Internet Marketing Business Blog James Schramko

What’s more important, injecting character, story telling, or learning the ways of an NLP ninja?

What are John’s thoughts on the video salesletter? Does he have any data on traditional long form vs video?

I still haven’t quite made my mind up so I’m creating hybrids.

Cheers
Dave Jenyns

Hi John, What is the real difference that makes the real difference to being at the top of your game as a copywriter? Cheers Richard

I’d ask him for his best tips on writing copy for squeeze pages.

And dozens of other questions too!

What the mental trick after making a sales letter that, keep the reader hooked and cant stop reading?

If you had to choose three mentors to guide you online to internet marketing success who would they be and why?

John, Of all the various styles of marketing that you are aware of, in your opinion, dollar for dollar, what is the most effective means of marketing for an offline business today in order to get more equiries and leads?

Thank you.

Can he break down a sales letter into specific components. and, talk about the difference between long and short sales letters in accordance to the specific components… do they differ?

When writing copy for video (what is being said in the video), what do you need to do differently than wrriting copy for print/web page?
Sure the principles are probably the same….but still, it’s a different means of communication.

Keep ut the good work!

/ Kristian, Sweden

What does John see as being the next big trend particularly in copy-writing for the web?
Thanks
Keith

HI John. What time management system have you created that keeps you focused, and on track to meet a boatload of copywriting decisions/deadlines. Thank you!

Would writing an email to get opened by an offline business be any different to an email you would write for the online community that you want opened?

In regards to a website review for an offline business,what would John say in his opening few sentences on the video to capture the interest of the business owner to make him want to contact me for help with his online marketing?

Hi,John,How can i get people to salvate when they see my spalsh page or sales page,how can i get them to want more,How can i get this person this human to say i want more
i got to keep reading,how can you get this person to almost have orgasum and buy my product,Regards,Norman

What was the most power Headline John ceated and used, and what was the result. i.e. conversion % and $$$

What is the biggest single mistake many people make when writing copy?

Hi John,

Totally loving your Simple Writing Express training- thank you for being so generous.

Here is my two top question for you John:

There’s a lot of noise and options in today’s competitive markets for infoproducts:

” what are the key steps that you advise your clients to take to craft their USPs and to powerfully differentiate their offers in the minds of their target audience?”

Thank you,

Michelle B. Williams

Hello James and John,

In your experience working with every possible type of writer (personality), what separates the the people that excel in this business from the ones that sometimes never get it?

Thanks for your time,

Mike

There are over 400million internet users in China.What do you think about Google being blocked by China…and how do you sell a repressed nation your extraordinary product?

My Q for John:
What are your 3 best tips for getting the creativity juices flowing when preparing copy?

I would ask what he thinks the best converting action words are for online sales copy.

Other than failing to properly research a market before writing your copy what is the number 1 thing that newbie copywriters get wrong?

Hi John – I’ve just read your “Elevator Chat” formula from your Simple Writing System Express Course and was wondering whether this formula could also be used as an introductory opening (to promote a product or service) when using video on a website ?

If people remain closed-minded even after appealing to their emotions and intellect, what have you found are other effective ways to having them open up, engage and take a look at your info, say for example, that vaccination is not immunization?

How do you write to a mass audience so that they feel as if its personally direct to them, building trust, excitement and allowing them to take action without any sense of them being pushed into the deal?

Do you think that the current sales page format will become a thing of the past and be completely superceded by video sales pages?

Hey John, can you pls tell us about the Tipping point when you decided you will do copywriting as a Biz and left whatever you were doing before ? Thx Andrew

I would like to ask John to give us the top 3 phrases that cause people to take action on a website.

