Product position
Copywriting has been given a bad name. This mini-eBook should set the record straight.
Large promise
A few years ago, I remember being more than doubtful about long copy and various sales techniques. I used to think being funny and making cool things was all it took to persuade people to use my stuff. I was right about the latter, but wrong about not believing in sales techniques that have been used for years.
I knew there was a giant gap in my knowledge. I studied everything I could find about sales, copywriting, advertising, marketing and started to apply what I was learning. A year later, I quit my job as a programmer and I’m now making a living selling my own products online. I know for a fact that my copywriting skills have something to do with this.
Social Proof
« Your [product] is exactly what I need. »
« Your tag line hooked me. »
« [...] then I read your [product] description and that sealed it. »
« "[...]", this sentence convinced me. »
« I think your sales speech tells everything! »
« [...] this is one of the most entertaining, engaging and insightful ebooks I've read in the past year » - Ross
« Love the e-book. It's concise, to the point, and packed with solid, actionable advice. » - Jason Hanley via email
« Simple, concise, elegant, excellent. Recommended. » - Paul Doerwald
* All right ... no improvements on that side, but I swear I can hold my breath for 5 minutes now. Oh and ... I've quit my job too ;)
Don't be a bore!
My name is Marc-André Cournoyer, I'm 30yo programmer, have two kids and I'm now making a living selling two products: an eBook, How to Create Your Own Programming Language, and an online course, Owning Rails. I also have a few other products underway, but since I'm already making way more than I use to at my old job and have more free time than I had ever imagined, I decided to take a few months off and teach what I learned.
I know there are various tutorials about copywriting online. But most are giving you pre-made formulas where you just fill in the blanks. My mini-ebook is based on the eight principles of persuasion as presented in the book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini. I'll show you my swipe file, sample web pages using each principle.
Scarcity &
Urgency
Now you might ask yourself: « if you can sell so well, how come you're giving this away for free? ». First, only the first one thousand copies are free, and the first 700 copies are already gone. Second, you'll have to read the book to find out why ... :)