The Copywriter Club Podcast

One of the things we love about The Copywriter Club Facebook group is that we have members all over the world… in just the last 60 days, members from 99 different countries on every continent except Antartica—places like Bulgaria, Colombia, Lithuania, Nigeria, India, and of course the UK, US, Australia, and Canada—have stopped in to read posts, ask questions, comment or just learn from the advice and wisdom shared in the group. Our guest for the 225th episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast is SEO copywriter and content strategist, Chima Mmeje, who like so many others, joined the group and used the information she found there to hone her business as she started looking for clients. And now, she’s paying it all forward. She talks about: •   studying LinkedIn for lead generation (then landing her first client with her very first post!) •   the reason we should focus on human content just as much as expert content •   articulating her process in order to raise her prices •   blogging to generate organic leads and answer frequently asked questions •   her initial struggle of finding her value — and building her authority as an African copywriter...and so much more •   Chima also spoke about The Freelance Coalition for Developing Countries — the initiative she started to pair experienced copywriters, marketers and creatives with their counterparts in developing countries. Click the play button below, or scroll down for a full transcript. And if you haven't yet, subscribe with your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.   The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: Chima's webpage Chima's LinkedIn Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground   Full Transcript: Kira:   One of the things we love about The Copywriter Club Facebook group is that we have members all over the world. In just the last 60 days, members from 99 different countries on every continent except Antarctica... Places like Bulgaria, Columbia, Lithuania, Nigeria, India and of course, the UK, U.S., Australia and Canada, they've all stopped to repost, ask questions, show up in the group, comment or just learn from the advice and wisdom shared in the group. Our guest for the 225th episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast is Chima Mmeje, who like so many others, joined the group and used the information she found there to hone her business as she started looking for clients. And now, she's paying it all forward. Rob:   We'll share Chima's story and how she's paying her experience forward in just a minute but first, this podcast episode is brought to you by The Copywriter Underground, that's the incredibly valuable membership for copywriters who are ready to start investing in their business, improving their sales skills, their proposals and building a network that supports them with ideas, leads and more. As a member of the Underground, you have access to a full sales training course, our proposal training course, the persuasion training course plus dozens of other trainings to improve your copywriting, your mindset and marketing your own business. To learn more, visit the thecopywriterunderground.com. Kira:   As we like to do, we started off by asking Chima how she ended up as an SEO copywriter and content strategist. Chima Mmeje:   I used to work for a company that are based in the UK. I worked with them remotely from 2017 until April 2019 and while I was working with them, most of the content we're creating was for these big SEO agents in the UK, they were the biggest SEO agents in the UK at the time. And I realized that I always had the most fun when I was writing content for them, as against writing content for clients in other industries. And my boss used to have a background working with Google, so he was always very helpful in answering questions and my interest kept growing. So by the time I left, I played around with several industries,

Today’s guest for the 224th episode of The Copywriter Club podcast is Bree Weber.  Bree has a somewhat different approach to cold pitching than some past guests we’ve had on the podcast.  One that takes a lot more time, but also seems to get better results.  We ask her not only to divulge all of the secrets to her process, but she also shares a pitch she used to land a big client. One we think will make you want to pause this episode and take note.  Scroll down to have a listen. A few other things we discussed were… •   how she became a copywriter through a process she calls business roulette •   what pet photography, video game streamer and Super Meat Boy all have in common •   what is ethical cold pitching and Bree’s process for making it effective •   how Bree created credibility and authority in her pitches when she had “no portfolio, no fancy names to drop or real stats…” •   how she reinvented herself after losing all of her retainer clients in 2020 •   Bree’s fears and anxieties she’s worked through when it comes to sales •   what she’s done to turn cold pitching on its head; taking it from stigmatized to impossible to ignore •   why Bree is getting responses from prospective clients within minutes instead of days or never •   how Bree creates space in her schedule for thinking intentionally about her business •   what to avoid in your call to action, so you don’t turn prospective clients off •   what advice she would give to herself 3 years ago to fast track her business growth •   breaking down how she uses video to follow up with clients instead of just another email •   tips for bypassing years of experience many need to work with major brands and dream clients •   why Bree stays open in all aspects of her business •   what persuasion techniques have worked for Bree in her pitches •   how to make clients say “thank you” for your pitch instead of just deleting it •   why Bree says to get comfortable with “trying on an identity” •   what has surprised Bree most about her time in the Copywriter Think Tank •   Kira and Rob’s advice on taking “imperfect action” and surrounding yourself with action takers The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: The Copywriter Think Tank Laura Lopuch Chris Collins Belinda Weaver Bree's Masterclass offer for our listeners Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground   Full Transcript: Transcript is underway...

