Headset for interviews

Have you ever tried writing a sales page to market your business, service or product?

How did it go?

Did you sail through it or did you stare at your screen for a good part of an hour before decided to write a headline, add an intro, list the features, provide buying/signing up/downloading details and were done with it?

It was the latter wasn’t it?

You may be a gifted freelance writer but when it comes to your own product or service, objectivity goes out the window. You get caught up in the ‘I can’t sing my own laurels!’ trap and end up writing a sales page that doesn’t convert well.

As a freelance writer, I’m always looking for ways to make the sales copywriting end of my business easier for me. So when I heard about Amy Harrison’s new ebook How To Get Your Sales Page DONE, I bought myself an advance copy and started reading. I knew before I’d completed chapter 2 that I had found a sales page writing gold mine.

Not only did this ebook have all the theories and basics explained, there were exercises,worksheets and sample sales letter to help me write my own sales page!

I immediately emailed Amy and requested an interview. She agreed, we got together on Skype, recorded an interview and here we are!

In the interview, I ask Amy to tell us

• The difference between sales copy and web copy
• How to easily turn product features into benefits
• What an ‘adorable flaw’ is and how it can convince people to buy and
• What freelancers writing their own copy need to focus on?

Listen to the 12 minute audio interview

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[Click the play button to listen to the interview.]

Disclosure: This is my first audio interview and it shows! I talk too fast and at some places, it feels like I’m reading instead of talking – which I was since I wanted to be fully prepared and had written myself an entire script!

Please ignore any awkwardness in the recording and as always, don’t forget to get back to me with feedback

Launch Details of ‘How To Get Your Sales Page DONE’

If you’re interested in the ebook, you’ll be even more interested in the free stuff Amy is giving away before her big launch. (Psst, one of them is a free ebook)

Sign up for launch updates and grab them while you can.

I’m a proud affiliate of the ebook because I’ve done the exercises and worksheets and written sales copy with its help and the result was unbelievable. Not only did it NOT take me hours upon hours to write (I was done in 3 hours!), I had a very happy client who signed me up for more work!

Even if you don’t buy the book when it comes out, that’s a lot of free and  invaluable information that will put you on the right track to writing effective sales pages.

So sign up for the launch (which is on February 23rd), get the freebies, be wowed by them, then buy the book and make writing sales pages a breeze for yourselves!

And now, on to even better stuff.

Giveaway

Amy has very generously allowed me to give away a copy of her Copywriting Phrasebook: 501 Shortcuts To Compelling Content.

To be in the running to get this excellent ebook, all you have to do is

• Tweet about the interview, Amy’s upcoming ebook launch or this giveaway

• Like our facebook page (optional)

• Comment on this post to tell us you’ve done so and Include the link to your tweet.

A winner will be randomly selected on Wednesday at 12 noon.

Good luck every one!

Update: The give-away is now closed and the winner of the give-away is Abubakar Jamil! Congratulations Abubakar! I’ll be in touch shortly

A big thank you to everyone who participated and helped spread the word about it! You guys are awesome!

Come, fall (back) in love with writing this Valentine's

Happy Valentine’s Day! Writing a post with the word ‘love’ in it is practically a requirement for today – even on a freelance writing blog

If you’ve been freelancing for more than a few months, you’ve faced days where you wanted to bang your head against the wall at the thought of your freelance writing business.

Maybe you’re stuck writing about drainage pipes when you want to write about start-up businesses or you’ve taken on far too much work to make ends meet. Then there is the low paying but very demanding client(s) to deal with. Add a writer’s block to the mix and you’re left wondering why you ever thought you loved freelance writing in the first place!

The bad news is, days like these are inevitable. The good news is, there are ways you can fall back in love with freelance writing – without losing your mind.

1. Let go of your problem clients

Even though it seems simple enough, letting go of your problem clients is the toughest thing to do. Sure, you hate working for them but at least there’s steady income trickling in.

Here’s what also coming in: disenchantment, frustration and ultimately, writer’s block.

If you’re stuck writing for clients who are demanding, pay low rates and make you write about topics you have zero interest in (who wants to write about drainage pipes day in and out?), it’s time to let them go.

If your next question is ‘How?’, Freelance Switch suggests 5 Ways to Fire a Client with class.

Bad clients don’t deserve awesome freelance writers like you. So let them go and feel the relief of not having to dread your work days.

You’ll find yourself falling back in love with freelancing in no time at all.

2. Raise your rates

Are you stuck working for the same clients and writing about the same topics? Then it’s time to raise your rates.

Not only does it automatically take care of your problem clients, it instantly boosts your motivation and attracts better paying clients.

