Blog/website?

[ErinHill226]

Okay, so I decided after considering some your feedback to design another website that isn't flash. Also, and my reason for switching if I'm being honest, I'm unhappy that Wix keeps their company name at the top of the bar even after you've upgraded and paid the hosting fees. Most others I have seen might have a tiny little "designed by Wix" thing at the bottom, but not such a giant display. It looks unprofessional to me.

Anyway, after searching far and wide I have finally found a site builder I like (so far). The design I chose already has a blog built in to the site itself. I know that having it on there will help me add more content for more traffic.

The problem is that I was already thinking of starting a blog, but I'm not sure the topic would work well on a professional site. Then again, maybe it would. Opinions? My blog idea is geared toward work at home moms and it would give marketing advice in regards to copywriting, retail sites, etc... I chose this niche because there seem to be fewer sites geared toward marketing a business once you find one, and also because I write for retailers, so I have experience in that aspect of sales and copywriting.

So what do you think? Keep the blog on the page since I WILL be talking about catalog writing and other things pertaining to retailers, or should I come up with a new blog idea just for the site and start my mom blog elsewhere? I'm not sure I have time to keep up with TWO blogs...especially since I just told a friend I'd help with hers. I think Carol Tice had her make a living writing blog on her website before launching it as a separate site, and her blog obviously isn't geared DIRECTLY at her clients. But it still showed them her writing chops...so I guess it worked for her?

What say thee?

[al_mama]

I fried my eyes last week looking at freelance writer websites in order to get ideas for mine. What I think is cool that I've seen on a few of them is a blog incorporated in, like you're talking about, but posting their articles instead of blog posts. Then you could keep your mom theme without looking unprofessional, keep your content fresh for SERPs, and illustrate your writing ability to potential clients all at once!

That being said, I want to redo my entire site using a StudioPress theme (they are LOVELY) on the Wordpress platform. I don't like my site at all, but my sister built it and I don't want to hurt her feelings... plus I have to save to buy the theme, so I'm keeping everything as-is for now...

[ErinHill226]

Originally Posted by al_mama

I fried my eyes last week looking at freelance writer websites in order to get ideas for mine. What I think is cool that I've seen on a few of them is a blog incorporated in, like you're talking about, but posting their articles instead of blog posts. Then you could keep your mom theme without looking unprofessional, keep your content fresh for SERPs, and illustrate your writing ability to potential clients all at once!

That being said, I want to redo my entire site using a StudioPress theme (they are LOVELY) on the Wordpress platform. I don't like my site at all, but my sister built it and I don't want to hurt her feelings... plus I have to save to buy the theme, so I'm keeping everything as-is for now...

Hmmmm. That is a good idea, but I don't write very many articles I'd want to post. lol. My content mill work is admittedly not my best, and most of the samples I'm posting are catalog copy and retail ads, sales copy, etc... I guess I could just make up some articles about catalog writing in general or retail copywriting/marketing. I'm just afraid I will end up running out of ideas. lol

[HWMM]

Personally, I think the mom blog should be separate since your site caters to retailers. I have never heard of Carole Tice, but when I see a professional website and its blog targeting two different audiences or markets, I think the site/blog owner isn't focused. I also think that maybe the owner doesn't want to spend the time or money to set up a second site or blog which makes him seem unprofessional to me. I only started to think this way after taking an Internet copywriting course. But people should do what they want with their sites or blogs.

[ErinHill226]

Originally Posted by HWMM

Personally, I think the mom blog should be separate since your site caters to retailers. I have never heard of Carole Tice, but when I see a professional website and its blog targeting two different audiences or markets, I think the site/blog owner isn't focused. I also think that maybe the owner doesn't want to spend the time or money to set up a second site or blog which makes him seem unprofessional to me. I only started to think this way after taking an Internet copywriting course. But people should do what they want with their sites or blogs.

I was kind of thinking the same way. I suppose I could come up with at least an article a week to include on the blog. Or maybe I just won't do a blog on my site, since my original intention was to have a separate blog somewhere else entirely. I'm also a little worried that since the site is new, having very few posts will make it overly apparently that I just set up the site. I wonder if people will think I don't have much experience?

Which copywriting course did you take/are you taking, if I can ask. Whenever I hear of a new one, I always click over to see if I should take it. Same with books. lol

[ErinHill226]

Originally Posted by HWMM

Personally, I think the mom blog should be separate since your site caters to retailers. I have never heard of Carole Tice, but when I see a professional website and its blog targeting two different audiences or markets, I think the site/blog owner isn't focused. I also think that maybe the owner doesn't want to spend the time or money to set up a second site or blog which makes him seem unprofessional to me. I only started to think this way after taking an Internet copywriting course. But people should do what they want with their sites or blogs.

And also...you should totally read Carol Tice. I get some of my best marketing ideas from her blog. Or anybody else here who hasn't heard of her. makealivingwriting.com

I'm not saying you need the help. Just that it's a good blog.

[HWMM]

I am always looking for marketing ideas. I will check out Carol's blog/site. I am sure you have heard of AWAI. (And for those who haven't the URL is American Writers & Artists Inc. | Make Money Writing | Copywriting Courses | Get Paid To Write | Copywriting Careers.) I took the Internet copywriting course by Nick Usborne. It's a good course if you are completely new to Internet marketing. Although I learned some new things, it wasn't worth the money.

