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How I finally pulled my head out and got out of my own way

by Keeslover
7 replies
It was so simple that I'm still kicking myself.

For the last 3 years, I've been working under another copywriter doing full websites, landing pages, press releases, emails, blogs, and running FB pages. Since I was subcontracting, the money was up and down (mostly down), but I learned a lot and am thankful for the experience. She decided to pull back most of her outsourcing a couple of months ago, so my income has plummeted to very little. I never lost my faith that I would bounce back, but financially it's been difficult.

We spent Thanksgiving with some friends who own a bar and grill. I sent a Facebook message thanking them for their hospitality and let them know I could take over their dormant fan page.

A couple of weeks later, I had an idea... why not let people know what I do and how I can help them? So that's what I've been doing. This past Sunday, we went to our friends' bar, and he grabbed me right away and asked if I'd help them with Facebook. I start next week.

I've had two bites this week. One is an article writing project I start on Monday, and I'm talking with the other on Tuesday. I'm reasonably certain that will be another ongoing social media gig.

ASK. All they can do is say no, and chances are the answer will be YES.
Put yourself out there and tell 'em what you can do for them.

I wonder what my life would be like now if I had done it six months or a year ago. What an idiot I was.

Have a great holiday!

Melody
#facebook #finally #head #lead generation #offline marketing #pulled
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Here's something else you can do if you hit a slow spot. Go to Clickbank and any other affilliate directory and go through all the product sales pages. Some of them flat out suck.

    Then hit the vendor with a short personalized email on what you can do to help. Point out one or two of the glaring issues on the page but don't disclose all the problems.

    As you pick up assignments you'll be building your portfolio and your reputation.
    There are copywriters out there that get LOTS of work doing this. Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Keeslover
    Thanks! Your post brings up a question - when I was working with the other writer, we tried doing a couple of full-length sales pages. Results were mixed, so we decided to focus on the shorter landing pages and websites. I guess this is more for the copywriting forum, but how do you handle it if your "improvements" don't help as much as expected? I would feel like a big piece of doo-doo if my changes weren't very successful.
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    • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
      Originally Posted by Keeslover View Post

      Thanks! Your post brings up a question - when I was working with the other writer, we tried doing a couple of full-length sales pages. Results were mixed, so we decided to focus on the shorter landing pages and websites. I guess this is more for the copywriting forum, but how do you handle it if your "improvements" don't help as much as expected? I would feel like a big piece of doo-doo if my changes weren't very successful.
      Confidence, woman! Hold your head high and repeat: I rise to the occasion.

      Here's what I would do. At first only tackle letters that are obviously flawed. So freakin' bad a little kid could see it. Once you get a couple of those under your belt move up a notch at a time.

      The mistakes you'll find in copy are almost always the same. Follow this outline: AIDA

      A = Attention. This is most often the pre-header, the headline and the sub-header. They need to grab the reader by the lungs and shake him.

      I = Interest. Does the initial copy capture the reader's interest? It often doesen't because the writer starts to blather on about him or herself and forgets they're writing for customers.

      D = Desire. The copy should be building desire in the reader as s/he goes along.

      A = Action. You want the reader to take action and buy. This is also refered to as the call to action.

      If you need to, subscribe to some of the hot copywriter's newsletters and head over to the copywriter's forum on this site and look at the books and resources in the sticky section up top. Then come back and tell us how ya doin'
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  • Profile picture of the author HypeText
    Melody, I received your PM but am a few posts shy of being able to PM here...so I responded via your Facebook Profile.
    Signature
    (916) 520-HYPE (4973)
    Local & Mobile Marketing Solutions
    $0 Setup & $99/mnth Private Label Reseller Accts
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  • Profile picture of the author steve72b
    keep it up!
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    • Profile picture of the author REHughes
      Hi, Melody

      Great to hear your story. I am in the process of trying to get out of my own way also, and am right now in the planning stages for my NEW 2012.

      But, a thought just hit me that I haven't thought of, and it might work for you.

      Have you considered doing before and after screen shots, or something of that nature, of sites you take over and revamp, just as personal testimonials for your own business site?

      Not sure if it would work or not, but you see those everywhere now, and SHOWING what you can do instead of just telling might be the "straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back" in some situations.

      Anyways, just a thought.

      Hope all works well for you.

      Robert
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