From Comedian to Copywriter – Interview With Kevin Rogers

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had a “shake-up” on the show. We had several weeks in a row of freewheeling discussion with two of my assistants, Tiffany and Adrian, and my son, Sean.

To please the long-time listeners, some of whom aren’t thrilled with this new style of episode, we’ve decided to launch a second podcast.

That way, if you want to tune into the freewheeling silly stuff, you can do that. And if you want to hear the more serious business and copywriting stuff, you can do that too.

Stay tuned over the next few weeks to learn more about the new podcast.

Click here to download or listen to this episode now.

Spiritual Foundations:

Today on Spiritual Foundations I discuss…

  • ([1:55]) Is it wrong to pray for your business? Many Christians I know think it’s greedy and selfish to ask God for material gain. Here’s what Peter has to say about it.
  • ([2:40]) Why prayers about our worry and our prosperity change us. This change of perspective helps us see how God can communicate to us his plans for our prosperity in business.
  • ([3:10]) A powerful method for building your faith and seeing more answers to your prayers. This works. I’m absolutely sure of it!

Ray's Tip of the Week

This week I want to tell you about Cardflow Plus.

  • ([3:30]) It’s an iPad app that’s helping me storyboard my videos. I like doing this on paper, but when that’s not an option, this app is saving the day.
  • ([3:55]) It’s like a stack of virtual 3×5 index cards you can use for speeches or book outlines. It’s very versatile and easy to use.

Check it out at http://www.qrayon.com/home/cardflow/.

Episode Sponsor:

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Feature Presentation:

In my conversation with world-class copywriter Kevin Rogers, you’ll discover…

  • ([5:50]) How my guest went from a dead-broke stand-up comedian to a world-class copywriter. The simple joke formula he used to make the transition.
  • ([6:50]) Why Kevin dropped out of high school, and what he did instead. How being away from school helped him buckle down and study what he really loved.
  • ([8:45]) Why stand-up comics possess a magic that few others can grasp. It’s an outrageous phenomenon that causes a stranger to entertain a crowd of people with nothing but a microphone and some words.
  • ([10:46]) Why vomiting before every performance, even in his 70s, meant Henry Fonda still had his head in the game. Without this one thing, you can get complacent and lose your edge.
  • ([11:40]) The twisty-turny journey that took Kevin from comedy to copywriting guru-hood. How his amazing mentors helped him bridge the gap and reach the top of the field.
  • ([13:15]) How stalking his favorite copywriter turned into a master-apprentice relationship. It helped him discover his unique copywriting identity and create a memorable platform.
  • ([19:05]) The simple teachings in one of Dan Kennedy’s books that crystallized Kevin’s marketing learning. You can read piles of marketing books and never quite be sure you’re getting it right until you learn these simple truths.
  • ([20:45]) How “not being desperate” does more for getting a sale than almost everything else. The manner of delivery is crucial and more important than almost any other marketing tactic.
  • ([23:15]) Why the copywriting industry is filled with some of the most humane, caring, helpful people. It has to do with where we all came from at the start of our careers.
  • ([25:25]) The secret reason why giving away your best stuff brings you fantastic rewards at least nine times out of ten. It’s the kind of behind-closed-doors strategy that makes us some of the most blessed freelancers in the world.
  • ([27:10]) Why copywriters know more about abundance than the abundance guys do. A real-life example of a big-name personal development expert who secretly hates his customers and why copywriters are not really in competition with each other.
  • ([28:25]) How a copywriting legend gave Kevin a chance to shine and helped him overcome imposter syndrome. It took an incognito trip to Chicago, a clipboard, and a little white lie to make it happen, but it happened.
  • ([35:45]) The copywriter community Kevin built and where he now gives his full-time attention. It’s a gated, paid community where he shares all his greatest teachings, coaching, and encouraging to up-and-coming copywriters.
  • ([39:45]) How Kevin’s community brings together the good copywriters who need better clients and business owners who need good copywriters. It’s a safe, win-win place where business marriages happen all the time.
  • ([44:50]) The biggest challenge Kevin sees new copywriters struggling with and how to overcome them. It’s the one thing that makes great copywriters good at writing yet full of fear.
  • ([46:15]) Why it’s crucial for copywriters to have swagger and humility at the same time. The unique working environment requires these two seemingly opposite traits, and what copywriters can do to make sure they keep them in balance without being eaten alive by either.
  • ([48:10]) The biggest challenge Kevin sees business owners struggling with when looking for a good copywriter. Disaster happens without this crucial understanding, in spite of good intentions.
  • ([50:10]) Why thinking of copywriters as expensive “wordsmiths” is the single most deadly idea a business owner can have with regard to hiring a copywriter. It has to do with a profound, tweetable truth Kevin shared.

Resources

RayTraining.com

http://www.qrayon.com/home/cardflow/

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Ray Edwards is a world-renowned copywriter and communications strategist, writing for some of the most powerful voices in leadership and business including New York Times bestselling authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Tony Robbins. Ray is a sought-after speaker and author, hosts a popular weekly podcast, and blogs at RayEdwards.com.