In This Episode In this episode, I handed the mic to Lolita Allgyer—our brilliant messaging and story strategist here at Copy Chief—for a deep dive into what makes story-driven copy land with real emotional punch. This was more than just an interview. Lolita came in with the mindset of a strategist working with a client […]
EP 329: Why Human Curiosity And Great Questions Will Never Be Replaced by AI Read More »
In This Episode In this powerhouse episode of Copy Chief Radio, Kevin Rogers chats with Daniella Wade—a strategic copywriter and entrepreneur from Trinidad and Tobago—about what it really takes to thrive as a freelance copywriter and what it’s like to land an elite in-house gig with Jeff Walker’s team at Internet Alchemy. Daniella shares her
In This Episode In this special Behind The Copy session, I’m joined by one of the most legendary and unfiltered voices in copywriting—Chris “Mr. Moneyfingers” Haddad. If you’ve ever wondered how someone turns emotional pain and dark humor into multi-million dollar sales letters… Chris holds nothing back. We go deep into the psychology of persuasion,
EP 327: Behind The Copy with Chris Haddad – “Manipulate Responsibly” Read More »
In This Episode Most freelance copywriters are introverts—which makes the idea of networking feel about as natural as small talk at a corporate retreat (aka painful). But what if you could build powerful, career-changing relationships in a way that feels natural, rewarding, and even fun? That’s exactly what Selena Soo teaches in this episode. She’s
EP 326: Introvert’s Guide To Rich Relationships with Selena Soo Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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)
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 »
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 »
In This Episode Michael Fishman has been the private insider brand consultant for the biggest health brands (Bulletproof, VitalChoice, Healthy Directions) over the last 25 years. Today we discuss… The marketing voice vs. the relationship voice… Why clear, compassionate marketing is the most persuasive, and… Who the prospect trusts least, and why… A
EP 257: Wisdom Tree: Michael Fishman – “Flag on the moon” Marketing Read More »
In This Episode A really fun and insightful conversation with Yara Golden, an email copywriter who now runs her own agency strategizing and producing email content for some of the biggest names in marketing (Russel Brunson, Shanda Sumpter, Peng Joon). She started out in business as an “accidental” relationship coach after her marriage
EP 256: New Breed: The “List Assist” Email Strategy Planner w/ Yara Golden Read More »
In This Episode I’m thrilled about this episode today because I get to jump all the way to Phase 7 of The Freelancers Journey Timeline and talk to you about more advanced business strategies and tactics. If you don’t know about the Freelancers Journey – it’s a simple 7-step roadmap to freelance success. It
In This Episode Gary Goldstein became the producer of Pretty Woman and other Hollywood blockbusters by seeking to help the creative forces behind those films navigate the cut-throat world of the entertainment business. Through his decades in the wild world of show business, he has never stopped being a champion for creatives.
EP 254: Wisdom Tree – Gary Goldstein Mega Hollywood Producer and Champion For Creatives Read More »
In This Episode Could you tell your life story in ten minutes? It took me about 45 minutes, but the good folks over at Mirasee edited it down to ten minutes for an episode of their cool new podcast called Making It. I thought they did a really good job choosing the
EP 253: Coffee with Kev – On “Making It” Read More »
In This Episode Colin Chung admits he is “terrible at small talk”, yet he cites “connecting with people and networking” as the #1 asset a freelancer can have in succeeding in business. In this deep diving Freelancer’s Journey episode, Colin reflects on the work, and the network, that has led to his Phase
EP 252: Freelancer’s Journey: Colin Chung – “Safer than a real job.” Read More »
In This Episode Copywriters face two hazards when writing ongoing content for clients, or themselves… Coming up with enough good ideas Connecting our ideas to relevant calendar events These usually happen in succession… In the early going you struggle to come up with ideas. Once the ideas start flowing, you almost can’t stop them,
EP 251: New Breed: Copywriting publicity tactics with Selena Soo Read More »
In This Episode There’s no avoiding the camera these days. From conference calls to Insta updates, your camera is how you stay present with your prospects, clients, and growing audience. But it isn’t just about how to stage your background or wear your hair… The way you speak and express yourself on camera
