I've decided to learn copywriting.

I have my reasons. They're personal, selfish, and probably severely misguided. But hey -- I'm enjoying myself!

Anyways...I feel like I'm lost in the woods without a compass. I keep hiking day-in-and-day-out...but I still have no idea where I am or where I'm going...!

In short...I need to get out of the woods, fast!

I have some ideas of what to do...

But I need some guidance/feedback...Or maybe just some attention! (I don't know which...but how can I know when I'm not getting either!?)

Right now my goal is to become adept at the "eight page sales letter" style....(The style used in most ebook sales pages)

Here's what I'm doing right now:

1. Reading copywriting books for several hours a day.
2. Copying classic/proven ads by hand. I'm also outlining them, and attempting to decipher the principles behind them. (Well, just one so far!)
3. I'm actually writing copy. Most of it is NOT being used...but I've found that writing, even if pretend, seems to help me learn.
4. I'm split testing ad-copy for an optin squeeze page. But I can't seem to beat my control. Bah.


Here's what I could use help with...And what I need to do... (I think!)

1. I need someone to mastermind with. Someone that will hold me accountable. Or even just bounce ideas around with. (I just moved to Seattle, by the way. I live in Fremont, just blocks from the statue of Lenin)
2. I need more proven ads that I can tear apart. I guess I could steal them from clickbank. (Hey, I might just have answered my own question!)...But any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.
3. I need to create a product, write a sales page, and put up a PPC campaign selling it. (Theoretically this could take only a weekend?)


What do you think?

(I'll be in my corner studying/working/hiking.)

Here's where you use clickbank...
sign up as an affiliate for an already existing product.
John

Once you're confident you know what you're doing, I would...

Do a per-performance job!

Make sure you have a sharp copy mind first. When you've got your mindset straight, go out and pick a project you feel has GOOD potential but is completely wasted in the copy department. Find something where you can really bring a huge improvement in the business. Make sure it's a business that is already making money, preferrably (of course) an internet business where you can easily measure your gains

Find a 'diamond in the rough' and give the impression you know what you're talking about. By now, you should. Get a reference if needed. Do a great job and agree for instance that you want 50% of the increased profits for a duration of 6 months after you're done rewriting and taguchi testing.

If you do this process right, you should be able to make GOOD money on your first job, as well as knowing for SURE whether you're on the right track of actually producing results, gauging potential and making money.

In probably the shortest time possible, you'll gain the no-B.S. confidence where you KNOW you can produce profits on your own volition.

All the best,
Erik