How Copywriting Can Change Your Life
December 30, 2008
Most people are copywriters, including you. If you’ve ever written an email to rally support for a cause, tried to persuade a friend to forgive you, or written your spouse to persuade him or her to see things your way, you’ve written copy.
Copywriting is persuasive writing, and it comes in many forms. The most familiar copy is advertising in the forms of TV commercials, magazine ads, brochures, or junk mail. But emails, website copy, blog posts, and even taglines are all written by a copywriter.
If you write to inspire, motivate, or persuade people. You are a copywriter of sorts.
Ditch diggers are a dime a dozen, good ones are hard to find.
While there’s no shortage of copywriters in the world, finding a good copywriter is rare. Many copywriters have a simple formula they follow to crank out copy, and there are tons of blog posts floating around that give you a “10 Easy Steps to Write Spectacular Copy” speech. Just Google “how to write sales copy” and you’ll see what I mean.
Not Your Average Yellow Duck
If you’ve visited this blog before, you’ve probably noticed we do things a little differently here at Blue Duck Copy. We believe that creative copy (copy that colors outside the lines and utilizes creative writing) is content that endures. Cookie cutter copy may get initial results, but creative copy is a product worth investing in for a lifetime.
Creative Copy How-To
Everyone has the need to persuade others at some time. You may need to convince your boss you deserve a raise or a promotion. You may be updating your resume in hopes of landing your dream job. You may be writing your own wedding vows, or persuading your teenage son to apply to a college. For many of you, you are writing daily or weekly blog posts for your own websites.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be covering the finer points of copywriting, specifically writing creative copy. I believe that good copywriting is a skill that is useful in many different areas of life. I also believe that it can make the difference between success and failure for many people. As a form of communication, good copywriting skills can enrich your business, your marriage, your friendships, and your mental health. Just imagine the possibilities if you were able to effectively communicate your thoughts and persuade others.
Stay tuned for the “how to express yourself effectively” series beginning next week, and be sure to subscribe to the Blue Duck Copy feed to get your how-to delivered straight to your inbox or feed reader. Just click on the coffee cup to the right, or the RSS icon in your address bar.
The Psychology of Experts
December 24, 2008
Expertise in any filed is a desired trait. But how do you become an expert writer, master SEO copywriter, Internet marketer, web designer, or life coach? Does your age determine expertise? Your experience? Your training? Yes and no. The key is time.
Practice Really Does Make Perfect
The amount of time you spend doing an activity directly relates to your level of expertise. No one becomes an expert overnight, despite what those late night infomercials tell you. You have to put in the hours to master your craft. Now, this does not mean that any idiot who hits 500 golf balls a day but continues to play poorly, is an expert. 
The assumption is that with continued practice, your skills improve.
Chase Down Your Dream
When you choose a career or hobby to develop your expertise, the first step is examining your level of motivation. There will be difficult times and trials that will make you want to give it all up along the way. Without a huge amount of desire and motivation to get you through, you will never reach that coveted level of expert.
Motivation is a major factor in becoming an expert. “Everyone has the will to win, but there are only a few who have the will to prepare to win.”~ Mr. Starkes. Hard work is necessary and sacrifices are likely.
What Else Goes Into Making an Expert?
Many other factors influence expertise. Your circumstances, level of training, natural talent, ability, practice, and age all get dropped into the stew that becomes your level of expertise. Sociological experts will tell you that your income level, geographic location, and the size of your family also greatly affect your ability to reach your goals.
The good news is, with the Internet most of these issues are wiped out. The playing field is leveled. If your chosen profession involves online commerce or an Internet business, your motivation and time spent practicing your skills are the two biggest determinants of your level of expertise.
So Why Bother?
If mastering your craft is not a big enough motivator for you to write until your fingers bleed, perhaps your bank account is. People pay more for the work of an expert. Period. The higher your level of expertise, the larger your paycheck. For some, this may not mean an excess flow of income, it may simply mean that charging more for your work provides the freedom to pick and choose your projects and clients. Higher price tags mean you have less on your schedule, and have more time to create a better product or service for the client.
Charging more may mean that you have more free time to spend with your family, pursuing your education, or traveling. If you are living your life intentionally, you have dreams and goals for your future. Becoming an expert can help you get there.
“…obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. “~ Colossians 3:22-24 ESV
Live intentionally. Become an expert SEO Copywriter, Fiction Writer, Graphic Artist, or Life Coach.
What Christmas Means
December 23, 2008
Hello! I am starting to feel human again, and this new-fangled diet has my figure looking good! 
This is just a quick post to let you know I have a guest post up over at Writer Dad’s. You all know the address, I’m sure. Sean asked for a guest posting long before the flu hit, and I wanted to make sure I delivered. It’s not my best writing, but it still has heart.
I plan to post a full-length doozie for you tomorrow. So if you’re not to busy shopping, wrapping, cooking, and visiting, stop by for some warm Christmas cookies and coffee for a few. See you then. 
Is it hot in here?
December 19, 2008
104 fever= hallucinatory blogging. Be back soon, I hope.
Hello, Remember Me?
December 16, 2008
I’m back! I survived finals, thank God. I celebrated earning all aces this semester and took Monday off to spend time with my little guy. I’m back at my desk this week and hitting it hard.
What’s New
I have big plans for the next few weeks. Blue Duck will be getting an overhaul, with a little help from a whole crew. Most changes will be behind the scenes, but some will inevitably leak out onto your screen.