Copywriter and philosophy graduate, Chris Collins is our guest for the 223rd episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast. He's a member of the Underground and the Copywriter Think Tank so we've seen first hand how cold pitching has transformed his copywriting career and helped him get the clients he wants.  We knew this is something we wanted to hear more about directly from Chris, so we asked him about... •   how being a mommy blogger launched his career •   how he saved himself hours of time streamlining his pitching process and scaling it •   how he got past his fear of cold pitching •   exactly how many emails should you send to your email list? •   the importance of building relationships versus up leveling yourself •   why just learning “stuff” isn’t enough •   what to do if you don’t have money to invest in yourself or your business •   why research is critical for a stand-out cold pitch •   Chris's highest converting subject line – averaging over a 90% open rate •   how he combines automating with personalization •   his not-so-secret shortcut for how he built his copywriting business from 0-10K per month in the same year •   his advice on pitching if you’ve never had a client •   what his graduate studies in philosophy taught him about strengthening his copy •   what he did right in the beginning of his business that you should too •   Rob and Kira’s advice on getting started and dealing with rejection To hear more of what Chris has to say, scroll down and hit the play button. Keep scrolling for a full transcript and, of course, you can subscribe with your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode. The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: reply.io The Copywriter Think Tank The Copywriter Accelerator Chris's LinkedIn christophercollins.co Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground   Full Transcript: Kira:   There's an old cartoon that was published in the New Yorker Magazine of a dog in front of a computer, and the caption says, "On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog." That might ring true for a lot of copywriters who write for clients in voices that don't quite match their own, like our guest for the 223rd episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast, Chris Collins, whose first assignment was writing content for a mommy blogger. In real life, Chris is an academic, doesn't have kids and gravitates to philosophy, not family planning. We asked Chris how he transitioned from mommy blogger to SAS, and in the process, he revealed a ton of tips about the ins and outs of cold pitching. Rob:   But before we dive into Chris's story, this episode is brought to you by The Copywriter Accelerator. That's our program for copywriters who want to build a solid business foundation for everything that they do. Members of The Accelerator work through eight different modules together, and those modules cover topics like branding, pricing, client management, getting yourself in front of the right clients, and a lot more. If you've struggled to get transaction in your business, or you're making a change in the kinds of clients that you want to work with, the kind of work that you want to do, or any other thing in your business, you simply want to get better at your processes and the services that you sell, you owe it to yourself to learn more at thecopywriteraccelerator.com. Kira:   Let's jump in with a question about how Chris got started as a copywriter/ mommy blogger. Chris Collins:   My first gig was being a mommy blogger, and that wasn't necessarily where I wanted to be as a writer or where I wanted to start out, but it was just honestly the first gig that I got. I had just been thinking, "Well, maybe I can try my hand at writing online. I'm a pretty good writer. Let's see how that'll go." And the first client I found, she ran a sleep consultancy to help new moms. And she was looking for a blog writer and I sent he...

What does it take to build a successful business from scratch? We're talking about going from nothing to 6 or even 7 figures as a freelancer.  Well as you know, it's not one simple thing, but a combination of a lot of things from choosing a niche and building your network to encouraging referrals and building multiple streams of income.  Our guest for the 222nd episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast is Brandi Mowles.  We talk to her about her step-by-step approach for creating a successful business that can work for you.  In this episode we discuss: •   why doing "what she's supposed to do" didn't work out for her •   why Brandi went to law school with zero intention of working as a lawyer afterwards •   why she chose to lean into network marketing and what that has to do with the "glass ceiling" •   how she took a leap of faith and went all in with her online businesses •   whether or not there is a grace period for niching down - her take on it •   her journey from VA to Social Media Ads Manager to Coach and Business Strategist •   what she did to stand out and market her services for free •   the biggest personal lesson Brandi learned in direct sales and how it changed her perspective on work, family and her identity •   what Brandi calls the GIF effect and why it’s so important to your business •   why you should only choose ONE thing to change every launch •   dealing with trolls •   why the first 24 hours after the first contact is so important for delighting your clients and how Brandi does just that •   creating your own referral program and getting leads from your best clients •   building a win-win ecosystem with other freelancers •   why she wants you to have 2-3 revenue streams and how she's done that for herself This episode is filled with tips you won’t want to miss. Scroll down and hit the play button, or scroll a little farther to read a full transcript. Or download the episode to your podcast player. Better still, subscribe and never miss an episode. The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: The Copywriter Accelerator Bonjoro Brandi’s website Beta to Biggie Accelerator Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground   Full Transcript: Transcript is underway...

