It’s not. 

But like baseball that’s
what makes it great.

I haven’t broken 6 or seven
figures yet.

I don’t have a ton of money
in the bank or ten cars
in my garage.

But I’ll tell ya this.

Each day I bust my hump
to write and learn.

Then I write and learn some more.
Some projects failed
and others succeeded.

But I’ll never quit on my dream.

I’m not the most talented
or creative guy in the world.

But I can outwork anybody.
I’ll keep working hard to
reach my copywriting dream.

Thanks for the "real"
secret to copywriting success.

Gratefully,

Clyde McDade

I’d rather be a victor than a victim any day.  Part of being a victor is recognizing what isn’t working and determining what you need to do differently to make it work. 

Part of being a victor is recognizing you have to be willing to invest in yourself by getting the help you need.  Consequently, I became an Easy Writers club member just a few short months ago.  Because I realized the copy I wrote stunk and was one of the biggest stumbling blocks I had. 

I read EVERY post on your blog.  I STUDY every issue of the Screaming Eagle.  I listen intently to each Roadhouse Rant. 

And I just purchased the Ultimate Desktop Copy Coach and have read through it the first time, and will now go back and thoroughly study and dissect it working to internalize that knowledge.

The point being it takes courage to put ideas into action, but unless you take action your ideas are worthless.  Because of what I’ve put into action from what I learned as an Easy writer member I’ve just recently written a sales page that’s converting at 7.6% for me.  I’m certainly not a copywriter just a small business owner, but WOW what a difference a little knowledge from one of the best can make. 

Thanks a bunch Clayton for all your insights!!! 

This is now posted above my desk, and in my patient newsletter, giving you attribution, of course:

"Everything you do today is a brush stroke on a canvas; a portrait of you ten years, twenty years, forty years from now."

Great analogy.  Who says direct response copywriters can’t write beautifully?

Thanks Clayton!

Thought I’d join the discussion this morning before I get to work doing what I’ve been doing every day for all my working life: doing the best work I can and constantly learning how to do it better, whatever I’m doing.

Right now, I’m spending a good bit of time working on a site concept for my soon-to-be released website.  I love hard work.  I mean it.  I’ve been a pastor for the last 20+ years and have dealt with all kinds of people.  I’ve worked hard at being able to listen intensely and actively in order to help individuals better themselves.

In the course of doing this work, I’ve learned a lot about human nature, which I think puts me in a good position to write copy… With the help of Masterson, Bly, Vitale, Hollingshead, Makepeace and others, of course.

Perhaps the most important and aggrevating thing I’ve learned is that people are either going to put in the effort to be all they can be, or they’re not.  You can usually tell which of these you’re dealing with in a matter of minutes.   When I run into someone who’s just trying to get something out of me or wants me to solve a serious problem or crisis for them, I don’t waste my time. 

Now don’t get me wrong.  I have a lot of compassion for people who, for one reason or another, have been kicked in the teeth and keep getting up off the ground.  But I have zero tolerance for folks who think the "system" ought to just foot the bill for new teeth!
Anything is possible in this life if you’re willing to put in the effort and you have the desire to better yourself.  Nothing but more misery and anger is in store for anyone who thinks they can just use others as long as they get what they want.

For this group, I think the film "The Pursuit of Happyness" should be required viewing.   Now there was a guy that understood that "happyness" is not a "right."  The PURSUIT is.  And pursue he did… With a vengeance. 

Of course, I learned that lesson a long time ago from my father.  Dad could be a real horse’s keister sometimes.  But he worked that thing off until he got where he wanted to be.  With only a high school education, he spent long hours after work studying for the AIA exams.  He became a licensed architect with no fancy college degree, just a little natural talent and a boatload of hard work and drive.

Will I make it as a copywriter?  Yes.  Do I have any illusions about it being easy?  No.  Because I’ll never betray my dad and all the other mentors in my life who have taught me that "easy" is a dead-end street. 

Regards,
Bill H.

Hi Ero … thanks for weighing in.

And of course for illuminating me and disabusing me of my "simplistic," "kneejerk" opinion.

Just tell me where to send the check so I can make sure that you enjoy all your rights?  After all – someone has to pay … for all this charity …

Cheers!

"Rights" are just something society give itself as a standard. We, as societies, communities, try and try to behave and find solutions for problems we cause. At the moment, there is no society where everybody is a winner. How do we integrate losers ? How do we help those who cannot help themselves – because there are uneducated, too old, crazy, or even maybe stupid.

Norvegian people for example have the highest ratio of kids finishing high school, at around 17, with all their grades : something like 98,8%, if I remember correctly.

Guess what ? They believe in the "right to education" for everyone and each one of their kids. And they do what they mean.

It’s not a copywriting issue, after all. You don’t have years of experience in politics, you don’t have years of experience trying to understand the causes of poverty, uneducation, crime, mental sickness.

Then, you have an excuse for having such a kneejerk opinion.

It’ll help us help more people – and will help us help YOU more.

Cheers!