BrianFedor
        Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

        I actually ruthlessly edited my reply Steve before you posted, no doubt whilst you were writing your reply out. Came across a little harshly and noticing the geezer was a brand new member, I thought better of it and deleted 99% of my initial reply.

        Kindest regards,


        Mark Andrews
        Hey Mark! I'm not a geezer! Or were you referring to someone else?

        I must have missed your original response that you say you edited, but I appreciate you doing so if it was for my benefit since I'm a newbie.

        I appreciate everyone's patience with me!
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        • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
          Banned
          Originally Posted by BrianFedor View Post


          Hey Mark! I'm not a geezer! Or were you referring to someone else?

          I must have missed your original response that you say you edited, but I appreciate you doing so if it was for my benefit since I'm a newbie.

          I appreciate everyone's patience with me!
          All the blokes here are geezers Brian. It's a UK expression. No offense in the slightest is meant by the term.

          Btw it might help you to use the Multiquote function.

          Each reply you see from somebody, simply click on the Multiquote button, the second you do so it will switch out to red.

          Go down through the replies and to each reply you want to respond to, click it and then at the end click on Reply and everyone's comments will appear in quotes in order.

          Then it's a case of just replying to each member below their text with your own reply.

          Kindest regards,


          Mark Andrews
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          • Profile picture of the author BrianFedor
            Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

            All the blokes here are geezers Brian. It's a UK expression. No offense in the slightest is meant by the term.
            Mark Andrews
            Ha! Got it... thanks for the explanation!

            Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

            Btw it might help you to use the Multiquote function.

            Each reply you see from somebody, simply click on the Multiquote button, the second you do so it will switch out to red.

            Go down through the replies and to each reply you want to respond to, click it and then at the end click on Reply and everyone's comments will appear in quotes in order.
            Cool! Thanks for helping me to understand this feature.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
      Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter View Post


      Yes, he can trawl through the lists and posts, bung an Ad on MLTHY. And probably get blitzed with replies.

      Wade through dozens of "samples" which don't really prove a thing - as Mr Andrews correctly pointed out.
      I agree with everything Steve mentioned.

      The biggest problem I've seen with MLTHY ads for copywriting help is that most of us rarely look there. When I visit Warrior, it's typically to answer PMs or visit this section. Occassionally it's to visit the Main Discussion... but the majority of the time, it's just this section b/c I don't have hours to burn surfing this entire forum when I *should* be working on client projects. The other copywriters I talk to outside of this forum are pretty much the same pattern.

      The people are who are posting in those ads are frequently members who offer a variety of services (i.e. graphic design, article writing, copywriting, webdesign, programming, etc) and not people who specialize in just copywriting. So it definitely takes some effort to sort through those thread posts and PM contacts to determine who has the goods and who does not.

      It's a similar issue for threads for other services (like needing a top-notch graphic designer) as well.

      My 3 cents,

      Mike
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      Kickstart Your Copywriting Business: How To Get Loads of New Clients FAST!

      Kick-A$$ Eight-Figure Producing Copywriting Gun For Hire | Marketing & Copywriting Blog
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    • Profile picture of the author BrianFedor
      Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter View Post

      Just as an antidote.

      Although none of us are seeking demanding clients screaming "I want a top quality, high result achieving copywriter but don't want to pay the price"

      Let's assume that Brian isn't inferring this.

      So he does face a frustrating problem - many people just don't know where to find us.

      Yes, he can trawl through the lists and posts, bung an Ad on MLTHY. And probably get blitzed with replies.

      Wade through dozens of "samples" which don't really prove a thing - as Mark correctly pointed out.

      He can and should do what Joe, Mike and Ken suggest and give us a lot more information.

      But he may prefer not to disclose it in an "open forum"

      It looks like he was just asking a few good people to recommend a few good people.

      You can't really blame him for doing that.


      Steve
      Steve, I'm glad that you see this post of mine for what it is which is just a cry for finding "a few good people". I think I've found some!

      Once I've prepared a little more, I'll be sure to provide ample detail and information to help copywriters make an informed decision with regard to whether or not they should bid on writing copy for my product.

      All the best!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    Mark,

    I see the original post has "gone"

    But it did serve a good purpose - to keep the "bad" clients away (lol)


    Steve
    Signature
    http://www.warriorforum.com/warriors...right-now.html
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  • Profile picture of the author shawnlebrun
    Hey Brian,

    Is the copywriter you need going to work on your Malware site that's
    posted in your sig?

    I must say... the copy on that opt in isn't horrible... it's actually
    better than some that crosses my desk.

    But man, the color and design is hideous... if you just clean that
    up and put it all in one font, and use just black/red... you'll make
    it look 10 times better.

    Too many colors and different font sizes... that green headline at
    the top.. i swear I've seen it on Halloween cards.

    But seriously... if you did that copy, it's not half bad.

    Like I always tell clients... if you're ever confused about
    design or colors.... check out this little known company.

    Apple

    You can never go wrong copying their fonts/colors.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
      Originally Posted by shawnlebrun View Post

      Hey Brian,

      Is the copywriter you need going to work on your Malware site that's
      posted in your sig?

      I must say... the copy on that opt in isn't horrible... it's actually
      better than some that crosses my desk.

      But man, the color and design is hideous... if you just clean that
      up and put it all in one font, and use just black/red... you'll make
      it look 10 times better.

      Too many colors and different font sizes... that green headline at
      the top.. i swear I've seen it on Halloween cards.

      But seriously... if you did that copy, it's not half bad.

      Like I always tell clients... if you're ever confused about
      design or colors.... check out this little known company.

