24
In Which James Writes Something That Makes Him Squirm
I’m going to do something today that I don’t normally do. I’m also going to be really clear that I’m doing it, so that no one thinks I’m being sneaky-assed about it:
If you click this link, you’ll get a sales page. You know, the long-copy ones. The ones with yellow highlighter and bold. The ones with italics and testimonials. The ones that give you every single reason under the sun to say yes and sign up now.
I won’t apologize.
If you’re a writer, if you want to be a writer, if you want to be a better writer, and most importantly, if you want to have a better life as a writer, then this long-copy sales letter is one that I actually think you should read.
Top to bottom. (No, I’m not kidding.)
The reason I’m asking you to read this letter is because it’s about something that’s very important to me: the business of copywriting, and being a business copywriter. That’s right:
The Copywriting Success Summit 2009 is on.
Last fall, the world’s leading business copywriters came together and shared their insight in a special online event called Copywriting Success Summit 2008. It was a smash hit. Hundreds of freelance writers attended and transformed their businesses.
In fact, 98 percent said they’d attend again.
By the time I figured out I should have been a part of the crowd, my chance had passed. I did manage to get my hands on some of the material, though. (Shhh. Don’t tell anyone. Especially Michael.)
And it was good – really good. Good enough that I regretted not having been available to attend the 2008 Summit. Good enough that I found out other people turned their writing career into some serious business. Good enough that they were reaching the success they’d dreamed of.
That’s why I want you to go read that sales page. Even with the yellow highlighter and corny stuff. Here: Click this link. Go look. (You can come back.)
Wait, I’ll save you some trouble. I’ll tell you what it’s all about. Copywriting Success Summit 2009 helps you discover the best methods to market your writing business, from social media to direct marketing. You’ll learn how successful marketing campaigns were executed (so you can copy them!) and how you can achieve similar results.
The Summit even gives you play-by-play steps so you can start marketing yourself faster.
You see, that’s the problem Most writers don’t know how to market themselves. They write well, but they aren’t sure how to sell their services, how to put themselves out there, how to get clients coming to them. (In fact, most writers suck at marketing. It’s okay. Most people do.)
So these writers get stuck, waiting for something to change. I know, because I have people who are stuck coming to me all the time for help. And I like making a difference in these people’s lives. I like hearing, “It worked! Just like you said it would!”
But it takes some work. It takes the will to learn. It takes the courage to finally say, “I’m going to do something about being stuck. And I’m going to get unstuck.”
Look. I’ll be honest. I squirmed writing this post. I really did. But if you’ve been reading this blog, if you know me at all, you know that I don’t promote stuff I don’t believe in.
I tell you about good stuff. The stuff that counts. The stuff that’s worth it. The stuff that makes a difference. I believe this makes a difference.
Go read. Set your hatred of yellow-highlighted long copy aside, just this once. Click here to check out the 2009 Summit and what you’ll get from the world’s top business copywriting superstars. Stars like Peter Bowerman (author of the Well-Fed Writer), Steve Slaunwhite (author of Start & Run a Copywriting Business), Marcia Yudkin (author of Persuading on Paper), Michael Stelzner (author of Writing White Papers), Nick Usborne (author of Net Words), Chris Garrett (a Problogger author), Casey Hibbard (author of Stories That Sell), Chris Marlow (the original copywriter’s coach), Pete Savage and Ed Gandia.
You’ll have a “who’s who” team of business copywriters ready to help you succeed using practical sales and marketing tactics that work
Not interested? No harm done. But maybe… just maybe… this’ll be the stuff that makes the difference for you. And one that helps you start earning a decent living online.
Oh, and one more thing. If you sign up for the Copywriting Success Summit now, you get 40% off. That’s $200 savings if you sign up before September 24.
And if you don’t sign up? You still get a gift that’s just for writers, and just because you read about the Summit. (Despite your hatred of yellow highlighter.) The gift is valued at $42, and it’s yours just for taking a look. Click here to claim it now.
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8 Responses - Leave your comments too!
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James is reading:
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Taylor is reading:
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Social Hookups
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Sold!
James… you gotta stop writing these posts. You know how I trust you and will buy…
But hey – sounds good.