EP 250: New Breed: Jen Gottlieb – Connecting Through The Camera Read More »
In This Episode Carline Anglade-Cole is relentlessly honest. So, if you put your sales copy in front of her for review, you better be prepared for a lot of notes and no punches pulled. “Your copy sucks, you don’t,” is the loving warning shot she puts out before launching into the kind of
EP 249: Wisdom Tree: Carline Anglade-Cole – “Your copy sucks, you don’t” Read More »
In This Episode In the trendy, fast-changing world of direct response marketing, staying consistent to your marketing beliefs can be difficult. But if the foundation of what you do is focused on OUTCOMES for your client, digging in and holding steady against the trends in a strong way to position yourself. Kev Kaye
EP 248: Freelancer’s Journery: Kev Kaye “What you actually need is a growth strategy.” Read More »
In This Episode April Dykman has worn your shoes. She struggled up treacherous Mt. Freelance with just a pair of mittens and a pickaxe to start. Met some trusty guides along the way, and did ALL the work to become the independent (and in-demand!) business owner she is today, calling the shots and
EP 247: New Breed: April Dykman – How to land (or lose) the gig Read More »
In This Episode Terri Trespicio is a creative force. A sharp-witted comedian, eloquent writer, trusted brand advisor, and world-renowned speaker with 7 million views on her TEDx talk. Her new book, Unfollow Your Passion: How To Create A Life that Matters To You is a category above the typical development book. Funny, challenging,
EP 246: New Breed: Terri Trespicio – How to thrive inside your comfort zone Read More »
In This Episode Let’s face it, launching a product is typically as stressful as launching a spacecraft… Lots of staring at screens with a sweaty brow and biting fingernails down to a bloody nub until it’s time to hit “go”… then you cross your fingers and pray everything works like it you hoped.
EP 245: New Breed: Brenna McGowan – The no stress launch plan Read More »
In This Episode As an entrepreneur or service provider your reputation is (by far) the most valuable asset you have. A good one will catapult you into the highest levels of opportunity, and a bad one will cost you dearly, often without even knowing the cause. So, how do you establish and protect
EP 244: Coffee with Kev – 7 Reputation Boosters (and Killers) Read More »
In This Episode Last week a copy chief member sent me a piece of sales copy to look at. It was 20 pages long. In a typical first draft copy review there’s something critical on the very first page that needs to be fixed, so I rarely get beyond that before sending over
EP 243: New Breed: Craig Dave – Ramping up tension (and laughs) in your copy Read More »
In This Episode Today’s episode could save lives – no joke. Arthur Lih is my guest, he’s the inventor of LifeVac (lifevac.net), a simple, plunger-like device that has saved 160+ lives (70 of them children) since he invented it. His “reason why” story will break your heart, as will the many stories of
EP 242: New Breed: Arthur Lih – The tricky business of saving lives Read More »
In This Episode How does a high school gym teacher with dial-up internet end up starting, running, and being the face of multiple companies across vastly different niches, all without any formal business education or investors of any kind? By not overthinking it. Ryan Lee is a master of “ready, fire, aim” style entrepreneurship,
EP 241: Wisdom Tree: Ryan Lee on reinventing your business without losing your way Read More »
In This Episode Dropping services you no longer enjoy delivering is hard for freelancers. Especially when those services are in demand. It takes a giant leap of faith to believe that by creating that space, better things will come. Copy Chief Live guest expert Laura Belgray has made a career of creating wildly popular
In This Episode Cole Schafer is a writer. And like a real writer, he bares his soul in his work. Including in his ad copy. Even his descriptions of cookies can make you feel challenged, amused… even annoyed. Something you’d expect at a live spoken word event, far more than a chocolate chip cookie
EP 239: New Breed – Cole Schafer on being the man in the arena Read More »
In This Episode Dean Edelson was a stand-up comic working the NYC club scene with legends like Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David… then he started writing TV promos and movie scripts in Hollywood before getting into real estate investing where he realized he loved writing the stuff to sell properties more than selling properties.
