Category Archives: Copywriting Tips

Copywriter Pinpoints Who’s Best To Trust

Tim Ferris recently wrote “The Four Hour Body.” It’s title was modeled after the best-selling book, “The Four Hour Work Week.”

Two non-fiction books, on completely different topics, and yet the same author.

What makes Tim qualified to write these two non-fiction books with such large scope?

Well, first, Tim’s work was fitness related so the topics aren’t too far apart for him. But I’d also argue it’s his methodology.

It’s Tim’s methodology that allows him to share intelligent information on a variety of topics. And it’s Tim’s methodology that allows me to trust him on any subject.

I once asked a friend what he looks for in an “expert.” He said he looks for someone with experience.

And that’s a good one. But someone can have years of experience doing things the wrong way.

Instead I look for someone whose methodology includes testing. I look for someone who constantly tests old assertions.

Because there are many “experts” that pass along “hearsay” as fact. And their advice is often worth less than nothing – it often causes harm.

On the other hand Tim takes the time to put these assertions to the TEST. He tests everything.

If you read “The Four Hour Body” some of his tests could end up making you feel nauseous.

The important thing is, he discovers the truth:

3,500 calories does not necessarily equal one pound.

I try hard to live up to my ideals. And that’s why I test for nearly every client I write copy for.

Who do you trust? Do they have experience? Good.

Now the big question, do they test?

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Business Tips For Empty Restaurants

Let’s see if you’ve ever made this business mistake.

A little more than a year ago I decided to try a Thai restaurant with a friend. We chose the place based on a recommendation. But quickly thought we may have the wrong restaurant.

The parking lot was empty on a Friday night. Not good for a dining establishment. And we quickly confirmed we were the only ones eating when we got inside.

No big deal. Maybe the place was still being discovered.

We were seated right away, but that was the only thing that happened quickly. The service was incredibly slow even though our voices echoed through the empty restaurant.

Took a long time to order. Took a long time to get our beverages. Took a long time to get our food. And the trend continued when it was time for the check.

We’ve never been back and it looks like the place closed. But you know what the most ridiculous part of it was?

While we turned in to Rip Van Winkle waiting for service we were forced to listen to the owner make phone call after phone call trying to bring in business.

Hey. Props for hustling. He called a nearby hotel and told them he had just sent people their way and asked if they’d return the favor. He called another hotel next door to see if they’d be willing to recommend his restaurant to guests.

That’s hustle and that’s smart.

But buddy. You had customers sitting in you restaurant and you didn’t take care of them.

You wouldn’t have to work so hard to get new customers if you took care of the ones you have.

A lesson for all.

What’s your worst restaurant experience?

Is there a business lesson you could share from a dining disaster? Leave it in the comments.

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Happy Hour 2/11/11

I’m ready for an amazing weekend. It’s been a fantastic, productive week. And I gotta thank you for that.

We had a successful contest. New commenters are coming out of the wood work. Sold a couple domain names. The twitter conversations are great. The strategy sessions are beginning.

Congratulations – we’re accomplishing big things here. Here’s your Friday happy hour to start the weekend.

Nailed-It Blog Post
I recently asked on Twitter what people think about the word “but” in copywriting. I notice I often use it at the start of a sentence when writing freeverse, then go back and edit most of them out. Matt Fox sent me his take on how the words “but”, “and”, and “even though” can affect perception. Check it out at his blog on persuasion strategies.

Nailed-It Blog Post
This blog post is a little different. Check out what Pat of Smart Passive Income is doing at his blog. He’s listing and itemizing his monthly income for the whole world to see. If you want to see what’s possible with IM, check it out.

From My Life
I’m quickly approaching my 8th year as a freelance copywriter. February marks my last month of year 7. I must have hit my 10,000 hours by now, yes?

Songs To Start Your Valentines Day Weekend

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Successful Entrepreneur Traits

When I was 17 I called my state and asked if I was too young to get a business license. They said I was old enough, I got my first business license for “Hungry Dinosaur Creations” and started making some extra cash.

Another successful entrepreneur trait? You bet. We often start young.

In fact, at 6, I was the one selling baseball cards and candy to my older siblings for a profit. (I also did some non-profit work lending out my books like a library.)

When did you start your entrepreneurial journey?

