How To Use Copywriting To Double Profits

[thecalmpickle]

If you want to give yourself a raise, know copywriting.

The problem?

Most people have no clue where to start... and... it takes forever to master.

Anyway, I've been at for 3+ years.

I've used copywriting for profits in my own projects... and... for private clients.

And I can probably do the same for you.

If you don't know me, here's some social proof so you know I'm not a retard:

(AMA) Ask Me Anything About Email Marketing
Pictures of AWeber Awards I've won in there

5 Elements You Need In Your Copy To Boost Profits
There's an interview I did on that Brazilian blog that got 7,000+ views before it got accidentally DELETED... and... had to be reuploaded. (Interview is in English, 55 seconds in)

All Your Questions About Copywriting ANSWERED!
Again, there's a video on there (English Interview, 1m42s in)
​

Anyway...

Ask me anything about copywriting... and... how to use it to double your profits.

Would love to help everyone out (saw people doing the Halbert challenge).

Plus, maybe we can try working together to double your profits as a case study?

So let's roll...

P.S. I'm in the Philippines right now, so forgive me if my answering hours are a bit weird.

 

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[MitchC]

"Most people have no clue where to start... and... it takes forever to master."

My question is, where do you suggest starting? and do you have any suggestions to make learning it faster? What not to do?

After joining the forums I heard about copy writing for the first time and started reading the books listed in the challenge and I'm hooked! I can't wait to start selling!

Thank you for taking the time to make this thread!

 

[nickR8]

Do you think it is worth it for business owners to master copywriting or do your think it makes more sense for them to get a good grasp of it (for example by doing the Gary Halbert copywriting challenge) and then focus on other parts of the business...

In other words: do you think it is a good idea to apply the 80/20 rule (pareto principle) to copywriting or should one strive for the 100%?

 

[Jimmyy]

If you want to give yourself a raise, know copywriting.

The problem?

Most people have no clue where to start... and... it takes forever to master.

Anyway, I've been at for 3+ years.

I've used copywriting for profits in my own projects... and... for private clients.

And I can probably do the same for you.

If you don't know me, here's some social proof so you know I'm not a retard:

(AMA) Ask Me Anything About Email MarketingPictures of AWeber Awards I've won in there

5 Elements You Need In Your Copy To Boost Profits
There's an interview I did on that Brazilian blog that got 7,000+ views before it got accidentally DELETED... and... had to be reuploaded. (Interview is in English, 55 seconds in)

All Your Questions About Copywriting ANSWERED!
Again, there's a video on there (English Interview, 1m42s in)
​

Anyway...

Ask me anything about copywriting... and... how to use it to double your profits.

Would love to help everyone out (saw people doing the Halbert challenge).

Plus, maybe we can try working together to double your profits as a case study?

So let's roll...

P.S. I'm in the Philippines right now, so forgive me if my answering hours are a bit weird.

Hey man, thanks for starting the thread! I'm half way through the Halbert Challenge and additionally about to start doing some online marketing with paid traffic to develop my copy skills earn some seed money. Do you think that is a good place to start?

 

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[Kevin90]

Cool idea for a thread.

My question to you is: Who are three copywriters you suggest a noob to follow, learn from, and model themselves after?

Thanks!

 

[BlakeIC]

will follow this

 

[thecalmpickle]

"Most people have no clue where to start... and... it takes forever to master."

My question is, where do you suggest starting? and do you have any suggestions to make learning it faster? What not to do?

After joining the forums I heard about copy writing for the first time and started reading the books listed in the challenge and I'm hooked! I can't wait to start selling!

Thank you for taking the time to make this thread!

Yo Mitch,

For starting out... I'd recommend to just read the Gary Halbert Letters.

One issue a day (I still do that each morning).

As far as writing out successful ads by hand (which I've done, too) I probably would *NOT* have done that for starters.

Instead I'd use what I learned from each issue and write down ads for things I'd try to sell personally.

Whether that be household items (for fun)... or... really testing your skills in the real world.

Also, I think (for starters) one of the best step-by-step books for copywriting (besides what you learn from the Gary Halbert Letters) is "Advertising Secrets of The Written Word" by Joe Sugarman.

