Category Archives: copywriting

5 ways to stop attracting people without money.

Published September 17, 2013

Narrow your focus + take-on people you love working with.

One of the biggest issues that people come to work with me around is that they are attracting a mixed group of people.

They’ve got some really great clients. And they’ve got some clients who complain about their rates, don’t pay on time, and generally drag their feet on actually doing the work… while asking for more time than they actually pay for.

This whole phenomenon shows up massively in your message. Which means that the message you’re “putting out there” is actually attracting these sorts of not-so-great clients to you.

This is why I’m over here picketing for all … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to write

Why fear, pain, and insecurities won’t win you ideal clients.

Published September 10, 2013

Bridge those troubled waters will words that attract your ideal client.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about people with money.

And it’s sparked a lively conversation.

Especially among business owners who have been doing this awhile.

Business owners often come to me after several years, where they’ve been relatively successful… but then they seem to hit a road block.

Typically, it’s that they’ve been really successful at winning business through referrals and word-of-mouth.

And then they want to get in on the whole world of online marketing.

So they start to study. To figure out how it works.

And one of the first things they come across … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to write, Uncategorized

Are you looking for a short cut?

Published September 3, 2013

There's no such thing as a short-cut in a relationship.

“Do I have to write a regular newsletter, Stella?”

Great question – because it’s highlighting a paradox I’m seeing out there.

But first, a story.

When I was in my twenties, I led a bike trip across the U.S. with 12 high school students. I’ve always been into adventure, and I love riding bikes. So what’s not to love about riding 3,000 miles across a continent with 40 pounds of gear in your panniers?

(Side benefit: you need a lot of calories to sustain biking all day. I was a fiend for Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream pies, peanut butter, and … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to write

The language of people with money.

Published August 27, 2013

You don't have to do this to see the results you want in business.

“No matter what I write, I can’t seem to attract people who pay me well.”

So you mess around with what’s on your website.

You fantasize about hiring a copywriter like me to write your copy for you.

You tinker with what you do and who it’s for.

Like a contortionist, you bend. You twist. You balance.

What the heck is going on? Do you really have to change yourself to get great clients?

One of the biggest issues I help clients handle is the fact that they are writing to the wrong people. Typically, they have been writing to … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to write

Want a list that buys? Give them this.

Published August 20, 2013

Get ready to light up the world.

You are on fire!
You are moving full steam ahead.
You are selling your wares online like hotcakes, and making it look easy.

People watch you to see what you do next.
Folks in your field opt-in to your list to see what’s trending.
Clients-to-be read your stuff for months (or even years) and send you emails saying they are finally ready to work with you (and you’ve never even met them yet!).

That’s the vision.

That’s the promise.

That’s the dream.

Now… what sexy fancy moves do you have to pull to make that a reality, you ask?

Commit

… Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to write

When they say “I can’t afford it.”

Published July 30, 2013

Head up river to find your source.

The more I travel this path, the more one thing becomes clear:

You (yah, you reading this) are a powerful badass with the ability to make a real difference.

But as I talk with business owners, they often share with me that they are having trouble attracting clients who pay them well.

“I’d do what I do for free on the street corner,” one of my VIP day clients recently told me.

She loves what she does that much.

But in declaring that… that’s what has been happening to her.

People won’t pay her.

She’s been willing to do what … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to write

Two heads are better than one

Published July 23, 2013

Two heads are better than one - velvet ropes not required.

When I was starting out in business, I used to call my initial sessions “Two Heads Are Better Than One” sessions.

Because I believed in the power of collaboration.

Still do.

About a year into my adventures as a business owner, I listened to a free call about something I’d never heard of.

VIP Days.

First off, I hated the name. VIP. How goofy was that? It conjured up images of velvet ropes, bottle service, and choice parking spots.

Sounded rather elitist.

The concept was simple – spend several hours with a coach, working in depth on a project. Getting … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to write

The two things that keep you in business.

Published July 16, 2013

Bueller, Bueller, Bueller - put yourself out there, even if you think no one is listening.

Lean in, chickadee.

Mama’s gotta bone to pick.

I’m talking to too many business owners who want their stuff to look a certain way.

And that way is perfect.

Exquisitely designed.

Fully expressed.

And written in a way that would make the angels sing as coins rain down from heaven.

What I am about to tell you may shock ya.

But we’ve got to get two things straight.

First of all, writing isn’t what wins you business.

Sales is.

Yes, you see me having fun over here. But do you think I dance around in m office all day, coming … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to write

Are you that person you hate?

Published June 25, 2013

Get connected - flip the switch from "oh no" to "heck yeah".

Ever met a crappy salesperson?

I just met one last night, at a national massage chain that shall remain nameless.

She sat me down on the couch and reviewed my paperwork.

“So, why are you here?”

I fell off my bike last week onto my arm, and every muscle in my body is now whining.

“Do you feel like that even when you haven’t had an accident?”

No. I’m an athlete. I move around a lot. I usually feel good.

“Ah, but then you need massage even more.”

Oh, brother. Here we go…

[insert generic sales spiel here. Capped off … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to write

How to write a sales email

Published June 18, 2013

Sales emails don't have to be ooky.

We were wrapping up work in the Writing Brigade last week and one of the Brigadiers — a woman building a half-million dollar business… with plans for a cool million in 3 years – copped to the fact that she’d never really TRIED to write a sales email before.