In This Episode Peter Hoppenfeld and I dive headfirst into the state of marketing in 2025 and what it means for freelance copywriters like us. We’re talking about the major shifts happening right now, including how the FTC is tightening the reins on marketers, why bloated copy is losing its edge, and what it’s going […]
EP 325: New Rules For Digital Marketing 2025 with Peter Hoppenfeld Read More »
Let me take you inside a private dining room (the Sancho Panza dining room to be exact), in a famous restaurant in Tampa’s Ybor City called, The Columbia Restaurant, that opened in 1905. The historic room, and the restaurant itself, is worthy of several emails, but today we’ll focus on what was discussed in that
At Dinner with Copy Legends: The One Theme That Emerged Read More »
In This Episode In this episode, I sit down with Brian McCarthy, mindset coach and former copywriter, to break down imposter syndrome—one of the biggest roadblocks for freelancers. We discuss why so many copywriters struggle with self-doubt, how social media fuels insecurity, and why traditional advice like “push through it” doesn’t work. Brian shares actionable
EP 324: Crushing Imposter Syndrome for Freelance Copywriters with Brian McCarthy Read More »
In This Episode In this episode, I sat down with Dan Walker, son of Jeff Walker (product Launch Formula) and a seasoned leader at Internet Alchemy, to explore the intricacies of hiring top-tier copywriters through the innovative “Goods” process. We dove deep into the strategies behind finding copywriting talent that balances creativity, adaptability, and strategic
In This Episode In this thought-provoking episode of Copy Chief Radio, Kevin Rogers sits down with Eddie Shleyner, creator of “Very Good Copy,” to discuss the artistry, psychology, and daily practice of being a copywriter. Eddie shares the journey of writing his first book, the life lessons passed down from his grandmother, and how the
EP 322: Living Like a Copywriter: Craft, Creativity, and Control with Eddie Shleyner Read More »
In This Episode In this powerful episode of Copy Chief Radio, Kevin Rogers sits down with mindset master Jeremy Bellotti, founder of Personal Mastery®, to discuss the deeper levels of personal growth, high performance, and mastery. Jeremy takes listeners through the stages of personal development and how to move beyond survival-mode thinking to achieve sustainable
EP 321: “If It’s Hard, You’re Doing It Wrong: The Path to Mastery with Jeremy Bellotti” Read More »
In This Episode Being a writer is so much more than the words. John Carlton and I did a 25 episode podcast series together and the actual “writing of words” accounted for maybe a third of the conversation. The majority of the episodes were about the “living and thinking” behind the words. I’ve been pondering
EP 320: W.R.I.T.E N.O.W. framework with Kevin Rogers Read More »
In This Episode Daniel Throssell breaks down one of his most studied emails line-by-line in this rare look into the mind of one of the best copywriters in the game. As if Australia’s Best Copywriter revealing his most closely guarded “I dare you not to buy” email wizardry wasn’t enough, we held a bullet-writing contest
EP 319: Behind The Copy with Daniel Throssell Read More »
Everyone remembers their first paid gig. It changes you for good. No matter how big or little the pay, the fact that a person of reasonable intelligence has decided to send you money to perform your money skill for them… Wow. The moment you see that digital dough hit your account is the moment the
The Moment It Gets Real: How Your First Paid Gig Transforms Everything Read More »
In This Episode Lizzie Mills was just 20-yrs-old and a new mom when she joined Copy Chief as one of the first members through the door in 2014. She felt like the greenest copywriter in the place, but not for long. The veteran copywriters were more than happy to guide her and show her the
EP 318: Lizzie Mills builds a copywriting family business Read More »
In This Episode Live coaching session with Kevin Rogers giving you the Easy Fix on all aspects of the copywriting business. Resources Leave a review here – STITCHER | SPOTIFY | ITUNES | YOUTUBE Plus… whenever you’re ready: Become a member of Copy Chief here Join our program for new freelancers – Accelerator Place yourself on the Freelancer’s Journey Timeline Learn How
EP 317: Easy Fix with Kevin Rogers (June 2024) Read More »
“Back-up Singers.” Such a lacking title for people who play a vital instrument for the listener–and, more so, the artists they back. A better title would be, “Vocal Intensifier.” (Not nearly as fun to say though.) I’m listening to “Leonard Cohen: Live In London” now as I write. (He’s the guy who wrote “Hallelujah,” made
The Art of Leadership: What Leonard Cohen’s Back-Up Singers Teach Us Read More »
In This Episode Tom Hammaker’s life in copywriting took a radical turn last month when he was hired to become Rich Schefren’s copywriter. Better yet, Tom won the gig in a six-week competitive search against dozens of other copywriters – some with more than 20 years in the game. We called it “The Goods,” and
EP 316: How Tom became Rich Schefren’s new copywriter Read More »
The most powerful book I’ve consumed in the last decade is “The Middle Passage” by James Hollis. I’m on my second reading now. The simple premise is that, what most people refer to as a “crisis” in midlife, is actually a very natural, and quite necessary, transition. My friend Joe recommended it to me, almost
The Turn Within, thoughts on “The Middle Passage” by James Hollis Read More »
In This Episode Could there be connections between perfume and storytelling and writing? And what if the scents you love could help you tell stories as vivid as the most captivating novel? In this episode of Copy Chief Radio, we explore the captivating world of perfume and its unexpected parallels with the storytelling engineer-turned-perfumer Helida
EP 315: The Evocative Power of Scent and Story with Helida Dodd Read More »
It’s 4:10 A.M. and I’m pumping gas at a 7-11. A ratty truck rumbles up to the pumps. Inside is a lone man who looks to be about my age. His window is down. He backs up the truck to get a full view of me and says, “You shot homeboy, right?” This could go
Gas Station Encounter: Mistaken Identity at 4AM Read More »
As writers, we need fuel in the tank to spark the next 100 miles of inspiration. Summer is the perfect time for this. Days are longer, clothing shrinks, moods mellow – there are festivals, gatherings, barbecues, travel. Summer is the season of renewal. Families go on vacation. Kids go off to college. People move. Later
Refilling Your Creative Tank: How Summer Fuels Writers Read More »
In This Episode I recently took 25 copywriters through the process of landing a six-figure copywriting gig. The Grand Prize was becoming the primary copywriter for Rich Schefren and being Chiefed by Mark Ford! It was a one-of-kind experience (imagine Hunger Games for copywriters). Everyone survived, but no one is the same. Here’s what
EP 314: Coffee w/ Kev – Landing six-figure copy gigs Read More »
Have you ever been betrayed by a friend you trusted with a secret? Or… Have you ever been the one to leak a secret you promised to keep? Both feel devastating. If we’re either the victim or perpetrator of a secret not kept, hopefully it happens early in life so we have a chance to
How To Build Trust by Keeping Quiet Read More »
For ten years our slogan in Copy Chief has been: Nobody Writes Alone. Some people love it; others, not so much. The ones who take offense to it have a valid point, in that… Writing is PERSONAL. Sitting alone at the keyboard, the notebook, whatever, is YOU and YOUR IDEA. Writing, to me, is less
Alone Yet Connected: The Essence of Personal Writing Read More »
In This Episode How do you build a career or a team in the Era of Large Language Models and what happens to talent development when even the lowest intern needs full-stack CMO skills? In this episode of Copy Chief Radio, we’re going on a mind-bending ride with Aaron Winter, Founder of Dig.On, and
EP 313: The Minimum Is Everything with Aaron Winter Read More »
I’m binging the limited series Ripley on Netflix right now. Actually, the proper description would be “double-binging” since I watched 7 of 8 episodes last week. I couldn’t bear the thought of it ending, so I went back through and am now watching the same seven episodes AGAIN before finishing. (Also, because I had to