 

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[thecalmpickle]

Do you think it is worth it for business owners to master copywriting or do your think it makes more sense for them to get a good grasp of it (for example by doing the Gary Halbert copywriting challenge) and then focus on other parts of the business...

In other words: do you think it is a good idea to apply the 80/20 rule (pareto principle) to copywriting or should one strive for the 100%?

I think business owners SHOULD DEFINITELY know copywriting.

They don't have to actually do the copy themselves... but they should understand the importance in investing in a solid copywriter.

A copywriter that actually sells and one that isn't trying to be clever.

Do you have to master it 100%? No, I don't think so.

You can just know a few key "formulas" that will leverage most of your sales without getting too nit-picky. You can save all that nit-picky stuff when your sales funnel is solid and you're trying to squeeze out boosts in conversions.

 

[thecalmpickle]

Hey man, thanks for starting the thread! I'm half way through the Halbert Challenge and additionally about to start doing some online marketing with paid traffic to develop my copy skills earn some seed money. Do you think that is a good place to start?

Yeah, I'm a fan of testing your skills in the real world.

That's how I started.

I'd write PPC ads... then write the landing page copy... and autoresponder sequences for affiliate projects at first (so I didn't have to make a product) yet.

 

[thecalmpickle]

Cool idea for a thread.

My question to you is: Who are three copywriters you suggest a noob to follow, learn from, and model themselves after?

Thanks!

Ok, this is a bit tough.

There are plenty of really highly successful copywriters (as in they get paid mucho fungolas) that you can follow and model.

I'd really suggest following the successful ones that you RESONATE with.

Some have styles that just aren't for you. And others just instantly click with you.

Personally, the copywriters I resonate most with are:

1. Gary Halbert (Check out The Gary Halbert Letters or message me for a PDF compilation of them all)
2. Gary Bencivenga (Read The Bencivenga Bullets - I read one a day)
3. Joe Sugarman (Read his book Advertising Secrets of The Written Word)

 

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[Heisenberg]

If you want to give yourself a raise, know copywriting.

But why?

Please explain for us who are newer to this.

 

[thecalmpickle]

But why?

Please explain for us who are newer to this.

Great question.

With copywriting you can determine if...

You invest $1 and get $2 back
Or you invest $1 and get $5 (or more) back.​

Example:

Let's look at a basic sales funnel.

We have three parts:​

1. 1. Traffic (i.e. PPC, Media Buys, JVs, etc)
   2. Capture (i.e. squeeze page, email list)
   3. Conversion (i.e. sales letter, vsl, autoresponder, etc.)

Let's just say for...
Every 100 people that click your ad (traffic)
40 people join your email list = 40% opt-in rate (capture)
Of those 40, 5 people buy your $47 product = 12.5% Conversion Rate (conversion)

Gross Revenue: $235

Now, let's say you use copywriting to IMPROVE EACH part of your sales funnel.

So now...

Let's say you improve your PPC AD copy so your CPC is way lower (resulting in more profits)
Now for every 100 people that click you ad, 60 people join your list = 60% opt-in rate... because you used copywriting to improve your squeeze page copy.

IF we did *not* improve our sales letter and still kept our 12.5% conversion rate...

Our gross revenue would be: $352.50 (60 people x 12.5% = 7 people x $47)

You are now getting $117.5 more ($352.50 - $235) in found money.

But let's say you used copywriting to improve your sales letter conversion rate.

So instead of 12.5% it's now converting at 20%.

So from those same 60 people, you are now getting 12 buyers instead of 7.

Now you're grossing $564 or $329 MORE (originally $235) FROM THE SAME SOURCE OF TRAFFIC.

And that's just on the FRONT-END...​

Hope that makes sense.

​

 

[ped89]

Nice work starting this thread.

I've just started studying copyrighting to improve my business. Been copying out the best sales letters, product descriptions etc. I can find.
Already learning loads just by setting myself one hour per day for it.

What, in your opinion, is the best piece of copywriting you've ever stumbled across?

Looking forward to following this thread.

 

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[Blue Lion]

Thanks for doing this thread. Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[Heisenberg]

Great question.

With copywriting you can determine if...

You invest $1 and get $2 back
Or you invest $1 and get $5 (or more) back.​

Example:

Let's look at a basic sales funnel.

