For years, I've touted Direct Response Sales Copy as the most lucrative niche a freelance writer can master to have a very high profit, virtually no overhead business. That is still true, but, when it comes to those who are writing copy to promote their own products, services and ideas, there is something much more powerful... Content. This week's episode discusses the power of Content Marketing. Tying every piece of your content into a worldview that is always in integrity with your company's v...
Dec 14, 2021•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is an exciting week! On Thursday, 12/9/21, 5 p.m. Eastern, I'm offering a free Copywriter's Strategy class that will teach you everything you need to know to get a high profit, low overhead, writing business up and running for the new year. This week's episode gives you an overview of the deep dive we'll be taking on Thursday's class. The topics I want to cover are better presented in a live, interactive format, so I encourage you to attend if you're reading this before the event. I want yo...
Dec 06, 2021•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode is about America's next big crisis and how to prepare for it. I'm not an economist, but I do study many experts and most of them are saying that America is headed for a crisis...a perfect economic storm brought on by lack of retirement savings and an aging population whose ability to work is diminishing. "But Ray...aren't you usually the positive thinking, 'look on the bright side' kind of guy? What's with this fear talk?" I AM a positive thinker...But I am not one who ignore...
Dec 03, 2021•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, there is much to discuss. Here in the US, Americans are getting set for Thanksgiving and the retail holiday that follows, Black Friday. For the first time, my company is participating in Black Friday. Tune in and I'll give you the reasons why we are (and why you should be, too...even if you are exclusively online). But that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I also want to make a very clear point: You are a writer...Even if you don't think you are. I'll teach ways to improve yo...
Nov 24, 2021•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast We're nearing the end of 2021, but we still have almost 7 weeks left. That's 13% of the year still to come. Way too much time to start coasting to the finish line. The last few weeks of the year, most people will disregard their goals and dismiss the rest of the year as though it's the last day of school. Not me. Yes, I will take time off from work and be with my family, but I’m also going to do things that lead me closer to my goals, not farther away from them. Look, you can author a new story ...
Nov 16, 2021•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Over the years, I have trained many professional copywriters, but the actual writing is only part of what I teach. In order for a student to be successful as a writer (or any entrepreneurial venture), they need to know how to launch, run and grow their business. This leads to me getting asked various forms of this question numerous times each week: "Should I start my business now, or wait until things are a little better?" Here's the short answer - Do it now! In this week's episode, I'll back th...
Nov 08, 2021•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I'm introducing you to someone who is helping to change lives - in particular, the lives of Christian entrepreneurs around the globe. David Lee Martin is not only a student of mine, but he has become a great friend and respected colleague. In our conversation, David and I discuss his early beginnings as a spiritually hungry adolescent, to his ministry, to his life as an entrepreneur. David has many lessons to share (enough to create his own successful academy) and I think you will fin...
Nov 01, 2021•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast For this week's episode, I wanted to get back-to-basics and give you the nuts and bolts explanation of who I am and my philosophy of writing persuasive, direct-response copy. I had done this already for someone else's podcast back in 2018 as a guest host. That someone was the great Jeff Goins, and he gave me permission to use that audio for this week's episode. I have a ton of respect for Jeff and the work he puts out, so if you're not familiar with him, I recommend you check out his blog, best-...
Oct 26, 2021•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast We're a couple of weeks into 4th quarter 2010 (October-December), but it's not too late to make more money in this last quarter than you've made so far this year. No matter what your business, this week's podcast lays out a simple plan for you to CRUSH your goals for the year, rake in the revenue, and pile up profits. How great would it be to start 2022 with that amazing momentum? [00:45] Getting prepared for your 4th Quarter Miracle [01:12] Put the past in the past [02:39] Define your objective...
Oct 19, 2021•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast This may blow a few minds, but I, Ray Edwards, direct response copywriting evangelist and educator, am telling you that Copywriting, alone...Is not enough. Today's sophisticated, high-paying client demands that you have more to offer. This week, I'll tell you what other skills you must possess to thrive, AND give you an actionable checklist that will simplify the process of getting you (and keeping you) in high-demand. [1:49] - The dirty little secret of the copywriting world (The title says it ...
