After reading my articles on how to find copywriting clients, a student of mine, Jeff, asked me an interesting question.

He’s an aspiring copywriter and wants to build his own freelance copywriting business. When he read that I wrote copy for free when I started my career as a copywriter, he asked me about doing the same:

“Mike, my friends have a very small business, and they have asked me to do copy for them. They say they can’t really pay me that much. I have told them I will do it for free as long as I get rights to the copy and can use it for a reference and in my portfolio. I think this is a wonderful opportunity to get more experience, but my wife wants to see some money on the table. I value your opinion. Can you help?”

Here was my answer.

Read the rest or post a comment »

EDITED: The special has been extended, possibly a day or so, since I made a mistake. (Read below for the details.)

Did you miss out on the 10th anniversary special I did last year, where I offered lifetime memberships to my private copywriting how-to site, “The Copy Doctor,” for just a fraction of the cost?

Since that time (and even to this day), I get hundreds of emails from people who missed out and want to know if I’ll ever do it again. I wasn’t planning on it since 10th anniversaries don’t come often.

However, with so many people clamoring for it, I thought about it for a while and made a decision. (If you missed out, then you’re going to like this!)

I’m ready to promote Lifetime Memberships of Copy Doctor for just $397 to a few select people, one more time, until the end of March, 2008 (ending in a few days). And possibly for the last time, too.

Read the rest or post a comment »

A member once asked a question about the legality of using an alias or pseudonym in copy.

That is, is it legal to write the copy in the voice of a fictitious character, or telling the story of a fictitious character enjoying the benefits of your offer?

Using an alias in business is a common practice. However, if you’re considering using an alias or already are using an alias, there are a few things to know to keep your head above water with the law.

Read the rest or post a comment »

Scarcity is a tactic often used in copywriting to create a sense of urgency and convince the “on-the-fence” customer to make a purchase decision. Above all, the goal is to prevent prospects from procrastinating.

As online consumers become wise to these direct-response copywriting tactics, one question often arises:

“What about digital products and electronic downloads, like ebooks and software? How can you create a sense of urgency for something that, in itself, is limitless (or perceived as such)?”

Here’s how to use scarcity selling effectively with digital products:

Read the rest or post a comment »

Throughout my research, I’m always surprised when I stumble onto websites that are professionally designed and seem to offer great products and services, but lack or fail in certain important elements.

Elements that, with just a few short changes, can help multiply the results almost instantaneously.

Generally, I have found that there are seven common mistakes. I call them the “Seven Deadly Sins.” Is your website committing any one of these?

Read the rest or post a comment »

At the beginning of my career, I specialized in working primarily with cosmetic surgeons. I wrote their direct mail copy, produced their infomercials, trained their sales staff, and consulted them on marketing.

As a big believer in branding and niche marketing, I decided to focus primarily on doctors. I dubbed myself as "The Success Doctor" since my aim was to help doctors become successful.

Up until a decade ago, however, I was just a self-employed freelancer. For years my clients came to me by word of mouth. But since my business was growing quite rapidly, I decided to incorporate.

So on August 17, 1997, I registered "The Success Doctor, Inc." (In fact, it was only a few months later that I created a website and "hung out my digital shingle" at SuccessDoctor.com! And the rest, as they say, is history.)

Nevertheless, this means that, on August 17, 2007, it will be the 10th anniversary of my company. And to celebrate, I want to do something special for you. Something I’ve never done before. So here’s the deal…

Read the rest or post a comment »

The greater portion of my career has been in copywriting, selling and direct marketing. And one of the common denominators I’ve found in any successful piece of copy is the power of risk reversal. That is, taking more of a risk from the sale than the purchaser of your product.

The greater the guarantee, the greater the sales. This has been consistent in almost every industry in which I’ve worked, and with every split-test I’ve conducted. For example, a 30-day guarantee will outsell no guarantee. A 90-day guarantee will outsell a 30-day one. And so on and so forth.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

Read the rest or post a comment »