Direct Response Copywriter on Doing It Yourself
/If you're marketing a product or service, you may be tempted to write your own copy. As a direct response copywriter, I have worked with several clients who are copywriters -- or have written copy. The skill level varies from competent to excellent. Many superb copywriters get tired of writing direct response copy and so they "move up the ladder" into management or they enter a complementary field. For example, they start to sell information products or get on the speaking circuit. Or both.
These "former" or "retired" copywriters often hire direct response copywriters to write their copy. They might tweak the copy but, by hiring a copywriter, they save time so they can focus on their new business. Writing direct response copy -- depending on the product -- can, in fact should, take several days. The "former" copywriter will find a copywriter who can write in roughly the same style.
If you're somewhat new to direct marketing, you might feel the urge to write your own copy. The reasons: to save money or you simply want to try copywriting after reading a copywriting book or attending a seminar. As I have mentioned before in my blog, I have considered learning how to perform some basic plumbing tasks. The plumbing expert at my hardware store persuaded me to hire a plumber. My general experience with home improvement projects is what I call "the power of 3" which means the project will take/give:
- 3 times longer than anticipated
- 3 times more money than I planned
- 3 times the headache
I will complete the job but it will be unpleasant and not provide much in the way of satisfaction -- plus the work may be poor ... so poor that I may have to hire someone to come and fix my work.
The bottom line when it comes to writing your own copy is exactly that -- the bottom line. Ask yourself a couple of questions.
- How much do you want the copy to earn?
- If hiring a professional and experienced direct response copywriter doubles your conversion, how much will that be worth to you?
- Do you have the time to write copy? (Remember it will take you a long time to write long-form copy if you don't write long-form copy every day.)
The first question is the most important. If the copy must generate $100,000 in gross revenue, do you want to risk not getting the revenue by writing your own copy? A fee of around $5,000 now suddenly seems like a good investment -- especially when you test. Let's say your copy generates $25,000 in revenue but the professional copy generates $200,000 ... well ... ditto ... a fee of around $5,000 now suddenly seems like a good investment.
Look -- there's nothing wrong with writing your own copy. But the investment in a direct response copywriter will almost always pay off ... especially when you test.
I will blog next time about testing.
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I'm a direct response copywriter. I specialize in providing direct response copy for the direct marketing environment for clients around the planet. I specialize in sales page copy, landing page copy and copy that persuades readers to pull out their credit card and buy. Enter your info to the right for my free series: Seven Steps to High Converting Copy. Or contact me here if you have a project you'd like me to quote.
I'm also a Dan Kennedy Certified Copywriter for Info-Marketers.
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Disclaimer for the above.
The Dan Kennedy Copywriter for Info-Marketers Certification is awarded to professional copywriters who have successfully completed a course of study of preparation for such copywriting. This Certification has not been provided by an accredited education institution. It does not constitute endorsement of or liability for any individual copywriter by Mr. Kennedy or any companies or organizations affiliated with Mr. Kennedy. The client's relationship is solely with the individual copywriter retained via any agreement.
