Category Archives: Some Writing Exercises

copywriting-mindset

Here’s a basic mindset formula for writing sales copy

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OK, so the other morning I had a few minutes to spare, and I decided to cruise one of the marketing forums I sometimes visit.

On this particular morning, a newbie marketer asked a question I’ve seen more than once, about writing sales copy.
 

Well, like I said, I had a few minutes to spare. So this time I answered the call and tried to help this guy out with a quick (beginners) primer on the mindset you should have when writing sales copy.

And even though I only gave the guy a basic answer, I still think the answer might serve anyone who has a similar question.

So I’m posting it here for your enjoyment? (Education? Advantage? Benefit?)
 

Anyway, here’s the exchange that took place (slightly edited, to remove the askers personal info)…
 
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Email copy – Good… or not?

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Well, the other day I posted a thread here with a direct response copywriting exercise.
 
I was trying to add some hands on education to this site. And I did get a couple private emails asking for more posts like these.
 

But, other than that… nothing more than crickets chirping… and tumbleweeds rolling.

 
So, I’m thinking that maybe not too many people here are interested in exercising their sales copy skills?

 
But, I’ve never been one to “take the hint” (at least not on the first go around)
 
So let’s try again (one more time)… shall we?
 

This is an email I got from Netflix a couple days ago…
 
I won’t break it down with any critique this time. I’ll just let you look at it, and soak it all in…
 
So what do you think of it?
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A little activity to exercise your sales copy chops

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Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Copywriter (and all the ships at sea)

Here’s a little game to help you new writers (and experienced writers as well) exercise your sales copy brains.
 

I don’t remember when I first picked up the lesson? But one of my writing coaches taught it to me years ago. And every once in a while it’s something I still do (when I have the time)
 

Basically we take a winning sales letter and dissect it. To see what makes it work.

Today we’re looking at a direct mail piece I got, from a local insurance guy.
 

No, I didn’t write it. And I’m not affiliated with the guy in any way.
 
But I’ve gotten this same letter every couple months, for more than a year now. Which leads me to believe it’s a responsive control piece.
 
(for the new writers here, a “control piece” basically means it’s getting a good enough response rate, to make it worth mailing, over and over again)

 
I blocked out the contact info, just for privacy sake. But the rest of the letter is intact.
 

Anyway, here it is…
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The A to Z Method of Eliminating Writers Block

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Greetings, young writers… (old writers… wannabe writers… and all the ships at sea)

Here’s another good writing exercise for you.

This one was introduced to me by a friend, and fellow writer, on one of the forums I sometimes hang out at.

BIG SHOUT OUT TO “FRED” over at the WF !!!  (you know who you are… yeah!)

 

Anyway, It’s a pretty creative idea that could save you from the dreaded “WHITE PAGE OF DEATH !!!” (also known as writers block)

 

Whenever I find an opportunity to bring you something that could improve your writing, I want to share it with you. So I decided to write this quick post, explaining this great little exercise. (are you getting excited yet…? I know I am.)

 

Now personally, I think this method is pretty fantastic. But it won’t instantly make the words appear, all by themselves. And you probably won’t jump up and down shouting “Hallelujah! I have the answer, at last!”

But, it’s still a pretty incredible way to give that evil nemesis “writers block” the old “1…2…knockout punch” it so rightly deserves.

 

So, if your ready to learn it… Here’s the magical formula…

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Name That tagline

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Hi kids! It’s time once again for everyone’s favorite copywriting game show…

 

NAME…THAT…TAGLINE !
YAY! (applause, applause)

 

For those of you joining us for the first time, “name that tagline” is the game show where we pick a fictitious product or service, and we see who can come up with the best tagline.

 

Why am I doing this? Because I need a break right now. And when I need a break, I sometimes create silly little copywriting games just to keep my mind active. (good God, if this is what I do for fun, I guess I really am a big ol’ copywriting nerd)

 

Anyway on with the game…

 

Today’s fake business is an amnesia clinic. But not the way you’re thinking. No, No, No… this clinic GIVES you amnesia, and lets you forget things you’d rather not remember.

(Isn’t that amazing!!!???)

 

Now, to get the ball rolling, I’ll throw out the first couple taglines…Continue reading→