Ripley on Netflix: A Masterclass in Copywriting Techniques Read More »
Can I admit a guilty pleasure to you? Award shows. There, I said it. Oscars, Grammys, NFL Draft Day (broadcast live in the next room as I write this)… It’s not the achievements, per se, that give me the shot of dopamine… It’s the stories of perseverance I can’t resist. Yes, these award shows are
The ONE skill copywriters must develop So, last April 10th we held our one-day virtual event. I won’t recap what you missed if you weren’t there, but instead, give you… My one big takeaway from the day. This “one big thing” is what prevailed in my mind the most after four days of cooldown. Like
How to Connect with Copy Read More »
In This Episode What if instead of just focusing on bringing in new customers, you could take the people who said “yes” and get them to tell everybody they know that they love you? In this episode of Copy Chief Radio, we’re going behind the curtain with Jason Friedman, CEO of CX Formula. Today,
EP 312: Creating Unforgettable Customer Journeys with Jason Friedman Read More »
Yesterday was 4/20. You know, Weed Day. It got me reminiscing. I’ve had a long and complicated relationship with cannabis (“weed,” “grass,” “za”) since about the age of 13. I remember the first time I tried it. Some kid from the neighborhood turned me on. That good ol’ 80’s street weed. Pretty awesome. Just the
In This Episode Sara Estes had a secret. She’s pregnant with her first child and would need “an entire month off” for maternity leave. Why should that be a secret? Because Sara is a freelance copywriter and she was negotiating a long-term contract with a prospective client. Her maternity leave would come in the
EP 311: Getting clients to say “Yes!” w/Sara Estes Read More »
Last week my son, Ben, and I flew to Nashville to see the Black Crowes concert at the Opry House in Nashville. Before the show started, I’m walking towards the restroom when a guy jumped in front of me and spread his arms out wide. WTF? I’m not opposed to random hugs from strangers, but,
A reason, a season, or a lifetime Read More »
The first step towards getting what you want is to know what you want, and why you want it. Without the mighty “why” you will struggle to muster the motivation for going after it. And let’s forget about money for today. Money is but a resource. It comes and goes and flows in strange ways.
How to get what you want Read More »
I’m not being gratuitous here… When I say: To have writing in your life is a privilege. Writing makes life more meaningful. Writing makes us better humans. Writing keeps us sane. Don’t you agree? That moment you get a great idea, and any obligation in the way of giving that idea life suddenly feels like
In This Episode Today, we’re talking about how freelance copywriters can create partnerships with their clients because really, isn’t that why we’re doing this? If you’re actively working with a lot of clients, you always have those moments where it’s like, “Wow, they’re celebrating some really big numbers. And I wonder if I could
EP 310: Profit Partnerships w/ Chris Mason Read More »
Think about it… Is there anything more discombobulating than your first day at a new job? Your brain is redlined in logistics overdrive, fighting to process all the new instructions and advice: “Okay, restrooms are down the hall, but the better one is two floors up…” “The HR lady is a total bitch, find a
Two types of people in the world Read More »
“How much are you making per week working at the hotel?” I was sitting across from Charlie behind his desk inside a ramshackle office building in Pinellas Park, FL. A shithole, pass-through town of ragged stripmalls occupied by auto parts stores and tattoo parlors. The intersection of my old life in comedy, and whatever my
The offer I couldn’t refuse Read More »
My first real business mentor was a guy I never wanted to be friends with again. I had known him from stand-up. He was in our circle of local comics. We all ran pretty hard back then, but this dude (let’s call him “Charlie”) always took it too far. The one pushing coke… taking stupid
When the thing you want least – is the thing you need most. Read More »
In This Episode We’re in something of a crisis in copywriting right now. But, it’s not for the reasons you might think. Technology is not the issue. It’s actually the opposite… BARBARIANS. People who treat our proud craft like a biz-opp product and sell it like a “get rich quick” scheme. Today I’m sharing
EP 309: Coffee w/ Kev – Kevin Rogers is out to save copywriting Read More »
I’m into this new thing called “calling people on the phone.” It’s actually an old thing, but I just rediscovered it. Pretty wild! Here’s how it works… I look up someone’s phone number… Then I call it. Crazy, right? Sometimes I have these numbers in my contacts. Sometimes I find them in our membership files.
My mid-life crisis has arrived Read More »
Back in January when I asked you what you wanted to read more of in these Sunday Series emails… I was thrilled to see “the craft” ranked so highly. So, today, I want to deliver on that by digging into the technique I used in last week’s story “How to fight.” This was an ambitious
Let’s talk story technique Read More »
“Everybody circle up,” yelled Pete, the wiry, wild-eyed boxing instructor at Combat Fitness. “If I point at you, get on the mat. Three-minute rounds.” I stood awkwardly adjusting the tattered, sour-smelling headgear over my ears and scanned the other men in the circle. A full spectrum of ages and fitness levels, all with one common
At the corner of the street leading out of our neighborhood was a fighting gym called Combat Fitness. From the street, through the window, you could see a full size boxing ring inside and hardcore fighter types going in and out. I found it fascinating. Less than a mile away, in our cozy little housing
A “good dare” vs a “bad dare” Read More »
I was in the “shaving needs” aisle of a small grocery store when it hit me and I started FREAKING OUT. My nerves on end, adrenaline pumping relentlessly, my feet disconnected from the floor. I felt like a character in a Twilight Zone story where the world moves at half your speed. People at the
In This Episode No pressure, but the ONE job of your sales copy is to make strangers BELIEVE things they currently do not. And believe it strongly enough to pull out their wallets and buy what you’re selling. Words are only the vehicle, how you frame beliefs is everything. So, before you sit to
EP 307: Buyer Belief-Shifting with Stephen Hutson Read More »
“Are we sure January is the best time to go?” I was questioning Michelle in one of our countless discussions about moving our son, Ben, to Nashville. Then added, “Traveling in winter can get ugly fast.” “What!?” She exclaimed. “It hardly ever snows in Nashville! That is the LEAST of my worries.” Twenty-four years of
Writers thrive in the sh*tshow Read More »
“Oh, wow, 2:00 A.M.,” I mumbled to nobody in particular amongst the chatter, fits of laughter, and loud music of this spontaneous house party. “Time to call my Lyft.” My driver, Faizon, would be arriving nine minutes from now in a black Chevrolet Suburban. I made my round of goodbyes. A myriad of fistbumps, bro
My Lyft driver is lost Read More »
In This Episode So, it’s 2024 and you’re still a human. We’re off to a good start. Copywriting needs good humans. Today, I’m going to reveal the Top 3 Copywriting Categories for Freelancers in 2024. And also, the one place where your services are no longer needed. This is a session from the live
EP 306: Kevin Rogers & Rob Tillman – 3 Best Copywriting Categories for 2024 Read More »
Welcome to a new year, dear Sunday reader. To kick off, rather than dispense some semi-deep wisdom or big life perspective… I’d like to hear from you about what you WANT me to write about in these Sunday blogs. See, I regard these Sunday messages, and all the wise replies you send me through emails,
Whataya want from me? Read More »
I talked with a lot of people this week. People I know intimately. People I’m meeting for the first time. People I’ve seen around, but never really talked with before. All of them with vastly different circumstances. And one presiding issue at the forefront of their minds: FEAR. There’s so much to be afraid of.
