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We recently interviewed master copywriter and blogger, Brian Clark who has an fantastic copywriting tips blog. We got to pick his brain about writing compelling marketing copy for your sites and sales letters. He also chimed in about how he overcame his initial fears and obstacles to become an internet entrepreneur.
In this episode of Internet Business Mastery, we share a twenty-minutes of this value packed conversation. We also share our own set of
5 Quick Tips for Writing Killer Copy
Other items mentioned in this episode:
MSCopeland.com: Information and Knowledge
Singing Pig Forum: Wealth, Property and Business for Entrepreneurs
PodcastToolBox.com
Marketing Syndrome Forums: Niche Marketing Matermind
Also, if you compose music and can help us put together some new theme songs for the show, please contact us at comments AT internetbusinessmastery.com.
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I have been waiting eagerly for the new podcast from you guys and what a coincidence! One day before I leave on a massive road trip to come up with some content to kick off my internet businesses, you come out with a copywriting podcast. Thanks heaps for the inspiration and I’ll let you know how I go :)
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Great interview with Brian Clark. Every time I hear the story of how someone got started in business it always involves not knowing everything, stepping out on a leap of faith and taking action. I know when I started I didn’t accomplish a lot because I thought I had to know everything. Keep up the good work.
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You know what’s cool about this business? Is that everyone is so cool. Here’s what I mean. I come from a world ( I have been a Sr. level guy in telecom since the Startac, anyone? anyone?) that is as cutthroat as it gets and this guy from copyblogger is just as free flowing and willing as can be, and he is just so relaxed and laid back I wanted to take a nap listening to him.
I know he is getting exposure, but let’s face it, the value of his wisdom is worth more than the incremental gain he will get from coming on the show (sorry guys, you know what I mean!) and that means a lot to a guy that in the past would have fired and then finished lunch with you sitting there.
I don’t know if it is a west coast mentality ( I am an east coast guy ) that permeates within this industry ( why wouldn’t it right?) but I like the relaxed atmosphere and one person’s willingness to help another…usually!
and I haven’t worn long pants all summer! Thats cool too!
Darren S.
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I have to agree with Darren S. I am just starting to study the internet marketing world (like for the last 2 weeks) and I am so excited by how many resources there are. People everywhere willing to share the way to start an internet based business. I am still in the 9-5 (7-6 for me) work world, but I have to make a change. It is so awesome to hear your podcast and listen to people like Brian Clark share not only the ways to success, but also provide the motivation of sharing stories of their success. I loved Brian’s simplistic comment “I was an attorney and i am making that much money doing this”. Sterling and Jay you mentioned in your podcast that there are 2 books and a course you recommend or people interested. Would you tell me what they are. Also, if I understood right, you have a course that you are completing. What are the details of that?
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Hi boys,
I caught your request about help to produce some bespoke music for use on the podcast – let me know if I can help you to find a composer. While Sound Strategies isn’t a music provider, we help organisations to create a distinctive and differentiating audio brand (voice, sound, music), often helping clients to draft a brief that composers, musicians, etc. can creatively interpret to achieve the desired business results. We led a discussion at the London Social Media Club earlier in the year on ‘How to Exploit Sound in Social Media’ which might give you and other podcasters some food for thought. (hear it and see some of the resources at: http://www.socialmediaclub.org/2007/03/19/london-meetup-exploiting-sound-in-social-media/).
It’s great that you already have an idea of the sort of sound that you want to have (and why?). Creating your own bespoke theme is the best route as it is:
* Ownable – only you can use it
* Distinctive – as long as you don’t let it get too derivative of something else (such as The Matrix)
* Memorable – make sure it is something people can hum
* Differentiating – so few podcasters use music really well, you’ll stand out
* Easier and less expensive to negotiate royalties with your collaborators (but be clear on the types and extent of use at the outset)
* Flexible – when producing the music, take the time to think through some of the possible future uses for the music (podcast opening, closing, section links, conferences, web/audio products, audio greeting, combination with voice, etc.) and also some of the different ‘emotions’ you need it to display. Producing a full selection of members of the theme family in one go is much cheaper and easier than revisiting later
* More easily designed to exploit the delivery medium eg. built in lap-top speakers have a much narrower audio range than, say, a quality MP3 player or a conference sound system, so you need to steer clear of the higher and lower ranges
* An audio brand for Internet Business Mastery, that you can use to extend an emotive link between your various offerings and loyal subscribers and customers
Perhaps there is a topic for one of your shows here!
Cheers, Ronna
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First time listener. Excellent podcast!! Just wondering what the two books are, and the one course.
Thanks,
W.M.
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Hey guys,
Thanks for the mention. I really get a lot of great info from your show. Keep up the great work and good luck with your new training courses.
Mike
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@Wes,
Here are a few of the books that we recommend starting with. None of them is directly about internet business, but they cover critical information for getting started down the right path:
***Mindset Shift***
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
The Four-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
The Millionaire Maker by Loral Langemeier
Rich Dad’s Cash Flow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki
***Productivity***
No BS Time Management by Dan S. Kennedy
Getting Things Done by David Allen
***Business Management***
No BS Business Success by Dan S Kennedy
The E-Myth by Michael Gerber
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Hey guys, I was just wondering what software you are using, or how you configured wordpress, to have a podcast and a blog on the same blog. It looks like your podcast is just set up like a regular category. How do you get it to have a separate feed? Thx.
