Sounds like a dumb question, right?

I thought I knew what it was until I found this board. My goal was to open up my own business that provides copy/writing to businesses that need web content, brochures, letters, etc. I figured that was "copywriting."

This board makes it seem like "copywriting" is a niche of "business writing" in general, that is more focused on these long copy sales letters that I see all over the internet. While I understand that these types of sales letters do produce results, as counter-intuitive as that seems to me, the way they sound and are written do not resonate with me personally. That is, I read one and immediately think SCAM. For this reason, I'm uncomfortable doing that type of "copywriting."

The type of writing I want to do is just regular, informative, and clear-cut copy for businesses trying to build a healthy professional image. I understand that sales and marketing are going to be a part of a lot of my projects, and I have no problem infusing those tactics into my copy. Just none of these over-the-top, 10 page long sales letters that use words like "suck", "drip", and "drag" when talking about profits about 424 times per letter.

Is there a market for regular business writing? Or is all the money and opportunity surrounding these sales letters that I'm mentioning.

I'm kinda rambling so I hope this post makes sense.

How's your brother, Uri? Nope, not a dumb question. A common misconception.

Copywriting is writing with the ultimate intent of pursuading the reader to take an action. This can be a purchase, an opt in, make a phone call, etc.

The long sales letters you refer to are simply one of many forms of copywriting. If you are uncomfortable doing that type of copywriting, and I'm not surprised that you are since you don't even know anything about it, than I suggest you don't do it. You would probably be uncomfortable cashing the 4 digit checks too.

Sure there is a market for it. The pay is about 1/10th to 1/1000th of what you get for writing the letters you despise. The market is wide open for you.

Rule #1: It's not about you

I'm a noob but I think I get that one.

If I'm going to make a career out of it, it certainly is about me.

I can find a lot of other ways to make money besides writing sales letters that don't interest me or intrigue me in any way.

Helping people build up their businesses and writing for business owners who aren't confident in their own skills is more along the lines of what would be fulfilling for me.

BuddyT,

While I agree with you in principle -- in that the copy is about what the client wants, not what we want -- Josh is specifically asking for something else entirely. He's talking about the career, not the form.

Josh,

I agree with you. You want to do something you feel comfortable with, and that's commendable. In fact, the copy you do end up doing will be something you're proud of, and your passion will exude in your work -- and, in turn, your clients will be happy with the passion and zeal you will, in turn, give them.

There is definitely a great difference between direct response copy and non-response copy -- such as ad agency copy, branding-based copy or technical writing, like brochures, newsletters, articles, manuals, etc.

The direct response industry is definitely far more lucrative. And no, it doesn't have to be long-copy salesletters, either. But then again, writing the copy of non-response-driven copy can be a lucrative career, too.

Granted, it's a lot less profitable than the sales- or response-driven form, but it's what makes you happy that counts. And I totally agree with you.

Direct response copywriters must, to a certain degree, prostitute themselves to write not only for the client but also the client's client. It's really hard, and requires skill -- as well as determination. You have to please your client (who may not be in alignment with your goals, let alone his own clients' goals), as well as his clients, too.

But what about pleasing yourself? I think what attracts me to the copywriting industry is that I love to sell. And it allows me to make a lot of money as a byproduct. But what drove me to it in the first place is definitely the fact that it's fun.

The moment copywriting, to me, becomes work, I'd quit. (I have in the past, for instance.)

So do what you love to do. Or love what you do. There are plenty of opportunities in copy outside the direct response field. And you don't need to be in salesletter copywriting to be in direct response, either.

(And don't forget, the salesletter, long-copy industry is also tarred by "used car salesman" copywriters who have given it a bad name, and it's a shame. It doesn't need to be that way, and salesletters don't all have to be about hype, hard-hitting sales tactics and the like.)

I wish you the very best!

I guess. To me it's like going to a swimming coach and saying I don't want to get wet.

Thanks for the great response Michel.

I'm willing to sacrifice the big paychecks, at least initially, to find more fulfilling work. Like nebulousX mentioned, I don't really know too much about the long-copy letters, so I'm sure that has a big impact on my perception of them.

But for now, I'm going to stick with non-response copy until I get my feet wet in the industry.

Josh,

I think your perception will change when you read better copy. There are plenty of scammy longcopy letters out there. But you also come across some with heart and message, as well as image (which seems to be what appeals to you). All long copy isn't hard hitting. And it's certainly not all scammy.

Watch an infomercial for a good product (not just all the crap). That's another form of longcopy that pushes all the buttons to sell, but doesn't scam.

Some well known charities use longcopy. Remember the "Feed the children" infomercial? Longcopy.

I think you're right. I haven't really developed an eye for good long copy yet.

Like I said, a lot of it seems very counter-intuitive. But I won't dismiss its ability to generate revenue. There are clearly a lot of writers out there making a living writing these types of sales letters.

Josh, you can make a very lucrative living as a copywriter without writing direct response copy at all. The direct response long sales letters you see are such a teeny, tiny little slice of the entire copywriting pie. While direct response may have the most potential for celebrity-level income, that doesn't mean that you'll starve if you write copy in other niches.

There's plenty of work to be had in writing marcomm, B2B, etc, and many many copywriters make a high income without ever writing direct response. Go grab yourself a copy of "Start and Run a Copywriting Business" (2nd edition) by Steve Slaunwhite. Steve writes mostly B2B copy, and makes a very handsome living for himself by it. While you're at the bookstore, get Peter Bowerman's two books, "The Well-Fed Writer" and "The Well-Fed Writer: Back for Seconds." With no writing experience, Bowerman hit a six-figure income within just a year or two of launching his copywriting business. I know Steve and Peter personally, and they are the real deal - nice, ordinary human beings who learned to market their copywriting services effectively and are kind enough to share their experiences with us.