We have three parts:​

1. 1. Traffic (i.e. PPC, Media Buys, JVs, etc)
   2. Capture (i.e. squeeze page, email list)
   3. Conversion (i.e. sales letter, vsl, autoresponder, etc.)

Let's just say for...
Every 100 people that click your ad (traffic)
40 people join your email list = 40% opt-in rate (capture)
Of those 40, 5 people buy your $47 product = 12.5% Conversion Rate (conversion)

Gross Revenue: $235

Now, let's say you use copywriting to IMPROVE EACH part of your sales funnel.

So now...

Let's say you improve your PPC AD copy so your CPC is way lower (resulting in more profits)
Now for every 100 people that click you ad, 60 people join your list = 60% opt-in rate... because you used copywriting to improve your squeeze page copy.

IF we did *not* improve our sales letter and still kept our 12.5% conversion rate...

Our gross revenue would be: $352.50 (60 people x 12.5% = 7 people x $47)

You are now getting $117.5 more ($352.50 - $235) in found money.

But let's say you used copywriting to improve your sales letter conversion rate.

So instead of 12.5% it's now converting at 20%.

So from those same 60 people, you are now getting 12 buyers instead of 7.

Now you're grossing $564 or $329 MORE (originally $235) FROM THE SAME SOURCE OF TRAFFIC.

And that's just on the FRONT-END...​

Hope that makes sense.

​

That makes perfect sense, thank you.

I have another question, what would copywriting be used for? I can imagine its mainly for information products?

i.e.

- "NEW SYSTEM that exposes a loophole in the stock market - become a billionaire easy and fast!",
- "Chinese scientist discovered a pill that dramatically increases muscle growth - THIS SHOULD BE BANNED"

 

[DennisD]

Whenever I work on my own stuff, I'm blinded.
Just can't see what's really in front of me.
My mind always sees what I WANT to be there.

With that in mind,
Maybe you can take a look at this and tell me what you think?
http://ww.castleforgemedia.com/flashfire-videos/

I just put it up today, seeing how it does,
I didn't spend any time really optimizing it.
I just didn't know where to start.
Like I said, when it comes to me own stuff I'm pretty blind.

If you don't have the time, or this is something you usually charge for you can just respond with:
"Well, every page is unique. I'm not sure who your target demographic is so I can't give you specific advice"
I'd totally understand.

EDIT: I went ahead and posted this publicly for sale. My audience is giving me great feedback as to specific concernts... but hearing your input would still be great as well

 

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[thecalmpickle]

That makes perfect sense, thank you.

I have another question, what would copywriting be used for? I can imagine its mainly for information products?

i.e.

- "NEW SYSTEM that exposes a loophole in the stock market - become a billionaire easy and fast!",
- "Chinese scientist discovered a pill that dramatically increases muscle growth - THIS SHOULD BE BANNED"

Everything. Literally.

You can literally use the same principles for everything.

...NOT just info products.

You can use it to sell physical products.

You can use it to sell yourself to the opposite sex and get laid.

You can use it to get anything you want... AS LONG AS YOU DISCOVER SOMEONE'S MOTIVATIONS AND SHOW THEM HOW A SPECIFIC ACTION/PRODUCT/SERVICE WILL HELP THEM GET IT.

That's all you're doing... channeling someone's desires towards an action that will benefit both you and them.​

 

[Dave C]

My question is whether you feel the new wave of VSL's (Video Sales Letters - for those not in the know) is something you've worked with and used to increase conversations? Or do you prefer a long form, length implies strength, approach.

To focus my question down a little more, I understand the importance of copy but I'm interested in the importance of the medium that the copy is conveyed through just as much.

Thanks in advance, great thread!

 

[thecalmpickle]

Whenever I work on my own stuff, I'm blinded.
Just can't see what's really in front of me.
My mind always sees what I WANT to be there.

With that in mind,
Maybe you can take a look at this and tell me what you think?
http://ww.castleforgemedia.com/flashfire-videos/

I just put it up today, seeing how it does,
I didn't spend any time really optimizing it.
I just didn't know where to start.
Like I said, when it comes to me own stuff I'm pretty blind.

