How I got my first client

“We finished the website,” the project leader said. “Now can you send us the copy to go on these pages.”

Whoa–what? My friend and I looked at each other. When we hired the agency to build a website for his manufacturing and rental business, we thought that they would take care of everything. We never even thought about the words.

Now we had to scramble. We needed content, and lots of it. Sales pages, about page, home page, right down to the contact page and footers.

It was now up to us. Meaning up to me of course, since I was hired to project-manage the web agency.

A month earlier I had wrapped up a rewarding career with a large technology firm, where I was involved in sales and negotiations on large outsourcing deals. I loved many aspects of the job, including learning about our clients’ business, markets, and industry. I especially loved collaborating with the employees of our clients to help them to achieve their goals on these deals.

But after 35 years of outsourcing contracts I was ready and excited to move on to new things.

Then, on the eve of my retirement, my friend asked me if I would help him get a website. You bet!, I said. And now here we were. The website needed sales copy. I knew about sales pitches to warm prospects. But I didn’t know anything about selling to strangers, let alone on the web.

So, I rolled up my sleeves and started studying copywriting from the industry’s top copywriters. I learned how to connect with cold prospects, how to build trust, and how to get them to take action.

Then we populated those web pages. After the website was launched, I was allowed to keep changing it, making it more informative and easier to use. When my friend expanded his services, we added more pages. I created sales campaigns. We showcased his expertise with a blog. I continued sharpening my skills.

For me, it was an amazing experience. For my friend, he gained new credibility, new clients, and sales.

I always liked writing. But I would say copywriting is the most useful, practical, and rewarding of writing skills. Connecting clients’ solutions with customers in need improves lives, raises prosperity, and makes the world a better place.

You can connect with me here.