From the desk/computer/yacht of...

ecoverartist · 08-02-2009, 05:01 PM

Does anyone even still use phrases like that anymore? It's like the "Dear Friend" stuff that makes me cringe any time I read it.

hobsdv · 08-02-2009, 05:49 PM

i certainly dont use them anymore

Kyle Tully · 08-02-2009, 06:10 PM

Who cares if it makes you cringe, what do your test results show?

CDarklock · 08-02-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecoverartist

Does anyone even still use phrases like that anymore? It's like the "Dear Friend" stuff that makes me cringe any time I read it.

I immediately think "From the outbox of..." would be amusing, but I don't know if that's a positive thing.

MikeHumphreys · 08-02-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecoverartist

Does anyone even still use phrases like that anymore? It's like the "Dear Friend" stuff that makes me cringe any time I read it.

Sometimes. Depends on the niche, target market, and who is talking to them. I frequently use a more relaxed tone with some of my non-IM niches that I have products in.

I've even been known to use things like "From The Cluttered Desk of:"

Like Kyle said, you have to test to know what is working and what is not.

Justin Mandel · 08-02-2009, 09:42 PM

My latest one for one of my niches is "From the Netbook of..."

Ken Strong · 08-02-2009, 10:25 PM

"From the deepest, darkest recesses of the diseased brain of..."

activetrader · 08-03-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecoverartist

Does anyone even still use phrases like that anymore? It's like the "Dear Friend" stuff that makes me cringe any time I read it.

Ditto! Makes me cringe too

Bill Jeffels · 08-03-2009, 08:28 AM

It's true it depends on the market and ultimately what the test results maybe.

The last thing that you want to do is offend your prospect. I remember John Carlton opened up one of his golf ads with... "Dear golf nut". Another one he opened with "From Dr Mike O'leary, Prez OHP Guitar, then the classic If...then... Here's why."

You want to use what's going to work. So, if the proven yet boring Dear friend works then that's what you should use. If it doesn't then don't use it.

Best,

Bill Jeffels

dave147 · 08-03-2009, 09:18 AM

yeah that's another thing that turns me off a sales page: From the Desk of... but not as bad as "Dear Friend" - you better have a sensational pitch after you use those with me!!!

Dear Friend

ecoverartist · 08-03-2009, 09:34 AM

For markets other than IM, I would definitely write something like John Carlton did -- i.e. "Dear Concerned Parent", and such. "Dear Friend" on IM sites make me think of some sleazy used car salesman trying to make me an offer I can't refuse

Test results for the IM area that I've run with Dear Friend vs. not don't seem to show much of a difference. Likewise with "from the desk of" - although for certain products it does work. It's like people in the IM niche mentally skip over it anyway, which is what I expected to happen when you've seen countless sales letters.

Just curious what other writers thought - but I'm inclined to agree with Kyle and Mike - use it when it works, drop it when it doesn't. I guess I've read so many letters, it still gets under my skin when people take the "easy way out" and plop "Dear Friend" in there like they know me

Johnny12345 · 08-04-2009, 09:32 AM

You can always just write in a "display ad" style and omit the "Dear Friend" opening and even the "Sincerely" close. It's less personal without such pleasantries, but it also cuts right to the chase. I like that.

Johnny

08-02-2009, 05:01 PM	#1
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,641 Thanks: 208 Thanked 156 Times in 72 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	From the desk/computer/yacht of... Does anyone even still use phrases like that anymore? It's like the "Dear Friend" stuff that makes me cringe any time I read it.
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08-02-2009, 05:49 PM	#2
hobsdv HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bolton. Posts: 206 Thanks: 35 Thanked 57 Times in 49 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: From the desk/computer/yacht of... i certainly dont use them anymore
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08-02-2009, 06:10 PM	#3
Kyle Tully ConsultingTycoon.com War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Vaucluse, Australia. Posts: 2,343 Thanks: 98 Thanked 268 Times in 128 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: From the desk/computer/yacht of... Who cares if it makes you cringe, what do your test results show?
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08-02-2009, 09:42 PM	#6
Justin Mandel Trust Establisher War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Long Island, NY. Posts: 2,968 Thanks: 526 Thanked 170 Times in 127 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: From the desk/computer/yacht of... My latest one for one of my niches is "From the Netbook of..."
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08-02-2009, 10:25 PM	#7
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08-03-2009, 08:28 AM	#9
Bill Jeffels Copywriter / Marketer War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 348 Thanks: 110 Thanked 81 Times in 71 Posts	Re: From the desk/computer/yacht of... It's true it depends on the market and ultimately what the test results maybe. The last thing that you want to do is offend your prospect. I remember John Carlton opened up one of his golf ads with... "Dear golf nut". Another one he opened with "From Dr Mike O'leary, Prez OHP Guitar, then the classic If...then... Here's why." You want to use what's going to work. So, if the proven yet boring Dear friend works then that's what you should use. If it doesn't then don't use it. Best, Bill Jeffels
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08-03-2009, 09:18 AM	#10
dave147 Platinum Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: AU Posts: 2,714 Thanks: 475 Thanked 328 Times in 267 Posts	Re: From the desk/computer/yacht of... yeah that's another thing that turns me off a sales page: From the Desk of... but not as bad as "Dear Friend" - you better have a sensational pitch after you use those with me!!! Dear Friend
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08-03-2009, 09:34 AM	#11
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,641 Thanks: 208 Thanked 156 Times in 72 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: From the desk/computer/yacht of... For markets other than IM, I would definitely write something like John Carlton did -- i.e. "Dear Concerned Parent", and such. "Dear Friend" on IM sites make me think of some sleazy used car salesman trying to make me an offer I can't refuse Test results for the IM area that I've run with Dear Friend vs. not don't seem to show much of a difference. Likewise with "from the desk of" - although for certain products it does work. It's like people in the IM niche mentally skip over it anyway, which is what I expected to happen when you've seen countless sales letters. Just curious what other writers thought - but I'm inclined to agree with Kyle and Mike - use it when it works, drop it when it doesn't. I guess I've read so many letters, it still gets under my skin when people take the "easy way out" and plop "Dear Friend" in there like they know me
	Sherice Jacob - Web Design & Graphics Pro eCover Design \| Web Design\| Follow Me on Twitter! Buy My Book from Amazon.com Get Niche Quick!

08-04-2009, 09:32 AM	#12
Johnny12345 John Palmieri, Copywriter War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Posts: 762 Thanks: 126 Thanked 104 Times in 84 Posts	Re: From the desk/computer/yacht of... You can always just write in a "display ad" style and omit the "Dear Friend" opening and even the "Sincerely" close. It's less personal without such pleasantries, but it also cuts right to the chase. I like that. Johnny