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The no 1 question that plagues every new copywriter...

by Charmingcapital13
7 replies
To slay only zombies or every monster you see?

Put another way...

To niche down or not?

When I first discovered direct response copywriting (and was reading everything I could find on the internet about it) I found out there were two camps --those who support finding one niche and sticking to it and those who advised against it.

Both sides seemed to have good points.

Those who supported niching down argued that going broad would leave you overwhelmed. Also, having a niche makes you a specialist --and therefore you earn more.

Anti-niche camp argued that you can't know what's best for you until you try everything. And going broad makes you more versatile. You can take on any client you want. You can sell anything and everything.

I might be missing some other points that have been made, but these are the ones that stuck.

I also noticed something interesting. The old guard copywriters (those ones whose books you read) didn't stick to one niche. They wrote promotions for different products and services. While the more modern copywriters mostly stuck to one niche --or at least I see a lot of them preaching it.

So what could be the reason for this shift? (I do know there are lots of modern copywriters who write for different niches, but I'm referring to the popular opinion --and perhaps practice?-- that supports sticking to one niche).

So what are your thoughts about this?

To slay only zombies or every monster you see?

PS: bonus point if you give solid reasons behind your choice
#copywriter #plagues #question
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  • Profile picture of the author SARubin
    Originally Posted by Charmingcapital13 View Post

    The no 1 question that plagues every new copywriter...

    To niche down or not?
    Interesting. The number 1 question I usually hear is "How do I get clients".

    But we probably don't hang out in the same circles, so your group may have a different number 1 question.


    As far as "To niche down or not?"...

    There is no absolute answer. Only you can decide what's best for you.


    I know a few writers who specialize in email copy. They write for different niches, but they only write emails. They don't write long form sales copy or advertisements or anything else.

    Others specialize in particular styles of copy (landing pages, or short ads, or branding, or long form pages, etc.)

    And I know a few writers who only write for particular niches. They'll write short ads, emails and long form. But only for one niche.


    I personally write in a few different arenas. My best performing work has been in - construction trades... self help / self development... prepper / survival... and the adult industry.

    Of course I can, and have written for other niches, because once you know how to sell the rest is just researching particulars. Also I don't just write copy anymore, I work on campaigns, but that's a topic for another day.


    So for someone like you, who's just starting out, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

    You should try a few different things and see what fits. Find out where you belong, because only you can decide what's best for you.


    But I will recommend one thing...

    "Pick something and stick with it long enough to see where it goes."


    Which brings me to my question for you...

    A couple weeks ago you had "The Ultimate Plan To Break Into Financial Direct Response Copywriting"

    You had a plan to work for Agora. (I wouldn't call it the "Ultimate" plan, but it was a good start)

    You were working the plan. And the plan was working for you (you sent out 6 emails and got a response, which is great, or just lucky, but either way you got a positive result).

    Are you still working that plan?

    Or have you become side-tracked by all the gurus telling you how easy it is to be a wealthy copywriter, and now you don't think you need Agora anymore?
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    • Profile picture of the author Charmingcapital13
      Interesting. The number 1 question I usually hear is "How do I get clients".

      But we probably don't hang out in the same circles, so your group may have a different number 1 question.
      You're actually right. "How do I get clients?" is the number one question asked by newbies. I was just playing around with the headline.

      As far as "To niche down or not?"...

      There is no absolute answer. Only you can decide what's best for you.


      I know a few writers who specialize in email copy. They write for different niches, but they only write emails. They don't write long form sales copy or advertisements or anything else.

      Others specialize in particular styles of copy (landing pages, or short ads, or branding, or long form pages, etc.)

      And I know a few writers who only write for particular niches. They'll write short ads, emails and long form. But only for one niche.


      I personally write in a few different arenas. My best performing work has been in - construction trades... self help / self development... prepper / survival... and the adult industry.

      Of course I can, and have written for other niches, because once you know how to sell the rest is just researching particulars. Also I don't just write copy anymore, I work on campaigns, but that's a topic for another day.
      Interesting.

      So for someone like you, who's just starting out, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

      You should try a few different things and see what fits. Find out where you belong, because only you can decide what's best for you.