What’s your secret ingredient? Read More »
In This Episode If you have a business you have a brand… The question is, was your brand created by design or default? Most freelancers and solopreneurs put too little thought into their brands, and end up confusing their audience and prospects. Today, branding experts Carlos and Brenda Citron will show you how to…
EP 305: One-Person Brand w/ Carlos and Brenda Citron Read More »
It’s Thursday and today there is just one call on my calendar. I’m talking to a guy I’ve messaged with sporadically in the past. But, in some ways, I feel I know him very, very well. Here’s what I know… He’s a copywriter. And he’s pretty good at it. Good enough to land two big
The worst mistake freelancers make Read More »
In This Episode What does it take to “make it” in business as a creative, and what does making it actually look like? That’s the central idea of this special episode of CCR for a series I’m calling, Paid To Create. A show that explores three phases of a career in creativity: THE CALLING,
EP 304: Paid To Create w/ TV Producer David Matthews Read More »
Hey, Everyone remembers their first paid gig. It changes you for good. No matter how big or little the pay, the fact that a person of reasonable intelligence has decided to send you money to perform your money skill for them… Wow. The moment you see that digital dough hit your account is the moment
first real copywriting gig… Read More »
There comes a time on this entrepreneurial journey when you will lose friends. When the spirit of what’s possible for you begins to drive your thoughts and actions, and all the things you used to think and talk about – the things your friends still think and talk about – suddenly feel trivial. Annoying, even.
So, about your friends… Read More »
Last Sunday’s email about being “unemployable” really struck a chord. E Major if I had to name it. Thick, raw, bluesy. I appreciate all the replies. If you missed it, I wrote about all the “no resume” jobs I did after stand-up, waiting to find something new I could do to earn the money my
All it takes to “make it” Read More »
In This Episode In this episode, you’ll pull up a chair next to me so I can walk you through my latest sales letter. This is the kind of “look over my shoulder” insight we rarely get to see in copywriting. I’ll share my process for… Coming up with the headlines and lead (and
EP 303: Coffee w/ Kev – Over My Shoulder Writing A Sales Page Read More »
When I quit stand-up comedy and got off the road, I was STUCK. Ten years of driving all over the United States, sleeping in dingy motels, and talking dirty to strangers for laughs was incredible fun. But, when it was time for me to pull off the road and find a new line of work…
Think back. What’s the biggest risk you ever took in life? I wish you and I were sitting in a dimly lit bar right now so I could hear your answer. I bet it’s a killer story. The jukebox on autoplay at half volume, providing, in certain moments, the perfect soundtrack to your tales of
The risk you don’t regret Read More »
In This Episode Until now, the only one to hear this conversation was an AI note taker, and it was very impressed! Just look… The meeting was a conversation between Kevin Rogers and Nicholas Kusmich, discussing Kusmich’s personal and professional journey, including his upbringing in an immigrant family, his early calling to ministry, and
EP 302: Nicholas Kusmich – Kill Your Funnel Now Read More »
It’s November 5th here in the States, which is also the end of a ridiculously archaic thing we do called Daylight Saving Time, where in the spring we flip our clocks ahead an hour in an attempt to trick the sun into giving us more time to spend money every day. So, now, it’s time
Do this before you’re supposed to Read More »
Someone recently asked me, “What is your definition of ‘wealth’?” Good question. This was on a podcast, so maybe I was supposed to proffer how “true wealth” comes from things money can’t buy and yada yada. But, while we all know that’s true philosophically… it’s not how I answered. I talked about money. Because money
Maybe you CAN afford it… Read More »
“Can I see your ID, sir?” “Are you fking serious?” That’s how my day started at the “Copy Legends Lock-in” event Tuesday in Orlando. The “lock-in” was a one-day, invite-only mastermind hosted by Todd Brown, fulfilling a longtime dream of his to gather around a table with what he considers the “absolute royalty of Direct
In This Episode “How the hell did an interview about writing lead to THIS!?” said Marie at one point, throwing her hands up and her head back with laughter. I had a lot of questions or Marie since our last interview years ago, including her take on AI, longevity in business, and why she
EP 301: Marie Forleo “Write it rude” Read More »
Tina tends to get in her head about things. Sound familiar? Toiling over the unknowns we face as freelancers… What kind of copy should I specialize in? What if I’m not good enough for that? What if a prospect asks me a question using words that sound totally foreign to me? What if I’m exposed
“Even if it scares you” Read More »
(Part 1 is here) I arrived at the restaurant in Anna Maria Island to find my Uncle Jerry waiting for me at an outdoor table. The air was cooler than usual, swirling gently in a steady breeze from the Gulf. Jerry wore a blue windbreaker over a white Polo and pleated khakis… his permanently side-combed
Despite your upbringing (Part 2) Read More »
In This Episode Fresh off a year-long hiatus, John is introspective and fiery as ever in this sprawling interview that covers his wildest personal adventures, his take on AI as a writing partner, and his best advice for anyone who wants to be a top copywriter. John also shares the “one regret” that would
EP 300: John Carlton: “My only regret…” Read More »
When I quit comedy I needed a fresh start. As you may recall from my fateful chat with Mrs. Kravitz in Los Angeles, at the end of my stand-up journey, I didn’t know what I wanted next, so I was starting with what I didn’t want. I no longer wanted the grueling uncertainty of success
Despite your upbringing (Part 1) Read More »
“Wait… is that an actual suggestion, or is this some sort of metaphor?” My brain wasn’t comprehending what my therapist, Nick, was telling me. “Just for three months to see what happens,” Nick replied. “Absolutely not,” I said tersely. “I am not up for that.” Up until this point, in nearly six months of sessions
