“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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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
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
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 »
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
“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 »
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 saw this image yesterday that will live in my mind forever. My twenty-year-old son, Ben, guitar bag over his left shoulder, amplifier hanging heavily from his right hand, brown hair flowing below his jacket collar, as he walks out the front door of our house into heavy rain. It’s an image I’ve seen countless
A way to say “goodbye” 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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
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 »
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
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
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
“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 »
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 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
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
“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
“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
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.
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
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
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 »
“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 »
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 »
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 »
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
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Hey, How happy are you with your clients right now? Do you get excited about what you see on your calendar? Or does your stomach swirl into nausea at the mere thought of a random email from a client with the same subject I used in this one? Or worse: “Quick call?” Random emails from
How’s the copy coming? Read More »
The first time I met Dean Jackson on the white couches in Celebration, FL, he asked me a question… “How long could you sit on this couch and do nothing before it had a negative effect on your business?” I didn’t have to think too long. “I’d be dead in two weeks,” I said and
“I’d be dead in 2 weeks” Read More »
You may have heard whispers about my private coaching group called Accelerator. We sometimes refer to it as a mastermind, but it’s very different from what that term has come to mean in our industry. This is not a “mastermind” where you’re paying to “belong”… maybe do a bit of networking, get occasional access to
Interested in joining my private coaching group? Read More »
I just got back from Nashville where I hung out with my friends Rob and Kira and their gang at TCC. Fine group of humans – much fun was had. I love meeting freelancers. No matter which Phase they are in, hearing their stories about what led them out of the “norm” and into this
Yes, you DO need an “elevator pitch” Read More »
“Quit overthinking it. If you’ve done your research, just sit down and brain dump a sloppy first draft.” My mentor, John Carlton, would say this to me often when I was stressing over getting into “the writing part” of a copy project. He was right. It should be easy. I’d spent days or even weeks
How to write a sales letter in 60 minutes Read More »
Spoiler alert: Yes, you can. I have proof that if a skill “is in you”, then all you need is a modicum of basic instruction to bring it to life. I’ve seen this, as I bet you have, with many different skills. Here’s the formula: Someone (maybe yourself) has a passing interest and a touch
Can you learn to write from reading a book? Read More »
I’m headed to London for the first time next month, and I’m so damn excited that I decided to create a one-day-only COPY CONVERSION OPTIMIZATION WORKSHOP where I will work closely with a select group of marketers and teach them my method for… Pumping out a proven to convert sales letter in 60 minutes
LIVE in London! 60-minute sales letter workshop – It’s happening April 10th Read More »
Later today (12:00 ET) my friend Tim Diering is teaching his unique system for harvesting Big Ideas in sales copy. Tim is not a “guru”, except to his clients, which are billion-dollar publishers in the most competitive niches. So, I can promise that today’s training from Tim will be unlike any you’ve seen before. It’s
Making connections Read More »
People are finally beginning to understand introverted behavior. Forever it was an “either/or” thing. But, “the great resignation” and the ability for some workers to discover how they operate best — usually AWAY from other people — even has the “big corporate work machine” mentality shifting a bit. They’re discovering what creatives have known all
Revenge of the introvert (intimate chat with John Carlton) Read More »
My daughter and I love going to the Saturday Morning Market here in St. Petersburg, Florida. Every visit is a new adventure in discovering the cool people doing cool stuff in our hometown. Stuff that’s easy to lose sight of behind the growing walls of shiny new shops and breweries that’ve come to dominate our
Write once, Paid twice Read More »
If you’re selling services as a freelancer, then you either have, will, or are currently, dealing with some issues that feel super daunting. A few of them are so hard they make you want to quit and go back to the jooooob 🙁 Like… Feeling stuck with low-paying clients who don’t “get” what you really
