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Excess Voice Newsletter
April 2007, Issue # 154
In this issue:
>> Intro: Some of us are getting old
>> Review: Nick Usborne's Million Dollar Secrets to Online Copywriting
>> Article: Improve your writing with an imaginary critique.
>> Survey: What worries you most?
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Find out about my COACHING service for freelance writers and copywriters. NEW coaching and pricing options...
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Greetings,
As always, many thanks to those who responded to the survey in the last issue. The responses I received provide an interesting snapshot of the experience of writers and copywriters on this list.
0-5 years - 32%
6-15 years - 28%
16+ years - 40%
It's interesting to see that we have a lot of very experienced writers on the list.
In this issue the article takes a look at how we can improve our writing work by not only proofing it, but also giving it a critical review...before we submit it.
And the review is for my own online copywriting course.
Until next time,
Nick
Nick Usborne
>> Feedback: mailto:nick@excessvoice.com
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REVIEW: Nick Usborne's Million Dollar Secrets to Online Copywriting
When I write this course I set out to fill a gap.
It seems to me there are plenty of courses out there for people who want to write online sales letters. And there are courses for people who want to write small web sites.
But what I haven't seen before is a comprehensive, professional-grade course for writers and copywriters who are faced with the real-life complexity of writing for larger, more complex sites.
I set out to fill that gap by writing my own online copywriting course. It is about 75,000 words in length and represents the best of what I know on the topic of writing for the web.
Who is it for? Well...it's for you.
I say that because much of my interaction with the online copywriting and marketing industry has come about through this e-newsletter. It is through the surveys and personal email correspondence with subscribers that I have been able to keep my finger on the pulse. The feedback I have received in response to the last 153 issues has all helped shape my understanding of the kind of advice and knowledge online writers and marketers are looking for.
Whether you're a freelancer or an in-house writer, an entrepreneur or a webmaster, I believe this course will give you the tools and knowledge you need to create web pages, emails and e-newsletters that convert better and deliver more sales.
More details here:
http://www.awaionline.com/nu/onlinecopywriting/
Previous Reviews:
#1. Goal Setting Rituals
People who set goals earn up to TEN TIMES as much as those who don't. Apply these 4 rituals and you'll find yourself better focused and more motivated to achieve your goals faster.
More details here:
http://www.goalsettingrituals.com/
#2. Writing Rituals
My productivity guide for marketing writers and copywriters. This set of 5 rituals will help you stay focused on your writing tasks, avoiding the perils of procrastination and writer's block.
Learn more...
http://www.writingrituals.com/
#3. The Freelance Copywriter Fee & Compensation Survey, Volume 2.
This is the second volume of this survey, fully up to date, and with a lot more information on what to charge for 40 different types of freelance copywriting work, how to find new assignments, and more.
Read my review...
http://www.excessvoice.com/copywriting-fees-survey.htm
#4. Michael Masterson's Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting
This is the only copywriting course I wholeheartedly recommend to any copywriter who wants to write copy that drives results.
Read my review:
http://www.excessvoice.com/michael-masterson.htm
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ARTICLE: Improve your writing with an imaginary critique.
I was working recently with one of my coaching clients and asked him to write a new version of his home page.
He was taking the marketing of his business in a whole new direction. He had new goals to aim for and needed his home page to align with those goals and express a message and promise that were very different.
Once he was done, he sent me the page and asked me what I thought.
At first I forgot I was his coach and started behaving as if he were a copywriting client. That is to say, I started to write a critique of his page.
Then I stopped myself. And I wrote back to him with a simple question, "What points do you think I'll take issue with on this page?"
The first thing that happened was that he wrote me a quick email with an observation about an apparently evil side to my personality.
But then, less than 24 hours later, he sent me a revised version of the page.
Now for the interesting part.
He had changed and improved 90% of the areas where I was going to take him to task.
That's a pretty remarkable turnaround, based entirely on critiquing his own work.
My next step was to print out some work I had just completed for a client of my own. I had already proofed it and was about to send it. Instead, I sat back and took a close look at what I had done.
And yes, I found a few areas in which I could improve it. In particular, the headline needed work.
This is scary stuff. I have been a copywriter for almost 30 years now. How much of my work could and should have been better? I don't mean that every job I ever did should have been the best of its kind in the world, ever. But I do mean that it should have been the best that I was capable of doing.
For me, this short coaching exercise has opened a new door.
From now on you can be sure that I'll not only proof my work before submitting it, but I'll also critique it.
To help myself, I think I'll imagine showing it to a mentor I had during my early years in this business. And I'll ask myself, "What would he say about this page of copy?"
Somewhere inside ourselves I think we all have the capacity to critique what we are doing, and then take action and make improvements.
It's just a matter of opening the door and giving voice and volume to that inner critic.
>> Feedback: mailto:nick@excessvoice.com
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SURVEY: What worries you most?
If you are a freelancer, which of the following do you find yourself worrying about most?
[ ] How to attract more clients
[ ] How to improve my writing skills
[ ] How to promote my freelance business
[ ] How to set my fees
[ ] How to be more productive
[ ] How to set up my home office
[ ] Other....................
Comments:
(NOTE: Any comments and your name may be published in the next issue, or on the Excess Voice web site.)
Cut and paste your replies to me at mailto:nick@excessvoice.com
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NICK USBORNE'S SERVICES:
Yes, I do more than write articles and publish newsletters.
Ask me to give a training seminar or webinar for your writers or web team.
http://www.nickusborne.com/speaking.htm
Ask me to write for your site, emails and newsletters.
http://www.nickusborne.com/copywriting.htm
Ask me to optimize your key offer pages...
http://www.nickusborne.com/consulting.htm
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