I didn’t realize it, but I entered my 10th year of writing Knowledge Nuggets last week.

Holy moly!

For someone who didn’t think she had much to say about anything… that’s a lot of emails and writing.

And the most astonishing thing of all… I haven’t missed a single week.

It just goes to show me that my decision to write weekly emails instead of daily ones was a great decision.

It seems that I’ve made a few good decisions along the way.

One of my earliest decisions still has a profound effect to this day.

But before I share what it is… I probably need to set the scene as to why it was such a solid choice.

Right now, in the copywriting world, there’s a rising swell of discontent about Biz Opp copywriters vs “real copywriters.”

Now, I don’t exactly know what they mean by “real copywriters?”

It’s vague, unhelpful, and polarizing… which is probably their intention.

But because I don’t like going around kicking other copywriters in the nuts… I’ll just use the term I used awhile ago (long before anyone else was aware of the problem)…

“Service Based” copywriter.

And there’s a big difference between a Biz Opp copywriter and a Service Based copywriter.

Biz Opp copywriters are attracted to the industry by promises of quick money.

They usually learn the minimum viable skills to deliver on what they sell… usually at a high price.

They will often stick to one type of copy… emails, ads, or other things that can get them fast money.

And in some cases, they may even sell their “services” before they have even learned them.

Money and fame are the focus of their game.

And because of this, they often lack longevity in the industry due to burning out, burning people or becoming disillusioned with everything… and everyone.

Meanwhile, the Service Based copywriter is attracted to the industry by the prospect of having a business or providing a service to their clients. (Money is a secondary motivator.)

They are keen students of their craft and can usually write more than one type of copy… e.g., Short and long-form copy as well as the whole funnel.

They often have mentors or are constantly upskilling themselves.

They usually undercharge and are slow to raise their fees.

Customer service and reputation are their focus.

Now, I realize these are wide generalities… but a lot of people fit into them.

So now that I’ve shared that… what was the decision I made early in my career?

It was to…

Knowledge Nugget #470:
Be Here For A Good Time…
And A Long Time

I’m at an age where I have no desire to go chasing the next new thing.

So, when I decided to be here for a good time and a long time… it meant knuckling down and getting as good as I possibly could at copywriting and marketing.

That was it.

Nothing else.

And although it has been challenging and difficult at times… I’m glad I stayed the course.

I know that if I had the Biz Opp copywriter mentality … I would have passed over opportunities that didn’t pay enough or weren’t prestigious enough.

And I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today.

So where is that exactly?

Well, I’m in a fantastic position and perhaps the happiest I’ve been in a long time.

And the funniest thing is, the money is excellent, the prestige is off the charts… but I don’t feel the need to tell anyone about it.

But perhaps the best thing of all… it’s all built on the solid foundations of being Service Based and focussed.

And that has made all the difference.

So are you Bizz Opp focussed…

Or Service Based focussed?

Choose wisely.

(And this isn’t just for the copywriters reading this.)

Until next week, stay awesome, and happy choosing.

Pauline  xxx

Pauline Longdon
a.k.a. “The Copy Alchemist”

P.S.  Can “Biz Opp” copywriters change their ways? Of course they can! But they just need to shift their focus and priorities.

They need to trust the process and know that the money and the prestige come from serving our clients… not from charging them the most!

As Zig Ziglar said… “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” To me that’s what being service oriented is all about.

P.P.S.  I did a great copy critique call yesterday for Amber Spears’ Four Rooms Mastermind. The members are owners of 7, 8 and 9 figure businesses.

They often have problems with the copywriters they hire. Some of them have spent (I used that word intentionally) around 100K+ with little to nothing to show for it. So, when I explained the difference between Service Based copywriters and Biz Opp copywriters… they were blown away. Everything finally made sense to them.

P.P.P.S.  I used to feel bad about telling business owners the truth about copywriters. And although I won’t kick other copywriters in the nuts… I hate to see people I care about being ripped off.

Besides, cowboy Biz Opp copywriters have tarnished the industry and people’s trust in copywriters (and they siphon money away from legitimately talented and ethical copywriters). And the people blame “Direct Response” for it all.

But the blame needs to be placed squarely on the people who sold the Biz Opp dream… and then failed to deliver what they promised.