Can You Learn Copywriting From Books, or Do You Need a Copywriting Coach or Mentor?
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Marcia Yudkin
Apr 23, 2013, 4:40:16 PM4/23/13
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Marcia Yudkin
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Article Title: Can You Learn Copywriting From Books, or Do You Need a Copywriting Coach or Mentor?
Author: Marcia Yudkin
Word Count: 533
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=1515004&ca=Writing
Format: 64cpl
Contact The Author: http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=1515004
Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=1515004
*********************** ARTICLE START ***********************
Unlike doctors, lawyers, accountants and cosmetologists, most successful copywriters did not learn their profession from formal classes in school. Indeed, since there�s no standard, set, easy-to-find route to getting started in copywriting, many novices flounder for years, unsure about their skills and how to improve.
Both classic and newer books on copywriting set out the fundamental principles of the craft and should be studied in depth. You should know concepts like �call to action,� �features versus benefits,� �elements of proof,� and many others.
However, books can take you only so far. Books do not tell you whether or not you are applying the fundamental concepts intelligently and masterfully finessing the finer points. They don�t reveal the weaknesses or blind spots in your writing. A copywriting course or private coaching can provide crucial guidance that nudges you away from bad habits, boosts your confidence and quickens your mastery of writing copy.
Here are ways in which you may profit by going beyond what you can pull out of books.
1. Feedback on assignments from an expert instructor. Some copywriting courses include this, while others don't. When feedback on your work is included, it's worth every penny. I can't tell you how many times I've seen very smart people read how-to material, then miss the important points completely when they tried to apply what they read. A teacher/mentor/coach/instructor can show you where you are going wrong � and going right � in your application.
2. A framework for study. All the masters on people's reading lists don't completely agree with each other. Confusion results. A teacher/guide gives you a single framework for understanding what you're learning and relating the various points to each other. Such consistency takes you faster to a level where you are in turn able to form your own confident opinions on the issues under dispute.
3. Discipline. If it's a course with scheduled meetings, you're more likely to keep up with assignments than when you are slogging along on your own. The same goes for a structured coaching program with a mentor.
4. Answers to questions. There are sure to be some points you don't understand, or something you�re trying to achieve that has you stumped. A mentor/coach/teacher/expert provides answers and explanations.
If you want the above advantages, save up for a copywriting course or coaching program that includes interaction with someone who knows what they're doing and enjoys passing that along to others. Look for the following qualifications in your instructor or guide:
* at least 10 years of copywriting experience, whether on the job or as an independent professional
* experience in teaching or coaching
* a writing style that you respect and like
* a supportive, rather than bullying or dictatorial, style of interaction
* good rapport with you
* agreement with your preferences and goals
You�ll learn best when your mentor respects your goals, listens as well as he or she talks, has a wealth of professional experiences to share and takes pleasure in watching you and other struggling copywriters gain confidence and grow.
About The Author: Veteran copywriter Marcia Yudkin is the author of Meatier Marketing Copy, Persuading on Paper and 14 other books. She mentors both beginning and experienced but frustrated copywriters in a one-on-one program described at http://www.yudkin.com/become.htm
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=1515004
*********************** ARTICLE END ***********************
- To distribute your articles go to http://www.isnare.com/distribution.php
- For more free-reprint articles go to http://www.isnare.com
Message delivered directly to members of the group:
publish-the...@googlegroups.com
*****************************************************************
Please consider this free-reprint article written by:
Marcia Yudkin
*****************************
IMPORTANT - Publication/Reprint Terms
- You have permission to publish this article electronically in free-only publications such as a website or an ezine as long as the bylines are included.
- You are not allowed to use this article for commercial purposes. The article should only be reprinted in a publicly accessible website and not in a members-only commercial site.
- You are not allowed to post/reprint this article in any sites/publications that contains or supports hate, violence, porn and warez or any indecent and illegal sites/publications.
- You are not allowed to use this article in UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email) or SPAM. This article MUST be distributed in an opt-in email list only.
- If you distribute this article in an ezine or newsletter, we ask that you send a copy of the newsletter or ezine that contains the article to http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=1515004
- If you post this article in a website/forum/blog, ALL links MUST be set to hyperlinks and we ask that you send a copy of the URL where the article is posted to http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=1515004
- We request that you ask permission from the author if you want to publish this article in print.
The role of iSnare.com is only to distribute this article as part of its Article Distribution feature ( http://www.isnare.com/distribution.php ). iSnare.com does NOT own this article, please respect the author's copyright and this publication/reprint terms. If you do not agree to any of these terms, please do not reprint or publish this article.
*****************************
Article Title: Can You Learn Copywriting From Books, or Do You Need a Copywriting Coach or Mentor?
Author: Marcia Yudkin
Word Count: 533
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=1515004&ca=Writing
Format: 64cpl
Contact The Author: http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=1515004
Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=1515004
*********************** ARTICLE START ***********************
Unlike doctors, lawyers, accountants and cosmetologists, most successful copywriters did not learn their profession from formal classes in school. Indeed, since there�s no standard, set, easy-to-find route to getting started in copywriting, many novices flounder for years, unsure about their skills and how to improve.
Both classic and newer books on copywriting set out the fundamental principles of the craft and should be studied in depth. You should know concepts like �call to action,� �features versus benefits,� �elements of proof,� and many others.
However, books can take you only so far. Books do not tell you whether or not you are applying the fundamental concepts intelligently and masterfully finessing the finer points. They don�t reveal the weaknesses or blind spots in your writing. A copywriting course or private coaching can provide crucial guidance that nudges you away from bad habits, boosts your confidence and quickens your mastery of writing copy.
Here are ways in which you may profit by going beyond what you can pull out of books.
1. Feedback on assignments from an expert instructor. Some copywriting courses include this, while others don't. When feedback on your work is included, it's worth every penny. I can't tell you how many times I've seen very smart people read how-to material, then miss the important points completely when they tried to apply what they read. A teacher/mentor/coach/instructor can show you where you are going wrong � and going right � in your application.
2. A framework for study. All the masters on people's reading lists don't completely agree with each other. Confusion results. A teacher/guide gives you a single framework for understanding what you're learning and relating the various points to each other. Such consistency takes you faster to a level where you are in turn able to form your own confident opinions on the issues under dispute.
3. Discipline. If it's a course with scheduled meetings, you're more likely to keep up with assignments than when you are slogging along on your own. The same goes for a structured coaching program with a mentor.
4. Answers to questions. There are sure to be some points you don't understand, or something you�re trying to achieve that has you stumped. A mentor/coach/teacher/expert provides answers and explanations.
If you want the above advantages, save up for a copywriting course or coaching program that includes interaction with someone who knows what they're doing and enjoys passing that along to others. Look for the following qualifications in your instructor or guide:
* at least 10 years of copywriting experience, whether on the job or as an independent professional
* experience in teaching or coaching
* a writing style that you respect and like
* a supportive, rather than bullying or dictatorial, style of interaction
* good rapport with you
* agreement with your preferences and goals
You�ll learn best when your mentor respects your goals, listens as well as he or she talks, has a wealth of professional experiences to share and takes pleasure in watching you and other struggling copywriters gain confidence and grow.
About The Author: Veteran copywriter Marcia Yudkin is the author of Meatier Marketing Copy, Persuading on Paper and 14 other books. She mentors both beginning and experienced but frustrated copywriters in a one-on-one program described at http://www.yudkin.com/become.htm
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=1515004
*********************** ARTICLE END ***********************
- To distribute your articles go to http://www.isnare.com/distribution.php
- For more free-reprint articles go to http://www.isnare.com
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