Thanks
Andrew

How do you know when you’re finished writing a sales page? What stops you from making those countless tweaks and gets you to push the ‘publish button’?

when it comes to salesmanship and effective copywriting, I understand the goal of developing rapport because people buy from who they know, like and trust.
I get it that the core of converting prospects into customers is connecting with them.
I’d like a distinction though.
Whats a simple system or process for presenting yourself as a credible source who is likeable, ” one of us” while also developing a sense of rockstar awe and admiration in the mind of the prospect?
If there can be not enough personality and comeraderie to be able to develop trust and rapport, can there also be too much connection so that a customer could conclude ” if hes such an ordinary guy, like me, then I really must not NEED HIM to get the expert results because if hes just like me, either I’m expert enough to do it myself or hes so much like me he isnt really a rockstar expert”?
James im sure with your copywriting/editing skills you can fine tune this question but you probably get where im going here.
How do you develop esteem and admiration while also building a sense of connection and commonality and rapport? can one goal or attribute undermine the other?

Hi John, how YOU can decide before, that copy is success or not?

The question: “If there was one closely-guarded copywriting secret you wished you had kept for your own, but had to divulge to me because you want to honestly help me succeed, what would it be?”

Hi James, i’m in the music industry as you know, so would be interested to hear from John about how you would write copy for a market push i.e. for example, a new band that nobody has heard of or a recording artist trying to get exposure and interest. I help artists with the music recording part so they have great tracks, but then they all seem to need help with the promoting part. so any tips in relation to that would be much appreciated. cheers Barbara Griffin

Hi

I have never written a sales letter and am not intersted in learning how to. But at the same time i am not making so much money online that i can fork out thousands of dollars to get a quality sales letter done.

So question is how can this be done? Is there a sales writing system that can easily be taught to an outsourcer that can create quality sales letter.

Basically i want to systemize the whole process of getting sales letters created? Is that possible and if so how would you go about it?

Hi John,

What are your key points and strategy when writing content for your main page that will not only grab the prospects attention,
it also engenders confidence that you offer a genuine solution?

Thank you,
Neil

Hi John,
Thanks for offering the chance to ask you this question:

What are the core copy components of every successful sales letter you have created and in which order do you implement them into the sales letter?

Have an awesome day

Mirko

John
How do I justify learning to write copy for my on- and off-line service business rather than paying somebody else to do the copy for me?
Tx Chris

Does article marketing still work ?

I would ask John: What is the best way to change my copy to be flowing and reflective of my audience when I am generally I have a very formal style of natural writing

What is the one thing you wish you could have asked Gary Halbert but never did?

How long should it take to write a decent converting sales-letter?

How should this be broken down interms of individual tasks – research, writing, formatting, proof-reading, etc?

Can you set time limits like this, or is it just a case of it takes as long as it takes?

Cheers,

Rob

i would ask a simple step by step guide how to achieve outstanding results, something i can follow as in a step by step to action

Is this a question?

What’s the hardest thing he has had to write copy for and why?

Did he ever have a sales letter that totally bombed? And how did he figure out what happened and how to resolve it?

John,

With all your experience, all your talent, and all your skill, WHAT is the Biggest mistake you’ve ever made… which
led to your Greatest lifetime business discovery – bar none?

Thank you!

what research methods do you use to find out what problem/s your market needs a solution to;how do you get inside your” customers head”?
In relation to the above how do you find markets with unresolved problems?

John – if you are marooned on an unmanned island with nothing but a laptop and wifi connection, how fast can you persuade a stranger to rescue you using your Simple Writing System.

Kishore Dharmarajan

Hi John,
For me one of the biggest difficulties I face is ensuring the integrity of the product, as opposed to which one will return the biggest dollar. ie. am I serving a need or am I in it for the short term profit.

Or how do you choose products and create a long term clients.

Hi
My Question for John would be:
For someone new in the IM arena, what are the top was to produce great copy writing who is new is inexperienced, being overloaded with too much information on how to write great sales copy etc therefore totally overwhelmed. How do you make it easy and effective?
Thanks

Hi John and James
having watched the elevator pitch and bar conversation training this week, what is the most inappropriate place to conduct a pitch that John has made, and was he successful?
cheers
Jon

Many top copywriters seem to be American, and all examples are often US based. There are huge opportunities internationally, but it is also clear that cultures, values and behaviors are very different.