For a lot of us, being a copywriter is something we just stumble upon accidentally. And for most beginners, it’s getting harder and harder to know what to do when you’re starting out. Our guest for the 221st episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast is Delesia Watson. If you’re a beginning copywriter, or you want a fresh approach on how to approach marketing and the world of copywriting, then this interview is for you. To hear everything that Delesia shared, scroll down and click the play button. Or download this episode to your favorite podcast app. You can also find a transcript below. We also talked about: •   how Delesia’s went from social media writer to copywriter •   Delesia’s start in Public Relations and how it helps her as a copywriter •   Delesia’s interview process that puts prospects and clients at ease •   A look into what her first year in business looked like •   Power of storytelling: Why it’s important •   Choosing the right words—what works and what doesn’t •   The importance of story and voice •   Underselling copy -- what makes the website fail •   Pitching -- how to get the right clients •   The kind of clients she works with •   Delesia’s secret to leveraging yourself without opening your wallet •   Her secret tip on how to market yourself •   A pet peeve—the one thing she hates doing the most in her business •   Can you succeed without knowing your niche yet? •   What Delesia wishes she knew in the beginning and what she knows now •   Rob and Kira’s advice to beginning (or struggling) copywriters The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: The Copywriter Accelerator Women Don't Ask by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever Ask For It by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever Bencivenga’s Bullets The Gary Halberd Letter Free and Inexpensive Resources for Copywriters Delesia’s Youtube Channel: Life is Deleesh Delesia’s Website The Copywriter Club Website Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground   Full Transcript: Kira:   Who grows up thinking “I want to be a copywriter”? Somehow we all seem to arrive at this point in our careers after working as teachers, marketers, even professions like nurses and attorneys. Our guest for the 221st episode of The copywriter podcast is Delesia Watson, who like the rest of us, found her way into copywriting accidentally. But her background in communications, teaching, pageants and PR prepared her perfectly to make the jump. Rob:   But before we dive into Delesia's story, this episode is brought to you by The Copywriter Accelerator. That's our program for copywriters who want to build a solid business foundation for everything that they do. Members work through eight different modules all together, covering topics like branding, pricing, client management, getting yourself in front of the right clients. If you've struggled to get traction in your business, or if you're making a change in the kinds of clients that you want to work with, or the kinds of work you want to do, or you simply want to get better at processes and services that you sell, you owe it to yourself to learn more at thecopywriteraccelerator.com. Kira:   Let's jump in and find out how Delesia accidentally became a copywriter. All right, Delesia, we want to start off with your story as we always do. How did you end up as a copywriter? Delesia Watson:   That is hard to say, accidentally. I wasn't planning on becoming a copywriter or becoming a writer, I just knew that I was good at writing. And so my friends would ask for help writing papers and essays throughout my entire life. And then eventually I saw an opportunity to work with a smaller agency that was writing tweets. This is back in, I think 2015, they were writing tweets for thought influencers. So I was writing these people's tweets about technology or about business. And so that was something that I could add to my resume.

How did last year affect your business? 2020 was hard on a lot of copywriters, but somewhere in all the chaos, many of them found a way to not just survive, but thrive. In this episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast, we invited Claire Pelletreau to interview us about the past year, our own struggles, the changes we’ve made to our businesses and a lot more. We think the next year is full of potential and can’t wait to get started. Here’s what we talked about: •   how Claire set up her business to take maternity leave •   the surprises that came as she took time away (and overcoming failure) •   the mindset shifts Claire dealt with during her leave •   the lessons we learned during 2020 (and Rob’s dream about COVID) •   how we learned to like having a team to support our business •   the pivots we had to make in our business this year •   why we didn’t change our marketing sooner… waiting for pain •   how the various programs at The Copywriter Club work together •   the shift from live to virtual and how things got better •   what we know about TCCIRL in 2021 so far… •   how the past year has impacted us personally •   our pep talk for what to expect in the next year •   our predictions for 2021—what we think is going to happen •   getting copywriters to use more Facebook ads If you want a little more insight into our businesses and what we did over the past 12 months, this is the episode to listen to. Scroll down and click the play button. Or subscribe with your favorite podcast app. You’ll find a full transcript below. The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: Get Paid Podcast with Claire Pelletreau The Courage and Clarity Show with Steph Crowder The Copywriter Accelerator Todd Brown Charlie Gilkey Jereshia Hawk Brian Kurtz Claire’s website Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground   Full Transcript: Transcript is underway...