If you don't have the time, or this is something you usually charge for you can just respond with:
"Well, every page is unique. I'm not sure who your target demographic is so I can't give you specific advice"
I'd totally understand.

EDIT: I went ahead and posted this publicly for sale. My audience is giving me great feedback as to specific concernts... but hearing your input would still be great as well

Ain't got time... KIDDING!

I just checked out your VSL and LP copy.

By the way, I AM thinking about working with members here so we can provide a cool case study for everyone.

Now let's talk about your copy.

1. Are you tracking your visits and conversions?
   
   
2. When you posted this for your market (great real world test) did you already get sales?
   
   
3. I'd change your headline (the one above the video) from Flashfire videos to something else like
   "How To Create Professional Videos To Double Profits... In Just 10 Minutes"
   
   
4. The Good - you price-anchored pretty well IMO.
   1. You have a scarcity element - You will take it down... BUT WHY??? (Need to have a reason why to be more believable)
5. Your body copy is not terrible... but could use some work
   1. Just use the very SIMPLE FORMULA I talk about in my video interview (posted in original post)

Agitate the Problem
Unique Promise
Proof
Irresistable Offer
Scarcity​

 

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[thecalmpickle]

My question is whether you feel the new wave of VSL's (Video Sales Letters - for those not in the know) is something you've worked with and used to increase conversations? Or do you prefer a long form, length implies strength, approach.

To focus my question down a little more, I understand the importance of copy but I'm interested in the importance of the medium that the copy is conveyed through just as much.

Thanks in advance, great thread!

Great question.

We actually had this question from my buddy's Brazilian followers (Answered it in the video interview in first post).

USUALLY, VSL's *do* increase conversations.

However... it depends on the market.

For instance, one of my self-made baller mentors has actually tested a VSL vs. Long Copy... and... his long form copy actually performed BETTER than the VSL... for HIS MARKET.

It depends if your market is filled with readers or viewers. You have to find that out.

It's up to you to test which medium your copy performs best in.

Most vendors that you'll see on Clickbank will have the VSL upfront... and... then they'll use an exit pop-up that redirects to the long form copy afterwards.

 

[Vigilante]

Ain't got time... KIDDING!

I just checked out your VSL and LP copy.

By the way, I AM thinking about working with members here (for no upfront cost, just for a % of profits) so we can provide a cool case study for everyone.

Now let's talk about your copy.

1. Are you tracking your visits and conversions?
   
   
2. When you posted this for your market (great real world test) did you already get sales?
   
   
3. I'd change your headline (the one above the video) from Flashfire videos to something else like
   "How To Create Professional Videos To Double Profits... In Just 10 Minutes"
   
   
4. The Good - you price-anchored pretty well IMO.
   1. You have a scarcity element - You will take it down... BUT WHY??? (Need to have a reason why to be more believable)
5. Your body copy is not terrible... but could use some work
   1. Just use the very SIMPLE FORMULA I talk about in my video interview (posted in original post)

Agitate the Problem
Unique Promise
Proof
Irresistable Offer
Scarcity​

Anyway, if you're tracking sales and conversions now... we can probably provide a cool case study for the forum.

Lots of links. If you want to become a forum sponsor, that would be awesome.
Advertising information available HERE : https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/pages/advertise/

 

[djax06]

I'd write PPC ads... then write the landing page copy... and autoresponder sequences for affiliate projects at first (so I didn't have to make a product) yet

This.

Sugarman's Adweek Copywriting Handbook is also a fantastic resource. Love his writing style.

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

Just an FYI to readers/followers -- this looks to be a thinly veiled advertisement to a list builder promoting the OPs' copy-writing coaching platform.

As always, I am not responsible.

In the spirit of "giving" I will let this continue assuming it transforms itself into a genuine AMA and not a list building charade.

Carry on.

 

[DennisD]

Now let's talk about your copy.

