Attempting to Build A Productocracy [Niche > Problem > Pre-sell > Solution]

[Edgar King]

Using the fewest words possible, what are you looking to accomplish?

A Productized service (10 sales or more). OR

Enough capital/experience/insight into problems in a specific industry, to solve their problems with a product Fastlane business.

So I plan to move from freelancing/copywriting to a productised service with time. And take it from there.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Edgar King]

Day 25-29
Crafting a valuable offer

This week was spent refining my copywriting process (Attention grabbing headlines, principles of converting copy) and writing product descriptions to send to another company.

I also rewrote my Upwork profile and revamped it for SEO. But after further research, realised it isn't SEO optimised and the copy itself needs to be revamped with my findings.

As I solve more and more problems associated with product descriptions, the fulfilment cost (time) increases, worth it!

I want to overdeliver so well they tell their friends and I get referrals, and so I can possibly outsource where possible in the future. But that's step 42, let's focus on step 2 and 3.

Next week, I plan to...

1. Finish and send off the product descriptions to the company in my niche.
2. Finish refining my copywriting process to solve problems. Then...
2.5 Write another product description for another company in my niche. OR
3. Re-revamp my Upwork proposal and apply to relevant jobs. OR
4. Help an e-commerce owner and their Amazon store by contacting them to rewrite their page.

With the main goal to use what I gave them to get better results. Then I can use that as proof of service.

Day 30-34
Top 5 Lessons I Learned From Copywriting Pros

But before that, just a quick recap of where I am.

This week was spent writing the product descriptions for company B which I'll send off next week. The goal I'm working towards is for them to use the descriptions on their Amazon page, get results, validate my copywriting skills, and get increased sales.

And compared to the product descriptions I did for company A, this one has pictures with a logo and is already formatted to be pre pasted on Amazon.

In other news,

I learnt from Alex Hormozi, that the only thing that can speed up time is knowledge. So with that in mind, I reasoned the best way to get better at copywriting was to get feedback from anyone on the copy.

So I went over to the toughest (but actually quite lovely) copywriting crowd I knew and asked for critique.

And oh boy, did they rip my copy anew.

Long story short, here are the top 5 lessons I learnt to write better copy (at least for product descriptions).

1. Storytelling: After your headline, your copy should start with a story. Be clear what you’re selling, what can it do for me? why should I care? How can it help me? Who are you selling to? What makes it unique, or better than other products? Is it cheaper? Harder? Lighter? Heavier? This story, should be a real life scenario of the problem/zero —Offer-> solution/hero (+ inherent value upgrade/distinct value skew).

*Very important*
2. Write to solve problems. Get in the reader’s mind state and write as if the potential buyer's house is on fire, so they need their problems solved right now. Provide details only about solving a potential buyer's real life problem(s) based on their real life experiences with your offer
(This means you have to research about their problems and how the offer solved them).

3. Use simple language: Write short, concise sentences with no ambiguity. Leave out anything that isn't necessary for your message. Writing to sound nice, shouldn't come at the expense of getting the problems solved across.

4. Writing flow: Make it quick and easy to understand the benefits and features of your copy. If it reads hard, it probably is hard. Find a writing tool that shows you when your writing goes above 3rd grade English unnecessarily.

5. Vagueness: Be clear and direct in explaining benefits and features so there is zero ambiguity. Answer who, what, where, when, why.

BONUS
6. Sound human: Let the copy read as if you're talking to an old friend over a drink.

Pineapple...

 

[Edgar King]

Day 30-34
Top 5 Lessons I Learned From Copywriting Pros

But before that, just a quick recap of where I am.

This week was spent writing the product descriptions for company B which I'll send off next week. The goal I'm working towards is for them to use the descriptions on their Amazon page, get results, validate my copywriting skills, and get increased sales.

And compared to the product descriptions I did for company A, this one has pictures with a logo and is already formatted to be pre pasted on Amazon.

In other news,

I learnt from Alex Hormozi, that the only thing that can speed up time is knowledge. So with that in mind, I reasoned the best way to get better at copywriting was to get feedback from anyone on the copy.

So I went over to the toughest (but actually quite lovely) copywriting crowd I knew and asked for critique.

And oh boy, did they rip my copy anew.

Long story short, here are the top 5 lessons I learnt to write better copy (at least for product descriptions).

1. Storytelling: After your headline, your copy should start with a story. Be clear what you’re selling, what can it do for me? why should I care? How can it help me? Who are you selling to? What makes it unique, or better than other products? Is it cheaper? Harder? Lighter? Heavier? This story, should be a real life scenario of the problem/zero —Offer-> solution/hero (+ inherent value upgrade/distinct value skew).

*Very important*
2. Write to solve problems. Get in the reader’s mind state and write as if the potential buyer's house is on fire, so they need their problems solved right now. Provide details only about solving a potential buyer's real life problem(s) based on their real life experiences with your offer
(This means you have to research about their problems and how the offer solved them).

3. Use simple language: Write short, concise sentences with no ambiguity. Leave out anything that isn't necessary for your message. Writing to sound nice, shouldn't come at the expense of getting the problems solved across.

4. Writing flow: Make it quick and easy to understand the benefits and features of your copy. If it reads hard, it probably is hard. Find a writing tool that shows you when your writing goes above 3rd grade English unnecessarily.

5. Vagueness: Be clear and direct in explaining benefits and features so there is zero ambiguity. Answer who, what, where, when, why.

BONUS
6. Sound human: Let the copy read as if you're talking to an old friend over a drink.

Pineapple...

Day 35-39
Monday
After sending in the product descriptions to company B, and watching bits and pieces of a copywriting course, I did a strategy revision.

These companies might not even care about my copy, because it hasn't shown any proof it's worked. So I need to show that it works, even if at a small scale, regardless of niche.

Tuesday
I did another strategy revision and went back to my old threads. I want to roll with this framework...

Big Why-SMART goal-plan.

For me, the why was simple.

Pain: Be the great person I want to be.

Gain: Help my parents and my family so they can relax and take it easy. Travel to exotic places whenever I want, if I want. And work on whatever, whenever I want, if I want.

Revamping my SMART goal, it would be (for now)...

Make $10,000 in 3 months from today (Roughly day 135 of this challenge).

Which with milestones would be $833 a week. At, 2 hours a day for 5 days, I'd need to make $90 per hour. If I want to achieve that, I need to act based on favourable maths and use an appropriate vehicle to get there.

Since, I have the why and the goal down. I need to formulate a plan or an outline based on people who've succeeded this goal or vision.

Then, I can act, fail, and adjust based on this goal, else I'm just hitting in the dark. The faster I run through that cycle, the faster I could probably reach this goal.

Likewise, I have to think of appropriate vehicles to achieve this with. One such vehicle is affiliate marketing. With affiliate marketing, I'll be able to not only prove my copywriting skills and get results, but also clients who may come to ask for help if I'm successful with it.

Wednesday
Didn't realise all the above until now. But did some reading on web design and sent 1 high effort Upwork proposal, of course no dice.

Thursday
(5 minutes) Study ad week copywriting
(10 minutes) Learn what affiliate marketing is with a general roadmap
(35 minutes) Learning the ropes of running a successful affiliate marketing campaign | Start selling the product

The main goal being to raise capital and train my copywriting skills.

Friday
I heard someone say, when you're at zero, it's because of you. It's because you're in scarcity mode, and thinking about yourself.

