Information deluge! Now what?
My brain is overloaded, I'm going on limited sleep the last three nights, and I've only been outside in the beautiful Florida weather for 30 minutes today. But I'm having the time of my life!
Day two yesterday was intense.
Bob Bly kicked things off with "10 Strategies for Succeeding in today's New Copywriting Marketplace." Nick Usborne gave the most inspiring session I've heard so far, and Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero showed us why she's the queen of "red-hot copy." Mike Palmer took us behind the scenes of the wildly successful "End of America" promotion, and revealed the simple three-step formula you can use for writing your own breakthrough promotion.
In addition, four different sessions focused on what we all want to know: how to get clients! I'll get to that in a second …
All this information got me thinking back to my first Bootcamp four years ago.
I soaked it all in, took a ton of notes, and let it percolate in my brain for a couple days.
And when Monday came, I proceeded to do nothing.
That's right. I went right back to my 55-hour a week job and my normal routines.
Don't do what I did that year.
Here's what I'd recommend instead:
1. Take stock of what you offer clients.
Joshua Boswell had us partner up and sell ourselves as a copywriter. We each answered 10 interview-type questions in 10 minutes, so we didn't have time to over think it.
It made me realize that even though I'm a decent copywriter, I've been selling myself short.
How about you?
Have you ever written down your background, your experience, your training, and your strengths? It may seem odd, but consider taking it a step further and writing what Joshua called a "big, fat sales letter," where you are the product.
This was an "Aha" moment for me! When I get home on Monday, I'm going to change the way I describe my value to clients.
2. Be like Jeb.
Search "Jeb Corliss" on YouTube and pause the "Grinding" video at the 2:57 mark.
Nick Usborne used Jeb as an example of being fearless and passionate.
Marketing ourselves isn't death-defying, but it can be just as scary.
Since we need to get clients, why not get big ones? That's what Janet Grosshandler did this year when she started writing for Precious Moments.
As Nick says: "Go big! Scare yourself silly. You'll be amazed at what you're capable of."
3. Push, pull, or engage … but do something.
Nick uses "push" marketing (direct mail, emails), "pull" marketing (blogging, speaking, writing e-books or books) and "engagement" (social media, face-to-face, keeping in touch) to connect with clients.
If you've gone through the Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, you know more than enough to write good copy for clients. Now it's time to get things started. Pick one method in each of these categories, and get the ball rolling.
I'd like to hear from you, and I'm going to keep it simple. Whether you're here at Bootcamp or following these updates from home, let me know one action step you plan to implement on Monday to move closer to the writer's life by posting a comment below.
I have to run. Job Fair is about to start and I plan to pursue a couple opportunities.
You can, too.
All 52 of the spec assignments are offered to you with the 2011 Fasttrack to Success Bootcamp Home Study program. You'll also get Joshua Boswell's jam-packed report: "Jumpstart Your Career: Step-by-Step Advice on Getting Clients."
Let me leave you with one last thought: Don't settle for the little things in life. You have too much to offer.
Even if you can’t be here in person, AWAI has arranged for you to get the entire Bootcamp experience from the comfort of your own home … for a fraction of the price … with the 2011 Fasttrack to Success Bootcamp Home Study program. This amazing presentation package is the closest thing you can ever get to being at Bootcamp: EVERY presentation, ALL the support material and learning resources, EVERY spec assignment – and a free teleconference series to get you rolling.
Until May 30th: Enrollment Open for Circle of Success
Join Circle of Success, AWAI’s most comprehensive learning program where – among other things – you have complete access to all AWAI resources for life … plus all kinds of help, support, and training aimed at getting you from where you are now to “A” level professional copywriter quickly.
“I’m no longer stuck in a 8-5 job in an industry in which I have little interest, for an average salary, with very little time with my son. Copywriting’s made all the difference in the world.”
If yes, you could be in big demand, earning big money, writing just a few hours a day from anywhere in the world you choose to be.
Get Nick Usborne’s step-by-step system for creating money-making information websites.
In just 6 hours and 35 minutes, you can be in business earning $60 – $150 an hour writing simple resumes.
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The work is plentiful … the pay scales are generous and the competition is scarce!
Get the answers to the hundreds of questions and concerns commonly asked in specific, step-by-step details.
Use this eight-step plan to make the leap from aspiring copywriter to professional copywriter this year.
Let your fellow AWAI members show you firsthand the easiest, most powerful way to land your first client … BEFORE you finish the program.
Writing for the web is a huge opportunity for copywriters. Let web expert Nick Usborne show you how to write blockbuster web copy in record time … even if you're a complete internet “rookie”!
It’s an opportunity to make $50,000, $75,000, $100,000 a year or more … working just a few hours a day.
A once complicated profession is now something you can do on a standard computer – even if you have little or no “artistic” ability.
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The Internet creates new income possibilities every day. The biggest among them: online video marketing.
Get the very techniques top-performing copywriters use to rattle off one groundbreaking control after another.
In his new book, Michael Masterson teaches you his very own formula for powerful persuasion and how to apply it to direct mail sales letters as well as online promotions.
"If you've gone through the Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, you know more than enough to write good copy for clients."
If only that were true...I am on my fourth time through and still realise I know nothing. Oh the words are familiar enough...but the capacity to initiate it myself is not even close.
Gavin M – October 28, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Wish I could have attended Boot Camp--but just order the next best thing. 2011 Fast track to Siccess Bootcamp...getting ready to start writing my story for next year. "Just Believe"
Guest (Gloria Miller) – October 28, 2011 at 10:48 pm
@Gavin - I truly believe that you KNOW enough by going through the course (if you do the exercises along the way, too.) But as you indicated, it's the implementation of it that matters. I would suggest checking out as many articles here on "getting clients" as you can. Ask questions of the authors (like you did with this post here), and then find small steps you can take to move forward. It takes time, and the first few steps are the hardest, but you have to start somewhere. Start small and keep going.
Steve Roller – October 31, 2011 at 12:14 am
@Gloria - Great decision! If you have any questions going through the Home Study program, feel free to contact me. I'd love to hear your story in person at next year's Bootcamp! Best wishes to you.
Steve Roller – October 31, 2011 at 12:16 am
Loved the idea of writing a sales letter with myself as the product. This will help me write my profile for prospective clients. Great Article!
Guest (Susan) – January 2, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Thanks, Susan. Let me know how the new profile turns out.
Steve Roller – January 4, 2012 at 2:01 pm