For years, I've touted Direct Response Sales Copy as the most lucrative niche a freelance writer can master to have a very high profit, virtually no overhead business. That is still true, but, when it comes to those who are writing copy to promote their own products, services and ideas, there is something much more powerful... Content. This week's episode discusses the power of Content Marketing. Tying every piece of your content into a worldview that is always in integrity with your company's vision. When your audience understands and appreciates your vision, your sales copy doesn't need to be nearly as "salesy" because people know what to expect from your brand. They're already sold - you just need to deliver the message. Take Apple for instance. They have spent decades carefully crafting their brand, but not just through ads. Every decision is carefully made staying consistent with their reputation. From the packaging, to the product colors, their customers know what to expect, so much so that thousands of them don't even need to see a sales page or television commercial...they just need the release date of the latest product and they're in. That's powerful. How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This is an exciting week! On Thursday, 12/9/21, 5 p.m. Eastern, I'm offering a free Copywriter's Strategy class that will teach you everything you need to know to get a high profit, low overhead, writing business up and running for the new year. This week's episode gives you an overview of the deep dive we'll be taking on Thursday's class. The topics I want to cover are better presented in a live, interactive format, so I encourage you to attend if you're reading this before the event. I want you to have a complete understanding of every aspect of how to get started, how to scale and how to have your own writing business and your dream, work-from-anywhere, lifestyle. I'm teaching it all AND answering your questions, LIVE this Thursday. Get signed up for the class By Clicking Here. Links COPYWRITER'S STRATEGY CLASS - This is my upcoming Free Masterclass that takes place live on 12/9. I'll teach you how to build your own, profitable writing business - with my help, or on your own...I'll cover all the bases. Don't miss this! Click the link to register How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This week's episode is about America's next big crisis and how to prepare for it. I'm not an economist, but I do study many experts and most of them are saying that America is headed for a crisis...a perfect economic storm brought on by lack of retirement savings and an aging population whose ability to work is diminishing. "But Ray...aren't you usually the positive thinking, 'look on the bright side' kind of guy? What's with this fear talk?" I AM a positive thinker...But I am not one who ignores reality. I don't think it takes an expert to know that millions of people exhausting their savings, borrowing against their home equity and exiting the market place is going to cause hardship in the not so distant future. BUT - There IS a bright side - One of the brightest I've ever seen! I'll share it with you in this week's episode. [00:51] The next problem we should be prepared for [01:28] Part One: The coming American Economic Crisis [02:43] The 3 forces fueling the crisis [05:55] My 5 Part Action Plan to prepare [06:01] Eliminate debt [06:34] Minimize taxes and expenses [08:00] Diversify your income streams [09:08] Define your MVP (Minimum Viable Prosperity) [10:23] Maximize your ability to produce income [11:34] Taking advantage of new opportunities [13:05] Why start a business now? [14:21] Here's how you do it [15:22] Who are the most successful creators? [16:48] Mastering the greatest business skill [17:35] But...I'm not a salesperson [19:36] Earn while you learn [22:17] How to make it work [22:52] Get started right away   Links Permission to Prosper - Ray Edwards COPYWRITER'S STRATEGY CLASS - This is my upcoming Free Masterclass that takes place live on 12/9. I'll teach you how to build your own, profitable writing business - with my help, or on your own...I'll cover all the bases. Don't miss this! Click the link to register How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This week, there is much to discuss. Here in the US, Americans are getting set for Thanksgiving and the retail holiday that follows, Black Friday. For the first time, my company is participating in Black Friday. Tune in and I'll give you the reasons why we are (and why you should be, too...even if you are exclusively online). But that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I also want to make a very clear point: You are a writer...Even if you don't think you are. I'll teach ways to improve your persuasive writing by organizing bits of knowledge into blocks of information you can use to create original, compelling content. And of course, I'll discuss the title of this week's episode: The Creator Economy. [00:17] You are a writer [03:26] The numbers matter [05:28] What is marketing? [07:10] What is Black Friday [09:19] Using the calendar to join the conversation [11:47] Why you should have a Black Friday deal [14:16] But I don't have a retail store... [16:29] Paying attention to what's happening in the culture [17:35] Reaping the rewards from your ideas [20:05] Your backup brain [20:47] The magic notebook [24:44] Great sales copy is assembled...not written [28:36] Organizing your blocks in a meaningful way [31:32] Product Launches [34:25] Putting it to work for you [35:44] The Creator Economy [38:01] Capitalism in it's purist form [39:26] The transparency era [41:57] What's the point?   Links How To Take Smart Notes - Sönke Ahrens Building A Second Brain - Tiago Forte` Our First Black Friday Deal - Get an incredible course (previously $500) to help you start your own, profitable writing business for only $7, through the end of Cyber Monday How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

