Attention: Writers who are looking for copywriting resources, want to learn how to find high-paying clients, discover exactly how to price your services and build a wildly profitable writing business:

If you're a Copywriter, a Ghostwriter,
a Travel Writer or an Author who's Struggling to Promote Yourself, Market Your Services or Sell Your Book

And you want to learn exactly how you can start attracting the kind of clients who understand that a good writer is worth his or her weight in gold, are looking for a long-term relationship and are willing to schedule their slots and pay you in advance for the privilege of getting on your calendar...

Then You've Just Found the Answers

 You've Been Looking For...

From the Virtual Desk of Cheryl Antier:      (Somewhere on the French Riviera...)

Dear Colleague,
 

Okay, first of all, I'd like to get something out in the open right now, if you don't mind?  

This is NOT going to be a high-pressure sales letter.  I'm not going to use "hypnotic techniques" or "secret tactics" or any of the other tools in a copywriter's bag of tricks to try and compel you to buy from me.  (For one thing, you'd just see right through them since you already know what they are and how to use them too.)

But the other reason is, they bore me.  I don't know about you, but most of the sales letters I see on the net these days are nothing more than clones of what were once "new and exciting" letters.

But what made them "new and exciting" was the fact that they were originals - the first of their kind.  New ideas, new concepts, new ways of presenting information. Nothing like them had ever been seen before.  

And so they attracted a lot of attention and interest and people wanted what they had to offer and they made money - sometimes a lot of money - for their clients.  (If you've paid attention to the Internet Marketing World at all, you will undoubtedly have heard of the legendary Internet Marketers who've had Million Dollar Product Launches.  But these kind of pay-offs happen in almost every other industry as well - they're just not as well advertised.)

And of course as soon as one of those launches happens, everybody and their dog jumps on the bandwagon and starts copying them (sometimes doing a very bad job of it) until the sales pitch becomes the same-old, same-old, and we, as consumers, get tired of it, and it just becomes more "noise" that we're bombarded with every single day.

And that's just one of the biggest problems we, as professional writers, are up against right now, when it comes to marketing ourselves and our services.

We did a survey of writers a few months ago, when we were putting the curriculum together for Internet Marketing Business School for Writers.  You know what the second most-often asked question was?

"How do I stand out from my competition" ?

 If you've ever asked yourself this question, chances are you're not just talking about other 'real' writers - the ones who have put in their time and taken copywriting courses, or have worked their up and earned the title of writer.

Because these days, you also have to compete against hundreds - if not thousands - of people who  have joined the growing number of "freelance job sites" and who are proclaiming themselves to be writers - and are charging ridiculous fees to try and get clients.

The problem is, there are always going to be wannabes, just waiting in the wings, trying to copy us, and do what we do.  And they're willing to undercut our prices, copy our marketing style and sometimes flat out steal our ideas, in order to do it.  

So as a writer who is trying to market yourself and your writing business, or your book, one of your biggest problems is understanding how to set yourself apart from all the wannabes, pretenders and copycat writers - not to mention the other good writers who are also on the lookout for new clients - right?

(I read an article that gave the results of a recent survey - it said the average consumer gets over 557 advertising messages directed at them a week - and that we remember and retain only 1% of them!) And I'm actually not sure that number is right - it seems too low to me.  But even if it is too low - stop and think about that for a minute...That means when we put OUR marketers' hats on - and are trying to get our message out to our prospective clients - we're NOT just going up against our competition - the good, the bad and the ugly of them - we're also competing against 556 other messages - that probably have nothing to do with us or our offer - but it's still there, and our prospective clients still have to decide what they're going to pay attention to.

And then there's one more question  you might be asking yourself that goes along with the competition issue - because it was asked in different ways, but was the third most important question on other writers' minds in our survey:  "How do I keep my writing services from being seen as a nothing more than a commodity?" and "How do I compete against so-called writers who are willing to work for pennies on the dollar?"

Let's face it - since your clients can go online to any of the "work for hire" Website - and hire a copywriter or ghostwriter (or someone who claims to be one) and get articles written for two or three dollars a piece, Website copy for $100 and a book ghostwritten for less than $200 - why should they choose you, especially if your fees are higher?

The truth is - there are no "easy answers." 

One thing you have to know is that if you're going to build a successful writing business, you absolutely CANNOT compete on price - if you do, you'll cut your own throat before you even get your business off the ground!

But that's not all...

The Bad News

Can I be blunt?  You've got other problems besides your competition.  (Although I promise we'll get back to your competition and what to do about them in just a minute!)  But if you don't know how to solve each one of these issues, you'll never reach the level of success - financially, professionally and personally - that you want and deserve.

Here's the "short list" of what you have to overcome if you want to join the ranks of the "A Level" writers and (start making that "A Level" income as well):

Attract the Right Kind of Clients - and Keep Them Coming Back 

Set Yourself Apart from the Competition - the Wannabes and the Real Ones

Learn How to Build a Serious "Backend" into your Writing Business that Adds Additional Streams of Income and Creates Residual Lifetime Wealth

What Your "Ideal Clients" AREN'T Telling You

So let's start by looking at your business from the inside out.  How many regular clients do you have right now?  How long have they been clients?  How much income do you make with them each month?  

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you figure out what you're doing right,  the lifetime value of a customer, and give you an idea of what you need to work on, among other things.

