Posted by:
Carline Anglade-Cole
July 20, 2010
Issue #970
Hiya CopyStar,
If it hasn’t happened to you yet – it will. I promise.
You spend weeks researching a project … coming up with a convincing sales argument … loading up your letter with proof elements – including stellar testimonials … and giving the prospect an offer he can’t refuse.
You work long days and nights with the designer to create a look that makes your copy POP. You’re thrilled with your results and you can’t wait for the client to mail the package.
The mail date finally arrives. You get samples in the mail. Package looks AWESOME! Now you got to wait 3 weeks or more to get the results.
In the meantime, you’re envisioning how you’re going to spend your royalty checks. New car? Dream vacation? Hey – maybe even pay off your mortgage!
Then you get that phone call (or email) with the words:
"Your package didn’t beat the control." Or even worse …
"Your package bombed. We haven’t seen responses this low in over 20 years!"
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Posted by:
Carline Anglade-Cole
June 8, 2010
Issue #940
Hiya CopyStar,
Read this or die.
Who in their right mind can resist this headline?
This was a blockbuster success for a promotion for Healthy Directions’ Alternatives newsletter almost a decade ago.
I wish I could say I wrote it – but that would be a lie. The credit (and royalty checks) go to a phenomenal copywriter named Jim Rutz. But let me tell you …
… seeing that headline was a turning point in my copywriting career. Here’s why …
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Posted by:
Carline Anglade-Cole
April 20, 2010
Issue #910
Hiya CopyStar,
Once in a while I have enough time in my schedule to actually work face-to-face with one of my copy cubs – yep, literally have ‘em pull up a chair and work right alongside me writing copy.
And it’s true: There’s nothing better than sitting at the feet of an A-level copywriter and really getting into his or her mind.
I remember driving for HOURS to get to Clayton Makepeace’s office whenever he extended that face-to-face time to me. And I always left amazed at what I learned in just a few short hours!
Even when I was an established copywriter on my own and making moolah – I always came away a better, stronger and more confident writer after spending time with my mentor.
Well, like I said, recently, one of my former copy cubs – who I’ll call "Skurty Kat" was in a pickle. She just landed a prime copywriting gig – with royalties and all – and she was petrified.
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Posted by:
Carline Anglade-Cole
December 1, 2009
Issue #810
Hiya CopyStar,
World-class copywriter Clayton Makepeace launched a health revolution – and he did it in a weekend.
That’s how long it took him to write the blockbuster promotion called "Give Me 90 Days." It was for a newsletter called Health & Healing.
Back in 1991, that promotion mailed MILLIONS of pieces each month for over two years. I know – at the time, I was the marketing manager responsible for finding the mailing lists for that fantabulous promo!
My mentor, Clayton Makepeace, wrote that package in less than 48 hours, sitting poolside and tanning his cute cheeks.
So why does it take ME six to eight weeks to write a half-way decent health promo?
Back in 2005, I gave myself a huge challenge: Cut my writing time in half without sacrificing quality and profitability of my work.
How’d I do?
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Posted by:
Carline Anglade-Cole
February 10, 2009
Issue #608
I gotta tell ya – some times I’m laughing so loud at work …
… And cracking up at the words on my computer screen so much …
… I swear my daughter/assistant Jael is gonna call the special padded van from the local loony farm to take me away!
Should anybody really have this much fun – while working?
Absolutely!
That’s the beauty of freelancing. You can pick and choose projects that get you excited – and that you can have fun with!
And for some reason – I seem to gravitate towards products that service bodily functions. For example …
… I just finished a colon and parasite cleanse that kept me talking and writing about poop for weeks!
Not only that, but I got over 140 friends and readers of my CopyStar e-zine in on the project. Can you imagine the e-mails flying around as they shared their personal and embarrassing poop stories with me?
Tee hee – I’m still cracking up!
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