Dear Marketing Manager:

I wonder, as you read the banner and headline above, if you're thinking how does boxing relate to copywriting?

Before I discuss how boxing relates to copywriting and before you hire your next copywriter, I want to caution you...

Steer clear of the "Mike Tyson's" of the copywriting world...

What do I mean by this?

I'm sure you know that Mike Tyson has resorted to some terrible tactics in order to WIN.

Well there are copywriters out there who will do the same thing!

Some copywriters will try to get a SALE, by making a false promise, at the expense of your reputation!

And once your reputation is damaged, you'll never get the sale or the business! Once trust is lost, you can say goodbye to any future business!

Now I think most copywriters, at least those who've studied materials from AWAI's Michael Masterson, wouldn't do this but it does happen.

I've seen it happen just recently.

I was reading a sales letter (as I'm constantly doing to improve my skills) and I liked what the sales letter offered.

So I signed up for the FREE report it promised. The report had a list of about five bullet points of specific benefits.

Once I put my name and email in the box, I was directed to the link for the free report.

However, to my dismay, the FREE report that promised specific benefits was a "sales letter" on how to get this report if you buy a year subscription to a certain magazine!

If you have to buy something to get a free report, it's not FREE.

I immediately deleted myself from their mailing list because they lost all of my trust.

Don't let this happen to you.

The biggest mistake a copywriter can make is making a FALSE PROMISE.

The copywriters' strategy in the sales letter above was to get you to sign up for the company's mailing list by offering a free report and then to market their magazine to you. (This is fine...)

Yet the tactic used wasn't.

They didn't deliver on the free report and instead gave you another sales letter.

As a copywriter, I would have included all the information promised in the report because I know that if you give someone great information they will most likely buy from you in the future!

So don't fall victim to copywriters who will do what it takes to get a sale (or get someone to sign up for your list) but will compromise your reputation!

I don't take on a project unless I am absolutely certain I can create a great sales letter for it!

As copywriters, we're trained in the science of selling.

Honestly, a good copywriter could get you to buy "ocean front property in Arizona."

Yet, if you don't deliver with the product or service what good will that do you in the long run?

Before I take on a new client, I pre-screen the product/service.

That way if I take on your copywriting project you can be sure that I am 100% behind your product/service.

If I don't feel that I can do your product justice, I won't take on the assignment. Because those feelings would shine through in my copy.

Really, you have to be passionate about the topic you write copy for...that's why I specialize in the self-help and fundraising markets...

So now I'm sure you're getting anxious to find out what I can offer you as a copywriter.

I want to share with you the five things I learned from boxing that make me an excellent copywriter.

5 things I learned from boxing that make me an excellent copywriter

1) Never throw in the towel!

As a boxer, something you never do is throw in the towel. It's an embarrassment to yourself and to the people who believe in you.

No matter what the challenge, no matter how difficult it may seem, you never throw in the towel!

As a copywriter, I won't quit until I give you exactly what you want and achieve the results you want!


2) You must be able to size up your opponent.

As a boxer, you've got to study your opponent.

You've got to study their techniques, identify their strengths, and capitalize on their weaknesses.

As a copywriter, I am thoroughly dedicated to researching both the customer and the competition.

I will get inside their heads. I will dig deep to figure out a way to make the customer win!

(Not only that, but I am the customer. Keep reading below to find out more...)

3) Train, train, train. Practice, practice, practice.

In boxing, it's known that the fight doesn't go to the strongest or the one with the best technique but to the one who is conditioned.

As a boxer, you must train every day.

As a copywriter, I am absolutely dedicated to perfecting my craft by reading and studying everything I can about copywriting.

I'm always focusing on current techniques or hot strategies.

4) Visualize your success. Be confident in your abilities!

As a boxer, you can't go into the ring thinking you're going to lose!

You've got to be able to stay in a positive mind set and see yourself beating your opponent.

Many beginning copywriters never reach their goals because they believe they can't, or they start to doubt themselves.

As a person, I know I can do whatever I put my mind too!

As a copywriter, I welcome challenges and I know I can successfully figure out a solution to help you stand out and increase sales!


5) Emulate your role models while finding your own technique.

What if your boxing role models were Sugar Ray Leonard or Evander Holyfield?

It is great to emulate them while finding your own technique.

Same with copywriting. It's great to have role models like Clayton Makepeace, Joe Vitale, Dan Kennedy and Michael Masterson. And it's important to find your own voice.

As a copywriter I study the greats, while perfecting my own voice.

I'm always studying and learning from the best!

Below is a small sampling of the courses I've taken and the books I've studied:

Here's what I can do for YOU as a copywriter!

As a passionate, driven copywriter, I will:

Copywriting's in my blood!

I was doing copywriting long before I knew what copywriting was.

I'm a writer. I've written three screenplays, three books and numerous articles.

AND I've written marketing materials and sales letters to promote these items.

Up until recently, I had only been using my writing, marketing and copywriting skills for personal use and for helping some of my friends with their small businesses.

I loved to write press releases, newsletters, sales letters, and reports for myself and I volunteered to write them for my friends.

I just didn't know there was an actual market for this type of writing.

Until I read Michael Masterson's letter about AWAI's copywriting program.

I purchased Michael Masterson's Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting and devoured the program.

I finished both my assignments with positive feedback. (Read on to find out how you can view a copy of my vitamin sales letter).

I'm currently studying the Master's course!

Now, I'm ready to step up my game and step into full-time copywriting!

I lie awake at night thinking of the next great headline or figuring out a way to get into the customer's head.

I can't help it. I'm so passionate about copywriting, it consumes me!

I'm obsessed with finding the perfect way to reach people.

I'm obsessed with thinking of the perfect headline.

I'm obsessed with figuring out exactly what the customer wants.

Instead of counting sheep, I'm trying to figure out ways to bring in more money for the customer.

More ways to help the customer spread his/her message.

I have a flexible schedule.

I work from home already and make my own schedule.

So I can easily dive right into creating a sales letter that pulls in responses for you right away!

I can devote full time attention to YOU!


I'm very open to feedback.

I've heard that some copywriters may be difficult to work with because they aren't open to feedback. They think that they are always right.

I'm definitelyopen to feedback and do not take anything personal!

I am currently involved in a screenwriting "critiquing" group and was very active in one before that.

So I'm used to receiving feedback, and I'm very open to adjusting my writing to accommodate the input I receive from others.

I find that feedback only helps make me better! And thus increases sales for the client.

I spend a great deal of time researching before I even begin writing

The key to successful copywriting is thorough research.

I will devour the product I am writing about. I'll research the competition.

I even schedule a one hour consultation and go over a detailed questionnaire to gain insight from the creator of the product.

I always meet deadlines. Even though most of mine are
self-imposed!

As a self-employed writer, I impose my own deadlines on the projects I'm working on.

And I've never missed a deadline. Or else my book wouldn't be published or my screenplay wouldn't be finished!

You can relax knowing that I will always meet any deadline!

If anything, I usually am finished before my deadline!

I'm professional.

I'm a public speaker and author.

I am always professional in all my dealings with people.

Plus, I have been actively involved in both professional and community organizations:

*Toastmaster's
*My church
*Big Brothers/Big Sisters
*S.M.A.R.T (Start Making a Reader Today).


Plus, and probably most important, I am the TARGET MARKET for self-help products and/or services...

My passion is writing copy for the self-help market (wealth strategies, personal growth, healthy living and more...)

It's well known that the biggest obstacle in copywriting is getting into the customer's head.

When it comes to self-help material, I AM the target market, which makes me a natural fit for catering to this market.

(And while we're on the subject of self-help, I know that most
self -help customers are already highly successful and educated and just want to add to their current knowledge or skill set. So I NEVER speak down to them. That would be like speaking down to myself!).

I have literally read most books on the subject of:

* Spirituality
* Self Improvement
* Investing, Real Estate Investing
* Coaching
* Writing
* Screenwriting
* Wealth Building

Plus, I write books for the self-help market. And create products for the self-help market.

In the past, I have purchased several audio products through Nightingale-Conant such as:

Napolean Hill's Think and Grow Rich

Win Wenger's The Einstein Factor

Lee Pulos' The Power of Visualization

Wayne Dyer's Manifesting your Destiny


I have also studied the following programs ...

