The Numbers Behind Making 100K as a Freelancer In a Year

 

Boy, how sweet would this be, right? Well, to be completely honest with you, it’s not all that far outside the realm of possibility. In fact, it’s not outside of it at all—it’s totally doable. 

Many copywriters—regardless of experience, mind you—are able to bring in well over $100,000 in any given year. Yes, they’re hardworking writers, but many of them are only as skilled, if not less skilled, as you and me.

Make Earning Money a Focus

So, what sort of black magic are all top-tier copywriters working with that you’re missing out on? Well, for starters, they understand the concrete numbers behind making $100,000 an annual occurrence. 

If you’re going to pull this kind of coin on a regular basis, the first thing you need to do is make money a real focus. 

Now, this doesn’t mean that your wife and children need to wander the streets both naked and afraid while you trap yourself in your home office, slaving away at project after project. But, you will need to understand the numeric stepping stones that lead to making awesome money.

The Numbers

For starters, don’t focus on the totality of the year; instead, look at what sum of cash is to be made each and every day. Assuming you work 8-hour days, 5 days a week for 50 weeks, this means you’ll have to nab roughly $400 a day.

Seems fairly doable, right?

Basic math provides more detail: if $400 are to be made each week, by the end of said week, you’ll need to have brought in $2,000.

Save yourself the headache—that’s 9,000 bones come the end of the month. Simply put, to ensure this happens, dedicate your time only to the kinds of projects that pay the most money.

Proofreading and article generation are great projects, but you’ll need to focus on ghostwriting e-books, fundraising letters, speeches, annual reports and web copy if you’re to ensure this comes about.

Lastly, remember that you’re not going to make $400 every day. The work of a freelance copywriter is sporadic and involves activities other than writing. 

Realistically, maybe you’ll need to take a day or two to promote yourself and do a bit of digital marketing.

You’re the One In Charge

Just remember the specifics of what needs to take place on a more micro scale and hold yourself accountable. If you spend two days networking and bringing new projects onboard, that third day, your earnings should total $1,200. 

Conduct every work-related activity with this in mind. Though more money can always be made, time is your most precious commodity and can’t be taken for granted.

Alright, I’ve presented my findings—what do you think? With the numbers in place, is it really possible for mediocre copywriters to bring in six figures in one calendar year? Voice your take on the matter in the comments section below.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

Grunt Work: How to Write 10,000 Words In a Day

 

As of 2013, there were 7.13 billion people on earth. Flip on the news and you’ll see many of them doing completely idiotic things. Even worse, much of this is voluntarily done. 

Seriously, next time ESPN is hosting either the Winter or Summer X Games, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. 

Sure, motocross racers, skateboarders and BMX bikers lead extreme lives, but my guess is that few of them have ever done what us bloggers would toss into our very own “extreme” category: write 10,000 words in one day. 

I did this once myself—emphasis on the word once. It took a great deal out of me.

I mean, as far as normal writing is concerned, I did the math a couple of months ago and, as a copywriter by trade, I average anywhere between 4,000 and 5,000 words a day. 

Honestly, as a freakishly hyperactive human, it doesn’t seem like all that much. That said, when it’s time to close up shop, I’m dead tired and ready for some real rest and relaxation.

So, when I busted out 10,000 words, I wasn’t all that surprised by how much the activity took out of me. Anyone can do it, but it’s substantially harder than what you’re thinking.

Whatever the case, if this sounds like something you’re interested in, I’d be happy to share with you the very tidbits that helped push me until I’d successfully finished “The 10,000-Word Challenge.” 

That’s not an official title or anything, but it sure sounds impressive, huh? Anyway, here’s what you should do if you feel like downing this editorial giant:

Work With a Schedule

If you plan to belt out a disgusting number of words in one 24-hour period, don’t think it’ll be one of those things you do after your evening shower and before sliding into bed. 

No, it’s going to take more time than that.

This isn’t a one or two hour ordeal; moreover, it’s something that you’re going to need to plan out and—here’s the hard part—execute.

If you’re a full-time copywriter, blogger or journalist, this isn’t all that hard to do. You write for a living. If this is your situation, by simply upping your level of production, you can make this happen. 

On the flip side of things, however, if you’re a part-time writer or simply do this sort of thing for fun, it’s going to to take a “sick day” or weekend to make this happen. 

Basically, as long as there’s plenty of time and a plan in place, you’ve won half the battle.

The Tortoise Still Wins the Race

Writing 10,000 words isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Yes, the whole “Tortoise and Hair” narrative is painfully overused, but it works here. 

You’re going to be writing 10,000 words and—more than likely—much of what you produce won’t be your best work, but it doesn’t have to be your worst either, right? 

Think about it—there’s an ever-present dichotomy in the world of copywriting. If you write too quickly, you’re not focusing enough on quality. 

Conversely, if you focus too much on quality, you’re missing out on thousands of dollars each month due to your lack of pace. 

The real solution? Write both quickly and beautifully. You can have both. Nobody’s saying you can’t.

Needless to say, the “slow and steady” method not only helps you create awesome content in a calm and collected manner en route to 10,000 words, it prevents you from linking your name to complete and total garbage.

Eliminate Distractions While Writing

Think you’re immune to the ever-present pull of distractions? I’ve written entire pieces on this before, but it’s especially huge when tackling 10,000 words. 

You might be good, but come 6,000 or 7,000 words, you will most assuredly feel the urgent need to respond to that Facebook message you’d forgotten about from a second cousin of yours over three weeks ago. 

I’ve been there. It’s rough. 