      But I will recommend one thing...

      "Pick something and stick with it long enough to see where it goes."
      Good point. You're basically saying as long as you're doing something you're good.

      A couple weeks ago you had "The Ultimate Plan To Break Into Financial Direct Response Copywriting"

      You had a plan to work for Agora. (I wouldn't call it the "Ultimate" plan, but it was a good start)

      You were working the plan. And the plan was working for you (you sent out 6 emails and got a response, which is great, or just lucky, but either way you got a positive result).

      Are you still working that plan?
      Actually, I should update that thread. I'll do that in a minute. But let me correct something though, I sent a whole lot more than 6 emails. In fact each person that replied, I had to email at least two times (except like two people)... and most more than that. I was sending emails for days, non stop.
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      • Profile picture of the author SARubin
        Originally Posted by Charmingcapital13 View Post

        Good point. You're basically saying as long as you're doing something you're good.
        As long as we're doing something that moves us in the direction of our definite purpose, yes.

        There's a Japanese word "Kaizen" - loosely translated means continual improvement. Even small progress towards our vision, everyday, will bring us closer to our goals .

        And it all starts with defining where we want to end up. Because walking 100 miles in the wrong direction (or in circles) won't bring us any closer to our desired destination.

        Originally Posted by Charmingcapital13 View Post

        I sent a whole lot more than 6 emails. In fact each person that replied, I had to email at least two times (except like two people)... and most more than that. I was sending emails for days, non stop.
        Awesome! There's a word for that... It's called marketing


        I saw your other thread about how much to charge for copywriting, and if you're interested I have something I can send you...

        It's an AWAI price guide from a couple years ago.
        The prices are still relevant today, as long as you keep in mind it's only a guide. I charge more for some stuff, and less for others. But until you establish your own fee schedule it can still give you a solid baseline for pricing different types of copy.

        Anyway, if you're interested drop me a PM with an email address and I'll send it to you when I get home tonight.


        All the best,
        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author Charmingcapital13
          Hi Steve...

          As long as we're doing something that moves us in the direction of our definite purpose, yes.

          There's a Japanese word "Kaizen" - loosely translated means continual improvement. Even small progress towards our vision, everyday, will bring us closer to our goals .

          And it all starts with defining where we want to end up. Because walking 100 miles in the wrong direction (or in circles) won't bring us any closer to our desired destination.
          Interesting. I love the philosophical take on it. I'm definitely stealing that Japanese word, "Kaizen".

          As for the AWAI price guide, I actually have a copy of the 2020 version. But I appreciate the offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Princess Balestra
    Problem with niches is ... way too many warped weirdos.

    So if'n you wanna specialize in warpcraft, you gotta figure these guys gonna hire assassins when they figure you ALSO writin' for the COMPETITION.

    "I pay you to get Big Butt Brazil Shave Look in the #1 Google whammyhole -- but if your're writing similarly stunning copy for Neato Bikini Wobble Factor, then how can we both be number 1?"

    In its way, niche is real small pond.

    So mebbe there is a place on the plannit for wider expertise.

    I am aware of my tactical areahs, but I would nevah wanna depend on' em without factorin' in accessory juicy from wherevah.

    Mebbe this is bcs I bore easy.

    I would wanna see a range of stimyoolatin' possibilities gowin' on, bcs from here you got troo creative conflux potential.

    So I would wanna release my zombies 'pon a variety of monstahs.

    They stoopid, but I got zillions to play with, an' if'n I tweak their outfits ... give 'em backstory they got next to no chance of recallin' under duress ... an' announce their arrival in sootable terms ... then there is no reason they can't bring down Godzillah.

    Or raise him up.
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    Lightin' fuses is for blowin' stuff togethah.

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  • Profile picture of the author Ndyama
    I still think that you should narow down your expertise in order to be more knowledgable and interested in what you write about. As for the shift, I feel that it is connected with the fact that the audience has become more demanding to the commercial texts and promotions. Every copywriter needs to know the target audience perfectly well and what language the community uses to express itself. However, if you still don't know which field you want to specialise in, you should definetely go wide and browse the fields which will carry you away.
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