![Robyn Bradley](/img/default-banner.jpg)
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Robyn Bradley
United States
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 8 ต.ค. 2007
Hi. I'm Robyn, a.k.a. The Copy Bitch.
I've been working as a freelance copywriter since 2002. Over the years, I've fielded questions from people wanting to take the leap into Copy Land. Of course, the same Qs always come up, like how to master copywriting basics, how to get paid for copywriting, how to become a better copywriter, and is it true that I hardly ever wear pants? (Subscribe to the channel to find out!)
Since I'll be The Copy Crone before too long, I figured why not start a TH-cam channel and answer all the questions before I forget. So that's why I'm here, along with my sidekick Stewie the Sloth. No, you don't need a Stewie to be a successful copywriter. *Probably* not anyway.
Thanks for stopping by. I'm currently publishing videos every week. And to make certain that you'll stop by again, hit that subscribe button, OK?
By the way, if you want to learn more about my copywriting business, visit my website: www.etrobbins.com.
I've been working as a freelance copywriter since 2002. Over the years, I've fielded questions from people wanting to take the leap into Copy Land. Of course, the same Qs always come up, like how to master copywriting basics, how to get paid for copywriting, how to become a better copywriter, and is it true that I hardly ever wear pants? (Subscribe to the channel to find out!)
Since I'll be The Copy Crone before too long, I figured why not start a TH-cam channel and answer all the questions before I forget. So that's why I'm here, along with my sidekick Stewie the Sloth. No, you don't need a Stewie to be a successful copywriter. *Probably* not anyway.
Thanks for stopping by. I'm currently publishing videos every week. And to make certain that you'll stop by again, hit that subscribe button, OK?
By the way, if you want to learn more about my copywriting business, visit my website: www.etrobbins.com.
How to Manage Finances as a Freelancer
How do freelancers pay themselves? Should freelancers be LLCs or sole proprietors? Do I REALLY need to contribute to retirement when I'm just getting started? I answer these questions (and more) based on my 22 years working as a freelance copywriter.
Ready? Let's discuss how to manage finances as a freelancer!
#copywriting #freelancer #freelancelife
Music: Lone Wolf
Musician: Dan Lebowitz
URL: www.youtube.com/@lebo_tone/featured
📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
1:31 - Why you need a business bank account
1:55 - What’s an LLC?
3:51 - Who I use for banking
4:36 - Bookkeeping strategies
5:01 - My income statement template
7:00 - Here’s what I do on a monthly basis
7:42 - How long should you keep records?
8:26 - How do freelancers pay themselves?
9:14 - Tax time!
10:41 - Retirement
11:51 - My #1 strategy
13:45 - Why you should consider insurance
14:02 - Disability insurance
14:39 - Professional liability insurance
15:46 - Wrap-up
⚡ My income statement template that you can download
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Dw0yRcsoemuggX8n9jGF0HNhbDsbWpDEmkr_sPBjcKA/edit?usp=sharing
⚡ How Do I Pay Myself as a Sole Proprietor?
www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/how-to-pay-yourself-sole-proprietorship
⚡ Essential Business Advice for Freelancers: Should You Become an LLC?
Go to 8:50 in this video: th-cam.com/video/dvsG3gcc5ZE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=12iZK-B1w2ckQQ5M
⚡ Recordkeeping for Small Businesses:
IRS: www.irs.gov/newsroom/taking-care-of-business-recordkeeping-for-small-businesses
Indeed: www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-long-to-keep-business-records#
⚡ Professional liability product: I get mine through BiBERK
www.biberk.com/get-a-quote/professional-liability-insurance
⚡ Disability Insurance: I get mine through the Freelancers Union
freelancersunion.org/
⚡ Small Business Banking: I use TD Bank
www.td.com/us/en/small-business:
⚡ Retirement planning: I use Edward Jones
www.edwardjones.com/us-en
⚡ The accounting firm I use
www.turnercostacpa.com/
Are you new to copywriting? Here are my go-to resources.
I use Amazon Affiliate links. If you use one of the links to buy something, it won't cost you more, but I'll earn a small commission. I only recommend stuff that I believe in. I own both of these books.
✅ The Copywriter's Handbook by Robert W. Bly amzn.to/46YL5NI (Amazon affiliate link)
✅ Using Behavioral Science in Marketing: Drive Customer Action and Loyalty by Prompting Instinctive Responses by Nancy Harhut amzn.to/3Mi193K (Amazon affiliate link)
⚡ Connect with me on Social Media:
www.linkedin.com/in/bostoncopywriter/ - include a personal message with the invite so that I know you're real :)
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright, Liability Waiver and Disclaimers
As per and unless otherwise permitted under the United States Copyright Act, no part of the content of this video or any video published under .T. Robbins Productions LLC or Robyn Bradley shall be stored, copied, recreated, republished, or transported. Prior express written permission by E.T. Robbins Productions LLC or Robyn Bradley is required for any use of this video not permitted under the United States Copyright Act. The advice, guidance, and principles outlined in all content produced by E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley are not guaranteed to be appropriate for your unique situation or business. We recommend that as a consumer, you exercise your due diligence and research any and all strategies recommended to you before adopting them in your own business. E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley, or other encompassed entities are not responsible for any damages that result from an effort to implement the information provided in this or any other video, article, social media post, and related publications. Your use and viewing of any materials and videos published by E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley confirms your acknowledgment and agreement that Massachusetts law will apply to any and all disputes related to the aforementioned entities and that Massachusetts will serve as the exclusive venue for any disputes, claims, actions or proceedings related but not limited to the materials produced by E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley. E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley, including but not limited to their respective independent contractors, employees, and affiliates, research and review all content for this site to the best of their abilities but make no guarantees, representations, or warranties as to the complete accuracy and inclusion of all relevant information for each video, including but not limited to all video streams, suggested and provided links and resources. E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any and all purposes.
Ready? Let's discuss how to manage finances as a freelancer!
#copywriting #freelancer #freelancelife
Music: Lone Wolf
Musician: Dan Lebowitz
URL: www.youtube.com/@lebo_tone/featured
📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
1:31 - Why you need a business bank account
1:55 - What’s an LLC?