This goes back to the whole scheduling thing. When it’s time to write, it’s time to write. When it’s time for a break, it’s time for a break. Save the email, smartphone, snacking and even trips to the restroom for those built-in moments for clearing your thoughts. 

Otherwise, you need to be at your computer working on the next project.

Commit Mentally

You’re not a professional cyclist or marathon runner, so don’t start acting like one. 

Yet, one of an anaerobic athlete’s greatest weapons comes not only from the strength of his or her physical muscles, but from raw mental tenacity. 

As the day wears on, you’ll need to call upon the powers of your brain to keep your fingers flying. 

I’m no motivational speaker, so I’m not entirely certain as to what needs to be done to keep you churning in these moments of difficulty, all I can say is that you need to be prepared to face them and overcome them on your own. 

The upside of this, however, is that when you have finally typed your last word, you’ll officially be able to say that you’ve joined the 10,000 word club.

Before signing off, let’s focus on you for a minute—have you ever managed to dominate 10,000 typed words in a single day? If not, what’s your max? Also, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s your average? 

So as to better give Echelon’s readers a better idea of what can be done in a single day, please post your answers in the comments section below.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

3 Rock Solid Tips for Writing Faster

 

It makes sense, right? 

As a copywriter, the faster you write, the more money you’ll be able to make. 

While I’ve always been an advocate for getting beyond copywriting and actually showing that you’re a real person outside of the office, this is a truth that can’t be avoided—the wealthiest of copywriters not only love to work, they love to work quickly. 

That said, let’s say you’re a slow writer. There’s nothing innately wrong with that, but it does mean you’ll be at an immediate disadvantage when it comes to making money. 

So, can you learn to write faster, or is it one of those things you’re born with? Trust me, you can learn to write at an alarming rate. 

Though I’m by no means the fastest writer on the face of the earth, here are three methods that have yet to have failed me when looking to produce as much copy as humanly possible:

1) Move On Before Having Finished Anything

Almost seems like this would be worse for efficiency, doesn’t it? That might be the case for some, but I’ve seen completely different results. 

Writers aren’t perfect people. We’re not geniuses. Heck, most of us probably weren’t smart enough to get into med school or made the mistake of majoring in English—so, here we are. 

Whatever the case, our brains tend to bog down sometimes. Instead of getting distracted and doing a bit of “research” on Facebook to get the ol’ mental wheels turning again, simply move onto another project. 

A few weeks back, I read a piece by Robert Bly (I’m a disciple of his) who said that he’s always working on at least half a dozen projects at one time. When he encounters some writer’s block with one, he simply minimizes the project on his desktop and moves onto another one. 

If you’re fingers are moving, you’re making money. When they’re not, you’re just an unemployed person with a really sweet computer.

Needless to say, keep typing.

2) Don’t Allow Yourself to Fixate On Wording

I used to be awful with this and still, from time to time, find my real inner OCD coming out. 

As of January 1, 2014, the Global Language Monitor estimated that there are upwards of 1,025,109.8 words in the English language. How that decimal got in there, I’ll never know, but that’s the result my Google search yielded and I’m sticking to it.

Anyway, the point is this—there are thousands of ways to express one singular idea. Odds are high that, regardless of how experienced you are, you’re not going to pinpoint the perfect method. 

Keep writing. 

Doesn’t feel right? Doesn’t sound quite the way you’d wanted it to in your head? Keep on keepin’ on and see where you’re writing takes you. 

At the end of a piece, you’ll just go back and fix things anyway. Don’t sweat the small stuff. I get that this is easier said than done, but loosen up a little, will ya? 

If you can manage to do that, you’ll see your editorial pace increase in no time at all.

3) Treat Your Copy as If It Were Intended for a Friend

Have you ever sent a lengthy email or—heck, I can’t believe I’m going to say this—text message to a close friend or relative? That was me channelling my inner 12-year-old girl, by the way.

My guess is that it took you all of 5 seconds to figure out what you were going to say, even if you were talking about something that was difficult to put into words. 

You didn’t think, you just spoke.

Well, seeing as how I make my living as the Master of the “Write Like You Talk” methodology, there should’t really be much of a difference between the ease with which you speak and the way you write. 

I mean, they’re kind of one and the same, if you think about it. After all, it’s coming from your brain. 

Furthermore, I understand that this method might not work for each and every industry you’re covering, but regardless of tone or level of professionalism, this can still produce great results. 

In fact, it was the Ninja Turtle wannabe Leonardo Da Vinci who once famously said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” 

Come the start of your next copywriting project, make the conscious effort to write simply, yet persuasively. If done correctly, your production level will most assuredly increase.

Now it’s your turn—how are you writing at lightning speed? What’s worked for you in the past and continues to work for you today? As always, share you best copywriting secrets in the comments section below.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

3 Simple Ways to Remain Laser-Focused as a Professional Copywriter

 

Distraction is a forced to be reckoned with. From Sunday school and college classes to workplace meetings and Tyler Perry movies, becoming distracted is one of those things you’ve got to work hard to avoid. 

Even worse, at least as far as copywriters are concerned, they not only spend the majority of the day at a desk in one of those super comfortable swivel chairs, but they’re doing what most would consider one of the most mind-numbing activities known to man: writing.

Yup, though the activity is one of the most mentally taxing, after you’ve been doing it for long enough, projects start to run together. 

Because of this, the big money grab comes from producing as much as possible, as quickly as possible—all this while ensuring that jaw-dropping copy for clients is all that comes from your fingertips. 

Needless to say, distraction is probably the biggest obstacle for many copywriters to overcome. Rest assured, if this is something you’ve had to deal with during your career, there are means through which this challenge can be defeated.

