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AWAI or Simple Writing System

by thefsboking
19 replies
I have been bitten by the vicious "copy bug". I find myself reading flyers, junk mail, blogs, pdfs and classic copy books found on Amazon and Ebay. Anything with sales copy.

I am subscribed to email lists from Ben Settle, Bond Halbert, Ray Edwards and Perry Marshall just to name a few. I can't get enough of it.

I realize I am all over the place and need to calm down, actually practicing writing and learn how to make money.

I need structure. I am considering AWAI or John Carlton's Simple Writing System. Both have solid reputations and have inner circles that have potential to assist in getting work upon course completion.

Has anyone taken either of these? Are you making money now from what you learned?
#awai #simple #system #writing
  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Gould
    Originally Posted by thefsboking View Post

    I need structure.
    Here.

    A fraction of the price of the courses. It's a short, fluff-free read that gives you a simple and effective structure for your copy.
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    Andrew Gould

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  • Profile picture of the author thefsboking
    Wow that is great. I already have it in my Kindle library and will make it my next read. So how do I find work? Some say sites like Upwork is a place to start to get testimonials while other say avoid those type of sites because they are looking for cheap labor and I will then be labeled a cheap copywriter.

    Here are some better sites I learned about from a free webinar by Jay White.

    a. https://www.flexjobs.com/
    b. https://www.virtualvocations.com/
    c. Your Copywriting Jobs Site @ GetCopywritingJobs.com
    d. Copywriting Jobs - Direct Response Jobs Must have purchased an AWAI product. This was an enticement to purchase their course along with the awesome money back guarantee. I my studies I have heard that guarantees usually are not taken up on by customers. That is why I am not surprised they offer such a great one as most people won't ask for their money back especially if the product is any good at all. AWAI just seems to come off as an authority for copywriting and their copy leaves you with the feeling that taking their course is like getting a Harvard degree sought after by employers vs learning at your local junior college and struggling to find work on your own.



    If anyone has any experience with AWAI please chime in. I am going with all the great books I have for now and just practice whatever exercises are available and hand copy some proven letters. Since I have a full time job it may be 2 months or so before I will be ready for the next step.
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    Mike Williams

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  • Profile picture of the author thefsboking
    Looks like I found the answer to my question here.http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...xperience.html

    I have no problem finding negative comments. I find some positive but none yet from anyone who is making money like their sales page speaks about. I am sticking with my books and later the Simple Writing System by John Carlton.
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    Mike Williams

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  • Profile picture of the author thefsboking
    Andrew thank you. It's nice to get good solid advice without being sold to. If you don't mind I would like to stay in touch as my journey proceeds.
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    Mike Williams

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    • Profile picture of the author Andrew Gould
      Originally Posted by thefsboking View Post

      If you don't mind I would like to stay in touch as my journey proceeds.
      You're welcome to, Mike.
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      Andrew Gould

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  • Profile picture of the author lynnswayze
    I've purchased John's SWS, AWAI's Accelerated Course, and their Advanced Training Course.

    They're all good. Although the Accelerated course is 712 pages just for the manual so... you're getting your money's worth. If you do SWS, do it with the coach. I didn't go the coaching route and I wish I had.

    In the end, you still have to model these processes for yourself. It's one thing to say, "You have to get in the head of your buyer" and another to know it in your bones... and actually dig deep in your customer's mind.

    If you're going Carlton, buy the Marketing Rebel product instead. It's vastly superior for the real meat of why some copy works and some copy falls flat.

    Now.... the AWAI Accelerated program has four advantages over SWS as far as I can see:
    1. Direct Response Jobs
    2. AWAI Verification (which comes with a premium listing on DRJ)
    3. 10K Copywriting Challenge
    4. Head start on your swipe file

    The SWS is bundled with John's group, though, which has a wealth of real-world knowledge AWAI's fluffier stuff can't beat.

