Article by Derryck Strachan

Last week, I wrote about copywriting training and courses being for everyone, not just for those who want to be a copywriter. This week, I’d like to give you some reasons NOT to take a copywriting course.

1. The person giving the course or seminar is not a copywriter

This might surprise you, but some of the people giving courses on web copywriting are not, and have never been, a professional copywriter employed by other copywriters for their skills. Nope. They might be good marketers and sales people. Heck, they might be decent people. But, you’re paying good money for your search copywriting course, so get to know something about the person who is going to teach the ways of the SEO copywriter.

Copywriters offering to teach you and have been in their industry (be it advertising, digital, direct) bring not just the material itself (which, frankly, you can find in a book) but a wealth of experience, lots of client experience, and a plethora of tried-and-true copywriting techniques that actually work for different and varied businesses.

2. It’s too good to be true

You found a great looking copywriting course that you can take at home and it’s almost totally free! Sorta. I think…Well, maybe.

Good luck with your money, sport.

Even in copywriting, the old adage I used in this reason not to go to a copywriting course holds true. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t believe their masterful hype. Check out the details, phone them up, get a solid outline of what you’re going to learn, and please, make sure you read reason 1 above.

3. There is no support – email, live or otherwise

When you are paying good money for a copywriting course, whether it is distance learning by books, DVD, online video tutorials, a legitimate course program will offer some kind of support for you. A live course obviously has some form of support built in.

Copywriting isn’t like maths. There isn’t always a right answer to your conundrum, so having a way of getting specific help to whatever your question is will make your experience much better.

4. You can’t see any examples of their work

Who are their clients? Can you see any work they have done? If all you can find are the examples you see on their advertising for the course, that’s not enough. Have the confidence that the person who is going to teach you can actually write well enough to get and keep happy clients. If they can’t produce any samples or actual people you can talk to, don’t bother signing up.

And now for the half…

The cost is too high for your budget

I almost didn’t include this reason simply because I think there’s no price too high for a good education and training. However, I’m not blind to the reality of life. I’ve been there myself, and I would not feel comfortable suggesting you break the bank to get take a course. There are plenty of options out there that fit many budgets: day courses, half-days, weekends, online training and so on. For businesses on a budget, find out if your trainer will travel to you and train your content providers at your location and for a fixed rate, rather than per head.

There you have them. Got any to add yourself? Or have you been on a copywriting course that you wish you hadn’t?