Copywriters Podcast

In this podcast, the host discusses the key elements that elevate copywriters from good to great. They focus on gaining confidence, understanding the target audience, and overcoming challenges. The importance of developing real confidence and connecting with the audience on a personal level is highlighted. Stay tuned for more insights on unleashing creativity and crafting compelling ideas.

Dive into the chaotic world of 'crunch time' in copywriting, where pressure makes creativity soar. Discover the importance of preparation and how to turn stress into growth through personal anecdotes. Learn practical strategies for managing high-stakes situations, like routines and checklists, that can enhance your writing efficiency. Plus, explore the wild ride of podcast production and the balance needed to keep stress at bay while delivering quality work. This is where true transformation happens!

We have a special Report from the Field today that reaches deep into one man’s family. Our guest is Joshua Killingsworth, and while people’s last names usually have nothing to do with anything else, in this case, it holds a clue. Because Joshua Killingsworth’s copy is killing it. He’s got a webinar and sales page promo, for example, that converted 65% on a one-thousand-dollar product. He’s created a three-email sequence that is making over $20K a month for a client. With a tiny list, yet. And maybe that’s because he had no choice. Four years ago he was going to lose his share of joint custody of his daughter unless he was available on some weekdays. He became an “accidental copywriter” as a result. Today he’s going to share some of his secrets with you. 1. How did you get into copywriting and what is your background? 2. You have an avatar and empathy map you’ve developed. Something I’ve never heard of before! And you say that you believe the research that produces leads you to higher than normal conversions. Tell us about that. 3. What are the steps you use in your writing process? 4. Where do you get angles from, for your hook, your subject lines. 5. You mentioned you verify everything before the writing actually starts. Not everyone does that. Why do you and what’s your process? 6. A lot of copywriters aren’t sure how to size up a client ahead of time. You have a process for doing that – would you share it? 7. Finally, what takeaways can you give people who want to write their own copy? 8. And if someone wants to contact you, what’s the best way to do that?Download.

A few weeks ago, we had Joe Schriefer on the podcast in a special “Reports from the Field” episode. Joe said something that changed my life, and I’ve been thinking about ever since. As you may remember, Joe heads up Agora Financial, and he was one of the key players in growing it from $25 million a year to $250 million a year. The show as about how to scale up a business dramatically the way Joe has. What Joe said that kept ringing in my mind was: To grow a business big, think like the business is small. In other words, don’t get grandiose. Just do the normal things you do, but do them increasingly better. Don’t get private jets and a yacht. You would think a quarter-billion-dollar business should have a private plane, right. But that’s not how they do things. And that’s important. So it got me to thinking. There are so many people urging others to “think big.” And so many people who have these wild-ass plans that almost always disintegrate into dust. Why is that? What are those people misinformed about? And what can we all do differently so we can think bigger and actually profit long-term from our thinking and our actions? Probably the first thing is to listen to this message: Copy is powerful. You’re responsible for how you use what you hear on this podcast. Most of the time, common sense is all you need. But if you make extreme claims… and/or if you’re writing copy for offers in highly regulated industries like health, finance, and business opportunity… you may want to get a legal review after you write and before you start using your copy. My larger clients do this all the time. 1. What “Thinking Bigger” Means In copywriting and entrepreneurship, it means expanding your vision – the scope of what’s possible. - most common example: increasing your revenue/income - other examples - increasing the number of clients at the same time - increasing the number of different products you sell 2. Why It’s Important Business only moves in one of two directions. Up – it gets larger, or down – it gets smaller. If you try to stay the same size, it’s really a series of episodes of getting larger, then smaller, then larger, then smaller. What a waste of time and energy. If you keep getting smaller, you eventually go out of business. So the only logical way to go is to get larger. To grow. And you need to think bigger to do that. But you need to think in the right way. 3. The Mistake Most People Make - Think of a road trip. You have a map, you have a destination, you think that’s enough. - The thing most people overlook, and this is the big mistake, is they don’t prepare for - what to do when you get a flat tire - how to deal with a road that’s washed out - what happens when you get lost - That is – they don’t know how to solve all the nitty-gritty problems and unexpected events that occur along the way - So, they end up doing what they call “failing,” and give up - There’s a way to avoid this common mistake, and that’s what we’ll talk about today. 4. The True Path - Foundation - You need to get good at the basics - If you’re a copywriter, there are a few skills you need to have under your belt before you venture into the “big time.” Like.. - Research - Coming up with creative hooks - Writing in a persuasive way - Negotiating and maintaining relationships with clients - Meeting deadlines - If you’re a business owner, there’s also a set of core skills you need to have at a certain level of proficiency - Don’t expect you will pick these up “later” after you start to “think bigger.” You need to have them in your toolkit wherever you are now, before you start to go for big, massive goals - You may have heard different. I’ve never seen it end well when someone’s reach exceeds their grasp. Like the old saying goes, you need to prepare, to win. - Why You Can’t Think Bigger Until You Can Sweat The Small Stuff - Large is just a multiplication of small - As hard as it is for most people to come up with good ideas, coming up with ideas is the easy part. - Many people who are good at ideas think implementing is the hard part. - But implementing is easy compared to solving problems that occur, especially problems you weren’t expecting. - Solving problems when the heat is on is really the primo skill - And the only way you’re going to do that confidently and competently in a big way is by getting repetitive practice doing it in a small way. - What I’ve Observed In Big Thinkers I Know Personally - They’re obsessed with details – the right details - They draw on their own experiences and advice they’ve gotten from others who have at least as much experience as they have. Not too much on theory or other kinds of abstract ideas - They’re great problem-solvers. Very creative in that way even if they’re not like your typical creative personality. - They’re decisive. And once they make a decision, they take action. - They’re not huge braggarts or overly humble. More like, matter-of-fact, but just in the larger picture that they see. - My Own Path - I started very “big” – as the news editor of a national magazine in New York, and, I was told, the ambassador for McGraw Hill to Asia, as San Francisco Bureau Chief - It was all a bunch of bullshit. Of course, I didn’t know that at the time. - Because: I knew how to report and write articles, and edit articles. I was really good at those things. But… I really didn’t know how to solve problems, manage teams, motivate individuals, or bring in revenue. All of which you really need to do to grow a business, even if the teams and individuals are outsourced contractors and organizations. - I started over when I was 40. I built skills from the ground up and started very small. I had to. I was broke and I didn’t know what I was doing. - These days, I focus on tiny little details my former self would have scoffed at. Not all the time. But I’ve learned to identify and focus on what’s important, and when it comes to solving a problem at the granular level, I’m right there. - To give one example: Often when I do a critique, I’ll find four or five crucial things that can keep a client out of trouble and lead to a huge increase in the conversion from the copy. Being able to identify and suggest that small number of things comes from having worked with hundreds of businesses and having reviewed thousands of sales letters over the last 25 years.Download.

