What would you ask?
One of my earlier copywriting mentors was John Carlton. I learned a ton from him and credit him with much of my copywriting chops today. (He’s also funny as hell.)
I’ve been to many of his copywriting seminars and he never fails to blow me away with content. (Often he’ll have me as a special guest representing the female point of view which honors me to no end.)
Well, if you’ve been watching his tweets and blog posts you know he has something BIG coming up. (I actually got a sneak preview as well as an invite to…hey, wait a minute! I’m not spilling the beans yet!)
What I WILL say is he and I are doing a call on copywriting VERY SOON…but I need your help. It’s an interview and I would love some new, interesting questions to ask him about copywriting. Got any ideas? If you do, just leave ‘em here in the comments section along with your website (extra exposure for YOU).
I REALLY appreciate your help on this one.
Thanks in advance!
Lorrie
October 14th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
John (via Lorrie),
1. What’s your take on print versus video in online sales. I’m torn between the two, and wonder if you’re moving more in that direction yourself.
2. Outrageous headlines - I don’t like them. Even the one-legged golfer. They seem too fantastic. Do they REALLY work? Really?
3. If Lorrie was a guy, would you still have her give a woman’s view on copywriting?
Peace.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Joe Penna has already asked about video v print. Could you please add your take on social networking to that. It is effective in getting traffic but how good is that traffic. Does your CTR drop drastically?
Being from the UK and selling in the USA market causes some problems for me with regard to spelling and grammar. On Lorrie’s advice I am using American English, but is there any time when it will be advantageous to use UK spelling in the American market?
In other words, how many and what type of Americans are comfortable with UK spelling and grammar.
Also, how important is spelling and grammar. I am noticing an increasing amount of mis-spellings and bad grammar (UK and US) on sales pages and ebooks. Has the time come when correct spelling is looked on as wrong because most people can’t spell correctly but don’t know it?
In other words, do I have to learn to spell badly in order to sell more?
October 18th, 2008 at 1:04 am
Aloha John!
I’m kinda new to the ‘professional’ copywriting game, so these questions may not be new or interesting. Let’s find out, OK?
1 - Websites ….. LOTS of individual pages (conventionally mapped and indexed) or 5-8 specific landing pages with links back to the main site from there?
2 - If you were to get started in Copywriting today, what are the 11 must-have books and courses YOU’D buy? (or beg or borrow or steal?)
3 - If you were a tree, what kind of tr … WHAT?? Wait a darn minute!
Oh, I see now ….. my apologies!
for a moment, I was channeling Barbara Walters writing her questions for an upcoming John McCain interview!
scheeeesch!
4 - Long Copy, Hit’em-in-the-face-with-a-2×4-Text or hyper-loooooooooooong pages?
5 - There’s an old saying - “Sex Sells.” We teach that as one of our Top 16 Must-Know Marketing strategies. it’s been used successfully since ….. Caveman days!
With Copy, where do you (personally) draw the “Sex-Sells” line?
5 - As a Master Marketing Guru Strategist, what are the best or favorite 5 strategies you developed and taught?
Thanks John! Looking forward to learning more from you in the months & years ahead!
~ Neil ~