Here are a few highlights of what’s been happening while I’ve been on blogging vacation:
Scott Hendison at Search Commander has been a tremendous help recently and we think he and the Search Commander crew are Blue Ribbon material.
James Chartrand of Men with Pens has suffered through my endless stream of emails and chatter over the lats few days, and has functioned as the logical half of my business brain this week. I would have been medicated with Thorazine and other anti-insanity drugs if it weren’t for James’ levelheadedness and focus this past week. He saved my butt….again.
Harry at Men with Pens has become enlightened to my sheer stupidity when it comes to imaging and graphics, and we seem to have worked out a common language beyond my senseless grunts and growls about logos and headers and such. He’s such a gem.
Sean Platt at Writer Dad has served as a sounding board and an eternal spring of encouragement and humor. His banter and chatter have helped keep me sane.
B J Keltz at Enriched by Words has added another exciting project to my heaping pile, and this one tends to float to the top. I’ll let you know more when it’s up and running, but this one has huge potential and value.
Naomi Dunford and I will be sitting down to pick her brain royally in January, after she gets all settled-in in England. Online Business School sparked a ton of ideas and 5 new projects for Blue Duck Copy, along with an idea on how to expand the Blue Duck’s services.
Dave Wright of Blogger Dad has provided advice and editing for a piece I am working on for the local newspaper. He has invaluable experience as a reporter and is generous beyond words.
My friend and soul-sister, Toni, has nudged me into finally writing that book I have outlined. I have the first 3 pages done, and think I may be able to finish it before school starts again.
A big, huge, bear hug goes out to each of these people, along with my sincere gratitude and prayers for blessing. Thanks.
Getting Personal
And on a personal note, my oldest son recited the entire Christmas story form Luke for the school play and gave the salvation invitation as the kids gathered around to reenact the nativity. He spoke with confidence and expression, and never missed a beat. He also looked very grow-up and handsome in his little shirt and tie. And yes, I cried.
I have been taken aback by the sheer need of people in my community this year. It seems that everyone is getting laid off, or having hours cut. Money is tight, and the local food banks and churches are exhausted. People are scared and hurting. They need prayer. If you are the praying kind, please pray for those hurting this Christmas Season.
If you find yourself in need, the Pen Men have started a wonderful program in their forums called Helpline Exchange, where you can hook up with someone who has what you need. I think it’s a fantabulous idea and shows just how big James, Harry, and Charlie’s hearts are.
That’s my rambling about my time away from the blog. Thanks for hanging in there till the end. We well resume a modified posting schedule this week, and get back to Blog Nirvana on Saturdays.
Merry Christmas to everyone and I hope and pray that God will meet your needs and provide you with joy and peace in the busy days to come.
His Favorite Christmas Story
December 12, 2008
I’m feeling Christmas-y today. In honor of my Holiday temperament, and my need to study for two more exams, I’m posting the lyrics and music to one of the cutest little Christmas stories I’ve heard this year.
“Capital Lights – His Favorite Christmas Story” Lyrics
by Various Artists – “X” Series | from the album X Christmas
He met her up in Delaware in 1937
She was wearing red lipstick to match her pretty dress
December 24th at a quarter till eleven is when he finally gained the courage to ask her to dance
It was the night before Christmas, it was love at first sight
The carolers sang as they danced through the night
She was a small town girl, he was a traveling guy
He never caught her name before they said their goodbyes
A couple years later he was out on the road
Having Christmas dinner in a diner alone
When he saw a young waitress with a gleam in her eye
Her favorite day of the year she showed her spirits were high
She said sir can you shed a little hardy cheer
A simple Christmas story was all she wanted to hear
He looked prepared with a smile as he started to say here’s my favorite Christmas story about a girl with no name
He said I met her up in Delaware in 1937
She was wearing red lipstick to match her pretty dress
December 24th at a quarter till eleven is when I finally gained the courage to ask her to dance
Every holiday season as he traveled he’d tell about his Christmas dance partner that he never knew well
He’d share his favorite story with the locals he met
He was called the Christmas story tellin traveling man
By age 53 he had done settled down
All the neighborhood kids liked to gather around
Just to listen to his stories about his life on the road
All he had now were these children he told
And every Christmas eve they showed up before dark
He’d tell them all the story but they knew it by heart
They could quote it word for word, he always told it the same
It was his favorite Christmas story called the girl with no name
He said I met her up in Delaware in 1937
She was wearing red lipstick to match her pretty dress
December 24th at a quarter till eleven is when I finally gained the courage to ask her to dance
Twenty years later as he took his last breath
It was on a cold Christmas morning on a hospital bed
The children were grown, he had nobody left
Except the little old nurse who was holding his hand
He said Ma’am can you share a little hardy cheer
A simple Christmas story was all he wanted to hear
But his eyes filled with tears at the words that she spoke
Because his favorite Christmas story was the one that she told
She said I met him up in Delaware in 1937
Though I never caught his name he was a traveling man
December 24th at a quarter till eleven
I’m so glad he got the courage to ask me to dance.
(Song lyrics courtesy of NewsReleaseTuesday.com)
Aww, wasn’t that sweet?
If you want more terrific Christmas stories, head on over to Best Little Christmas Story.com, crafted by Jamie Groves of How Not to Write.com