    So really... what knowledge do you already have about copywriting and what's your end goal? If you want to stay in the "direct response" world, AWAI is a good choice. If you want more real world marketing knowledge and a look inside John's head, then SWS is a good choice. I purchased both.
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    ____________________________
    Direct Response Copywriter
    http://lynnswayze.com

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  • Profile picture of the author RickDuris
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    • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
      Originally Posted by RickDuris View Post

      Obviously there are several worthwhile bonuses. But this lays the groundwork:

      https://www.scribd.com/doc/234547482...re-Copywriting
      Thanks Rick,

      As someone who spent tens of thousands of dollars over the years on education; marketing, copywriting and advertising...ongoing learning is, in my opinion, the best investment most can make.

      Set aside 10% a year to invest in yourself.

      But. you need GROUNDWORK. Or a FOUNDATION to build on, which is what these choices are. Now most don't have the budget or funds to buy everything they want...

      which is actually good, because

      there is a hidden belief some newbs hold, which is; they can buy their way into writing copy IF ONLY, if only they had Carlton, or Makepeace or Halbert or Joe Blow's latest and greatest secrets of copy. It is good for the people selling stuff...maybe not so good for those who want to

      ACCELERATE their copywriting success, and that is done by writing copy which sells something.

      So, build a foundation, get some groundwork...but that should include an equal amount of time learning WHO you are writing for.

      I see very shallow thinking when it comes to prospect
      avatar, or prospect profile...very superficial knowledge and a lot of lumping a group of people into a pot to sell too.

      The ONE element you will find in all those copy courses is the idea of SALESMANSHIP, the concept of selling
      the idea of getting someone to buy
      the foundation of what copy writing is: a stimulus EVOKING a response.

      It can be just that basic and I've seen several newbs get to a 6 figure income in less than two years, some even faster, a few right here at WF, by focusing on understanding a market,
      a niche within it
      a person within the niche and

      then selling that person on ONE thing. Amazing results when you know exactly WHO you are trying to influence and working from within their bubbles of preoccupation.

      So, newb, plan on studying for the rest of your life, plan on investing time and MONEY and learning all you can, BUT

      BEGIN selling something at the start. Right now, if you you've been a copywriter wannabee for at least 30 days, you should be trying to sell something to someone somewhere.

      Do that and UNDERSTAND what you are doing, is the fastest way to APPLY all that wonderful experience the gurus offer.

      GordonJ
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  • Profile picture of the author thefsboking
    Thanks everyone for great advice. GordonJ you are a mind reader. I was thinking that I need to get some hands on in between book reading.

    I already had a Clickbank product that I was going to try and promote. I have started a little research and so will pick that back up.

    I also have read over then product and extracted my bullets.

    My thoughts are that I won't get rich but should get a good feel of what it takes to write copy that converts. Headline practice from the PPC ad and the complete sales page practice from writing the presale lander.

    Unfortunately conversions is all I will have to go by because I can't send the prospect straight to the Paypal checkout.
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    Mike Williams

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    • Profile picture of the author RickDuris
      Originally Posted by thefsboking View Post

      Thanks everyone for great advice. GordonJ you are a mind reader. I was thinking that I need to get some hands on in between book reading.

      I already had a Clickbank product that I was going to try and promote. I have started a little research and so will pick that back up.

      I also have read over then product and extracted my bullets.

      My thoughts are that I won't get rich but should get a good feel of what it takes to write copy that converts. Headline practice from the PPC ad and the complete sales page practice from writing the presale lander.

      Unfortunately conversions is all I will have to go by because I can't send the prospect straight to the Paypal checkout.
      "Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking." - Albert Einstein
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    • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
      Originally Posted by thefsboking View Post

      Thanks everyone for great advice. GordonJ you are a mind reader. I was thinking that I need to get some hands on in between book reading.

      I already had a Clickbank product that I was going to try and promote. I have started a little research and so will pick that back up.

      I also have read over then product and extracted my bullets.