Leave a comment and I may feature you in a future blog post. And word around the campfire is links from within the content of a blog post are extremely valuable, so you’ll be getting more than your money’s worth :)

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Tabitha’s Salon Takeover And Kitchen Nightmares

Let’s just start with this. I’m not a big fan of watching a ton of television. And lately I’ve been enjoying reading “The Four Hour Body,” “1491″ and “End The Fed.”

But there are a few good TV shows that I’ve noticed lately. I mentioned a few posts back that I just watched my first season of “The Apprentice.” That’s a fun business show even though the contestants are often terrible sales people.

And I’ve found two more business shows that I enjoy AND contain good business lessons.

1) Tabitha’s Salon Takeover (Bravo) and
2) Kitchen Nightmares (Fox)

The focal point of both shows are business savvy entrepreneurs in Tabatha Coffey and Gordon Ramsay. They know how to run a business, and their job is to teach it to business-illiterate business-owners.

There are lessons abound for all business owners, Internet entrepreneurs included.

One of the first things Gordon does is simplify the restaurant menu. Every copywriter has had a chance to give that advice before.

And a recent show with Tabitha was very comical indeed when the salon owner revealed she was sending out mailings starting with, “Frankly, I’m shocked you haven’t come in for a haircut.”

Who hasn’t heard that line in the IM niche!?

So the shows are easy to relate to your own business and great for motivation. What would Tabitha or Gordon have to say about your business?

If you check them out, let me know.

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The 2nd Best Personal Productivity Cheat

To understand the 2nd best personal productivity cheat, you have to understand the first one.

And yes, I realize that highlighting the 2nd productivity cheat first seems wrong. But you’ll understand in a moment.

The best personal productivity cheat is to measure. Measure your productivity and compare it against the different cheats you implement. Measure your productivity on Monday and compare it against Friday.

Measure. Measure. Measure.

Truly, measuring is the most important tool in any endeavor that requires change. It’s part of the scientific method:

Scientific Method

- Define the question
- Gather information and resources (observe)
- Form hypothesis
- Perform experiment and collect data
- Analyze data
- Interpret data
and draw conclusions that serve as a starting point for new hypothesis
- Publish results
- Retest (frequently done by other scientists)

For copywriting, I might measure how long it takes me to start on my first project after I wake.

Or I might measure how many planned tasks I finish each day.

Or I might measure… it doesn’t really matter. As Tim Ferris points out in The Four Hour Body, even measuring the wrong things can produce positive results as long as it’s consistent.

For example, measuring how many tasks I finish each day may not be too accurate if my tasks very wildly in the length of time they take to complete. And they do. But overtime, and as the tasks begin to repeat themselves, this noise can be cancelled out. (It can also be cancelled out with reason (and hopefully not rationalizing)).

So again, what’s the number one productivity cheat? Measure every attempt to improve productivity.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way…

What’s the number TWO best productivity cheat?

A new one.

For some psychological reason that’s probably not too hard to figure out, new productivity cheats seem to work best. And work best when you MEASURE them.

Maybe it’s because the cheat is new and exciting. Maybe it’s because it’s a change of pace or scenery. Maybe it’s because you’re curious to find out the results of your new, exciting cheat.

Regardless, new productivity cheats tend to do the most for your productivity.

If you have a productivity tip that might be new for my readers, please share it in a comment below.

Also posted in Business Tips, Productivity & Success | Tagged , , | View Comments

Selling Without The Selling

I watched The Apprentice this year for the first time and was amazed at how most of these “geniuses” lack selling skills.

Steuart Martens in particular, a struggling entrepreneur was trying to sell ice cream by pointing a finger at people walking through a park and shouting, “Hey you! I know you want to buy ice cream!”

Or something like that. Amazingly he was one of the BETTER salesmen.

Steuart should remember the maxim, “People hate to be sold but love to buy.” A salesman pointing a finger at someone is all it takes to create buyer-resistance.

A headline that screams…

“Skyrocket Your Profits” (828,000 google results)

or

“Explode Your Business” (9,930,000 google results)

…with a huge exclamation point at the end is just like pointing a finger in the visitor’s face.

It’s not a good idea. And there is a way to fix it.

Instead of selling with hype, sell with ideas.