Oct 11, 2021•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I want to talk about writing as a business. Not just copywriting, but writing in general. From fiction, to how-to e-books, to blogging (yes, blogging is NOT dead - proof below), etc. There are so many myths and misconceptions about this topic, that many people don't realize: Yes, they can make a living as a writer. It's not even that difficult to do. Two bold claims...Can I back them up? Can I show you realistic ways this can be done? Tune into this week's exciting episode to find out...
Oct 04, 2021•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Odds are, you don't have Parkinson's Disease, and if you don't, is there a benefit to listening to this week's episode? Absolutely! The truth is, we're all dealing with something - Either something big, bold and in-your face (chronic pain, degenerative diseases, injuries, etc.), or the subtle, waiting patiently in the background, definitively terminal condition that we all have in common - Life. Whatever your situation is, I believe these ten directives will help you live a better life. Click be...
Sep 27, 2021•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast A surprising call from an old friend got me thinking … It seems almost everyone I know is being faced with big decisions. Maybe you, too, are thinking through one of these "big decisions". Decisions about whether to keep the job you have … Or decision about whether to accept the new job you've been offered… Maybe you're thinking about starting your own business … Or you might even be considering whether to move to a different city (or country) … If you are making any kind of decision, it's a goo...
Sep 20, 2021•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Look, let's be real. These last couple of years have been very difficult for most of us. Think of all the crazy stuff that has happened. There's a really good chance you did not see all of that coming. I surely did not. In today's podcast, I get gut-level real. Many of my clients and friends in the world of business really did have their “best year ever” in 2020, and things are looking even better for them as we round out 2021. It seems for many people I know the last couple of years actually br...
Sep 13, 2021•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you want to be a leader , you need to develop a reading habit. “Leaders are readers,” says Jeff Brown, my guest on today’s podcast. Jeff is the host of The Read To Lead Podcast , and the author of a new book called, not surprisingly, Read To Lead . In Jeff’s book, you will learn Why you need to read like your career depends on it. The eight research-backed reasons reading will help you build your career. How to absorb a book into your bloodstream. Tips on creating a lifetime reading habit. In...
Sep 06, 2021•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast How much of your thinking is by design? I don't mean that in the spiritual sense, but rather, by your design. How much of your thinking is intentional? How much of it is YOUR thinking? Is it possible that most of your life is being dictated by random bits and pieces of knowledge, unintentional habits, misconceptions, and various other noise that you no longer even choose to think? And if so… Can you fix it? This topic isn't new to the podcast. In fact, there are several episodes where I have ass...
Aug 30, 2021•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast At some point in life, I think most people find that they are essentially living the same day, over and over. Going to the same job, talking to the same people, thinking mostly the same thoughts, feeling mostly the same emotions...Everything is just mediocre repetition; neither advancing nor improving. They have brief notions of making changes, but ultimately go back to their routine. This week's episode details my personal journey through that scenario...And the diagnosis that snapped me out of...
Aug 23, 2021•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're showcasing one of our highest reviewed episodes in the history of the show...And for good reason - It breaks down the process of starting a successful copywriting business into 3 simple steps . Yep...You're ( still ) only 3 steps away from your work-from-anywhere, get paid to be creative, no-business-attire-required (or even pants for that matter) dream job. Here's what we cover in this episode: The definition of a “direct response copywriter” and who their best kind of clients a...
Aug 16, 2021•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast During today’s episode it is my goal to answer all your questions about starting your own writing business, especially in today’s new economy. Sometimes it seems like it’s a new economy every other day or so, but really there’s nothing to be frightened of. There is nothing new under the sun, after all-this has all happened before, and it will all happen again. Spiritual Foundations The Lord is my light and my salvation- so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from dange...
Aug 10, 2021•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast As we continue our recording studio makeover at Ray Edwards, International, I've been going through some past episodes, looking for those that stood out…episodes worth a second listen. The one I found for this week seemed oddly prophetic. It was released about a year before the pandemic began and actually seems even more appropriate in 2021. Don't take my word for it…listen, and hear for yourself. Feature Presentation: “The Single Best Business to Start (If You Need Money Now)” While thinking ab...