Bob Proctor's Lead the Field

Tony Robbins' Personal Power

A Course in Miracles

Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Dolf De Roos' Real Estate Investing

Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen's The One Minute Millionaire

Mark Victor Hansen's Build your Speaking and Writing Empire

Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now

And these are just a few off the top of my head.

I've literally listened to the above types of audio programs and read the above types of books for the last 15 YEARS!

So as you can see, I'm a CONSUMER of the products I want to write about!

Check out my samples...

In fact, you're reading one of them now!

I created this letter, about selling myself, a day after finishing Michael Masterson's Copywriting Program.


SALES LETTERS

Below are samples of my MOST RECENT sales letters:

Sales Letter for Book and Website. I created the sales letter for this book and web site, as well as the "splash" page.

Vitamin Sales Letter for a vitamin supplement. This was one of our "assignments" for Michael Masterson's copywriting course.

AWAI Sales Letter selling the Basic Copywriting course.

Sales Copy for Wedding Videography for a husband/wife team of wedding videographers. (Including this top 10 list of reasons why you should not let Uncle Frank or Aunt Emma videotape your wedding).

Sales Copy for Corporate Videography Services.

Sales Copy for Real Estate Investing Course

Book Sales Letter for my most recent book All I ever really needed to know about Life, I Learned from a Rubber Band.

PRESS RELEASES

Click HERE for a Press Release that got my friend on local television for her massage business. (Having massage therapists on the show was virtually unheard of. But because of my "twist" they were knocking on her door to get the story...)

Click HERE for a Press Release regarding relationship counseling.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Click HERE for The Seven Biggest Mistakes Beginning Real Estate Investors Make and How to Avoid Them!

Click HERE for The ONE Most Important Thing YOU can do to Create World Peace!

Click HERE for 21st Century Biofuel report.

By now I hope I've convinced you that I'm a good bet for your next copywriting assignment.

But to make sure you have ABSOLUTELY NO RISK in trying me out...

A one hour phone interview is included in my price.

After we decide to work together I will schedule a one hour phone interview with you.

I record this call so I do not miss any details.

Basically, I will ask you a list of questions and listen to your answers.

This extra step allows me to find gems that I can use in your sales letter, that I wouldn't find out otherwise.

For example, here's one interview provided crucial information that nailed the sales letter.

While interviewing my client, a wedding videographer, I found out that the biggest reason people don't go with a videographer is because they feel they can save money by having a family member take the video!

So my sales letter targeted the reasons NOT to let a family member video tape your wedding. I created a special TOP 10 LIST titled "Top 10 list of reasons why you should not let Uncle Frank or Aunt Emma videotape your wedding." You can see it HERE

I also found out, through my conversation with the client, that planning your wedding is a STRESSFUL time for most brides so I thought that the TOP 10 List would also provide a much needed laugh...

My detailed interview of the client led me to this hit idea!

I always over-deliver!

Since I put a lot of time and effort into thorough research, naturally ideas come to mind that would make your entire offering better.

For example, I may be reading your self-help book and realize that a specific chapter would make an excellent free report. I'd let you know this. (And I could even compile it for you for a small additional charge...)

Or I may think of an idea for a 4 week mini-course that you could use to get new subscribers. I will gladly share this with you.

Plus, I always offer at least two or three alternate headlines.

Often it's important to test different headlines or switch them around.

These are just extras that are included in my normal rates.

AND I GUARANTEE my work!

My time is very valuable. ( I could be working on my next book or screenplay).

But because my passion is helping people get their message/service out to the world AND because I am so confident in my abilities as a copywriter, I will GUARANTEE my work.

If you are not satisfied with the initial copy I will provide up to two re-writes.

Call me before I get too busy for you!


Please contact me right away before I get too busy with other assignments!

I'd hate to have to turn you down because I don't have the time.

My schedule is already pretty full and I want to make sure I have the time to devote to YOU!

I look forward to helping you get your message/service/product out to the world!

Committed to your success,

Lisa Hepner

Lisa Hepner

(503) 349-5710
lisa@lisahepner.com

P.S. I guarantee my results! I will work til I get it right! I will work on this next assignment as if my life depended on it.

P.P.S. I am the target market for self-help/personal growth! I am a consumer of self-help products. And who better to write for this audience?

P.P.P.S. I have the ability to accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express, though I do charge a 2% fee for this service.