3:51 - Who I use for banking
4:36 - Bookkeeping strategies
5:01 - My income statement template
7:00 - Here’s what I do on a monthly basis
7:42 - How long should you keep records?
8:26 - How do freelancers pay themselves?
9:14 - Tax time!
10:41 - Retirement
11:51 - My #1 strategy
13:45 - Why you should consider insurance
14:02 - Disability insurance
14:39 - Professional liability insurance
15:46 - Wrap-up
⚡ My income statement template that you can download
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Dw0yRcsoemuggX8n9jGF0HNhbDsbWpDEmkr_sPBjcKA/edit?usp=sharing
⚡ How Do I Pay Myself as a Sole Proprietor?
www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/how-to-pay-yourself-sole-proprietorship
⚡ Essential Business Advice for Freelancers: Should You Become an LLC?
Go to 8:50 in this video: th-cam.com/video/dvsG3gcc5ZE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=12iZK-B1w2ckQQ5M
⚡ Recordkeeping for Small Businesses:
IRS: www.irs.gov/newsroom/taking-care-of-business-recordkeeping-for-small-businesses
Indeed: www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-long-to-keep-business-records#
⚡ Professional liability product: I get mine through BiBERK
www.biberk.com/get-a-quote/professional-liability-insurance
⚡ Disability Insurance: I get mine through the Freelancers Union
freelancersunion.org/
⚡ Small Business Banking: I use TD Bank
www.td.com/us/en/small-business:
⚡ Retirement planning: I use Edward Jones
www.edwardjones.com/us-en
⚡ The accounting firm I use
www.turnercostacpa.com/
Are you new to copywriting? Here are my go-to resources.
I use Amazon Affiliate links. If you use one of the links to buy something, it won't cost you more, but I'll earn a small commission. I only recommend stuff that I believe in. I own both of these books.
✅ The Copywriter's Handbook by Robert W. Bly amzn.to/46YL5NI (Amazon affiliate link)
✅ Using Behavioral Science in Marketing: Drive Customer Action and Loyalty by Prompting Instinctive Responses by Nancy Harhut amzn.to/3Mi193K (Amazon affiliate link)
⚡ Connect with me on Social Media:
www.linkedin.com/in/bostoncopywriter/ - include a personal message with the invite so that I know you're real :)
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright, Liability Waiver and Disclaimers
As per and unless otherwise permitted under the United States Copyright Act, no part of the content of this video or any video published under .T. Robbins Productions LLC or Robyn Bradley shall be stored, copied, recreated, republished, or transported. Prior express written permission by E.T. Robbins Productions LLC or Robyn Bradley is required for any use of this video not permitted under the United States Copyright Act. The advice, guidance, and principles outlined in all content produced by E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley are not guaranteed to be appropriate for your unique situation or business. We recommend that as a consumer, you exercise your due diligence and research any and all strategies recommended to you before adopting them in your own business. E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley, or other encompassed entities are not responsible for any damages that result from an effort to implement the information provided in this or any other video, article, social media post, and related publications. Your use and viewing of any materials and videos published by E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley confirms your acknowledgment and agreement that Massachusetts law will apply to any and all disputes related to the aforementioned entities and that Massachusetts will serve as the exclusive venue for any disputes, claims, actions or proceedings related but not limited to the materials produced by E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley. E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley, including but not limited to their respective independent contractors, employees, and affiliates, research and review all content for this site to the best of their abilities but make no guarantees, representations, or warranties as to the complete accuracy and inclusion of all relevant information for each video, including but not limited to all video streams, suggested and provided links and resources. E.T. Robbins Productions LLC and Robyn Bradley specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any and all purposes.
มุมมอง: 18
วีดีโอ
Grammar Secrets: Home In vs. Hone In
มุมมอง 3021 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา
Ah, the debate over 'home in' or 'hone in' just won't die. In this video, I'll explain which one is correct. But I'll also tell you why I recommend striking the correct version from your professional vocabulary and what you should use instead. Ready? Let's go! #copywriting #writing Music: Lone Wolf Musician: Dan Lebowitz URL: www.youtube.com/@lebo_tone/featured 📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒 ⚡ Is...
Google Docs Tutorial for Copywriters
มุมมอง 5428 วันที่ผ่านมา
Are you transitioning from Microsoft Word to Google Docs? Or maybe you have a client who requires you to use Google Docs, and you're kicking and screaming because you've only ever used Microsoft Word. Then this Google Docs tutorial is for you. I walk you through basic things to help you acclimate. Here's what I'm covering (use the time stamps to jump to a specific topic). 0:00 - Intro 2:23 - Ho...
OMG! What Did ChatGPT Just Do to My Email Copy?
มุมมอง 65หลายเดือนก่อน
A former client asked me to do something weird with ChatGPT and an email marketing project. (And it wasn't a great idea, either.) In this video, I explain how it played out. Ready? Let's go! #copywriting #freelancing #chatgpt Music: Lone Wolf Musician: Dan Lebowitz URL: www.youtube.com/@lebo_tone/featured 📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒 ✅ Understanding Brand Voice vs. Tone: th-cam.com/video/7uZrpm...
What Is Digital Marketing? A Complete Guide for Beginners
มุมมอง 68หลายเดือนก่อน
Today, businesses use digital marketing to promote and sell their products and services. But what is digital marketing? Hi! I'm Robyn, the Copy Bitch. I'm a freelance copywriter who's been working in the digital marketing space since 2002. In this video, I provide a solid overview of digital marketing, how it differs from traditional marketing, and what you should do next if you'd like to explo...
Copywriting Tips: Understanding Brand Voice vs. Tone in Writing
มุมมอง 109หลายเดือนก่อน
Today, we're discussing the difference between brand voice and tone in writing and what copywriters and content writers should keep in mind when drafting content for clients. Ready? Let's go! #copywriting #freelancing Music: Lone Wolf Musician: Dan Lebowitz URL: www.youtube.com/@lebo_tone/featured 📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒 ⚡ What Are Brand Archetypes? marchbranding.com/buzz/brand-archetypes/...
