Robert Collier lessons...

by fbyrne
7 replies
Stupid question, probably, as he is very well thought-of indeed, but what can one learn from the Robert Collier letters? I started to read them and found them a bit "old fashioned". But what do I know! Are there copywriters here that have been inspired by these letters-and been able to incorporate lessons/insights/techniques from these letters into their own promotions?

Many thanks

FB
#collier #lessons #robert
  • Profile picture of the author LR
    While it's true they may seem a bit old fashioned it's the principles that are timeless.

    A majority of the "classics" books in copywriting could be regarded as old but I'm sure some of the veteran copywriters will back me up in saying that they've all read them, studied them and learned a lot from them. And those classics formed the foundation for them to grow their skill upon.

    As with anything that may seem dated but regarded as a classic just read it and take what lessons you can from it, adapt what you learn as best you can to the modern times.
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  • The first few chapters will be more immediately applicable to current day marketing. Even though the language is reflective of the time period, the principles hold up. One example is the classic advice to join the conversation already going on in their mind. That is timeless.

    Lot of good stuff like: "Study your reader. Find out what interests him. Then study your proposition to see how it can be made to tie in with that interest."

    Later chapters won't seem as useful right now. Let them go and return to them down the road. You'll understand better how they repositioned products that seemed dead in the water and went on to set sales records. It takes a little creativity but you can adapt those ideas for your marketing today.
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    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
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    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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    • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
      Let's see if I can make that video playable, Raydal:


      Yep, WF doesn't parse youtu.be links like it does the "old style" youtube.com links.
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      • Profile picture of the author Raydal
        Originally Posted by BrianMcLeod View Post

        Let's see if I can make that video playable, Raydal:

        Yep, WF doesn't parse youtu.be links like it does the "old style" youtube.com links.
        I was confused for a while and just gave up. So what's the work around?

        -Ray Edwards
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        The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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        • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
          Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

          I was confused for a while and just gave up. So what's the work around?

          -Ray Edwards
          YouTube now defaults to a "youtu.be" link, which WF won't parse into a video player.

          The workaround is to click on the "Long Link" checkbox and get the "youtube.com" link instead. Note the link the title of the player - it's a "youtube.com" link, not "youtu.be"

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  • Profile picture of the author videolover7
    Originally Posted by fbyrne View Post

    Stupid question, probably, as he is very well thought-of indeed, but what can one learn from the Robert Collier letters? I started to read them and found them a bit "old fashioned". But what do I know! Are there copywriters here that have been inspired by these letters-and been able to incorporate lessons/insights/techniques from these letters into their own promotions?

    Many thanks

    FB
    Stop wasting your time reading those old books. They don't contain any insights that the modern-day masters aren't teaching.

    The modern-day masters have distilled and refined those lessons, and they communicate the information with current, pertinent examples.

    VL
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