We're nearing the end of 2021, but we still have almost 7 weeks left. That's 13% of the year still to come. Way too much time to start coasting to the finish line. The last few weeks of the year, most people will disregard their goals and dismiss the rest of the year as though it's the last day of school. Not me. Yes, I will take time off from work and be with my family, but I’m also going to do things that lead me closer to my goals, not farther away from them. Look, you can author a new story for yourself starting today. You can start living your best life, today. Or you can do what everybody else is going to do and defer your goals to some future date that will probably never get here. It’s up to you. This week, I'll tell you the 7 domains of life you should always be working to improve, regardless of the date. 7 Domains of Life You Should Improve [07:52] Faith [08:51] Fitness [10:11] Family [10:48] Finances [12:28] Friends [12:38] Fun [12:59 Fulfillment How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Over the years, I have trained many professional copywriters, but the actual writing is only part of what I teach. In order for a student to be successful as a writer (or any entrepreneurial venture), they need to know how to launch, run and grow their business. This leads to me getting asked various forms of this question numerous times each week: "Should I start my business now, or wait until things are a little better?" Here's the short answer - Do it now! In this week's episode, I'll back that answer up with 5 great reasons to get started A.S.A.P. - Whether you're talking about launching a business, publishing a book, starting a podcast...whatever it is, NOW is the time. DISCLAIMER: Before you jump in, let me tell you what has this on my mind in the first place. I've been attending Jeff Walker's latest masterclass. These are free sessions and YES, I do attend! I send notifications to my tribe about them because they're amazingly beneficial, free content. In fact, giving away content that is *actually beneficial* is one of the key principles of Jeff's program. It has been the main roadmap for my own business since I first bought it in 2005. The reasons I list in this podcast are things that I believe are 100% accurate. They DO NOT require you to purchase anything - I would never release an "infomercial" for my product or someone else's unless I flat out stated that up front. IF you are interested in following this roadmap that has generated over a BILLION dollars in revenue, then I encourage you to use my affiliate link. Yes, I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you), BUT more importantly, I will be working through the program with you if you purchase with this link. Each year, I pay the small maintenance fee to get the latest version of PLF. I have done this since 2005. I don't do it because Jeff and I are buddies (he's doing just fine financially and doesn't need donations from friends). I buy it because I use it to make money - Every single year! So this year, I'm inviting any members of my tribe (if you're reading this, that's you) to go through the program with me. After doing this every year for 16 years now, I'm more than qualified to help guide you across the finish line. Okay...now that I've fulfilled my Full Transparency Guarantee, let's get on with the show! Five reasons to launch now [05:07] Reason 1: The world has shifted to online. [06:07] Reason 2: The technology has never been easier [07:00] Reason 3: You don't need a following [11:22] Reason 4: There are plenty of examples to model [13:50] Reason 5: Access to help, support and community Links Jeff Walker's Product Launch Formula - Ready to launch? This is the latest and greatest version of PLF - The roadmap that I use in my own business. **Remember, purchasing with this link does not increase the price, but it does allow you to go through the program with me and other members of my tribe. I can't wait to help walk you through it. If you're a go-getter who just needs a path...this is THE one. How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This week, I'm introducing you to someone who is helping to change lives - in particular, the lives of Christian entrepreneurs around the globe. David Lee Martin is not only a student of mine, but he has become a great friend and respected colleague. In our conversation, David and I discuss his early beginnings as a spiritually hungry adolescent, to his ministry, to his life as an entrepreneur. David has many lessons to share (enough to create his own successful academy) and I think you will find great inspiration in his story, both as a Kingdom Entrepreneur and as a Christian in today's world. [00:51] Who is David Lee Martin? [02:10] Encountering