A Completely New Model for Success

"People seldom improve when they have no other
model but themselves to copy after."
— Oliver Goldsmith

In Issue #239

Main Essay: A Completely New Model for Success
by Krista Jones

I remember the day Monica first suggested that we take our mentoring program online. You should have seen her. She was so excited as she pitched the idea to me—spouting off all of the benefits, seemingly without taking a breath.

Little did she know that I was sold on the idea almost immediately. It was so perfect! It would allow us to help a lot more people. It would be incredibly convenient for everyone involved. Best of all, it would be affordable to most people.

We decided to call it Virtual Mentor, and then started batting around ideas about how to structure it, what formats to use, and what to include.

We had a tentative launch date in mind, but before we could get everything finalized, Monica did something we hadn’t discussed: She leaked the idea to Copy Protégé readers!

I’ll admit; I was a bit nervous about it at first because we still had quite a bit of work to do. But it turns out that getting the word out early was one of the best things we could have done.

I say that because we received such an overwhelming response from CP readers that it showed us that we were on the right track and it encouraged us to add a couple of additional elements to the program.

If you’re wondering what people said about the idea of having an online coaching program, here’s just a little of the feedback that we received:

“The Virtual Mentor program sounds perfect for me. I am not in a position to take a more expensive course yet and am struggling to get my freelance copywriting business off the ground.

For me the issue is finding clients and having the confidence to approach them and seal the deal. I don’t really have prior business or sales experience and feel like I’m pretty green in terms of dealing with professionals.

Please send more information when you have it. I’ll look forward to hearing from you!”

– AK

“I read your e-mail about the online mentoring program coming soon and wanted to voice my interest. I’m a freelance writer just starting out and I could use a jump start, especially from someone who has been in my shoes. Areas of interest include productivity, concrete ideas for setting up a daily routine, and sticking points that most new writers encounter.”

“I’m desperate for it! After 18 years in the corporate world, working as a writer, I’m about to go out on my own. There’s only one problem: it’s been three months and I can’t get my butt in gear! I need a mentor and I need copy buddies who can keep me in line. So, mark me down as a YES!”

–SG

“I would definitely be interested. I’ve been wanting to join your mentoring program, but because I’m short of cash, I wanted to make absolutely sure I was ready to get the most out of it. The Virtual Mentor seems as if it would be a less expensive way to get some feedback. Right now I feel like I need some help and encouragement, but I’m not ready to make a giant leap yet.”

–MG

“Yes, yes, yes! Please start soon! I think I’d love virtual mentor. I’d be all over online coaching. It would help me immensely. I also know I need to start making some money copywriting soon. The expertise of mentors, plus goal setting and peer pressure and support would be helpful. I need more structure. BIG question that haunts me: do I have the discipline and motivation to work freelance?”

–CM

Thank you one and all for your encouragement and feedback. Your comments and suggestions have helped Monica and me mold Virtual Mentor into a one-of-a-kind, much-needed program.

If you’ve been excited about the possibility of receiving coaching you can afford, your wait is over.

Yes, yes, yes … we have put the finishing touches on the program and today we’re opening the doors …

Resource Referral: Everything You Need To Get Your Freelance Copywriting Business Off The Ground—For Just $39 A Month

Monica and I have taken very different paths to success, but there’s one thing we’re both clear on: We wouldn’t have enjoyed our copywriting successes nearly as quickly as we did without our mentors and peers. They saved us from making some really big mistakes. They helped us land bigger projects faster. They helped us reach our financial goals in just two years.

So we wanted to figure out a way to provide other copywriters just starting out with much of the same resources and tools that we got – but for much, much less.

The Virtual Mentor program is the result.

This brand new program allows us to deliver the most critical things you need in a coach … but with the twist of being more convenient, more responsive, and of course, much more affordable.

You’ll get …

How can we offer all this for such a low rate?

What Happens When The Power of the Web
Meets The Personal Touch of One-on-One Coaching

You see, we sat down and looked at all the tools we’d developed over the last two years of coaching beginning copywriters. Tools that help you set goals, critique copy, create a marketing plan, choose your niche … everything.

Then we used every single vehicle for delivering material we could think of – all designed to give you what you need, when you need it. All the coaching you’d get in an intensive program. Then, we put it all into formats you can access at any time, including …

 … Podcasts accompanied by downloadable spreadsheets and forms

 … Special reports on topics such as critiquing copy, pricing, getting started with clients, and more..

 … Monthly teleconferences with Krista, me, along with occasional special guests such as top marketing managers, internet publishers and other specialists in the field. You can even join us live or download to listen later.

 … An online chatboard personally monitored daily by a six-figure copywriter, marketing manager, or other expert in the direct response industry.

 … .And much, much more.

All with the convenience of web-based delivery. That’s how we can offer the Virtual Mentor at the ridiculously low monthly rate of just $39.

It is quite simply the most convenient, comprehensive – and affordable – coaching program you’ll find anywhere, from anyone.

Here’s how it works …

Getting Started: Gain A Month Of Information In A Minute!

The minute you register, you’ll receive your Welcome Package, plus gain access to the password-protected Virtual Mentor webpages.