What to Do When Copywriting Clients Don't Pay
มุมมอง 69หลายเดือนก่อน
It's no fun when you do the copywriting work, but the client doesn't pay. This is why you should have a contract. I share the verbiage from mine (note: this isn't legal advice). In my experience, most issues can be resolved with a couple of nudges via email, but the contract is there to protect you if things go south. Ready? Let's go! #copywriting #freelancing Music: Lone Wolf Musician: Dan Leb...
Copywriting Acronyms Demystified for Beginners!
มุมมอง 652 หลายเดือนก่อน
There are way too many acronyms in Copywriting Land. In this video, I share 15 copywriting acronyms all beginners should know. If you want to jump around, check out the timestamps below. Ready? Let's go! #copywriting #freelancing Music: Lone Wolf Musician: Dan Lebowitz URL: www.youtube.com/@lebo_tone/featured 📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒 ⚡ What is SEO Copywriting: th-cam.com/video/b7xIWLhcl3Q/w...
How to Learn Copywriting for Free: Blueprint Revealed
มุมมอง 31K2 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's your self-guided, 14-week blueprint on how to learn copywriting for free. This copywriting tutorial is similar to a semester-long course. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - Copywriter vs content writer 2:23 - The goal of this tutorial 3:30 - WEEK 1 5:47 - WEEK 2 6:55 - WEEK 3 7:34 - WEEK 4 9:05 - WEEKS 5 & 6 10:10 - ASSIGNMENTS 17:37 - Shift from HubSpot Academy to Copyblogger for Weeks 7 th...
Copywriting Tips: How to Make Deadlines
มุมมอง 172 หลายเดือนก่อน
If you're a freelance copywriter or content writer, you might be wondering about deadlines. Is it ever OK to miss one? Short answer: No. But the good news is that you can usually anticipate when something is going to derail your deadline so that you can get in front of it. In this video, I share the story about the closest I've come to missing a deadline and some tips for setting yourself up fo...
Master the Triple Crown of Copywriting!
มุมมอง 1192 หลายเดือนก่อน
Ever wonder what sets successful freelancers apart? In this video, I reveal my approach that I call the "triple crown" of copywriting. It's served me well for over 20 years, and if you follow my approach, you'll stand out (in a good way) from the majority of copywriters out there. Ready? Let's go! #copywriting #freelancing Music: Lone Wolf Musician: Dan Lebowitz URL: www.youtube.com/@lebo_tone/...
Balancing Ethics and Income in Copywriting Projects
มุมมอง 522 หลายเดือนก่อน
What if you have moral objections to the product, service, or cause that a prospective copywriting client is pitching? Should you ignore your concerns and accept the project (and the money)? In this video, I share a couple of examples from my career. Plus, I talk about what you can do if you find yourself working with a client and you realize your values are out of sync. #copywriting #freelanci...
Secrets to Effective Website Copywriting
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Website copywriting requires A LOT of prep work. You'll likely be surprised how much I do before I write one word of copy. In this video, I outline the steps I went through for a recent client. Ready? Let's go! #copywriting #freelancing Music: Lone Wolf Musician: Dan Lebowitz URL: www.youtube.com/@lebo_tone/featured 📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒 ✅ What is SEO Copywriting: th-cam.com/video/b7xIWL...
Why Your Past Clients Are Your Best Bet for New Work
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Explore why reconnecting with past clients can be a game-changer for your freelance copywriting business. In this video, I share two examples of past clients coming back with new business and what YOU can do to revive old client relationships and leverage them for new opportunities. Ready? Let's go! #copywriting #freelancing Music: Lone Wolf Musician: Dan Lebowitz URL: www.youtube.com/@lebo_ton...
Should You Use Medium to Create a Copywriting Portfolio?
มุมมอง 753 หลายเดือนก่อน
Are you wondering how to make a copywriting portfolio using Medium? In this video, I'll show you the one I stumbled on and then share a very down-and-dirty portfolio I created on Medium. Be sure to check out my copywriting portfolio playlist for related videos. Ready? Let's go! #copywriting #freelancing #copywritingportfolio Music: Lone Wolf Musician: Dan Lebowitz URL: www.youtube.com/@lebo_ton...
What's Wrong With This Cold Email Pitch?
มุมมอง 463 หลายเดือนก่อน
What's Wrong With This Cold Email Pitch?
Should You Do Copywriting Work for Family & Friends?
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Should You Do Copywriting Work for Family & Friends?
I Just Heard Some BAD Copywriting Advice . . .
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I Just Heard Some BAD Copywriting Advice . . .
Essential Business Advice for Freelancers
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Essential Business Advice for Freelancers
Freelance Copywriter Earnings Exposed: Real Numbers!
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Freelance Copywriter Earnings Exposed: Real Numbers!
Social Media Content Writing: Here's an AWESOME Example!
มุมมอง 493 หลายเดือนก่อน
Social Media Content Writing: Here's an AWESOME Example!
Copywriting Tips: Should You Tell Prospects That You're a Beginner?
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Copywriting Tips: Should You Tell Prospects That You're a Beginner?
What the Heck Does a Kidney Stone Have to Do with Copywriting?
มุมมอง 383 หลายเดือนก่อน
What the Heck Does a Kidney Stone Have to Do with Copywriting?
This Client HATED My Questions. Here's What I Did Next . . .
มุมมอง 253 หลายเดือนก่อน
This Client HATED My Questions. Here's What I Did Next . . .
Secrets Revealed: ChatGPT Tips for Copywriters
มุมมอง 1563 หลายเดือนก่อน
Secrets Revealed: ChatGPT Tips for Copywriters
Here's What Helpful Client Feedback Looks Like
มุมมอง 133 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's What Helpful Client Feedback Looks Like
First! Now, I'm going to watch the vlog.😂❤
thanks 🍻
A prime example of how culture significantly impacts language.
@bostoncopywriter Oh and I have misused "hone in" and "home in." 🙋 Thanks for clarifying it.
Same, same. Back in the early aughts, someone in my writers' group explained the difference (nicely), and I took note.