For example, the research done by Hofstede (link below), demonstrates that the US is Individualistic, where as Asian countries are Collectivist.

I believe this means that different influencing styles work best for different cultures.

What would you need to change in your copy to attract international buyers from different countries like Asia, UK, France, Australia?

Resource:
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=xcUOAAAAQAAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA281&dq=shell+research+different+cultures+uncertainty+avoidance&ots=y1gSPIGk5F&sig=RenjancX-MmjhwTviw5MuUr8Nh4#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Could you please ask John:
What would be the number one book you would recommend to help someone wanting to get started in copywriting?
Thanks!

Hi John

What are the 5 basic elements that a good sales letter / sales page MUST have?

Thanks

Billy Millar

What advice do you have on Voice and style of LP copy ( or any sales copy ) ? If the audience is younger should you write in street speak or Ghetto or valley talk or Estuary English ? There are so many local variations.
For a wider audience should the Queens English be used for an international English audience or is that “too posh”?
USA is a predominant marketplace, should one (you) use idioms relevant to that country even is selling worldwide ?

Hi John (& James)

How can you incorporate subtle copy-writing techniques into a blog post that is written with a conversational tone and in the 1st person – as opposed to the more direct style of copy-writing used in sales pages and direct marketing?

Thank you
Kym

Heya James & John,

Question is:
What would be the one overall thing you look for, when reading sales copy to get you fully compelled to read more or to feel fully associated?

Cheers fellas

What’s the best method for getting into the mindset of a market and learning their language?

Which one is your “killer” headline that give you the most success

Hey John,

If you had a chance to ask John Carlton one question what would that be?

Hey John, Is it true that the really really long sales letters are more effective. If so, why?

I would like to know the best way to structure a sales letter, from catchy headline, then to keeping the reader engaged all the way through the copy and finally to have them feel absolutely compelled to take my call to action.

Have you ever thought about translatting some of your material to other languages.

Question for John:

What specific barriers does the art of story-telling break down when giving your target audience the message it wants to hear?

What are best ways we can make a differance in this world?
How can we improve our own lifes?
Who do we need to talk with to change the news and media from fear based focus to positive, educational, community driven messages….. ? Guy

My question for John: I learned, “Facts tell, stories sell!” What are the important steps of the story to trigger the emotional response of the reader to want to buy your service or product?

Hi John,

What is the best “hook” you have used in your copywriting?

Regards

What does the laid-back copywriter who can’t stand our “VB” beer (of which I also agree!) and has a “get F&*ked” rate when he is not interested in further work…

…do with his money and free time?

Hi!
How do you make new customers just dying for to come back and take part of new offers?

Hi James,
thanks for this opportunity:)

I would ask John: what were the mile stones in his career that made him continue the whole thing even further? Asking that I’m particularly interested in the period of his life when he was starting his internet marketing adventure and copy writing business.

Thanks
Justyna

What elements comprise a good story?

Hi James and John, thanks for the opportunity to ask a question.

I’d like your opinion on whether graphics have proven to help increase conversions of a sales page or reduce conversions. If they have proven to help conversions, is it only the very professional looking graphics that have a positive impact?

Where can I get a cheat sheet / checklist for constructing a sales letter?

What are the specific steps you take to deeply understand the prospect so that your copy addresses his needs like a glove?

hi,
the Free book on internet marketing speed report ( above ) is unavailable due to a time limit… how can one get it if it was posted only several hours ago ? thanks.

My question for John: If there was only one rule you had to adhere to when copywriting, what would it be?

Not sure if he would be able to answer this question or not but here it goes. How do you learn something you hate. I detest sitting down and writing copy, so much that I would rather go to the dentist. It is probably the reason I suck at affiliate marketing but quiet successful with my ecommerce stores. The only answer I have at this stage is Outsourcing.

What are the top 5 actions you took that were key to getting you to the point that you knew you’d broken through to achieving consistent success?

