The Dog Days of Summer

I can’t decide if I really like this time of year…or hate it. I love the weather but the copywriting business really slows down. I’ve got a couple of regular clients that give me some work on a monthly basis, but none of the deadline driven, heart-pounding, gotta-get-it done work that you get the rest of the year.

In some ways it’s nice. Having a lot of free time to laze around and take it easy, but it also can get a bit boring. (Please don’t show my wife this blog. The honey-do list will come out faster than her credit card at a shoe sale.)

So what do you do if you’re a copywriter with time on your hands? The best thing to do is study your craft. Since it’s summer, some of that studying should be done from a hammock under a nice shade tree.

The truth is…if you want to get into the upper echelons of this business, you should always strive for improvement. Top guys like Gary Bencivenga, Dr. Joe Vitale, Clayton Makepeace, Bob Bly, and Michael Masterson didn’t get there by taking it easy. So…I guess I’ll write some practice letters.

As the man said when asked how to get to Carnegie Hall, “Practice, my friend, practice, and more practice.”

Are You Ready For The Big Leagues?

Is it time for me to take a shot at the big leagues? I’m ready.

I received an email from AWAI’s Katie Yeakle requesting my biographical information. They’ve arranged to have the top AWAI copywriters and graphic artists listed in Target Marketing magazines “Who’s Charging What?” publication. We’ll be in the prestigious company of writers like Bob Bly, Clayton Makepeace, Krista Jones, and Monica Day.

The note came with this caveat. “If you don’t feel that you’re ready to try this…then don’t. Your name will go out to the top direct marketers in the industry. If you make a bad impression, you may never get another chance.” Scary stuff! It gave me pause for a moment. I don’t want to blow my chances at the ‘big time,” but then again, when will I get another opportunity like this?

I’ve been practicing my craft for about three years and have built up a nice selection of small clients. I’ve had some successes and a few failures. Most small clients don’t have the staff or budget to run a national campaign. The only way to find out if you have “the right stuff,” is to play in the big leagues. The only way you get to play in the big leagues is to take your shot when you get the chance.

I know I’ve got what it takes. Now I may get the chance to prove it. Realistically, I probably won’t get a shot at toppling a control right out of the chute…but if I get my foot in the door, I can show ‘em what I can do. As Michael Masterson says, “Ready, Fire, Aim!”

Hey…I’ve got the training, I’ve got the tools, and I’ve got the right attitude. As someone once said, “No Guts, No Glory!”

Oh, My God! The Pain…The Pain!!

Just kidding. I have been a little lax in posting lately. Suddenly, I’m on everyone’s dance card. The work is keeping me hopping (or writing.)

I did get a response to application for a “copy slave” position with Clayton Makepeace. (The fact that I’m writing this should tell you the answer. I’d be too busy, otherwise.) Actually, the response came from Wendy, his wife. She was very nice and said “at least I didn’t suck,” or words to that effect.

All joking aside, I did get a nice response from a classy lady. They asked to keep my letter on file in case they had an opening, or needed a freelancer. It is exactly what I’ve come to expect from their organization. (You’ll notice the kiss-up here. Hey! I AM a freelancer, after all.)

Was I disappointed? Yeah. Just a bit. But work has been coming in and I’ve been very busy and haven’t had time to dwell on it. I still want to meet Clayton someday and find out if he ever came into my old bar in Key West. (I threw out a lot of famous people.)

Come to think of it, I’m not disappointed at all. Can somebody get me some band-aids for my wrists?

No Guts, No Glory!

Sometimes you just have to go for it. I decided to apply for the position of “copy slave” with Clayton Makepeace.

What’s in it for me? For one thing, the chance to work with one of the greats in this industry. For another, a chance to become one of the greats in this industry.
Not to mention that it should be a lot of fun if I’m one of the chosen few…or should I say, the chosen one.

I haven’t felt like “the chosen one,” since my ex-wife’s lawyer served me with divorce papers. But that’s another story.

Here’s how it happened. I received the email and read it, as I’m sure did every copywriter on the planet. Then I assumed that I wouldn’t be eligible. (You know what they say about “assume.”) the more I thought about it, the more I decided to “go for it.”