@bostoncopywriter In most cases, if a client doesn't understand the word or phrase, I just drop it. You don't want to make it tougher to get the message across. If you're explaining, you're losing. I had a similar experience with the phrase "late models." It means new, or pretty new. The latest fashion. Or "The robbers were seen driving away in a late model Chevy sedan." But a client didn't understand the phrase. I was trying to say their equipment was newer and ran well -- unlike competitors that may have old, beat up machines. The client thought the phrase made them sound old... Like they're late to an event, I guess? I knew I was using the word properly, but if they didn't understand it, someone else might not either. So after explaining it to another copywriter, I changed the phrase. Better to be clear.
@bostoncopywriter One of my journalism professors used to talk about dictionary publishers who were prescriptive (telling you what was correct) and those who were reflective (listing the way people used words even if it wasn't standard English or "correct."
Nothing thrills me more than when AP or Chicago or whatever announces some seemingly benign update and people go ape-shit in the social media comments. There ain't nothing quite like a pack of perturbed grammarians. ;)
@@bostoncopywriter Just like the great Oxford comma debate ( Which isn't as fraught as some would have you believe).
@@MR_MRM_ Listen. Tread carefully. I'm a loud, proud, and belligerent believer in the serial comma.
@@bostoncopywriter It's my journalism background. But AP doesn't say don't use the Oxford comma. All it says is only use it if needed for clarity. But especially in simple constructions, it often isn't. "The flag is red, white and blue." Nothing is misconstrued. If it could be misunderstood, use the comma.
@@MR_MRM_ I agree that nothing could be misunderstood with that example, but it still makes me twitch. :) I think the issue is sometimes the writer doesn't think the sentence can be misunderstood because they're too close to it. I'm a "better safe than sorry" sorta gal.
Great advice. Something else worth mentioning is that there are a LOT more small businesses than there are major brands.
Excellent point! And they can (sometimes) be easier to work with since you're not dealing with as many layers of approval. (Depending on the biz.)
Fire, thank you🔥
Thank you so much, Robyn! Informative, helpful a lot.
Yay! Glad it helped. :)
Another perk of Google docs: If you're using (even a basic) Chromebook or Android phone, you can download and share the file as a Word doc. You don't need to have Word on your device. It hasn't happened lately, but ive had clients who couldn't figure out how to open a Google doc. So I just shared it as a Word file instead.
Awesome tip! Thanks for sharing.
You are a great instructor. You showed the steps of how to do a certain task in Google Docs and than you repeated those steps a couple of times. That helps the person retain the information better. I’ve been using Google docs more because most people I know have a gmail account but don’t have Word installed. The difficulty I have as a longtime user of Microsoft Word is finding where similar features are in Google Docs. It’s even worse for me trying to use Google Sheets in lieu of Microsoft Excel. I could navigate Excel with my eyes closed. I spend so much time in Google Sheets trying to figure if the same features exist. Forgive me, I digress. This was another great video. Thank you.
I feel your pain, especially with Google Sheets. :) Thanks, as always, for watching!
I love Google Docs! I find it super intuitive and honestly enjoyable to creatively customize documents.
Do you use Word at all? I've definitely come around to Google Docs. Many folks have STRONG opinions about one or the other, lol.
@@bostoncopywriter Back in college I used both. These days, I stick to Google :)
I'm not too worried about AI/Chat GPT even if it does get to the point it can nail tone and voice. I won't be surprised if it gets there in my lifetime. I adore technology as a whole and seeing how far we've come with animatronics and robotics makes me of the belief it's more of a matter of "when" than "if" humans figure out how to progress tech to a certain point. I mean... Disney's animatronics in Tokyo in particular :O it's like the animations literally came to life. Whoa! I wonder if Walt ever thought his animatronics would ever reach the point they have now. Science in all its forms is always ahead of ethics and humans are so busy creating they don't always stop to think of the consequences. How very Jurassic Park of us, right? Despite that, tech has always needed humans to be part of that progress. Copywriting and content writing can't be totally replaced by AI simply because AI is a tool. No one worries about hammers replacing construction workers. There's just too many steps that go into construction that the hammer is simply not equipped to do all on its own. Copywriting and content writing involve communication, empathy, marketing know-how, etc. AI's respond to prompts given to them, they don't take the initiative nor are they "programmed for chaos" in the way humans are. But that chaos is what makes content become relatable and allows us to figure out how to reach the intended market. AI writes to complete a goal. Humans write for an audience. There will totally be companies who try to use AI to replace people, but one of the most important investments any company can make is in its marketing department. Actually, screw "company"- we're talking *anything* made to sell *something*. Selling tickets to a movie? You need marketing. Selling merch at a con? You need marketing. Selling "views" on a TH-cam channel? You need marketing. Marketing isn't just a big thing, it's EVERYTHING. So if you cut corners there, you simply won't last too long out here in the digital urban jungle. The vicious tiger of obscurity will devour you into oblivion and you'll be lucky to end up on the 10th page of Google. The smart CEO's and business tycoons care about profit and they know how to invest to make that happen. They aren't satisfied with being on the first page of Google, they want to be the very top result. And you don't get that with using AI as your entire marketing team. The concern imo is how long that learning curve will be. I wonder just how much garbage that AI will be leaving in the public park that is the internet for the park rangers i.e. *us* to clean up later. The algorithm is surely gonna become some bratty child in a toy store. What a nightmare that'll be. But I'm confident good writers will be able to whip into shape whatever monstrosity people create in the future. Call me overly confident or optimistic, but I've always got hope for humanity. We can be messy sometimes, but we make cool shit. 😎 Great video, Robyn! You always bring a refreshing perspective to the conversation. I hope your channel continues to grow because your voice is so incredibly valuable, especially right now. Not only do copywriters need to see this, but entrepreneurs could greatly benefit from this information as well. Looking forward to what you make next! <3
I love your optimism, Fal! Totally agree with this: "Copywriting and content writing can't be totally replaced by AI simply because AI is a tool. No one worries about hammers replacing construction workers. There's just too many steps that go into construction that the hammer is simply not equipped to do all on its own." You might find this article interesting. www.animalz.co/blog/megan-morreale-interview-content-marketing-future/ (And thanks, as always, for watching and the kind words!) :)
@@bostoncopywriter Thank you for sharing!! Yes, you're right. I found it super interesting and it especially resonates with me as I'm searching for a full-time role right now. At first I rolled my eyes at the title: "Content marketing is dying"- I thought to myself, oh boy not another one of *those* types. But when I saw who said it, I thought to myself "this must be a hook, which means there's more to this story". I agree with her perspective. There's so much truth in how you have to burn something down so the ashes can feed new growth. Especially as we're living in post-pandemic era, corporate America in particular needs to get her sea legs back before we can navigate where we're sailing. We have to brave a few storms first before we can cruise along that wild blue yonder. A refreshing perspective for sure. Thanks again for sharing that article! <3
Thanx for the video awesome staff, exactly what I had been looking for all in one place
My pleasure! Glad you found it helpful. :)
Another great vlog. I’m like the mafia. Pay me my money on time or else there will be consequences.😅
Exactly! #swimmingwiththefishes :)
@bostoncopywriter Had you suggested the client do some brand voice exercises? Or were they not interested?
