A Basic Formula for Email Marketing

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“You can’t ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new.” — Steve Jobs

Over the past few months, we’ve talked about a lot of techniques you can use in your direct mail promotions. Today I want to focus a little more on how those principles apply to web writing and Internet marketing.

Many of the same techniques you use when writing direct mail also apply to your website copy, product launches, and email campaigns.

In many ways, email campaigns and product launches are extended sales letters. And since the costs of executing these types of campaigns online are so much lower than for a print mail campaign, you’ve got more time and ability to connect with the prospect more frequently.

For example, once you’ve announced that you’ve got a new product coming out, you’ll be able to begin using some different elements that aren’t afforded to you in a typical direct mail letter.

First, you’ll want to begin your campaign with a series of initial emails informing your prospect:

  1. That you’ve got a new product coming out (i.e., the big “announcement” you’re making) …

  2. How your new product is unique — in this message, you’ll explain why it’s going to bring immense value and benefit to your prospect’s life …

  3. Of the proof behind the benefits your new product delivers. Remember, any time you introduce a new benefit, you’ve got to give your prospect adequate reason to believe you.

Your initial emails will often follow this pattern. The difference between this and, say, the lift note process we talked about last week is that you’re often going to tease much more. Your goal at the beginning of a launch or other campaign is to build Read more »

Freelance Copywriting Opportunity

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Company: Creative Circle (Staffing Agency)
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Overview: Copywriter; Freelance

Description
A Philadelphia agency is seeking a senior level copywriter with solid short-form experience. You must be able to develop concepts and ideas and then carry them through to execution.

Requirements
You should have five years professional writing experience, preferably with some agency background.

Apply Now

Social Media Manager

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Company: Fareportal
Location: New York, New York
Overview: Social Media Manager; Full Time

Description
Use your social media expertise to guide strategies to build brand awareness, drive product development, generate traffic, and cultivate membership.

Requirements
You should have two years of social media experience that includes both blogging and working with social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Good managements skills, a passion for travel, and a working understanding of SEO are all advantageous.

Apply Now

3 Ways You Can Use Web Writing to Make More Money

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I often get emails from beginning copywriters asking me which path they should take to earn six-figures.

I chose web writing for my niche and I eagerly recommend it to any up-and-coming writer because it offers boundless opportunities.

As you’ve likely learned from Wealthy Web Writer, there are many ways to write for the Web, such as sales letters, landing pages, autoresponders, and web page copy.

But, you might be less familiar with other ways you can use those same web-writing skills to increase your income, gain recognition, or even break into new industries.

These are 3 of my favorite ways to make money writing for the Internet:

1. Writing articles for companies.

I’ve found one of the easiest ways to make a name online is to write articles for companies. There’s a never-ending need for quality content on the Internet. And the key word is quality. When Google made changes to how they rank websites (known as the Panda update), it increased the need for skilled copywriters.

Google decided it was going to reward only well-written articles with higher search engine rankings. Targeted articles, filled with useful information, now rank higher than throwaway articles just stuffed with keywords. That makes effective article writers more and more valuable.

Second, Google gives higher ranks to original work. Articles that are repeated different places won’t qualify like the original does. Think of all the websites that duplicate information instead of creating their own copy. Writers who provide a unique spin will improve Google rankings for the pages they write!

Clearly, articles are crucial to business owners. When they’re written properly, they can bring more visitors to a website and even help convince people to buy their products and services.

And, landing article-writing gigs is fairly easy. You Read more »

Motivate Yourself Now: When It’s Worth It To Slack Off

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Dear Web Writer,

Here’s something I’ve never written about before: Slacking off, and why you should do it.

Let’s face it — most of what we read is all about maximizing time and productivity.

But this time — just once — I want to talk about doing the opposite of that.

I touched on this last week in my blog about making the most of life as a freelancer.

Sometimes, it’s just tough to balance things. On one hand, we want the freedom and time to do what we want and simply relax.

But at the same time, we’re entrepreneurs by nature — driven by an inner compulsion to carve out an alternative lifestyle that caters to our interests. When opportunities surface, we zero in on them like a cat on a mouse.

And sometimes, that’s all we can think about. That, and the fact that each exciting project is an opportunity for mental stimulation that offers potential pay. What’s not to love?

A lot of things, as it turns out.

Many years ago, I watched a 20/20 episode about these strange new gadgets called “smartphones.” They profiled a self-made entrepreneur in California. If memory serves me, he ran two separate businesses. He was on his phone constantly and even checked his email during the interview (though I couldn’t help wondering if that was “for show”).

I thought the guy was a little nuts. After all, who can’t turn off his phone for an interview? For an evening? For a family dinner?

Fast-forward about a decade, and it’s apparent that a lot of people have a hard time unplugging from technology. I’m reminded of it every time I go to a restaurant and see parents and teens, noses buried in their phones, hardly looking at each other.

But here’s a Read more »

Roving Report: 5 Self-Promotion Techniques for Web Writers

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Now that you’re a web writer, how do you promote your business and your services without being boastful, self-serving, and feeling generally icky and uncomfortable?

Self-promotion doesn’t need to be any of those things, but unfortunately that’s what most of us think of when the topic of promoting ourselves comes up.

On April 17, Wealthy Web Writer Managing Editor Heather Robson spoke with a group of Wealthy Web Writers and made the point that when done properly, self-promotion is helpful, social, connecting, and — surprisingly — fun!

You can view the entire webinar HERE, and if you grab the slide show as well, you’ll find a bonus — live links on the slides will take you directly to relevant articles that will help you get even more comfortable with the idea of talking positively about yourself.

The Key to Successful Self-Promotion: Focus on What You Love!

Before you can successfully promote your freelance web-writing business, you need to create a focus. When you focus on what you love, you’ll see some immediate benefits.

That’s because, when you love what you do, you become naturally enthusiastic.

There are two kinds of enthusiasm, Heather explained, natural and forced.

Natural enthusiasm gets people excited. That’s the kind of infectious enthusiasm you communicate when you’re talking about something you love.

When you’re naturally enthusiastic, your sincerity shines through, you come across as confident, and your enthusiasm is contagious.

Forced enthusiasm, though, is a downer. It makes people feel uncomfortable, and you come across as insincere and insecure.

To create honest passion that motivates prospects to want to work with you, it’s vital that you find an area of web writing that gets you really excited.

There are endless possibilities.

Do you love wine? Then you’ll probably love researching and writing about Read more »

Sears Holdings Seeks Online Copywriter

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Company: Sears Holdings
Location: Elgin, Illinois
Overview: Online Copywriter; Freelance or Full Time

Description
Sears Holdings needs a talented online copywriter to help market the new Elgin photo studio. You’ll write web content in accordance with SEO best practices. You may also be called upon to write collateral materials, ecommerce, direct mail, and more.

Requirements
Your copy must be crafted to a high standard—attention to detail is a must. Four years of writing experience in a B2C environment is desired.

Apply Now

Part Time Pet Writing Opportunity

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Company: Pet360
Location: Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
Overview: Copywriter; Part Time

Description
An fast-moving pet-centered ecommerce company is seeking the services of a junior-level, part-time copywriter. You’ll create web content, promotional copy and more.

Requirements
You must be a strong writer with solid SEO skills. Be prepared to show your writing samples.

Apply Now