When a technique gets so popular that “everyone is doing it,” stop doing it. It’s probably lost much of it’s effectiveness.

And finally, sell by offering SERVICE. And not by throwing exclamation points around like darts.

Also posted in Affiliate Copywriting, Internet Advertising Tips | View Comments

Copywriter Explodes His Business… None Injured

What I’m about to share will make other copywriters grin.

It involves a topic every copywriter experiences. But first, let me share a story.

Last Monday I changed the PHP code on my application form. You know, the form people fill out when they wish to hire me.

It was a small change, so I didn’t think much of it. Didn’t test it either.

Well as it turned out, I BROKE it. DESTROYED it. An enthusiastic copywriter might even say I EXPLODED my business. (No injuries reported yet.)

So my application form ceased to take applications.

A freelance copywriter could go broke very fast this way. :)

Thank goodness something inside my head reminded me to test it the next day. And that’s when I discovered the error and was able to fix it.

The moral is – be sure to test even small tweaks. They DO matter.

And now the part that will make copywriters grin. Ever had a conversation with a client that went like this?

Client: Sales have suddenly dropped, how can we fix it?

Copywriter: Let me take a look… (Pause)… Wait, how come you changed the headline?

Client: Oh it was just a small change, it shouldn’t make much difference.

:)

Riiiiiiiiight.

Copywriters and marketers – you’ve gotta test the small tweaks as well as the big ones.

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Copywriting Proof: Beyond Testimonials

When legendary ad man Claude Hopkins applied to work for Swift & Company behind 105 other applicants, he knew he needed to make an impression.

He immediately asked other Chicago ad men to personally write Swift & Co and let them know what they thought of Claude Hopkins. That’s social proof, and much like you’d see in testimonials.

But was he satisfied with mere testimonials?

Nope. He did more.

He did something anyone can do, but rarely will do. He made sure to get himself published in his local newspaper.

He wrote an advertising column for the newspaper and it ran twice a week. He offered to write the column for free just for the credibility.

(You know which famous IM guru writes a regular newspaper column on Internet marketing? Jim Edwards.)

Claude Hopkins then began sending the published columns to Swift & Co. Now he has been lent credentials as a columnist and has the backing of a newspaper for more social proof.

He got the job.

I wonder if anyone in today’s business climate could use this strategy… :)

Could you use it in your online business?

Would “columnist” look good before your name? Would that add credibility?

If you can’t write a weekly column, there’s still a decent chance you can get a reporter to write and publish a story about a local business person.

If you check out your local newspaper, you’ll notice this is very common. And many of the Internet marketers who are “killing it” swear by it.

Also posted in Business Tips, Internet Advertising Tips | View Comments

My #1 Tip For Instantly Boosting Conversion Rates

Want my #1 tip for instantly boosting conversion rates?

I gave it to Ryan Healy a couple of years back, and I’ll give it to you in just a moment.

I was reminded of the #1 conversion boosting tip when I read this on Terry Dean’s blog

“Any experienced marketer can tell you that it’s not the copy that’s most important on your site. It’s not even the offer, although that is as close as it comes to winning.”

What is the most important piece of your sales page? Terry Dean and I both agree…

…the VISITOR is the most important part of your site when it comes to conversion.

If you want more sales, you need to make sure your visitors are HUNGRY for what you’re selling.

Terry brought up the “hungry crowd” concept made famous by Gary Halbert. It’s the idea that your best advantage over competitors isn’t an amazing product, price or offer… it’s a crowd that’s HUNGRY for what you’ve got.

That brings us to my #1 tip for instantly boosting conversion rates. Ryan Healy asked me the question in an interview and I responded:

9. What’s your #1 tip for instantly boosting conversion rates?

This probably isn’t what you’re looking for. But it’s the first thing that came to mind: Find a higher quality traffic source.

If your copy is converting at 3% from traffic on Adwords, you’re likely to get higher than a 10% conversion from an endorsed mailing. So it’s important to seek out those partnerships when you see that sales are coming in.

If you want to get more sales, find a better traffic source! (You may want to check out another blog post, “How Traffic Sources Affect Conversion” to do that.)

That’s my #1 tip for instantly boosting conversion rates.

Also posted in Business Tips, Internet Advertising Tips, Traffic | View Comments
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