Patrick Vuleta´s last blog ..Using the law to protect your own land
Hi James,
I count on people in the know to help me filter the good from the bad. I’ve been following Michael’s White Papers information for a while and your endorsement gives credibility to both of you. So, rather than “squirming” I consider this post as if you are being a good neighbor. Just as my good neighbor might suggest a new restaurant or update me on things in our condo association….
My reluctance to jump in is always based on two things: cost and learning style. Cost is obvious. What I have learned about myself and my learning style is I am more of an interpersonal learner (see Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences) than I ever knew. This is soooo outside my comfort zone when I sit by myself day after day trying to figure this all out. I need to think/talk things through, have someone to go to for the tech stuff, and then build starting small and having even one success.
I take a lot of risks in my everyday life because I have to. And, I have lots of bullet holes from my efforts. So, thanks for helping me focus on the right stuff, and thanks for the push.
I will read the free material, just as I watch Michael’s videos when he gives them. I just don’t see anyone in the field of education paying for a white paper, and I haven’t found a good hook into the business world–yet!
@ Mary – One of the things I always look at when deciding whether I should recommend something or not is cost versus potential payoff.
Yes, something that’s $250 sounds like a lot of money up front, but if you break it down, that’s less than $25 a month – and most people don’t think twice about spending *that*.
Then, if that $25 a month teaches you something that lets you bring in $250 a month… Well, math isn’t my specialty, but it does seem to lean in favor of yes.
Keep in mind that the Copywriting Summit isn’t about white papers. It’s about the business of copywriting at large – and I’m not even sure it does touch on white papers!
Anyways, just some thoughts to toss out there. I know that many peers of mine have taken a chance on big-ticket items and it’s paid off a good deal. I wouldn’t recommend it otherwise.
@ Pat – It still made me squirm. It’s tough these days to say, “I think this is good,” without people thinking, “Ah geez, now JAMES is trying to sell me?” just because too many other people are doing just that.
Ah well.
James,
Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I’ve been working for nearly 4 years and have always felt something was missing from my marketing arsenal. I’ve been lucky that clients seemed to materialize when I needed them, but this has slowed – while my bills have not. While spending $200+ right now makes ME squirm, I sense the payoff could be huge. And your breakdown of $25 per month just made sense. Thanks again for writing this post. I hope you’ve stopped squirming.
I wonder if they’ve tested the “talking head” that loads the moment you hit the page. I was about to read the headline, and then this woman starts talking to me
… so I lose focus on the headline. Ah, but I nitpick. No doubt it increases conversions by XYZ%.
Anyway, I agree that most writers don’t know how to market themselves, and it’s just going to get worse as more people become freelance writers, thinking that if they put up a resume on their website, that’s enough. No it isn’t, not by a long shot! (I wrote an ebook on this very subject.)
So while I won’t be attending myself this time round, I can see why this summit would be a “good thing” for writers to attend. Writers aren’t going to get much business unless they sell themselves.
Paul Hancox´s last blog ..Blog Branding – 3 Reasons To Brand Your Blog
I’m one of the 98%.
It really is a great boost to have all this information and optimism (and tips) from a variety of people who are succeeding in the field.
I hadn’t been in the copywriting field for a few years (at home with my kids instead) and this boosted my confidence and gave me some tricks. I’m still absorbing some of the material!
I paid $250 or so for the conference, and immediately landed a $1000 job as soon as I started reaching out to former clients after the conference ended. And it was the conference that gave me the confidence to ask fair market value from my client.
If you can find the cash and are serious about copywriting, I’d recommend the course too.
Gah, now I sound like a sales letter.
Julie´s last blog ..Create Your Own Kindle eBooks
I’m an amateur writer/blogger who just found your site this afternoon. I had not even heard of the copywriting summit. You inspired me to do a little research, and I’m going to seriously consider attending. Furthermore, I am going to spend a couple days browsing through your posts. I’ve learned tons already by reading only a couple of your articles. I just wanted to say thank you for all the info.
Adrian´s last blog ..Tired of Rejection Letters?
James,
why do you make it so easy to say “yes”? Maaan…I wish I weren’t in Israel right now..
Igor
Igor Kheifets´s last blog ..Win A Free Copy Of My Never Before Seen $47 Ebook “How To Develop A 6 Figure Mindset In 30 Days Or Lessâ€