Men With Pens

FEBRUARY 18, 2010

Today’s post is a killer, and it comes to us from none other than Dean Rieck , a copywriter I respect for his straightforward attitude and damned smart advice. A couple of recent conversations got me thinking about setting fees for copywriters. Charge hourly for long or uncertain projects. Working for $5?

Copywriter 97

Copywriter Copywriting Projects Freelance Copywriting 97

Men With Pens

FEBRUARY 23, 2010

These are all extremely lengthy projects. In an online world, such projects are not exactly commonplace. I thought I’d share my personal method for organizing much longer projects just in case one of you gets hit up tomorrow for a ghostwriting project. Write it down. Little ebooks. Actual books. For publication.

Projects 51

Projects Writing Copywriter Copywriting 51

Men With Pens

MARCH 18, 2012

Yet not all writing environments are created equal. Where Not to Write. Let’s go to the park and write! If you’re escaping your office for the glory of outdoor writing, you’re probably going to find yourself so distracted by the pretty surroundings that no work gets done. Where to Write.

Writing 100

Writing Freelance Projects Writer 100

Men With Pens

MARCH 25, 2010

Written by Agent X - 25 Comments When I get an email from pro copywriter Dean Rieck , I’m always happy. I’m happiest when he says nice things like, “It’s fun to write for your readers – I feel like I can let loose in a way I don’t in other places.&# You’re Just Ignorant. He’s a nice guy.

Copywriter 81

Copywriter Copywriting Food Copy 81

Men With Pens

JUNE 9, 2011

You think you’re writing project is hard? As I write this, my nose is about 1cm from the computer screen (that’s 2/5 of an inch, for those of you who are imperially inclined). With any challenge, I think the best thing to do is acknowledge it, make it hilarious, and find some way to use it in your writing.

Writing 89

Writing Writer Copywriter Copywriting 89

Men With Pens

DECEMBER 10, 2009

And it’s sweet because now I get to discuss my ultimate, favorite topic: T, for Time-based, which has a great deal to do with project management. And project management is what I do best. So, let’s start with what a project is. In other words, a project is fully time-based. They aren’t projects.

Projects 53

Projects Management Freelance Copywriter 53

Men With Pens

OCTOBER 18, 2012

All the big names say you should write one. In fact, one well-written ebook can bring your business thousands of dollars in fresh clients and new projects. Here’s the problem: How do you write an ebook like that? You know what you want to write about… but where to begin? Isn’t that worth your time?

Writing 49

Writing Copywriter Copywriting Projects 49

Men With Pens

APRIL 25, 2010

You want to get it out of the way so you can start your writing project. You want to write something special. Tweet about your writing project. Write and record a new message. Look for some inspirational writing music. Music always helps you think of ideas and write better. Just a bit.

Writing 103

Writing Copywriter Copywriting Projects 103

Men With Pens

JUNE 3, 2012

Usually you spend years in your industry, soaking up its knowledge for a decade before you write your own “how to” manual. You don’t start freelancing by writing a book. And I didn’t write just any old nonfiction “How to Run a Business” book – I wrote a fiction thriller novel.

Freelance 63

Freelance Writing Consulting Projects 63

Men With Pens

FEBRUARY 6, 2013

If you take on a project knowing that your work and his money will be a complete waste, it’s (in my humble opinion) wrong not to tell this person the state of affairs.… first appeared on Men with Pens Copyright 2006 - 2011, All Rights Reserved. … Click here to read the rest of the article on Men with Pens.

Consulting 72

Consulting Copywriter Copywriting Projects 72

Men With Pens

JUNE 13, 2010

And you’ll learn why right here in this valuable interview with a pro copywriter. I think writing copy is a little like being a lawyer. You have to rely on your client to give you the information you need and write on faith. James: Do you ever feel guilty writing sales copy? But he’s a tease. Dean: No.

Copywriter 57

Copywriter Copywriting Copy Banking 57

Men With Pens

OCTOBER 22, 2012

They say that if you write a compelling ebook, you’ll juice up your sales. They say that if you write expert advice, you’ll instantly create credibility. They say that if you write an engaging ebook, you’ll bring in new customers. How do you write ebook content that turns your free download into a must-have incentive?

Writing 45

Writing Copywriter Copywriting Engagement 45

Men With Pens

AUGUST 25, 2011

Now, Damn Fine Words is the writing course that’s all about results, action, progress and getting you to where you want to be – just from knowing how to write well. Oh, and we’ll probably be talking lots about how to get even more business results through writing. Writing well is key to your success. Your Writing Voice.

