Blueprint for Landing Clients With Email
Ed Gandia here, at the helm of The Writer's Life. This week is all about landing top clients with less effort.
Today, I'll show you how you can use simple emails to get hired by high-paying clients.
Hopefully you had a chance to watch yesterday's video. In that video (full transcript included on that page),I showed you why "warm calling" with email is the way to go as far as marketing your freelance business … when you do it right.
In today's video, I get into a lot more detail. I show you my actual blueprint for generating hot leads by sending simple and short email messages to select prospects.
(Full transcript included + PDF Mindmaps for Prospecting and Blueprint)
Please post a comment to let me know what you think. Or post any questions you may have about this strategy. I'll personally reply to as many questions as possible.
Also, feel free to share the link with others (you'll find some social media sharing buttons on that page).
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Thank you for this! It comes at a great time for me. I've been putting off getting my prospective client spreadsheet together and this gave me a boost. When you talk about having different ICP lists, do you mean different industries, company sizes, B2B vs. B2C... that kind of thing? Thanks again, Ed.
Julie Hassett –
Really helpful. I can do this.
Guest (Pat M) –
Thank you so much for sharing your techniques for success. I recently purchased the Six Figure Copywriting program and hope to implement your warm email prospecting as soon as I complete the program. It is very refreshing to receive real information and not a sales presentation for yet another program. The information is presented in an easy to follow format. Great Job and Thank you!
Guest (Cheryl Lyons) –
Ed, I tried email prospecting a couple of years back. My first email went out, and I got one response back that scared heck out of me. This guy owned a company I wanted to do biz with. He says in essence "I am a lawyer/business owner. Your email, sent without my permission, is spam. As such, I plan to sue you if you do not remove my name from your email list." Whew...haven't emailed any prospects since. Planning, instead, to use old fashioned direct mail, which doesn't require permission.
Guest (Phil) –
This series has come at exactly the right time for me, Ed. Your blueprint makes me excited, & I can't wait for the rest of your videos.
I have been using much the same approach,but without a proper plan (blueprint) & with no real method.
This is just what I need; it matches my style & will enable me to reach my goal more quickly.
BTW, while the slides and screen shots are good for notetaking, I agree with yesterday's commenter - your presence on video is good - easy to watch & listen to.
Ann Jordan-Mills –
Can I call your video series an answer to prayers without sounding too dramatic? I am just about ready to bring my cause copywriting services to market, and I don't have a clue how to get started. Do I call my local chamber of commerce? Start pounding the pavement? Crack open the phone book? Maybe, but I'd much rather get started with your warm email techniques. I'm not a salesman by nature, but I can do it under the right circumstances. I like the circumstances warm email seems to create.
Looking forward to your next video.
Guest (Tom) –
Ed, Thanks! This is incredibly timely for me and your information is so helpful. I'm already encouraged, and look forward to tomorrow's segment.
Karen SM –
Hi Ed,
I have reviewed your videos and I find them to be both very well put together and informative.
I have been sharpening my skills as a Freelance Writer since 2010 and I consider this one of the more informative articles that I have seen. Kudos to you Ed.
Guest (Rubinstyn Bluthenthal) –
Hi Ed, Guillermo here from Costa Rica, I've been learning about AWAI in the past days, and planning to become a member.
Also I'm in another kind of business to affiliate people with an honest opportunity to make money.
Is it possible your techniques will work in another niche of the Market?
Gracias!
Guest (Guillermo) –
Hey Ed.
Good job. As someone on the receiving end of those solicitations I was much more interested in replying to someone who took the time to know me before getting in touch.
The only ones that I found annoying were the ones which, after I responded, put me on the list of some auto-responder that started pressuring me to engage them for a demo or asked me questions related to my buying timeline.
But for those that let me work in my own good time, my door opened.
Thanks for the video!
DAVIDWP –
Awesome! I've been emailing prospecting a little and getting a good response rate but this ties it all together. Thanks so much Ed!
Guest (Michelle Durham) –
@Julie Hassett -- Thanks for your comments! Glad this has been helpful. When I write an ICP I describe a "persona." I give him/her a name and describe many of her personal attributes, including the type of company she works in, the industry, etc.
The idea is not to limit yourself, but rather to create several profiles of ideal clients. That way when you come across potential prospects, you'll know if they're WITHIN THE REALM of one of your ICPs.
Ed Gandia –
@Pat M -- Yes, you can! ;)
Ed Gandia –
@Cheryl Lyons - Thanks for your kind words. Glad this has been valuable. Stay tuned, because I have more pure content on this topic coming to you tomorrow through Fri!