So with their advice, I went ahead to 10 people in my network to thank them, explained why I thanked them, and offered to help them whenever they needed. I wanted to switch my mindset to give mode, instead of take mode.

And sent one high effort Upwork proposal.

I discussed with my friend what to do about such closed feedback systems. Systems that don't tell you why you failed, like Upwork. Nobody will reach back out to discuss why they didn't hire you, but you can keep trying with slightly better angles is what I learned until you're eventually a success. Kind of like what Thomas Edison did, he kept acting to fail with different angles until one worked.

Orange...

 

[Raja]

Orange

?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[WJK]

And sent one high effort Upwork proposal.

I discussed with my friend what to do about such closed feedback systems. Systems that don't tell you why you failed, like Upwork. Nobody will reach back out to discuss why they didn't hire you, but you can keep trying with slightly better angles is what I learned until you're eventually a success. Kind of like what Thomas Edison did, he kept acting to fail with different angles until one worked.

Orange...

Is that normal? I usually only get feedback when I ask the person why. So, I ask why all the time while I keep trying...

 

[Edgar King]

?

It means nothing. Just an alternative log out xd

 

[Edgar King]

Is that normal? I usually only get feedback when I ask the person why. So, I ask why all the time while I keep trying...

Huh, like ask why they didn't hire you in the proposal? That seems like an interesting approach.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[WJK]

Huh, like ask why they didn't hire you in the proposal? That seems like an interesting approach.

No, it's called follow-up on your proposal.

 

[Edgar King]

Day 35-39
Monday
After sending in the product descriptions to company B, and watching bits and pieces of a copywriting course, I did a strategy revision.

These companies might not even care about my copy, because it hasn't shown any proof it's worked. So I need to show that it works, even if at a small scale, regardless of niche.

Tuesday
I did another strategy revision and went back to my old threads. I want to roll with this framework...

Big Why-SMART goal-plan.

For me, the why was simple.

Pain: Be the great person I want to be.

Gain: Help my parents and my family so they can relax and take it easy. Travel to exotic places whenever I want, if I want. And work on whatever, whenever I want, if I want.

Revamping my SMART goal, it would be (for now)...

Make $10,000 in 3 months from today (Roughly day 135 of this challenge).

Which with milestones would be $833 a week. At, 2 hours a day for 5 days, I'd need to make $90 per hour. If I want to achieve that, I need to act based on favourable maths and use an appropriate vehicle to get there.

Since, I have the why and the goal down. I need to formulate a plan or an outline based on people who've succeeded this goal or vision.

Then, I can act, fail, and adjust based on this goal, else I'm just hitting in the dark. The faster I run through that cycle, the faster I could probably reach this goal.

Likewise, I have to think of appropriate vehicles to achieve this with. One such vehicle is affiliate marketing. With affiliate marketing, I'll be able to not only prove my copywriting skills and get results, but also clients who may come to ask for help if I'm successful with it.

Wednesday
Didn't realise all the above until now. But did some reading on web design and sent 1 high effort Upwork proposal, of course no dice.

Thursday
(5 minutes) Study ad week copywriting
(10 minutes) Learn what affiliate marketing is with a general roadmap
(35 minutes) Learning the ropes of running a successful affiliate marketing campaign | Start selling the product

The main goal being to raise capital and train my copywriting skills.

Friday
I heard someone say, when you're at zero, it's because of you. It's because you're in scarcity mode, and thinking about yourself.

So with their advice, I went ahead to 10 people in my network to thank them, explained why I thanked them, and offered to help them whenever they needed. I wanted to switch my mindset to give mode, instead of take mode.

And sent one high effort Upwork proposal.

I discussed with my friend what to do about such closed feedback systems. Systems that don't tell you why you failed, like Upwork. Nobody will reach back out to discuss why they didn't hire you, but you can keep trying with slightly better angles is what I learned until you're eventually a success. Kind of like what Thomas Edison did, he kept acting to fail with different angles until one worked.

Orange...

Day 40-44
Monday
Applied to 3 affiliate marketing programs and even got a lead for a copy client, but lost them since I replied late due to Facebook notifs being switched off or not having the proper samples to show when they asked for them. Going to write more polished samples to show clients after I've finished the copywriting course.

Tuesday
Scheduled a meeting with an affiliate manager, sent an Upwork proposal and in the process of learning the fundamentals of copywriting from a direct response agency owner. My thoughts in booking for the affiliate meeting are that it's going to totally tank, since I don't have a website to show them. But I wanted to act first, before coming to fantasy conclusions.

Wednesday
Got into the meeting with the business/affiliate manager of the company to be an affiliate for the company. Success?! Even though I thought I was going to crash and fail. Yay.

Learning fundamentals of copywriting- the 5 stages of awareness and the rule of one in copywriting so I can confidently say, I can write something that can get people more sales. I realise I just need to put my copy to the test, perhaps I can help run ads to their website with this. Ooof, it requires Paypal. Or buy and sell something on Facebook marketplace, perhaps exotic plants? There's a store close to me.

Thursday
(30 minutes)- Learning the different methods on how to sell marketing/copy services to local businesses
(40 minutes) Podcast on how someone went from 0 to $75K on upwork to craft a plan
(20 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy
(10 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy
(1:20 hour) Learning the fundamentals of good copy

Friday
Affiliate link obtained from the business.
(1 hour 20 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy (it's a one off video from the direct response agency).

Emailed a local restaurant from Yelp with tips to improve their web copy. No response. Next time, I'm going to 'do' the work as a sample and send it, to the decision maker instead. If it's rejected, I'll just save it.

Going to strive to adopt a dive first approach before learning, since I realise that's the fastest way to make progress.

Log out...

 

[WJK]

Day 40-44
Monday
Applied to 3 affiliate marketing programs and even got a lead for a copy client, but lost them since I replied late due to Facebook notifs being switched off or not having the proper samples to show when they asked for them. Going to write more polished samples to show clients after I've finished the copywriting course.

Tuesday
Scheduled a meeting with an affiliate manager, sent an Upwork proposal and in the process of learning the fundamentals of copywriting from a direct response agency owner. My thoughts in booking for the affiliate meeting are that it's going to totally tank, since I don't have a website to show them. But I wanted to act first, before coming to fantasy conclusions.

Wednesday
Got into the meeting with the business/affiliate manager of the company to be an affiliate for the company. Success?! Even though I thought I was going to crash and fail. Yay.

Learning fundamentals of copywriting- the 5 stages of awareness and the rule of one in copywriting so I can confidently say, I can write something that can get people more sales. I realise I just need to put my copy to the test, perhaps I can help run ads to their website with this. Ooof, it requires Paypal. Or buy and sell something on Facebook marketplace, perhaps exotic plants? There's a store close to me.

Thursday
(30 minutes)- Learning the different methods on how to sell marketing/copy services to local businesses
(40 minutes) Podcast on how someone went from 0 to $75K on upwork to craft a plan
(20 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy
(10 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy
(1:20 hour) Learning the fundamentals of good copy

Friday
Affiliate link obtained from the business.
(1 hour 20 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy (it's a one off video from the direct response agency).

Emailed a local restaurant from Yelp with tips to improve their web copy. No response. Next time, I'm going to 'do' the work as a sample and send it, to the decision maker instead. If it's rejected, I'll just save it.

Going to strive to adopt a dive first approach before learning, since I realise that's the fastest way to make progress.

Log out...

