What do I do??

[Christopher John]

I have been reaching out and busting my but.

A very famous copywriter in N.J. my home state contacted me back and asked how much for an article. I gave him a price and asked for a face 2 face. He said that his schedule won't permit the face 2 face but he has the money for the article.

I was blown away that this legend thought that I had this potential. I know that I can deliver.

When I asked him for the details he back peddled and said I have your price and I will get back 2 you.

I just want to write and pick the brain of this guy who I know has the stuff.
I would write the article for free.

I said that I would write the article based on what I thought he would want and send it to him in a few days.

He said that it was not autherized and he has my price and will get back if it is a go.

IS THIS NORMAL?

Can somebody tell me if there is something I can do?

Thanks,

Chris

[mklassen]

Sounds like Bob Bly.

If so (or even if it isn't), hang tight. People like Bob have their fingers in a million projects... sometimes personal projects, sometimes projects for others that have things going on in the background that need to be dealt with before you can start writing.

If he says he'll get back to you, trust him to get back to you and be ready when he does.

After a month, if you haven't heard, I might be tempted to send a note along the lines of, "Just wanted to touch base with you. I'm still ready to take on the project we talked about on _______ if that project is still going ahead." (You have to go with your gut on those types of things.)

There's a fine line between staying in contact with a prospect (even if it is another copywriter) and being a pest. It's possible this one job will fall through, but you want to stay on their good side in case another job comes up.

If this is a copywriter who is really busy, I wouldn't push to pick his brain. If you do a great job on the first project, there will probably be others and you'll likely learn quite a bit on each one without hammering the guy with lots of questions.

So again, this is just my opinion, but stay cool and hang tight. You're on the guy's radar and if he needs you, he'll call like he said he would.

[Len Bailey]

Hi Chris,

Mike's absolutely right. I know it's hard to wait when you're rearing to go, but you just have to be patient. Never forget the value of a person's time - yours or anyone else's. If you give the impression that working with you will be more trouble than it's worth, you run the risk of losing the job.

That said...

Congratulations on putting yourself out there and making contact. That's a big achievement all by itself, no matter what happens with the assignment.

While you're waiting, keep at it. There are plenty of opportunities out there, even for inexperienced copywriters. I know Toni Policci is hiring - you can contact him through his website at Tony Policci's Killer Ad Copy.

Good luck!
Len Bailey