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How do I learn copywriting as a teen?

Jeff Noel

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How do I learn copywriting?
It's going to sound harsh, but read the message behind the words:
You're not listening.

Lex gave you a winning ticket. He's definitely the one you should be listening to, if you are serious about copywriting.

Are the laws in your country preventing people from hiring you, full time or part time ? If that's the case, are the same laws preventing you from mowing lawns, shoveling snow, planting/watering plants, cleaning carpets ?
This is what the mindset is about. If you cannot turn the switch on, in your mind, and find opportunities all around you, copywriting will be hard.

Turn the switch.
 

Lex DeVille

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I’m curious whether you guys think it’s easier for a newbie to make money running Google Ads campaigns for businesses than copywriting for them?

Technically, Google Ads seems simpler to me because you setup a keyword, a relevant ad that’s only got a few words in it. and send folks to the most appropriate webpage. Sure there’s other campaign settings and bidding involved, but he copywriting requires is pretty straightforward.

Given Google Ads is an online technical thing, I suspect business owners automatically assume that the youngsters will be better at it than them.

And businesses that are considering or already using Google Ads have shown a willingness to pay monthly for leads. Charging $100-300/mth to manage the campaigns is quite an easy sell to a small business (to the right prospects of course).

And you can find plenty of businesses locally that might avail of the service - meaning you could become a big fish in a small pond quite quickly.

I think Google Ads would be easier. Web design would be easier. Social media, SEO, transcription...you name it. All of these can be learned in a relatively short time to get you to levels where you can get the client results they want. They all still require sales though.
 
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Lex DeVille

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Copywriting is not "the only thing" and it would definitely won't "give you tons of money online".

Yup. Copywriting won't give you money until you learn to be a problem solver which starts by learning how to solve your own problems!
 
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Lex DeVille

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Hey!

Im 17 and I've besn reading tons about making money online
I neex to start makinng money online to help me and my family and i found out that copywriting is the only thing that can give me tons of money online. The problem is dont know how to learn it, I dont know how to start.

What advice could you give me?

Get a job. Start helping people in other ways for free. Copywriting can't save you yet. You'll make way more money with a job for now and it will be more stable income while you begin to develop the necessary mindset which is going to take time.
 

Lex DeVille

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Been meaning to ask for curiosity sake, do you know code? Or do you build websites for clients using wordpress or something similar? Thanks.

I don't know any code other than CSS. Every once in a while I build a website for a client using Wordpress. Web design isn't my core skill so I only offer it when I think I can help my client.

I've been against doing this myself because I felt like a crook. "This is so easy, I can't charge people for that".

I should rethink my past decisions.

Have you seen the websites most clients have? They aren't paying you for the website. They're paying for results. If you use a pre-made theme and they get a huge boost in sales because they look like a professional instead of someone who let their nephew build them a free website...then it's worth whatever they paid you.

When I build websites I don't use pre-made designs. But that is the fastest way to set something up. I set things up my own way to be optimized for conversions.
 
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Lex DeVille

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How do I learn copywriting?

You can start with the links in my signature.

But if I were you I would pick up a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People first. Read it. Then go out in the real world and apply each chapter one at a time so you build experience and understanding of the materials.

After that learn sales because you'll need sales for copy. Plus sales will make you money a lot faster than copywriting. If you want to be a copywriter you'll also need to learn to write well. You'll then need to understand how to influence people through your writing.

Most copywriters will take six months to a year to earn full-time income. At least one year starting from scratch. So if you really want to be a copywriter, you better get started today. You'll be 18 by the time you make real money with it. But then you can just get a job...
 
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Andy Black

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I think Google Ads would be easier. Web design would be easier. Social media, SEO, transcription...you name it. All of these can be learned in a relatively short time to get you to levels where you can get the client results they want.
I suspect web design is harder than Google Ads. There's so many different ways to design and then build a website. With Google Ads the restrictions in what you can do are it's strength.

They all still require sales though.
Oh yes, they all require sales skills. Without sales it's just a hobby.