Keep swinging at that prize. If you get discouraged and quit the game, you have a 100% of failing.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Edgar King]

Keep swinging at that prize. If you get discouraged and quit the game, you have a 100% of failing.

Words cannot easily describe my appreciation, thank you WJK.

 

[Edgar King]

Day 40-44
Monday
Applied to 3 affiliate marketing programs and even got a lead for a copy client, but lost them since I replied late due to Facebook notifs being switched off or not having the proper samples to show when they asked for them. Going to write more polished samples to show clients after I've finished the copywriting course.

Tuesday
Scheduled a meeting with an affiliate manager, sent an Upwork proposal and in the process of learning the fundamentals of copywriting from a direct response agency owner. My thoughts in booking for the affiliate meeting are that it's going to totally tank, since I don't have a website to show them. But I wanted to act first, before coming to fantasy conclusions.

Wednesday
Got into the meeting with the business/affiliate manager of the company to be an affiliate for the company. Success?! Even though I thought I was going to crash and fail. Yay.

Learning fundamentals of copywriting- the 5 stages of awareness and the rule of one in copywriting so I can confidently say, I can write something that can get people more sales. I realise I just need to put my copy to the test, perhaps I can help run ads to their website with this. Ooof, it requires Paypal. Or buy and sell something on Facebook marketplace, perhaps exotic plants? There's a store close to me.

Thursday
(30 minutes)- Learning the different methods on how to sell marketing/copy services to local businesses
(40 minutes) Podcast on how someone went from 0 to $75K on upwork to craft a plan
(20 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy
(10 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy
(1:20 hour) Learning the fundamentals of good copy

Friday
Affiliate link obtained from the business.
(1 hour 20 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy (it's a one off video from the direct response agency).

Emailed a local restaurant from Yelp with tips to improve their web copy. No response. Next time, I'm going to 'do' the work as a sample and send it, to the decision maker instead. If it's rejected, I'll just save it.

Going to strive to adopt a dive first approach before learning, since I realise that's the fastest way to make progress.

Log out...

Day 45-49
Below I will also write about how you may find NEEDS in the marketplace with a physical product you can find in your supermarket (or anywhere else).

Monday
(15 minutes) 100% complete Upwork proposal and uploading 3 copywriting samples
(20 minutes) Setting up Paypal account for affiliate program. Paypal was being naughty
(10 minutes) Craiglist ad. Signed up to a job board after they got back to me that the current roles were filled. Recommended to sign up to their job board though.
(30 minutes) Learning how to set up a listing for Facebook Marketplace.

Tuesday
(40 minutes) Writing up product listing to sell on facebook marketplace
(30 minutes) Copywriting course
(20 minutes) Copywriting course | Set up facebook marketplace listing for plant
(20 minutes)Copywriting course | Set up facebook marketplace listing for plant
(10 minutes) Copywriting course | Upwork sent 3 proposals
(30 minutes) Applying to jobs on Upwork (1)

Wednesday
(50 minutes) Sending an (2) Upwork proposal with the crystal ball technique
(1:30 hour) Learning how to write better copy

I learnt my most successful acceptances on Upwork involved having the specific relevant experience and/or samples (proof this specific job can be done).

So for every proposal I send from now on, I'm going to strive to send either mvp samples from now on or show how my experience supports the success of the job.
Paypal is now online after a prolonged battle.

Thursday
(30 minutes) Learning Upwork is-A method
(35 minutes) Sent 3 Upwork proposals using this method

Friday
(1 hour) Created a social media post for a friend
(1 hour) product research done, Indirect customer research coming up
(1:30) Writing up RIOA for plant product
(1:30) Learning how to actually write copy (What to write)

Finding Needs
On that note, it's amazing what you'll find when you research niche and problem specific places (reddit, youtube, amazon, forums etc) where your target market hangs out. And it's easier than you think.

What do I mean? I simply copied the data from these places (for Bonsai houseplants) raw into a pains (about 31 comments) and desires (about 15 comments) column. Something like this...


Once, you simply comb through this "indirect voice of customer data" to extract patterns (not specifics), and rank them by scale x magnitude, you get...



This is what the market wants and has pains with. From my research, no other products on the market actually solve these pains in an obvious way, so I'd imagine there's a skew you could take advantage of.

Oh your leaves are turning yellow due to a lack of sunlight? That's ok, our Bonsais come with pre built lamps that give it lots of indirect sunlight.

Oh your leaves are falling off due to improper watering? Well the Bonsai pot comes with an inbuilt water sensor that tells you when it's time to water it.

Oh you're scared the soil isn't appropriate for your Bonsai? Well, we ship it with fertiliser and use 60% aggregate soil best for growing plants.

If you did only two of the above, I'd imagine you'd have two distinct value skews for your product or service. How much so can this be applied to more complex products? This was literally a simple product I found in someplace like Wilkos. So perhaps, if you're stuck for products to sell, just walk in to your supermarket, grab a product you like with good margins, and just start researching it for what prospects on the market already want that's not fulfilled elsewhere. And when you're ready, take the dive and solve their problems.

P.S. Taking it a step further. what makes this even more amazing is making something especially for your ideal customer. I combed through the idea finding the one reader that would benefit most from the product and loved the idea of "low maintenance plants" (one of the desires above) and then built up their profile.

Low maintenance being a bonsai that's almost hands off. If we made a specific product just for them, they'd probably rave about us to their friends! Could you imagine a low maintenance bonsai for this audience (what they want) that comes with an an automatic watering system? I'd imagine they'd tell their friends all about it that want the same thing.

Then, we'd be stepping into the realms of a brand, as Ryan Moran states, "where we serve just one type of person on the marketplace".

Starbucks, Apple, etc Brands serve only a subset of the market, leading their customers to fall in love with. Brands are businesses that customers tell all their friends about it because they're just that much more special to them.

There are people who love Fords, but not Lamborghinis.

There are people who love Lamborghinis, but not Fords.

But nobody loves the Ford-Lambo (if that exists).

Log out...

 

[Edgar King]

Day 45-49
Below I will also write about how you may find NEEDS in the marketplace with a physical product you can find in your supermarket (or anywhere else).

Monday
(15 minutes) 100% complete Upwork proposal and uploading 3 copywriting samples
(20 minutes) Setting up Paypal account for affiliate program. Paypal was being naughty
(10 minutes) Craiglist ad. Signed up to a job board after they got back to me that the current roles were filled. Recommended to sign up to their job board though.
(30 minutes) Learning how to set up a listing for Facebook Marketplace.

Tuesday
(40 minutes) Writing up product listing to sell on facebook marketplace
(30 minutes) Copywriting course
(20 minutes) Copywriting course | Set up facebook marketplace listing for plant
(20 minutes)Copywriting course | Set up facebook marketplace listing for plant
(10 minutes) Copywriting course | Upwork sent 3 proposals
(30 minutes) Applying to jobs on Upwork (1)

Wednesday
(50 minutes) Sending an (2) Upwork proposal with the crystal ball technique
(1:30 hour) Learning how to write better copy

I learnt my most successful acceptances on Upwork involved having the specific relevant experience and/or samples (proof this specific job can be done).

So for every proposal I send from now on, I'm going to strive to send either mvp samples from now on or show how my experience supports the success of the job.
Paypal is now online after a prolonged battle.