In This Episode You may have heard me obsessing about the Enneagram. It’s an insightful tool for understanding what drives your thinking and behavior. Super important to know as a copywriter and business owner. My guest today, Debbie Owen, is an Enneagram coach who has taken things to another level by incorporating neuro-science into
EP 299: Self-awareness for the win with Debbie Owen Read More »
Get this… It’s Thursday of last week. I have, essentially ONE thing on my calendar: “Podcast Recording – Marie Forleo 4:30” You should know… I friggin’ LOVE Marie Forleo! I could take up the next three pages listing all the reasons I admire her and what she’s built through MarieTV, B School, Copy Cure, her
After a stand-up show in downtown Chicago one night… A clean cut, middle-aged guy came rushing over to a long-haired, 22-year old me, pumped my hand enthusiastically and said… “Man, I loved your pot jokes. You’d be PERFECT for an event I’m hosting next month at the Tennis Club. How much do you charge for
In This Episode There’s no getting around it, these days you need to be seen and HEARD by your clients and customers. Susan Berkley is a world-renowned vocal trainer. She helps speakers, executives, and every other kind of influencer on how to use vocal inflections to move past nerves and persuade their audiences. In
EP 298: Susan Berkley on shifting your human voice for influence Read More »
Fate is a fickle thing. Do you ever sit back and wonder how different life would be if you’d made other choices? It could be a small thing, like the time you passed on seeing Miles Davis in concert a month before he died (just me?). Or a huge thing, like marrying the wrong person,
Beyond your control? Read More »
In This Episode “Good copy in the wrong voice is not good copy.” – Justin Blackman Wanna know how to stay indispensable as a copywriter? Learn to master copy voice. AI currently sucks at it. Every brand and guru who hires cares about it – A LOT! And, the more people start using machine-generated
EP 297: Justin Blackman – Next level copy voice Read More »
About a year ago my wife and I decided we wanted to get our first tattoos. Who knows why. Probably something to do with being at a place in life where we’re getting back to our independence. The kids are pretty much grown. We often have weekends to ourselves. Spending languid Saturdays with a heavy
Tell me about your tattoo Read More »
The thing I remember most about that basement is the waterbed. I was probably six when it happened. So, 1976. My parents always partied with their friends on weekends. Or, so it seems in my memory. Us kids would be shooed into a bedroom or a basement, tucked away from the dirty words and pot
No one knows what it’s like Read More »
In This Episode If you’ve been serving clients as a freelancer for a year or more and feel like nobody knows your name… today I want to help you fix that. I’ll tell you how I became an “accidental” specialist when I was freelancing, and how it boosted my client rates from $10k to
EP 296: Coffee w/Kev – Yes, you really must specialize. Read More »
There are certain skills in life that require us to lean into discomfort. Having difficult conversations is right there at the top. It was for me, at least. Maybe, you too? Some people seem to find it easy to say EXACTLY what’s on their mind. They have no issue with “coming off like an asshole”
Difficult conversations Read More »
In This Episode For my money, there is no better, or more entertaining, email copywriter in the game right now than Daniel Throssell. In fact, he recently TOOK MY MONEY after declaring “war” on me to promote my own course (Escape Velocity) to his list. AND, he did it in less than 48 hours!
EP 295: How Daniel Throssell declared war on me, and won! Read More »
There was a moment sitting in my therapist’s office when things “clicked.” Where I suddenly understood what motivates me – intrinsically. And why the things that are supposed to be motivating do nothing for me at all. The moment made me think of how super-rich people love to reveal that, “Money won’t make you happy.”
Trusting your instincts Read More »
My therapist, Nick, laid out two academic books on the far end of the coffee table before him. “This one on the right is the guide we use for diagnosing disorders,” he explained. “The one on the left is where we identify the healthiest version of someone’s psychological traits.” Then added, “Think of it as
My private therapy “breakthrough” Read More »
In This Episode As creative freelancers, selling ourselves and our services feels unnatural. But, it’s a critical part of the gig. There’s no getting around it. So, I decided to interview a licensed psychotherapist to find out… Why do creatives have mental blocks around selling? What can we do to remove the mental stress
EP 294: Stress-Free Selling with Psychotherapist, Leah Benson Read More »
My friend Jim knows a stunning amount of super famous people. Like, really knows them. Major celebrities, business moguls, even presidents. He told me something about Bill Clinton once that really struck me. He said, “He has an amazing presence because he’s amazingly present.” You know, that whole “makes you feel like you’re the only
Presence over personality Read More »
So, check this out… I’ve been seeing a therapist. How long, you ask? Hang on, let me check Zelle. Started back in April. Why, you ask? Goodness, aren’t you inquisitive. I’ll keep that to myself – for now. But I will share some things I’ve been surprised to learn. About me – and maybe you,
I’m seeing a therapist Read More »
In This Episode The realization hit me like a brick to the noggin’… “Teachers make great copywriters for the same reason comedians and musicians do… they spend a lot of time interacting with a live audience.” I’ve seen the pattern for years in Copy Chief; former teachers getting very good, very fast, as copywriters
EP 293: Why Teachers Make Great Copywriters w/Tania Yeo Read More »
“Use all that energy on something good, because you won’t always have it.” My stepdad, Scotty, told me that once. I was probably nineteen or twenty at the time… Driving all over the country, telling my jokes, stopping in at his and my mom’s place occasionally to refuel and pick up mail. I sort of
Took me a while to get this Read More »
Wanna hear my new definition of good copywriting? I have to warn you… It might screw with your current perception. So you can say “no.” I won’t be offended. You sure? Okay. You asked for it. Here we go. Good copywriting is… A Two-Way Conversation Driven By One Side You feel me? Is that resonating?
