5 Surprising Copywriting Lessons I Learned The HARD Way 😳

Summary

In this insightful video, Alex shares five unexpected lessons learned from eight years of building a successful copywriting business. From the importance of focusing on various copy assets beyond just sales pages to the reality of the scarcity of skilled copywriters, Alex provides actionable advice. He emphasizes the necessity of time investment in research and ideation, the value of continuous learning and improvement, and the patience required in client acquisition. This video is a must-watch for aspiring copywriters seeking to hone their craft and grow their business.

Takeaways

• 📚 Embrace the learning journey in copywriting, as it offers freedom, flexibility, growth, and adventure.
• 🔍 Recognize the value in copywriting assets beyond just the sales page; ancillary pieces like emails and retargeting ads are crucial for conversions.
• 🎯 Understand that a diverse portfolio showcasing various copy assets can significantly boost your opportunities in supporting businesses.
• 💡 Discover that most businesses are built on average copy, which presents an opportunity for copywriters to improve and optimize.
• 🤔 Challenge the assumption that existing sales pages don't need copywriting support; there's often room for improvement and optimization.
• 🔑 Realize that great copywriters are hard to find, and being one can lead to well-paid opportunities and client retention.
• 📈 Focus on niche expertise in copywriting to increase the probability of delivering real results and standing out in the market.
• ⏳ Manage client expectations and deadlines by understanding the time required for research, ideation, and strategic planning before writing.
• 📝 Track your copywriting process meticulously to understand your workflow and improve efficiency without compromising quality.
• 🎨 Embrace the reality that not all copy will be a masterpiece; it's a numbers game that requires continuous creation and learning from failures.
• 🚀 Stay persistent in outreach and adding value to position yourself as an authority, as success often comes after multiple attempts and rejections.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of Alex's video?

The main purpose of Alex's video is to share 5 surprising lessons learned from 8 years of building a copywriting business, aiming to help others in the field avoid common pitfalls.

Who is Mark Ling and what is his significance in the video?

Mark Ling is an affiliate marketing legend who owns multiple 7-figure businesses and has a vast array of front-end products and upsells. His conversation with Alex inspired the creation of the video and his expertise underscores the importance of copywriting and creating offers that convert.

What does Alex mean by 'copywriting paved the way for a life of freedom, flexibility, growth, and adventure'?

Alex is referring to the benefits of building a copywriting business, which includes the ability to work independently, choose projects that align with personal passions and values, and lead a lifestyle that is fulfilling and flexible.

What is the first lesson Alex learned about copywriting?

The first lesson is that while a well-written sales page is important, there is significant leverage and learning to be gained from writing other copy pieces that support the main offer, such as emails, webinar scripts, and retargeting ads.

Why is it beneficial to focus on ancillary copy assets?

Focusing on ancillary copy assets like emails and retargeting ads can significantly boost the conversion rate of a sales campaign and provide more opportunities to support a business, as these assets are often overlooked but are crucial to the campaign's success.

What is the Copy Posse Launch Pad and how does it help copywriters?

The Copy Posse Launch Pad is a coaching program created by Alex to teach highly sought-after copywriting skills and help participants write a holistic portfolio of high-converting copy assets, making them more attractive to clients.

What is the second lesson about the prevalence of average copy?

The second lesson is that most businesses are built on average copy that could be improved through testing and revisions, but often isn't. This leaves a lot of room for copywriters to offer their services to improve conversion rates.

Why are decent copywriters hard to find according to Alex?

Decent copywriters are hard to find because many self-proclaimed copywriters lack experience in relevant niches or were not honest about their skill level. This creates a demand for skilled copywriters who can produce great results.

What does Alex suggest for copywriters looking for clients?

Alex suggests that copywriters should not assume a company with an existing sales page doesn't need their support. They can offer to improve existing copy or focus on ancillary assets to optimize the business's sales process.

What is the importance of understanding the complete picture of a sales campaign?

Understanding the complete picture of a sales campaign is important because it allows copywriters to offer a diverse range of copy assets that are needed for the campaign's success, proving their comprehensive understanding and increasing their value to clients.

What is the 'numbers game' in copywriting and why is it important?

The 'numbers game' in copywriting refers to the fact that success comes with experience, practice, and learning from failures. It emphasizes that not all pieces will be successful, but the key is to keep creating and improving, similar to how Picasso created thousands of pieces, only a fraction of which became famous.

Why is it crucial for copywriters to manage client expectations regarding deadlines and turnaround times?

Managing client expectations is crucial because it helps to ensure that the copywriter has enough time to produce quality work, reduces stress during crunch times, and increases the likelihood of getting re-hired for future projects.

What is Alex's advice for copywriters on how to approach their writing process?

Alex advises copywriters to familiarize themselves with their own writing process and flow, to allocate enough time for research, ideation, and other important steps before and after writing, and to log their hours diligently to understand their project completion timeline.

How does Alex suggest copywriters can learn from their work?

Alex suggests that copywriters should always ask for feedback and conversion metrics of their copy to understand what works and what doesn't, allowing them to learn and improve their skills over time.

What is the significance of the 6-step copywriting process that Alex mentions?

The 6-step copywriting process is a method that Alex uses to write effective sales pages. It is significant because it provides a structured approach to creating high-converting copy, which is a valuable skill for copywriters to master.