Hi John,

If someone finds the writing process maddening and torturous, despite getting praise, awards and money for their work, how likely is it that they will start to love the process one day? Most importantly, does it make any difference when it comes to success?

My impression, based on what I’ve learned about successful writers, is that it varies. Some hate it, some love it, but most feel compelled to write no matter what (which is where the madness can enter in).

Thanks for your consideration.

Whats the story with that sign-off of yours?
“Stay Frosty” What does it mean? should I be cold like a Wendys shake or is it a bit more metaphoric like: develop a layer of iceyness? If so, then what does THAT mean? Be a dick? Be cold and cynical?
Or none it, its just some old fashion ‘hip’ sign-off.
Its a bit annoying to read your articles and be given a direct order at the end, that I do not know how to implement!
Stay Frosty John,
(there how do you like it).

When you get a new brief to write sales page copy for a product or service, what’s the very first thought that goes through your mind? (apart from – “am I charging enough for this?” )

What a bunch of great questions – please answer them all!!!
1. What do you think of the trend towards video – and how do you surround it with essential, minimal great copy?
2. What do you think of trend towards mobile txt msgs /vs emails – and emails are obviously getting shorter and more direct.
3. Overall – we’re moving towards people wanting instant easy to grasp info – how do you funnel the elements of a long sales page into shorter / more efficient form?

Hey James – how do people’s pix show up in their comments? I’d guess maybe they’re in aol messenger or something? I’m on mac and aol hasn’t worked for me – have a google image. Any tips? thanks! Cary

What is a quick way to accurately assess a prospects emotional sweet spot?

How has copywriting evolved since John started…or have the basic appeals to human psychology remained unchanged?

@Cary to get your own picture in the comments just make a Gravatar here – http://en.gravatar.com/

What is the biggest trend impacting copywriters today?

Once you’ve identified your USD – how do you keep track of opportunities you can write for products.

John,
After you have written some copy, what tips can you give as to how you pick out words and phrases that can be deleted to make the copy succinct.
Thanks,
Annette S
Western Australia

Hi John,

Today more than ever, it is very important to build rapport, relationship, trust and credibility with your potential clients before selling to them. People tend to only want to do business with other people who they know, like and trust. For this reason, relationship marketing becomes increasingly important.

Does this affect the way you do your direct marketing and if so, how? Does it change the way you write your salesletters? Which of these factors is MORE important to you? Story telling to build rapport and a connection with the reader, or direct response marketing tactics (such as guarantees, social proof etc.) to convince the reader to take a call to action?

Binh
Binh

Hey John,

What, if anything, would you add to the following (which is yours of course):

“Here’s what I’ve got. Here’s how what I’ve got will help you. Here’s what I want you to do now”?

many organiztion provide copywritting training, what is the difference between john’s and others?

Hi Guys,
My Question is ..What is the best way to structure your copy, meaning, should you try to trigger an emotional response by telling a story or make a Bold Statement and then telling them a solution, or just try to tell them why they need your product, and show them why they need it.
Thanks , Ken D.

Hi John,
Universal Knowledge belongs to everyone!
Some people have found ways to tap into it others learn from those who tapped into it.
Unless it’s a direct quote, is it necessary to acknowelge the knowledge we learned from others??
When I read academic papers it drives me crazy to read all the names and blessings to those who have found
“unique information” and claim it as their own. Unless it’s reseach stats of their own, I feel I have access to universal knowledge and it belongs to all of us.
e.g. For some time I have been teaching that “humans are so smart, we put a man on the moon but we still can’t deal with issues of sexuality.”
Some time later I found almost verbatem this statement in Stephen Covey’s book “Seven Habits of Highly Successful People.”
Olia

Assuming that you have 2-3 seconds to catch a readers’ interest, what comment, statement, or words most strongly attracts the attention of the human mind?

Hey John and 007 Thanks for sharing!

What are 3 most important tips that makes your copywriting sooooooo Frosty?

WOW, I have just read through all the comments and realised how little I know so my question is…..

“As a newbie to copy are you going to make it simple for me to just get started, everyone is trying to ‘sell me’ their product so what makes you a stand out?”