Aug 02, 2021•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we decided to use some studio down-time to revisit our most downloaded, most commented episode, and strip it down to the meat and potatoes. The original episode, which you can find in its entirety here , focused on the importance of the order in which entrepreneurs should do things to successfully create a personal-brand based business. Three years later, the out-of-sequentialism problem still exists and the solutions in this episode are still valid. Even if you heard the original, th...
Jul 26, 2021•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast You already are a personal brand, and as my friend Mike Kim says, you might as well be a better one. Personal branding isn't just for celebrities, public speakers, or internet gurus…It's for YOU! This week's episode will help you make big strides in your own personal brand, thanks to Mike's expert advice. Feature Presentation Throughout my years of consulting and training, I have encountered a common sentiment among many would-be content creators - "How can I succeed when so many others are alre...
Jul 19, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast So many of us still have life "on pause" as a result of the last 18 months. Regardless of where you are or what restrictions you're still facing, it's time to press play...It's time to move forward. This week, I'm giving you 5 reasons to show you why Now is your time. Spiritual Foundations "The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. - Proverbs 28:1, NIV Perhaps you're more familiar with the secular version, "Fortune favors the bold". In this economy, NOW is t...
Jul 12, 2021•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I'm asking you to do some self-reflection (check yourself, before you wreck yourself.) I'm offering you 5 "Failure Factors" that can paralyze entrepreneurs if left unchecked. The good news is this: Even if you see some, or all of these factors in yourself, there is a simple solution. That's what I'm giving you in this week's episode. Spiritual Foundations "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." - Psalm 5:3, NIV How i...
Jul 05, 2021•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this week's episode I want to talk about what I believe to be the future of online education - Cohort Based Learning. This isn't a new concept, but it IS revolutionary. After all, a revolution is simply a return to the beginning. Cohort-Based learning fills in the missing pieces that we sacrifice when we're not in a physical classroom: The interaction, the community, the time constraints, the accountability...those are all invaluable educational tools that are stripped away with traditional d...
Jun 28, 2021•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tik Tok may have started as a platform built for teens and tweens to post dancing videos and the like, but that is NOT what it is today. These days, it's a viable platform for marketing yourself and your business. But wait...there are plenty of those, why would you need another? Because, unlike most of the other big players, Tik Tok does not require you have a huge following before giving you exposure to their users. It's a viral-video machine and if you know how to put the right ingredients in,...
Jun 21, 2021•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’ve got a couple of big, epiphany inducing , points to share in this week’s episode, and I can’t wait for you to jump in. The first is a personal revelation that I’ve had that will be impactful for anyone who makes or takes a digital course: Cohort-Based Learning. If you sell (or plan to sell) a course, there’s something you need to know: It won’t work for everyone...because not everyone works. It can be frustrating to share your best content (content that was life-changing for you) with someon...
Jun 16, 2021•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Successful entrepreneurs are typically go-getters, but too much go-getting can cost you everything you're supposed to be working for. This week, I'm giving you 5 reasons why taking time off can not only help you realize your dreams, but also give you the time to enjoy them. Spiritual Foundations The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) In this week's Spiritual Foundations, I'll be breaking down this verse from Prover...
Jun 07, 2021•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week has a solution to a problem that most of us are probably guilty of: We read a book and acquire some great knowledge, but never put it to use. I can't give you an exact total of self-improvement and business related books I've read, but I'm certain it's a three digit number. Yet, there is so much I've learned that never made it to common practice in my life. Bryan Kelly's system aims to help you unpack, digest and implement the knowledge from books using what he calls the WIT f...
Jun 01, 2021•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast One of the most important keys to writing copy that sells is being able to write copy quickly. Frequently the faster writer will get the jobs slow writers miss out on. And many times opportunities in the market place exist only for a short window - to take advantage of those you must be able to write copy quickly. Today we will share five copy hacks you can use to boost your speed up to 5000 words per day. Spiritual Foundations Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverne...
May 24, 2021•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast