The question sprung from Facebook with such vigor…
I just had to give it the time of day.
And a great question too!
A good one to think about if you’re doing writing for clients. But you could apply this to design work and other things just as well.
The question…
“Do you think it’s rude to rewrite content or copy from a business’s website to contrast between what they have currently and what you can provide for them by showing you can improve it?”
Marvellous question.
And I’m sharing my answer with you here… because I reckon it can help if you’re thinking of doing this kind of thing.
I said…
Some people are in love with their copy.
And will take it as a personal insult if you rewrite it and present a “better” version to them — particularly if they wrote, or were intimately involved in its initial production.
I’d approach this simply by saying you have some ideas for their copy.
Give them one freebie, like…
“I noticed you have a big picture as the first thing you see when visitors come to your site. Other businesses that have reduced this, so the headline is visible, notice much higher engagement.”
And quote numbers if you have them.
Then say something along the lines of…
“I like what you do. And I’d love to help make your website even better.”
Then share WHY.
Why you want to help. And let them know ANY connection you have with their industry.
You could say…
“I’ve seen some other ways we can do that. Would you like to meet and chat about it?”
That kind of thing.
So you’ve…
… not insulted their copy! 😀
… shown you’re interested in what they do.
… shared expertise. And positioned as someone who knows a thing or two about what you’re talking about.
… shown them some sort of benefit to their business if they take your advice.
… been generous. Not coming across as needy.
And you’re also showing up like a decent human being who wants to help (which I’m sure you are! 😊).
For your own learning and growth, you may like to do the rewrite.
But don’t show it to them or tell them about it. (You could of course draw on this if they hire you.)
But as a general rule… don’t do work before you’re hired.
Great question.
And I enjoyed answering it.
If you get a question on social media… and you write an epic answer to help someone out.
Did you know you can breathe life into your answer… so it flourishes beyond its fleeting appearance on Facebook, or wherever?
First… store it.
Second… use my Lazybones Method of Easy Content Creation… to multiply its value for you into useful content (like I did with this email).
Then repurpose it again. For a blog, articles, podcast script, etc. Even store it up to use for a book (or something else substantial) in the future.
The guide is a quick read. Comes with the audiobook too. And you get a demo video of the method in action.
And… if you’re ready to build your email list… go here…
EmailForTheWin.com
Chris Milham