Don’t believe me? Here are 7 Reasons Doubling Your Rates Doubles Success.

To quote the comment I left on the post

Most of the time, we’re the only ones who think our rates are high. Low paying clients automatically take themselves out of the running when they see rates they can’t or are unwilling to pay. Which only leaves clients who don’t think our rates are high.

It’s all in the mindset. You work your ass off to produce the best work you possibly can. You go out of your way to accommodate a client. You deserve higher rates.

3. Start working on your own projects

Let’s assume you’re being paid very competitive rates but you’re still writing about topics that don’t hold your interest. You don’t want to let this client go because they’re great to work with, pay on time and respect you as a freelancer.

Yet with every passing day, you can feel your enthusiasm wane till finally you dread starting work because you’ll have to work on the said client’s project.

Counter the lack of enthusiasm with a project that gets you excited. That makes you wish the day wouldn’t end or that morning would come earlier.

Every freelancer has a project in mind they want to work on. Don’t wait till you’re more established so you can afford to take some time off. Start working on it today.

Even if it’s just 30 minutes every day, working on your dream project will get your enthusiasm for freelance writing back up. And you know what? Writing about a topic you don’t enjoy won’t seem so terrible.

You never know, your own project might even make you enough money to eventually let this client go!

If you’re still not convinced on the benefits of working on your own projects, check out 6 Profitable Side Benefits of Making Your Own Products.

4. Brainstorm with other freelancers

Two minds are better than one. Frequent forums, network with other freelancer, and go out of your way to help them. And when you to start your own project or let a client go, they’ll be there to help you figure out how to do it.

Find a fellow freelancer who will tell you like it is. Someone who isn’t afraid tell you you’re running your business to the ground by continuing to work for dead beat clients.

Don’t forget to return the favour. That’s the fun part

5. Blow your nose

Facing a writer’s block? Not getting anywhere with your project? Blow your nose and let your nostrils decide when your brain is ready to write.

No, I haven’t lost my mind. I’ve used Tim Brownson’s suggestion of finding out when your brain is wired to write to successfully complete a project.

That ebook you see in the sidebar? The one you have to sign up to receive? It was written completely by following the nose blowing method. I managed to find the time to write 8000 words in a week.

Here’s how you do it. Lean over, hold down your left nostril and take a deep breath. Now do the same for the other. If the air blows more easily through the right nostril, your brain wants to work on analytical stuff. If it blows more easily through the right, your brain is primed for creativity. So start writing!

To find out exactly how this method works, head on over to Men with Pens to find out How to Know Which Task to Start First.

If you’ve been facing a particularly tough time with freelancing, these tips will help you get back on the right track. Remember, freelancing is a lot like being in a relationship. You have to work hard to keep the passion alive.

What do you do to keep your interest in freelancing alive? How do you get through the rough patches?

Is the biggest hurdle in your freelance writing business finding clients?

Are you struggling to land your dream client? Does your throat dry out at the mere thought of talking to one?

If so, you’re at the right place.

10-Step Guide to Turning Prospects into Clients is a 58 page ebook that teaches you how to

• Identify and find prospective clients
• Establish contact with your prospects
• Communicate with prospects
• Apply for a writing gig
• Follow up
• Deal with rejection and
• Win prospects over

And guess what? You can get the ebook for free! All you have to do is sign up for the newsletter below.

Get your copy and start turning your prospects into clients by following the 10 simple, easy to follow steps in the ebook.

What are you waiting for? For me to shut up? Oh. Okay

Just one more thing, you’ll also get blog updates, deals, discounts and more free stuff.

Sign me up and give me the ebook already!

P.S: Please help spread the word this ebook by Tweeting, Stumbling, and sharing it on Facebook and Linkedin. Thanks!

Disorganized web copy never works

You know what’s easy? Writing web copy. It’s the simplest thing in the world. You write down what your business does, who and how it helps and you’re done! Customers will flock to you because you’re providing such an excellent product/service.

A day passes, then another and another but nothing happens. A week, a month and still nothing happens. Your web copy isn’t converting and you have no idea why. Your website tells people exactly who are, what you do and what you can do for them. So why are people not buying from you?

The answer is simple: Your copy is crappy – and not for the reasons you think.

Sure it covers all the basics, has all the information, features and even benefits but what it doesn’t do is engage the reader. It doesn’t make the flow of information easy to absorb and it certainly doesn’t tug at their heart strings.

In order to make your web copy effective, incorporate the four key elements of advertising that Leo Burnett lived (and worked) by.

Make it simple. Make it memorable. Make it inviting to look at. Make it fun to read.

It all boils down to dressing your copy up. If your web copy isn’t converting, try these simple techniques and watch your copy perform better.