5 “Career-Killer” Freelancing Screw Ups Read More »
I’ve been fascinated by motivation lately. (If I was a Millennial I’d say I am “OBSESSED” with it, and everything else I’m into, wherein the hyperbole would void the meaning of any genuine interest I have on the topic. So, not obsessed. Just fascinated.) Specifically… What makes us do some things – and feel great
Maybe it’s not for you Read More »
Once you learn the “basics” of a sales pitch it isn’t very hard to write an ad that sells. It’s so simple in fact that my best selling “stand-alone” product is a framework for fitting all ten of the elements on a single 4×6 index card. Combine that with a good product that solves a
Deadliest storytelling mistakes Read More »
Here’s a lesser-known secret to success in the business world: Learn how to pick up the tab. Notice the wording there. Not, “be willing to pick up the tab”, but “learn HOW to pick up the tab”. Maybe you are a natural at this. If so, congratulations. Just like people with shampoo commercial hair or
You got this? The right (and very wrong) way to pick up the tab. Read More »
[Part 1 of this story is here] My thought as I sat in the far back of the small lounge while the host uttered my bloated credentials to the audience was… “I would pay anyone in this room every dollar to my name (about $65 at that time) to go up there and pretend to
The night I quit comedy – Part 2 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 »
“How’s that asshat landing all these great gigs!?” Maybe it’s okay to feel jealous. I mean… Yes, of course, social media is a human highlight reel with (very) questionable accuracy. Yes, it’s a waste of energy to “count other people’s money”. And yes, your time is better spent doing your thing instead of wishing you
“How’s that a**hat landing all these great gigs!?” Read More »
Life is going to throw all kinds of shit at us. That’s Life’s job. Like a mean, but well-meaning, older brother… It pushes our faces in the dirt often enough to make sure we learn our lessons along the way. So we can use the wisdom to do better. Learn. Grow. Adapt. And, ultimately, have
There is no “one size fits all” path to freelancing success Read More »
Wow… Last week’s post 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
This is how to tell if someone will “make it” 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…
Are you UNEMPLOYABLE? Read More »
I’m still buzzing from our big virtual event last week (Copy Chief Live). I was blown away at how close it FELT to our in-person events. Our community showed up in full, as usual, and brought the sessions and the conversations to the next level. Pondering all we covered in 3 days made me think
Can you write a letter? Read More »
If you’re a copywriter, there are two types of leads you can get all day long with very little effort… The “lowest bidder” leads on freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork where you’re forced to do a high volume of low dollar gigs. (The only way to “win” this game is by living in the
A coaching student asked me: “How do I know when I’m working ‘too much?’” Good question, actually. The answer is personal… based on what we want – and need – at that time. However, this idea that we should all be “striving to achieve balance” is completely vague and, frankly, WRONG. As a non-conforming, cubicle-shunning,
Those days when the laptop eats your brain Read More »
It’s no secret that a lot of copywriters who attend Copy Chief Live want to find new clients there. So why did one company become worried about their favorite copywriter attending this event? I’ll let Derek explain… “What happened was, they knew I was going to be at Copy Chief Live so basically that became
His client was afraid he’d go to Copy Chief Live…See Why Read More »
I was recently on a Facebook live with special guests… master copywriter David Deutsch, uber-successful entrepreneur, Ryan Lee, and celebrity productivity expert, Adrienne Dorison… Watch the replay to get an actionable preview of the kind of tactics we’ll be sharing at the upcoming Freelancing Transformation Bootcamp in November. Over
Three superstar guests joining me… (guess who) Read More »
A few people have asked… “Why is Copy Chief Live all about freelancing this time?” Good question. Yes, I could have easily made the content for Copy Chief Live all about the “insider secrets” to writing “killer copy”. We certainly have the resources. In fact, several of this year’s speakers are considered the best in
The question to ask if you only have 30 minutes Read More »
Copy Chief Live (the Freelancing Transformation Bootcamp) is all virtual this year, and one of the great benefits of that has been getting commitments from speakers who are typically hard to land because they… a) just don’t like traveling and/or speaking on stage, or b) charge tens of thousands when they do. Mike Michalowicz, who
How we landed speakers who normally don’t speak Read More »
This is a big question: When (if ever) is it a good time to sell all your time to a single client? First off, if you’re being offered this — well done! It means you’re kicking ass in a special way for a client, and they want all the ‘you’ they can get. That’s never
Should you go full time with one client? Read More »