Regards,

Cathie

Good Morning,

Are the elements of a successful sales letter something that is universal and can be incorporated across many nationalities and translated into other languages and achieve the same results?

How do we strike that fine balance between a compelling sales message and off-putting hype?

Here’s a passage from a recent JC letter that to me seems to teeter on the brink:

‘If you need profit-pumping sales messages for your website, ads, videos or anything else you rely on to make your biz cook on high heat…these shortcuts will change your life instantly.

‘He’s just giving away this awesome “unfair advantage” stuff,
too.”

It struck me as a bit too hip and buzzwordy, and “change your life instantly” as a bit hypey. But John obviously knows what works. I’d love to know how to judge for myself.

Hi John,
My question maybe that of a simpleton but here goes. How do I start? I know this sounds odd but I find myself unemployed for the first time in 47 yrs James Schramko has sent me a lot of information and I am still trying to sort it all out. So my question how and where do I sort it all out. How do I go step 1. done now step 2. up to where I get some money.

What do you need to do differently, if anything, when writing a one-page sales letter to writing an autoresponder series?

Steve.

If you were starting again, knowing what you know now, what is the number one task you would focus on and why.

How can we best use the skills we learn to help others?

Best techniques / suggestions for integrating / combining written copy with video?

Best attention-grabbing techniques for getting someone to watch the video?

What is the AUTHENTIC future of “Sales” letters?

Long scrolling hype is done…

Long copy??? Who needs it…

Video? of course

What is the future while honoring the past
elements – Triggers, storyline personna
that you use so well…

Chris

Hey James!

What mindset(s) are important for effective salesmanship John?

What triggers “selling from your heels”? and other disruptive sales techniques?

~Chris

John,

Outside of the world of Internet marketing, and away from
the world of information products, and all the other online stuff, which mainstream copywriters (living or no longer
with us) do you admire the most?

And as an aside, thanks for all you do to keep me sane.

Kind regards, —Gary B.

What is the most effective copywriting to make the dollar value of the buy insignificant to the prospective buyer’s need/value of having it?

I just wanna know why he signs off “stay frosty”? Sad but true I love his courses and they are easy to use but the choice of stay frosty puzzles me!

Hi John:

Is there a list of critical copywriting elements or cardinal rules that govern how the different types of web pages should be setup – such as on the landing page, salespage, squeeze page, etc. ?

Regards, Gilly

This question is really for both of you.

What is the single most important personal characteristic or strength that you developed in yourself that made ‘the’ difference to your success.

Thanks guys, Helen

John,
Q1. What was your best ‘Call to Action’ that got you the best response?
Q2. Can you give us three tips on how to stay focused and be disciplined while working on the internet.
Q3. I write as I speak – yes that is long winded – is there anything wrong with this style of writing and if yes how can I retrain myself to be more snappy and to the point?
Thanks John for your training sessions so far they are just awesome and I am so enjoying them. Ana

Congratulations LUKE – John chose this: “What’s more important, injecting character, story telling, or learning the ways of an NLP ninja?” as the winner.

I’ll email you your prize.

The MP3 will be coming soon

Type your comment here…

John,

You help people in sales, show them clearly and simply how to make a lot of money, easier, better, faster, even if they are novices like me and their favourite activity is procrastination, how do you see the future of copywriting? Is it going to be cheaper, better, faster, how are we going to adjust the art of copywriting to the world of digital age?

Thank you,

Big Fan.

James,

Please ask John that when he is facing major writers’
block especially dealing with an emotional issue what does he do.

