Your articles are tremendously valuable and interesting. Thank you very much for your generosity. Years ago I did technical writing on contract (freelance). Then my wife and I went into the quickprinting business. Now we’re retired but I am studying to get back into writing. I’m part way through the AWAI Accelerated Program…. and I read a lot on the internet including your work.

A big question I have is how to price or quote my work. Can you help me with this?

Another question is the matter of long sales letters vs. much shorter ones. When I receive long letters or study them in the material I bought, I almost always think it’s a waste of time. There are arguments for long letters, but I doubt them. As Bill O’Reilly says, "What say you?"

Lloyd Prentice

Thanks for the info, greatly appreciated.

Cheers, y’all!

Then Saturday evening…what can I say?  I loved the musical chairs we all played.  Talk about networking.  I got to sit next to Clayton first, and the questions came from me and the others at our table.  How inspiring … and Clayton, you are super cool.  So generous to share your knowledge.  How’s it feel to be a guru?  I think I’d love that feeling.  Hmmm…

Then I come to the website and learn even more!  Since the first two questions and answers posted I did not hear that evening.  How cool is that? 

Wendy, loved meeting you too.  So easy to talk to…oh, and did I talk!  This is a little late but really liked your necklace.  I kept looking at it but failed to compliment you.  (Duh…)  Heck, there was so much talking goin’ on.  Ha, so much to talk about…so little time!

Again, we all so appreciated your taking the time out of your busy lives to "tear-ass" down from your mountain.  It was a truly memorable evening.  I do have pictures and will be sending them to you as soon as I can figure where the "feedback box" is.  :)  Sorry, sometimes I’m just a little s-l-o-w…

Carline, Clayton, Wendy–love you all!

–Cathy

Oh well, maybe next year.

Great post Clayton - lots of little gems to pick out of this one. I’m going in exactly the same route you are it seems like.

And I can’t wait until I get to where you’re at now

Keep it coming with the great posts!

Jeremy Reeves
http://www.GetClientsIn20.com

It’s smart for a copywriter to specialize in one niche.  For one thing, it allows them to shorten their learning curve.  Each time they write a new promotion, they don’t have to go back to square one to learn the entire industry.  They can rely on the knowledge they already have, which makes it quicker and easier to write the copy.

Also, specializing helps them become known within that niche - which could make it easier to get assignments.

But that doesn’t mean a good copywriter can’t write copy outside their niche.  So you can hire someone who doesn’t necessarily specialize in copy for the construction industry and still get some kick-butt promotions out of them.  

You can probably find a good copywriter by checking out AWAI and Michel Fortin’s Copywriter’s Board.  They’re not the best, because many of them are still learning, but you should get decent copy from them.  And, you should ask for samples from prospective copywriters, so get a sense of what they can do.

I hope that helps.

Deanna Blanchard
Copywriter
Response Ink 

To answer your question, direct mailer that hires the copywriter is the one who tracks how many pieces are mailed. 

I hope that helps!

Deanna Blanchard
Copywriter
Response Ink