<strong>Copywriting 101</strong>

If you ever looked at any copywriting advice, you'd probably have seen the bit where they tell you to talk about the benefits of whatever you are writing about. Benefits is what is in it for the audience. Perhaps they get a good price, or look younger, or help save the world. You are always supposed to highlight what the audience gets from the good or service or organization you are promoting. It's Copywriting 101.

<strong>But spammers don't take copywriting classes</strong>

The other day I got a spam email (meaning it was from someone I don't know, who probably harvested my name from the internet, and is trying to sell me something). I got the same email again yesterday. Here's what the email said:
<blockquote>Hi Deborah,

I just came across your blog madmimi.com and wanted to reach out to you. I am reaching out because I was wondering if you would post a 500 word article that contains 2-3 links that would be relevant to the article topic. The article would also need to be written .

Please advise on the cost for this service and if you offer a bulk pricing package.

Have an awesome Thursday,

Thanks,

[name withheld]</blockquote>
Okay. Let's start with the blindingly obvious problem. I don't have a blog called madmimi.com (I do, however, used Mad Mimi for my sadly neglected newsletter).

Then let's go on to the next part: the writer of the email is asking me to post an article, presumably on my blog, about a non-disclosed topic, and including two or three links to where exactly? The article "would have to be written," presumably by me.  Then the writer wants to know the cost for this service.

I am supposed to conclude, I am only guessing here, that the email writer is willing to pay me to write an article about whatever I want. But of course, that makes no sense. The email writer must have a subject in mind. And really, why would I post an article about any subject on my blog, and charge someone for it if there is nothing in it for them, and it is not clear what is in it for me? I write stuff on my blog all the time, and if you read it regularly

It seems that what the email writer is trying to do, quite inartfully, is to get me to respond asking for more information or perhaps check out the website associated with the writer's email address.  That the spam part of it.

The way this email is written does not clearly convey what the writer wants. And it certainly does not say what I get out of it. What is the benefit to me for writing and posting an article?