the Holy Spirit while on an acid trip [03:23] Learning the tech to deliver the word [04:38] Realizing the possibilities [06:35] The big mistake many authors make [07:33] More on that...trip you took [15:29] One of but a few things (steeping into your purpose) [20:32] The Christian Creative Academy [24:41] The experience for students [29:32] Who is this for? [33:39] Closing advice...don't overcomplicate things Links https://christiancreative.academy - This Christian based academy teaches its members how to express the message God has given them and deliver it to others. https://davidleemartin.com - David's blog and podcast https://faithfulcreativebook.com - "Discover How Christian Authors, Artists, and Entrepreneurs Are Breaking the Mold & Making a Difference" How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

For this week's episode, I wanted to get back-to-basics and give you the nuts and bolts explanation of who I am and my philosophy of writing persuasive, direct-response copy. I had done this already for someone else's podcast back in 2018 as a guest host. That someone was the great Jeff Goins, and he gave me permission to use that audio for this week's episode. I have a ton of respect for Jeff and the work he puts out, so if you're not familiar with him, I recommend you check out his blog, best-selling books and podcast. You'll find the links below. If you're a regular listener of my podcast, this week's content will seem familiar, but I encourage you to jump in for a succinct review of the copywriting process; specifically, the P.A.S.T.O.R. framework. This universal framework (to sell products, services, or even ideas) gives you a starting point for every piece of copy you'll ever write. [01:55] Get to know Ray [02:56] Ray's career in broadcast radio [04:19] What is Direct Response Copy? [06:45] The value of good copy [07:29] What is copywriting and why does it matter? [08:26] Everything is copy [09:38] The P.A.S.T.O.R. Framework [10:24] P - Person, problem, pain [12:47] A - Amplify the pain, give asperations [14:30] S - Story, struggle, solution [15:07] T - Transformation and testimony [16:18] O - Offer [17:30] R - Request a response Links https://trainwithray.com - If you're serious about becoming a stellar, in-demand copywriter, check out this page https://goinswriter.com/hey - This is Jeff Goins's new podcast called Hey Creator which I highly recommend. While you're there, make sure you check out his blog and his best-selling books. This is the kind of stuff your entrepreneurial brain needs! How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

We're a couple of weeks into 4th quarter 2010 (October-December), but it's not too late to make more money in this last quarter than you've made so far this year. No matter what your business, this week's podcast lays out a simple plan for you to CRUSH your goals for the year, rake in the revenue, and pile up profits. How great would it be to start 2022 with that amazing momentum? [00:45] Getting prepared for your 4th Quarter Miracle [01:12] Put the past in the past [02:39] Define your objective [03:14] Calendar your plan [03:38] Ray's Unpopular Ruthless Rules of Revenue [04:09] How to make a great offer? (Alex Hormozi's book) [05:06] High profit offers [06:05] The O.P.E.N. Scale [09:00] Frictionless Path To Paradise [09:40] Two elements you need to add to your offer: Urgency and Scarcity [11:00] The more offers you make, the more sales you make [12:32] Operation Money Magnet [14:28] Action Plan (Commit to the challenge, create a Money Magnet offer, market your offer EVERY DAY on EVERY MEDIUM) [16:07] Read the mind of your marketplace...with your calendar [20:31] Crafting your copy (same offer...different clothes) [20:57] Join my free copywriting community on Facebook   Links From This Week's Episode $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This may blow a few minds, but I, Ray Edwards, direct response copywriting evangelist and educator, am telling you that Copywriting, alone...Is not enough. Today's sophisticated, high-paying client demands that you have more to offer. This week, I'll tell you what other skills you must possess to thrive, AND give you an actionable checklist that will simplify the process of getting you (and keeping you) in high-demand. [1:49] - The dirty little secret of the copywriting world (The title says it all.) [5:40] - The Race to the Bottom - If you win, you lose...big time. [8:17] - Becoming the brand of You (Mike Kim's book will make this abundantly clear - Link below) [9:54] - Two fears you must overcome - Here's what happens when you finally get in the spotlight [13:28] - Why you need an exit plan - Keep the end game in mind. [16:32] - Coaching programs - In my humble (but accurate) opinion, these are the best ways to learn [17:45] - Action guide checklist - A few questions to get you started. Links From This Week's Episode Last Week's Episode (538) - If you missed last week's episode, How to Create Products Out Of Thin Air (With a 99% Profit Margin), I suggest you check it out. It's the first of this 3-part series. You Are The Brand This is the new book from Mike Kim I mentioned in the show. This should required reading for those wishing to create a brand built on their personality, ideas and reputation. I highly recommend it. How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.