Ed Gandia –
@Phil - I've sent hundreds of warm emails and never had someone reply with this, but I know it CAN happen. The answer is that you HAVE to respect their request. As long as you don't email them again, you should be just fine.
Ed Gandia –
@Ann -- Wow, thanks! I'm blushing here. ;)
Glad this info resonates with you and your style!
Ed Gandia –
@Tom -- I strongly believe that thoughts and prayers become reality when you plant them in your subconscious mind and add emotion to them. So ... yes, maybe you DID attract this info to you! ;)
So great to hear this came at the right time. Love it when the universe conspires with us to get us the info we need, when we need it!
Ed Gandia –
@Karen SM -- Awesome, thanks for the feedback!
Ed Gandia –
@Rubinstyn Bluthenthal -- Oh, WOW!! Super! Thanks so much for letting me know. You and everyone here today have made my day. Really have. ;)
Ed Gandia –
@Guillermo -- This specific strategy will actually work outside of freelance copywriting. It's ideal for anyone selling a service to another business.
If it's a product OR if you're approaching consumers (rather than businesses), it won't work.
Ed Gandia –
@DAVIDWP -- Good point! You're right, you don't want to put someone on a list when they say "No" or don't respond. My follow-up approach is very minimal and is still very personalized. After 1 or 2 attempts, I move on.
Thanks for the feedback! Great to hear from someone who's been on the receiving end.
Ed Gandia –
@Michelle Durham -- Super! Glad this brought it all together.
Ed Gandia –
Hi Ed, When I first decided last summer to begin a transition to freelance copywriting, I was all on my own. I started writing a brochure to market myself and realized I hadn't a clue how to approach prospects or what they actually needed. I have a good writing skill set, but how to present myself? This set of videos and your program exactly address my question about how to approach prospects. You are very generous in sharing as much as you have by video.
Many thanks.
Linda Lane –
Gosh, Ed, you have obviously come through the fire. Thanks for sharing this valuable information with beginners like me who are floundering around trying to figure out what to do next.
Guest (David Holden) –
Thanks for this informative video. I now have another way that I'm going to prospect for clients when I'm set up. Can't wait to see the next video.
Guest (Melvin) –
Ed, Both the first and second videos were very informative and inspiring. I'm thinking about going freelance this year and listening to you makes it seem possible. Thanks!
Laura Drury –
@Linda Lane -- Thanks much! Great to hear this info was helpful. Yes, marketing your services effectively and consistency is the most important skill you never hear about in copywriting circles.
I understand that there are some opportunities for clients to come to YOU in the direct-response sector of the market. But in most cases YOU have to be the one continually marketing yourself and your services. Clients will not beat a path to your door.
Ed Gandia –
@David Holden -- Thanks! Glad to know this was helpful. I have more coming tomorrow, Thu and Fri, so stay tuned.
Ed Gandia –
@Melvin -- Thanks for letting me know! Appreciate your comment.
Ed Gandia –
Thanks Ed, this video series is starting the learning curve for me in such a good way. Your reasoning and explanations make digital sense to me.
I really believe that an aspiring copywriter's perserverence is directly linked to her/his confidence based on real knowledge; you are doing a great job providing this copywriter with that.
R C Keown –
Hi Ed! Thanks for this information and the refreshing format for presenting it! I am just getting started in this business and hope I can remember all of your techniques. I am eagerly anticipating the next video; keep up the excellent work!
Joe Reynolds –
Thanks Ed, for giving us a system that we can use and not have to pay for. Those of us who do not have prior experience can use your system and get some clients. Thank You So Much
Brenda Roan –
Thanks Ed. I've been sending out painfully slow emails to companies the last two weeks (only 5 or 6 daily b/c of the research involved). After watching your video, I saw that my template email had about 200 wds. I cut some and got it down to 150. Will try for the 100 - 125 you suggested. Thanks for the tip!
Mike D –
This video came at just the right time. I've been struggling to find viable clients. This warm email approach is exactly what I need. Thanks for sharing your blueprint for email prospecting.
I can't wait for the next video. I'm in this business for the long haul. Thanks again!
Cocoe78 –
Ed, Thanks for sharing all this info with us. I was currently in the process of setting up my marketing plan and this helps immensely. Gives me some better insight and a different approach than I was thinking of. I look forward to your next video.
Thanks again
JimG –
@R C Keown -- Super! Thanks for the kudos and the feedback. Good to know this has been helpful so far.
Ed Gandia –
@Joe Reynolds -- Many thanks! Next video going up in a few hours, so stay tuned for that.
