Colin’s Biggest Copywriting Career Worry
I fashioned myself a “brain bully” in university. A good number of times, I stood out as the smartest, loudest guy in the room and I loved it. I charge forward with sheer willpower. None of this flanking or circling the wagon (and certainly not diplomacy).
Suppressing this monster side of me drains me. But I know I need to. Soon, I will start talking to prospective copywriting clients live.
What if they just rub me the wrong way and I get medieval?
What if he plays hardball and tells me I charge too much? What if he really loves his brand logo and wants it a prominent piece on the ad? What if he wants direct response copy, but it takes three times to explain it to him?
A solution exists…
We practice it in Shaune Clarke’s Copywriting Client Marketing System.
I must warn you though. It’s embarrassing and awkward. Almost worse than the first time you made it to second base.
You may even have heard about it. (Hint: It starts with a “R.”)
You ready?
Role-playing.
It works. The problem? You need a partner.
Maybe you came from a healthy loving family, and they’re more than ready to support you with this sort of activity. For the rest of us, we’re probably too self-conscious to do it with our close relations.
In fact, at the end of the day, we might even feel closer with our copywriting kin.
So pick up the phone and call your copywriting buddies. Find someone open to some tit-for-tat role-playing.
One of you plays the role of a prospective copywriting client following up on a self-promotion. The other plays the cool, collected copywriter closing the deal (hopefully.)
Let’s say you’re up first to bat as the copywriter.
Encourage your buddy to grill you, attempt to faze you and generally act like a skeptical potential client.
After a few rounds of this, you reach a “flow state,” or what Shaune calls “fluid.” You handle objections with finesse. “Rejections” roll off your skin. And instead of turning tail on potential clients who need to “think about it,” you instead schedule a follow-up call aggressively.
If possible, tape the call. You’ll catch where you stumble. You’ll know where to focus on your sales pitch.
Yes, we all sound stupid on tape, but listening to your own voice adds too much value to this exercise for you to ignore it. I suggested it. I’ve done my part.
Now, switch roles. It’s your turn to be the difficult business owner. 
Let me know if you want to talk,
Colin Y.J. Chung | REALITYcopywriting.com
P.S. For more information on Shaune Clarke’s “Copywriting Client Marketing System” click here…
http://www.realitycopywriting.com/secretary-turned-copywriter/
P.P.S. Do you or did you role-play as a copywriter? Tell us about it. Please leave your thoughts in the comment box…
P.P.P.S. If you’re new to REALITYcopywriting.com please enter your name and email in the box on the upper right (or subscribe to our RSS Feed) to receive notification of all new e-columns.
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2 Responses to “Colin’s Biggest Copywriting Career Worry”
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November 8th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Hi John and Colin,
Keep up the good work. I like the email.
I am taking Shaune’s course and can see where it adds value to what I have planned.
I don’t have any copy buddies in my area and would enjoy chatting and doing a little role-playing. I know it works because I have done it so often in the past when I was training sales people.
Cheers,
Dan Beresford
February 8th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Hi Colin
So what is your biggest copywriting career worry?
You must keep that monster inside you, but learn to control it… to do your bidding when you need it. That monster inside you is your ticket to become the best you can be.
Regards
Larry Pelley