We never got that far since it became clear to me right away that I wasn't the right fit for reasons that went beyond writing. (I didn't connect with the industry.)
Thanks so much, Robyn! Your videos are always super helpful <3 Hope you and Mr. Word Nerd are doing well. :D
And thank YOU for being such a faithful watcher and insightful commenter. :) I truly appreciate it. Hope you're having a good summer!
One brand that misses an opportunity with its voice is Death Wish Coffee. It's website is full of mortality puns... Except for its deathly dull blog. It's all about brewing tips. It sounds completely detached from the rest of the site. I wonder if it was written by poorly prompted AI. @bostoncopywriter
Oh wow! That surprises me since they're so on brand with their social etc. You should pitch them with a rewritten blog post that is on brand!
@@bostoncopywriter I should! I should also check their website again. It's been a few months. But it really stuck out.
Some brands have a different tone depending on the platform -- Twitter/X posts can be snarky, for example.
Yes! That's a good point. The tone can definitely shift, depending on the platform. (But the voice overall should still be consistent/recognizable regardless of platform.)
The Copy *Bitch*☠️
:)
I watched the "Crush" ad and I can see what they were trying to do. Their thought was saying "all your creative endeavors can be found here in one place *and* it's the thinnest model yet!" but they missed the mark on the filmography. Showing the explosions and the mediums being destroyed, the sound design including the popping of paint cans and strings from instruments coming undone, does not send a hopeful or inspiring message. This doesn't make me want to creative. This doesn't excite me. It's kinda heartbreaking actually. This doesn't convey as "condensing for your convenience" as intended. Rather, the entire creative workspace part is lost. The line about how this is the thinnest iPad yet also failed to emphasize *why* that mattered or how it applies to creative work. This ad could've easily been interpreted as "we're less concerned about our creative and innovative customers and more concerned about those who need this to be portable". Especially at the end when all that is left is a gray, corporate space. It can be perceived as Apple saying "we're changing our target audience". And honestly I can see the ad being received well by non-creative work-type people who go "hey that was cool and yeah I could use something lightweight to take on the plane during my work trips". If that was their goal then I mean yeah. It absolutely sends the message their target audience changed! And from here on out I expect to see a change in their voice and who they're marketing to. Otherwise, it's a yikes from me. Looking at Coke's ads could've been great for inspo. They do a lot of swirls and circles in their visual marketing, and I think it's to give it that "bubbly" vibe, but having a sort of cacophony, a visual whirlwind of tons of musical instruments and paint cans and sculptures and books, etc, being funneled into an iPad that's being held in someone's hand already, the camera pans from the flash of rainbow across the screen to the person's smiling face, and whilst walking they're able to wrap up something they were working on before sliding their iPad into their bag and meeting up with friends. Enter the dialogue of something along the lines of "all your favorite tools found in our lightest model yet". That all gives an idea of the purpose of this product and who it's for and why it matters. It might've worked well to do a "swipe" transition between various shots of different creative peoples- anything from robotics to architecture to music making to digital art, and how the iPad is being used during all of them. The people could be moving the iPad around between frames to visualize just how light and portable it is. This would've shown how efficient and great the product would be for its target audience- creatives in various industries, not just art but also things like engineering. It helps to know which programs the iPad supports and what type of people would benefit most from a lightweight computer. Showing a digital artist be able to take their workspace outside and get inspiration from nature, for example, gives a visual and practical example of how to use the product. For Apple, I think they missed the mark on not having people in this ad campaign. Crushing creative mediums in a monotone space with only a hand shown at the end was kind of alienating? It comes off cold and corporate, impersonal even. Apple tends to go more towards streamlining responsiveness across their various devices and simplifying workflow without sacrificing customization, so this vibe was a huge shift in how the brand usually operates. They often lean into the whole "minimalist modern and white backdrop but rainbows for a pop of color" so the gray was very new and not a good way. Marketing is aimed at people at the end of the day, especially the base in B2C. It's like they forgot their products get used by humans. But yeah, crushing was so not the way to go... XD Right idea, horrendous execution! Great video, Robyn! Thanks for all the helpful insights on brand voice and tone <3
Great insights as always, Fal! Someone did the ad in reverse, which works better, too, methinks: th-cam.com/video/ZUF9sOSg2kc/w-d-xo.html
@@bostoncopywriter It's a lot better than the original, that's for sure! But I think it'd be a hard task to make "crush" worse than it is XD Starting off with everything smushed and then expanding it and then showing a thin little iPad could work if the juxtaposition was leaned into real heavily. Otherwise if might get confusing. Which is where some strong copy could come in! The very top of the machine that crushed everything actually is the same shape of the iPad screen... so using that for a fun transition shot could also help bring the visuals together: "Everything you love in our thinnest model yet," or something like that. I recently pitched an ad campaign to Delta Airlines and I've discovered I really love that form of writing, so critiquing these types of videos- seeing what works and what can be done better- is a boost of serotonin for me XD I doubt the pitch will actually lead to a real ad, but the goal is to help me get my foot in the door there so I can land a full-time job eventually. It's a project I gave myself to show my skills when I network with folks there and so far has gotten me in touch with some great folks :)
@@fallabeaufaebelle That's awesome, Fal!
