I just posted a new article on my blog over at the Copywriting Training Center. It's about me trying to write a web page to promote a new program, and finding the writing process slow and painful. Can you relate? The article is geared toward professional copywriters,...
Steve Slaunwhite’s Marketing Memo
How to ask your client for a raise
I was chatting with a copywriter earlier this week who had a question I've been asked dozens of times before. "How do I increase my fees with a current client?" That's a tough one. After all, you don't want to lose the goodwill you've built up with that client. Nor do...
Do You Really Need Business Goals?
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Just about every business success book I have ever read claims that you need to set high goals. "Make your goals ambitious," one book advises. "Always be reaching for the stars!" says another....
Do Special Reports Still Work?
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I admit it. I'm a card-carrying enthusiast when it comes to special reports. In fact, I offer several free reports to those who subscribe to this e-newsletter at SteveSlaunwhite.com or...
How to Pick a Winning Headline
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I've been doing a lot of copywriting workshops lately. In fact, I just got back from conducting a training program for a terrific group of marketers in Atlanta. During the session, one of them...
How to Write a LinkedIn Introduction Request
Earlier this week I received the following LinkedIn message from Jill (not her real name): As a valued first-level contact, I respectfully ask you to introduce me to John Smith. Thanks, Jill. I don't have a problem with her asking. My contact Jane Smith (not her real...
10 “Bulletin Board Worthy” Copywriting Tips
I was at a dinner party last week and met someone who reads my e-newsletter. (That rarely happens, by the way, but when it does it does wonders for my ego!) He said he particularly liked my copywriting tips and asked which I considered were most important. "Give me...
Quick Tip for Writing Copy Quickly
I was writing a landing page last week for one of my new programs, and I noticed that it was taking – well, forever – to get the thing done. Finishing just the first few paragraphs was like hacking my way through a jungle with a pocket knife. It was slow going. Then I...
How to Write Fast
Listen to the audio version of this blog post here: I admit, I'm the last person who should be writing an article about writing quickly. I procrastinate. I get stuck on a paragraph and can't move on. I get distracted, like a minute ago when I felt compelled to...
Which Tweet worked best?
I'm moderately active on Twitter. I follow experts, creative thinkers and other people I like. I reply and retweet fairly often. I even had a long conversation with an author friend of mine using Direct Message (when we could just as easily spoke on the phone!) I also...
Create your crowd
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Here's something you've probably heard umpteen times before: To market your services, you need to get in front of your target audience as often as you can. You need to give talks. You need to...
Don’t get stuck in the “how”
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: My friend invited me to his Super Bowl party last Sunday. One of the pre-game festivities – besides eating waaaay too many chips – was watching a baseball documentary about knuckleball pitchers....
Become more “find-able” on LinkedIn
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Last week I was looking for a virtual assistant to help me with a new project. In the past, I would have Googled to find someone. But that's so 2012! This time, I went to LinkedIn, did a search...
Facts are not enough
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I had an amazing opportunity earlier this week. I was invited to pitch a book idea, in person, to an Executive Acquisitions Editor of a major publisher. That doesn't happen every day! So, as you...
About your “ABOUT” page
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: A few weeks ago, I was looking for a consultant to help me with a particular issue. I asked around, got a referral for "Jane" (not her real name), and then checked out her website. I scanned her...
A simple way to write an elevator pitch
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Imagine you're a freelance copywriter… You visit a major marketing convention. There are hundreds of prospective clients there. It's the perfect networking opportunity. Someone comes up...
Are you, ah, different?
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: It was my wife's birthday last week. A milestone. So I decided to order one of those wonderfully corny, slightly embarrassing lawn signs and have it secretly set up in the middle of the night....
Should you pigeonhole prospects?
Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I got a lot of questions and comments regarding my Marketing Memo earlier this month – 3 Simple Ways to Stay In Touch. People loved the ideas. But some of you asked whether or not you...