A cautionary tale:
One of the perks “Email Players” subscribers get is, whenever I get freelance copywriter opportunities sent to me, they’re the first to know about them. And while most impress the wahoo out of these clients and do elBenbo proud… there is one negative report I sometimes get.
Here’s what I mean:
A would-be client sends me what they need.
I email the “Email Players” list.
The freelancers on there then email the would-be client, but some of the people emailing them are coming off as trying to be too clever (which turns them off) and, at worst, looking like spammers.
Take, for example, my ex-copywriting apprentice.
She recently started her own copywriting agency.
And few months back, I sent an email to the Email Playerhood about how she’s looking for copywriters to work with and she sent me some of the replies asking:
“Why can’t they just talk to me like a regular person? Why all the copywriting drama and shenanigans?”
I shook my head.
And, had no answer.
She was getting all these subject lines and emails that sounded like spam at a glance, as they tried to show how clever they are. These subject lines *would* have worked great if sent to a list, most likely. But to someone who is requesting specific info?
Nah-boo.
They just want to know what you can do for them.
My ex-copywriting apprentice even said in a few cases she wanted to hear from the writers and liked them, but almost thought they were spam because of the clever and cute subject lines.
Anyway, like I said, a cautionary tale.
It’s all about context and awareness with subject lines.
(Just like with sales letter headlines.)
If you want to see a couple examples of how to respond to freelance inquiries, check out the August “Email Players” issue where I show you how to do it right (and some examples of what not to do).
Methinks a lot of freelancers sabotage themselves.
And, this is one way they do it.
She goes to printer in a few days.
Get your lovin’ here:
Ben Settle
