What’s the most important part in copywriting? Is it the words? The headline? Bullets? Testimonials? Guarantees? The offer?

Nope.

None of these, while all important, are not as important as this one, single yet powerful element. It trumps all the others by a longshot, and it’s the one element that all copy must absolutely have to succeed.

And once I tell you what it is, you’re going to say, “Of course!” But, it’s not what you think — at least, not in the way you think…

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When my wife released her controversial report, Internet Marketing Sins, we received mixed reactions. As expected, of course.

Some people thought it was about time someone spoke out on these underhanded tactics and stupid marketing tricks. Others praised Sylvie’s efforts and gushed her with appreciation.

Others, on the other hand, didn’t feel as… appreciative.

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After typing furiously for the last three days, my wife has finally put together the first part of a three-part manifesto, in which she finally exposes some of the grievous sins committed by many marketers on the Internet.

It has shocked a great number of people, and it will make a lot of people mad. She’s also taking a monumental risk by speaking out like this. But she’s mad, too, and can’t take it anymore.

In it, she not only lashes out at Internet marketers who use stupid (and sometimes illegal) marketing tricks, but also consumers of Internet marketing products who perpetuate them — and what to do about it.

There are 15 sins in all. She will be covering five sins in each installment, and she’s currently working on the second. The first five sins are available right now.

This manifesto is free and there are no sales pitches.

There is an opt-in email form in order to notify you when each installment is available. And in it, my wife does offer some links to a few resources, including some of our own. But they are not necessary for you to read and benefit from this report.

Now, an important warning…

She doesn’t hold anything back. If you are squeamish or get offended easily, then please don’t download it. My wife uses very strong language not intended for younger audiences. So reader discretion is advised.

Click here to go download “Internet Marketing Sins.”

Why is it that successful marketers and online entrepreneurs seem to have this virtual "6th sense" when it comes to pinpointing hot, hungry, and highly profitable markets they can sell products to?

We see this again and again and again.

They seem to have this "Midas touch" when it comes to selling online. Any product they launch sells like gangbusters. Every promotion they do balloons their bank accounts. Every new market they enter becomes a surefire winner.

But ask them how they tap these hidden goldmines with an almost impeccable accuracy, and the likely response you will get is, "I don't know, it just feels right."

There’s a reason.

(Stay with me, because in a moment I’m going to show you how you can do this yourself, and you don’t have to be psychic or shell out a lot of money!)

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A member on my copywriters forum (now my blog) started a thread on what makes my forum so popular. Everyone chimed in with some great answers, and I appreciate the feedback.

(The cool thing about it is, that very thread also reached an important milestone. It was the 10,000th one! Talk about a coincidence, eh?)

But then someone asked:

“Michel, can I ask how you initially got the word out about your forum?”

My answer revealed a bit more than what the member anticipated. Instead of talking about how my forum became so popular, I went on a tangent and explained the step-by-step process I used to book copywriting projects.

The answer was so well received that I decided to reprint it here.

Now, you may be wondering what promoting a forum (or a blog, for that matter) has to do with promoting my copywriting services. Keep reading because you’ll soon understand why…

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Recently, a coaching client asked me about dealing with prospective clients over the phone.

This copywriter understood the importance of communicating with prospects and answering their pre-sale questions. However, like me, he preferred to avoid the telephone and asked me if his strategy was sound.

Free consultations are often a necessary step in securing clients in your early days as a copywriter before you’ve established your expertise and developed a reputation.

It’s natural that potential clients want to get a feel for your style and standards with a “getting to know you session.” Quite often, they will want to do this via a phone consultation with you.

I’m a big believer in opening the lines of communication, and I also like to pick up the phone to speak with a client when writing copy.

But before a client hires me, I prefer to remain off the phone. Why? Because the telephone can be counterproductive and even hurt your business.

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Seems I’m ranting a lot these days, and a little more opinionated than the norm. Perhaps it’s my broken back, which is killing me, that’s making me more sensitive or irritable. I don’t know.

But something someone recently said in my copywriters forum irritated me. And it’s not what this person said specifically, but the mindset behind it that’s bothering me.

In a thread about an Internet marketer who was recently arrested (yes, it had something to do with forced continuity, but it had more to do with refusing refunds and avoiding customers than it had to do with forced continuity itself), one member said:

“There is NO such thing as an honest business man. (…) Ask any accountant.”

Now, I have no clue as to why this person said this. And my opinion here is not about this person specifically. Again, it’s about the thinking process that some people have when they make such assertions.

Personally, I believe this view of business people is skewed, off, and wrong. It’s destructive, too.

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