Modeling after another marketer salesletter

15 replies
Hello Warriors,

I am in the process of writing a salesletter for my new product,
I recently saw a salesletter that is selling a similar product to mine and I liked it so much but it wasn't mine.

Can I model after that salesletter or will I get into trouble?

I won't copy and paste, I will look at it for ideas but I may make it same structure, try to change the headlines a bit,.... etc?

To which degree can I model after it?

Thanks warriors
#marketer #modeling #salesletter
  • Profile picture of the author wrcato2
    It's never a good idea to copy someone else's creatives. I wouldn't do it. Unless it is plr.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
    Originally Posted by MidMido View Post

    Hello Warriors,

    I am in the process of writing a salesletter for my new product,
    I recently saw a salesletter that is selling a similar product to mine and I liked it so much but it wasn't mine.

    Can I model after that salesletter or will I get into trouble?

    I won't copy and paste, I will look at it for ideas but I may make it same structure, try to change the headlines a bit,.... etc?

    To which degree can I model after it?

    Thanks warriors
    Modelling is fine as long as you know what you're doing.

    Just as long as you remember there's a big difference between that and plagiarising.

    I've done it before. My finished product and the original looked completely different.

    Once it's done I would get it checked out to make sure it's okay.
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  • Profile picture of the author ThomasOMalley
    You're asking for trouble.

    Model excellent sales letters in different niches or areas. There's enough excellent swipes that you don't have to use your suggested approach.

    I can see the lawyers licking their chops already...LOLOL.
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  • Profile picture of the author shawnlebrun
    most good copwriters do it... it's called swiping and as long as you're swiping a winner and not a loser... you're all set. you may like the letter, but just make sure it's pulling well... because what you THINK is a good letter and what the market thinks is good MAY be 2 different things.

    If you can find out if it's converting and working well, then yes, i'd model it. i'd say that all top copywriters today have gotten to where they are from simply modeling and swiping from the best.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bruce Wedding
      Originally Posted by shawnlebrun View Post

      most good copwriters do it... it's called swiping and as long as you're swiping a winner and not a loser... you're all set. you may like the letter, but just make sure it's pulling well... because what you THINK is a good letter and what the market thinks is good MAY be 2 different things.

      If you can find out if it's converting and working well, then yes, i'd model it. i'd say that all top copywriters today have gotten to where they are from simply modeling and swiping from the best.
      Finally a voice of reason. I was getting worried about this thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Of course modeling is different to copying. You are looking for
    structure, selling strategies, flow etc. How many movies have
    you seen where boy falls in love with girl, boy loses girl and
    boy gets back girl. Of course the characters are different but the
    model is the same.

    AIDA is a model, as well as any other copywriting template.

    Here is a blog post I did on the subject.

    Copywriting Tips And Tricks » How to use swipe files

    -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 videolover7
      I know a lot of people do it, but it could be argued that swiping the structure of another sales letter is also a violation of the copyright laws. Anybody know if the courts have ruled on this?

      In any case, if you have any doubts, your best bet is to consult with a competent attorney who specializes in business law.

      VL
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  • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
    (@ray)

    Your blog link is not working for me for some reason. I clicked it 3 times and it shows your header and sidebars but no content for some reason. Haven't been having any problems with my computer so I don't know whats causing it.

    -Red

    edit: just tried again and this time its just timing out and not even showing anything anymore.
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    • Profile picture of the author Raydal
      Originally Posted by RedShifted View Post

      (@ray)

      Your blog link is not working for me for some reason. I clicked it 3 times and it shows your header and sidebars but no content for some reason. Haven't been having any problems with my computer so I don't know whats causing it.

      -Red

      edit: just tried again and this time its just timing out and not even showing anything anymore.

      Yes, the page is loading slow for some reason. I'll have to do
      some troubleshooting. Thanks for the note.

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

    Hello Warriors,

    Can I model after that salesletter or will I get into trouble?
    MidMido,

    I'm gonna come from a completely different angle (which I think is actually more important than the ethical question here).

    First a little background on me (you'll see why this is important in a second): I'm an accountant by trade. In other words, I look at numbers and ratios a majority of the day. Some ratios are good and others aren't.

    How does this apply to you and swippping that letter?

    YOU have no idea about his numbers. You have no idea about his traffic. YOU have no idea about his backend. YOU have no idea about his lifetime value per customer.

    In other words, unless you know the numbers you'll have no idea if this letter will work given YOUR model; given your scale; your start-up funds.

    It's like seeing this beautiful woman with a killer 9+ body. I mean she is HOT. But what you don't see is her inside. You don't know the amount of money is takes to make her look so hot. Or the amount and time it takes for her to still be hot. You have no idea of the amount of insecurity she has knowing her beauty is fading by the day.

    Would you buy a used car without looking under the hood? You know, give her a test drive?

    Don't model something for the sake of you liking the sexiness of the salesletter. Lust, desire, want end quickly once the wet dream is over.

    Treat her like the wife you love and want to be with for the rest of your life.

    A salesletter is kinda like the first date: it gets you excited and hopeful. A sustainable business is like a wife: you're committed for the long haul.

    Please, test drive this salesletter and really look under the hood and see whats really going on.
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    The Most Bad-Ass Tax Reduction Strategist for Internet Marketers who HATE paying taxes. See my happy clients

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  • Profile picture of the author Mohammed Hammad2
    Thank you guys for all your help I really appreciate it.

    My problem is I always wanted to learn copywriting, but as English not my first language, I guess that will be an impossible goal.

    Thanks again for all your help and advice and have a great day.
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  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    @VL depends on how specific the structure is and whether the format is copyrighted. In Hollywood, screenplay structures were pretty standard. Plus, the idea is not protectable, but the individual execution is.
    Signature

    Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

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