Men With Pens

MAY 23, 2010

Here’s a list of what to do – and much more importantly, what NOT to do when applying for freelance work: DO read the job ad. This is tough, especially for freelancers, because we all pride ourselves on being able to make our own schedule in our pyjamas. Get your copy today. No, really. The whole thing. Top to bottom.

Freelance 55

Freelance Copywriter Copywriting Portfolio 55

Men With Pens

MAY 19, 2010

Sloppy work habits are far more detrimental than many freelancers realize, and they’re keeping you from rocking out everything you should be able to get done in a day. Originally posted at The Web Squeeze 33 Responses to “Your Three-Step Blast-Away to Avoid Freelancer Burnout&# Comments Read below or add a comment.

Freelance 69

Freelance Projects Copywriter Copywriting 69

Men With Pens

MARCH 30, 2010

And the next time you have sales copy to write for a client where the standards – money and success – really do apply, ask yourself why customers want them for and for what purpose. Get us to write your sales copy. 9 Responses to “How to Write Sales Copy When the Standards Don’t Apply&# Comments Read below or add a comment.

Sales Copy 44

Sales Copy Copy Sales Writing 44

Men With Pens

NOVEMBER 29, 2009

Putting confidence into your copy almost to the point of arrogance is pretty powerful stuff, and it works out great for a lot of people. We’ve had some pretty great clients, and they were amazing, wonderful, inspiring people – but their copy gave their target market the impression that they were… well, kind of a dick.

Copy 50

Copy Website Copywriter Copywriting 50

Income Diary

APRIL 2, 2024

Premji owns 73% percent of Wipro and also owns a private equity fund, PremjiInvest, which manages his $2 billion worth of personal portfolio. Since 2010, Omidyar has been involved in online journalism as the head of investigative reporting and public affairs news service Honolulu Civil Beat. He lives in San Francisco, California.

Engineering 52

Engineering Finance Education Entertainment 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. That shoemaker’s son has the same problem that many freelancers do – new and experienced both.

Freelance 63

Freelance Projects Portfolio Copywriter 63

Men With Pens

JUNE 13, 2010

James: Do you feel there’s an “ethical&# type of copy and a “snake oil&# type of copy? I think writing copy is a little like being a lawyer. Now, if you know something is a lie, you have to make a personal decision about whether you want to write the copy. Writing sales copy is noble and necessary.

Copywriter 57

Copywriter Copywriting Copy Banking 57

Men With Pens

MARCH 25, 2010

Ignorant of the purpose of your copy. In other words, even beautifully-crafted copy can go bad when you pay too much attention to how you say something and ignore the meaning of what you’re saying. However, they show what happens when you’re crafting copy for an audience about which you’re ignorant.

Copywriter 81

Copywriter Copywriting Food Copy 81

Men With Pens

MARCH 8, 2010

You may not think that your website, your blog, your freelance business, is something you need to think about in your last will and testament, but it is. Keep a copy handy and let executors know how to access this information so they can post it if they need to. Who Wants My Business? So go ahead. Write something up, just in case.

Website 75

Website Freelance Insurance Portfolio 75

Men With Pens

JUNE 27, 2010

If you’re like many freelancers, you’re probably not sleeping well at all. We’re freelancers. The problem is that we freelancers all know healthy sleep habits are good for us. But many freelancers just don’t follow that oh-so-simple-and-sage advice. We’re supposed to be able to handle it.

Freelance 69

Freelance Banking Creativity Hospitality 69

Men With Pens

APRIL 25, 2010

He stays busy writing for his many clients and providing copywriting tips for smart copywriters at Pro Copy Tips. Chris Mower ( @firesamurai ) April 25, 2010 at 12:14 pm I enjoy reading Dean’s blog. 5 Ways to Trim the Fat from Your Next Project Reply --Deb ( @__Deb ) April 25, 2010 at 12:43 pm Oh, this is just hilarious.

Writing 103

Writing Copywriter Copywriting Projects 103

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. Melinda | SuperWAHM ( @Superwahm1 ) May 10, 2010 at 1:48 am I use a questionnaire for my coaching clients and it works brilliantly – I’ve used one for the last four years or so. Works a treat.

Copywriter 52

Copywriter Copywriting Copy Projects 52

Men With Pens

JANUARY 19, 2010

Use that to your advantage in your copy. If you use the wrong words as descriptors in your copy, it’s going to make you sound like an idiot – especially if you clearly think you have the right word. If you want to explain something – anything – to the people reading your copy, do it fast. And Inigo is absolutely right.

Copywriter 110

Copywriter Copywriting Hospitality Copy 110

Men With Pens

MARCH 23, 2010

Why don’t you answer a couple of questions for us about who you really are, and we’ll use that information to make your web copy sound more like you? They don’t know the reasons, or they don’t have the ability we have to work them into their own web copy. Then you can go put that voice into the web copy. Make a note.