Thursday
(30 minutes) Learning Upwork is-A method
(35 minutes) Sent 3 Upwork proposals using this method

Friday
(1 hour) Created a social media post for a friend
(1 hour) product research done, Indirect customer research coming up
(1:30) Writing up RIOA for plant product
(1:30) Learning how to actually write copy (What to write)

Finding Needs
On that note, it's amazing what you'll find when you research niche and problem specific places (reddit, youtube, amazon, forums etc) where your target market hangs out. And it's easier than you think.

What do I mean? I simply copied the data from these places (for Bonsai houseplants) raw into a pains (about 31 comments) and desires (about 15 comments) column. Something like this...

View attachment 43050
Once, you simply comb through this "indirect voice of customer data" to extract patterns (not specifics), and rank them by scale x magnitude, you get...
View attachment 43051

View attachment 43052
This is what the market wants and has pains with. From my research, no other products on the market actually solve these pains in an obvious way, so I'd imagine there's a skew you could take advantage of.

Oh your leaves are turning yellow due to a lack of sunlight? That's ok, our Bonsais come with pre built lamps that give it lots of indirect sunlight.

Oh your leaves are falling off due to improper watering? Well the Bonsai pot comes with an inbuilt water sensor that tells you when it's time to water it.

Oh you're scared the soil isn't appropriate for your Bonsai? Well, we ship it with fertiliser and use 60% aggregate soil best for growing plants.

If you did only two of the above, I'd imagine you'd have two distinct value skews for your product or service. How much so can this be applied to more complex products? This was literally a simple product I found in someplace like Wilkos. So perhaps, if you're stuck for products to sell, just walk in to your supermarket, grab a product you like with good margins, and just start researching it for what prospects on the market already want that's not fulfilled elsewhere. And when you're ready, take the dive and solve their problems.

P.S. Taking it a step further. what makes this even more amazing is making something especially for your ideal customer. I combed through the idea finding the one reader that would benefit most from the product and loved the idea of "low maintenance plants" (one of the desires above) and then built up their profile.
View attachment 43053
Low maintenance being a bonsai that's almost hands off. If we made a specific product just for them, they'd probably rave about us to their friends! Could you imagine a low maintenance bonsai for this audience (what they want) that comes with an an automatic watering system? I'd imagine they'd tell their friends all about it that want the same thing.

Then, we'd be stepping into the realms of a brand, as Ryan Moran states, "where we serve just one type of person on the marketplace".

Starbucks, Apple, etc Brands serve only a subset of the market, leading their customers to fall in love with. Brands are businesses that customers tell all their friends about it because they're just that much more special to them.

There are people who love Fords, but not Lamborghinis.

There are people who love Lamborghinis, but not Fords.

But nobody loves the Ford-Lambo (if that exists).

Log out...

Day 50-54
Monday
(1:30 hour) Sending Upwork proposal
I mistakenly deleted the proposal, so I had to start again.

Tuesday
A response, yay.
(1 hour) Drafting personalised first line emails for Upwork client

Wednesday
(20 minutes) Learning how to actually provide more value in the delivery
(1 hour) learning more copy
(30 minutes) Pitched

The client got back to me to run a test project. But they hired someone else for the job in the end, I probably need to understand how to overdeliver and provide more value in my delivery.

(30 minutes) Applied to a Facebook job my friend recommended

Thursday
(2 hours) Learning copy - direct response course complete.
The client from Facebook actually got back, but it must have slipped from my hands since he started talking about his country and basically ghosted me . Need to work on my closing(?)

Learnt that in your copy, you need to make sure it answers these questions for your prospects subconsciously at least and you're already off to a good start.

1. Is this relevant to me?
2. Is this new information I've never heard of before?
3. Is this beneficial to me?
4. How will I get the benefits?
5. Is there proof of these benefits being delivered?

The more questions answered the better.

Something like this, from Lex DeVille for instance (Just my perspective)...

Bad = "I have 10 years experience designing webpages. I have a Masters degree in web design. Hire me."

Good = "Sounds like you need a design that increases site traffic (relevant, beneficial). Cool, I can build an eye-popping site that makes customer navigation simple (how I get the benefits), and increases traffic 50% guaranteed (new information). Oh, and I have 10 years of experience (proof) and a Masters to back it up.

Friday
I realise if I want to climb the mountain, I need to start at the bottom. It doesn't matter where I start, what matters is that I start climbing.

(1:15 hour) Have a plant listing up on the facebook marketplace
(20 minutes) Learning how to 10x value
(15 + 30 + 5 minutes) Sending a proposal to a carpet job on Upwork
(30 + 30 minutes) Second upwork job proposal
(2 hours) Landing page Upwork job with (attempted) MVP 10x solution sent.

30 views on the listing and 1 save. I've slashed the price in half, hopefully that gets a prospect to message me.

Moving forward, I'm going to start targeting low and "easy" Upwork jobs to build testimonials and what not. Entry/intermediate jobs, less than 5 proposals, etc. And work on my fulfilment and closing.

Log out...

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Edgar King]

Day 50-54
Monday
(1:30 hour) Sending Upwork proposal
I mistakenly deleted the proposal, so I had to start again.

Tuesday
A response, yay.
(1 hour) Drafting personalised first line emails for Upwork client

Wednesday
(20 minutes) Learning how to actually provide more value in the delivery
(1 hour) learning more copy
(30 minutes) Pitched

The client got back to me to run a test project. But they hired someone else for the job in the end, I probably need to understand how to overdeliver and provide more value in my delivery.

(30 minutes) Applied to a Facebook job my friend recommended

Thursday
(2 hours) Learning copy - direct response course complete.
The client from Facebook actually got back, but it must have slipped from my hands since he started talking about his country and basically ghosted me . Need to work on my closing(?)

Learnt that in your copy, you need to make sure it answers these questions for your prospects subconsciously at least and you're already off to a good start.

1. Is this relevant to me?
2. Is this new information I've never heard of before?
3. Is this beneficial to me?
4. How will I get the benefits?
5. Is there proof of these benefits being delivered?

The more questions answered the better.

Something like this, from Lex DeVille for instance (Just my perspective)...

Bad = "I have 10 years experience designing webpages. I have a Masters degree in web design. Hire me."

Good = "Sounds like you need a design that increases site traffic (relevant, beneficial). Cool, I can build an eye-popping site that makes customer navigation simple (how I get the benefits), and increases traffic 50% guaranteed (new information). Oh, and I have 10 years of experience (proof) and a Masters to back it up.

Friday
I realise if I want to climb the mountain, I need to start at the bottom. It doesn't matter where I start, what matters is that I start climbing.

(1:15 hour) Have a plant listing up on the facebook marketplace
(20 minutes) Learning how to 10x value
(15 + 30 + 5 minutes) Sending a proposal to a carpet job on Upwork
(30 + 30 minutes) Second upwork job proposal
(2 hours) Landing page Upwork job with (attempted) MVP 10x solution sent.

30 views on the listing and 1 save. I've slashed the price in half, hopefully that gets a prospect to message me.

Moving forward, I'm going to start targeting low and "easy" Upwork jobs to build testimonials and what not. Entry/intermediate jobs, less than 5 proposals, etc. And work on my fulfilment and closing.

Log out...

Day 55-59
Free Client And You Focus

Monday
(10 minutes) Strategy revision
(20 minutes) Analysing the components of winning proposals.
(20 minutes) Analysing the components of winning proposals.
(20 minutes) Analysing the components of winning proposals.
(20 minutes)Sending a winning proposal.

Little by little, step by step, aiming for >=1% improvements every week.