The definition of good copywriting Read More »
A few weeks ago I had a spat with one of my competitors. I can’t go into the details without exposing who it is and what it was about. Which would distract from the lesson I’m out to share here. The details are trivial anyway. What matters is the way it went down. When somebody
Things you do in private Read More »
In This Episode Here’s ONE thing everyone in the copywriting industry can agree on (probably the only one)… The best copywriters in the world write in the financial niche. I could list a dozen reasons why that is, but you likely know them already. It really comes down to the fact that… Financial is
EP 292: The secret side-door into financial copywriting w/ Joshua Lee Henry Read More »
My dad is 75 and suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. But, that’s not why I forgave him. I spent years being angry with my dad. For not believing in me. For not encouraging me. For not listening to me. When I was young and needed it most. I remember when I first started doing road gigs…
Don’t listen to your father Read More »
In This Episode “I went into a [yearlong] spiral trying to rewrite this thing.” Writing a “book, book” is not for the faint of heart. As writers with lists, we wake up, think of something worthy of sharing, do our best to make it valuable and entertaining, and ship it an hour or two
EP 291: Wisdom Tree: Laura Belgray on writing, and selling, Tough Titties Read More »
In the mid 90’s Warner Robins, Georgia was not the part of the state that swings elections. It was the part that makes you drive behind farm equipment on the highway. Where the “good” restaurant is a giant buffet of processed food items simmering in square tins, the dress code is coveralls, and there are
The night I quit comedy Read More »
“I’d love to hire you, but I just can’t afford your price.” “I’d love to work with you, but I just can’t wait for your next opening.” “This all looks great, but you’re a bit out of my league.” Hearing these phrases from good prospects is music to a freelancer’s ears. I call them, “a
In This Episode Here’s something it took me far too long to figure out as a freelancer… How to “wow” my clients through the whole project? As copywriters, we work on different schedules than most people, and it’s easy to get lost in our creative bubbles. Little things we can do for our clients,
EP 290: New Breed: Ben McLellan on “Wowing” Your Clients Read More »
One of the greatest challenges for freelancers is creating “the bubble.” The impenetrable little cocoon of sanctity where you do your thinking, your writing, your creating… the stuff people are actually paying you for. All the other “functional” stuff we must do for our businesses; the marketing, the billing, the communicating… doesn’t require the same
Your writing bubble Read More »
This is a picture of my daughter a quiz in her forensic science class… This year, as a junior in high school, she started attending school virtually. It’s the first time in her life that she was free to do her work in the way that works best for her. She has all A’s and
In This Episode How short can you write a great story? Sue Rice calls them “tiny thunder” and they’re incredibly effective at winning attention and compelling your reader to action. Sue and I sat down to discuss her new book, Tiny Thunder (I couldn’t put it down), the power of metaphorical stories, and how
EP 289: New Breed: Sue Rice brings the Tiny Thunder Read More »
“I’m negotiating with the airport. They want five grand. I told them $3,500.” It was around 10 p.m. on a Friday night after the final day of the Creative Machines event here in St. Petersburg, FL. About twenty of us were gathered in my favorite local bar, The Scott, in the lobby of a quaint
Only in real life does this happen… Read More »
Kim Krause Schwalm walked past me and said, “I’m sorry you have to follow that.” The audio guy was running a mic cable down the back of my shirt to wire me up. Sam Woods was wrapping up his Q&A with Brian Kurtz, which was running 20 minutes over, after Sam’s hour-long talk. The room
In This Episode The only way writers and creatives like us will stay ahead of AI is to create things with MEANING. Today I’m sharing a talk I gave a couple of weeks ago at Brian Kurtz’s Titans Mastermind. The room of about 50 people was packed with heavy hitters, like Jay Abraham, Joe
EP 288: Coffee with Kev: Copy with MEANING (Titan’s talk 2023) Read More »
“This is shit. Write it again.” It was John’s very first day working under Gary. He’d accepted Gary’s invitation to give up his current clients and spend a year living in L.A. to become his apprentice. John had quickly established himself as a hot hand on the copy scene and had no problem landing projects
When John met Gary Read More »
Three times in my life I’ve packed everything I could fit into the trunk of a used, four-door sedan and relocated thousands of miles from home. Twice towards a place, and once, away from it. The away was Los Angeles. I’ll never forget pointing the hood of my Oldsmobile East and watching that smog pit
In This Episode “Were you ever a copywriter?” I had to ask Jason this in the middle of our interview because I rarely hear anyone but us talk so deeply about the levels of customer awareness. Jason is a funnel fixer and marketing consultant for some very high-level coaches and business advisors. He’s created
EP 287: New Breed: Jason Van Orden – The Customer Awareness Spectrum Read More »
I like to call traveling “the great equalizer.” Because when you pack a bag, kiss your family, scratch your dog behind the ears, and leave your safe and predictable nest of a home, anything can happen. Especially when you’re flying. There’s a significant price difference between first class and coach, and sure, people in first
You’ll never be the same Read More »
What’s the last thing a redneck says before he dies? “Hey, y’all, watch this!” – One time my wife and I were at a Lucinda Williams concert at Jannus Live here in St. Pete. It’s an outdoor venue. Holds a couple thousand. Bars line the perimeter. Jam-packed in the middle, where the sound is best.
In This Episode Kelly Brown was working at a bank and had never heard of copywriting before getting hired at Stansberry Research, where she learned directly from Mike Palmer, and is currently the Copy Chief. Now, Kelly and the team are looking to bring on 5 new copywriters through a bootcamp they’re hosting on
EP 286: New Breed: Kelly Brown – Stansberry is Hiring Copywriters! Read More »
A phrase my friend, John Carlton, said to me once has stayed with me for years… “You earn the big bucks for making the hard calls.” It was during my freelancing years and I was stressed about which way to go with a lead. “The client wants me to make the call. There’s no room
Hard calls = big bucks Read More »
When I was a skinny, punk-ass 16 year-old… My step-dad, Scotty, ran a construction crew building new homes in Tampa. He was a tough-as-nails, but fun-to-be-around guy (picture Walter White and Jeff Spicoli merged as one) who had one rule on the job site: Never get outworked. That summer, rather than sit around broke watching
In This Episode One of the most challenging elements of launching a product is getting your audience EXCITED for it. Why do people line up for the new iPhone release? How did Taylor Swift “break the internet” in pre-sale for her latest tour? Sure, they both have massive legions of raving fans, but there’s
EP 285: New Breed: The Art of Anticipation Marketing Read More »
Timestamps: 1:00 Meet two great thinkers of the new AI copywriting world 7:00 Why copywriters are so afraid of GPT (and the pro writers’ secret to staying sane) 15:00 How to stay ahead of the curve as GPT4 takes the world by storm 30:00 Step-by-step tips for using ChatGPT in your copywriting process 35:00 Why
In a world where people are trained to share every mundane detail of their lives just to feel relevant. Where every trip to the ER, passing of a grandparent, or dog in a cast is milked like an almond for heart squeeze emojis… Where every beachy sunset, greasy cheeseburger, and spontaneous shoe purchase has people
The 8-word sentence you should never say Read More »
You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle the restroom door in a public place. Not the multi-unit kind, but the SOLO public bathroom. Solo public bathrooms are the best. I’ll gladly wait for one to open up so I can be alone in there, rather than wedge in next
In This Episode Henry Bingaman operated at the highest possible levels of direct response copywriting for nearly 20 years… Working alongside Jedd Canty (one the greatest innovators in the industry) and Mike Ward at Money Map Press, he consistently produced the highest converting “winners” in the toughest game there – financial copywriting. If you’re
EP 284: Wisdom Tree: Henry Bingaman “The threat of the cage” Read More »
