Arse burglar newbies don't value free
Published: Thu, 05/04/17
One of the comments was from “Email Players” subscriber Sean Kaye.
He said:
“I can tell you, as little as five or six years ago, I used to have copywriters contacting me ALL THE TIME offering to write a variation of some sales page or whatever I was running to test against my control. No charge, they just wanted the experience and to be able to learn their craft. I had a copywriter contact me a few weeks ago, telling me they were just starting and therefore would have a crack at writing me a sales page to test for JUST $1000. Why the f__k would I gamble on them?”
I believe it, too.
I have noticed the same thing.
Fifteen years ago I would do all kinds of work for free just for experience.
In fact, my first 5 sales letters were essentially written on spec (for a whopping 5% of the gross sales) just so I could get experience writing sales letters, dealing with clients, meeting deadlines, build my portfolio, etc. Yes, my negotiation skills and overall business sense were horrifyingly naive (I shudder when I look back at that), but the last thing on my mind was to ask them to pay for my copywriting education or dazzle would-be clients with bull shyt without having any real experience like I see people doing on Flakebook all the time.
Anyway, every now and then some asks if they can be my next “apprentice.”
The answer is always the same:
"Your request as been received...
processed... and... BZZZT! DENIED."
Why?
For one, I don’t want another apprentice.
I’m too crotchety and have zero patience when it comes to teaching one-on-one.
(Which is why I shun doing coaching or consulting.)
But, even if I did take another apprentice, I’d pull a Gary Halbert and charge $26k or whatever and make them pay me for it.
Why?
Because too many of these arse burglar copywriting newbies simply don’t value hard work.
I blame social media, personally.
But, that’s an email for another day.
For today, if you are a copywriting newbie and still want to learn my evil ways after reading this, you’re shyt out of luck as far as me teaching you one-on-one. But, if you are capable of thinking for yourself and working without your hand being held, the next best thing is my Copy Slacker course.
It ain’t cheap.
And, it doesn’t have a guarantee.
i.e. it’s sink or swim on Planet elBenbo, once you come ashore I set fire to the boats.
Here’s where to learn more if you dare:
http://www.CopySlacker.com
Ben Settle