Tuesday
(1:10 hour) Going over how to create winning Upwork proposals.

Interestingly, I remember writing a help post to improve someones headline on Reddit for their newsletter business about a month ago. I didn’t think much about it and left it at that.

Well…

A month later from that day a similar client who has a newsletter business reached out to me to help them look over their landing page! I was stoked, and I'm hoping I can really wow them. I think it’s because I solved a similar problem for them in the past that they wanted my input.

Wednesday
(2 hour) Making a landing page for their newsletter.
They say the role of copy is to connect our prospects dominant desires to our product.

With that in mind, I’ve gone through their product and their audience to find out what they really care about to show our product can get them there.

Thursday
Working on the newsletter landing page.
(20 minutes) Product research
(20 minutes) Competitor research
(20 minutes) Market research
(20 minutes) Market research
(20 minutes) Market research
(20 minutes) Market research
(20 minutes) RIOA (one reader, one benefit, one offer, one action)

What I learned from this is you shouldn’t be a hammer in search of a nail. Find a nail, hammer it down, and only then will people ask you to hammer their nails down.

Friday
I sent off a proposal to a friend for critique which I thought was pretty good.

Turns out it was ME focused. What? How? I thought.

Well, let's say this circle represents Me and my stuff (e.g. samples)- .O., and this circle represents the client and their needs (e.g. problems) - xOx.

When you look over the proposal (100%), this is how it was divided-
.O. - 90%
xOx - 10%
I thought I was giving the client what they wanted, but I was wrong. I should have focused on the client and how their problems will be solved.

In interacting with all people and in entrepreneurship, I want to focus more on the You and operate more from that plane. I've heard when you do, you can't not make cookies haha.

Here's a video from Lex I found about that-

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kXfPtYD7bU&t=2s


One way I'm trying to incorporate that is to keep my mind open for problems or desires in my environment for other people. And when I hear a complaint or something they wanted but couldn't get, I start solving in my head (at least that's where I want it to be).

I used to struggle in finding and seeing needs but just by using this approach, I saw two potential problems in a single day from my friend's snapchat stories.

1. One really wanted to skateboard but had no one to teach her.
2. One really wanted a designed t-shirt but couldn't because it was too expensive.

I tried to move from the Me circle/o to the You circle/o and found myself on a site called, Teesprings where they allow you to make a t-shirt with a design for a price. I then asked her what's the maximum price she'd be willing to pay for a designed t shirt she wanted, and that I wanted to ship one to her, to which she replied about 7.99 euros. We'll see how it goes haha.

Log out...

 

[Edgar King]

Day 55-59
Free Client And You Focus

Monday
(10 minutes) Strategy revision
(20 minutes) Analysing the components of winning proposals.
(20 minutes) Analysing the components of winning proposals.
(20 minutes) Analysing the components of winning proposals.
(20 minutes)Sending a winning proposal.

Little by little, step by step, aiming for >=1% improvements every week.

Tuesday
(1:10 hour) Going over how to create winning Upwork proposals.

Interestingly, I remember writing a help post to improve someones headline on Reddit for their newsletter business about a month ago. I didn’t think much about it and left it at that.

Well…

A month later from that day a similar client who has a newsletter business reached out to me to help them look over their landing page! I was stoked, and I'm hoping I can really wow them. I think it’s because I solved a similar problem for them in the past that they wanted my input.

Wednesday
(2 hour) Making a landing page for their newsletter.
They say the role of copy is to connect our prospects dominant desires to our product.

With that in mind, I’ve gone through their product and their audience to find out what they really care about to show our product can get them there.

Thursday
Working on the newsletter landing page.
(20 minutes) Product research
(20 minutes) Competitor research
(20 minutes) Market research
(20 minutes) Market research
(20 minutes) Market research
(20 minutes) Market research
(20 minutes) RIOA (one reader, one benefit, one offer, one action)

What I learned from this is you shouldn’t be a hammer in search of a nail. Find a nail, hammer it down, and only then will people ask you to hammer their nails down.

Friday
I sent off a proposal to a friend for critique which I thought was pretty good.

Turns out it was ME focused. What? How? I thought.

Well, let's say this circle represents Me and my stuff (e.g. samples)- .O., and this circle represents the client and their needs (e.g. problems) - xOx.

When you look over the proposal (100%), this is how it was divided-
.O. - 90%
xOx - 10%
I thought I was giving the client what they wanted, but I was wrong. I should have focused on the client and how their problems will be solved.

In interacting with all people and in entrepreneurship, I want to focus more on the You and operate more from that plane. I've heard when you do, you can't not make cookies haha.

Here's a video from Lex I found about that-

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kXfPtYD7bU&t=2s


One way I'm trying to incorporate that is to keep my mind open for problems or desires in my environment for other people. And when I hear a complaint or something they wanted but couldn't get, I start solving in my head (at least that's where I want it to be).

I used to struggle in finding and seeing needs but just by using this approach, I saw two potential problems in a single day from my friend's snapchat stories.

1. One really wanted to skateboard but had no one to teach her.
2. One really wanted a designed t-shirt but couldn't because it was too expensive.

I tried to move from the Me circle/o to the You circle/o and found myself on a site called, Teesprings where they allow you to make a t-shirt with a design for a price. I then asked her what's the maximum price she'd be willing to pay for a designed t shirt she wanted, and that I wanted to ship one to her, to which she replied about 7.99 euros. We'll see how it goes haha.

Log out...

Day 60-64
This week was spent thinking about value mostly. I watched quite a number of videos on it. But, how does one provide value? Actually, what is value? I thought.

Here's what I perceive it to be after watching a good number of videos and thinking it through...

Perceived Value is the perceived measured increase or decrease in the number, quality, or size of "owned" positive or negative abstract or concrete objects in the physical, mental, social, or even spiritual domain.

And this perceived value of a product or service relative to the marketplace is based on the number of (obtainable) options at a certain benefits/cost ratio.

Huh? Perhaps an example will help clarify things.

Let's take a bottle of water as our product. The "abstract" "negative" object in the physical domain it addresses is our "thirst". Once we drink it, this thirst is quenched. The value could be in the range of perhaps 1-2 dollars.

Now, let's change the situation a bit. Perhaps we are in the Sahara dessert, stranded and there's no water in sight as we lay in the blazing sun.

How valuable is that same bottle of water now? 100? 200? Even 1000?

But why? Well, the "thirst" it quenched was all the more larger than in our first scenario. The measured decrease is all the more larger, thus it's more valuable. Plus, since the benefits side is so high, so is the benefits/cost ratio making it very valuable. There are no alternatives so it's very valuable by itself.

What do you have that you can offer to others? How can you provide someone value today? Go do it. Go make their day. It'll surely make yours too.

Log out...

 

[Edgar King]

Day 60-64
This week was spent thinking about value mostly. I watched quite a number of videos on it. But, how does one provide value? Actually, what is value? I thought.

Here's what I perceive it to be after watching a good number of videos and thinking it through...

Perceived Value is the perceived measured increase or decrease in the number, quality, or size of "owned" positive or negative abstract or concrete objects in the physical, mental, social, or even spiritual domain.

And this perceived value of a product or service relative to the marketplace is based on the number of (obtainable) options at a certain benefits/cost ratio.

Huh? Perhaps an example will help clarify things.

Let's take a bottle of water as our product. The "abstract" "negative" object in the physical domain it addresses is our "thirst". Once we drink it, this thirst is quenched. The value could be in the range of perhaps 1-2 dollars.

