Jan. 1, 2013
Dear Direct Response Letter Subscriber:
At least once a day, I get an e-mail from a subscriber asking me to answer a question or provide an opinion.
A common one is: the subscriber sends me a link to her web site. She then asks me to look at it and tell her what I think of it.
It seems like an innocent enough and reasonable request, right?
But here's why there's a problem with it:
First, I am constantly busy throughout the work day writing copy for my paying clients.
Clicking on the link to view the web site is an interruption of my work, and I am always on deadline.
Plus, giving even a short critique of the site takes time I just don't have.
Second, web site critiques are a service I offer on my web site www.bly.com, and I charge a modest fee for this service - far less than I charge for copywriting.
Yet my correspondents never acknowledge this, nor do they ever offer to pay for the opinion they are asking me to render.
Apparently either my time has no value or freelance writers are obliged to give away their work in a way that dentists, dry cleaners, and auto mechanics are not.
Another common situation is that a subscriber asks me a question, and the answer is fully articulated in one of my books.
In such cases, it would seem a reasonable suggestion on my part that they go out and get that book.
However, when I make this suggestion, some subscribers accuse me of being a profit-hungry, money-grubbing vulture preying on my readers by trying to sell them a $15 book.
In fact, many of my books and reports were written for the express purpose of answering the most commonly asked questions I get.
Since it would be impossible for me to write a personalized 5-page e-mail to everyone who asks the question, I figured by putting the answer in a book or report I would have a fast, efficient way of giving these folks a well thought out answer.
If you are an avid consumer of information products, you have most likely tried to correspond with some of your favorite gurus at one time or another, probably with mixed results.
Here are some tips that can help you communicate more effectively with the authors you read on a regular basis:
1-Most info product authors are busy people with a lot of projects and deadlines to contend with. Their time is limited and, to them, valuable. Respect it.
2-When asking for advice, tell the author you realize he is busy and may not have time to answer ... but say you would appreciate it if they could.
3-Offer to pay the author his going rate for time. Many writers, including me, don't work with individuals and won't take your money. But it is nice for you to at least offer to pay me.
4-If the guru suggests you buy one of his information products, consider following his suggestion. Why should he spend uncompensated time with you when he has already thought through and written down the answer for you?
5-Don't write an e-mail of complaint when the author does not reply to your initial request in a timely manner. He is busy and has other priorities. Replying to your e-mail is not at the top of the list, although I do reply to all e-mails sent me.
6-If you plan on asking an author for advice on a regular basis, at least buy some of his books or other information products. I'm inclined to spend a little more time with someone who is a paying customer rather than with someone who reads my free e-mails but hasn't spent a dime with me.
Sincerely,
Bob Bly
Copywriter / Consultant
590 Delcina Drive
River Vale, NJ 07675
Phone 201-505-9451
Fax 201-573-4094
www.bly.com
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