1. Are you tracking your visits and conversions?
   
   
2. When you posted this for your market (great real world test) did you already get sales?
   
   
3. I'd change your headline (the one above the video) from Flashfire videos to something else like
   "How To Create Professional Videos To Double Profits... In Just 10 Minutes"
   
   
4. The Good - you price-anchored pretty well IMO.
   1. You have a scarcity element - You will take it down... BUT WHY??? (Need to have a reason why to be more believable)
5. Your body copy is not terrible... but could use some work
   1. Just use the very SIMPLE FORMULA I talk about in my video interview (posted in original post)

Agitate the Problem
Unique Promise
Proof
Irresistable Offer
Scarcity​

Thanks for putting in the time.
So, I posted this yesterday around noonish. Since then 356 visits and 20 sales, putting me at 5.6% conversion rate. Unsure if that's good or bad.
I made back my advertising expenditure, but it would be nice to make more.

Yeah, you're right about the headline. Wordpress titled my page for me based on the URL, I should change the CSS to take it out and replace it with my own. Lets talk about your suggestion for a relpacement headline. "How to Create Professional Videos To Double Profits"

Why "How To"?

Isn't that lame?
Boring?

Previously I've found when selling my infoproducts that "how to" or "learn how" or "I teach you" all have converted poorly.
My hypothesis is that it makes the buyer feel like there's too much work on their part. Leaving out language that suggests there's hard work involved seems to work better. (but again, I never have a large pool of viewers to support my conclusion.)

Your headline for this thread has "How to" in it.
What have you found relating to using "how to"?

Also, "Double Your Profits" seems to be something you like saying. 4 times by you on this thread (including the headline), twice on your aweber landing page.

Why that specifically?

 

[zander]

Why "How To"?

I'm far from a copywriting expert, but in my experience, people love tactics. To me, "How to..." says that you are going to tell me the exact steps I need to accomplish x, which is appealing to someone who doesn't want to do the work.

 

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[thecalmpickle]

Just an FYI to readers/followers -- this looks to be a thinly veiled advertisement to a list builder promoting the OPs' copy-writing coaching platform.

As always, I am not responsible.

In the spirit of "giving" I will let this continue assuming it transforms itself into a genuine AMA and not a list building charade.

Carry on.

Links to lists removed.

 

[thecalmpickle]

Thanks for putting in the time.
So, I posted this yesterday around noonish. Since then 356 visits and 20 sales, putting me at 5.6% conversion rate. Unsure if that's good or bad.
I made back my advertising expenditure, but it would be nice to make more.

Yeah, you're right about the headline. Wordpress titled my page for me based on the URL, I should change the CSS to take it out and replace it with my own. Lets talk about your suggestion for a relpacement headline. "How to Create Professional Videos To Double Profits"

Why "How To"?

Isn't that lame?
Boring?

Previously I've found when selling my infoproducts that "how to" or "learn how" or "I teach you" all have converted poorly.
My hypothesis is that it makes the buyer feel like there's too much work on their part. Leaving out language that suggests there's hard work involved seems to work better. (but again, I never have a large pool of viewers to support my conclusion.)

Your headline for this thread has "How to" in it.
What have you found relating to using "how to"?

Also, "Double Your Profits" seems to be something you like saying. 4 times by you on this thread (including the headline), twice on your aweber landing page.

Why that specifically?

5.6% ain't bad at all.

Especially for a first run.

Again, depends on your market. You've said you've tested stats before, so the question is: In your past tests, is that conversion rate normally high or low for your market?

The headline...

Just a suggestion I came up with on the spot.

You could change it to anything... and... like you said, it has converted poorly but you didn't have a large enough sample size.

Usually, the formula "Interest + Benefit = Increased Conversions".

For me, "How To" or "What To Do" actually converts better (depends on market)... because it removes Hype and increases Believability.

They still have to do something, but you can always angle it truthfully in a way that minimal effort is involved.​

For the double your profits headline... once you find a headline that's decent... just roll with it and test it. You'll find out later (based on stats) if it needs tweaking. I actually have no stats on that headline (never sold products in "make money" niche) so I have no clue.

 

[Sapphdia]

Great post. Following...

 

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[djax06]

As you mentioned before, you started with PPC --> Lander --> AR. (great way to get the chops)

What type of affiliate offers did you have the most success with in the beginning?

What was your first big success?

 

[MMatt]

So lets say you learn the skill of copywriting, hand write some ads,and practice writing some of your own. What is the best roadmap to actually making money doing this without selling your own products?

Do gigs on fiverr to get a reputaion? Elance, odesk? Affiliate marketing?