Now, let's change the situation a bit. Perhaps we are in the Sahara dessert, stranded and there's no water in sight as we lay in the blazing sun.

How valuable is that same bottle of water now? 100? 200? Even 1000?

But why? Well, the "thirst" it quenched was all the more larger than in our first scenario. The measured decrease is all the more larger, thus it's more valuable. Plus, since the benefits side is so high, so is the benefits/cost ratio making it very valuable. There are no alternatives so it's very valuable by itself.

What do you have that you can offer to others? How can you provide someone value today? Go do it. Go make their day. It'll surely make yours too.

Log out...

Day 65-68

(30 minutes) Sent a proposal to my school cafeteria to make a better food recommendation system. There's a very low chance they'll get back to me.

(30 minutes) Helped a startup entrepreneur with landing page suggestions.

(30 minutes) Applied to a job for my university. Funding will be secured .

The rest of the week was spent in a similar fashion going through this copywriting course from copyhackers-

Sign In - Copyhackers School

school.copyhackers.com

I've picked up a few things like how to structure your copy in this way as well as adding a few of my ideas from the other copywriting course I went through...

1. Promise- Here you sell your audience on the big benefit of whatever you'll give to them.
2. Picture- You agitate the problem or how well much better their life will look like with the benefit.
3. Objections- You handle objections and reasons not to take up your offer and get the benefits.
4. Proof/testimonials- Don't tell them you have cookies, let them have a sample of it.
5. Offer- lay out your offer and its deliverables in a way that shows how the main benefit will be achieved.
6. Push- Tell them to act and why they should care.

Log out...

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Edgar King]

Day 65-68

(30 minutes) Sent a proposal to my school cafeteria to make a better food recommendation system. There's a very low chance they'll get back to me.

(30 minutes) Helped a startup entrepreneur with landing page suggestions.

(30 minutes) Applied to a job for my university. Funding will be secured .

The rest of the week was spent in a similar fashion going through this copywriting course from copyhackers-

Sign In - Copyhackers School

school.copyhackers.com

I've picked up a few things like how to structure your copy in this way as well as adding a few of my ideas from the other copywriting course I went through...

1. Promise- Here you sell your audience on the big benefit of whatever you'll give to them.
2. Picture- You agitate the problem or how well much better their life will look like with the benefit.
3. Objections- You handle objections and reasons not to take up your offer and get the benefits.
4. Proof/testimonials- Don't tell them you have cookies, let them have a sample of it.
5. Offer- lay out your offer and its deliverables in a way that shows how the main benefit will be achieved.
6. Push- Tell them to act and why they should care.

Log out...

Day 69-74
This week, was when I made a big mindset shift, and that is to strive to provide value unto the other party is satisfied, preferably with no expectation of anything in return. Love it.

And where you hear someone calling out for help, go help them out! It took a long time to get to this stage, but if this was all I learned on this journey, I can gladly say it's been worth it!

I finished going through this free copy hacker course- Copyhackers School

Oh look, another copywriting resource - How to Teach Yourself Copywriting (on a Shoestring Budget)

And this one too- How I made money in high school by convincing companies to pay me big bucks for copywriting

At this point, I probably know a lot more about copywriting in theory than the average writer, and yet I've got empty pockets and a dandy smile to show for it, incredible.

I reached out to a web developer who worked for the federal government to help with their Upwork proposal. They didn't get the job, so I need to relearn Upwork profiles, proposals and portfolios and really nail it right all in this week.

In the meantime, I got a job interview as an international ambassador at my university. I hope I can bring in the right students that'll be a perfect match for them and the school. We'll see how it goes.

And I started a channel to just make videos to help others who are in the same shoes as me by recommendation of this video-

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awnn-bqV_Tw


Fun stuff.

See you later!

Log out...

 

[Edgar King]

Day 69-74
This week, was when I made a big mindset shift, and that is to strive to provide value unto the other party is satisfied, preferably with no expectation of anything in return. Love it.

And where you hear someone calling out for help, go help them out! It took a long time to get to this stage, but if this was all I learned on this journey, I can gladly say it's been worth it!

I finished going through this free copy hacker course- Copyhackers School

Oh look, another copywriting resource - How to Teach Yourself Copywriting (on a Shoestring Budget)

And this one too- How I made money in high school by convincing companies to pay me big bucks for copywriting

At this point, I probably know a lot more about copywriting in theory than the average writer, and yet I've got empty pockets and a dandy smile to show for it, incredible.

I reached out to a web developer who worked for the federal government to help with their Upwork proposal. They didn't get the job, so I need to relearn Upwork profiles, proposals and portfolios and really nail it right all in this week.

In the meantime, I got a job interview as an international ambassador at my university. I hope I can bring in the right students that'll be a perfect match for them and the school. We'll see how it goes.

And I started a channel to just make videos to help others who are in the same shoes as me by recommendation of this video-

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awnn-bqV_Tw


Fun stuff.

See you later!

Log out...

Day 75-79
The $10K Upwork Profile
I started this week by revamping my Upwork profile. I searched by my work term, "copywriter", and sorted by those freelancers that had earned over $10K on the platform. I then copied down about 10 of them, found the underlying pattern all of them had, and used it to recreate a stronger Upwork profile, that should hopefully be good enough to land a job for.

I also sent my university's student union an improved headline that they could use for their newsletters. I'm going in with a value >> payment first approach, so I explained why the headline is so important to get more people to take the actions they're looking for (like going to the stores) and gave them a better headline by copywriting principles. They got back to me thanking me, and said they'd send it off to their sales team for reviews.

There was also a top rated freelancer on the platform that I contacted to get their winning proposal structure they got for an agency job. Turns out it was this simple...

"
"I can help you. I'm an award-winning B2B/B2C copy, PR, and Web copywriter with experience in LIST EXPERIENCE HERE. You can see some of my online work at LIST WEBSITES HERE You can see some of my print work on this site. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you."
"
I'd say a portfolio was a big reason he got accepted. On that note, to make a portfolio, a proper one based on the copywriting principles I now know, I took to Upwork to find requests and just made one for a commercial landscaping company and sent it off to them at the end. Telling them what they were missing on their current brochure that could led to increased readership and trust such as logos of famous companies they've worked with and testimonials, as well as a solution aware title for their target market.

E.g.

"Welcome to X company" vs "Commercial landscaping specialists for x managers"
Which should capture the attention of their target market a lot more.

There was also an Etsy sample I wrote up. I've heard squarespace and Ghost are great free portfolio websites.

My current process is something like this..
NEED/Market (Get in front of those interested in the product/service) >> Value (e.g. a taste of the goodness of the offer) >> Offer >> Payment (Ask for it in some way. Doesn't have to be monetary) >> Level Up.

Log out...

 

[Edgar King]

Day 75-79
The $10K Upwork Profile
I started this week by revamping my Upwork profile. I searched by my work term, "copywriter", and sorted by those freelancers that had earned over $10K on the platform. I then copied down about 10 of them, found the underlying pattern all of them had, and used it to recreate a stronger Upwork profile, that should hopefully be good enough to land a job for.

I also sent my university's student union an improved headline that they could use for their newsletters. I'm going in with a value >> payment first approach, so I explained why the headline is so important to get more people to take the actions they're looking for (like going to the stores) and gave them a better headline by copywriting principles. They got back to me thanking me, and said they'd send it off to their sales team for reviews.