And you also need some basic information about your "ideal clients" - the people you'd love to work with and add to your client list.  I'm going to start here, because understanding how to attract and retain your ideal clients on a long-term basis is the first step in "writing your own ticket" and making the kind of monthly income "A" Level copywriters make!  

Only there's something you need to know - your prospective clients are keeping secrets from you - and there's a lot they're not telling you.  The problem is - if you don't know this information - it could seriously hurt your chances of building a successful writing business! 

So here's what they're NOT telling you: 

    Secret #1: Your prospective, current and past clients don’t give a fig about you, your writing business or your goals and dreams.

And the last thing they want is for you to give them “great ideas” or “information” or “concepts.”  (Remember Dorothy - we’re not in the information age any longer...)  People are drowning in a sea of information, so flooding them with more isn't the answer.

 Tactical Tip: Since they really only want to know one thing - "Do you have the solution to my problem?" You have to show them that you do - and fast.

    Secret #2: On top of being in "Information Overload" - your clients are busy. They already feel like they don't have enough hours in the day to get everything done they need to do.  (I can relate, can't you?)  

They jealously guard their time - or have gatekeepers who do it for them, and will resent anything they perceive as a waste of that time.  Waste their time just once - and you'll never get your foot in the door a second time.

Tactical Tip: You've got - at best - only minutes (seconds if you're marketing online) to grab their attention. So do it by telling them the results they'll get by working with you.  And to do it in such a way that it positions you as the "obvious" expert they should be working with.

And finally:

Secret #3: Your potential customers are suspicious.  They're cautious.  They've "been there, done that, got a closet full of T-Shirts" and their "BS meters" are set on hyper-sensitive. 

Tactical Tip: You have to be honest, credible and be able to prove that you can do what you say you're going to do.  This means learning exactly how to make the Web 2.0 work for you, weeding out the stuff that's a waste of your time (after all, if your ideal clients NEVER visit MySpace or facebook pages, why waste the time putting them together?  You have to go where your clients will be looking for you).  And once you're there, then you have to build relationships with them.  To do that, you have to know what they're looking for, what their expectations are when it comes to finding answers and you have to give it to them.

Before we go further, maybe you're thinking that these three problems don't apply to your ideal clients or your target market or industry?

Here’s a quick test:  How many of the emails that come into YOUR inbox every day do you delete without even reading them?  10%?  25%?  30%?  50%?  More?  (You’re not alone.  Remember that recent study I mentioned - the one that says we read and retain just 1% of the marketing messages we’re bombarded with each day?)

Here's what that means to you: Out of every 100 messages you send - whether it's emails, postcards or almost any form of direct mail - only 1 out of every 100 of your potential clients is going to open it and remember what you had to say. (Pretty scary huh?)  Especially when you're wearing your  copywriter hat - and it's your job to get people to read those emails or marketing promotions!

And that's really where the Internet Marketing Business School for Writers comes in.  

If you feel like your business is stuck in second gear - that you're not being as effective as you could be when it comes to getting your message out to your prospective clients ...we can help.

If you aren't sure how how to differentiate yourself and your writing business from the crowd...we can show you.

If you need help creating a winning strategy that catapults you and your business into the spotlight and creates the kind of platform that makes your prospective clients realize you're who they want...we can teach you.

The Internet Marketing Business School for Writers works with copywriters, ghostwriters, travel writers, or just about any writer or author who is ready to learn once and for all how to find more clients (or sell more copies of your book), get the fees you deserve and build a wildly successful - and highly profitable - business from your writing.

But we don't stop there.  We also want to make sure you understand and use  the foundations of proven business methods.  So to make sure that your business has the potential to grow as you start getting 'A Level' clients, and you start getting busier, we teach you how to create the scalable systems and processes every successful - and very successful - business has to have in place to grow and become more profitable.

But because a writing business is different from a retail store or a manufacturing company or even most other service businesses, we also provide you with the real tools, techniques and business tactics other successful writers are using - and we'll show you how to get the most out of them.

Who Am I?

My name is Cheryl Antier, and I'm a copy strategist.  (I help my clients map out a profitable maketing strategy for their businesses, and write the copy for their marcom materials.)  I've been making my living from writing for about 13 years now.  I didn't start out as a copywriter. 

I originally was what’s called a “Development Director” which is a fancy word for someone who’s in charge of organizing, managing and running special events, getting donations and writing grants for nonprofit organizations.

I used to put together fund raising events and got things donated - you know, new cars for golf tournaments, cruises and airline tickets for auctions, and food, entertainment and supplies for special events.

I also wrote op-ed materials, position papers and wrote articles that helped to shape public opinion about issues relating to poverty, social justice, and human rights.

And I wrote grants and set up individual and corporate donor campaigns to raise the funds that helped nonprofit organizations carry out their work on these important issues in our communities.

A Dark and Unhappy Time

I worked long hours (I'd average 50 to 55 on a normal week and during a special event it was higher - sometimes a lot higher.)  But I didn't care, because I was working on issues that I was passionate about with people I respected and admired.  And I loved it.  But things change. (In my case, it was the death of my first husband and being left to raise my two young sons on my own.)

Let's just say that was a very dark time in my life and it forced me to find another way to support my boys, and still be able to be at home to raise them.

And the short story is, that's how I ended up becoming a copywriter - I needed a business where I could work from home, basically set my own hours and make a better than average living to support my kids - and copywriting fits the bill.

I'm remarried (and feel incredibly lucky to have found love twice in a lifetime), my sons are 19 and 16, and these days we spend the majority of our time at our place here on the French Riviera - although we actually do a lot of traveling - in fact, we take about 4 1/2 months of vacation every year, traveling to some wonderful places - Greece, Austria, the UK, Italy, Monaco, Switzerland, etc.

Oh - that reminds me of something that happened while I spent a week in Greece in April that I’ll tell you about in just a minute...because it illustrates something very important about setting up a system in your business to skyrocket your profits.

But first you have to know that this lifestyle absolutely wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the income I make from copywriting

And it sure didn't start out that way!  In the beginning I worked for pennies, got shafted by a big name marketer and didn't have a clue what the right way to market my writing business was.

Sound familiar?

How I learned what to do when things went wrong - losing jobs, getting stiffed, firing clients...
(And we share our experience so you don't have to learn everything the hard way...)

I admit it - I was next door to clueless when I started out.  And like a lot of business owners, I made some mistakes and ran into some unforeseen problems:

Like the time I was working on a big project for one of my clients - and my computer blew up halfway through it - and I lost about 8 hours worth of work, just like that! (No, I didn't have my work backed up - that was the first and LAST time I made that stupid mistake!) Plus - by the time I was able to order the new hard drive, get it shipped over here, and get a technician to come and repair it - I lost the job. (ouch!)  I’ll share some great resources and tools so this never happens to you!

Or the time I accepted a new client - and because I wasn't comfortable asking for a deposit up front -  (after all, this guy was a well-known marketer and I was pretty much an unknown) - I did the work, sent it to him - and never heard from him again.  He ignored all my messages until I learned this cool technique - and then funnily enough, I had the money in my PayPal account in under an hour even though it had been months since I'd turned in the work!

And then there was the time I had to fire my first client - which was scary as hell and had my stomach in knots for days beforehand. (But afterwards? I felt like I was 80 pounds lighter and the gorilla I’d been carrying on my back was gone!)  And now I know how to do it in such a way that you don’t burn your bridges and can even get referrals and references from fired clients. 

I can laugh about it now - but none of those incidents were funny at the time.

Discovering a Fool-Proof System

Anyway, little by little, I figured out a fool-proof system to tell ahead of time which clients were going to be a joy to work for, and which ones weren't going to be a good fit.  In fact, I developed my own "Ideal Client Checklist" - and if a client doesn't fit this criteria - I pass on  the job. (I'll tell you how you can get your hands on it in a minute...)

In the beginning I did a lot of research (Can you say “information overload”?) trying to figure out how the "A" list writers do it - what their secrets are for marketing themselves and their businesses and for finding clients.

I also spent - well, let's just say - more money than what it cost for three good pairs of Ferraegamo Pumps and a Fendi handbag - on other people's courses, information products and seminars - to try and ferret out the answers!  And I can’t tell you how many times I was disappointed and felt let down by the products I bought.  (Maybe you can relate to that one too?)

But little by little, I started “getting it” and eventually - more out of accident than design - put together my own system - one that works like gangbusters! 

With every new job, I learned something else about running a successful writing business. 

 Here’s What Happened When I Started Using the System

My calendar filled up until I was routinely booked 30 to 45 days out.  By the way - here’s a business-building "Tactical Tip:"  When you get to the point in your writing business that you're having to schedule clients 4 to 6 weeks into the future (and you will when you start using our system), here's something to remember: Rather than telling new clients that you can't start on their projects for 4 to 6 weeks, try something like this,  “I can send you a new client pack today, so you can see what I need from you and you can fill me in on the details of your project.  My next opening is in 30 days - (or 45 days or give them the exact date you can start).  Then say, "Do you want me to reserve it for you?” This sounds better to clients than “I can’t get started on your project for at least a month to six weeks.”)

Using the system it didn't take me too long to figure out why everyone said that copywriting is a very lucrative business, and one that gives you the kind of freedom where you can choose to live just about wherever you want to, working when you want to and doing the things you love to do...because it's the truth!  (It took me just six months.  Of course, I worked my tail off the entire time...but looking back now - I can definitely say it was worth it!)

But I still shudder to think about all the things I had to figure out on my own, and all the time, money and energy I wasted doing it.

But Even When I Topped the 5 Figures a Month Mark, I was still Missing One Vital Ingredient

Okay, I have to share a deep, dark secret with you.  I am a complete and total technophobe.  In fact, if you look the word up in the dictionary, my photo is probably posted next to the definition. 

I’m so bad that, up until a few weeks ago, I didn't even have a Website! 

Don’t laugh - it’s sad, but true.

Oh, I had started lots of times - but the basic “how to” behind the technology always stumped me.  I’d do something wrong, and “break” a Website, or I’d get stuck trying to figure something out where the instructions said “do this” but didn't say “how.”  (Has that ever happened to you?)  And honestly, paying someone several thousand dollars just to create it for me ticked me off - because I hate not being able to understand how to do something that everyone else in the world seems to be able to!) That was my biggest stumbling block, actually.

And that’s where Dan Shaw came into the picture.  He actually started out as a client who had hired me to do the Web copy for his new launch.  But one of the first questions he asked was, “How come you don’t have a Website?”  And my usual answer (I’m just too busy with all the work for clients to have the time to do it) - just didn’t work for him.  And before I had even finished going through the information he sent me, he had a mock Website up for me!  (If there’s one thing I admire, it’s someone who walks his talk and takes action!)

The Dream for the "Internet Marketing Business School for Writers" Becomes the Reality

Now I’m no fool - as soon as I saw what he'd done - and that he was the kind of person who does what he says he's going to do, I started talking joint venture faster than you can say “three day shopping spree in Paris!”  You see, I had the idea for the copywriting school bubbling around in the back of my head for the last year or so.  

A place where writers could go to learn the foundations to successfully build the business side of their writing business - giving them the access to all the tools, the resources and the processes that have made my writing business so profitable - and cutting out all the fluff and garbage and information overload that keeps you stopped.

And voila!  Thanks to this partnership, the dream became a reality.

So What does that Mean to You?

Well, maybe nothing - or maybe everything...

It depends on you, and how happy you are with the business side of your writing business right now.  

Can I ask you something?  What is standing in your way right now and keeping you from achieving everything you dreamed of when you first decided to become a writer?  (You know - fame, fortune, respect...being known among your friends and family as “a writer”, having the freedom to do something you love that you're good at?)  Is your biggest stumbling block right now:

Technology?  Having your own professional quality Website, Blog and the back-office capabilities that let you offer secure download pages, and sell your services, products or next book?

Figuring out your “true” niche - the one that will be the most profitable for you - and bring your ideal clients to your door?

Deciding what types of projects to take on, how much to charge for them and putting together a fee schedule in such a way that your clients “get” why they’ll be getting a real bargain from working with you - even though your fees are high?

Marketing yourself?  Getting past all the “trial and error” time and money-wasting mistakes that keep you from finding the quality clients you want and deserve, who can and will pay your fees?

Learning exactly how to build a system into your business that automates what can - and should be - automated, leaving you free to work on what you really love - writing?

getting them to take action and hire you right away?

Or is it a combination of some or all of the above?

Wherever you’re at - or wherever you’re stuck - the most important thing you can do for yourself and your writing business right now - is to take action - do something to get unstuck.  

Don’t try to do it all on your own - believe me, I’m living proof that it not only doesn’t work - but it’s just not necessary!  Even if you decide that the Internet Marketing Business School for Copywriters isn’t right for you - it’s important that you decide to do something to move forward.  Don't sell yourself short by staying on the fence, or letting anything keep you from going as far as you want to with your writing business!

Got Questions?

 “What is the best way to price my writing services?"

Are you sick and tired of being told your prices are too high - or worse, finding out - after you bid on a project - that you bid it way too low?

That was one of the things that drove me crazy when I got started - there is no "industry standard," no "set price" for anything. 

And not only do prices for different projects vary from industry to industry, it varies from copywriter to copywriter!  (And don't even get me started on writers from other countries who are doing Web pages for $25 or Sales Letters for $15!)

But - don't worry - that’s one problem you can toss out like yesterday’s trash - because you’ll discover not one - but three different methods you can use to figure out how to price your services in such a way that your prospective clients really “get” the value you’re providing.  (You can even mix and match them to fit your business and your industry.)

Not only that, but how would you like to learn the “A-list copywriters’ secrets” about pricing?  The “real scoop” about what not to do, how to get your clients actually happily paying your fees, and how to make sure you are ethically charging the highest amount possible from every single project?

So now, let's get back to that question that we touched on in the beginning - because, let's face it - it's something we all want to know the answer to, right?
 

“How do I differentiate myself from all the other writers out there?"

And that’s IF you can get your marketing materials into your prospects hands and grab their attention so they read it or listen to it in the first place!

Are you really willing to leave your livelihood to chance?

Because here's the Bad News:

Once your message is opened - you literally only have a few seconds to convince a very skeptical person to believe you long enough to keep reading.

Again - you only have to look at yourself and your feeling about most advertising to see the proof of what I’m saying.  As consumers we have been lied to so many times, force-fed empty promises  and seen too many hype-up benefits to believe in them any more, right?  (In fact, for most of us, you can take the word “sales” and switch it with “hype” or “lies” and they have pretty much the same feeling and meaning, right?)

Well, that’s exactly how your prospective clients are feeling too.  Which may seem a little weird, especially since they're people who are looking to find you, just so you can write sales copy that convinces other people to buy what they're selling, right?  But that's jut one of the "hidden barriers" you have to overcome as a writer trying to market your services - there are more.

So how do you break through that suspicion, and get them to suspend their disbelief just long enough to get them to hear what you have to say?

You have to break it down to its most common denominator - (hey - I had to throw some “school talk” in somewhere!) - and we'll give you the step-by-step method you can use to make the answer work for you - in a totally ethical and authentic way. 

Want an idea of what you're up against though?

Imagine for a minute that you’ve got something your teenaged son is going to flip over - you just scored two tickets to the hottest concert in town for him and his best friend.  You get home from work, holler up the stairs for him to come down, and quickly flip through today's mail.  Then you kick off your shoes, take off your jacket and hang it on the hook.  Since he hasn’t come down, you yell up a second time and walk into the kitchen to grab a drink, and check the roast in the crock pot.  

As you move over to the table, you stop for a second to throw away all the junk mail and  grab a drink from the fridge - but as you're on your way to sit down and look at the mail, you realize your son still hasn’t come downstairs.  (Now you’re starting to get a little irritated - and you’re pretty sure the reason he can’t hear you is because his stereo is blasting away at a decibel rate the FDA has probably warned causes permanent deafness.)  

You stride back to the stairs, and yell up again - but you know he’s not going to answer.  And as you start going up, you can already picture your son in his room, kicking back at his desk, listening to that noise that kids today call music on his stereo (as you turn on the landing you can see your windows are vibrating in time to the beat), and he’s probably watching a YouTube video, while chatting online with friends, and sending SMS messages on his cell phone - all at the same time of course!

So - if you want to talk to him - and get him to listen to what you have to say - the first thing you have to do is get his attention, right? 

It’s the same thing for your ideal customers.  You’ve got something important to tell them, something they’re going to want to hear - but first you have to break through all the noise - and the distractions, and the advertisements - and get them to stop what they’re doing just long enough to focus on you and what you’re offering, right?

So What Can You Do About It?

Well, let’s use your mythical teenager again as an example.  When you walk in his room - because he didn’t hear you knocking either - the quickest, easiest and most effective method of getting his attention is simply to shut off that window-rattling, ear-bleeding, brain-thumping stereo music...

And that’s what the IM Business School for Writers does. We show you how to instantly “turn off” all the other advertising noise that’s competing for your prospect’s attention - and - in those few seconds of thundering silence - get them to focus on you and your message. 

Because the truth is - you've really only got a few seconds to grab their attention.

Just like your teenager is going to jump up and shout “Hey! What did you do that for?”  Your customer could have the same reaction - unless you can show him right away that you've got news he’s been looking for.

We’re going to show you how to cut through all the noise, and instantly give your prospects the answers they've been waiting for.

Are You Tired of fighting the Learning Curve? 

Aren't You Finally Ready for a Customized Solution That Works With Your Learning Style, Your Business Goals and Your Unique Writing Business?

If you’re still on this page, it’s because you’re not happy with the way your writing business is going and you’re looking for a real solution, am I right?  

Well, we designed the curriculum of the Internet Marketing Business School for Writers based on what real writers - just like you - told us they wanted to learn.  

But whether this is the first page - or the fiftieth you’ve looked at - trying to find out how to market your writing business - if you want to learn how to attract more clients and keep them, make more money and build your writing business, you need a program that's customized to your business, your niche, your skills and your needs! Here's what you want to make sure you're going to be able to learn how to do:

Create a Strong Unique Value Proposition

When you’re looking for someone who can teach you how to market yourself and your writing business, you want someone to show you how create such a strong value proposition that sets you completely apart from every other writer in your field.  This is probably the number one most important tool in your marketing strategy.

A value proposition is completely different from an “elevator speech” or a “USP” (Unique Selling Proposition” or your “Business Positioning Soundbite™” or any of the other important elements of your marketing strategy).

They all have their place - in fact they all have very specific time and place when they’re the most effective - and you need to know when to use what - but the truth is - without a strong value proposition - they’re not going to help you get a single new client.  (Want to know if you’re not using them the right way?  If you’re at a networking meeting, or a social gathering and someone asks what you do for a living and you launch into your USP or elevator speech...and you get a nervous smile, an “Oh really?  That’s nice” and then the person you’re talking to suddenly sees someone across the room they have to talk to - you’re doing it wrong.)

So when you’re evaluating the different programs out there, make sure they teach you how to create your own Unique Value Proposition.  (Here’s a hint...your unique value proposition is NOT about what you want to be or say you are.  And it's also NOT what you wish you did, hope you do or want to do someday.  Your value proposition has to be about who you ARE and what you DO right now).

I’m really focusing on this because it’s one of the most critical points of you building a strong writing business, attracting new clients and making lots of money.  Your value proposition should be the number one reason WHY your ideal customer should buy from you instead of any other writer out there.  You need to be able to communicate this to just one segment of the market you specialize in - and if you can do that - you’ll be so far beyond most other writers they really won’t be competition any longer.

So when you’re evaluating what programs are right for you, make sure that this key element is laid out for you - for your unique business - and that you're not just being given generalities by someone saying “do this” but not telling you  “how to” do it.

The “Real” way to Advertise Using Web 2.0 and other Methods and Stop Your Clients From Looking at Your Services as a Commodity

You want someone who understands the realities of marketing in this day and age to your ideal customers - and who will walk you through the methods of “how” to do it, and not just say “do this.”

For example - here’s something you already know: the old ways of trying to get new clients are dead.  They just don’t work any more - and if you’re still using them, then it’s no wonder that you don’t have the clients you want and aren’t getting the fees you deserve.

I’m talking about the days when you could set up a Website, maybe write a few articles, post on your Blog for a couple of months and then choose a company you’d like to work with and rewrite a sales letter, flyer or Website copy for them, send it to them and ask them to give you a shot at helping to build their business.

That way may have worked even up to a couple of years ago - but thanks to “Web 2.0” - not only does that method take too long for you, chances are your “ideal clients” have “been there, done that” - and get those kind of proposals two or three times a week if not more often.

Plus - if they want a writer, they can go online and log-in to a growing number of Websites where there are writers (and some wannabe writers and flat-out posers) who are offering to write articles for $10 a piece, Website copy for $100 and ebooks for $25.  How do you compete against hundreds of competitors who have turned the art and science of writing into nothing more than a commodity?  

The short answer is, you have to create a value proposition that positions you and your services or your book so far ahead of the competition that they’re not even on the same planet.  You value proposition has to take what’s totally unique and original about your and you services - and turn it into an attention grabbing, “Oh-my-Gosh-that’s-exactly-what-I’ve-been-looking-for” kind of moment for your prospects.  But of course there's more to it than that.  

You also have to understand what your clients' expectations are, where they're at in the buying process - and figure out how to meet their needs and expectations at every stage of the process. 

 Do You Know Peter?

For example...you might have Prospect Peter - a brand new Internet Marketer who needs an ebook written.  Peter doesn't have a lot of money to spend, and he's been seduced by the thoughts that he can go to elance or odesk or guru.com - and find someone who will be willing to write his ebook for under $100.  (And of course, he can.)  

So maybe Peter types in "ebook ghostwriter" into Google's search bar...and low and behold - he comes across your name on an article that you wrote about "7 Things to Know Before You Hire a Ghostwriter".  Peter thinks he might want to know about that before he pops over to elance, so he reads your article.  

And then, because he liked what he read, he checks out your Website.  (You do have a Website, right?)  But almost as soon as he gets there, he realizes that you're not the right person for him - and he "x's" off your site and heads right over to elance.  

Why?  Because you didn't meet his expectations.  

He went to your Website looking for more information about working with a ghostwriter, and found a sales page.  

Prospect Peter wasn't ready to buy - he needed to be courted and convinced.  He needed  the right kind of information that would have led him from where he was to where you wanted him to be - so that he took action and got in touch with you.  

Peter was still at the place where to him, a ghostwriter was a commodity.  He was looking for the cheapest possible option - and you didn't show him why that wasn't in his best interests, or why you were someone he needed to talk to before making his decision.

Or Maybe You've Met Shannon?

Then there's Solid Shannon.  Shannon has worked with copywriters before, and knows exactly what she needs to have done.  She's on a networking list and asked for recommendations.  One of her connections recommended you.  So when she shows up on your Website...she's ready to buy.  The question is...is she going to find what she wants from you?

The answer is...I don't know.   I don't know because I haven't seen your Website, I don't know your niche or specialty and I don't know what your visitors' buying process is.  But you do - or you should.

And of Course You Know Clara?

Don't think that just because one of your clients has hired you in the past that they're not checking out your Website, looking at what you've been up to and maybe even visting other copywriters' sites.

You need to have marketing materials that are geared for past clients like Clara too.  You need to know how to approach them, and what to say to get them interested in working with you more than once.

But Whatever Else You Know, You'd Better Know This

Your Website visitors, potential clients, even your ideal clients may all be at different stages of the buying process - but visiting your Website all at the same time. 

To get more clients and start earning the kind of money you want to make it's vitally important that you not only understand what the buying process is for people in your niche, but that you figure out how to meet their expectations and give them what they want.  (We share a super easy way to do this - and not only will it meet your visitors' expectations, it will help lead them through the buying process so they take action and get in touch with you!)

So as you can see - when you’re looking for a teacher - you need someone who does more than just tell you “you need a strong value proposition” or gives you generic samples of someone else’s value proposition, or gives you  basic information about the stages of a buying process.  

You need someone who will show you the “secret formula” so you can take it, make it your own and use it to turn more visitors into buyers.  (And by the way - once you understand it, you'll realize it's not really a secret - it's a technique that makes good business sense.  And once you've mastered it, you'll be able to dramatically increase the number of conversions you're getting on your Website.)

But it doesn't stop there.  Because there’s so much more to marketing yourself and your writing services. 

Use Web 2.0 to Communicate Differently - and Effectively

You’re going to have to learn a whole new way of communicating with your prospects.   Again, I’m giving you the “cliff notes” version here, but you’ll get the idea...
 

 

Another vitally important element in your marketing strategy is to be believable.  You have to tell the truth about who you are, and what you offer and what you can do for your client and his business.  Because if they believe in you - in who you are, in what you say, in the things you do, you gain credibility - and credibility creates trust. 

And trust is the foundation that every relationship is built on.  And honestly, it’s the relationship you build with your prospects that’s going to set you apart from every other writer on the planet...well, okay, maybe not the entire planet.  But building a relationship will separate you from your competition and position you as “first” in your prospects mind.  Which is exactly where you want to be.

The problem is - everybody and their grandmother are saying this these days - but are they teaching you exactly HOW you do it?  And to do it in such a way that it creates an almost instant connection between you and you prospective clients with every single promotion you write?

As you probably know, to be able to do that takes more than just good writing ability. It takes the ability to do your research so that you really understand and can tap into the hearts, minds and emotions of your audience.

How to Do Research the Right Way - Using Completely Reliable Sources that Not One in Ten Writers Knows Where to Find or How to Use - And Cut Your Research Time by an Average of 63% and Improve Your Conversion Results By as Much as 250%

That's right - you can cut your research time by more than half - simply by knowing where to go to get the information you need.

Think about what that means to your bottom line?  If you used to take ten hours to do your research - imagine if it took you less than 4 hours over the lifetime of a project?  You'd be able to spend more time working on the elements of your copy that pay off by giving 
the biggest jump in response.  And you'd be done even faster - which means you'd get paid even sooner.  (Not to mention how thrilled your clients will be with your new-found skills.)

To give you an idea of what I’m talking about, think about how important having a good client profile is - everything you write hinges on you understanding who you're writing to, what they want, what they're afraid of and how you spin the solution to their problems, right?  But it can be an incredibly difficult thing to create - especially if you have to do it from scratch.

So let me share with you a customer profile I created for one of my clients who was moving into a new market, and had no past information to draw from - and remember - the client had never worked with this audience before so there was no background info. This customer profile had to be created from scratch - using the research I did:

This One Skill Will Improve Your Writing - and Earning Capacity Faster Than Almost Anything Else - Guaranteed!
 

