Copywriting.org Interviews Shahid Nyker
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Q1. Where are you from?
Cape Town, South Africa
Q2. How did you discover copywriting?
I friend at university asked me why I didn’t freelance as a copywriter instead of working all those shitty part-time campus jobs (I had like 4 different jobs). We did a few classes together, plus I was running my own theatre and performance workshop where I’d regularly write all sorts of plays and skits about everything. So he knew I was a good writer. I had never even heard of copywriting before. In my mind, copywriting was a legal term (copyright). So I did some googling and took a couple of courses (Neville Medhora’s “Kopywriting Kourse” and Mike Shreeves’ “Email Academy”). After completing those courses, I freelanced for three weeks with clients I found on Facebook and Reddit. They didn’t pay me much, with one client even ghosting me without paying after I sent them the copy. But it allowed me to build a small portfolio. Which I used to get a contract to work in-house for an email marketing agency in London. And soon enough, I was doing so well as a copywriter that I dropped out of university before that semester was even up. My career took off from there.
Q3. What forms of copy do you write?
Emails, Sales Letters, Landing Pages, Facebook Ads
Q4. What are your favorite niches to write in?
Health, Fitness, and Ecommerce
Q5. What is the #1 lesson you've learned as a copywriter?
Success isn’t linear. You’re gonna fail a lot along the way. But that’s okay. And it’s also necessary! Success isn’t a destination either. You can find success today and fail tomorrow. I’ve learned that as long as you count your blessings and stay focused on your goals… Consistent success will eventually come your way.
Q6. Who is your favorite copywriter & why?
Stefan Georgi is a big inspiration to me. I’ve learned so much from him through his mentorship and coaching program in 2021. As well as through his current Genesis by Copy Accelerator program. Luke Mills has also been a massive source of inspiration and direction to me. Providing me with coaching, advice, and critique on my copy. Helping me constantly get better and make better decisions as a freelance copywriter.
Q7. Do you have any recent wins to share?
I recently helped one of the biggest online soccer apparel stores in the world break its record for the most amount of money they’ve ever generated in a single month from email marketing. They then gave me full reign to write whatever copy I wanted. So that’s super awesome! Especially because I’m a massive soccer fan (sports, health, and fitness nut altogether tbh).
Q8. What would you say to a prospective client who wants to hire you?
Growing up, I was that kid with ADHD who couldn’t stick to a single hobby/area of interest. So I jumped around and tried all sorts of things. I played over a dozen different sports. Did theatre, and debating, and joined Toastmasters. And I’d read books about everything from science to nature, nutrition, history, politics, film, television, and sports. I even taught myself how to play the piano. When something new interested me, I became obsessed with it and did everything I could to learn everything about that new thing. And when I was competitive too. I had to be the best rugby player, the best debater, and the best public speaker at Toastmasters. And that’s how I’ll approach your project. I’ll adopt an obsession to learn everything about your offer/products… As well as your competitors, the market, and what’s worked already. And when I write your copy, I’ll do my absolute best to make sure the ads we run together are the best they can possibly be. Plus, because I’ve been interested in so many different things… I’ll be able to come up with unique mechanisms as I have so many different experiences to draw from.
Q9. What is a good email address for prospective clients to contact you?
shahidcopywritingkid@gmail.com