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10 Tips for Better Writing
As a proofreader of business writing, I see many of the same errors made again and again. Errors in your writing (be they in advertising copy, correspondence, or a web site) are more serious, I believe, than most people realize. Why? Well, the...
3 Steps To Better Sales Copywriting
Whether you’re wet-behind-the-ears or a seasoned copywriter, your craft will benefit by remembering one thing: You’re nothing more than a salesperson. There’s an old saying in the “business” that, “a copywriter is a salesperson sitting in front of...
Analysis of a Topic: Writing Essays and Term Papers
Analyzing a topic is often the first step in researching an essay or term paper. It describes and defines a topic and its importance. Does the topic have value? Why should it be discussed? Answering these questions is important in an analysis of a...
How to Improve Your Writing Without Writing a Word
Many an ad, business letter and TV commercial comes into being slowly, even painfully. Maybe because some of us write as if we were still using an IBM Selectric, wite-out and a badly worn Webster's. For that matter, maybe some still are. And that's...
Rules, Regs, and Recommendations for Search Engine Copywriting
by Karon Thackston © 2003 http://www.copywritingcourse.com Copywriting is a primary factor when it comes to achieving good search engine placement. However, many times all that is done is to include keywords in the tags of a page and to include a...
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Freelance Copywriting Advice #1: Take the Scary Jobs
From time to time you will be faced with an opportunity that looks downright scary.
The temptation is to think, "Hey, that's way outside my level of expertise. I'm not ready for that."
My advice to you is this: Do it.
When you are faced with opportunities that are larger, more challenging and ultimately 'scary', that's when you learn fastest, stretch yourself the most and build your inner confidence as a copywriter.
Let me give you a couple of related examples.
Within my first two months as a direct marketing copywriter I was presented with the opportunity to write a mailing for Franklin Mint.
As some of you may know, Franklin Mint is a very, very sophisticated company when it comes to direct marketing. I seriously wondered whether I might end up looking like an idiot, wasting my time and theirs.
But I took on the job. Scary, yes. But it worked out fine. I learned a great deal and continued to do work for them.
Here's another, related example.
In early 1998 a friend of mine was invited to speak to a few hundred people at a conference about marketing online. He got cold feet and asked me to speak in his place. The problem was, I had only a week to
prepare my talk.
I had never spoken to a crowd that large before. I had no idea what to do. I was terrified.
But I did it.
In hindsight, that first talk was not a great one. But it got me started. Since then I have spoken at dozens of conferences and given full day seminars to numerous companies.
Speaking has made me quite a bit of money, and has led to many copywriting jobs I would otherwise have never received. It has also helped establish me as an expert in my chosen field.
And I came so, so close to saying no.
How close? Probably not as close as I think. Looking back, I have always said yes to the scariest challenges.
It's how you grow. It's how you find new opportunities. It's how you make your name as a copywriter worth doing business with.
About the Author
Nick Usborne is a freelance copywriter, author and speaker. For more on making money as a freelance copywriter, visit his site, http://www.FreelanceWritingSuccess.com. For more on developing your skills, read his review of this copywriting course byMichael Masterson.
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