So you want to be a copywriter with Bernadette Schwerdt

Copy School & Australian Writers' Centre
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Aug 15, 2021 • 45min

COPYWRITER 018: How to transition from journalism to copywriting and double your income

Glenn Peters started out as a music journalist, turned to copywriting in his mid-thirties and has never looked back. He is now one of Australia’s busiest copywriters and is consistently rated by the top creative directors as their copywriter of choice. He’s worked with Jeep, Crikey, ANZ, Telstra, Coles and writes for almost every medium – long copy, short copy, online, print, TV, radio, direct response and more. There’s not much he hasn’t done in his long and illustrious copywriting career. In this episode he talks to us about: where he finds copywriting inspiration when he’s stuck for ideas or lost for words how he came into copywriting late in his career (and why starting late was an asset, not a liability) why he prefers copywriting to journalism (and why copywriters get paid so much more) when (and where) he found his ‘identity as a copywriter how to give ourselves permission to be a copywriter the ‘war’ between copywriters, ‘suits’ and clients and copywriters and how empathy can be the superpower that resolves the conflict the power of long walks to generate creative inspiration and why his ‘art walks’ fuel his creative energy how to make your copy more active (hint: get rid of words that end with ‘ing’) why clients are as scared of you (the copywriter) as you are of them how to inspire the client to be more honest with you and give you more helpful feedback why fear is a critical component of creativity why deadlines are a good thing tips on how to write long copy, create a ‘tone of voice’ and how to write copy that’s funny About Glenn Peters For over a decade Glenn has been entrusted by many Melbourne agencies including DDB, Ogilvy, Whippet, Cummins & Partners, Penso, TBWA, The Royals, Noisy Beast, The Brand Agency and Big Red to solve their clients’ problems. Digital, TV, Direct Marketing, Radio, Print, OOH, you name it, he’s written for it. Financial services, telcos, big retail, automotive, sports or FMCG, you name it, he’s sold it. His life passions are his family, music, being president of his local cricket club, and barracking for Collingwood Football Club. (We won’t hold that last one against you Glenn!) https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennpeterscopywriter/?originalSubdomain=auhttps://glennpeterscreative.com/meet-glenn-peters/ Read the show notes Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Aug 1, 2021 • 49min

COPYWRITER 017: How to present your work to your client with Mark Farrelly

Presenting copywriting work to a client strikes fear into the hearts of even the most confident copywriters. Why? Because we’re afraid of the response we’re going to get back. Will they like it? What if they don’t? Will I get paid? Will I ever work again? The temptation is to just email it, hope they read it and pray that they like it. But is that the best way to present our copy to the client? Is that the best way to get our work approved? The best way to showcase our considered thinking that underpins what we wrote?  Are there other ways we can present our work and if so, what are they? This episode is all about how to present your work to the client so that you can increase your chances of getting it approved quickly, get more work and build a long standing, trusted relationship with the client.   You’ll learn how to: Use a Creative Rationale to present your work Use email, Zoom, or a hybrid approach to get best results Deal with objections to your copywriting work Manage client expectations Educate clients on how to give you a better brief Put clients at ease so they give you the best feedback Distance yourself from taking criticism personally Mark Farrelly, one of Australia’s most versatile copywriters. Mark began his long & successful advertising career at Ogilvy and Mather, working on well known brands like BMW, Shell, Hungry Jacks, Kit Kat, Smarties and Violet Crumble. He then moved to the iconic advertising agency, M&C Saatchi Senior Writer/Creative Group Head where he worked on brands including Morning Fresh, Cussons Imperial Leather & others. His work on The Age, Sportsgirl and Colonial First State assisted the agency to win the B&T Agency of the Year Award. Read the show notes Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jul 18, 2021 • 35min

COPYWRITER 016: How to find your first copywriting client with Bernadette Schwerdt

You can’t get a job without work experience - but you can’t get work experience without a job. This age-old chicken-or-the-egg scenario stops talented copywriters from getting started. But there is a way around it.  In this podcast Bernadette talks to us about: finding your first client creating the marketing collateral clients need to see to hire you starting small and use online events to start networking elegantly overcoming imposter syndrome believing that what you have is useful and of value following up without feeling nervous identifying your niche creating your copywriting pitch and deliver it with aplomb. Mentioned in this episode: Copywriting Essentials How to Build a Successful Freelance Copywriting Business SEO Copywriting Copy Club Read the show notes Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jul 4, 2021 • 39min

