I’ve never written a post like this before, but feel it’s necessary as I go further along in this journey.

I also have no intention of writing posts like this regularly as I prefer to stay positive.

So here’s a rare chance to look at “angry” me. Hehe.

Here it goes…

If there’s one thing that really chaps my hide, it’s…

Entitled assholes who treat copywriters like free lottery tickets.

Case in point.

The other day I wrote an email about what to look for when hiring a copywriter.

And lo and behold, one of these asshats responded.

I immediately peeped at his profile.

He’s a dating coach (nothing against dating coaches in general, this is just his factual occupation).

His last content post was titled something like “how to prevent hoes from ruining your life.”

I also saw a few of his tweets saying women aren’t leaders.

I considered these red flags out of the gate.

Here’s his first message…

Dating coach weirdo (2:26 p.m.): I have a little one-off project I’d like some help with.

**Real quick thing I want to say right off the bat based on my experience **

If a prospect tells you they have a “little” project, it probably ain’t little.

They’re just trying to frame it that way so they can pay you less.

Anyway, back to the convo…

When I don’t respond immediately (because it’s 2:26 a.m.) he pings me again..

Dating coach weirdo (3:06 p,m.): I’ll take that as a….. no?

Dear lord.

First off…

My man – simmer down.

Just because I didn’t respond immediately does not mean it’s a “no.”

Keep in mind…

You messaged me at 2:26 a.m.

I wasn’t at Waffle House checking my phone.

I was sleeping, dude.

Anyway, I responded later that afternoon…

Me (3:48 pm that same day): Hey name, not a “no” at all. I’ll get back to you in a bit.

Me (the next day, 3:04 p.m.): Hey name! Thanks for your patience. To give you some idea of what I’m doing right now, I’m only working with email marketing clients as I feel it’s where I provide the best service.

However, I’d like to learn more about your business. Maybe there’s something we could do, if not, I could refer you to another copywriter since I know a lot of them. If you’re open to that, of course.

:::sends application link:::

^^ If you’re interested still, please fill this application out. Will help me get a pretty clear idea how I can help.

He responds…

Dating coach weirdo: Thanks George. My request is very simple. I created a 4600 word mini-ebook called “get the girl.” It’s a lead magnet for my website. I want someone to review it, make changes, refine it. That’s it.”

Good god.

Tell me you know nothing about copywriting without telling me you don’t know anything about copywriting.

Ok. Let’s start with his whack ass request.

He says he needs someone to “Edit.”

First off, copywriters aren’t editors. That’s not what we do.

Next, he says he wants the copywriter to “make changes and refine.”

Lol.

“Make changes and refine” are vague statements that really mean nothing.

You wouldn’t go to a plumber and say, “hey mr. plumber, I need you to make changes and refine my pipes.”

The plumber would be like “What? I need more specifics than that.”

After a statement like this, I have no clue what his exact problem is. Other than the fact that he’s not a great communicator.

This leads to my next concern with this guy…

He doesn’t acknowledge my request to fill out an application.

Which means he doesn’t want to put any effort into this.

He just wants me to do what he says (and probably pay me jackshit for it – if anything at all).

If he thinks hiring a copywriter is as easy as saying “hey idiot this copywrite shit mad easy just do it” so he can undercharge me and sit on his ass… then…well…he’s fucking dumb.

So I try and help him along. I tell him what he really wants but doesn’t know how to articulate: consulting.

Me: Sounds like you’re looking for consulting, do I have that right?

His dumb responses continue…

Weirdo dating coach: I don’t know what you’d call it. Don’t over complicate it mate…. I just want someone who is an expert at copy writing to take my document, and edit/refine/improve it. That’s it. It’s 4600 words.”

Notice his condescending tone.

Keep in mind, I haven’t even agreed to work with this guy yet.

He hasn’t paid me a cent yet.

Imagine how big of a power trippy doucher he’d be if he actually gave me money.

Weak…effing…sauce.

So I respond with this…

Me: Ok. Fill out the application and I’ll see what we’re looking at. Ignore any email-related questions.

He responds by going into passive-aggressive mode.

Weirdo dating coach: Sigh. Hoops. Ok George. No problem.

Woo boy.

Notice how he responds like a kid in the candy store whose mom won’t give him the skittles.

He says “sigh, hoops.”

Like I’m making him jump through hoops.

If a doctor asks you where it hurts, you don’t get pissy and act like he’s being annoying by trying to help you.

I mean… why would you do that? Other than to be a complete dumbass.

He kept being annoying, so it was then I decided to give a long lecture in hopes of changing his….

Nahhh just kidding I blocked him.

What’s this got to do with business?

Well… if you’re a business owner, you might have some tire kicking customers too.

But the truth is…

You don’t have to work with them.

You don’t have to cater to them just because they have a few dollars in their pocket.

You don’t even have to give them a shred of valuable advice.

Because they don’t really want to hear it – and that makes them a waste of time.

And time is money as they say.

Keep in mind… I’m not saying you should rule with an iron first and be an asshole yourself. but you should know when somebody isn’t serious about solving their problems and just wants to whine.

When you weed these people out, it gives you time to focus on what matters most.

And what matters most are the people and projects that will lead to the most valuable gains for your business.

In my world, this means…

• Spending hours researching an audience to create a winning idea for an email client
• Coming up with eye-catching hooks to increase open rates 
• Strategizing email sequences to create assets for businesses

And if you’re a business owner in the e-commerce space, more time could mean..

• Creating a better service so you can charge customers more
• Scaling and hiring more employees so you can expand your reach 
• Being more confident in your business

That doesn’t bad, does it?

But nobody has time to do those things if they’re wasting it on douchebags.

So I’ll go back to being positive now.

The overall message…

• Keep focusing on those who will give you the best ROI
• Give as much value as possible
• Filter out those trying to take advantage of you

I could’ve spent months wasting my time with this dating coach.

But now he’s gone. Out of my flowing hair.

When it comes to email marketing, you can do the same thing with your customers.

You can find the ones who are going to love your product.

For more tips on how to do that, check out the “resources” page on this website.

Have a great day.