There was also a top rated freelancer on the platform that I contacted to get their winning proposal structure they got for an agency job. Turns out it was this simple...

"
"I can help you. I'm an award-winning B2B/B2C copy, PR, and Web copywriter with experience in LIST EXPERIENCE HERE. You can see some of my online work at LIST WEBSITES HERE You can see some of my print work on this site. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you."
"
I'd say a portfolio was a big reason he got accepted. On that note, to make a portfolio, a proper one based on the copywriting principles I now know, I took to Upwork to find requests and just made one for a commercial landscaping company and sent it off to them at the end. Telling them what they were missing on their current brochure that could led to increased readership and trust such as logos of famous companies they've worked with and testimonials, as well as a solution aware title for their target market.

E.g.

"Welcome to X company" vs "Commercial landscaping specialists for x managers"
Which should capture the attention of their target market a lot more.

There was also an Etsy sample I wrote up. I've heard squarespace and Ghost are great free portfolio websites.

My current process is something like this..
NEED/Market (Get in front of those interested in the product/service) >> Value (e.g. a taste of the goodness of the offer) >> Offer >> Payment (Ask for it in some way. Doesn't have to be monetary) >> Level Up.

Log out...

Day 80-84
Forget you. Help them.
This week was spent analysing great copy, sending Upwork proposals and critiques to local business owners. And then writing a spec piece about us page which I think was good enough by a 7 figure marketer's standards, so I can write well now? XD

For the next week, I'm going to use social media, sub Reddits, and go local to help businesses and provide value first before asking for any payment. Especially those who are looking for the help so they see the value in it.

Log out...

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Chris Rickard]

Hey guys! I've been on this forum for ages, but was just silently absorbing the valuable information you all provide and enhancing my mindset to start my entrepreneurial journey. I've learnt to just love everyone from the bottom of my heart which motivates me to desire to solve problems from the right place. I'm starting a 90 day challenge, of going from $0 to $1K a month as a starting point. Wish me luck! And thanks so much to MJ for helping make all this possible Please treat me well.

Hasn't been to long 0- but would love to get an update on your progress mate

 

[Edgar King]

Hasn't been to long 0- but would love to get an update on your progress mate

Ah dude XD I've been trudging in the battle field here haha. Appreciate it though!

Here's the beginning of my second progress thread if you're interested- INTRO - Attempting to Build A Productocracy [Niche > Problem > Pre-sell > Solution]

 

[Edgar King]

Day 80-84
Forget you. Help them.
This week was spent analysing great copy, sending Upwork proposals and critiques to local business owners. And then writing a spec piece about us page which I think was good enough by a 7 figure marketer's standards, so I can write well now? XD

For the next week, I'm going to use social media, sub Reddits, and go local to help businesses and provide value first before asking for any payment. Especially those who are looking for the help so they see the value in it.

Log out...

Day 85-89
This week was spent emailing web designers and local businesses for copywriting services. And going out to sell pens and window cleaning.

Right now, I'm working on building up a portfolio of spec pieces like sales pages, landing pages, and emails. I feel once I have more of those and aim to do work a level above the request, I'll be more likely to be considered as a candidate.

So, my goals for next week are:
. Have 3 spec pieces up (sales page, landing page, email).
. Get hired for a copywriting job (Facebook, local, Upwork etc, we'll see how this one goes haha) by aiming to do work a level above the job request.

Log out...

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Edgar King]

Day 85-89
This week was spent emailing web designers and local businesses for copywriting services. And going out to sell pens and window cleaning.

Right now, I'm working on building up a portfolio of spec pieces like sales pages, landing pages, and emails. I feel once I have more of those and aim to do work a level above the request, I'll be more likely to be considered as a candidate.

So, my goals for next week are:
. Have 3 spec pieces up (sales page, landing page, email).
. Get hired for a copywriting job (Facebook, local, Upwork etc, we'll see how this one goes haha) by aiming to do work a level above the job request.

Log out...

Day 90-94
This week was spent making offers! And attempting to get them in front of the people who need them.

I offered window cleaning to about 15 businesses. It went a lot smoother than I expected. Some people said no politely. Others, said they already had a window cleaner. But those who were interested, said they had a window cleaner, but that their window cleaner hadn't been around for awhile (effectively vanishing) and so they took my details down. I also got free ice cream out of it so yay! And 3 leads. I also noticed that spa and beauty shops were probably the ones most in need of this service. No one's called back yet though if ever.

I asked 10+ business owners if they were looking for brochure copywriting critique on Facebook. Zero responses, broooo. I then posted this on reddit and had a small service owner who was interested in it so hopefully he gets back.

I sold one Udon (instant ramen) from my school. It was free, I saw it, and was like, "I want that" and if I wanted that, how much more likely that there are others out there who want that as well? So I took to the streets and offered it to a student, who agreed and paid for it.
I took out about 3 more cups of Ramen and took to the streets to sell more. Nobody wanted, was it the presentation or just the market I was going to, or perhaps it was that there was no relative value being added? My future plans could be to print a picture of tasty ramen followed by a picture of "No dishes required (USP)" to enhance the copy.

My brain kind of hurt in the nights after making these offers, because of the "Nos'", well it's a new experience so that may be the cause. I guess you don't get over the fear of failure/rejection by being confident they'll say yes, you get it over it by being ok with them saying no.

I also made an offer for lawn mowing to my school. From what I've seen there aren't that many big lawns in my area. Another future method could be to rent a bike for Uber eats. We'll see how it goes.

Log out...

 

[Edgar King]

Day 90-94
This week was spent making offers! And attempting to get them in front of the people who need them.

I offered window cleaning to about 15 businesses. It went a lot smoother than I expected. Some people said no politely. Others, said they already had a window cleaner. But those who were interested, said they had a window cleaner, but that their window cleaner hadn't been around for awhile (effectively vanishing) and so they took my details down. I also got free ice cream out of it so yay! And 3 leads. I also noticed that spa and beauty shops were probably the ones most in need of this service. No one's called back yet though if ever.

I asked 10+ business owners if they were looking for brochure copywriting critique on Facebook. Zero responses, broooo. I then posted this on reddit and had a small service owner who was interested in it so hopefully he gets back.

I sold one Udon (instant ramen) from my school. It was free, I saw it, and was like, "I want that" and if I wanted that, how much more likely that there are others out there who want that as well? So I took to the streets and offered it to a student, who agreed and paid for it.
I took out about 3 more cups of Ramen and took to the streets to sell more. Nobody wanted, was it the presentation or just the market I was going to, or perhaps it was that there was no relative value being added? My future plans could be to print a picture of tasty ramen followed by a picture of "No dishes required (USP)" to enhance the copy.

My brain kind of hurt in the nights after making these offers, because of the "Nos'", well it's a new experience so that may be the cause. I guess you don't get over the fear of failure/rejection by being confident they'll say yes, you get it over it by being ok with them saying no.

I also made an offer for lawn mowing to my school. From what I've seen there aren't that many big lawns in my area. Another future method could be to rent a bike for Uber eats. We'll see how it goes.

Log out...

Day 95-99
This week was spent upgrading and making offers.

I find myself asking, "How can I make this as valuable as possible?" I also want to move to solve problems that come up for my clients, for me/business, and for any other third party involved to provide value. I've also found that whatever I think, the situation that occurs is almost never as bad as I think it should have been. Learning/Doing new things can hurt for awhile, but if it's worth it, aim to do it. I believe why those previous owners who were interested in the offer didn't contact me back was because the value went below the cost. I believe it's important to have a why-SMART goal-plan (Based on people who've done this before).