Copy 61

Copy Copywriter Copywriting Social Media 61

Men With Pens

APRIL 6, 2010

Most freelancers have enough trouble scrapping together money for the rent without having to worry about paying another couple of tens of thousands. You’re a freelancer. People want to see your portfolio, your testimonials, and your professional-looking website. Especially since no one cares about your degree. That’s right.

Education 49

Education Freelance Copywriter Copywriting 49

Men With Pens

JULY 1, 2012

While the Audit Bureau of Circulations reported a 125% increase in digital magazine readership from 2010 to 2011 for consumer magazines, AdAge reported in March 2012 that the jump still only accounts for 1% of total paid and verified circulation. They’re also a great way to wow business clients with your portfolio. Translation?

Freelance Copywriting 57

Freelance Copywriting Search Engine Optimization Copy Editor Blog 57

Men With Pens

JUNE 23, 2010

Get a copy of Chip and Dan Heath’s book Made to Stick if you want the authoritative take on this.) Nabeel | Create Your First Website June 24, 2010 at 3:02 am “How often do you remember a blog post or a magazine article you read? Ulrich ( @maryeulrich ) June 24, 2010 at 6:49 am Yesterday I spent the day writing an academic paper.

Writing 64

Writing Copywriter Copywriting Blogger 64

Men With Pens

APRIL 15, 2010

When I started freelancing full time, I also started a Masters degree in Creative Writing. Chris Mower ( @firesamurai ) April 16, 2010 at 1:20 am “No one assigns you experience points or notes when you’ve leveled up.&# Ulrich ( @maryeulrich ) April 16, 2010 at 7:42 am Ali, I always love when you pop-up on my favorite sites.

Writing 73

Writing Copywriter Copywriting Writer 73

Men With Pens

JUNE 6, 2010

I wrote web copy and ebooks and taglines and fiction and all kinds of writerly stuff. Peter Shallard - The Shrink for Entrepreneurs ( @petershallard ) June 7, 2010 at 1:15 am I’m gonna step in here and make a comment about what I think happened. I couldn’t write. Well, that’s not entirely true. I could write.

Writer 69

Writer IT Creativity Freelance 69

Men With Pens

MARCH 11, 2010

By offering guest post services to your clients, they’ll enjoy benefits such as: Their name on the lips of their competition Content that will be syndicated across MANY blogs More page views direct to their sales copy, higher conversions and targeted visitors There’s more you can offer your clients instead of blogging services.

Blog 51

Blog Blogging Sales Copy Freelance 51

Men With Pens

MARCH 18, 2010

Most of our readership isn’t just into writing for the scads of money to be made while working in your pajamas and holding a beer in one hand (because that’s how freelancing works, right?). Professor Beej ( @professorbeej ) March 18, 2010 at 11:56 pm I would simply adore being able to pay for this kind of course.

Copywriter 42

Copywriter Copywriting Copy Portfolio 42

Men With Pens

APRIL 22, 2010

They say that good marketing depends on catchy headlines, great copy, and solid branding , and it does. What “They&# Aren’t Saying Write headlines and copy. What does it take, mentally, for you to write million-dollar headlines , bold copy, and recruit affiliates? Get branding. Find affiliates. All of that, yes.

Marketing 62

Marketing Creativity Copywriter Copywriting 62

Men With Pens

MARCH 9, 2010

OConnor ( @ocopy ) March 10, 2010 at 7:52 am It helps businesses better control their reputations online. Reply Stacey Cornelius ( @thestudiosource ) March 10, 2010 at 7:53 am A well thought-out website can show your customers you’re tuned into their needs. Can you think of other reasons? Kathleen K. Sarah Camp´s last blog.

Website 66

Website Advertising Portfolio Consulting 66

Men With Pens

MAY 26, 2010

Wanderlusting ( @Wanderlustingkh ) May 27, 2010 at 1:13 am Great post. Totally off-topic, but anyway, glad to have found your blog Reply Martin - TheUniversityBlog ( @universityboy ) May 27, 2010 at 3:27 am I love the fact that anyone with an Internet connection is on an even playing field. If you want to write, you can write.

Writing 62

Writing Writer Projects Freelance 62

Men With Pens

JUNE 20, 2010

It’s all over the place, because plenty of experts (and not-so-experts) suggest reading aloud as a way to improve your work for sparkling copy. I know I write well, my posts get attention, my web copy sells. Nabeel | Create Your First Website June 21, 2010 at 3:58 am Great post. You’re a good writer already.

Text 73

Text Writer Script Copy 73

Men With Pens

APRIL 11, 2010

Chris Mower ( @firesamurai ) April 12, 2010 at 1:34 am Spot on. Entrepreneur Interview: Chris McClain of Chris McClain Productions Reply Patricia ( @lokahiandquill ) April 12, 2010 at 10:03 am It’s Monday, and perhaps that’s why I feel like playing devil’s advocate here. Thanks for sharing. Thanks again for sharing.

