How to Get Clients with Your Answers to Their Questions by Carrie Glenn

I’ve made this video recording to show you how to get clients by writing your sentences exactly to the specifications that your clients are looking for. As a video script copywriter who specializes in VSL and using video to get clients, it's important to know how to write messages to your clients in a way that pleases them.

Below is an example of a message that I wrote and then edited. You can watch the video to see the process to help you for when you’re responding to clients or prospects. In message, this client is asking about my sentence structure. How do I write? Do I write short sentences? Paragraphs? Do I write like advertising copy? Do I write long paragraphs of seven or eight sentences? What grade level? They're looking for somebody who can take complex subjects and simplify them. And they want me to show them that I can do that, not just tell them.

What this person may have missed is that there are links above in the message that I sent them that go to samples of my work. So, I’m letting them know that in a very professional way rather than saying, “Hey dummy, did you not read my message?” Because that would not be nice, or professional. See how I changed from message A, a bit of a disaster, to message B, targeted to the client:

“Hi, I saw your message, and though I’m out of the office, I wanted to respond…”

Vs.

“Hi, saw your message. Though I’m out of the office, I wanted to respond.”

Remember, she's obviously looking for someone to simplify the words for her audience.

Next:

“In my first message, I give you links to my work so that you can see my sentence structure and style, but your following message seems to be still looking for me to show you, not tell you.”

Vs.

“In my first message I gave you links to my work. This is so you can see my sentence structure and style. But your following message seems to be still be looking for me to show you, not tell you.”

Vs.

“In my first message I gave you links to my work. This is so you can see my sentence structure and style. However, your following message seems to ask me to show you, not tell you.”

Everything you send them is copy!

That first example was quite a long sentence. Obviously, not what she’s looking for. I could leave it there because it’s not the point, I mean, I’m not writing for her now, am I? Well, actually, yes. I am. Remember, being a copywriter, everything you send them is copy.

So, let's see how we fixed this. First of all, you shouldn’t have typos. So, I changed “give” to “gave.” Also, she had asked about my college degree or college courses, so better to leave the word “but” out of it and say, “However,” so that it sounds more professional. And the last sentence still seemed awkward to me. So, I fixed it.

Moving on:

“Please have a look at the samples and the blog samples, especially, as these are not “copywriting.”

Vs.

“Please have a look at the samples. The blog samples especially. Because these are not “copywriting.”

See how I’ve taken these big, long, elaborate sentences and broken them down? That’s the whole idea.

We want to write how we want to write and get onto the paper how we’re thinking and let it all go. Then, before we hit SEND, we need to think about our client and what they’re looking for so that we can change our wording to their specifications.

Before hitting SENDF

“Please also keep in mind that I write as the client asks.”

Vs.

“Please also keep in mind that I write the way the client asks me to.”

Now, that makes it a little bit longer, but it simplifies it. “I write as the client asks,” could leave room for misinterpretation on her part. Again, part of it isn't just that she wants it short sentences, but she wants it simplified.

“So, if they want it simple, they get it simple. If they want it more intellectual, etc., that’s what they get. Thank you, Carrie.”

Vs.

“If they want it simple, they get it simple. If they want it more intellectual, etc., that’s what they get. If you have any more questions, I'm happy to answer on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you, Carrie.

Changed “the client” to “each client.” Omitted, “So,” Added a qualifier about when I would answer questions, because she was messaging me during the weekend.

Final results:

“Hi, I saw your message, and though I'm out of the office, I wanted to respond. In my first message, I give you links to my work so that you can see my sentence structure and style, but your following message seems to be still looking for me to show you, not tell you. Please have a look at the samples and the blog samples, especially, as these are not “copywriting. Please also keep in mind that I write as the client asks. So, if they want it simple, they get it simple. If they want it more intellectual, etc., that’s what they get. Thank you, Carrie.”

 Vs.

“Saw your message. Though I'm out of the office, I wanted to respond. In my first message, I gave you links to my work. This is so you can see my sentence structure and style. However, your following message seems to ask me to show you, not tell you. Please have a look at the samples. The blog samples, especially. Because these are not “copywriting.” Please also keep in mind that I write the way the client asks me to. If they want it simple, they get it simple. If they want it more intellectual, etc., that’s what they get. If you have any more questions, I’m happy to answer on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you, Carrie.”

And there we have it! A pile of words vs. strategic copy that speaks the language of your potential clients. Which do you like better?

Is this all we know? Find more tips on effective ways to sell more of your products or services, from by book, The Truth About Online Marketing. Visit: "The Truth About Online Marketing"