Let’s be real.Freelancing is hard.Especially for creatives. We care – a lot. About the craft.About the client.About the audience. The thing that makes us great at what we do,is the same thing that can sabotage our careers. Our caring nature has our instincts working against us. We…Undercharge for our services.Overthink our specialties. Overwhelm ourselves trying
the starving part of being an artist Read More »
Rejection sucks. But if you think about it, how many times has it turned out to be a gift in disguise? One of the funkier jobs I held between comedy and copywriting was working the overnight shift at a haunted beach hotel. It’s called the Don CeSar. If you’ve ever been to St. Pete Beach,
Rejection turns to flattery Read More »
Have you ever wanted something desperately, but could not afford it, and thought… “What if I just asked them to give it to me?” There’s a good way and a really bad way to ask for something you want badly. And every year, I hear both versions from people who are eager to attend Copy
How to ask for something big and get it Read More »
I’ve got two teenagers (15 and 17) who are preparing to take on the world, so I think a lot about what I can give them to make the journey ahead a little less treacherous. Sure, I welcome all the ass-kickings they surely will endure – and survive – because wisdom from experience is the
Here’s what I’d teach my own kids about freelancing (3 things in 3 minutes)… Read More »
Tell me if this one rings a bell… You kick royal ass on a project for a client… You get paid on time (great). You get a virtual high five for your excellent work (cool). And a friendly “see you on the next one” to close out the deal. Ok, nice. Feels good. Everything went
Is your client “fading” you? (how to know and what to do) Read More »
Here’s a bizarre story best told through video…It’s six minutes long, which I know is an eternity in the world of 8-second attention spans, but totally worth it if… You plan to have a career as a freelance copywriter… (Especially if you plan to focus on FB ad writing)… You want the world’s best tactic
The best possible way to end a client relationship Read More »
We’ve just opened up a very few spots in my Freelancer’s Journey Accelerator coaching program. Accelerator is my mid-level coaching program where twice a month I host a call and give you 1-1 advice and action plans for… Resolving tricky client issues Raising your fees Specializing your services Connecting with copy-centric companies looking to hire
How to solve ANY freelancing problem in 10 mins or less Read More »
It’s a really good question: “Hey Kevin, if you woke up tomorrow with nothing; no contacts, no experience, no idea how to get paid for writing copy… what would you do to kickstart your career?” I always like this question because it forces me to think back to when I still wore hair on my
If I woke up tomorrow with nothing Read More »
I just finished a call with one of the most in-demand freelancer’s I coach… He’s got a lot going on. Full roster of well-known clients where he primarily consults on, rather than writes, their ads. A suite of training products he sells consistently for thousands in passive monthly income. Paid workshops that fill to capacity every time
The latest (and most ironic) trend in freelancing… Read More »
Today I’m going to show you a super cool (and crazy short) copywriting framework for… Getting super CLEAR on the big WHY behind your business Telling YOUR STORY in about 40 words This is the very framework that helps people like us give some purpose to our passion.It’s what helped a young, rebellious me move
The 40 words that led Branson into space Read More »
Last week a group of us were out at my favorite live music venue here in St. Pete… It’s the Hideaway Cafe, where we held our first ever X-Factor Extravaganza music and comedy show during Copy Chief Live! I love the Hideaway because it is specifically designed for listening to music (not talking over
The joy of mistakes Read More »
This will sound strange coming from a guy who lives in Florida, but… I love the month of July. Yes, it’s stupid hot here. Not fit for humans, kind of hot. Yesterday I saw a lizard wearing a headband. It’s hot, okay? And there are mosquitos everywhere. Big ones. So big they serve you orange
Today is halftime 2021. What’s your gameplan? Read More »
My daughter did a cool presentation for school on the concepts of Uniqueness and Vulnerability. Pretty deep, eh? We started brainstorming, her and I, and we realized that these concepts go hand-in-hand because… … you can only be truly unique when you are willing to be vulnerable. Makes sense, right? It’s one of those
unique vs “you freak!” Read More »
When copywriters join the Copy Chief community, one thing we ask is: “Where does it hurt?” A lot of new copywriters tell us they “feel like a fraud” because it’s so hard to know if what you’re writing is good enough, and none of us can know until the ad goes live and buyers vote
Ever feel like a fraud? Read More »
How ‘bout a little look behind the curtain today? This’ll be revealing to you if… You love copywriting and freelancing… You consider yourself to be a natural teacher… You’ve thought of creating your own courses and products… Many freelancers do, over time. Others don’t. They prefer to hang behind the scenes and produce. Which is
Well, THAT went well… Read More »
A couple years into my freelance copywriting career, I was suffering from serious input overload. You know, that nagging feeling that even though you’re doing pretty good you’re constantly aware of how much better you could be doing…. and you really want to be there RIGHT NOW. It was messing up my mojo pretty bad,
A copywriting crossroads moment (what’s yours?) Read More »