Now - if you were writing a campaign for people who meet that target market - you’d have a very clear picture in your head of who you’re writing to, right?  You'd have a very good idea of what Melanie's fears and worries are, and what problems she's interested in solving.  You'd know what words to use, what inferences to make and how to tie the product or service you're writing about to her needs and wants.

So that raises two questions:

First of all - how long did it take to build that profile?  (The answer may surprise you - I did it in under an hour because I knew exactly where to look to find the information I needed.

And secondly - do you know how and where to find this kind of demographic and psychographic information - and then do you know how to create a client profile that puts your target market into such clear focus - whether you're doing one for your ideal clients - or their ideal clients?

Can you see the advantage you'd have over the average writer if you could do this exact same thing with your ideal clients and for your clients’ target markets?  This one skill alone can shoot you head and shoulders above most writers - because it gives you the very valuable skill of being able to really get inside your market's heads and write as if you're writing to that one person - to Melanie.   

But think about this - what if you knew exactly where to find the information you needed to put together a complete profile like this one - no matter who the target market was you were writing for?  Imagine accepting an assignment from a client - and being told that you would have to do the background research. (It amazes me how often this is the case - even with my B2B clients.)  Sometimes it's because they're moving into a new market and there is no previous information.  Sometimes it's because they've never worked with a copywriter before, they've always just "winged it" - and now they're ready to try something else.  And sometimes it's a lack of experience, the budget or a knowledge that this is a necessary part of how to create an effective sales campaign.  

Since You Have to Do Research Anyway- Why Not Get It Done Up to 65% Faster and Have It Work Harder for You?

In any case, doing research is often a necessary evil - and it's a time-consuming one as well - especially if you don't know exactly what to look for, where to find it and how to put the data from several different sources together to create the kind of customer profile that will help you to write targeted, focused sales or marketing materials that achieve the results you - and your client - want.

If you’re not sure how to do it - where to find the data you need, how to put it all together and build a composite of who you’ll be writing for so that you can really connect with them - then you’ll be thrilled with Module 3 - because we go into this in detail - and I’ll share the same sources I use to get information that not one in ten writers even knows about - and then we'll go over in great detail how to build a composite customer profile.

Put the “Back End” of Your Business In Place

One of the biggest differences between success and failure in our line of work has to do with setting up your writing business “as a business.”  If you’re like most good writers, your creative side is probably dominant most of the time - and you may not like or understand the elements that you need to understand, master and have running in the background of your business.  But - don’t do them - and your business will become one of the Small Business Administration’s statistics...

Even if You Still Haven't Gotten Your First Client, Sold a Single Copy of your Book Or Made One Thin Dime In Your Writing Business...Or if You’re Ready to Learn What to Do to Take Your Business to the Next Level...

Here’s what I’d like you to know: You CAN do it.  No matter what is keeping you stuck right now.

In fact, in a recent writer's survey, when we asked 150 writers what their biggest problems are, these were some of the most common:

     "I graduated from the copywriter's course, and I'm ready to go - but how do I get my first client?" 

     "I don't have a portfolio, and there's this guy who said he'll let me write his Website copy for free, and he'll put my name on his Website so I can get some extra publicity - should I do it?"

     "Someone has asked me to see my samples and wants a rate card, but I don't know how much to charge - help!"

    "I sold less than 15 copies of my book, my publisher doesn't seem to have any kind of 'strategy' or plan and I need to figure out how to create a marketing strategy that's going to work!"

    "I'm accepting jobs that pay way too low, but I can't find clients who will pay me what I'm worth, and I've got bills to pay and expenses to meet - so what else can I do?"

    "I've got my first client, but what do I do about fee agreements, creative briefs, nondisclosure agreements and all the other paperwork involved in running my business?" 

    "How often should I set up progress meetings with clients?" 

    |What's the best way to send and receive information and the final product?"

    "Should I send clients a draft, or just the final work?"

When you're setting up the business side of your business, wouldn't it be nice to know: 

What works, what you can automate, what you can safely outsource and what you absolutely MUST do yourself - with every single client?

What about paperwork?  What do you need for your clients, your accountants, your business?  

Or fee schedules?  

Or contracts, non-disclosure and non-compete agreements? 

What about when you should always ask for 100% of your fee upfront and when to ask for a deposit?  

Should you use a kill-fee?  

What types of projects should you ask for royalties on?  And how much should you ask for?

Is there ever a good time to work for free?

You need very specific answers to very specific questions when you run a writing business - and the standardized, generic contracts, business forms and other paperwork that work for other types of businesses just aren't going to work for yours.  

Sure, you're going to want to create your own unique forms that integrate your logo and are a part of your brand - but wouldn't it be nice to know what is considered part of the "industry standard" and have a look at some samples of what works for other writers?  (A kind of "business document" swipe file.) And it's just another added bonus that you get as a part of your membership -  access to template process maps, mind maps, contracts, fee agreements, non-disclosure agreements, invoices - just about all the paperwork you will ever need in your writing business.  

If the program you're looking at to help you set up, run and market your writing business doesn't offer all that, maybe you should keep looking until you find one that does.  Because if you don't run your business like a professional, even if you're one of the best writers in the world, you're not going to stay in business very long.

(Sorry - I couldn't resist that little bucket brigade phrase!)  You also get ideas to continue your theme throughout your business, and a complete list of the same tools and resources we use to run our businesses.  Most of them are very low cost or free, so you won't be spending an arm and a leg to get your business off the ground.

We'll also share the tools we use to "Wow!" our clients - the things that set us apart from our competition.  And more than that - you will be able to use them too!  