Ed Gandia –
@Brenda Roan -- Thanks for checking it out! Make sure to apply these ideas and to do this consistently. This system works when it becomes a weekly habit.
Ed Gandia –
@Mike D -- Yes, shorter is better. Remember: all you want is to pique enough interest to get a response. The response buys you more time, and that's where you can the offer more info. So resist the temptation to give them too much in that first email. Hard to do, I know. But it's important.
Ed Gandia –
@Cocoe78 -- Super! I love it when the timing is just right. Synchronicities rock! ;)
Ed Gandia –
@JimG -- Excellent! Thanks for the feedback!
Ed Gandia –
Thank you Ed. I appreciate you sharing your time and experience with us. The writing aspect of copywriting doesn't scare me nearly as much as the marketing side. This seems to be a great way to "get my feet wet" while gaining confidence in my skills.
Guest (Chava) –
Ed, Thanks so much for your refreshing presentation. I, too, am glad to finally receive an email from AWAI, that provides helpful information, instead of a link to yet another "required purchase" program. (Although an advanced techniques video from you should do really well!) I've been successful in sales for over 30 years; and in that time I've used every approach that would work. Thanks, for reminding me of the specific benefits of your approach, with regard to freelance copywriting.
Guest (Randall) –
Hi Ed, Thanks. I'm just embarking on this great adventure and this seems like a tangible step that's do-able. I do appreciate it!
Guest (Doc) –
@Chava -- Great to hear! Thanks for the feedback.
Ed Gandia –
@Randall -- Thank you for checking out this training series! And thanks for the feedback.
@Doc -- That's one thing I love about it. How "doable" it is, especially when you're starting out. Thanks!
Ed Gandia –
Thanks Ed! I have been contemplating about sending emails and you gave me a strategy that sounds logical and safe: looking forward to your next video...:)
Caroline –
@Caroline -- Great to hear this was useful info. BTW, the next video went up today. You can find it here:
http://www.awaionline.com/2013/03/the-secret-sauce/
Ed Gandia –
Ed, Your comments are great. Your warm email concept reflects the heart of all great marketing copy. Only the prospects issues are important here. When you convince them you can help--you have a customer.
Your decision to never enter sales reminded me of the time I told my dad that I would never become a builder like him. 35 years later I retired from a custruction career.
Guest (Geoff) –
Loved the first 2 videos--direct and to the point--and it all makes sense besides! Marketing myself is by far my greatest fear as I get ready to take the plunge (full-time) into copywriting. It reminds me of how I suffered selling Girl Scout cookies every year. Very helpful videos!
Guest (cazwrite) –
Hey Ed, really liked this video. Doing some research to connect with the prospect is a great idea. Then they know it isn't a mass email. I guess the biggest problem would be getting them to open it up in the first place. With viruses and stuff being what they are, a lot of people are reluctant to open email when they don't know the sender. (at least the people in my present field are)
Guest (Laurie) –
Re: spam, according to the CAN-SPAM Act, marketers (or anyone) are allowed to send one 'unsolicited' email = without permission; thereafter, users must opt in and have the ability to opt out of your list with each subsequent message.
Guest (FastNet) –
@Geoff -- Never say never, right? Thanks for your kind words.
@cazwrite -- I thought Girl Scout cookies sold themselves? ;)
@Laurie -- You'd be surprised what you can do with a highly relevant and personalized subject line. That's the key to getting them to open your email.
@FastNet -- Correct, so if you ever get anyone telling you not to email them again, you absolutely have to respect that. And you know what? Even if it wasn't the law, you should still respect the request.
Ed Gandia –
Great video, Ed, with excellent information. Now for the most important step - take action! Thanks for sharing!
Jay Altman –
This approach makes so much sense! I think it's the interest and understanding you show in the prospect's business (the WARM part!) that gets the job done. Thanks so much!
As a former insurance sales producer, I used the "Polk directory" for business information, but know there are online directories available. Any you recommend to get company info., and especially names and e-mail addresses?
Debra MT –
Great job as usual Ed. You always have relevant information to share.
Question: does anyone know a website that will test your copy to be sure it is not classified as "spam"?
Thanks for the video.
Bill G –
Hi Ed, This segment was helpful to say the least. I'm a 'newbie' and feel I've been drinking through the AWAI fire hose at this point. You have a great message and have found a calm way to present. I'm in the middle of Guillermo's email program at this time and would have liked to join your upcoming pgm on 'White papers' but time is critical. I'll watch your for your next project.
All the best, Jim
Jim Watson –