COPYWRITER 015: How to get freelance work through an agency, with leading copywriting recruiter Vicki Anne Craigen

For many copywriters, finding paid work is problematic. You need to find the clients, do the negotiation, get the brief, do the invoicing, and much more. But what if you could have someone do it all for you?  Someone who could find the clients, place you in the role, take care of the negotiations, organise the finance, so that you just turn up and write! You’ll never have to source work for yourself again, and you’ll get to work with high profile clients too, which will look great on your portfolio. Wouldn’t that be great? Well, that service does exist and it’s called Creative Recruiters.  And the woman who runs it is called Vicki Anne Craigen, and I spoke with her to get the low down on how new, mid range and experienced copywriters can use recruiters to help them find paid work. In this episode, you’ll learn: What a copywriting recruiter looks for in a copywriter What copywriters are being paid    How to put your portfolio together, even if you don’t have any experience What kind of copywriting work is in high demand What the future of copywriting looks like (hint: it’s exciting!) What not to do when applying for work with a recruiter What to do on your first day in a new freelance job What skill sets you’ll need to get the copywriting work of the future Why trained copywriters will always outrank untrained copywriters Mentioned in this episode: Creative Recruiters Australian creative industry salary guide 2020-21 Read the show notes Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jun 20, 2021 • 45min

COPYWRITER 014: Internet copywriting superstar Adil Amarsi on how he earns $100,000+ per copy job

Adil Amarsi is a copywriter, business consultant, and podcaster best known for his ability to write story-based, direct response copy for sales pages, email sequences, websites and more. Between late 2007 and the end of 2020, Adil has made his clients over $821 million in sales and revenue using his advice, copy, and strategies. His clients have included Jay Abraham, Dov Baron, Tony Grebmeier, and many more.    With 17 years of copywriting experience under his belt, Adil is known as one of the greatest underground copywriters working today.  He has written copy for over 400+ industries. In this episode, I talked to Adil about: the ‘storyselling’ process he uses to write copy the 17-step process that underpins his ‘storyselling’ process why he still experiences The Imposter Syndrome (and how he deals with it) the art of creating squeeze pages how he earns $100,000+ per job for a few hours work the copywriter he admires and respects  the power of using Artificial Intelligence in copy, (and its limitations)  Mentioned in this episode: Adil Amarsi’s website Connect with Adil on LinkedIn ‘The Laws of Human Nature’ by Robert Greene ‘48 Laws of Power’ by Robert Greene Read the show notes Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jun 6, 2021 • 26min

COPYWRITER 013: AI expert Suzette Bailey on using artificial intelligence to write your copy

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we live, but it’s also changing the way we write copy.  In this episode we talk to Suzette Bailey who is an expert at the building AI platforms that help us write copy – and lots of it. If you fancy writing a 500-word article on a specific topic of your choice, in under 30 seconds, or writing a LinkedIn article that makes you look like an expert at the same time, this podcast is for you. In this episode you discover how: AI can be used to write professional quality copy in seconds  to write Facebook posts, LinkedIn posts, emailers and more using Ai to use keywords to get the exact copy you need  schools and uni students and teachers will need to revise the way they write and assess assignments in the future AI is forcing us to redefine what creativity, originality and thought leadership really is To use AI ethically If you’d like to learn more about how you can become a successful copywriter and join a community of other copywriters, get upskilled, find work opportunities and more, take a look at copyclub.com.au, Australia’s newest and most exciting copywriting community. If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave a review. Free offer: Discover how easy it is for AI to write your copy. Sign up here for a free account and get free credits to use. https://bit.ly/3upyzmm About SimpleMarketing.ai and Suzette Bailey In 2018 Suzette Bailey was a successful information management advisor for  government agencies. When she pivoted to help small business owners to systemise their operations, she found her skill of closing 6-figure deals didn’t translate to selling $500 courses.  She struggled to continually generate the content required to market her new business. In late 2020 she saw the opportunity to use world-leading AI to generate marketing content for businesses like hers. Co-founding SimpleMarketing.AI, Suzette has built the business with a focus on helping businesses short on marketing and technical skills to generate the marketing content they need to attract and engage customers. With an initial product on the market, and a free account for light users, SimpleMarketing.AI is now helping businesses around the world to generate the content they need every day to market and grow.  Read the show notes Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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May 23, 2021 • 32min

COPYWRITER 012: LinkedIn expert Adam Franklin on how copywriters can use LinkedIn to find new clients