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Erin,
WordPress allows you to have feeds for each of the categories. If you are using Permalinks, the default feed address for a category is something like this:
http://www.internet-based-business-mastery.com/category/blog/feed
Blog posts have their own category in WordPress on our site.
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It seems that many of the sites you guys refer to,both IBM/examples and other links you refer to tend to use copy that to me seem very (no offence): “Get rich in 10 sec, / “TV-shop”-look-a-like/big bold centered letters with messages repeated about 30 times through the first page” I hope you understand what I mean. To me they seem to fall into a certain category that to me does not appear very appealing. Now, I fear being biased so my question is: Are there evidence that this style is much more sales effective than a more classic and clean visual impression. One thing is how to write it (the actual copy) another thing is what impression you leave (bold and big letters, excl. marks, several different fonts etc) To me it seems to give a tacky and non-proffesional impression, but heck, if it works I will be more than glad to use this style. Any views? Evidence?
Best regards, Axl. (Norway)
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Sorry, should have proof-read my own comment before submitting, not the greatest “copy” there…:-) Axl.
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@Axl,
I think some of what you see is because it works, but some of it is also laziness (granted maybe it works well enough for them). There is definitely value to the single sales page that has nothing but copy for the offer on it.
When it comes to presentation and copy, I’m a fan of Michel Fortin. When it comes to product/sales page design, I’m a fan of this guys work. But apparently he is so busy right now he has taken his site down at the time of writing this.
Different things speak to different people, but you have a valid point.
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In this episode you refer to an internet marketing course that you recommended in a prior episode. I can’t find the course you recommended. Can you point me to the recommended course?
Thanks,
Scott
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I have a few good books on copywriting but putting it all together in one coherent sales letter is where an ounce of practise is worth a ton of theory.
The master copywriters became great by honing their skills in the real world and learning from their mistakes and others before them.
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For the most part the value of “copywriting” online is overrated. The biggest thing about selling any product or service online is getting your customer to know you, like you, and trust you – then effectively following up with them, only then will they take your recommendation to buy. Yes there are some great copywriters out there, but they make most of their money by targeting specific markets and following up with their list.
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I think the key to good copywriting is to be able to put yourself in your customers place.
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As someone new starting with this, I found it to be very useful!
Thanks for the info- Boy, I still got a lot to learn!
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One of my biggest challenges is posting content. I never though I would be a blogger being dyslexic. I couldn’t even read until the 6th grade so to be a blogger wasn’t in the cards. Thanks for the tools.
salt lake homes for sale
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I know he is getting exposure, but let’s be honest, the value of his wisdom is worth more than the incremental gain obtained from coming on the show
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I like the information and really want to get all that I can. I want to become known as an expert nationally in my profession via the internet and then grow from there.
Carl The Seattle First Time Home Buyer
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I too am working on becoming a big fish in a little pond. I liked the onfo and will use this is developing my site.
Everett-Mortgage-on-Line
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This is good information, been looking for info like this, since our Real Estate has taken a turn.
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Keep up the new trainings, and thanks for the tools. This blog is very helpful and informative.
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The first link seems to be down right now
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Awesome…Bookmarked :D
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LOL @ first comment
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@Saharr Thats not going to happen
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There is a constant need of having unique copywriting content. Your “insider secrets” proved ver useful indeed.
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Its unique copywriting content thats hard to come by. Thanks for revealing to us how to access it.
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Unique copywriting content is as rare as the Dodo on the internet. There’s just too much rehashed and plagiarized content. For the discerning copywriter, you are certainly filling a required need.
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Compelling copy is one originally written. Not quoted and not re-written of another author. Such copy-writers are hard to come by.
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This copywriting podcast has proved invaluable. Brian Clark does give so many insightful tips, its a most instructive tutorial.
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Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! I’m sure you had joy writing this article.
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Thanks for the podcast. Like Axl I wonder if the audience is of relevance when formatting copy. Different writing for different readers or calls to action.
Jack – Carlsbad Homes
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Hey guys,
Thanks for the mention. I really get a lot of great info from your show. Keep up the great work and good luck with your new training courses.
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Considering the rarity of original stuff, this copywriting podcast is invaluable.
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Brian Clark has given us a new insight into podcasting which needs to be considered incisively.
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With so much plagiarism as the norm, unique content is as rare as the Dodo.
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Great blog! I reckon if I would ever get a blog which cuts out the nonsense and is brief and to-the-point. Thanks again.
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Well I sincerely enjoyed studying it. This information offered by you is very constructive for correct planning.
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This blog is very helpful and informative.
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keep posting its really informative for me.i am regular visitor of this blog.
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Understanding the tremendous growth of internet marketing in recent times,and the need for unique content writing skills your post is invaluable for its insight and analysis.
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