Exploring the journey of successful professionals in various fields, the podcast discusses the absence of similar stories in copywriting and introduces the concept of 'copywriting grad school'. It highlights the value of practical experience, market feedback, and choosing the right courses led by industry experts like John Carlton and Kevin Rogers. Emphasis is placed on continuous education, mastermind groups, and mentorship for aspiring copywriters seeking advanced skills.

Discover the intriguing world where copywriting meets emotional storytelling. Unique 'Breakthrough Copywriting DNA' concepts reveal how emotional action sequences can boost sales across industries. Learn to harness emotion to break down barriers and drive consumer engagement. Personal stories emphasize the often overlooked recognition of hard work and its impact on marketing strategies. Get insights into reframing traditional work ethics for today's consumers, plus the secrets of crafting compelling, emotion-driven copy!

Direct marketers often disdain TV commercials for lack of real selling. However, the beauty of emotional storytelling in advertising can't be ignored. This discussion highlights the power of Emotional Action Sequences, which can enhance copy by effectively tapping into emotions. You'll learn valuable techniques for crafting narratives that resonate deeply with audiences, the subtle art of evoking emotional triggers, and the challenges of expressing feelings without visual cues. Discover how entrepreneurs use emotions as fuel and the importance of understanding buyer personas for impactful messaging.

Donald Burns once helped the world's most hated man find a job. How'd he do it? By using copywriting methods while writing his resume. After all, what is a resume, if not a sales pitch for yourself? Donald gets into what works and what doesn't when it comes to resumes. He's written them for some of the most successful people out there. He even has some tips for copywriters on how they can better promote themselves. This one is a little bit off the beaten path, but jam-packed with gems that you don't want to miss. Donald's Website Executive Promotions LLC Find Donald on LinkedInDownload.

Daisy Luther, known as The Organic Prepper, runs a popular website focused on preparedness and health. In the discussion, she reveals the powerful journey of transitioning from corporate life to content creation. Daisy shares her impressive content output and insightful strategies for leveraging current events to engage readers. She emphasizes the hard work behind financial success in affiliate marketing, the importance of understanding your audience, and the challenges of diversifying income streams in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Discover the enchanting power of surprise in storytelling and copywriting! From the unexpected twists in music and film to the emotional rush they create, surprise captivates audiences. Learn how the Beatles and thrillers use it to break monotony and engage deeply. Practical tips on integrating surprise into your writing can revitalize your marketing strategies. Plus, find out how surprising elements can enhance both relationships and sales copy, making your message more relatable and impactful!