EP 238: Freelancer’s Journey – Dean Edelson, ClickFunnels Senior Copywriter Read More »
In This Episode If I could corral my on-the-go teenagers for three days of focused attention, these are the 3 things I would want them to know about how to work with great clients, from anywhere, on their own terms. I came to these 3 things by reviewing what the most successful freelancers in
EP 237: Coffee With Kev – The 3 things I would teach my kids about freelancing Read More »
In This Episode Best-selling author Mike Michalowicz (Profit First, Clockwork) has a new book about how to stand out in the deafening world of marketing noise. It’s called “Get Different” and it’s really good. “This isn’t about putting on a clown costume and making the ‘wonka, wonka’ sound,” Mike clarified to start the interview…
EP 236: New Breed – Mike Michalowicz on how to Get Different (minus the clown shoes) Read More »
In This Episode Today I’m sharing a cool bit from one of my paid training sessions… It’s a way to take an ordinary review (or critique) and easily turn it into a piece of content that will instantly position you as a respected expert in your field. I call it R.E.A.C.H. content and I’m
EP 235: Coffee With Kev – The R.E.A.C.H. content method Read More »
In This Episode Making the “big leap” is never an easy decision, and that’s why Claire knew if she didn’t make two of them (ending her stressful career AND marriage) simultaneously, she would likely put them off too long, or even forever. Today you’ll hear how Claire found the courage – and the path
EP 234: Freelancer’s Journey: Claire Fernan – The Pharmacist Turned Copywriter Read More »
In This Episode Sure Instagram is a visual platform… but if you’ve been overlooking the copy in your captions, then you’re missing the biggest conversion factor. Copywriter and prolific Instagrammer, Sammy Musgrave is back to explain how she’s using proven copy strategies for turning scrollers into subscribers. Listen to Copy Chief Radio #233 New
EP 233: New Breed: Sammy Musgrave – Instagram Caption Copy That Converts Read More »
In This Episode Fractional CMOs are essentially a hybrid of Marketing Consultant (which nobody really wants) and Chief Marketing Officer (which many companies can’t afford or aren’t yet ready for). Whether or not you feel equipped to step into a company as their fractional CMO, today’s episode will expand your thinking about… – Positioning
EP 232: New Breed: Casey Stanton on Fractional CMO-ing Read More »
In This Episode One of the fastest ways to build a strong reputation for yourself as a freelancer is to create Authority Content by simply teaching what you’re learning. Csaba Borzasi (CH-aba Bor-za-SHE) has done an amazing job of this with his recent public challenge to break down 100 Legendary Sales Letters in 100
EP 231: Freelancer’s Journey: Csaba Borzasi – Growing Your Business By Showing Your Work Read More »
In This Episode Frank McKinney is one of the most fascinating and inspiring people I’ve ever met. Considering I met him a few minutes before this interview started, that’s saying something. This dude defies common titles… He’s a real estate artist who’s designed and flipped 44 oceanfront homes at an average price of $14
In This Episode A raw and rarely shared “in the moment” recording of Kevin with his private coaching group of freelance copywriters. One member asked: “When was the moment that freelancing “clicked” for you?” I couldn’t resist sharing 3 key moments… The first was with the writing itself… the second with closing clients deals…
In This Episode If you’re an expert at what you do – and have some case studies to show for it – then it’s time to step up and get yourself featured as an expert… on major blogs, podcasts, and even glossy magazine publications and television. Problem is, most of us don’t know where
EP 212: New Breed – The Copywriter’s Edge For Landing Publicity with Selena Soo Read More »
In This Episode Freelance copywriting changed in some significant ways in 2020, and if you’re prepared, those changes play perfectly into your hands. Today, in an intimate “Coffee with Kev” episode, I’m detailing how businesses are working differently with freelancers in 2021. We’ve seen 5 major shifts in the marketplace, all spurned by the
EP 211: Coffe With Kev – The New Reality of Freelance Copywriting in 2021 Read More »
In This Episode In the six years I’ve been coaching freelance copywriters, no one has blasted through the first 6 (of 7) Phases of the Freelancer’s Journey faster than Chris Orzechoski. Four years ago this guy was teaching high school and coaching wrestling, and now he’s running his own agency. Like, a real agency,