Make it simple

Readers don’t have the time or patience to work through a lot of information online. So keep it simple and brief.

Have one idea per paragraph which has no more then 3 to 5 sentences. Keep your sentences short too – no more than 25 words.

Make it memorable

Find a hook that will leave a lasting impression in your reader’s mind. Something they can form an emotional connection with instantly.

What is the one word you want associated with you when people think of your business? Start writing around that.

Make it inviting to look at

A web copy’s job is to convince the reader to read the first sentence, then the next and so on. Well, that’s not gonna happen if your copy isn’t inviting to look at.

Break it up in chunks. Include images where relevant. Use headings, sub heading and bullet points.

Make it fun to read

If your copy is dry as dust it’s not going to convert even if it’s simple and easy to look at.

Show some personality. Talk to your reader. Make them feel like they’re listening to a friend talk. It will make them more receptive to your message.

What catches your interest when reading copy on the web? How do you make your writing simple, memorable, inviting and fun to read?

The Mighty Red Pen

Great writing doesn’t happen because you have talent. It also doesn’t happen because you read and write every day. It happens because you edit, rewrite, and then edit some more.

Here’s the thing: writing is easy but editing is pure torture. Without it though, your writing is going to be torture for your reader.

So spare your readers the torture and follow these 7 steps to editing nirvana.

After all, “Easy reading is usually damn hard writing.” (Nathanial Hawthorne)

1. Write

To edit anything, you have to write it first. So write.

Write freely, let your fingers loose over the keyboard. Write your heart out. Don’t think about the quality. Just focus on getting it all written.

Besides, Ernest Hemmingway had it right. The first draft of anything is shit.

2. Sleep on it

So you’ve finished writing your masterpiece. Everything you wanted to say has been written. Now take a deep breath and step away from your writing.

You heard me. Step away from your writing. Like right now!

Editing soon as you finish writing is counterproductive. Your brain needs to rest. You’re still emotionally attached to your writing and you’ll find all kinds of excuses to go easy on your editing process.  (How can I cut off this paragraph? It has some of my wittiest lines!)

To edit your writing with justice, you need to achieve a certain level of detachment. The best way to do it is to maintain distance. Once you’re finished, forget about what you’ve written. Take a break. Go out and do something fun or work on something else.

Once a couple of days have passed (or at least a few hours if you’re pressed for time), come back to it and start editing.

I can guarantee that you’ll be seeing your writing with a new perspective.

3. Proofread

Now that you’ve put your editing cap on, start by proofreading. Go through the entire document. Check for typos, spelling mistakes, punctuation.

Proofread to make sure you haven’t any words out.

4. Read it out loud

Once you’ve proofread your writing, it’s time to read it out loud. Why? Because you won’t know how good your writing is till you read it out loud.

Reading aloud helps you catch sentences and passages that

• are redundant,
• difficult to read or
• simply don’t sound right.

Another thing that reading your writing aloud helps identify is paragraphs and sentences that run on and on. An Ideal sentence is about 20 words long. Readability decreases drastically after 25 words so break it up!

5. Run a writing peeve scan

Every writer has a writing peeve – something that you do subconsciously. It can be as simple as

• misspelling a word,
• using a certain word too many times,
• leaving words out,
• jumping between tenses or
• alternating between active and passive voice

Once you’ve proofread and read your writing out loud, go through it once again to look for your writing peeve. This step is crucial in making your writing better.

6. Rewrite

“Write your first draft with your heart. Re-write with your head.” (William Forrester)

So now you’ve taken care of your pet peeves. Your writing is grammatically correct and reads well. It’s time to get down and dirty. Rewrite or revise any parts that you’re not completely satisfied with.

This doesn’t have anything to do with being grammatically correct or writing well. It has to do with the freelance writer in you and your internal antenna about what will make your client happy with your work.

Ask yourself some tough questions.

Is your writing doing justice to the topic? Can you make it any better and if so, how? Have you covered every angle and aspect?

Have you done your best?

As a freelancer and blogger, asking tough questions of ourselves becomes routine. Don’t dread it. This step means the end is near!

7. Read it out loud again

By now, you probably just want to be done with it already. But it’s your reputation on the line. Read it out loud just one more time to make sure your writing is perfect.

If you absolutely cannot bring yourself to read it out loud, take the easy way out and get someone else to read it for you. You can listen or ask for input.

Nirvana!

Congratulations! You’ve made it. You’ve achieved editing nirvana.

Sure you went through an excruciating process but hey, you’ve got some pretty awesome writing to show for it!

It’s your turn to chip in. Is your editing process as excruciating as mine? How long does it take you to edit your work?