Hey,

I’m approached by starting-out copywriters pretty frequently, looking for coaching, guidance, mentorship, stuff like that.

While it’s always flattering, I always refuse.

Not for any real reason, other than the fact that I don’t have the time. I’d probably like nothing more than to take on a couple of hungry young writers who’re eager to learn and advance…

… but right now it’s not happening. A cosmic impossibility.

But actually, now that I think about it… there is something else holding me back.

Obsession.

The fact is, to get anywhere in the world of writing copy (unless you’re extremely lucky), you need to be obsessive. You need to be an obsessive bastard, is actually how I think of it.

You need to eat, sleep and breathe copywriting. Not forever, but for a period of time. You see, that’s how you get good. By obsessively studying, writing, re-writing, then starting the whole thing again.

Without that kind of obsession, it’s going to be tough to get what you want from this business.

How do I know?

Because every hard-core, hot shit writer has it. In spades.

You know the guys whose copy you read and think “Man, I wish just once I could write something like that…”

Well, they got those skills through hard work and diligence.

Sure, some people will pick it up faster than others. People learn at difference paces, and some (lucky) people even have natural writing talent to supercharge everything they ever put down onto paper.

Get rid of all that though, all the details, and you’re usually left with one thing.

The sick, twisted obsession, the deep seated NEED to get serious with this business.

And going back to my mention of students, or wannabe students, that’s what’s missing. For the most part, I can’t smell that kind of obsession on them anywhere…

Usually I get one email from these guys.

Just one. It goes something like “Dude please teach me… I need to know the secrets… I’ll do whatever it takes.”

So I reply, letting them know I don’t take personal students, but I usually take the time to give them the best advice I can, along with a reading list, and also the contact details of some good guys who I know will coach them and turn them into hotshot writers in record time.

And what happens?

Nothing.

I usually never hear back… and the guys I refer them to don’t hear from them either.

Sure, I’m busy enough that it’s probably better these people don’t get back to me…

… but it also seems to me that if they did have the obsession necessary to get good in this business, they’d jump at the advice I gave them.

I know I would have back then, when I was starting out. Because I was an obsessive bastard.

Truth is, if a known writer had given me the time of day back then, I’d probably hound the poor guy until he regretted ever answering my email and took out a restraining order…

… and then I would have moved onto the other guys he put me in touch with.

I’m not kidding.

Life’s funny… in the western cultures especially. We’re taught that it’s bad to obsess over things… that we should have some kind of overtly balanced outlook, everything in moderation, all that jazz.

The truth is, if you want to succeed (and this counts for just about everything… everything worthwhile at least), a little obsession can work wonders.

Think about that.

Before I go, I want to leave you with a quick tip. My aim for this blog is to not only give me an outlet for the endless rants that run a perpetual loop inside my head, but also to give some help and advice to those that need it.

I REALLY needed such advice when I first got into copywriting, but I had no idea where to get it. So I guess this blog is my way of giving back…

If you really, truly want to get good at this game, use your obsession. If you don’t have it, that’s probably a pretty good indicator that this isn’t the business for you.

But if you DO have it, congratulations. You don’t need to feel like a freak or some kind of outsider because of it, so work it.

Study, practice, just absorb good copy on a cellular level. Do it every day, preferably at the same time each day.

And write.

As often as you can. As much as you can.

If you don’t have clients yet, write letters for random products. Heck, write salesletters about everyday household objects…

Take as much care over it as you would if some client were paying you $20k for the privilege.

Oh and last thing… always, always obey the laws of good writing as you know them. Edit every single thing you write so you can say what needs to be said in the minimum number of words. Your writing should be muscle and bone, nothing else.

And that goes for everything… copy, forum posts, blog posts… even notes to Moms back home.

Relish the empty page. Relish it, because it sets you free.

Get into that mindset, and you’ll see sharp improvement…

Obsession is your friend.

Always bigger conversions,

-David Raybould
www.DavidRaybould.com