EP 202: CCR Freelancer’s Journey – Chris Orzechowski – “Embrace the work” Read More »
In This Episode Carline’s new book, My Life As A 50+ Year-Old White Male is a rollicking ride through her life as a Haitian immigrant in the U.S., a colorful childhood with a tough love twist, becoming an A-List copywriter known as “queen of the control”, and raising children to understand the power of
EP 201: CCR Wisdom Tree – Carline Anglade-Cole – The Copy Control Queen Read More »
In This Episode I was thinking about this journey we take to grow our freelance businesses… It’s a bold choice, right? Most people just would not choose like you did. But something in us makes it feel like independence is the only choice. I was thinking about you, and me, and the paths we
Ep 111: 3 Paths with Kevin Rogers Read More »
In This Episode Ross was struggling to commit to making the leap to full time freelancer.He knew he wanted it. Believed he could manage it. But kept pushing his own deadline to make the leap out further.Then fate (and the Canadian government) stepped in and decided for him. Today on Copy Chief Radio, Ross
As I write this, San Diego’s Comic Con just wrapped up. Fans were served tasty selections of their favorite fictional universes. Predictably, some offerings unleashed a flurry of geek-citement. But others ignited a firestorm of critiques. Cause few folks are as argumentative as fanboys. As a market, they’re sophisticated and very vocal. That’s why storytellers
[Story Sells] How to Answer Customer Objections with the “Death Star” Solution Read More »
As freelance copywriters, we’re at this weird intersection between ‘creatives’ and ‘craftspeople’… Because our working practices need to draw from both areas. Creatively, copywriters must be sensitive to human emotions and highly empathetic… We have to be regularly inspired to create and develop ‘big ideas’ that resonate with people and help sell our clients’ products…
When I feel stressed out at the end of the day, and I need to relax, I’ve got something better than single malt scotch. I tune in to an artist with a big ‘fro named Bob Ross, and step in his world of Happy Little Trees, in the Joy of Painting Series. (How’d he get
June 2017 marks 50 years since David Bowie released his first album. The title of this landmark record? Somewhat unimaginatively, it was called: David Bowie. Ironic, because nothing else in Bowie’s extraordinary life was ever that predictable again… The Ultimate Artist-as-Entrepreneur As a long-time fan, I was recently struck by just how well some of
David Bowie: The Ultimate Artist-As-Entrepreneur? Read More »
Before I became a copywriter, I spent 29 years working with brands. The power of those brands allowed me to create multi-million dollar businesses around the globe. That’s a nice piece of change. It worked because each brand had a clear identity that resonated with certain consumers. In fact, the product itself was often secondary.
How Eugene Schwartz’s Branding Secret Ignites Direct Response Sales Read More »
Add strong proof elements to your marketing materials and watch your sales soar. The young lawyer wrapped up his closing argument. He felt confident in his performance over the course of the trial. As the jury began deliberating, he and his boss walked toward the attorney conference room. He gave the senior attorney a broad
Boost Your Conversions by Thinking Like a Lawyer Read More »
I loved watching SNL as a kid. My favorite player? Dana Carvey. You might remember some of his best characters … The very special Church Lady. The dependable Garth. And, of course, the fake George Herbert Walker Bush. Carvey’s impression of President Bush became so widespread, that the former president himself once did a
[Story Sells] How Bush beats Obama in your sales stories Read More »
You will lose sales unless you hook your customer’s attention with the very first sentence. But what do you say? Well, to figure that out, let’s look at what not to do. And then just do the opposite. Captain Hook and his pals at Jake and the Neverland Pirates hold the treasure we seek. If
[Story Sells] How to Capture Drifting Attention with the Captain “Hook” Rule Read More »
It’s one of the most notorious openings to any novel… Shocking, gruesome… …and so very, very vivid. From Stephen King’s epic 1986 tale, IT: “A small boy in a yellow slicker and red galoshes ran cheerfully along beside the newspaper boat. The rain had not stopped, but it was finally slackening. It tapped on the