I think the weakness (or strength - could be considered as a barrier of entry) of Google Ads as an ideal "first time" business is that you need to play with someone else's budget or money. It would make many newbies uncomfortable. I would be uncomfortable. I know you wouldn't though :)
What if it was your uncle's business and he was thinking of spending or was already spending $300/mth? Would you be uncomfortable offering to run those campaigns for $100/mth?


I'm bringing this up because I think copywriting looks bleeding hard. There seems to be so much art to the science! And you have to think, with a capital T.
 
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Lex DeVille

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I suspect web design is harder than Google Ads. There's so many different ways to design and then build a website.

You don't need all the ways though. You only need one way. Wordpress and the ability to install a theme, replace the demo content, and maybe Google search some CSS code for odds and ends customization. My first Wordpress site was built this way and had 500+ members. The site was live in about a month. Now it takes a day to set up a 5-7 page website. Sometimes I wonder why I do copywriting lol.
 

AshrafI

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I'm currently in the same boat as you at the age of 14, I've read the books (Cashvertising and The Adweek Copywriting Handbook) and I'm currently doing web design for other businesses highlighted in Fox's thread. I can definitely say that working with other businesses and trying to get a sale has been particularly useful, I've read Jordan Belfort's Way of The Wolf and I am currently making a script to assist me in my cold calls. I believe you must listen to the advice the other forum members have to say as they are much more experienced than both of us, with the idea of earning money aside, I think the best thing we can do now is to just learn, put it to use and gather experience.
 
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Copywriting is a cliche that just means to convince someone as a writer. You write the copy. Copy = stuff people read in any form of advertising.

To make money writing copy there must be someone to sell to and something to sell them. If you work for someone else they will rely on your skills of writing to sell their product or service to a group of people. The product or service being sold and getting the people to be sold to in front of that copy will be a responsibility of the person you work for. You don't want a copywriting job.

If you work for yourself writing copy, there are only two ways to do it for yourself.

1. Have a business that performs copywriting services for different people with their own businesses (many marketing firms offer these services so you would be acting as a marketing firm).

2. Write your own copy for your own product or service for your own audience to sell them something.

Saying "I think I should get into copywriting" makes it sound like you just heard it somewhere as a buzzword and you don't really understand it. It's a slice of the "selling stuff to people" pie. It's a bit similar to saying "I'm going to get into cold calling". Cold calling who? Selling them what? Are you going to open up a call center? Likewise, who are you writing copy for? Who are you selling to? What are you selling? How are you getting their attention in the first place? These are much more important questions to answer.

As a business owner trying to grow, I am a copywriter, a salesman, a web developer, a designer, a manager, a mechanic, a worker, a marketer, a secretary, and my own consultant.

If I was 17 again I would focus on being the best looking, most charismatic, charming guy I could be. I'd read 5 sales books 10 times over. When I turned 18 I would waltz into any place offering a high end sales job, find a manager and tell them I'll be their best damn salesman they've ever had and I'm sure if you look the part you'd get a great job. Use that money to save up, move out, get a small place and save the rest of your money to start a business.
 

Cvince

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The amount of money you make is determined by the size of the problems you can solve. Figure out which problems you think you can solve, and work from there. You can use social media as a tool to research your ideas. Use it wisely and you can start making money on whatever you set your mind to.
 
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rjrobbins2

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Copywriting is far from the only source of income online. In fact, I wouldnt even say it is close to the easiest because it requires you to learn lots of skills. At your age, I would be flipping items on eBay or other 3rd party seller sites. That is how I first made money online and still do to this day. Then, I would be reading lots of books on copywriting, sales, business and more.

Follow Lex's advice, dont focus on making money, start reading books, start taking online classes, and be patient. If you just focus on making money and are impatient, you will likely fail. Copywriting without even a basic understanding of business, sales, people, psychology, and more is not a great idea. It is highly unlikely you have any of that at 17, especially since you are asking questions in the manner you are.
 
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Andy Black

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I’m curious whether you guys think it’s easier for a newbie to make money running Google Ads campaigns for businesses than copywriting for them?