Findings thus far...

I've learnt if businesses have a window cleaner, they're a lot less likely to hire a new one (unless they don't show up consistently. Most of the businesses that are interested in my offer are those that have this problem that I can fill for them). So I save all of our time and just ask, "Do you have someone that cleans your windows?"

They look at their windows, they think about their current window cleaner and It makes them aware of the problem(s) in front of them and makes my solution that much more valuable if this hole hasn't been filled. Before I'd come in and just offer to clean their windows, but this method makes me feel much more like a doctor diagnosing a problem for which I have the medicine for.

If I come with the cleaning gear, I think I am a lot more convincing for them to give it a try and believe it solves the problem of unprofessionalism (problem). One of the business owners I talked to, explained he was expecting me to walk into the store with equipment in hand. "I would have been like, WOOOOW, this guy cleans!" I've learnt when expectations does not = reality, a problem/benefit presents itself, so I got such gear, worth the investment. Before I was going into the shops with no equipment and just my arms and my legs.

I finally got someone to say yes to the cleaning as well (Did the inside and outside, but didn't charge that much). I've taken before and after pictures for future reference.

I got another business to say yes to the cleaning as well. Their upper windows are crazily high, so I'll need a water fed pole to reach there later on (>=200 pounds), but for now I just did the storefront.

I got another business interested, but they want two times a week cleaning. They'd like to invoice what I do, I don't know how to invoice, their expectations does not = reality, and I try to move to solve the problem so I'm currently learning about Joist and Gocardless which can be used to make online invoices.

The plan is to raise prices as the value increases later on and when I have created sufficient demand for the services.

Value skews found: Reliability, quality, presentation, Address and fix all issues/heart/hero.
Offer: Inside and out window cleaning, frame cleaning, cob web removal, air refreshening. Potential future add ons: Music to get more attention to the store while cleaning.

Log out...

 

[informedconsent]

I try to move to solve the problem so I'm currently learning about Joist and Gocardless which can be used to make online invoices.

Haven't heard about those but I use Wave (waveapps.com) for bookkeeping and they have invoice option. Pretty sure it's free too if that's a barrier! Also, not sure about if you/they're looking specifically for online invoices, but you can make offline ones just through Excel or Google Sheets. There's lots of templates.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Edgar King]

Haven't heard about those but I use Wave (waveapps.com) for bookkeeping and they have invoice option. Pretty sure it's free too if that's a barrier! Also, not sure about if you/they're looking specifically for online invoices, but you can make offline ones just through Excel or Google Sheets. There's lots of templates.

Thank you I appreciate it, I'll probably use this then! Yes, that may work too, whereby you just send the Google sheet to their email, else if it's print, I'd rather just go for the online option to keep costs little to none for now. Unless they prefer offline.

 

[Edgar King]

Day 100-104 (Early week end)
Thankfully, a new business S this week has been onboarded (again these prices are not that much for now, but I'm glad I could get my foot in the door at all). I've learnt more about invoicing and though I don't have a registered LLC, I don't think you need to register for one to invoice. I also think the businesses I currently service want to do fortnightly cleaning so I'll need to get scheduling software in time.

Who's starving the most? This is what's been on my mind lately as to what makes something valuable. A facility would pay more for windows cleaned than a storefront, why? Because the scale x magnitude of the value their windows receive is more than a storefront? So they'd end up paying more for it? Depending on the circumstances, water can be more valuable than a million dollars after all.

I met an awesome Grandpa (We'll call him Xavier for now because that's who he seemed like to me haha) by a storefront as well! He was so cool, he also gave me some advice to go to some real estate agents to help service the places they own, even referring me to one of his friends. Nothing heard from them yet though, but still a wonderful experience.

Apart from that, working a part time job and offering window cleaning to other stores, but no dice, most of them already have people who serve them or they don't mind doing the cleaning themselves. Makes me think I need some website/social media to be more efficient so the people that are interested can easily find me when they need me. Also met a friend who was happy about I was doing and recommended a street I go to make offers which I had no idea about.

I'm also thinking of creating a youtube channel that breaks down sales pages and the like later on to sow the seeds for some future copywriting clients.

Log out...

 

[informedconsent]

I've learnt more about invoicing and though I don't have a registered LLC, I don't think you need to register for one to invoice.

If you're in the US, you can just do sole proprietorship for now to make things easy. You're correct that you don't need an LLC to invoice. For the sole prop, you can use your SSN or get a free EIN when it comes time to do any sort of paperwork that would require it.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[WJK]

If you're in the US, you can just do sole proprietorship for now to make things easy. You're correct that you don't need an LLC to invoice. For the sole prop, you can use your SSN or get a free EIN when it comes time to do any sort of paperwork that would require it.

Don't use your SS#. That's dangerous for ID theft. Get an EIN from the IRS. It only takes a few minutes to go on line and get one.

 

[Edgar King]

Day 100-104 (Early week end)
Thankfully, a new business S this week has been onboarded (again these prices are not that much for now, but I'm glad I could get my foot in the door at all). I've learnt more about invoicing and though I don't have a registered LLC, I don't think you need to register for one to invoice. I also think the businesses I currently service want to do fortnightly cleaning so I'll need to get scheduling software in time.

Who's starving the most? This is what's been on my mind lately as to what makes something valuable. A facility would pay more for windows cleaned than a storefront, why? Because the scale x magnitude of the value their windows receive is more than a storefront? So they'd end up paying more for it? Depending on the circumstances, water can be more valuable than a million dollars after all.

I met an awesome Grandpa (We'll call him Xavier for now because that's who he seemed like to me haha) by a storefront as well! He was so cool, he also gave me some advice to go to some real estate agents to help service the places they own, even referring me to one of his friends. Nothing heard from them yet though, but still a wonderful experience.

Apart from that, working a part time job and offering window cleaning to other stores, but no dice, most of them already have people who serve them or they don't mind doing the cleaning themselves. Makes me think I need some website/social media to be more efficient so the people that are interested can easily find me when they need me. Also met a friend who was happy about I was doing and recommended a street I go to make offers which I had no idea about.

I'm also thinking of creating a youtube channel that breaks down sales pages and the like later on to sow the seeds for some future copywriting clients.

Log out...

Day 105-108
With the sudden move to a new residence, carrying cleaning supplies to walk to and from these stores becomes unfeasible, which is why I looked into modes of transport such as scooters and bicycles.

So I decided to buy a scooter to conserve energy for the cleaning itself for about 50 creams(pounds). I have a kind of guideline that whatever I make e.g. in the week, I can spend about 3x that max for possible investments of which I believe the scooter was a much needed one. The scooter is a bit short unfortunately, so I'll need it replaced for a larger one that fits my height.

I'm also attempting to collect the contact information of these stores so I can confirm if I can come over to give them a cleaning to prevent unneeded travel when the store isn't ready for it yet.

Also got one of my favourite noodle places to allow me do their windows for about 4 windows and a door for about 16 creams, though I think I ought to increase prices to about 20-25 creams though since I'm doing inside and out and the window sills/frames.

Got another business CR for cleaning of which is the company that wanted invoicing, I'll need to settle on a business logo and name now to do so most likely (A really good video I found on making invoices for free-

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6qtAT_SnIM
)

EDIT: The manager of CR may still have to approve this.

Log out...