Stephen King’s IT And The Secret To Creating Emotion-Driven Copy That Converts Read More »
I remember when I first deadlifted a barbell. Before that moment, I hesitated to pick up the 12.5lb dumbbells at bootcamp classes. So when I heard the barbell is 20kg (44.4 pounds) without plates on it, you can imagine how terrified I was. As I walked up to the platform, bullets of sweat were rolling
4 Things You Should Be Testing But Probably Aren’t Read More »
The latest Marvel blockbuster ‘Dr. Strange’ makes you believe in magic. To the tune of $653 million and counting. And one of the secrets of the believability is a little storytelling magic trick you may use in your next promotion. We live in the Golden Age of Fantasy Movies. From epic fantasies like Game of
When I was in 5th grade, I woke up extra early on Halloween morning and took a seat in the makeup chair. My dad had a plane to catch in a few hours but before he did, he smothered grease paint on my face and glued three layers of fake fur, to transform me into
[Story Sells] Quickly Grab a Prospect’s Attention with these “Werewolves” Read More »
In This Episode David Garfinkel is a living legend in copywriting. Also known as the “world’s best copywriting coach,” David works exclusively with seasoned copywriters and direct response companies. He’s the coach that modern day copywriters like Chris Haddad and Million Dollar Mike Morgan credit with their development. David also wrote two best-selling books
Ep 87: David Garfinkel – Brainstorming Great Hooks Read More »
The dream of becoming a successful freelance copywriter is an alluring one. You make your own schedule. You work with who you want to work with. And you get paid handsomely for all of it. Plus, your job is to learn about psychology and persuasion — skills that improve every single area of your life.
More writing, happier clients: 5 ways to handle the business side of copywriting Read More »
In This Episode Another hot episode with the man who is credited with mailing over 1.8 billion pieces of direct mail during his time with Boardroom and Rodale. My guest today is Brian Kurtz, coming back for his third time on Truth About Marketing… and there’s a good reason for it. Brian is here
Ep 86: Brian Kurtz – The Legends Of Copywriting Read More »
My buddy John, a veteran cop, got kicked out of his house recently. He’s a tough guy, but I’ve never seen him so down in the mouth. Things don’t look good. His old lady just accepted a job on the other side of the country. But John’s a fighter. So he decided to make one last try. He
[Story Sells] Every Great Story Has This… Read More »
When I was a teenager, I stood in a long line to watch the first Jurassic Park. I had just read the novel in one big gulp and I was dying to see real dinosaurs on the screen. I wasn’t alone. The movie brought in over 1.02 billion dollars. Steven Spielberg, the director, knew how to tease
There I am innocently perusing Facebook and then… woah! Good copy alert. Yes, I’m a nerd, buuuuuut… Check it: So I did what completely normal people do (right?)… and broke this down quick by asking 4 questions: What are they saying? Who are they speaking to? What is the voice? Does it work? 1. Why are
Conterintuitive Copy – Why this company reveals how to make their product on your own Read More »
The Next Million Dollar Copywriter Live Hangout with Brian Kurtz and Kevin Rogers This epic live summit sought to help direct response copywriters and companies discover better ways to work together. Add your voice to the conversation using the comments section. Chat Log: [00:00:00 – chat] Kevin Rogers: Welcome! We will start in a few
The Next Million Dollar Copywriter Live Hangout with Brian Kurtz and Kevin Rogers Read More »
In This Episode Brian Kurtz joins Kevin to discuss the controversy around how freelance copywriters and business owners work together. Brian’s recent article, The Next Million Dollar Copywriter, created a lot of talk in direct response circles about the problems with how companies have been hiring and compensating freelance copywriters. Companies want teams of full-timers
Ep 54: Brian Kurtz – Becoming A Million Dollar Copywriter Read More »
In his book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, author Greg McKeown recalls his days as a first year law student in England. On a trip to the U.S., an executive mentioned casually, “If you decide to stay in America, you should come and join us on a consulting committee.” It wasn’t the offer that
Stop being a pushover Read More »