Technically, Google Ads seems simpler to me because you setup a keyword, a relevant ad that’s only got a few words in it. and send folks to the most appropriate webpage. Sure there’s other campaign settings and bidding involved, but he copywriting requires is pretty straightforward.

Given Google Ads is an online technical thing, I suspect business owners automatically assume that the youngsters will be better at it than them.

And businesses that are considering or already using Google Ads have shown a willingness to pay monthly for leads. Charging $100-300/mth to manage the campaigns is quite an easy sell to a small business (to the right prospects of course).

And you can find plenty of businesses locally that might avail of the service - meaning you could become a big fish in a small pond quite quickly.
 

Jeff Noel

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You don't need all the ways though. You only need one way. Wordpress and the ability to install a theme, replace the demo content, and maybe Google search some CSS code for odds and ends customization. My first Wordpress site was built this way and had 500+ members. The site was live in about a month. Now it takes a day to set up a 5-7 page website. Sometimes I wonder why I do copywriting lol.
I've been against doing this myself because I felt like a crook. "This is so easy, I can't charge people for that".

I should rethink my past decisions.
What if it was your uncle's business and he was thinking of spending or was already spending $300/mth? Would you be uncomfortable offering to run those campaigns for $100/mth?


I'm bringing this up because I think copywriting looks bleeding hard. There seems to be so much art to the science! And you have to think, with a capital T.
I would feel even more pressure knowing it's a family member ! I know what you're trying to say though. I believe the easiest way to learn would be to find businesses that don't even know about Google Ads and offer them to manage an ad campaign. Their expectations cannot be too high - they don't know what it is... and you end up learning the process.

I also strongly believe copywriting is tougher by a magnitude - It's like learning to talk for a salesman. It's something you cannot just learn in an 8-hour training.
 
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astr0

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I think Google Ads would be easier. Web design would be easier. Social media, SEO, transcription...you name it.
Totally agree.

Google Ads: very little but top quality copywriting for headlines + optimizations skill/experience.
Web Design: yeah, Wordpress is easy, but one would still need some Design skill and basic knowledge in HTML/CSS/Plugins.
Copywriting: requires lots of experience in different areas like psychology, sales, the actual writing skills, etc.

And a newby in Google Ads or Wordpress design can still offer good value to the client.
While an inexperienced copywriter has high chances to do more harm instead.
 

Andy Black

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What happens if you change the wording?

“make money online”

vs

“earn money online”
 
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astr0

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What advice could you give me?
Stop focusing on making money, focus on adding value and helping people first.

Copywriting is not "the only thing" and it would definitely won't "give you tons of money online".

You're new here and maybe don't know that @Lex DeVille is a real pro on copywriting.
Consider thinking on his advice seriously.
 

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Take Lex' 15 days to freedom in copywriting. Just follow the thread and DO the exercises. I promise that after you do it, you will be "good enough" to get started on copywriting. You can try freelancing on Upwork or find some other route. But it can take a few months before you start making decent money. This depends on your knowledge, how you market yourself, and how much hustle you have.
 

astr0

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The problem is the mentality in the place where I live. Its a small a$$ city in a European country where everyone is afraid of paying or doing something. If they want t someone to mow their lawn or water their garden,clean the carpet they will either do it themselves to save money (even if they are rich) or ask someone in their family.
Where do you live? Cause it sounds pretty familiar...

When I build websites I don't use pre-made designs. But that is the fastest way to set something up. I set things up my own way to be optimized for conversions.
Pre-made designs also have a problem - they have a lot of content that's matched to fill the theme. Once you remove or replace that content it often doesn't look that great.

Most businesses actually don't need a lot of content and huge websites either.
A simple neat one-pager optimized for sales can achieve better results in most cases.
 

astr0

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1301271022001.jpg
Any of the other two would be better:
making - doing something to achieve results, the process
money - merely an outcome, a measure of your value
online - freedom, a way out from the mentality of people in place you live, ability to connect with successful people
 

astr0

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Now I truly understand my mindset is flawed as F*ck. But Im still lost
Great, now we have some progress, acknowledging the problem is the first step to solve it!