The truth about marketing, which very few people will admit, is that you never know what is going to work. True marketing teams comprise a gaggle of experts. Experts in predictive data. Experts in funnel design. Experts in messaging. All making their most educated guesses at which angles, hooks, and prices will click in place
It’s 11:13 pm and my son, Ben, is in his room practicing the solo to Crazy Train, over and over (and over) again. I was 10 when that song came out. Ten years later I was on the road full-time, performing stand-up comedy. (Killing time between shows c.1990) Ben is 19 now. His dream is
My son is living my same life Read More »
In This Episode If you’re a freelancer, or biz owner hiring freelance copywriters, this is a MUST listen because you will learn, from a client’s point of view, what matters most when hiring a full-time copywriter. In this episode we cover… For Freelancers: How to tell a great opportunity from a potential hell gig…
EP 283: Freelancer’s Journey: How to instantly become the #1 choice for a great client Read More »
“Chris Rock is headlining next week, do you want to feature for him?” I really didn’t. But, of course, I said “sure” because… money. This was around 1994 and Chris Rock’s reputation among comics was not good. Not that he was a bad guy or anything; he just wasn’t funny. For some reason though, Eddie
My week with Chris Rock Read More »
I’m not the classic definition of a “car guy.” Meaning I can’t tell you the specs on every car that passes by, like some people can. But I love the cars I love. My friend Lou is the ultimate car guy. He’s also one of the greatest raconteurs you’ll ever meet. Driving around with Lou
What are you driving these days? Read More »
In This Episode Brian McCarthy was burned out on writing copy for clients. It figured it must be a mindset issue, so he did a lot of work with personal development coaches to get to the root of it. What he discovered was that what he really loved was helping other people get over
EP 282: New Breed: Brian McCarthy on ending procrastination Read More »
Here’s a casual Sunday topic for you… What’s your take on life with technology these days? Is it advancing us? Or has it already left us dead as a society? Take your time, and get back to me. Meanwhile, here’s my take… I think the spot where having these life-changing tech advancements… … combined with
Are you playing with it? Read More »
Writers are “moody” people. If you’re not a moody person, get out of the business now! Kidding! (Sort of.) A question I get asked a lot by business types is: Why are copywriters so friggin’ weird? I stumbled on a quote from an interview in CREEM magazine that shed light on why we’re so friggin’
What to do when the words won’t come Read More »
In This Episode Ryan Schwartz is one of the most unconventional copywriters I’ve ever met. From cubicle hell (and praying to get laid off), to optioning screenplays, to writing a book on the challenges and revelations of breadwinning, relationships, and fatherhood (dropping in May ‘23)… and many impressive traditional copy projects along the way…
EP 281: Freelancer’s Journey: Ryan Schwartz on the magic of acting on instinct Read More »
I must have been around 27. Living in a shared second-story apartment with my buddy, Chad, in the heart of the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. If you’ve ever seen the movie High Fidelity with Jack Black, that was Wicker Park in the 90s. Hip, gritty, a block from “dangerous” in any direction. I was
The power of curiosity in storytelling Read More »
As copywriters, we are a nation of introverts. Let’s be clear that the extent of my psychology degree is a messy pile of ¼ read books on the topic… (we’re also rather prone to attention deficit issues) I’m pulling this not just from my ass, but equally from my 17 years of experience coercing and
How shy is “too shy”? Read More »
In This Episode Carolynn Ananian did a lot of “bouncing around” as a freelance copywriter before falling in love with financial copywriting and landing her current “Dream Job” at Stansberry Research. Carolynn started out (as most of us do) as a “Path 1”, doing all the jobs to run and grow a freelance copywriting
EP 280: Freelancer’s Journey: Carolynn Ananian – Adventures of a “Path 2” copywriter Read More »
There’s an irony behind the slogan we’ve used in the Copy Chief community since 2014: “Nobody Writes Alone” The irony is more profound in the recent wake of machine learning tools that have tsunami-waved into writers’ lives. Fact is, the ability to “write alone” is a sacred ability, and is now more critical to the
In This Episode The robots have arrived! I’ve been saying this for two years now, but most people shrugged it off as a “someday” problem. Now, “SOMEDAY” IS HERE. Of course, all the overnight experts are parachuting from the sky dressed up in their “special forces” costumes to save the day and cash in
In This Episode I started doing stand-up when I was 18 and was on the road full-time by the age of 20, so aside from a few short-lived stints washing dishes and detailing cars, when I left comedy and needed work, I had NOTHING to put on a resume. And no amount of creative
EP 278: CWK: My bizarre path to copywriting Read More »
How’s your head? Is it wrecked from too much bottom-shelf champaign? Numb from hours of obnoxious people blowing plastic noisemakers into your ear? (When I was a comic, some clubs would pass those things out to the new year’s crowd on the way IN to the show! Nightmare. How do you combat getting heckled by
One of my former coaching students, who is now the copy chief at a high-volume agency reached out to me last week to show me the rating system her company created for evaluating members of their copy team. She shared this with me because they hire their writers from Copy Chief, so she knew it
How you’ll be judged as a copywriter Read More »
In This Episode On the surface, the idea of “thinking big” sounds a bit vague. It’s bound to mean different things to different people based on their current view of reality. So, I pressed Jon on the idea of “thinking big” since that’s how he frames his big promise as a business coach. He
EP 277: Wisdom Tree: Jon Dwoskin on what it means to think big Read More »
In This Episode How do you define a “dream client”? If you said, “someone willing to pay me”, we need to talk 🙂 After 12 years of freelancing, and eight years of recruiting copywriters for all kinds of companies, I’ve learned (all too well) what to look for – and what to avoid –
EP 276: CWK: What is a “dream client”? Read More »
If you’re feeling nervous about ChatGPT taking all the copywriting jobs… let me help you with that. As I mentioned in my IG reel on Monday, writing words is actually the THIRD job of a copywriter. And yes, someday a bot will be able to replace low-level copywriters who just want to get paid to
5 ways to stay ahead of AI as a copywriter Read More »
In This Episode Ever freak out over giving a prospect your price? There’s more to it than “nerves”. It’s likely some deep-rooted societal programming from your childhood. Sounds kinda worse than you thought when I put it that way – lol. But, it’s actually good news, because when you recognize what’s at the root
EP 275: New Breed: Patty Lennon – Receiving What You’re Worth Read More »
Most days I’m content to look the other way at the filth I see being slung around our industry. Not that it doesn’t make me curse at my screen – it does. It’s just that you gotta choose where to put your energy, and I choose to put it into the people who’ve already trusted
I’m going off on the LIARS today Read More »
In This Episode When Tania Yeo was 18 years old she wanted to become a teacher. She found a company that would pay to send her to school overseas, and place her with a company teaching Art and English Literature. “It was a ten-year contract that dictated every step of my life,” she explains
When I started my copywriting career after 10 years as a (broke ass) stand-up comic, I was nervous and insecure about “selling myself”. I charged way too little for way too long. Like most of us, I pinballed around trying to learn every tactic I read about, thinking that I had to figure out everything
The five words that changed my life Read More »
In This Episode What do you do when your personal beliefs are at odds with your copywriting projects? The conflict is real. There are choices to be made. Jamie Ryder was feeling that, so he took his personal life philosophy of Stoicism into his work as a copywriter. The results have been revolutionary, for
EP 273: New Breed: Jamie Ryder – Aligning your personal philosophy with your copywriting Read More »
Today we wrapped up the final training in our groundbreaking World of Financial Copywriting course. If you haven’t heard of it yet – you will soon. See, the incredible thing about having a community like Copy Chief is it allows us to develop training in real-time, for the benefit of our members, then take the
