I'm looking to learn copywriting

[Daniel_James_Warburton]

I'm looking to learn copywriting....

Where should I start?

I've signed up for the copywriting course with joe sugarman and ted nicholas on simpleology. But this only teaches direct response copywriting. I read on an amazon review that this is outdated and useless now.

Is that correct or is it still worthwhile completing their course?

[ARSuarez]

Originally Posted by Daniel_James_Warburton

But this only teaches direct response copywriting. I read on an amazon review that this is outdated and useless now.

Is that correct or is it still worthwhile completing their course?

Daniel,

Some Amazon review said the course was outdated, or DR copywriting is outdated?

I think either one is moronic, personally.
Principles don't have expiration dates.

Anywho, if you're looking to learning copywriting... my personal opinion is to do the following:

1. Read Scientific Advertising & My Life In Advertising by Claude Hopkins before anything else.

2. Read "How to Write A Good Advertisement" by Victor Schwab

3. Find a few ads by guys like Gary Halbert, Gary Bencivenga, John Carlton, Brian Keith Voiles - other hot shots. Either copy them out by hand, or at least study them/dissect them keeping the principles you learn from #1 & #2 in mind.

4. Read Gary Bencivenga's Marketing Bullets, Gary Halbert's Letters, and Clayton Makepeace's ezine.

5. Start reading other books, like The Robert Collier Letterbook, Breakthrough Advertising, Tested Advertising Methods, Cashvertising, and Writing Riches (Ray Edwards).

6. Keep handwritin and/or studying ads daily.

There you have it. Some people might have a different process, but this is pretty much my way. Get familiar with the basics, start critically thinking about those basics, and then branch out (expand on the basics).

Good luck!

Angel

[Daniel_James_Warburton]

Thank you

They were saying direct response copywriting is considered out of date and only applicable to the time period of the 80's.

However, I think I'll stick with the course and give it a go anyway as you made a valid point. It's good to go over the basics.

I'll grab those books too, thank you.

[DaveDunn]

Look for a post in the war room

Amazing Secret Copywriting Strategies of The 15% Conversion Sales Letter!

[Alex Cohen]

Originally Posted by Daniel_James_Warburton

I'm looking to learn copywriting....

Where should I start?

I've signed up for the copywriting course with joe sugarman and ted nicholas on simpleology. But this only teaches direct response copywriting. I read on an amazon review that this is outdated and useless now.

Is that correct or is it still worthwhile completing their course?

Human nature and principles of persuasion don't change. What does change is culture and technology. So you can't go wrong learning copywriting from Sugarman and Nicholas.

Rather than read a mish-mash of copywriting books, sales letters, and websites as suggested by the previous poster, it would be far better to take a structured course first. Then after you've learned the basics, studying the other things will be beneficial.

Alex

[ARSuarez]

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

Human nature and principles of persuasion don't change. What does change is culture and technology. So you can't go wrong learning copywriting from Sugarman and Nicholas.

Rather than read a mish-mash of copywriting books, sales letters, and websites as suggested by the previous poster, it would be far better to take a structured course first. Then after you've learned the basics, studying the other things will be beneficial.

Alex

Alex,

1. Spot on.

2. It will really figure on how he learns best. My suggestion was closest to the process I went through to learn copy. It was only later, after knowing the basics, that I started buying and studying full courses.

Many ways to being a copywriter - just a matter of finding the one that fits.

Cheers,

Angel

[laurencewins]

Learning to copywrite is a skill that can take a while to master. Read everything you can and practice as often as possible. It's probably one of the hardest writing skills to master.

[Courage]

If you want to learn copy writing here is the best advice you will ever get

The Gary Halbert Letter

[asdxhzo]

Copywriting is an essential skill, not just for business, but for life. Even if you have no intention of making a living as a copywriter, it’s worthwhile to learn how to communicate more persuasively.
Copywriting is the use of words to sell. Copywriting techniques apply to both the written and the spoken word.
Copywriters write the ads you see in magazines and newspapers, commercials you hear or hear on radio and TV. And nowadays, copywriters also write the web pages and other online copy that tries to persuade us on the ‘net.

[Loren Woirhaye]

The markets that Sugarman and Nicholas wrote for have matured
a lot. The competition swooped in, drove prices down, and those
two moved on to greener pastures. Sugarman went into TV.

