Writing Copy That Sells: Copywriting Definition with Examples

Is there a secret to writing copy that sells? Some dark-magic formula that breaks through the barriers, barricades, and psychological bulwarks? Yes. And I have proof.

10 Best Copywriting Books from the Best Copywriters

Want to become a top copywriter? Easy. Just one word: read. Well actually, three words would be better: read ... a lot.

Who Is the Smartest Man in Ecommerce? Sean Frank

Among ecommerce businesses, debates rage. Thankfully, the question of who is the smartest guy in ecommerce has finally been settled.

Who Is the Most Handsome Man in Portland, Oregon?

Let me be as clear as possible: I’m obviously not the most handsome man in Portland. In fact, this wasn’t even an original idea. I stole it from Sol Orwell, the most handsome guy in Toronto. But there is a point to it …

The Biggest Career Decision of My Life Isn’t About Money

How do you make career decisions? Not the little ones. The big, looming, “This choice will shape everything I do for the next few years and impact the rest of my working life” kind of career decisions.

Copywriting Formulas: How to Unleash the Most Primal Human Motivator

Let's start with a warning. This post is about the only copywriting formula you'll ever need: fear. Like any psychologically informed method of persuasion, fear is ripe for abuse and manipulation. So, I’m going assuming one thing: you will use this copywriting formula for good ... not evil.

A Father’s Day Thank You: 35 Point Checklist

A week ago I set about the task of loving one of the most important people in my life: my father, Michael Orendorff. I wrote him a “thank you” letter — a thirty-five point thank you letter. Here’s what I sent …

An Ode to Small Things: All You Need Is What's Next

Big problems demand big answers. That’s the way of common wisdom anyway. And it’s what our hearts and minds tell us in the middle of overwhelming, life-toppling situations. But is that true?

How to Attend a Conference and Take It Over

Before you think about how to attend a conference — how to get the most out it — let me tell you a true story and share ten lessons on the most epic conference adventure of my life.

Writing with Passion: 10 Ways to ‘Amplify’ Your Words

We all struggle to communicate passion. Nowhere is this struggle more painful than copywriting. Mastering the ability to create an emotional connection with your audience -- a shared experience of desire, delight, excitement, and awe -- is the primary challenge all copywriters face. That’s why today I’ve compiled 10 powerful rhetorical tools to amplify your copywriting.

How to Respond to Failure: Embrace, Learn, ‘Bother,’ and Ask

We all face rejection. Dead-ends, no-thank-yous, and crashes. Here’s how to respond to failure with enthusiasm and learn from life’s best teacher.

Engaging & Captivating an Audience When They Don't Want to Listen

Engaging and captivating your audience is hard. And nowhere is it harder than in a classroom full of students who don't want to be there.

Entrepreneur ... All I’ve Got Is Good News

I’ve got good news. In fact, that’s all I’ve got. In a world dominated by twenty-four-hour news channels, it’d be understandable for you to think the world is constantly getting worse. Turns out … the world is actually getting better.

Marketing, the Resurrection & Selling to the Human Soul

You can’t argue someone into “believing” — converting in either a religious or marketing sense — until you make them want to believe.

The Money Is Where the Enthusiasm Is: Gary F. Halbert

If you know where the enthusiasm is, you know where the money is. Your enthusiasm. Your money. It’s that simple.

Be a Decent Freakin’ Person: Case Studies on Growth & Success

“Is he a good dude who deserves a chance?” That was the question posed by Jerod Morris — VP of Marketing for Copyblogger Media — to Demian Farnworth — Copyblogger's Chief Copywriter. I had just submitted my very first guest post …

Build Relationships: Case Studies on Growth & Success

A little over a month ago, I fired off this bombshell of a post … How I Wrote for Fast Company, Copyblogger, MarketingProfs, and Entrepreneur and Landed My First Nearly $20,000, Three-Month Client … in Less than 120 Days Despite how outlandishly prideful that headline...

Failure, Rejection & Success: ‘Let’s Get Rejected’ (The Birth of a Mantra)

Good news people … the dream is very much alive. How do I know? Because over the last 120 days, I've not only written for Fast Company, Copyblogger, MarketingProfs, and Entrepreneur, I also landed my first nearly $20,000, three-month client. Few experiences are as...

Failed Copywriting Pitch: 5 Lessons

I -- deep breath -- am a failure. Well, that might be too harsh. Let me reframe … I have failed. Actually … you know what? In black-and-white, even that sounds kinda rough. Maybe some specifics would soften the blow. Four weeks ago I had a failed copywriting...

Getting Your Customers to Hold It, Love It & Give It Money

“The problem,” I politely told Carl, “is that you aren’t showing them the puppy.” “The puppy?” “Yeah. The puppy. “What you’ve got here, what you’re featuring, it’s all custom leashes, organic Alpo, and tips on how-to-house-break-in-a-day. Don’t...