You’ll see for yourself immediately … it’s a powerhouse beginning! We start you off with everything we usually cover in the entire first month of our regular coaching program.

In a half-hour kick-off podcast, Monica and I personally welcome you to the program, and walk you through all the elements of it one by one to get you oriented. It’s as if we are on our first one-on-one phone call! We share in detail our personal stories, what we learned in the last 7 years as freelance copywriters – and now – internet publishers, and give you tips for getting the most out of your Virtual Mentor membership.

Next, there is the complete goal-setting system. We’ve spent the last two years developing this system for setting and tracking your goals! It includes …

Plus, available for the first time …

Painless Copy Critiques: How to Write Better Without Getting Crushed: This 25-page special report includes detailed instructions for critiquing copy – your own and others – plus a sample critique on an actual promotion, and all the forms you need to run your own critiques. You can use these forms over and over – with fellow Virtual Mentor members, peers you’ve met at writers’ workshops, even family members. This report takes all the mystery out of improving your copy – and all the pain, too.

Eventually, you can even use these forms with your own clients for pay!

And that’s only the beginning of your coaching journey …

A Winning Combination:
Comprehensive Content, Useful Advice, Motivationally Delivered

Once you’ve made your way through your Welcome Package – it’s time to really get going. Every month you’ll receive a new podcast – complete with a downloadable form or spreadsheet that acts as the workbook for the topic area discussed.

Every single area you need to know more about will be covered …

Practical matters such as pricing, choosing your niche, finding and landing clients, determining your USP, conducting effective research, and more …

Lifestyle issues, such as balancing your practice with your life, letting your passion guide you to your niche, writing fast so you can live slow, and more …

Motivational issues, such as staving off procrastination, knowing when you’re ready to start booking clients, feeling more confident in your writing, and much, much more …

Personalized Access When You Need It

We’ve also found places to give you personalized advice and information when you need it. Virtual Mentor includes access to a Members-Only Monitored Chatboard that is guaranteed to have either Monica, myself, or another guest copywriter, marketing manager, or expert in direct response marketing to weigh in on your questions and concerns – every weekday!

That’s right. Someone from our team will visit the chatboard, follow the threads, and provide a timely answer to questions and challenges for everyone in the program to see.

Or if you have a more complicated question – or a specific situation you want us both to comment on, you can email it to us and then tune in to the Monthly Q&A Teleconference.

The second Tuesday of every month, at noon EST, Monica and I will host a live teleconference that will also be recorded. You can join us live on the line – or listen later at your convenience. On this call, we’ll address the timely – and sometimes sticky or more complicated questions – that can come up when you’re a freelancer.

There’s Simply Nothing Out There Like It

For just $39 a month, Virtual Mentor brings you:

And because we’re so confident that the Virtual Mentor program is going to get your career on track fast … we’re including a special bonus that we suspect you’ll need sooner rather than later …

*Special Bonus*
I Have an Assignment—But What Do I Do Now?

You wait for that day – the one where you land your first paying client. It’s exhilarating. But every single time we’ve celebrated this milestone with someone in our Mentoring Program, it’s inevitably followed by the next nervous question …

What do I do now?

That’s why we’re including The Client Start-Up Kit right off the bat – as a special bonus when you subscribe to Virtual Mentor.

The Client Start-Up Kit includes everything you need to confidently work with a brand new client. It literally holds your hand every step of the way – and makes sure you look like a pro, even if you’re a beginner!

You’ll know …

Exactly what materials to request at the beginning of a project, and what additional research you’ll need to do to write the best possible copy …

How to determine your fee for the project, even if it’s the first nickel you’ll ear for writing copy …

How to negotiate that fee with the client … and get it …

A systematic step-by-step process that takes you from landing the client all the way to sending the final invoice – so you won’t leave any steps out along the way.

The kit also includes …

If we sold The Client Start-Up Kit on its own – we would charge at least $149 – maybe more. But here’s the kicker – it is only available to subscribers of the Virtual Mentor. Because we know how fast you can achieve your goals when you have a program like this – and we want you to be prepared from day one.

Stay As Long As You Like
And Get Everything You Need – Anytime

The Virtual Mentor is a monthly subscription – but that doesn’t mean you just get access to one month of material at a time.

Your membership gives you access to everything available – anytime you need it. If you’re working a full-time job and starting your copywriting career on nights and weekends – your Virtual Mentor subscription will be there when you need it.

There’s no need to synch up your schedule with your coach – or your peer group – or anyone else for that matter. You can get all the coaching you need – anytime of the day or night or week or month that you need it.

Let’s say you try Virtual Mentor out for a month and cancel – no problem. You still get to keep the entire Welcome Package and the Client Start-Up Kit – worth a combined total of $348 if purchased separately – as our thank you for giving Virtual Mentor a try.

In fact, you can end your subscription whenever you’re ready – just let us know and we’ll take care of it. No questions asked.

We think Virtual Mentor is the perfect solution for busy people who want coaching on their own terms. We hope you agree.

Subscribe now and you’ll get your welcome package and bonuses immediately. Then, we encourage you to log in every day because we’re going to be adding more and more to the site.

We look forward to working with you and helping you take your freelance career to the next level!