Thus Sugarman's copy examples are selling stuff that mostly just won't
sell in the same way as it did back in the day. His principles are
still effective.

I'm less familiar with Ted Nicholas's stuff, but my understanding was
he mostly focused on selling books he published and/or wrote himself.

###

Many people have a negative knee-jerk reaction to the verbiage used
in more hyped-up direct response copy and are inclined to believe
everybody else hates it too.

These days there are different ways of selling. It's very true that
the internet has opened-up peer-approval marketing methods. Amazon
reviews are an excellent example. I get sent books all the time because
the publishers hope I will plug them in some way. Compared to the
expense of direct mail, sending out review copies to bloggers and
Amazon reviewers is probably a cheaper way to sell more books.

[jamesgillespe]

Originally Posted by Daniel_James_Warburton

I'm looking to learn copywriting....

Where should I start?

I've signed up for the copywriting course with joe sugarman and ted nicholas on simpleology. But this only teaches direct response copywriting. I read on an amazon review that this is outdated and useless now.

Is that correct or is it still worthwhile completing their course?

I would like you to read this book, it is good one and has also received good positive reviews. I hope it gives you what you aim to find in terms of solid grounds on advertising. Best of luck for your learning. And hey, here is the book name "Hitting the Sweet Spot: How Consumer insights Can Inspire Better Marketing and Adv."

Regards,

James

[MikeHumphreys]

Originally Posted by Daniel_James_Warburton

I'm looking to learn copywriting....

Where should I start?

I've signed up for the copywriting course with joe sugarman and ted nicholas on simpleology. But this only teaches direct response copywriting. I read on an amazon review that this is outdated and useless now.

Is that correct or is it still worthwhile completing their course?

Tell that reviewer to turn in their keyboard and go sit in the back of the class. I'm serious.

Direct response marketing (and copywriting) will be around until the earth stops spinning. The choice of media might change but the techniques used to ethically make the sale won't.

I'm speaking from experience when I say this. I've been writing marketing for my own businesses since 1993 (for copywriting clients since 2006). The core fundamentals I learned and mastered with offline marketing have applied pretty well to the online world too.

And don't write off direct mail either. In 2010, it increased in volume from all of the major mailers and it's still growing in popularity.

I'm not familiar with the course but even if Sugarman and Nicholas "only" taught you direct response marketing, then you'd get a priceless education.

My advice is to start with the course. Then if you're a serious student of the game, you'll study (and put into action) everything else you can get your hands on.

Good luck,

Mike

[Mark Pescetti]

I teach a writing class for kids and the first question I'll always ask is: What makes you a good writer?

I always get a list of the basic, fundamental answers. However, the answer is YOU!

It's your unique perspectives that give you the foundation to become a GREAT writer. Obviously you need to learn how to structure your thoughts and sentences; you have to grasp where to use punctuation and why... At the end of the day though, having a strong awareness about how you're affected by the world and being clear about your distinct perception is what makes you a powerful writer...

[bermuda]

You are highly recommended to study a lot, get books, articles and educational materials related to your website, its niche and commercial fields as much as you can. Fortunately, there is a ton of information to find published on and off the net these days and all you need to do it searching to find them. While reading new stuff, begin writing your articles, use simple phrases, uncomplicated paragraphs structures.

There are also so many reviewing portals online which are moderated by editors who are expert at their jobs, usually having BAs in their careers and knowing how quality materials need to be written and produced. Bookmarking such sites and addresses too could be suggested. Gradually as you write contents, attempt to pick advanced level terms, use synonyms, replace traditional and simple texts with better ones.

[Daniel_James_Warburton]

Wow.. a host of help, I didn't expect such a strong response.

It's almost brought a tear to my eye :')

Thank you for such invaluable advice, my plan is to focus on the one style of copywriting and try to master it. I'm sticking with direct response copywriting and learning as much as I can in just the one area.

Perhaps specialising in this form may be of beneficial when doing sales copy online.

After finding more out about copywriting, I don't understand why Internet Marketers don't focus on learning this skill before anything else. I have been looking into IM as a hobbie for around 4 years (on and off). I wish I had learnt this skill sooner. I now understand everything from creating adverts, writing emails and sales copy is tied up in the skill of copywriting.

I think I may be a regular on this section of the forums for quite a while haha.

Thanks again!