Category Archives: Kelowna copywriter

Who Hires Copywriters?

You might think the only people who really need to hire copywriters would be advertising agencies. At least, that’s where you see them show up on the TV shows (think Mad Men…)

But surprisingly enough many businesses can benefit from hiring a freelance copywriter.

For instance, think about the amount of marketing materials banks, insurance companies, manufacturers and other non-traditonal businesses need to produce to get their message out in the world. Do you think the CEO has time to sit down and write all that material – or does the marketing department have a competent copywriter either on staff or on their speed dial?

And that’s only the tip of the iceberg…

Own a business? Have you ever sweated over what to put on your rack card, trifold brochure or even just a sell sheet? Yeah, suddenly having someone you can count on to put the right words in the right place is really important, right?

Want to get some traction for your new software product? You know, the one that would change the course of mankind – if only people could grasp the complexity of it. Well, copywriters are the best at taking complex ideas and making them easy to understand.

And the best ones go a step further and turn those easy to understand ideas into sales.

All through the power of the written word.

What about video? You’ve heard a great video posted on the web can drive both visitors to your website and sales of your product/service.  But for a video to be great, it has to be persuasive. Nobody is going to sit through 27 minutes of a talking head droning on about the features of your product.

Viewers need to be ENGAGED. Their EMOTIONS need to be activated. They need a REASON to continue sitting through your presentation. (And let me tell you, 27 minutes of features just doesn’t do it.) That’s where copywriting shines. Engaging people, activating their emotions and persuading them to watch the entire presentation so they have the information they need to make a buying decision.

So, really… the question shouldn’t be who hires copywriters? The real question is WHEN are you going to hire one?

Kelowna Copywriter Guest Panelist at OVES Entrepreneur Event

The Okanagan Valley Entrepreneur Society has invited Kelowna copywriter Russ Banister (that’s me!) as a guest panelist for their upcoming Townhall Meeting.

The topic is “Information Marketing,” and since I write copy for several information marketers including myself, they thought I would be a good fit. I’m pretty excited about it. It’s a great chance to promote my business and position myself as the authority in the marketplace.

Now, I don’t just write copy for Kelowna companies, but I’m sure there are some out there who could benefit from the experience and skills I have.

I’ll follow up this post with another AFTER the event and let you know how it went.

Direct Response and Web Copywriting You Can Depend On

 

Marketing is the most critical part of your whole business plan. Without a consistent way to bring customers to your door, you have a hobby—not a business!

As a copywriter I understand what motivates customers to take action. Whether you need new leads for your sales force or direct sales to make your profits soar, you must understand this: Your message needs to match your market—and all that needs to be presented in the media your prospective customers are most likely to use.

Copywriting is the key to a successful business. Your materials must tell a consistent, focused story about your business and why people should use you over your hundreds of competitors. (Hint: Your competition isn’t just the people who sell the same stuff as you do—it’s EVERYTHING that competes for your prospect’s attention!)

You need a message that’s so compelling… so persuasive… and so powerful your prospects can’t help themselves from doing business with you. But you can’t take a chance on just anyone to create this material for you. Your business depends on a qualified, experienced, credible and professional copywriter to get you the results that guarantee success.

Let me introduce myself…

My name is Russ Banister and I write copy for a number of direct response and web based clients including:

  • International Living—a publication catering to affluent individuals who wish to retire overseas
  • Stirling Properties—a Limited Partnership company that helps investors find, buy and own undervalued multi-family real estate properties with an eye to maximum profits
  • Bongarde Media—a specialty information publisher with clients around the world
  • Entra Marketing—an internet based company with several interesting projects
  • AVE Creative Strategies—a full service import/export consultancy specializing in North America/Europe clients

My copy services don’t just extend to large companies doing business worldwide, but to local businesses that need marketing help. For instance:

  • Divine Relaxation Aesthetics and Massage—a home-based business offering incredible services to harried working moms
  • Touchstone Bookkeeping—a talented number cruncher with a gift for advising business owners on best practices

Copywriting is the fastest, most effective way to build your business. You can create consistent, reliable streams of income using proven strategies that grab people’s attention and almost force them to buy.

When I’m done creating your sales material you’ll have an asset you can use over and over to bring in more leads… more customers… more cash!

Here is a sample of the services I provide for clients…

  • Direct response sales letters that build massive desire for your product or service
  • Web based copy including Search Engine Optimization strategies to help you get page 1 rankings on Google
  • Email marketing that builds a fence around your customers so they buy from you again and again
  • Autoresponders designed to move prospects through your sales funnel
  • Google Adwords (Pay Per Click advertising) that can bring massive traffic to your website
  • White papers, case studies, brochures and other marketing collateral that helps you sell your product or service for maximum profit

If you’re looking for a professional, credible and experienced copywriter, you’ve come to the right place. I can help you generate more business… build up your customer list… create a valuable asset you can use over and over again… and bring more cash into your company.

My services are surprisingly affordable—and tax deductable!

In order to serve you properly, I can only take a limited number of clients at one time. As my time books quickly, please email me directly at russ@russbanister.com

Include as much detail as you can and your phone number.

After we discuss the scope of your project, I’ll send you a questionnaire to help me understand your business, your market and your customers. At that point, you’ll get a quote for the cost of the project. Once we’ve agreed on terms, I’ll get right to work creating the kind of marketing materials that drive customers to your door.

Of course, I guarantee my work. I will meet your deadlines and do the project on budget. I include up to two revisions in the price I quote you. There are no surprises in my fees. You always know exactly what you’ll invest in your marketing copy.

To get started, email me right away at russ@russbanister.com

 

A list of accomplishments

I’ve just been reviewing a few of the major and minor accomplishments since I became a full-time copywriter. In no order of importance, here are the things I could think of…

1. Completed the AWAI 6 Figure course

2. Completed the AWAI Masters Program

3. Full-time staff copywriter for Bongarde Media, a specialty information publisher

4. Copy for a real estate development company in Calgary which helped them raise $756,000 on their first  sales letter (and much more since!)

5. A 3-letter sequence done for a client published in Dan Kennedy’s latest version of Magnetic Marketing program

6. Sales letter for International Living

7. Google Adwords Certification

8. PPC Classroom student

9. Moved from staff copywriter to full-time freelancer

10. Established mastermind group of like-minded marketers in my home town

 

 

AWAI Interview

American Writers and Artists Inc called me the other day. They’re doing some promotional work for their product line and wanted to interview former students who’ve gone on to successfully change careers and become working copywriters.

I talked with Guillermo Rubio about all the interesting projects I’d worked on over the last year:

  • The four page flyer that raised over $756,000 in investment capital for a small real estate investment firm…
  • The sales letter for one of the Agora divisions…
  • The number of promotions I’ve done as a staff copywriter…
  • The real estate investing book I ghostwrote for a client in nine weeks (Hint: Give yourself more time than that if you plan to write a book – I was exhausted after that!)…
  • But what Guillermo found most fascinating was the work I’d done to hone my skills as a Pay Per Click copywriter…

He based his entire article on that skill. It’s something most PPC products tend to gloss over. They give some basic copywriting advice about headlines and benefits, but don’t go into detail about what it takes to achieve high click through rates and conversions.

It’s a bit art and a bit science. Mastering it has given me the freedom to create campaigns for myself and my clients. Which, in turn, allows me to participate in affiliate marketing and profit.

You can read the article here:

http://www.awaionline.com/2008/12/how-to-write-effective-pay-per-click-ads/