      Apple

      You can never go wrong copying their fonts/colors.
      Got to agree with Shawn. Both about the copy and the colours/fonts.

      I like the simple, straight-forward, language.

      I'm familiar with the market - it's a service I've offered in my locality - and it's spot on.

      In fact, the copy is very similar to what I used on my flyers.
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      • Profile picture of the author BrianFedor
        Originally Posted by Rezbi View Post

        Got to agree with Shawn. Both about the copy and the colours/fonts.

        I like the simple, straight-forward, language.

        I'm familiar with the market - it's a service I've offered in my locality - and it's spot on.

        In fact, the copy is very similar to what I used on my flyers.
        Thanks for affirming Shawn's suggestions. The market is computer software or computer repair/maintenance, perhaps even computer security. If you have experience in that market, I'd love to see what you come up with yourself. Would you be willing to share that with me here?
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    • Profile picture of the author BrianFedor
      Originally Posted by shawnlebrun View Post

      Hey Brian,

      Is the copywriter you need going to work on your Malware site that's
      posted in your sig?

      I must say... the copy on that opt in isn't horrible... it's actually
      better than some that crosses my desk.

      But man, the color and design is hideous... if you just clean that
      up and put it all in one font, and use just black/red... you'll make
      it look 10 times better.

      Too many colors and different font sizes... that green headline at
      the top.. i swear I've seen it on Halloween cards.

      But seriously... if you did that copy, it's not half bad.

      Like I always tell clients... if you're ever confused about
      design or colors.... check out this little known company.

      Apple

      You can never go wrong copying their fonts/colors.
      Shawn, thanks for this great advice! It's become clear to me that I need to provide more specifics to help copywriters know if my niche is right for them.

      I'll be working with a designer to help me get this to look better aesthetically. I guess my intent was to make it not look like a traditional sales letter that we see everywhere. But, I can see a benefit to presenting it for what it is instead of trying to mask it that something else.

      Yes, the copy would need to be written for the link in my signature. However, I have updated my original post to include the link for the full e-book sales page. (The link in my signature is just for the free offer, which is different.) Here's that link to which I'm referring:
      http://www.howdoyougetmalware.com/ho...mputer-viruses

      Again, thanks for the helpful advice… I'm seriously considering your suggestions.
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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    Originally Posted by BrianFedor View Post

    - won't charge me an arm and a leg to do this for me (However, I'm willing to pay you for your time.)
    I'm sure you understand this as it seems you value your time, but a good copywriter will want clarification on what you mean by "arm and a leg." Without that, it's a turn off. Remember, we get contacts all the time from people who think that even a measly $500 is "too much" to pay for a sales page that could double or triple their sales.

    Also, the offer to "pay for our time," sends up a red flag for an experienced copywriter. A capable copywriter doesn't charge for their time, they charge for the experience and value they bring to that time.

    It takes an expert copywriter only a few hours to create something that other copywriters would take several hours to create. Yet, the expert's product is usually 10 to even 100x more effective. So agreeing to get "paid for their time" is in essence accepting a penalty for being competent.

    Sometimes the way you communicate things changes the types of prospects you attract.

    Good luck with the hire.
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    • Profile picture of the author BrianFedor
      Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

      I'm sure you understand this as it seems you value your time, but a good copywriter will want clarification on what you mean by "arm and a leg." Without that, it's a turn off. Remember, we get contacts all the time from people who think that even a measly $500 is "too much" to pay for a sales page that could double or triple their sales.

      Also, the offer to "pay for our time," sends up a red flag for an experienced copywriter. A capable copywriter doesn't charge for their time, they charge for the experience and value they bring to that time.

      It takes an expert copywriter only a few hours to create something that other copywriters would take several hours to create. Yet, the expert's product is usually 10 to even 100x more effective. So agreeing to get "paid for their time" is in essence accepting a penalty for being competent.

      Sometimes the way you communicate things changes the types of prospects you attract.

      Good luck with the hire.
      Excellent points Seth! I do agree with everything you said here. And I did not mean in any way to imply that I don't value quality copywriting for the right reasons and would not be willing to pay for the right reasons as well.

      As with most everything, we truly get what we pay for and I'm certain that it's even more true when it comes to copywriting.
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      • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
        Originally Posted by BrianFedor View Post

        Excellent points Seth! I do agree with everything you said here. And I did not mean in any way to imply that I don't value quality copywriting for the right reasons and would not be willing to pay for the right reasons as well.

        As with most everything, we truly get what we pay for and I'm certain that it's even more true when it comes to copywriting.
        I understand, you didn't come off as an "El Cheapo" to me. But how you communicate usually has more impact than the meaning behind it.

        (good copywriting lesson in there ^ lol)
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  • Profile picture of the author BrianFedor
    Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

    Most copywriters are frustrated trying to find solid, marketable products to sell.

    If someone says he's in the relationship niche, the product is usually another rehash of get your ex back, or how to pick up women.

    If someone says he's in the financial niche, it's usually a penny stock scam, or another Forex picker.

    If he's in the health niche, it's another variation of eat right and exercise.

    I don't even want to talk about MMO.

    It would be refreshing to see some product descriptions, plans for driving traffic, graphics conceptions.

    If you want to hire a professional, act like one.
    Ken, I sense your frustration with this and I'm certainly not trying to be unprofessional... I'm just a bit of a newbie. So I appreciate your patience.

    As I get a better feel for this, I assure you that I'll be providing the kind of detail that copywriters will expect so that they can make a good decision as to whether or not my product is right for them.
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