We’ve been lucky to be mentored by several copywriters and marketers over the past few years. We met one of our mentors—Brian Kurtz—when we interviewed him way back in the beginning days of The Copywriter Club. He’s our guest, for the second time, on the 219th episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast. We asked Brian about his stroke, how he’s changed his business this past year and a lot more, including: •   using excuses to NOT do what needs to be done •   how Brian predicted COVID with changes he made to his business •   retiring from all the things you don’t like to do •   Brian’s massive stroke and the impact it had on his business •   the legacy Brian wants to leave to future generations •   what he’s learned from the greatest copywriters ever •   why copywriters need to own their own media •   the different ways businesses have pivoted over the past year •   the different “clicks” on the dial that solve your client’s problems •   what he’s learned by starting a membership community •   his strategy for getting his members to renew each year •   what it would take to have a career like Brian’s today •   why Brian—the strategic schmoozer—hates networking •   the persuasive reminder that Brian keeps in his wallet •   how he implements reciprocation into everything he does—and why •   the “ask from nowhere” that doesn’t work and how to avoid it •   his advice to anyone going through a serious challenge right now •   givers and takers and where they land on the success ladder It was great to take a few minutes to catch up with Brian. To hear the interview, scroll down and hit the play button. Keep scrolling for a full transcript and links to the things we mentioned. And, of course, you can subscribe with your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode. The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: Brian’s book: Overdeliver overdeliverbook.com CoCo Dan Kennedy Gordon Grossman Robin Robins Stefan Georgi’s RMBC Influence by Robert Cialdini Give and Take by Adam Grant Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground   Full Transcript: Transcript is underway...

One of the things that keeps waaaay too many copywriters from achieving their goals is fear. Which is a little odd because it’s not like our work puts us in dangerous or risky situations. We’re not fighting fires or facing down bad guys. And we’re not standing on a trapeze platform high above the ground, mustering the courage to jump. But that’s a very real situation that Annie Bacher, our guest for the 218th episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast has experienced. She told us about it—and the lesson it holds for copywriters everywhere—in this interview. We also talked about: •   how she went from writing about Argentinian circus artists to writing for clients •   the “fear-less” lesson Annie learned from her trapeze artist that changed her outlook •   the importance of the early career feedback Annie got from her first boss •   the “what not to do” lessons she learned in her first copywriting job •   the catalyst for leaving her job and going out on her own •   why doing your own thing doesn’t mean you’re working on your own •   the different ways Annie has grown (and changed her biz) over the last year •   how cutting down on what she does has made business more enjoyable •   when Kira and Rob feel the “fear” in their work •   lightning decision jams and how she’s made them part of her business •   a framework for brainstorming solutions to sticky problems •   how you can create a workshop offer for your own business •   the “big promise” for the client when they participate in an LDJ •   the kinds of clients who are best for a workshop like the LDJ •   Annie’s experience in the Copywriter Think Tank—what she likes most •   what she’s struggled with in her business •   the advice she would give to Annie from a few years ago •   what we thought about the LDJs that we experienced •   why it’s okay that nobody has it all figured out This is a great interview packed with ideas you can use in your business. To hear it, scroll down and click the play button. Keep scrolling for a transcript. Or download this episode to your favorite podcast player. The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott Annie's website Miro The Copywriter Underground Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group   Full Transcript: Transcript is underway...