ETA - I don't know why that long link appeared when all I did was write www dot awaionline dot com. Anyway, it is not a referral link.

[ErinHill226]

Originally Posted by HWMM

I am always looking for marketing ideas. I will check out Carol's blog/site. I am sure you have heard of AWAI. (And for those who haven't the URL is American Writers & Artists Inc. | Make Money Writing | Copywriting Courses | Get Paid To Write | Copywriting Careers.) I took the Internet copywriting course by Nick Usborne. It's a good course if you are completely new to Internet marketing. Although I learned some new things, it wasn't worth the money.

ETA - I don't know why that long link appeared when all I did was write www dot awaionline dot com. Anyway, it is not a referral link.

Ohhh. Yes, I've heard of AWAI. I knew a guy who took the main direct marketing course, and he filled me in on exactly what they offered (as in, what types of copy they cover). Said it was mostly about sales letters, landing pages, etc... I've always been curious about it, so thanks for being honest. I've read a few reviews saying it's all stuff you can learn in books on copywriting. I wondered if that was true for the other courses, since I've been curious about the catalog one.

Then I read some RAVING about how great they are, but those turned out to be affiliates. I thought I'd wait and see if anybody took the course and had actually reaped tons of benefits from it. I appreciate hearing from someone who actually took it first hand, since it's kind of a pricey course if you really can learn the same things in books.

Although, I've probably spent the same amount so far buying copywriting books...lol

As a side note, I know they say that type of copy works and all (the long letters they use on their own site with the giant bold headlines, etc...), but I don't see how. Am I alone on that? When I read their site, the way it was written was my main reason for being suspicious of the course. And when I come to a landing page written in that manner, I usually click away immediately. It's like having a pushy used car salesman in my face. But I guess it works, or how could the writers who specialize in that charge so much? I just don't get it...

[HWMM]

I also took the main copywriting course, the one on direct mail. I highly recommend that course. I learned a lot. Although you could probably find all the info on the Internet, it takes a lot time to find everything. And you are not certain if you are getting the right info from experts or people who just call themselves experts. What I liked about the AWAI course is that it starts with the basics and builds on that knowledge with each chapter. The instructors even compared the course to building a house. You start with the foundation and then add all the necessary parts bit by bit.

Also AWAI offers many discounts throughout the year. I got the course at more than half off. To get the discount I had to buy through my own referral link. Much to my amazement, three months later I got a commission check from my own purchase. This made no sense to me, but apparently it was ok with AWAI. I ended up paying about 25% of the original cost.

If you subscribe to the newsletter you get many hard sell emails. I got so sick of these that I had to unsubscribe. Strangely enough, the direct mail course didn't teach these hard sell methods.

AWAI offers a 90 day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. I actually asked for a refund on the Nick Usborne course. I got the refund two days later. No questions asked. Also the direct mail course is available for $36 a month if you don't want to pay the full amount. And you can cancel any time. So if anyone is interested, you can check out the course for $36 to see if it is for you.

[ErinHill226]

Originally Posted by HWMM

I also took the main copywriting course, the one on direct mail. I highly recommend that course. I learned a lot. Although you could probably find all the info on the Internet, it takes a lot time to find everything. And you are not certain if you are getting the right info from experts or people who just call themselves experts. What I liked about the AWAI course is that it starts with the basics and builds on that knowledge with each chapter. The instructors even compared the course to building a house. You start with the foundation and then add all the necessary parts bit by bit.

Also AWAI offers many discounts throughout the year. I got the course at more than half off. To get the discount I had to buy through my own referral link. Much to my amazement, three months later I got a commission check from my own purchase. This made no sense to me, but apparently it was ok with AWAI. I ended up paying about 25% of the original cost.

If you subscribe to the newsletter you get many hard sell emails. I got so sick of these that I had to unsubscribe. Strangely enough, the direct mail course didn't teach these hard sell methods.

AWAI offers a 90 day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. I actually asked for a refund on the Nick Usborne course. I got the refund two days later. No questions asked. Also the direct mail course is available for $36 a month if you don't want to pay the full amount. And you can cancel any time. So if anyone is interested, you can check out the course for $36 to see if it is for you.

Hmmmm. The guy I knew who took the course was probably not the best spokesperson. He seemed to miss the boat when it came to marketing himself. Like...his site testimonials were all like "He does okay. He's not the best. But if you can't afford any better..."

Yes.

He sent hundreds of sales letters to businesses and didn't get a single nibble. Not even one. I sort of assumed badly of the course after talking to him, but I guess he just doesn't really get "it" or something.

If you recommend it, I'll look into it again. This particular guy actually told me he'd send the course to me for free so I could read it. Obviously, I wouldn't get the feedback and all that. I've read the feedback is offered by AWAI students, though? Any idea on that?

As of now, I don't do much of that type of copywriting, but I considered getting into it. Or, at least making sure I have the format down in case I have someone ask if I can do that. Right now I have a book on that type of writing by Herschell Gordon Lewis. I've been meaning to read it...