Dig the well before you get thirsty Read More »
I have this friend who is a pretty famous book author. A couple of years ago in the thick of his book launch, he paid just under a hundred grand to a top social media influencer to promote his book to their audience of tens of millions of followers. That’s a lotta bread. But hey,
The truth about email vs social for actual sales Read More »
In This Episode Brandon Roe was a self-described “outcast nerd” throughout his childhood. So, he became fascinated with the psychology around what makes some people part of the “in crowd” and others relegated to being “out”. At first, he wanted to figure out how to switch camps and become more popular… Then, around the
EP 272: New Breed: Brandon Roe on Decoding Consumer Psychology Read More »
Think you don’t have enough “powerful” stories to tell in your emails and social content? My friend Laura Belgray (founder of Talking Shrimp, co-creator of The Copy Cure with Marie Forleo) has built a 7-figure brand on the power of personal, every day, “mundane” stories: running for a tight connecting flight at the airport, forgetting
Struggling with story ideas? Read More »
A week goes by fast. Here we are staring into the final two months of 2022. If this year hasn’t lived up to your expectations, I want to show you how one week can change everything. I’m offering (until this Tuesday, Nov 8th) a chance for you to spend a week diving into everything inside
By this time next week… Read More »
In This Episode It took Kyle Jordan two years to find his edge in copywriting. And he was pissed at me about it. Here’s what he wrote to me: Hey Kevin, Two years and one month ago, I graduated from RFL 10. And to be honest with you, when I finished your program… I
EP 271: New Breed: Kyle Jordan – How to explode a famous athlete’s email list Read More »
Look, I understand… The idea behind the popular advice to hand-copy famous sales letters is that rote repeating the words on paper will magically implant the ability to write great copy into your brain. People love to point to a quote by Hunter S. Thompson about how he would hand-copy passages from Hemmingway novels just
Stop hand-copying sales letters Read More »
Have you seen that meme about a $500 vs $50,000 client? The note from the $500 client says: “I just feel as though with this investment I’m about to make in you, that we should understand how our lives are about to change. I need results and you need to bring them. I am entrusting
Higher fees = Less Stress Read More »
In This Episode The most organic way to “show your work” as a freelance copywriter is to simply teach what you’re learning. That’s exactly what I did when I started my first blog (The Copywriter’s Edge) back in the day. Teaching what you’re learning is a great way to “find your voice” as an
EP 270: New Breed: Eddie Shleyner’s “Very Good Copy” Read More »
Let’s get some action today… This is my favorite two-sentence framework for telling a great business story. You can use this for your services, or for a client. It works like magic for… Getting super CLEAR on the big WHY behind your business Telling YOUR STORY in about 40 words If I was the clever
These two sentences can change lives Read More »
It’s easy to assume that savvy marketers who make a lot of sales have tight funnels. I can tell you, THEY DON’T. I’m not throwing shade on them, though. As a freelance copywriter turned business owner I totally get why these gaps in their marketing game exist. With so many moving parts it’s easy to
These marketers NEED your help Read More »
In This Episode Brand advertising often feels like a foreign world to Direct Response marketers. But, they are far more aligned than we think, and that trend will only continue. The big pockets publishers now focus way more effort on video platforms (VSLs, Social Media ads) than on long-form text-only platforms… and building brands
EP 269: New Breed: Gary Kopervas – How Big Brands Tell Great Stories Read More »
Nothing gets the laughs started with a group of copywriters than talking about our worst jobs before copywriting. We’ve all had ‘em, and they all sucked. I had a number of “no resume” jobs after retiring from stand-up comedy while I was searching desperately to find something new I could do to earn the money
Nobody makes it in copywriting without THIS… Read More »
In This Episode Despite becoming a Direct Response millionaire in his 30s, Justin Goff considers himself a slow learner. He spent the first few years online pinballing around from “thing to thing” trying to figure out how to make real money. His parents were convinced he was throwing away his education. His friends thought
EP 268: Wisdom Tree – Justin Goff’s Millionaire Blueprint Read More »
I was unwinding in my hotel room last week when this email popped up in my inbox. A guy named Saraj CALLING ME OUT about why he DOES NOT TRUST the sales letter for our big anniversary sale for Copy Chief: Hey Kevin. This might sound silly. But I really wish you had some video
This guy CALLED ME OUT about the sales page Read More »
A few years ago the direct response copywriting industry had a SERIOUS PROBLEM… There was only one place online for copywriters to connect with clients, and to put it bluntly, the place was a cesspool. It was overrun with bullies and trolls and loudmouths with no actual experience writing copy. REAL copywriters and marketers with
FACT: Good clients don’t waste time in free groups Read More »
It’s Copy Chief’s 8th anniversary and we’re giving an entire YEAR of access to our best tools, trainings, coaching, and more for only $888!
Copy Chief 8th Anniversary! Read More »
Have I told you my “red, yellow, and green zones” concept for deciding how to write copy for a product? It’s a super-simplified version of Gene Schwartz’s heady concepts around Market Sophistication and Solution Awareness. Basically, there are 3 levels of pain your product solves… Red is severe. Like, you just got a scary call
How to write copy for a product using“red, yellow, and green zones” concept Read More »
In This Episode Until recently, I never saw myself doing business with Grant Cardone. On the surface, he wasn’t my cup of tea. Now that I’ve had a look behind the curtain, I’m very impressed. The guy we’ve seen posting IG Reels on his private jets is one part of him (you don’t achieve
EP 267: CWK: The Truth About Grant Cardone Read More »
A-List copywriter Lorrie Morgan, known for writing (and teaching) incredible copy bullets, said this about last week’s Bullet The Podcast breakdown: Bullet writing is one of the top 3 skills every copywriter must master to become great. Watching email copywriting innovator, Daniel Throsse, break down bullets about our podcast episode showed the SUBSTANCE behind his
“A masterclass in bullets” Read More »
When Tania was 18-years-old she wanted to become a teacher. She found a company that would pay to send her to school overseas, and place her with a company teaching Art and English Literature. “It was a ten-year contract that dictated every step of my life,” she explains in the video. When you’re eighteen and
Are your instincts working against you? Read More »
In This Episode “One girl wrote to me angry that I’d ruined her birthday because she spent hours ignoring her boyfriend while reading my emails.” That’s just one of the extreme replies Daniel Throssell has received from readers of his daily emails (get them at persuasivepage.com). His writing is fresh, occasionally angry, and consistently
I’m booking calls with ambitious copywriters who want to earn or multiply, six figures with their copywriting. This will be a small group (12-15) and right now there are very few seats left. If it looks like we’re a good fit to work together, here’s what I’d like you to have ready for our call…
Have this ready for our call… A short list of your FAVORITE Read More »
Six months from now things in your copywriting career could be very different. In August I’m taking on a new group of freelance copywriters who are ready to take their businesses to the next phase. From burned out with problem clients to on fire for new projects… From panicked over filling their calendars to booked
Give me 6 months… flip it all in your favor Read More »
In This Episode In 3 short years, Brenna McGowan went from full-time Mom, to “accidental” social media manager, to email copywriter, and now the leading expert on Pre-Launch marketing strategy. If you’ve ever felt like “there’s just no time” to do it all, and been stymied by choosing a specialty, today’s episode with Brenna
EP 265: Freelancer’s Journey: Brenna McGowan Is Owning It Read More »
My friend Billy and I pooled our money and counted it up… Exactly six dollars and fifty-eight cents between us for lunch, and that was it. I don’t remember where the next money was coming from, or even where we were headed next, but I remember that exact amount because we were damn hungry and
