A dude replied to my email the other day (about the importance of FEEDBACK on your copy) with this note:
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I ****THINK**** that has been my biggest issue.
I’ve been consciously writing copy for about 5 years. (Before then, I was writing copy but didn’t know I was writing copy.)
But in all that time, I’ve never worked under a better copywriter.
I partnered with a better copywriter and he always praises my copy LOL, but he’s become a friend and is probably biased.
I’ve written for a lot of clients, always get referrals, been invited to speak at conferences, but in 10 years I’ve only ever had one copywriter give me specific feedback on my copy.
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Imagine Roger Federer saying “in 10 years I’ve only ever had one coach give me specific feedback on my serve”.
That’s cray-cray, and not in a good way!
But getting consistent praise of your work isn’t much better, either.
(It’s kind of like the way Hayley tells me every new meal I make for dinner is “one of her new favourites”. It was great the first few times, but when she said it about that weird sausage casserole I made with the store-bought sauce and white bread, I started to get a little suspicious. I love her positivity though.)
That’s why I don’t put too much stock in anyone who only tells me my copy is great.
The solution?
You need targeted, constructive criticism.
That does two things for you:
- Helps you get better at writing copy (duh).
- Helps you get better at judging your copy.
That second one is important.
Because once you know how to judge good copy, your training almost becomes automatic, because you’re able to give yourself feedback. You just ’know’ when it’s not good.
That’s why early in your copywriting career, regular constructive feedback from a pro is one of the best things you can get.
Doesn’t have to be me you get feedback from, of course.
In fact, I have approximately between ‘zero’ and ‘no’ interest in convincing you that I would be a good person to give you feedback, if you don’t already believe that.
But if you do, you’d best hurry to the waitlist for my coaching program Inbox Detonator when I open it (hopefully) later this week:
Join the waitlist
And yes, it was deliberate that I only hyperlinked one letter in that link.
Why?
Because … it amuses me.
Daniel Throssell