Great as always. I'd like to hear you talking about any american company's brand voice you find relevant.
Great suggestion! I'll add it to the list.
Whose that behind 😅
That's Stewie! My sidekick sloth. :)
@@bostoncopywriter looks fun
I was actually scrolling. Looking for someTHING to point me in the right direction when it comes to getting “pen to paper.” Great video and story about Larry and your relationship with him. Thanks for your video.
Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment. :) Happy writing. It's all about "butt in chair."
"Be politely persistent," is great advice! I feel like a lot of people forget to do both. They're persistent, but they're abrasive, and it can ruin relationships. Or they think they're being polite and end up getting taken advantage of. Be confident that you deserve to be compensated for your work, but be understanding that people are human and sometimes a mistake isn't ill-intentioned. Have boundaries. I see this issue too in the art community. Artists who don't ask for full payment upfront often learn to do so in stages. Otherwise, they risk not getting paid for the work they do. I've had a lot of friends get scammed, sadly. Sometimes clients don't realize how much time goes into these things and don't realize they're being rude. Like they'll cancel a project but rather than paying for the part of the work already done they won't pay for anything at all. So if an artist has done the sketch or line art or even the flat colors, all that work is for naught now. A huge waste of their time that they could've used making money with someone else. Sadly a lot of clients only think "but I didn't get the final drawing, so I'm not going to pay" and don't consider all the work that went into it up until the point of cancellation. Copywriters can run into similar issues too. You may have done research and written a first draft, but your client decides "nah" and cancels the whole thing. It could even be the project your copy was going towards went under or changed. But if you did some work for them, you deserve to be compensated for what was completed regardless of whether or not the whole product was completed. It can be extra hard for writers I think to set these boundaries because, as marketers, we can get really vested in our clients as people and treat the brand as something that we want other people to connect with. That's the whole point. And it can somewhat blur the lines between professionalism and friendship at times. Not that you can't be friends with a client, but it does make the money part hard in cases like this. I'm not sure I'd call California "pro contractor". TBH I don't know the state of things there, but I do recall a big stink with the gig workers law. From what I understand, it's caused a fair bit of grief. If that's been rectified then I have no current knowledge of it. But the concern was how it would affect things in a negative way nationwide. While it may not have been the intention of the bill, it certainly had some problems to be addressed at the time it was proposed back in January of this year. I don't live there, though, so there's still much I don't know and have yet to learn. But I think it'd be something for freelancers to check out and be aware of. Sometimes we have to remind our representatives how to best represent us. Their proposals could often use suggestions for improvement from the people they serve. Some links if you're interested: th-cam.com/video/UPVJYJGHFJs/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=paidcopywriter thehill.com/opinion/white-house/4473229-watch-out-californias-damaging-gig-workers-law-is-going-nationwide/ www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-administration-issues-rule-that-could-curb-gig-work-contracting-2024-01-09/ Great video, Robyn! Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us <3
Good point about the gig/contractor law--we're facing a similar bill in Mass that has a lot of gig workers upset.
@@bostoncopywriter I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on those bills if you’d want to make a video on them :)
This topic is relatable... 😅
Very helpful information from an experience copywriter. Thanks, Robyn!
Can you recommend a company to apply as a novice? I am educated and have experience teaching high school.
Trully i have watched dozens of video on copywriting and marketing but no one literally no one give this type of effective blueprint. I have less time to spend but still I am starting this. Trully appreciate you 🤩❤️
So glad you found it helpful! Let me know how it goes! :)
I wanna gatekeep this but she deserves more appreciation🫶
Aww, thanks! :)
Super helpful as always, Robyn <3!
Thanks, Fal! :)
EOB and EOW
Yes! Good ones. I could have made this video twice as long. For those playing at home: EOB stands for "end of business," meaning the end of the business day, which, of course, is up for debate and depends on time zones. When I tell a client EOB (I typically say EOD, or end of day), I try to get stuff out no later than 6 PM. But I know folks who say EOD, and as long as they get something out by 11:59 PM, they feel they're covered. EOW stands for "end of week."
I took me forever to understand how to handle B2B copy
It's funny . . . I don't typically think how we write to a b2b or b2c audience is all that different. At the end of the day, we're talking to humans. The goals--like solving a person's problems, addressing their pain points--are the same for both audiences. The differences are usually in how each audience makes decisions. With b2b, you have often have multiple people weighing in. Sometimes the original person you're engaging with isn't the decision-maker. (They might simply be tasked with finding potential solutions and then sharing a list with their managers or the C-suite. So you might be writing much more educational content up front to engage with this audience.) Often, the sales cycle is longer. (This is especially true for big-ticket items.) But again, we're still ultimately writing to humans. That's my take anyway! Happy to hear your thoughts/approach. Thanks for the comment! :)
@@bostoncopywriter very true, this is a beautiful way to picture this entire thing
Wait... B2B doesn't stand for "boring to boring"? 😁
Ha!
TOFU, MOFU and BOFU sound like dwarfs names from fairy tales, don´t they? Well, the only one I wasn´t aware of is SERP, so I´m not so lost after all. Thanks, Robyn, cool content as always. See you around, Copy Bitch!
Ha! Yes, those would make excellent modern-day dwarf names! Thanks, as always, for watching!
Bravo, Robyn. New sub! Just the kind of b*tch I like! haha As for grammar and punctuation... my rule is: everything posted publicly should be double-checked. That keeps it simple for me in life, and in business.
Ha-ha. Well said. Thanks for joining the party. :)
@bostoncopywriter With your medical residency/specialist copywriter analogy, l think you've done some health care writing. 😁 Good comparison.
“Copy bitch” is the most cringe thing I’ve ever heard 🫠
My mom agrees. ;)
@@bostoncopywriterhopefully she agrees that this is a great and informative video. Thank you
Yay! Glad you found it helpful. Let me know if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see me cover in future videos.
Thank you so much for doing this .🙏🏾 This is a great framework to follow. I'll start tomorrow ❤🏃🏾♀️
Awesome! Let me know how it goes! :)
Robyn props to you for always giving valuable content. YOU ROCKS! <3
Awww! Thank you! :)
Thank you so much
My pleasure! Hope it helped. :)
Hi Are you looking for a processional TH-cam thumbnail designer and video SEO expert?
Hi! Not at this time, but thanks for the offer.
2% recall on numbers/statistics. 85% recall on stories!
THIS. EXACTLY. :)
Hi Robyn, love how you managed to teach us about what not to do in the cold emails but you weren't disrespectful in any way to this person (absolutely love to watch your videos, also because of the puppy:). Which way of getting clients do you recommend for a copywriter from a third-world country?
Thank you for the kinds words. :) I wish I had good advice for you regarding your question, but I don't. My one thought is to research copywriters in your area--or in the nearest large city. Start with people in your area or the nearest large city who've been doing this for 5 or more years. (And widen the title to include content writer, freelance writer, marketing agencies, marketing consultant.) The goal isn't to get work out of them, but to pick their brains about how they got started, what they recommend doing, what pitfalls to avoid, etc. I hope this helps!
Writing ad copy for the financial and "health" industries is, in my opinion, the absolute pits. It's like being a particularly shady used car salesman.
Oh, yeah, I can see that. Especially the health-in-quotes industries, as you stated. I usually avoid financial topics, simply because of the compliance issues and the penchant for dry copy.
@@bostoncopywriter Having written copy for products considered supplements (vitamins, etc.) in the US, I can attest that the regulations make for "interesting" copy challenges. You can't promise anything.
Another great point!
It's all unethical. 'Entrepreneurs' are just exploiters, capitalist 'projects' are just exploitation. It's all value extraction and accumulation of capital.
I hear you. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your perspective.
This is a super helpful video, Robyn! Thanks for sharing your process. :D
I think while copywriters are building their own brand, it's important to keep in mind the sort of clients you're attracting. If you work in an industry you don't like, then that's the work you're going to have in your portfolio and it'll continue to attract people in that industry you're not about. Sometimes we have to take jobs we don't "love", but I think putting it in the context of "do I want my other clients/ future clients to know I've done this? if this client recommended me to someone in their industry would I want to take that job?" then it becomes clearer if that's the right client/work for you. It may not be your "passion" but as long as you can feel comfortable putting your name on it and you want to actually do the work, then it's probably, at the very least, a decent fit. Ethics vs values is an interesting discussion. For me, I see ethical copywriting as universal whereas values are individual. So for example, my idea of "ethics" is being honest. I wouldn't advertise a product does something if it isn't proven that it actually can. That's not only illegal, but even if it wasn't it'd be lying and manipulative. It's something *no one* should be doing as a copywriter. Whereas my values align with my own personal moral compass and preferences. I may be willing to budge on some of my values, depending on the situation. But ethics I would never negotiate. There are gray areas to both, but moreso in values than ethics I'd say. For new copywriters, it might be a good idea to write down core values to not just your brand but yourself *outside* the brand. This can act as a lighthouse of sorts when you're trying to navigate more turbulent waters. It gives you something solid to refer back to and help quiet those stormy moments.
Love this suggestion: "For new copywriters, it might be a good idea to write down core values to not just your brand but yourself outside the brand. This can act as a lighthouse of sorts when you're trying to navigate more turbulent waters. It gives you something solid to refer back to and help quiet those stormy moments." Great advice for all business owners, methinks!
Also, you bring up a good point with the verbiage I'm using, Fal. Maybe I should have titled this video "Morals vs. Income" or something to that effect.
I like to say people don't have relationships with business, they have relationships with other people. It's not to say things like "brand loyalty" don't exist. They absolutely do else copywriting itself wouldn't have the same teeth that it does. But what makes things like a "brand" work is that personable, relatable vibe it has. Not to say it's always "casual", but the brand voice should feel authentic to the client it attracts. For those doing their own copywriting business, it's great for us to take our own advice. Ensuring we feel like "real people" to our clients forges a relationship between us. Experiences become stories and stories create connections. And that's how the world goes 'round. I think if people started framing their mindsets like that, it'd make building a business feel less daunting. It's kinda like a "choose your own adventure" game. When you work with clients you really like, the quest may be done but you don't have to say goodbye. You can always offer your service and "re-add them to your adventure party" at a later date. You might be a great match for certain projects, so there's no need for you to hunt for new clients or for them to hunt for new freelancers if you both enjoy working together. Same idea goes for having clients you *don't* like or having a client where the work you do just isn't what you want to do anymore. You can keep doing work with them until you find a "new party member" to add to your pool of clients and go on new adventures with them. Some people end up feeling stuck or even that they can't work with the same client for whatever reason. But it's your business. These are your legos. You get to put them together however you want as long as you feel it's keeping the structural integrity.