When it comes to creating the belief that you can deliver what your clients need, or that the products and services you write about will deliver a real transformation, nothing works better than a good demonstration. Our guest for episode 217 of The Copywriter Club Podcast is film maker and story teller, Jude Charles, who loves to talk about his formula for demonstrating proof. We covered a lot of ground in this interview, including… •   how Jude became a brand strategist and story teller •   why he wrote 11 “books" about his future life and whether he got it right •   using 10 year blocks to figure out where he is going •   the teacher who gave him a set of business cards and kicked off his career •   how he struggled to earn a few thousand dollars and the moment he almost gave up •   the difference between perspective and vision (and getting the right lens) •   figuring out the marketing and sales process to land better clients •   what copywriters should do to help clients understand what they can deliver •   what we all wanted to be when we “grew up” •   why sales and marketing doesn’t end when a client hires you •   what Jude covers in his roadmapping sessions—the stories he’s looking for •   how Jude uncovers the hidden stories his clients should be telling •   the differences between telling stories in copy and video •   coaching clients to understand that what they share is actually interesting •   why strategy is such an important part of what copywriters do •   why a film maker came to our event TCCIRL, then wore a cape the following year •   what it takes to raise your prices from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars •   the confidence folder—and how Jude uses it to boost his performance •   the moments in his life that led to big leaps in mindset and success As usual, this episode is definitely worth a listen. Scroll down to find the play button… and a little farther to find a full transcript of the interview. But what you really should do is subscribe on your favorite podcast player so you never miss an episode. The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: Stefan Georgi Ramit Sethi Ben Settle The Promo Jude Made for Us TCCIRL Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground   Full Transcript: Kira:   David Ogilvy once wrote that visual demonstrations are effective because they help visualize your promise. They save time since you don't have to talk about what your product does, you can simply show it, and they are also memorable. But too many copywriters miss the chance to demonstrate the impact of their products and services, or their client's products. Our guest for the 217th episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast is Jude Charles. Jude is a brand strategist, storyteller, and filmmaker who's passionate about the power of demonstrations and visual proof. Rob:   But before we dive into the demonstrations and proof, this episode is brought to you by The Copywriter Underground. That's the membership community designed to help you create a more successful copywriting business. As a member, you have access to more than 60 hours of insightful training, group coaching calls, copy teardowns and reviews, weekly creative exercises, and our exclusive print newsletter mailed directly to your home. Go to thecopywriterunderground.com to learn more. Kira:   This is actually our second interview with Jude, the first one was lost when we had a technical glitch. So, we're thankful that Jude came back at all to answer our questions all over again. And with that, let's jump in. All right, so, Jude, let's start with your story. How did you end up as a brand strategist, storyteller, and filmmaker? Jude Charles:   So, I have always been interested in storytelling. From a very young age, eight years old, I wasn't the kid that would be outside playing basketball or football, even inside the house,

Writing copy with personality is hard. So what does it take to do it? We invited copywriter and brand ventriloquist Justin Blackman to talk about how he does it for the 216th episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast—and to give us an update on everything he’s done since our first interview with him way back in episode 59. If you’re looking for ways to write with more personality, this interview is for you. Here’s what we covered: •   a recap of what he’s done in his business for the past 4 years •   how he doubled his salary a year after leaving his full-time gig •   how important building his authority was—and the result •   when it’s time to move on to the next thing in your career •   recreating your job/career as new opportunities arise •   what it takes to build the confidence to move forward •   taking on big challenges as a way to grow your authority and business •   the investments Justin has made in mindset •   how Justin’s ego kept him from writing his best work •   Justin’s advice to anyone who feels like they aren’t as far along as they should be •   how to write with more personality—the formulas that work •   how to figure out your own unique voice •   why so many voice guides are useless and what to do instead •   Justin’s WTF framework and how it captures the 3 parts of brand voice •   the things we’ve done in our businesses to change our mindsets •   Kira’s brand strategy guides and what they include •   the program he’s created to help others write with personality •   how he gets everything done—it starts with working on his own stuff first •   how to have fun while working as a copywriter •   his tattoo story—this goes back to what he said about ego getting in the way As usual, this is a great episode you won’t want to miss. Scroll down and hit the play button, or scroll a little farther to read a full transcript. Or download the episode to your podcast player. Better still, subscribe and never miss an episode. The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: Episode 59 Never Lose a Customer Again The Go Giver TCCIRL Linda Perry Lianna Patch Abbey Woodcock The Codex Persona Ian Stanley Liz Painter Prerna Malik The Big Leap by Gay Hendrix Justin’s website The tattoo video Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground   Full Transcript: Rob:   Writing is hard, but writing with personality or perfectly capturing the personality of your client is even harder, but that's what Justin Blackman does. Justin is our guest for the 216th episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast. He stopped by to share how his business has changed since the last time that we spoke in depth about the Headline Project way back on episode 59. Kira:   Before we do that, this episode is brought to you by The Copywriter Underground, the membership for copywriters of all experience levels who want to invest in their businesses and grow. As a member, you get more than 60 hours of video training courses on marketing your business, improving your copywriting skills and fixing your mindset so you're set up for success. Learn more at thecopywriterunderground.com. Rob:   Okay. So let's jump into our interview with Justin. Kira:   Let's kick this off. My first question I even wrote down was, dude, what have you been up to the last year? Question mark. Question mark. Question mark. Because I feel like you've taken off. And I don't think it's just me because we talk about you and we say good things in our circles, and I feel like you just have, I don't know, like you just are doing the right things and it's paying off and you've put in a lot of hard work too that is worth acknowledging. But it just seems like you're doing really well. And so I am really excited to hear about what you've been doing, the changes you've made, and how it starting to pay off for you too. Justin:   See, I think that's the fun part because the last couple of mont...