Is copywriting intimidating to you??? Here's the solution (for me at least...)

I wouldn't call that an epiphany... I'd call it a moment of cluelessness.

Sadly, you're in for a rude awakening.

Alex

Yes, copywriting is difficult for me. So many people I approach tell me how they can coach me to be a good copywriter. I don't want to be coached. I want to hire someone to do it. I want to build a business, not just sell a bunch of products so I need to focus on building my strengths and relying on others to fill in my weaknesses. I will say, I think it's important to understand what good copy looks like. I know I've had others write for my company or companies I've worked for and have seen how they took my boring content and made it come alive.

So I'm looking for recommendations and referrals to people and companies that write great copy, and can point to proof, not just tell me they're good. Those with samples or websites they can point to.

Learning Copywriting is a never ending journey.

Sure, you don't need to be a serious student of anything, but if you want to grow you always need to be studying.

Never stop learning!

I think, if you want to be a copywriter you need to study copywriting.

Sales experience surely helps, but if you don't have any I wouldn't recommend getting some to become a better copywriter. Seems like a waste of time to me.

Instead, I would recommend reading a ton of copywriting books and writing a ton of copy.

Though, it's awesome what you're now doing is working for you. That's the ultimate "secret..." do whatever makes you kick ass!

Colm

Nothing beats "Real World Experience".

I think this could be useful for people who have a habit of getting stuck in preparation/getting ready stage, or the Paralysis of Analysis as some would call it.

I'm inspired by your epiphany, Marketing Strategist.

"Advertising is salesmanship in print." John E. Kennedy said that to Albert Lasker back in 1900.

At some point every marketer has to learn that for themselves. And then discover the best way to become good at it.

For some, a sales job does the trick. Others get mentored by people like Alex. Others load up their Kindle with copywriting books. And still others copy winning sales letters and ads of the masters by hand.

- Rick Duris

Dude,

Why have you even begun writing copy without first reading "Scientific
Advertising" by Hopkins at least a couple of times?

"Nobody, at any level, should be allowed to have anything to do with
advertising until he has read this book seven times." - David Ogilvy

And the book can be found for free online.

I'm guilty.

As charged.

I learned about writing copy - before I knew what copywriting is.

No books. No courses. No seminars. No webinars. No free reports.

I was aware of terms like open loops, positioning, future pacing or a hook.

But I made good money doing all of those things, naturally.

Then as I started reading about copy, I understood what I organically knew... and started building on my natural skills.

I'm the product of self-schooling. I love figuring things out on my own. But don't reject the ocean of amazing experience out there. It's all yours for the taking. You'd be amazed by how just learning one little thing from someone who has been around the block more than a few times can accelerate your skill-set HUGE - helping you make more money.

Read what resonates. But don't assume just because you can sell in-person that it translates onto paper. It's not that simple.

Of course, you can start writing your copy by speaking into the microphone. Get yourself some Dragon Naturally Speaking software. It's a great way to start the process.

But HOW you enter a conversation in a sales letter or VSL is VERY different than cold calling or knocking on someone's door.

Don't assume. It's the kiss of death.

And yes...

You can also just write. See how it works. The audience dictates whether it works or not.

Mark

Don't skip over study. There's so much valuable information out there.

But you're right - you shouldn't wait to start testing. Get a sales page up, and start seeing for yourself what works.

Uh, I suppose there is a similarity between coaching a basketball game and playing in a basketball game, but at the end of the day, if your objective is to WIN the basketball game, you might consider hiring someone who has the skills to actually put the ball in the basket.

Just because someone can spill dirt on the floor and vacuum it up--talking all the while about Triple Bull Elephant Suction Power--doesn't mean that person can write compelling teaser copy.

When writing a junk mail package, sadly, your reader does not have the benefit of your beautiful smile.

Ahh, the beauty of this place...so many opinions.

I've heard people rip me apart and call me much worse names than clueless. Only stoked the fire, though.

They'll only be right if you let them be, no matter which side of the argument we're talking about.

Now, now Alex. I wasn't singling anyone out or insinuating there was name-calling in this thread. Name-calling in this forum? You bet your ass.

Just trying to make a point.

Listen to the advice that makes sense to you, whether that's "give up because you suck" or "keep trying because you're about to strike gold".

Ever the eternal Susie effin' Sunshine, I prefer "keep it up".