For those who wanna learn more about doing cold pitching, I'd check out @/ paidcopywriter and @/ LocationRebel because they have great videos and the former, Christine, has built most of her brand around this method of getting clients. If may or may not be for you, but if you're interested then I'd give it a go! That email looks like one of those scams where bots look for related keywords and cook up something in chatGPT then send it to what it thinks are relevant places. Prolly why you didn't get a reply back- I have doubts there's a real person on the other side of that screen. If it's not just fishing for personal info, chock full of dangerous and sketchy links, then I'd be incredibly surprised... That being said, I think copywriters (both new and experienced) definitely make mistakes like these, so they're great to talk about for educating the copywriting community. I *hate* headliners like that! The way I see it, I'm not Tom Hiddleston. No one is paying me to be Loki, so I shouldn't be tricking anyone period. @/ AlexCattoni talks about "de-douche-ifying" the internet and this is a great example of manipulative copywriting that is so 1920's false advertising. 💁🏻♀Everyone is looking for an excuse to stop reading your email and tricking me is a great way to end up smacked with the block hammer. In creative writing, we say "show don't tell", so "make sure to read to the end" isn't the best way to keep the reader's attention imo. Instead, incentivize me. Drawing people in with promises you make good on or sales tactics such as "read to the end to get a discount code on X" is more likely to retain audience attention than a tone that's making demands of what I should do with *my* time. Especially after the initial deceptive tactic? Trust me, I'm not in a forgiving mood after that one! If the person who sent you that is real and not a scammer and happens to read this, then don't get discouraged. Everyone starts somewhere on their journey and it's okay to make mistakes if you learn from them. :) If you keep getting up after you fall down, eventually you will learn how to run. 💪🏻 If your brand is to be playful, then I say go for it. Your voice may not be for everyone, but anyone can appeal to it. That being said, there's a balancing act of personality to attract sales and unethical techniques that I think more copywriters should be aware of, especially in this day and age where, with so many options, clients are already looking for an excuse to count you out. Great video, Robyn! You handled this with compassion and presented a great learning opportunity for everyone. :D
I think this person was real. I looked at his portfolio pieces in his Google Drive portfolio, and they were legit in that they existed (and weren't necessarily bad), but they had the feel of someone following course directions. But maybe the scammers haven't gotten really good? Now THAT would be worrisome, ha-ha. Too funny, I recently started following @paidcopywriter - I appreciate her POV, but she had a strong sales background (and she was an English major) before she made a go at copywriting, meaning she came to the table with some great skills. I'm not trying to diminish what she's accomplished, and according to her stats, she's helped some other newbies with her 30-day start-up course. But! I imagine that only works for certain folks/personalities. Getting started that quick, hustling with all the cold pitches, and finding success is haaaard. And not for everyone. (I know you know this, Fal -- I'm just putting it out there for anyone who stumbles on this comment thread.) There's a slow-and-steady-wins-the-race approach, too. (Even in this super-crowded landscape.) But I get that a lot of folks get starry-eyed at the thought of moving fast--and finding success quickly. I just know how much it hurts (and how disappointing it can be and how it's so easy to feel like a complete failure) when it doesn't happen that quickly (I'm living proof . . . it took me five years before I could move out of my folks' place), and I've had the same slow response with my other creative pursuits, like fiction writing and even this YT channel. Thanks, as always, for the wonderful comments, Fal.
@@bostoncopywriter Agreed! Christine was in a super fast-paced environment before she switched gears. Lots of the "guru's" tend to have very impressive backgrounds. While I think most of them (at least in my experience) are transparent about this, there are people that get overly zealous and don't have realistic expectations for themselves. >.< "Read the whole article, not just the headline" is my philosophy XD else you miss out on important context. But in the age of bite-sized media, I think a lot of people, especially the younger generation who largely make up the entry-level group, skim and rob themselves of getting the full picture. So true about pacing one's self. I often come up with grand ideas and then don't do them because I get overwhelmed. I spend a lot of time trying to make things impossibly perfect. Giving myself permission to make mistakes and treat them as valuable learning experiences has been huge in getting me to keep moving forward. I also feel far less overwhelmed when I remind myself of where I am and that it's okay. No one expects me to be an expert when I'm just starting. The great part of the internet is how inspiring it can be, but I think a lot of us fall in the trap of comparison. And it makes sense to a degree. Someone inspires me to do something, so I want to study *how* they do it and why it works for them so I can make something like it work for me. But every great YT video or novel or anything that we're inspired by started off as a really crummy first pass or draft of something. Life doesn't have to be a series of grand moments and great accomplishments. It's full of mundane but important and fulfilling things to, including failure. Media tends to be so polarized these days, I think people have forgotten that emotions aren't all-in-or-out. You can be happy and sad at the same time. That brilliant melancholy is the sauce of life, and making mistakes and taking things one step at a time are just part of that journey. Personally, I think if we started encouraging the younger generation to seek fulfillment rather than chase pleasure/happiness, we'd be setting society up for success as a whole.
As always, such wise words, Fal. Perfection is most definitely the enemy of the good (or good enough). And that comparison trap is brutal. I don't know if it ever stops. My same-aged friends and I still fall into it (I find this is true among us women . . . I don't know if it plagues my guy friends as much.) Have you read Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird"? (If not, add it to the list. It's a gem.) She is famous for saying write "shitty first drafts." And she is so right.
@@bostoncopywriter Thank you for the recommendation! I’ll check it out :D
Someone at the church I attend (only for a few weeks, bear in mind) suggested I write copy for them and I politely told them that I'm not in a space to do work for free but if that changes then I'd approach them and volunteer my services. I don't plan on doing work for free unless I'm just passionate about the project and consider it like "volunteer work" in my own mental framework (not necessarily something to write off XD). I always hate being asked to do something and then my work be taken for granted. But I'm also the type of person who thanks the automatic soap dispensers at restaurants. Hey! With the rise of AI, we gotta be polite to our future robot overlords, amirite? ;P In all seriousness, for those who want a personal friend or family member to do work for you, if you're asking someone for a gift or favor just bear in mind that a little humbleness and appreciation go a long way. It's hard to work with clients who treat freelancers like garbage when we *do* get paid let alone putting up with Aunt Shirly's usual can of BS and barely getting bragging rights for that killer web copy at the next family reunion to show for it. If you acknowledge and appreciate the time I'm spending because I care about you and want to help, then I'm not only going to do my best but I might even do more in the future. I'm doing this because I love *you* or the project and working for you without any pay is a *pleasure* not a burden. But if you treat me like a workhorse and I don't even get a carrot, don't expect me to saddle up the next time you want a ride. Despite the name, freelance is *not* working for free! XD
Nodding my head through all this, and I agree that when we volunteer our time (no matter what it is) it should come from a place of joy rather than obligation or guilt. Joy puts out good vibes. The other two? Not so much. And then we end up feeling resentful. I always tell people that volunteering shouldn't hurt. If you hate doing it or you think it's a burden, you're doing it wrong. :) Find something you do love where giving yourself really feels like that: a gift that you can't wait to give someone.