Website 63

Website Copywriter Copywriting Electronics 63

Men With Pens

MAY 11, 2010

Matthew : Big Red Tomato Company ( @Bigredtomato ) May 12, 2010 at 3:33 am Well, that’s an awful lot of awesomeness to deliver in a few short months and weeks! Wednesday Wisdom Reply Farnoosh ( @prolificliving ) May 12, 2010 at 5:43 am I can’t wait to see some of the new changes, designs and resources. Life is good.

Copywriter 43

Copywriter Copywriting Entertainment Projects 43

Men With Pens

FEBRUARY 21, 2010

Frank ( @[link] ) February 22, 2010 at 4:27 am I think it’s really interesting to look back at copy that you have written. Reply Frank ( @[link] ) February 22, 2010 at 4:32 am Working on a website, I literally travel back in time and revisit places that I’ve visited and remember experiences that I’ve had.

Freelance 48

Freelance Consulting Copywriter Copywriting 48

Men With Pens

APRIL 18, 2010

Michelle April 19, 2010 at 1:41 am I see this happening a lot on blogs where staff members are given blog articles to write but get caught up in their day-to-day responsibilities. Don’t Be an Expert, Be a Specialist Reply Susan Allport ( @suelander_ ) April 19, 2010 at 6:22 am I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there.

Blogger 59

Blogger Copywriter Copywriting Portfolio 59

Men With Pens

FEBRUARY 23, 2010

Usually copy comes in nice bite-sized chunks: a webpage, a blog post, an article, a press release. Carson Brackney ( @carsonbrackney ) February 24, 2010 at 1:19 am I rely on my Wall of Whiteboards. I’m all jazzed now… Reply Jodi Kaplan February 24, 2010 at 8:38 am Love the clothesline image! Actual books.

Projects 51

Projects Writing Copywriter Copywriting 51

Men With Pens

JANUARY 12, 2010

Roschelle ( @roschelle ) January 13, 2010 at 3:22 am True. Post-Avatar Depression – Why Am I Not Surprised… Reply Heather Villa ( @IAC_Heather ) January 13, 2010 at 5:23 am I think this holds true for ideas of any kind. Reply Zoe ( @zoewesthof ) January 13, 2010 at 6:05 am Adore this analogy. Go get started.

Creativity 62

Creativity Copywriter Copywriting Writer 62

Men With Pens

MAY 30, 2010

Allow me to demonstrate in a fictitious piece of sales copy targeting my teen: “Dearest daughter of mine, Imagine it’s the end of summer and the last day of work. If your web copy is putting your visitors to sleep, contact us today. Þórey Ómars ( @thoreyo ) May 31, 2010 at 5:53 am Ha! That rockstar feeling?

Education 56

Education Copywriter Copywriting Sales 56

Men With Pens

FEBRUARY 25, 2010

It has an appropriate disclaimer – visible on the website and clearly mentioned in all promotional copy – if the author is not qualified in certain areas. John Hewitt ( @poewar ) February 26, 2010 at 1:20 am I agree with the central point of the article. And it should always recommend that readers seek professional help.

Editorial 49

Editorial Freelance Copywriter Copywriting 49

Men With Pens

APRIL 29, 2010

FitJerks Fitness Blog ( @fitjerk ) April 30, 2010 at 5:20 am These are some good points. 6 Reasons Why You Should Eat 6 Meals A Day Reply Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot ( @getinthehotspot ) April 30, 2010 at 8:30 am A common problem I think. Reply poch April 30, 2010 at 9:08 am As if you read my mind James.

Post 48

Post Writer Blogger Publisher 48

Men With Pens

JULY 11, 2010

Peter Shallard - The Shrink for Entrepreneurs ( @petershallard ) July 12, 2010 at 1:55 am This is a thoughtful post. Reply Nabeel | Create Your First Website July 12, 2010 at 4:01 am Whoa Excellent post James. The more people we get talking about blogging, the better we can shape it so that we can all profit.

IT 69

IT Blog Blogging Entertainment 69

Men With Pens

JANUARY 21, 2010

John writes the majority of the ad copy for Dragon Door, and he was talking to us – the new instructors, the front lines, the new faces of his marketing arm – about how to write so our audience would always understand us. &# And suddenly, I realized that I had to unlearn everything I knew about writing,&# John said.

Copywriter 56

Copywriter Copywriting Consulting Creativity 56

Men With Pens

JANUARY 10, 2010

A new freelancer hears that this guy is an expert. So he goes to the website and lo and behold, this expert claims he knows everything about freelancing. Michael Martine ( @remarkablogger ) January 11, 2010 at 1:34 am There’s another kind of “wrongness.&# But why would they doubt you? So our guy listens attentively.

Copywriter 57

Copywriter Copywriting Freelance Sales 57