Freelance copywriters are an interesting bunch. They practice the art of salesmanship in print, yet have difficulty selling themselves. They struggle when it comes to self-promotion.

So instead of being well-fed and content, they often go hungry. Why is this?

I believe it comes down to three fundamental deficiencies. I observed these in myself when I was getting started a few years ago. I have continued to observe them in other copywriters who are launching new freelance careers.

Read the rest or post a comment »

Competition is a “killer” for a lot of commodity businesses. Doesn’t really matter whether you market online or offline. If you sell a commodity product then chances are you compete for customers with hundreds of other businesses.

In the next few minutes, I’m going to share with you a proven strategy to…

Out-Market, Out-Sell And Out-Profit…

… Just about anyone in your industry or business category.

Read the rest or post a comment »

At the beginning of my career, I specialized in working primarily with cosmetic surgeons. I wrote their direct mail copy, produced their infomercials, trained their sales staff, and consulted them on marketing.

As a big believer in branding and niche marketing, I decided to focus primarily on doctors. I dubbed myself as "The Success Doctor" since my aim was to help doctors become successful.

Up until a decade ago, however, I was just a self-employed freelancer. For years my clients came to me by word of mouth. But since my business was growing quite rapidly, I decided to incorporate.

So on August 17, 1997, I registered "The Success Doctor, Inc." (In fact, it was only a few months later that I created a website and "hung out my digital shingle" at SuccessDoctor.com! And the rest, as they say, is history.)

Nevertheless, this means that, on August 17, 2007, it will be the 10th anniversary of my company. And to celebrate, I want to do something special for you. Something I’ve never done before. So here’s the deal…

Read the rest or post a comment »

I’ll never forget this for as long as I live.

The real estate office manager marched to his secretary’s desk. He rubbed his face in frustration. I stopped making cold calls to spy on their conversation.

In muffled tones, he told her to write a “house ad” for a new listing. He wasn’t sure what to write. So he told her to come up with something. Anything.

Back then I sold real estate for a living. I just started learning how to write ads that work. But I couldn’t believe what just transpired.

Read the rest or post a comment »

To celebrate Independence Day, including the independence from being a slave to your business, I wanted to pass this very special note to you.

As you probably know, for close to a decade my wife, Sylvie Fortin, owns an outsourcing and project fulfillment services company, Workaholics4Hire, Inc. Her client list reads like a venerable who’s who in the marketing world.

Recognizable names include Shawn Casey, Yanik Silver, Frank Kern, and many more (including yours truly), who use her services regularly and have done so for many years. (For instance, her company was featured in John Reese’s Traffic Secrets, in the “Outsourcing Mastery” video.)

Her company offers a variety of services to fit most outsourcing needs that allow you to focus on growing your business rather than micro-managing it…

… From conducting research, creating products, and designing websites, all the way to handling emails, managing customer support, setting up PPC ad campaigns, ghostwriting articles, and much more.

Well, I don’t normally talk about my wife’s services (her doors have been closed to the public for a long time), but just recently she changed her business model RADICALLY. (And it’s not what you think.)

Read the rest or post a comment »

The last two weeks were crazy-busy at the Fortin office.

From speaking in Philadelphia, returning to Canada for just a few days and then leaving for Raleigh for another event (and being stuck for 24 hours in Chicago’s airport due to a canceled flight), to being in the middle of launching three major products…

… I just wanted to “pop my head in” and say “Hi!” But while I’m here, there’s something I wanted to let you know. Something that can be downright frightening.

What is it about? Take this chilling scenario…

Read the rest or post a comment »

You’ve probably heard the quote from Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.” Well, today, I learned about someone I already know and admire, who certainly embodies this trait.

Her name is Ladan Lashkari. She is a reader of this blog, and she even listed it as being one of her favorites. But when I learned her story, I was truly humbled.

The story was written by Eric Holmlund. His blog, “Eric’s Tips,” is another blog I highly recommend. As you shall soon find out, he wrote a piece that’s so amazing and inspirational, that I had to tell you about it, with Eric’s gracious permission. (And once you read it, you’ll be amazed like I am by how powerful Ladan’s story really is.)

If you think you have limitations in your life stopping you from achieving success, take some time to read about this woman’s limitations. Her story is not only captivating, it’s awe-inspiring in so many ways.

So without further ado…

Read the rest or post a comment »