Thanks,

Rus

Hi James,
I’d like to get John’s opinion on whether he thinks I am a freak when it comes to “learning” on the internet per se’.
You see I have real trouble watching video on a computer or even on a DVD course. My attention span is terrible. I mean it’s only minutes before I totally lose concentration and my mind wanders. Then I have to start all over again … and it happens again!
On the other hand I can listen to an audio tutorial for an hour or more, maybe two, without losing concentration; especially when I’m driving. My mind might go off on a tangent (relating to something I’ve just heard on the audio) from time to time but that is OK. I think everyone listens to something more than once when they are “taking in” information from listening to audio anyway; and it is probably beneficial to think laterally about something you are just learning.
Similarly I have no trouble reading and learning educational material related to being a success on the internet. However I find it far easier to keep my interest going on printed matter in a book form rather than an e-book on the screen or even a printed out e-book; as 80gm A4 size paper, (or the US equivalent), is not an ideal size or weight to sit comfortably with when you have a comprehensive written course of several chapters / volumes collated into some sort of folder where the binding is always difficult when streaming through pages.
So James, will John agree that I am an internet freak? Am I someone who might be part of a minority? Or am I someone who might be part of a silent majority?
Does John see any new trends coming onto the market that might be able to combine audio and video in a more user friendly manner that can maintain interest to a greater degree or might impart better uptake of the information? (I understand that video currently also includes audio but there are HUGE slabs of superfluous video in most training or information courses that say nothing worth remembering. And it is not just in the “so so” courses, my opinion is that it is a common problem).
Is there a better form of communication on the way! A mix of Medias that might have more of an impact. Is the Amazon Kindle technology or the new offering from Apple going to create a more comfortable environment for people to learn in.
I reckon John is the right person to ask these questions of because he is obviously solidly behind “COPY” as being the best informer on the internet. Although I understand he now uses that in combination with other media as a sales tool he must also be very savvy about what mixes of media to use to get the educational material he sells across to his customer in the best possible way. That’s what sells more product! And he would certainly be the sort of guy who is constantly mixing and matching and measuring to get the best results.
OK; so maybe he reckons I’m a freak! So again I reckon John would also be one of the best guys to ask of how to train oneself to focus on the “matter at hand”, because good (sorry … excellent) copy is supposed to be able to do just that; and that is John!
James, I would guess that you have probably never considered John as a mentor in relation to focusing on the task / job at hand, as your work ethic and routine are stuff of legend on the internet these days. Focus is NOT a problem for you!
However for those of us who are still only dreaming of success on the internet I think John’s comments on these matters would make interesting listening and reading; and if he tap dances while he’s talking it might be visually interesting as well. (Ha Ha).

Hi John and James,

Thanks heaps for teaming to make this possible!!!

John – I’ve heard over and over again that long copy can sell better than short copy….but how long is too long?? And how do you keep in engaging and not too repetitive while still ‘hypnotic’ and leading the reader through.

Also – to personalise or not to personalise – when you are writing to a list who doesn’t know you and you don’t have their name in the email, do you always write as ‘you’ and sign off as yourself? Are there times when you can remove yourself and still keep the warmth and engagement?

Thanks again,
Cheers
Angel

John, what is the best way to make my sales-copy stand out & differentiate me from my competitors?

John, Can you give an example of what you would consider to be ‘great’ sales copy?

It might be one that converted extremely well for you.

Thanks,

Hi John and James,
I know telling stories make good copy. And I have noticed that some sales pages use the strategy of opening up two or three stories, different but with a similar theme, then close each one. My question is… Where is the best place to put the ‘call to action’? So they don’t just get caught up in the stories and forget to buy.
And should one story be more dramatic and stand out from the others?
Thanks.

What in your experience are the top 3 ways to get the reader to trust you and what they are reading?

what are the top phrases in a personal finance newsletter that can turn my website visitors to potential visitors.

Hi John! Do you ever have writers block and if yes, how do you get around it? ie how do you get the create juices flowing…
Thanks.

You’re being charged by a very aggressive male elephant angry at you crossing into its territory.

What do you do?

John,
1. Who was your inspiration and role model when you were a child?
2. Who do you get your inspiration from now?

I would like to volunteer that my inspiration and role model for internet marketing is all coming from James who is possibly half my age – lucky me.

Thanks.

Ana

HI John. What time management system have you created that keeps you focused, and on track to meet a boatload of copywriting decisions/deadlines. Thank you!