Writing 44

Writing Consulting Copywriter Copywriting 44

Men With Pens

JANUARY 18, 2012

I learned this when I signed up for Damn Fine Words , James Chartrand’s writing course. This was the most valuable part – a complete writing system, an approach that could be used to take any project from start to finish. And I used the first lessons of Damn Fine Words to help me write my report. Signing up excited me.

Projects 59

Projects Copywriter Copywriting Writer 59

Men With Pens

JULY 4, 2010

But figuring out your writing voice isn’t easy. It’s especially hard for new writers to find their writing voice, because they already feel awkward having their work in the spotlight and subject to public approval. Maybe you’ve struggled with finding your writing voice yourself. This doesn’t feel right.

Writing 88

Writing Writer Copywriter Copywriting 88

Men With Pens

OCTOBER 7, 2010

Let’s say you’re a copywriter specialized in travel brochures. You’ve done some keyword research and found that no one is searching for “hotel brochure copywriting,&# but lots of people are searching for the word “copywriting.&#. Copyright 2006 - 2010 30 Sous Zero Inc - All Rights Reserved.

Search Engine Optimization 86

Search Engine Optimization SEO Copywriter Copywriting 86

Men With Pens

JANUARY 7, 2010

The Pros and Cons Written by Agent X - 30 Comments Here’s a great slam-dunk post for you from my respected friend and international copywriting authority, Dean Rieck of Direct Creative and Pro Copy Tips. If you want to make a career of writing, should you look for a full-time job in a company or strike out on your own as a freelancer?

Freelance 60

Freelance Writing Creative Director Copywriter 60

Men With Pens

AUGUST 23, 2011

Have you ever been so jazzed about your project that you feel you could take on the world? But how can you rekindle motivation for a project that’s become duller than grey ashes? And then you can create a snowball effect that gets you jazzed, full of excitement and feeling awesome about your project. You’re on fire!

Projects 70

Projects Copywriter Copywriting Writing 70

Men With Pens

APRIL 15, 2010

She’s perky, she’s a go-getter, and she’s all over the place in the blogosphere writing some great advice. She told me that my writing style had really improved over the past couple of years. Something similar has happened with my fiction writing. There are no clear measures of writing ability.

Writing 73

Writing Copywriter Copywriting Writer 73

Men With Pens

APRIL 7, 2011

I met Lisa when she hired me for a business consultation about her new copywriting venture. I had been working from morning to night on multiple projects at less than half my rates as a favour for a few friends. People hire me for my copywriting expertise, so I need to continuously sharpen the sword. from Lisa – enjoy!

Medical 82

Medical Copywriter Copywriting Banking 82

Men With Pens

DECEMBER 19, 2012

Too many other projects on the go. Post by James Chartrand James Chartrand is an entrepreneur, a pro copywriter and the founder and CEO of Men with Pens and Damn Fine Words , the game-changing writing course for business owners. I was planning to get around to that…” They know their website has problems. They make excuses.

Freelance 51

Freelance Copywriter Copywriting Copy 51

Men With Pens

MAY 26, 2010

If your writing ever starts to feel like a daily grind, it’s time to STOP. I’m not saying that you should stop writing for good. You’d lose a crucial part of your life (and your income, if your writing forms all or part of your paid work). When you sit down to write, do you feel excited?

Writing 62

Writing Writer Projects Freelance 62

Men With Pens

JULY 11, 2012

They write a short to-do list. I’ve been privy to a top-secret project that’s been in the works for several months – a special program specifically designed to crush dream-killing procrastination, once and for all. Peter’s been working on this top-secret project for months. They tinker a bit more.

Banking 47

Banking Projects Copywriter Copywriting 47

Men With Pens

JULY 1, 2012

One solution that many probloggers tout as the answer is to write an ebook. Customize the digital project on the site with live links, ads, meta tags, branding, etc. Since you’re free to produce a digital flipbook at any frequency you desire (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, special projects or reports only, etc.),

Freelance Copywriting 57

Freelance Copywriting Search Engine Optimization Copy Editor Blog 57

Men With Pens

JULY 14, 2010

The world is full of dreaming writers who have heard golden stories of the great beyond (working full time as a well-paid freelance copywriter) but who have yet to make the mysterious transformation from mere mortal to freelance god. IDENTITY It’s not enough to be a copywriter. You have to be visible. So, who are you?