Now
  1. Embrace that the process won't be easy. It might be fast, but fast is a few years (months if lucky), not tomorrow.
  2. Listen to all the bits of advice from other people in your threads. Many of them achieved something and spent their time to help you, value that.
  3. Read The "Astonishing Secrets" Thread and other mindset threads here.
  4. I highly recommend reading the Unscripted by MJ DeMarco. It's probably not like any other books on "making money" that you've read before. No mental masturbation, straight truth, strong kicks to take action. If you don't have money to buy it, at least watch his youtube channel
  5. After that, you should have many ideas on the best ways to provide value to other people. Feel free to discuss them here and choose what fits you.
Don't give up and Good Luck again ;)
 
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hoponthebop

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Hey!

Im 17 and I've besn reading tons about making money online
I neex to start makinng money online to help me and my family and i found out that copywriting is the only thing that can give me tons of money online. The problem is dont know how to learn it, I dont know how to start.

What advice could you give me?
 
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Jeff Noel

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I’m curious whether you guys think it’s easier for a newbie to make money running Google Ads campaigns for businesses than copywriting for them?

Technically, Google Ads seems simpler to me because you setup a keyword, a relevant ad that’s only got a few words in it. and send folks to the most appropriate webpage. Sure there’s other campaign settings and bidding involved, but he copywriting requires is pretty straightforward.

Given Google Ads is an online technical thing, I suspect business owners automatically assume that the youngsters will be better at it than them.

And businesses that are considering or already using Google Ads have shown a willingness to pay monthly for leads. Charging $100-300/mth to manage the campaigns is quite an easy sell to a small business (to the right prospects of course).

And you can find plenty of businesses locally that might avail of the service - meaning you could become a big fish in a small pond quite quickly.
I think the weakness (or strength - could be considered as a barrier of entry) of Google Ads as an ideal "first time" business is that you need to play with someone else's budget or money.

It would make many newbies uncomfortable. I would be uncomfortable. I know you wouldn't though :)
 

hoponthebop

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Hm... Average salary is 3x bigger than here, but purchasing power parity is only 50% more. Which is still 2.5x less than in the US or major European countries.

That's a poor people's mentality and very hard to change... Get away from it and build strong walls against it.


Thats what im trying to do, this kind of ppl piss me off.

But I still dont know what to do, what to learn now to start making money online :/
 

hoponthebop

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View attachment 24424
Any of the other two would be better:
making - doing something to achieve results, the process
money - merely an outcome, a measure of your value
online - freedom, a way out from the mentality of people in place you live, ability to connect with successful people

Now I truly understand my mindset is flawed as F*ck. But Im still lost
 

ideasunlimited1

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View attachment 24424
Any of the other two would be better:
making - doing something to achieve results, the process
money - merely an outcome, a measure of your value
online - freedom, a way out from the mentality of people in place you live, ability to connect with successful people
This graphic is the greatest thing ever. Thank you for contributing my new phone background! haha
 

hoponthebop

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Great, now we have some progress, acknowledging the problem is the first step to solve it!

Now
  1. Embrace that the process won't be easy. It might be fast, but fast is a few years (months if lucky), not tomorrow.
  2. Listen to all the bits of advice from other people in your threads. Many of them achieved something and spent their time to help you, value that.
  3. Read The "Astonishing Secrets" Thread and other mindset threads here.
  4. I highly recommend reading the Unscripted by MJ DeMarco. It's probably not like any other books on "making money" that you've read before. No mental masturbation, straight truth, strong kicks to take action. If you don't have money to buy it, at least watch his youtube channel
  5. After that, you should have many ideas on the best ways to provide value to other people. Feel free to discuss them here and choose what fits you.
Don't give up and Good Luck again ;)


Thanks for the help man :)

Btw I just saw you are from Ukraine так что спасибо братуха!
 
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rjrobbins2

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Since you are at the very least, bi-lingual, why dont you do some English to Portuguese or Portuguese to English transcription and translation.
 

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