For example...if you don't have a Web Presence yet, take a look at everything you'll learn and be able to do by the time you finish Module 2 of the Internet Marketing Business School for Writers:

Lesson 1: Researching and Choosing a Domain Name.  Setting up Your Domain Name Servers. 

Lesson 2: Obtaining and Installing NVU and Smart FTP (for those who do not have an ftp program and an html/wysiwyg editor).

Lesson 3: How Websites work and their navigation.  Website design.

Lesson 4: CPanel series.

Lesson 5: How Website Templates work.

Lesson 6: Manipulating Graphics and Photos for Your Websites.

Lesson 7: How to Modify a Web Page and Add Content and Graphics - Part 1.

Lesson 8: How to Modify a Web Page and Add Content and Graphics - Part 2.

Lesson 9: How to FTP to your site.

Lesson 10:  Squeeze Pages and Landing Pages .

Lesson 11: Autoresponder Series - and where to get a free one if you don't have one.

Lesson 12: How to set up an autoresponder series.

Lesson 13: How to set up and send an autoresponder broadcast.

Lesson 14: Creating download pages.

Lesson 15: How to set up your Wordpress Blog the right way.

Lesson 16: The right way to use your Wordpress Blog.

Lesson 17: The easiest way to correct your Webpages.

Lesson 18: Using Paypal. Setting up your payment buttons.

And remember - that's just module 2!  Check out our curriculum page to get an overview of everything you'll be learning, mastering and applying to your business!

Want to Make Money Even While You're On Vacation? 

Here's the Secret:

Remember I told you that I would share something that happened to me while I was in Greece in April?  

First of all, even though we stayed at 4 and 5 star hotels, we traveled around Greece - and stayed in some small villages - not just large cities like Athens.  So that meant that we didn’t always have Internet Access.  

And so I really only got to check my email three times - and one of those was at a little Internet Cafe in the village of Delphi (where the ancient Greeks climbed the mountain to visit the Oracle and hear her visions for their future) - and that night I had a whole 20 minutes before the connection was lost.  

Anyway, during that week, I received 11 emails from new prospects, asking me if I could fit them into my writing schedule. 

I turned down 3 right off the bat, accepted two (and added them to my calendar for six weeks down the road). 

I had to refer the rest to other copywriters, because I just didn't have the time to work them in - my calendar was already pretty full.

Now, I’m not telling you this to sound smug, or all “oh, I’m so great!” - especially if you're still struggling to find your first client, or are trying to find a steady stream of "regular" clients so you can give up your day job and start writing all the time.  (I know how frustrating and frightening that can be when you've got it all on the line, you feel like you've tried everything and nothing seems to work!)

It's because of my marketing system that I’ve gotten to the point where I routinely have to turn down more copywriting work than I can accept -

because I just don't have enough time to take on all the projects.  (And I can't even begin to tell you how much that pains my little greed glands!)  But the truth is, I'm working as much as I want to be right now, and as much as I do love those lovely paychecks (and the shopping sprees that they allow me to indulge in), I also love my lifestyle - and it's pretty well-balanced right now.  And as that saying goes, "If it ain't broke - don't fix it!"

But - here’s the thing, if you’re a writer - someone who already knows the basics and understands their craft...you can do exactly what I’m doing and achieve your own ideal of success. 

Which means that no matter how many steady clients you've got right now - if you want more - if you want to have a steady workload and client list - and earn as much money as you dreamed of - it's entirely possible.

If you're only interested in working part time to earn a little extra money - you can do that, because the Internet Marketing Business School for Writers gives you the tools that put you in the driver's seat.

But it's more than that.  

Dan and I lay the entire proven system out for you - we walk you through everything you need to know about putting together your business strategy and processes, creating your unique value proposition and marketing your business to your ideal customers.  You get plenty of hand-holding and personal attention.  And what’s even better is that because we’ve done most of the work for you, you don’t have to waste any time trying out different techniques, making costly mistakes and not making the money you deserve.

Which means that you're not alone any more, trying to figure out everything by yourself.  If you've got questions, we're just an email, a phone call or a support ticket away.  And so are your fellow students.  They're there - on your side, ready to support you, be a sounding board, and give you their feedback.  

You see, as a member of the school, you become part of a very special group.  A group of professional writers who "get" who you are, what you want to accomplish, and "why" you're doing what you do. 

We understand the ups and downs, the highs and lows of being in this profession - better than anyone on the outside possibly could.  

We support and encourage each other, share resources and form strategic alliances together.  Whether you want someone to look at your Website, give you a critique of your latest special report, or offer ideas and suggestions for dealing with difficult clients or pricing a new project, it's an incredible feeling to know that you've got people who are on your side, ready and willing to lend a sympathetic ear, a supportive shoulder or an objective (and professional) eye.  As Mastercard might say about the value of being a student at the Internet Marketing Business School for Writers - "Priceless."

Are You Ready to Move Beyond Where You Are Right Now - To Truly Learn What to Do So You Can Take Your Business to the Next Level - and Start Reaping The Rewards for All Your Hard Work?

When it comes to running and building your business - wouldn't you like to finally learn all the “secrets” of having prospective clients calling you on the phone, sending you emails or offering to meet with you at your convenience - so they can try to convince YOU to take their projects - and NOT the other way around?

Sure you would.  (Or if you wouldn't, you might want to think about getting into another line of work because I'm talking about taking your business to the next level - where you're making 5 figures a month - or beyond.)