Today, I want to introduce you to Keith Goodrum. He recently became a copywriter and got his first client in less than 30 days. Here's the brief interview I had with him...
1. So Keith, tell me a little bit about yourself. Where you're from, your work background, etc.
Ok, Ryan. I'm currently living in Pearl River, NY. Originally I'm from the Cleveland/Akron, Ohio area.
My first job after serving in the Army was retail sales. The pay was hourly plus a small commission. They were not kidding about the small commission.
One day I met a guy making serious money selling cars. I thought if he could sell cars... I could. I found a dealership and got hired. Then for the next few months I struggled to make minimum wage.
It was not easy to sell cars. My sales manager took me aside and said I needed to learn how to sell. He gave me Tom Hopkins book How to Master the Art of Sales. I devoured that book. Applying what I learned doubled my sales the first month. I remained one of the top sales leaders thereafter. The car business honed my selling chops.
About four years later the dealership I was working at was sold. The new owners closed the doors for six months to remodel. I decided to leave the car business, and bounced around for the next couple years.
Then eight years ago, without planning or doing research, I started a window cleaning business. I had no clue how to get customers, and almost went belly-up. One day I was in Kinko's and saw two books by Dan Kennedy, The Ultimate Marketing Plan and The Ultimate Sales Letter. I bought both and ran home to put them to use.
The Ultimate Sales Letter talks about copywriting as salesmanship in print, and that was an easy concept for me to grasp. Coming from a sales background I saw how much more effective it was to send my sales message to thousands at once... rather than delivering my sales message personally one at a time.
I started to focus more and more on copywriting. Got my hands on every copywriting and marketing book, course, and audio I could afford to buy. I even wrote out by hand 100 sales letters by copywriters like Dan Kennedy, Gary Halbert, John Carlton, and Brian Keith Voiles.
As my copywriting improved, business exploded. In fact, business got too good and I nearly wrecked it because I could not handle the increase. But I made adjustments, and continued running a thriving business.
One day I wrote a sales letter that produced $43.11 in sales for every dollar spent sending it out. The thought occurred to me that I could write sales letters for other people. And that's what led me to where I am today.
2. What made you purchase "How to Get Your First Copywriting Client in 14 Days or Less?"
I've been reading your blog for the past two years. During that time you wrote insightful marketing and copywriting posts, which built a huge amount of credibility with me. When you sent out the email announcing your new ebook... it was a no-brainer. I bought it right away.
3. Was it worth it? Why or why not?
Well... I got my first client. So, I'd say YES! Buying information products is an investment. If I get one profitable strategy out of a product, then I've got my money's worth. Now, if I can use the strategies to repeat the results... then my ROI skyrockets.
4. What has been the most exciting or rewarding thing about getting your first client?
My first client is Michael Ambrosio - Mr. OverDeliver. I'm writing the sales letter for his new product "Easy Product Profits." It will show you how to create your own products from A to Z. It's a great product, which makes the sales letter fun to write. And one of the bonuses being offered is gutsy. I have no doubt this one bonus will create a serious buzz.
I don't want to say too much about the bonus... watch for the product launch around the 12th of November. To answer your question... I'd say the most exciting thing is getting involved in a product launch and watching how it's done from behind the scenes. The most rewarding is finally getting off the fence and getting clients.
5. Thanks, Keith, for taking time to share a little bit about your experiences. Where can my readers go to learn more about you and your copywriting services?
Thanks for the opportunity Ryan. I can be reached several ways.
Website: http://www.PowerResponseCopy.com
Email: keithag [at] gmail [dot] com
Phone: 845-480-1781
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One last thing. When Keith purchased "How to Get Your First Copywriting Client in 14 Days or Less," he was the only one who sent me a 10-point Action Plan like I described in the report. He was also the only one to send me detailed follow-up regarding his progress on each item.
Did he complete everything on his list in 30 days? No. But he took action, and it worked.
If Keith's story inspires you, please leave a comment and congratulate him for his accomplishment.
so, does that make me the second one to send the action plan? =)
Posted by: anthony | October 24, 2007 at 09:20 AM
Indeed, Anthony. You are the second one.
One woman told me she would complete her site, and she did, but she didn't submit an Action Plan like Keith and you did.
Posted by: Ryan Healy | October 24, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Nice story.
Inspiring.
Well done, Keith.
Posted by: Rezbi | October 24, 2007 at 02:10 PM