First, I had to get permission from “The Crazy Cuban,” (my wife). That was easier than I expected. (I wonder if she wants me gone for a reason.)

Then I had to write the letter that will get me accepted. Let’s hope that I don’t get that “deer-in-the-headlights” look if I am chosen.

I’ll keep you posted.

“Such a deal, I have for you!”

Clayton Makepeace is advertising for a copy slave. I should be all over this.

What an opportunity. You get to move to B.F., North Carolina. You get to work for peanuts (or whatever it is they grow there.) You get to help increase the size of Clayton’s already formidable fortune, reputation and ego. And…to top it off, you’ll be the lowest person in the pecking order of the organization.

Such a deal!

Actually, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Imagine, working with one of the legends in the business. Who cares if you’re working for chump change? The education is worth more than money. Unless your richer than Croesus, this deal can set you up for life. Just being able to say, “I worked with Clayton Makepeace,” will open doors normally would have been barred to you.

If you’re a young copywriter, jump at this opportunity. If I was a bit younger and didn’t have to explain my actions to “the crazy Cuban” (my wife), I’d be at his door and fighting off all challengers.

I’m a little long-in-the-tooth to be called a copy cub. I wonder if Clayton would consider a copy grizzled-ly? (Yes, I know grizzly is spelled wrong.)

Give This "Boob" A Hand

Today’s post is about a very important topic…but it’s not related to copywriting. The maestro, Clayton Makepeace, has started an online auction to raise money to fight breast cancer. He’ll match all money raised up to $10,000. To bid in the auction go to http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200086917526
Let’s give Clayton a hand.

One of our own is battling breast cancer right now. Her name is Sylvie Fortin, CEO of http://www.workaholic4hire.com/ and wife of well-known copywriter Michel Fortin. Sylvie has started a blog to document her battle and ultimate victory over this dread disease. You can track her progress by going to http://www.breastcancervictory.com/

All of us have women in our lives that we dearly love. (I have a wife, sisters, a daughter and four granddaughters.) Think of them when you go to these sites. Do what you can to help. It’ll give you some warm fuzzies if nothing else.

If the bidding on Ebay is too steep, go to Sylvie’s blog for links to donate to a great cause.

Sorry about the “boob” comment, Clayton.

Get A Job You Hate

There’s a lot of talk on the web about Clayton Makepeace’s recent newsletter. He points out that you probably won’t make six figures in your first year as a copywriter. He was referring to a lot of the programs that tout changing careers and making a fortune. All this while sitting on your butt watching the sun come up. He was absolutely right. If you’re too dumb to realize this then maybe you’re in the wrong business.

I’ve read a lot of whining about AWAI’s Six Figure Copywriting Course and the way they market their program. (http://www.awaionline.com/) If you bought this course (I did) and didn’t realize after the first lesson that there would be a lot of work involved…then you should have spent your money on lottery tickets. AWAI (American Writer’s and Artist’s Institute) is very specific about refunding your money if the program isn’t for you.

There are many AWAI graduates who have moved into the big-time. The two most recent that come to mind are Monica Day and Krista Jones. Of course they didn’t hit six figures in the first year…and they worked their butts off to get there. Both of them are still coming to grips with the lifestyle of an entrepreneur. They talk about it in their newsletter, “The Copy Protégé.” You can subscribe at http://www.thecopyprotege.com/ . If you are seriously considering copywriting as a career, read the archives. You’ll find that they routinely work 60 or more hours a week to make the big money. Nearly all entrepreneurs do.

The folks who make it big in this, or any other profession, are the ones who never quit. People like Clayton Makepeace, Bob Bly, Peter Bowerman, all have a certain trait that is required to get into the big leagues. It’s called “gumption” (how’s that for an old-fashioned word). And if you don’t have it…well, Sparky, you ain’t gonna make it.

Clayton is dead-on that it takes a lot of work to get to the top. So, if you’re not self-motivated…get a job you hate. That oughtta do it!

FYI…I’m not at six figures yet, but I will be…and I’m enjoying the journey.