      My thoughts are that I won't get rich but should get a good feel of what it takes to write copy that converts. Headline practice from the PPC ad and the complete sales page practice from writing the presale lander.

      Unfortunately conversions is all I will have to go by because I can't send the prospect straight to the Paypal checkout.
      First off, I don't want to self promote. So there are other models to see, and one of them is fellow Warrior Barb Ling, who has done a great job with her "cheatsheets" (what I call a Hotsheet), and has had dime sales to offer these for sale. In one instance, sales plus backends gave her a quick 4k bux for a single sheet of paper. The sales alone were over a grand.

      So, what I'm suggesting is

      CREATE (or acquire via PLR) a short report or Hotsheet and set up an Automtic Product Vending site. These are simple one page static sites which just sit there with an offer, something for sale. In many cases, a PDF file.

      Now, you can create a PayPal button and put stats tracking on your site and have all the data you need to learn how your promotion is doing. TRAFFIC can be driven through any and all the sources you can afford, maybe Facebook, or SEO, sig files, JV to lists, groups...

      it will also give you experience in what I consider the most important part of the copy writing process:

      Clearly writing for a person (avatar if you prefer or demographic) with an interest in what you are offering.

      So, create or acquire a simple little report, put up a one page sales message, drive traffic, track and tweak. It isn't new or spectacular, but it's worked for me for over 30 years of online selling.

      Tons of plr available right here or search for it, pick a subject you have interest in, for example, if you play golf, maybe target a niche in that market.

      GordonJ
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      Originally Posted by thefsboking View Post


      Unfortunately conversions is all I will have to go by because I can't send the prospect straight to the Paypal checkout.
      Mike, you can measure 1) how many people visit your webpage and 2) how many click through to the order page.

      Statcounter.com gives you the ability to insert code in the sales page and in a redirect page.

      If you can't figure out how to do it, just let me know. I'll shoot a short video showing you how.

      Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author Copydog
    Check out this great post by Terry Dean...

    How to Get a Copywriting Education for Under $100 : Internet Business Coaching With Terry Dean
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  • Profile picture of the author perryny
    Hey Mike! Good to see you. Happy Thanksgiving!

    And a very Happy Thanksgiving to all you other great copywriters in the room!

    I truly am grateful you're still here (even if you're not posting, I know many are still reading), and I am sincerely ever thankful for the ideas and knowledge you've introduced me to, shared with me and shaped me with.

    My mind and life is different because of you, and most definitely for the best. Thanks!

    -Rob Perry
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    End procrastination with this simple project time tracker.
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
    Wow, thank you so much Rob!

    I may have introduced you to copywriting but you've taken it much further than that and I tip my hat to you for the hard work you've put in as well.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,

    Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author Chetr
    I like John Carlton`s courses because he kicks you out into the world to write. AWAI courses are good, but packed with stuff. I hardly ever find myself feeling finished. But they are addictive.

    I would say anything by John that teaches you how to write AND get writing jobs is a good bet. You can always purchase other courses later.

    Hope that helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
      Thanks and apologies to Richard Condon, whom I'm about to paraphrase (from his book, Any God Will Do):

      Writing is the key to copy
      Writing is the clue
      Writing is what gets you paid and
      ANY guru will do.

      As long as he/she has you writing quickly with the intent to create a stimulus which produces action.

      If your copy god isn't helping you build a foundation of understanding, coupled with active writing assignments placed in front of targeted eyeballs...then go back to Mt. Olympus and get a different one.

      CHOOSE!! Then write. As we see in the thread, EXPERIENCE is anecdotal, what works for him, didn't work for her. Pick one you most resonate with, then start WRITING.

      GordonJ

      PS. Getting opinions about gurus, courses or mentors is fine, a good starting point. It helps to identify or eliminate some potential speed bumps,
      But, if you have chosen to learn copywriting, why delay yourself with other people's opinions for YOUR career path...every dawdle has a price (lost time).
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