Freelance 66

Freelance Copywriter Copywriting Freelance Copywriting 66

Men With Pens

JANUARY 14, 2010

Phil can write! As I began writing books and blogging myself, I developed an entirely new appreciation for Peart’s genius that affects my writing to this very day. In this post, I share some of Neil’s writing tips that can help scribes of all levels. Forget writing well. Just write, before it gets away.

Writing 62

Writing Writing Style Copywriter Copywriting 62

Men With Pens

JANUARY 29, 2012

Worse was that I spent a lot of time writing for my blog, sharing good solutions, smart advice or better methods… but I wasn’t seeing many readers put the advice I shared to good use. I started losing my writing voice. I looked back on older posts and wished I could write like that again – but I couldn’t. It was done.

Blog 60

Blog Blogging Copywriter Copywriting 60

Men With Pens

APRIL 8, 2010

FreeMind helps you to keep track of your projects using notes with links in what is called the knowledge base. Nozbe This is a web-based time and project management app that helps you get things done. Organize your projects and see what you have left to do. Makes editing, storing and searching data easy.

Collaboration 82

Collaboration Projects Freelance Copywriter 82

Men With Pens

SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

And as I waved goodbye at the bus stop, I thought about how much facing that first day of Grade One can teach you about starting that project you’ve been working on, that launch you’ve been preparing, or even that first day of business you’ve been planning for so long. Here’s the thing: Yes, the unknown is scary – but it’s not deadly.

Projects 56

Projects Copywriter Copywriting Writing 56

Men With Pens

APRIL 1, 2012

That person may not even realize you’re capable of – or interested in – writing speeches, press releases, handouts, or a hundred other possible items that could really help him get where he wants to go. I think I can bring some real value as a ghostwriter for that book he’s thinking of writing.”

Freelance Copywriting 57

Freelance Copywriting Freelance Consulting Banking 57

Men With Pens

MAY 19, 2010

They work on projects, they do their own customer service, their own customer management, their marketing and networking, their project scheduling, admin and bookkeeping. Perception is projection – people see us in the way we project ourselves to them. Write down boundaries that would help you get more work done.

Freelance 69

Freelance Projects Copywriter Copywriting 69

Men With Pens

MARCH 4, 2010

If you ever decide to take a break to work on a project or to get some much-needed rest, good freelancers like Joe could take over other projects you have on the go for a week or two. Let Joe take on all the coding that goes into a project while you work on the design side of things. And you get to take care of yourself.

Freelance 58

Freelance Projects Copywriter Copywriting 58

Men With Pens

MAY 11, 2010

All copywriters and graphic artists welcome. What we write, when we write, how we write it and who writes it. Any projects you’d like to drop hints about? Consulting promotion in June, but our biggest project delivery to date will be the birth of our first child scheduled for June 19th…all go!

Copywriter 43

Copywriter Copywriting Entertainment Projects 43

Men With Pens

MAY 9, 2010

The never-fail secret to making sure your client is thrilled with the web copy you write 99.999% of the time. Contained within this word is the secret to web copywriting that knows the heart and mind of your client – yea! Why You Should Use a Questionnaire Questionnaires don’t just work for web copywriting services.

Copywriter 52

Copywriter Copywriting Copy Projects 52

Men With Pens

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

Each day this week, I’m going to write about how you can get more money, better clients and the work you really love to do – all it takes is the magic words, and you’ll be enjoying a freelance business that really rocks. You were supposed to deliver this project at 5pm and you’re almost finished but… A new email comes in.

Freelance 63

Freelance Projects Portfolio Copywriter 63

Men With Pens

JULY 7, 2010

1) Write a brief. Writing a brief has a number of benefits. By taking the time to write down exactly what you want to accomplish, you’re much more likely to get a good product and avoid expensive rework because of miscommunications. Trust freelancers to see the project through. 2) Treat them with respect.

Freelance 55

Freelance Projects Construction Communication 55

Men With Pens

MARCH 16, 2010

I took a break and made some food and thought about getting started on that new project. Now imagine this one: “I got up and immediately sat down and wrote down a bunch of new ideas that I had for that project. Two hours of work, and then you can get moving on that awesome new project that’s going to make you rich and famous.

Food 74

Food Projects Copywriter Copywriting 74