In training video #2 — “How To Find Great Copywriting Prospects” — you suggest an ingenious strategy by which the copywriter hunts down data sheets and usage reports associated with companies found in SRDS who are doing direct mail.

Let’s say you already know that you want to approach newsletter publishers. Would it make sense to go directly to the Oxbridge Directory of Newsletters, or is there information about these publishers that I can only get in SRDS?

Again, let me say that your training videos are classy and useful.

I am not to the point where I am trying to get clients.

I am still studying.

The thing I find most challenging is getting inside the head of my prospect.
I mean, really knowing that person and feeling what they are feeling.

I want to write every bit of copy with the feeling I know exactly “who” I am writing to . I want to
write as if I know that person at a deep level.

What steps do you take to learn every single thing you can about your prospects?

Would you explain the steps you take in a way I can understand as a fairly new writer?

I have never been able to find anything to get deep enough into this subject so I can master the
details of it.

This has always been the hardest part for me.
I want to know my prospect totally and completely before I ever write my first sales letter.

Thanks,
Tammy

P.S. Also, if either of you know any books that might
help, it would be great.

I have all the usual suspects that are mentioned by everyone.

If you know any good ones that are not usually talked
about, I would really appreciate it.

I agree with those of you who talked about selling to actual “buying” clients. A former client who hired me to write a landing page ad for their marketing campaign just called and has agreed to pay my asking price for a retainer. They want marketing input as much as or maybe even more than the writing.

Copy is marketing so the marriage of internet marketing and copywriting is a very natural one. There are more ways to “skin the ‘net cat”.

Talk to you soon,
Tony

You probably should have worked that out after the second or third time you tried to talk to a local business owner.

And you will make a whole lot more money selling copywriting services to people who are already looking for and hiring copywriters.

And John’s course will ground you in the skills, the mindset and the practical “how to” for doing this.

Having said that there is value in selling marketing and especially online marketing services to local businesses especially as a way to get yourself a portfolio together quickly.

Most small business owners know they need a website up or have spent money on a website that doesn’t make sales.

This can be an especially lucrative field that requires a minimum level of copywriting expertise.

So it’s a good starting place for copywriters developing their skills.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

I’m looking forward to your video… it will be fun to see how a couple of copywriters handle the A/V side of things… ;)

I’ve purchased both of your products, and they are great. In fact it was using elements from both products that got me my 1st client. And that led to my 2nd, 3rd, 4th…

I even got to work with Ryan on a project… that was an awesome experience. I still refer back to my notes when I’m writing copy now. I’ve not had as much contact with John, but he has always provided great advice the few times I’ve asked questions.

I’ve started to focus more on copywriting for myself, and cutting back on copywriting work. It looks like it could be more profitable to write copy for your own products.

And past clients are still calling. This week I’m meeting with a prior client to discuss some up coming projects.

Thanks to both of you guys for providing the tools to help get me started.

OK with all that said here’s my questions:

How do you know when you are ready to write copy for clients? Are there any clues or steps you should look for?

Do you have a plan or a system to follow to make a transition from writing copy for clients to writing for yourself?

Thanks,
Allison