Dude, we just ate cat… Read More »
I like to say that “I can trace every dollar I’ve ever made to a handshake somewhere. It’s true. Connections ARE the fastest way to leap a few rungs on the proverbial ladder of success. It was that way early in my freelancing career when my friend from comedy, Vin Montello, became my friend in
I have a $93k copy job waiting for you Read More »
In This Episode I met AJ Harper in the office of best-selling author Mike Michalowicz (Profit First, Clockwork). He introduced her as his writing collaborator – essentially the person who wrote the words I’d been reading intently under his name for years. By the end of the first day of Mike’s workshop, I saw
EP 264: New Breed: AJ Harper on How To Write A Must-Read Read More »
It’s halftime of 2022. How’re you feeling about everything? Plans can go to shit fast when we’re not aligned with our goals. Sometimes the hardest part is deciding what you want. Why are we SO good at seeing other people’s best options, and go completely blind on our own? Lots of reasons, actually. Too many
Why I’m flying 14 hours for a 6-hour meeting Read More »
The Freelancer’s Journey “BEYOND CLIENT WORK” Mastermind Event: V.I.P. IMPLEMENTATION DAY Watch this quick video from Kevin about this exclusive coaching event Live in Knoxville, TN Wednesday, September 14th Join us for an exclusive day of personal coaching, offer development, and high-level business strategy – putting the entire Copy Chief Marketing and Product Development team to
VIP Knoxville Implementation Day Read More »
If you’ve been at this freelance copywriting thing for a year or so, you’re likely facing burnout. What does burnout look like? It’s a bit different for everybody because we’re all wired a bit differently. The SIGNS OF BURNOUT are pretty much the same for everyone though… If you consistently ask yourself, “when’s the last
Signs you might be burning out …don’t ignore these warnings Read More »
In This Episode This funny thing happens with high achievers (like you?)… As we’re transforming into the best versions of ourselves, we soak up tons of inspiration from self-development gurus (for me it was Jim Rohn, Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill, etc.)… Then, once we arrive at success, we tend to stop looking for new
EP 263: Wisdom Tree: Rob Dube on the 10 Disciplines for optimal living Read More »
When you enter Phase 4-5 of your Freelancing Journey, landing gigs is no longer a problem. Now it’s all about fighting for YOUR time. As you can see from the graphic, Phase 4 is all about STABILIZING your business. That means… Knowing exactly how much you earn per hour for different types of work… Learning
How to replace your worst client …even if you still like ‘em Read More »
Would you agree that freelancing is the greatest opportunity on earth? Think about it… You get to get paid to learn on your client’s dime… Paid to learn the skills required to produce and sell quality products… Paid to learn about YOURSELF! And which of your strongest skills will earn you the most. PAID to
The product you are sitting on right now … it’s a shame to not collect Read More »
By now you’ve probably heard about the “Beyond Client Work Accelerator mastermind event we’re having September 14-16. (If not, get the deets and one of the few remaining tickets here) You may be wondering, why did we choose Knoxville as the place to build a game plan for launching and scaling your own offers? Besides
Wait… why Knoxville? The Scruffy City Read More »
In This Episode Look, I get it. Money is how we measure success. So, the appeal of a promise that you can “double your (freelancing) income in X days” is a sexy one. We see this promise every day online and, understandably, people fall for it. Here’s the problem: It’s not only UNREALISTIC to
EP 262: Coffee with Kev: The Truth About Doubling Your Copywriting Income Read More »
I’ll never forget the first time I released my own offer… I had partnered up with two of my friends, both copywriters, to create a quick copy course. (I can’t even remember what it was called, tbh) We released it on a marketing platform called the Warrior Forum. Mostly we just wanted to throw something
My pocket was buzzing like crazy with these alerts Read More »
Last week, on a whim, I invited my subscribers to pitch me their offer. Just a 2-3 sentence description and a link to the product page. I was curious to know… How MANY of you had existing offers What KIND of offers you are creating How you’re PITCHING them to prospects This is on my
RESULTS of my “pitch me your offer” email Read More »
Are you a freelancer? If so, have you created your own offer yet? In this instance, I’m defining an offer as anything other than your standard service. Something that you sell “on the side.” That gets you paid for what’s in your brain. So… A course… A coaching workshop… A consulting call… A framework or
Pitch me your offer, I’m in the mood to buy. Read More »
In This Episode If you thought there was no market for direct response copywriters in the tech space, today’s guest will shed some new light. Karl Hughes was leading high-profile tech teams until the lockdown freed up half his time to do what he always loved: write. So, he started blogging in his conversational
EP 261: Freelancer’s Journey: Karl Hughes – Tech Copywriting Kingpin Read More »
I received this email with a question about Escape Velocity, my live training that kicks off on June 1st: Hi Kev. I think I own the values you require for the EV live program. I’m not motivated – I’m driven. And I’m a student of Escape Velocity [non-live version] already. I want to become an
“I’m not motivated – I’m driven.” Read More »
Look, I get it. Money is how we measure success. So, the appeal of a promise that you can “skyrocket your freelancing income overnight” is a sexy one. We see this promise every day online and, understandably, people fall for it. Now, if you’re thinking, “The people who would believe that probably don’t care about
Do you remember your first copy client? Of course, you do. (unless you’re still looking for them, in which case, read closely.) My first ever client? It was a dude with a landscaping service. He knocked on MY door to pitch me his services. Which was an instant “Sorry, no” because, back then, my wife
The bizarre way I landed my first copy client Read More »
In This Episode In this Coffee With Kev episode, I share some big lessons in… Customer support (via Virgin Hotels and Virgin Airlines failing hard at this) Developing your motivation into revenue (via Jack White’s elegant and inspiring Third Man empire) Strengthening your business with short, in-person mastermind events The most dramatic (and powerful)
Get this, I bought my father-in-law a $50 Amazon gift card for his birthday. (Please, hold your applause. My overwhelming generosity is NOT the point of this story.) The circumstances are important here. When I purchased the gift card, I was sitting with my father-in-law (imagine an 81-yr-old Barney Rubble on oxygen). And because I
Bezos owes me fifty and why this matters to copywriters Read More »
In This Episode Chris Farrell is a long admired and respected leader of communities where he helps people improve their lives. He’s done it with online marketing and other business skills, and now he’s building what he considers his most meaningful community yet. Here’s what he told me about it: “I want people
EP 259: Wisdom Tree: Chris Farrell “We are all going through something” Read More »
This weird thing happens when you do freelance work… … because we work alone, and doing our work typically means disappearing into the laptop for a few hours… No one ever sees the work getting done. They see the results of the work, sure. But very few people have a clue as to what goes
what are you working on? (show me) Read More »
Have you ever had a freelance gig go straight into the toilet? Happens to all of us eventually. In comedy, we call them “Hell Gigs” And they’re kinda funny. Eventually. I mean, it’s painful, believe me, to stand before a roomful of strangers, your voice amplified twelve times the natural volume, saying things everyone knows
the client from hell Read More »
In This Episode What does it really mean to have a “compliant” sales copy? The answer is a moving target, guided by risk tolerance, and trending enforcement measures. The ONE thing you can be sure of is that the law will follow the complaints, the money, and the headlines. Today, “badass attorney” Peter
EP 258: New Breed: Peter Hoppenfeld – Copy Compliance Read More »
As a self-identifying outsider, I’ve always hated social cliques. Have you ever seen the show Freaks and Geeks? I was the little brother, Sam. Awkward in my skin and want to fit in, but never find a groove socially. I was painfully shy with girls, too. I remember crushing so hard on the cashier at
If I were starting out in copy now, this is where I’d focus Read More »