Seriously, run a simple Google search and you’ll see articles touting that they’ve found 150 of ‘em. Yeah, those might work for some people, but I think I’ve found the three most effective. 

Here’s what I’m working with:

1) Begin Working Earlier In the Morning

If it’s good enough for Bob Bly, it should be good enough for both you and me, don’t you think? I’ve always been a bit of a morning person, but even if you’re not, the early morning hours are easily the most effective for getting some real work done.

Think about it—if you’re working at five o’clock in the morning, what is the rest of America doing? Sleeping. 

So, not only have you eliminated much of your copywriting competition (you’re such a hard worker), but you’ve liberated yourself from a mountain of distractions. Only, these distractions can’t ever be entirely done away with unless you’re super messed up—other people. 

Be they clients, family members or friends, as the sun starts to come up and the day wears on, a host of people—many of which you’ll need to drop everything you’re doing to speak with—will undoubtedly reach out and unknowingly prevent you from making money. 

Simply put, the earlier you get up, the more likely you are to work as you please. There’s nothing sweeter than this.

2) Put Aside Your Smartphone and Gmail Account

Floyd Mayweather could literally be doing battle a second time round with Manny Pacquiao right next to my desk and it wouldn’t keep me form working as smoothly as having my smartphone and Gmail account near me. 

Man, those things—though a massive blessing—are often such a hindrance. I get that it can be hard to turn them off completely. 

Believe me, I totally get it. 

But, if you can manage to work two or three hours a day with your smartphone turned completely off—silent mode doesn’t count, by the way—and your Gmail account closed and out of site, you give yourself that much more time to make money producing awesome web or traditional copy. 

Once your daily distraction fast is complete, turn your smartphone back on and open up Gmail to respond to the hundreds of emails that are now waiting for you.

3) Set Mini Motivational Goals Throughout the Day

This is huge for me. Listen, I love both copywriting and making money. That said, what I don’t like is this mentality that if you’re not writing, you’re sinning. 

Copywriters are people too, ya know! 

They have skills and hobbies that have little or nothing to do with writing. Some of these things can even be done during the work day. 

For example, I love to run. I’m no olympic runner or anything, but for me, it’s relaxing and a great way to get me out of the office and outdoors. Plus, it keeps me feeling great. By so doing, when it’s time to get back to writing, I’m relaxed and substantially less restless.

Now, what does running have to do with avoiding distraction? 

At the beginning of the day, if the weather is nice and I feel like a run, I’ll tell myself that there can be no run until I’ve written at least 5,000 words. 

This method requires a great deal of self-discipline, but can be extremely useful if you’re true to it. Maybe it’s watching a sitcom, playing with your kids or heading out for a quick lunch with your wife—whatever the case, make it a point to set small tasks that must be taken care of before getting to what you really want to do. 

This is gold.

Hey, this is a small list—I get it. Surely, something else has helped keep you working as efficiently as possible, while minimizing interruptions. Don’t keep these tricks of the trade a secret! Please, if you’ve got the time, jot down of few of them in the comments section below.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

 

 

 

How to Quickly and Effectively Delve Into Different Content Niches as a Copywriter

 

Journalists write articles. Authors write books. Screenwriters write screenplays. And copywriters? Well, they do a bit of everything, to be honest. That’s one of the greatest things about copywriting.

While the thought of sitting in a chair and typing all day at a desk might be enough to cause bored high school students to gouge their own eyes out with a hot fire iron, copywriters find joy in doing just that. 

It’s a weird feeling, but it’s a blast.

Copywriters Sometimes Need a Change of Pace

Listen, I’m not saying that copywriters don’t get tired of writing, it’s just that for them, it’s more of a passion than anything else. How can this be? Yeah, they’re good at it, so it’s more enjoyable, but there’s something to be said for the numerous types of copy that they tackle on a daily basis. 

This helps mix things up a bit. 

So, what should be done if you’re a copywriter who’s specialty is found in article generation and blogging and you’re looking to branch out and expand your editorial skill set? Whatever you do, don’t fret. 

In fact, this isn’t all that hard at all.

How to Branch Out With Your Copywriting Projects

If you can write well, you’re well-equipped to expand your various production niches. To make this happen, and get paid while you’re doing it, it’s best to find yourself some entry-level work on any one of the Internet’s best freelancer website. 

While sites like Toptal are great for nabbing work, honestly, the competition might be a bit advanced for someone who’s looking to try out something new. Instead, opt for sites like Upwork or Freelancer to get things started. 

Just for the sake of an example, let’s say that you’re looking to get into the production of email marketing campaigns and, after looking for some low-lying work on Upwork, you finally win a gig producing a series of emails for a small business.

More than likely, you’ll be a bit nervous. Sure, you’re working with a smaller client and there’s not much pressure on the line, but—as a good copywriter—you don’t make a point of disappointing paying customers.

How to Learn to Produce New and Exciting Content Types

Here’s the secret—are you ready? 

The solution to this problem is found in a painfully simple way: Google. 

Yup, the very method you need to expand your circle of influence as a copywriter is the same as the one you’d use to find out whether or not babies are born without kneecaps. 

Continuing with the example we’ve already established, if in need of some real help, simply google something along the lines of “how to write a marketing email.” 

Generally speaking, there’s a template for most copy types—marketing emails are no different. 

Read through some examples and find a few you like. Read through them four or five times and, honing in on what you’ve been asked to do by your client, follow the same outline as the examples you’ve chosen to work with. 

This isn’t plagiarism or anything similar, it’s being smart and expanding your copywriting abilities. If in fact you really know how to write well, while somewhat uncomfortable, the end product should satisfy exactly what you’re client was wanting all along.