Adam Franklin, a professional speaker and LinkedIn expert, shares how copywriters can utilize LinkedIn to find new clients. He discusses a 5-step process to convert leads into clients, awakening dormant connections, using pre-written scripted messages, making small tweaks to profile, creating personalized messages, and crafting scripts that focus on the client. Adam's specialty lies in helping copywriters win high-value clients through LinkedIn.
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May 9, 2021 • 55min

COPYWRITER 011: Email marketing superstar Michelle Falzon reveals the secrets of using email to promote any business

Would you like to hear from a marketing expert who has been responsible for sending out more than 200 million emails?  …who works with people like Tony Robbins and the world’s best-known authors, speakers and thought leaders… …who understands the digital content funnel (and upends it)… …who knows how to create hooks, lead magnets, buyer journeys and every other little detail associated with email marketing success? If so, Michelle Falzon is the guest you have been waiting for. Michelle Falzon is a strategic content specialist who works globally but lives locally and is what most would say, living the copywriting life! In this episode you’ll learn how to: Structure an email campaign Manage a client who wants to send multiple messages to the one database Segment your copywriting message (even if you don’t know who’s on the database) Reinvent the Digital Marketing Funnel (and why the Digital Mountain Funnel is so much better) Use the ‘buyer journey’ process to map out an email campaign Test your email campaign (and know what variables to test) Position your services as a value-based consultant, rather than a transactional copywriter Ask the one important question that will show you exactly what copy you need to write Educate the client as to why open rates and click through rates are not the best measures of success Format your email for best results (and how to use links strategically) Find the right ratio of ‘sales’ versus ‘education’ in your emails to maximise success (without alienating the reader) Outsource the setting up of automated email campaigns (and who to contact to make it happen) Choose the right email software for your specific needs. Mentioned in this episode: Connect with Michelle Falzon on LinkedIn  HerBusiness Marketing Success Mastermind   We Are Content Content Sells Podcast The Ask Method by Ryan Lavesque Read the show notes Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Apr 25, 2021 • 30min

COPYWRITER 010: Arts publicist supremo Alison Dunn on how she landed a $30K LinkedIn writing gig.

What do Nicole Kidman, Baz Luhrmann, Neil Armfield, Louis Nowra and Fran Kelly all have in common?  Alison Dunn has worked with them all. As one of Australia’s foremost arts publicists, she’s been instrumental in promoting some of the world’s most prestigious artists, shows and festivals.  She was the head of business development and marketing for the Sydney Festival, marketing manager for the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra,  director of marketing for the Adelaide Festival, and much more.  Now, in her ‘third act’ of working for herself, choosing purpose-led, heart-centred projects is her goal and copywriting enables her to achieve that. In this episode, Alison talks to us about how she:  reinvented herself and created a new business from scratch landed a $30k writing contract via LinkedIn reframes past work experiences to position herself as a successful copywriter believes copywriting is the perfect occupation for those in their ‘third act’ of life repackages her skill sets to be of value to a client Mentioned in this episode: Alison’s website Connect with Alison on LinkedIn Read the show notes Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Apr 11, 2021 • 48min

COPYWRITER 009: Former Showpo CMO Mark Baartse on copywriting robots and making digital marketing simple

Did you know that artificial intelligence can now write copy, and really good copy, at that.  Yes, that technology is here and it’s either an opportunity for us copywriters, or it’s a threat – you be the judge. And the man to tell us more about that is Mark Baartse, former Chief Marketing Officer at Showpo, the online fashion retailer, and digital marketer extraordinaire. Nominated in the top 50 CMOs in Australia, in the top 50 people in ecommerce retailing and credited with increasing Showpo’s revenue by 400% in three years, and growing the marketing team from 1 person (him) to 18, Mark knows more about digital marketing than most. His clients include Officeworks, Salesforce, Big W, Vodafone and many more. His common sense, no-nonsense, down to earth approach for how to market any business is both refreshing and enlightening.  In this episode, he talks to us about:  the trends in marketing that copywriters really need to know about some clever strategies he uses to simplify complex marketing briefs  the questions he asks his clients that keep things real why we should be afraid of AI  what all good copywriters should be learning right now how he likes to work with copywriters what he looks for when hiring copywriters and much more.  Mentioned in this episode: Mark’s website Video about GPT-3 (the AI bot writing copy) Learn more about GPT-3 Article on The Guardian that was written by a robot Read the show notes Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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