Can an Ex-Professor Learn To Write Great Copy?

Yes, an old dog can learn new tricks!

The question could be repeated as "can an old dog learn new tricks?" And, of course, the answer is both yes and no. It depends on the dog and the tricks. In my case, writing has never been a problem. After all, I am a published author and also a freelance writer. And since my early retirement more than 10 years ago, I even took considerable training as a copywriter. Been a student (and still am, since there is no statute of limitations) at AWAI - American Writers & Artists, Inc. But also studied with Dr. Harlan Kilstein and Marcia Yudkin, personally, as well as under the auspises of the great Clayton Makepeace.

There is no shortage of copywriters out there - or is there? The scary thing about copywriting is that here the proof of the pudding is quite literally in the eating. In other words, if your copy makes money for your client, you are good. If not, you are not. It's as simple and as scary as that.

So what makes me think that I can do a good job for you? Well, I have tremendous general writing experience behind me. And even before I knew that there was such a thing as copywriting, I was a good salesman. As a teacher I have had to sell my approach to literature to all my classes. And I had to grab their attention within the first few seconds of the very first class as each semester began.

Then there was the need for persuading publishers to publish my articles or essays or books. Even if the articles or essays or books speak for themselves. There is still the preliminary sales pitch.

And that's the long and short of it about me. I am now a working copywriter. I like the challenge of taking on a case and turning it into a profitable money-making proposition. Product or service makes no difference when it comes to grabbing a potential buyer's attention.

They need to trust you. They need to feel that you are there for them, that you are there to fulfill their needs and desires. If you can show them how you can do that, you have got them willing to spend their money for whatever it is that you are selling. That's the long and short of it.