Practice Until You’re Ready for Some Big-Money Projects

As is the case with just about anything in life, practice makes perfect. Continue to work smaller, more basic jobs and, in time, the portfolio samples you’ll have accumulated will be well worth the horrible money you made churning them out. 

The best part? 

This doesn’t only work with email marketing, it can also do wonders for brochure writing, sales letters, landing pages and a host of other content types. 

Ya see, copywriting—though a worthwhile skill in its own right—isn’t rocket science. The tricks of the trade are always changing, but the psychology behind all of it isn’t. 

It’s public knowledge, and because it’s public knowledge, it’s easy to find. Do your due diligence and you can write just about anything and make money doing it.

What do you think? Is there more to it than just hopping on Google and doing a few quick searches for copywriting expertise? Whatever your take on the matter, make your thoughts and feelings known in the comments section below.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

4 of the Most Effective Ways to Repurpose Blog Content

 

Hey, if recycling is important for the environment, it should be just as important for your old blog posts, right? Well, not so much, but you get the idea. 

Simply put, there’s a better use for old blog content than to just sit in a dark, clammy corner of the World Wide Web. 

Dust off those blog posts of yours and repurpose them. Seriously, it’s not a hard thing to do and the resurgence in driven traffic you’re certain to see will make the small sacrifice a worthwhile one. 

Still a bit lost? The following four ways are some of the most efficient for reusing old blog material:

Transform Old Blog Posts Into Guides and E-Books

Any booming site worth its proverbial salt makes a point of selling something. That way, there’s yet another source of income for their owners, in addition to any offered professional services. 

More often than not, digital guides and e-books are what they’re pushing.

If you don’t have the time to sit down and hammer out a 30-page e-book on something you’re passionate about, reorganize some of your old blog posts into something worth offering valued customers. 

Charge a few bucks and—voila! You’ve got a bit of extra money for Disneyland in your pocket and an ever-expanding email list. Pretty sweet gig, if you ask me.

Internal Blog Data Can Make for a Nice Case Study

You can hop on SurveyMonkey and pay $100 to collect new data for a personalized case study, or you can revert back to data you’d collected a few months prior for a blog post.

Using the same data, produce an awesome case study with a new spin on things. 

However, just a word to the wise—seeing as how the communicative fields of copywriting, content marketing, social media management and digital public relations are constantly changing, make certain your data is still relevant to what’s going on.

Otherwise, you might come off as a bit out of touch.

Whip Up a Slideshare Presentation From Old Entries

If you thought infographics were awesome, you’ve clearly never flipped through a slideshare presentation. 

These days, most content comes in the form of some sort of quantitative list. Because of this, transferring a blog post to a sleek slideshare presentation is fairly easy.

Though you might need the help of a graphic designer to make this an aesthetically appealing project, if you can get one, it’ll be well worth the extra effort on your part.

Q&A Sites With Meaningful Backlinks

No, Yahoo Answers isn’t only the biggest trailer park [seriously, check this out if you haven’t already done so] on the Internet; it’s also a great place to push links. 

The whole point of content marketing is to interact with the masses, all while providing valuable information, right? What better place to do just that than on a Q&A site. 

Though Yahoo Answers has been around for quite some time, the best place to repurpose blog content on a Q&A site is currently Quora. Quora has an incredible community of users from all over the world who are passionate about everything you could ever imagine.

Obviously, this is by no means a comprehensive list of ways to repurpose content. In reality, these are just a few of the methods I’ve used throughout my career to squeeze as much life out of each and every blog post as is humanly possible.

Now the time is yours—what methods do you use to repurpose old blog content? If you’ve yet to have commented on a blog post of mine, take this opportunity to get involved for the first time. Rest assured, all comments will be met with a prompt response.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

Why Being Obsessive-Compulsive Is a Blessing In Disguise for Copywriters

 

So you like to organize the content of your desk by color and size—what’s the big deal, right? If this is a question you’ve asked yourself before, there’s a good chance that you’re one of those obsessive-compulsive types. 

No worries—this is a judgement free zone. Honestly, I’m one of those OCD people. In fact, the aforementioned example is a question I ask myself every day at work as I pull all of my folders, spiral notebooks [yes, I still use these] and pens from my briefcase [backpack]. 

However, in spite of what my mother says, as a copywriter, I’m not fully convinced that being OCD is such a bad thing. 

Granted, there’s plenty of downside with being a bit paranoid about tedious things, but when you spend the totality of just about each and every day writing on a laptop computer, being obsessive-compulsive could even potentially be seen as a benefit. 

Think I’m crazy? Not as much as you’d think. Here’s why:

Ensuring Editorial Flow

This is probably one of my biggest nit-picks as a writer. I simply can’t accept writing that sounds choppy. Now this isn’t to say that I don’t believe in shorter sentences, because I totally do. 

Heck, I like to tout myself as the guy who constantly preaches, “Write like you talk,” so I should be somewhat skilled in this. 

Anyway, I’m getting away from what really matters here—obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD people refuse to leave a sentence alone until it sounds absolutely perfect. 

Yes, speed is an important part of making real money as a copywriter, but if you can write quickly, succinctly and with that realistic style with which people speak, you’re sitting pretty.

OCD copywriters, though possibly not as talented as other professionals, will work until they get it right. Simply put, paying customers love this. Who can blame them?

Knocking Grammar Out of the Park

We all saw this one coming, didn’t we? Perfectionists are almost always grammar Nazis. Yup, in my opinion, that stereotype is spot-on. 

Truthfully, while negative in certain circumstances, it’s also a very positive thing for a copywriter. Grammatical perfection leads to happy clients and reoccurring work.

How convenient is all of this for me? I mean seriously, I start off this piece by claiming to be OCD and then proceed to talk about how being OCD makes you a better, more detail-oriented writer. 

Now, before you go back and start searching for all of this piece’s grammatical mistakes, please know that I’m by no means a perfect copywriter. Whether it be a blog post, web copy project or email marketing campaign, I’m no stranger to mistakes. 

That said, generally speaking, OCD writers would rather part ways with a limb before submitting something with a single grammar mistake. While admirable, this is my personal blog and I don’t have the time or energy to stress about it. 

I enjoy it too much. Go ahead and hunt for the misplaced comma or incorrectly used semicolon. I’m certain you’ll find it.

Coming Through In the Clutch for Clients

As a copywriter, the best way to win an ongoing relationship with a client is to come through in the clutch for him or her. 

This might mean going above and beyond what was originally asked of you, doing a bit of extra editing to make certain a project exceeds expectations or staying up until the wee hours of the morning to finish an assignment. 

For OCD writers, this is never an issue, because they’re incapable of resting until everything is exactly how it should be. See what I mean? A true blessing in disguise.

Seeing as how there’s a good chance you’re either a full-time copywriter or spend a good portion of your day writing, what’s your take on the matter? 

Could great copywriting really be the byproduct of obsessive-compulsive tendencies? Voice your opinion in the comments section below.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

Put the Pen Down: a Copywriter’s 4 Biggest Beginner Mistakes

 

It doesn’t matter if it’s sewing, croquet, Chinese checkers or lacrosse—when it comes time to learning a new skill, mistakes are going to be made.

Random examples aside, the same applies to the art of copywriting. Believe it or not, you’re human, and when you’re producing copy, you’re going to make mistakes. 

It just so happens that when you’re new to a specific content type or even to the industry as a whole, the mistakes you make are going to occur at a higher frequency. 

The best way to overcome them? Identification. 

If you’re new to copywriting, the following are four of the most common mistakes you’re probably going to make. 

1) Atrocious Headlines

This is so basic, but so hard to do. That said, it’s a skill that needs to be learned because it’s one of a copywriters most important tools. 

In fact, said David Ogilvy, The Father of Advertising, “On the average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy. When you have written your headline, you have spent eighty cents out of your dollar.” 

Learn to write headlines that give people a reason to read the first sentence of the first paragraph. If you can do that on a regular basis, you’ll already be ahead of many experienced copywriters.

2) Bypassing On a Call-to-Action

What good is copy if it doesn’t bring about some sort of sales action? Now, that said, I’m not insisting that a CTA be overly aggressive or sales-driven, but it should at least be present within a piece. 

Providing more information on the value of a CTA is Paul Cheney of Marketing Experiments, saying, “It’s not about the action itself, it’s about the value they’re going to get as a result of taking that action. Getting that right in your CTA can give you dramatic lifts with very little effort.”

Sound a bit tricky? 

No need to worry. Understanding will come in time. For now, just know that it’s your job to always include some sort of CTA—no matter how big or small.

3) Saying Too Much or Too Little

Copywriters are either long-winded or too succinct. The goal is to find that ever-elusive balance. 

As far as I’m concerned, I tend to say more than I should. That said, when I try and fix things, I often take it to the opposing extreme. Though I already have a couple of years of copywriting experience under my belt, I continue to struggle with this.

While you might be an outlier, chances are high that you’ll need some experience to understand where a reader is in the buying process. 

Yes, piece type and industry play a part in this, but that’s where experience comes into play. When you’re just starting your copywriting career, you wont’ have much of it. 

Hang in there. It’ll come.

4) Unfitting Tone

Depending on the setting, this can actually pretty funny, even if your client struggles to find humor in the situation.

Think about it—you wouldn’t speak to a full-grown adult like an infant, would you? Well, when a new copywriter is faced with writing for a client whose industry he or she knows very little about, oftentimes the subtle nuances of an audience’s preferred editorial tone are overlooked.

The result? Awkward reading.

To avoid this, take an extra half-hour or so to read up on other industry-specific publications. This will prevent you from sounding naive or ignorant.

Try as you might, at one point or another, you’re going to fall flat on your face. Copywriting isn’t for the faint of heart. 

Because of this, when you make a mistake, it’s key that you dust yourself off and get back to work. Soon enough, you’ll have a firm grip on things.

Now, let’s see what you have to say about the life of a new copywriter. You seasoned copywriters, how were you able to deal with each of the aforementioned obstacles? What other challenges weren’t mentioned here that should’ve been? 

For those who are currently just getting started, what have you noticed about the experience? Take to Twitter and tweet your thoughts and feelings at @EchelonCopy. In no time at all, you’ll get a response.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

How to Successfully Network With Other Industry-Leading Copywriters

 

Copywriters needn’t only network with potential clients. In fact, it’s in their best interest to interact with other copywriters. 

Maybe I’m way out in left field with this one, but in my mind at least, copywriting is almost more of a trade than a field of academia. Hence, the importance of mingling with other copywriters. 

Ya know, like a shoe cobbler or a blacksmith. I’m only 25 years old, but I imagine that back in the day, when a young man wanted to become a blacksmith, he spent some time learning about the trade from an older, more experienced blacksmith. 

In my head, at least, copywriting is somewhat similar. It’s not a trade in the way that young people go to technical school to become welders or refrigerator repairmen, but the basic principles are the same.

Copywriting is a craft. Copywriting requires a certain set of skills. Copywriting is best learned through experience. 

Isn’t that how trades work, kind of? 

