Comments on: Quick marketing tip – Copy what works!

By: Tracey "Biz Doc" Dooley

Tracey "Biz Doc" Dooley — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:59:04 +0000

I am so sorry if you feel offended by my post. That was NOT my intention.

Indeed, I have a lot of respect for Jim and a HUGE admiration for both his work and opinions.

I wasn’t wishing to ’slam’ anyone or anything. Purely, to add some valuable insight/tips.

I agree with Jim: referring to a swipe file is one of the best ways of learning how to write better copy and improve your marketing results. But use it as inspiration.

Again, sorry if I offended you. It was not my wish to do so. I just wanted to help.

By: shane hadfield

shane hadfield — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:54:59 +0000

biz doc.
In your rush to slam an excellent article, you seem to have forgot to read the title. ‘Quick Tip!’

Its a blog post with a quick tip. not a tutorial. Its for people like me who are not copywriters but need free help.

What prompts people to spout off like this on another guys blog?

This kind of negative comment is why i dont bother to blog anymore. So called experts attacking your work without even reading it.

Keep it coming jim.

By: Tracey "Biz Doc" Dooley

Tracey "Biz Doc" Dooley — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:33:19 +0000

I think it’s important to understand the difference between aiming to model successful copy and mindlessly copying a piece word for word.

Yes, by all means use a control or ’swipe file’ to learn from and to get those creative juices going, but you need to fully understand WHY the words have worked in context.

The successful copywriter you’re modelling will have put a tremendous amount of brainstorming and strategy into every part of the overall marketing piece – the headline, the lead sentence, the benefits, the offer, etc. And behind that thought process would have been the wants, needs and desires of a specific target audience.

So your copy-and-paste job may well not transfer to your own target audience, strategy, etc.

Really getting to know your prospects inside and out is THE key to writing copy that sells. And understanding the art of copywriting…

Also, with the bombardment of advertising and marketing messages out there, it can sometimes pay NOT to follow the herd ‘leader’ and instead be different. Originality is the name of the game, surely…

By: Greymindz

Greymindz — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:47:53 +0000

Great advice . You need to make a note as to what is working for others in your niche and it should give you a fair idea as to what you should be doing to achieve similar results. The idea is to adapt your marketing techniques and structure on similar lines.

By: Morning Edition - Feb 9, 2009 « Sazbean

Morning Edition - Feb 9, 2009 « Sazbean — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:15:18 +0000

[...] Quick marketing tip – Copy what works! (Jim’s Marketing Blog) [...]

By: The Sales Jedi

The Sales Jedi — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:29:32 +0000

Excellent advice Jim.

What you should do is keep a folder of all of the direct mail, web pages, adverts, brochures etc that come your way that catch your eye.

then, when you’ve got a piece to write, pull it out and go over everything. It will start you off on some ideas.

Just think of the development and cost that has gone into developing the concepts. If it’s a large company then this could be tens of thousands if not more.

So piggy back on the back of them!

There is no need to re-invent the wheel just use what works.

Just imagine if you could model something along the lines of:

* A headline from an IBM mailer
* Graphics from an Apple website
* Sales copy from a Jay Abraham long sales letter
* Call to action wording from a top internet guru

You just couldn’t pay for that!

Now, I’m not saying to go out and steal content but you should adapt it and model it and use the “best of” whenever you can

Happy modelling!

Sean McPheat