How To Create Products Out Of Thin Air (With a 99% Profit Margin)

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:

  1. Yes, they can make a living as a writer.
  2. 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! (spoiler alert: Yes. I can.)

My title may seem like clickbait (Products out of thin air? 99% profit margin?) – Until you realize that I'm talking about writing…putting words on “paper”.

Your writing is a product and that is exactly how you should treat it. From conception to creation, you should have your ideal customer in mind…Who is this for? Who will this help?

In fact, I recommend using the same formula you use when you're writing sales copy – My P.A.S.T.O.R. framework.

Let's say you decide that you're going to write a how-to book on some topic that you're passionate about. I suggest the first thing you do is write the sales page for it. Write it as if your unwritten book were finished and ready to hit the shelves.

Why would you write a sales page for a product that doesn't exist? Because it outlines the reasons that it should exist. As you use the P.A.S.T.O.R framework to craft your copy, you are essentially giving yourself the list of promises that this book must fulfill. You will write a better book because of this.

Links From This Week's Episode

Maria Popova's Brainpickings – Think the days of making good money as a blogger are over? Not so. Maria Popova has incredible content and she is supported by her readers.

rayedwards.com – Head here to download my 6-Step Master Persuasion checklist that I mentioned in the show.

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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.