Heck, our bunch of professionals doesn’t even come from a single college major. If you can write, self-start, are generally likable and can research the heck out of just about any topic, you’ve got a career waiting for you as a copywriter. 

However, as is the cased with just about anything in life, if there’s easy money to be made, there’s some sort of catch. 

With copywriting, it’s the difficulty of creating powerful prose. This is where interacting with seasoned copywriters comes into play. 

Simply put, if you want your copywriting career to become all that it can be, you need to be picking up as many tricks of the trade as possible from those who know more than you do. 

How is this to be done? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Develop a Relationship On Twitter

I’m a huge fan of Twitter. When I’m working, I’ve always got it open on my laptop. 

Sure, this is probably a bit of a distraction, but I feel like having my Twitter feed open at all times keeps me informed as to what’s taking place in the world of advertising, public relations and social media marketing. 

I mean, ours is an ever-changing industry, so it’s important to constantly be on the lookout for new information. 

Additionally, through Twitter, I’ve been able to connect with numerous copywriters. These are men and women who have years of experience in the industry and are willing to share their knowledge with those who are going to listen intently and put it into practice.

Don’t believe me? Hop on Twitter and interact with the likes of Danny Margulies, Ray Edwards and Ryan Healy. You’ll see what I’m talking about.

LinkedIn’s Search Feature

LinkedIn is the Internet’s largest professional networking site. As such, you’ve got to be a part of it if you want to be networking. 

Makes sense, right? 

While it is important that you put your best foot forward with your LinkedIn profile, what’s quite possibly even more essential is that you focus on connecting with other copywriters using the site’s search feature. 

Connect with them and reach out from time to time. Though somewhat uncomfortable initially, this isn’t a taboo practice on LinkedIn. Countless professionals do it. Well, at least the smart ones do.

Give the Warrior Forum a Try

Ever heard of the Warrior Forum? If you haven’t, it’s time to bust out the ol’ laptop and get cracking. The Warrior Forum is arguably the finest digital marketing forum on the World Wide Web.

There are gobs of copywriters hanging out on there. 

Also, Digital Point forum is pretty solid. Either way, you’re going to want to bring your bring A-game. While most copywriters are more than willing to offer some help, others are intent on making newcomers to the community feel as awkward as possible. 

That said, this shouldn’t stop you. A bit of digital hazing is well worth it when the light at the end of the tunnel has Bob Bly telling you about the ins and outs of how he quickly became one of the wealthiest copywriters to have ever lived.

Simply Reach Out and Ask

It’s so simple, yet nobody actually does it. If you happen to learn of a copywriter and you think to yourself, “This guy has something about him that I admire. I want to learn more,” reach out and introduce yourself. 

These days, with everyone’s information being made public on the Internet, it’s easy to find an email address, Twitter handle or even a phone number. Be genuine, humble and flexible and do what few are brave enough to even consider—ask for help. 

Worst case scenario, a copywriter refers you to his or her e-book and calls it a day. I’ve had this happen and, shockingly, the world didn’t end.

More often than not, however, I’ve been met with positive feedback.

Now, let’s turn the tables for a moment—what methods have you used to connect with top-tier copywriters? On the flip side of things, what impedes you from reaching out to learn more? 

If you’ve got something to say, please take a moment or two to share it in the comments section below.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

5 Lifelong Lessons Learned From Blogging

Image - Man Meditating In the Wilderness (Echelon PR).jpeg

 

Blogging. It seems everyone is doing it these days. From stay-at-home soccer moms to college professors, anyone can hop online, build a site and blog until their hearts are fully content. 

That said, blogging is much more than simply a way to put digital pen to paper. Moreover, it’s an outlet through which many of life’s greatest lessons can be learned. Here are a few of them:

1) It Requires a Self-Starter Mentality

Truthfully, blogs are pretty easy to create; however, they don’t start themselves. The self-starter mentality of everything comes into play once an account has been made and it’s time for actual content to be up and running. 

If you lack the ability to motivate yourself, your blog is likely to crumble in a matter of weeks. The best bloggers realize this and continuously publish.

2) Work Is Never Finished

In high school or college, it’s possible to have finally checked everything off of an agenda’s daily to-do list. Blogging is different. There’s no end to production. 

Even more intimidating, once you’ve finished a day’s work, the mental wheels must keep turning so as to keep an ideation bottleneck from occurring. Blogging, believe it or not, is more of job than anything else.

3) Practice Makes Perfect

This famous adage is said with such a frequency that its core truth is often weakened. It’s really quite simple—if you want to get good at something, you’ve got to stick with it. During a blog’s initial weeks and months, driven traffic can be fairly weak. 

Also, if completely honest, you’re writing could probably be better. Give things time and keep working. The results will come.

4) Consistency Is Key

There’s a reason behind why there are so many abandoned blogs out in the darkest catacombs of the World Wide Web—their creators gave up. Sure, it’s easy to publish a post or two when blog motivation is fresh, but—in time—that will fade. 

It’s at that point you’ve got to decide what you want to do. Regardless of inspiration level, keep publishing. There’s no excuse for not doing so.

5) Efficiency In All Things

If you’re going to brainstorm, write, publish, promote and engage, time will need to be properly managed. While taking things to the extreme is certainly frowned upon, if you don’t feel that you’re stretching your editorial capabilities, you’re going about blogging incorrectly. 

Don’t enjoy that feeling? Minimize it through disciplined time management.

Blogging is an incredible pastime. It’s a great tool for building an identity, communicating with others and obtaining more knowledge on a regular basis. If you don’t have a blog, strongly consider making one. If you do, keep at it. 

Before long, as production continues, you’ll most assuredly start to notice that blogging has become more than a journal of sorts; rather, a great channel for constant learning.

Now, let’s hear from you—what do you think? As a blogger, what sort of struggles do you frequently encounter? More importantly, how have you managed to learn from them? Tweet to @EchelonCopy to share your opinions. Also, while here, share a few words with everyone in the comments section below.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

4 Bloggers Who’ve Proven Real Money Can Be Made Through Blogging

 

These days, especially with the advent of the Internet, money can be made doing just about anything. In recent years, blogging has become yet another outlet through which cold, hard cash can be acquired. 

No, I’m not talking about the kind of money that’ll have you and your parents splurging on pizza in the basement every other weekend, but the stuff that can provide you with a comfortable lifestyle. 

You know, the kind of money traditional journalists will never see. Pretty crazy stuff, huh?

Obviously, this isn’t a reality for most blogger, yet to deny that its’ a real possibility would be completely false. Looking for a bit of inspiration? The following bloggers are a few of the wealthiest in the world:

1) Vitaly Friedman, $150,000 - $190,000 per month

Ever heard of SmashingMagazine? If you have, you have Vitaly Friedman to thank. 

Largely built to provide website designers with the the latest of industry trends, groundbreaking news and helpful tips, SmashingMagazine has made Friedman an extremely wealthy man. 

Reportedly, the majority of Friedman’s money comes from banner ads and has little to do with affiliate revenues. In its own right, that’s an impressive feat.

2) Mario Lavanderia, $200,000 - $400,000 per month

More commonly known as “Perez Hilton,” Mario quickly managed to become one of the Internet’s most powerful bloggers since launching PerezHilton in 2005. 

Though many respected writers absolutely loathe Lavanderia’s loose journalistic tactics, there’s no denying the fact that it’s brought him some serious coin. 

From Kim Kardashian to the actual Paris Hilton, if your guilty pleasure involves knowing far too much about the lives of Hollywood’s rich and famous, PerezHilton might be just for you.

3) Pete Cashmore, $560,000 - $600,000 per month

Not only does Pete Cashmore have a great beard, but he’s the sole founder of one of the world’s most famous blogs: Mashable. Seriously, what more could a guy ask for?

Mashable’s a bit of a hybrid blog of sorts. Covering anything from tech and social media to lifestyle and entertainment, Mashable’s network of readers is a fairly extensive one. 

If you hope to make Mashable-esque money through your blog, Cashmore’s story should serve as a point of inspiration. Basically, he started Mashable as a 19-year-old punk in his bedroom in Scotland. Currently, he’s one of the richest bloggers in the world.

4) Michael Arrington, $500,000 - $800,000 per month

Generally speaking, if you work in PR, you’re more than familiar with Arrington’s blog. Yup, he’s the guy who started Tech Crunch.

So in-tune with the tech industry is TechCrunch that the site publishes minute-by-minute updates on what’s taking place in the global tech industry. 

Simply put, there’s a reason he’s widely known as the “Prophet of Silicon Valley.” It’s a fitting title.

Needless to say, keep writing. Whatever your blogging goals may be, with the help of a wide variety of digital marketing tactics, you too can make a name for yourself out on the World Wide Web. Oh, and there’s also that whole money thing. That’s an added bonus.

The time is now yours to pipe up and have your thoughts and feelings heard by an ever-expanding body of readers. Is there a deserving blogger who’s wrongfully been left off of the aforementioned list? If so, drop a name or two in the comments section below.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

Is Syndication a Good or Bad Thing for Your Blog?

 

“To syndicate, or not to syndicate? That is the question.” Sure, Bill Shakespeare didn’t ever ask anything similar, but countless bloggers have done just that while attempting to drive more traffic back to their respective sites. 

Depending on the content marketer with whom you speak, you’re bound to get a wide variety of differing responses. Some feel strongly about the promotional powers of blog syndication, while others insist that the practice is doomed to fail.

I’m not one of the latter. I believe in blog syndication and feel it’s a worthwhile means by which a blog can grow and experience a heavy bump in traffic.

However, as far as the naysayers are concerned, generally speaking, at least one of the following is cited as a reason for why syndication should be avoided at all costs:

  • Google is incredibly opposed to the publication of duplicate content.
  • Instead of dragging readers back to your site, they’ll remain on a host site.
  • Author authority is weakened due to content being published on many networks.

Needless to say, let the cross-examination begin:

Dealing With Duplicate Content

Any reputable syndication network will include a link at the bottom of the post to the very page on which an article was originally published. 

Fortunately, in today’s day and age, Google’s ever-evolving algorithm is sophisticated enough to know where a piece was originally published. Ranking authority is awarded accordingly.

Driven Site Traffic

Studies have shown that blog syndication does in fact lead to higher traffic. As long as there’s a link at the foot of a republished post pointing readers in the right direction, there’s nothing to worry about. 

Additionally, assuming that what you’ve written is both informative and engaging, through the aforementioned link, readers are immediately provided with a channel through which more of your editorial work can be consumed. 

That alone is reason enough to strongly think about blog syndication as a viable digital marketing practice.

Hindered Expert Reputation

If your blog is just getting started, there’s no real reputation that’s taking a hit. More often than not, this is why bloggers choose to syndicate their content.

However, even if you’ve already built a name for yourself and are worried about what syndication might do to the expert status you’ve worked so hard to achieve as a digital publisher, consider Buffer’s take on the matter:

“We feel that the benefits of syndication outweigh the downsides … It should also be mentioned that part of our joy with syndication is in getting to share our content with anyone who might find value in it. In some ways, we feel that keeping content only at Buffer is a rather selfish act. If others can use it, then we don't want to stand in the way.”

Simply put, few are the content creators who don’t stand to benefit from blog syndication.

From Business2Community and Social Media Today to BizSugar and AllBusiness, make it a priority to syndicate your blog. By so doing, your content will be seen by more eyes than ever before. In the end, that’s what’s most important. 

After all, it’s the quality of your content that will drive permanent, long-lasting traffic. Success or failure is yours and yours alone

Convinced yet? If not, I’d love to hear why. Agree with me or take me to the proverbial cleaners in the comments section below. Or, if you’d rather share your thoughts through a different medium, take to Twitter and tweet at @EchelonCopy to make your reaction to this piece public.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

3 Reasons for Why Human Restraint Is Powerless Against the ‘Listicle’

 

There’s a certain sadness in knowing that BuzzFeed has become the preferred “news network” of America’s Millennial generation. Generally speaking, what’s being reported by the aforementioned site isn’t even newsworthy; however, it’s too sticky for readers to not become instantly hooked.

What’s the secret behind BuzzFeed’s success, you ask? The “listicle.” Using a couple of brain cells, it’s easy to deduce that a listicle is little more than the metaphoric love child of both an article and a list. 

Incredibly, ever since BuzzFeed first made the listicle popular a few years back, digital consumers looking for editorial entertainment haven’t been able to get enough of the piece type. 

Sure, it might be a bit of a guilty pleasure, but seeing as how listicles have a number of influential factors working on their behalf, it’s unlikely that the trend subside any time soon. The following are the three most prominent of those factors:

1) Inescapable Intrigue

Think you’re immune to catchy headlines? You try passing on a piece entitled, “23 Inconsolable Death Row Murderers and Their Shocking Final Statements.” Needless to say, it’s much easier said than done. 

Let’s face it—as humans, we’re a curious bunch. The more shocking, scandalous, sensual or petrifying something is, the more we can’t help but peel back the proverbial covers and take a peek at what’s lurking just beyond our reach.

2) Quantifiable Solutions

We want answers, but we don’t want them to be too complicated. Most of us have already had a bad experience or two with entry-level chemistry courses in high school or college to know that nothing is really quite as simple as it seems on the surface.

For example, if you were looking to break into patent law, you might be attracted to a listicle providing “6 Simple Steps for Becoming a Powerful Patent Lawyer.” Listicles are calming in that, supposedly, they provide us with anything and everything we need to know. They almost become a check list of sorts, if you think about it. Sadly, this is rarely the case.

3) Short-Hand Totality

There’s an odd paradox involving today’s readers. They want the whole story, but they don’t have the patience to sit still and take all of it in if it requires more than five minutes of their time. Lists, regardless of whether they’re pushing seven or 101 points of interest, present the whole picture. Even better, skimming is highly facilitated by this medium’s structure.

In fact, says Maria Konnikova of The New Yorker, “Once we click, lists tap into our preferred way of receiving and organizing information at a subconscious level; from an information-processing standpoint, they often hit our attentional sweet spot.”

So, do listicles hit your “attentional sweet spot”? Why or why not? In the comments section below, take a moment to share your opinions with Echelon’s devoted body of readers. I’ll be routinely checking back to interact and engage, as well.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

Move Over Medium: Why Blogging Is Best Done On Independent Websites

 

In recent years, more than ever before, blogging has taken off. Because of this, a number of companies of risen up from the ashes of traditional journalism and transformed themselves into kings of the blogging industry. Think about it: Medium, Tumblr, HubPages, Quora and LiveJournal have all, in addition to other things, become extremely well-known for the blogging platforms they provide. Heck, even the atrocity that is Blogspot sees a great deal of user engagement.

The Easy Way Out

Simply put, if you’re serious about blogging, do yourself a favor and create your own website with its very own web domain. Blogging, wrongfully associated with only stay-at-home and soccer moms, isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re going to put the necessary time and effort into growing a blog, don’t do it on the backs of some corporate entity; moreover, develop your own plot of metaphoric land out on the World Wide Web through WordPress, SquareSpace, Weebly or Wix.

The argument for using blog-specific sites is that they’re innately built for audience growth and consumption. Truthfully, it’s a strong argument. When people create a Medium account and use it, they’re not hopping online to shop or use social media; instead, they’re fully intent on reading. Ultimately, this is what bloggers want: people to read their posts.

Complete and Total Control

Sure, initially, Tumblr or HubPages might be better for widespread readership, but there’s a definite ceiling on what can come about in the ways of success. Should a booming blogger on Quora or LiveJournal ever hope to build more than editorial credibility or individual brand, he or she will need to venture out into choppier waters. 

When a site is individually owned and operated, not only is a hefty reader base still possible, but it’s substantially easier to branch out and truly own the project. Writing is one thing, but there’s so much more to blogging than run-of-the-mill, rudimentary posts. Additionally, endeavors involving web development, graphic design, search engine optimization, video production, social media marketing, advertising and e-commerce are made possible.

This is why innumerable bloggers from each of the world’s four corners make money as professional bloggers. It’s not easy, but it’s better than cutting corners and taking the easy way out. Right from the get-go, know that taking on a blog of your own is going to be difficult. That being said, if you plan on wholeheartedly embracing the grind mentality and tremendous effort associated with the practice, there’s no reason to blog through an overly intrusive, controlling publication.

As is customary in our industry, most PR pros have a digital portfolio, website or personal blog. More than likely, many of you are actively engaged in an editorial project, such as a blog, outside of your workplace duties. If so, what’s your hot take? With respect to blogging, is it better to embrace a reputable host site or go out on your own? Voice your opinion in the comments section below.

 


Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.