Ever Use Software To Assist In Copywriting?

by LastWarrior

Posted: 15 years ago 18 replies

COPY WRITING

I was told I "may" have better luck placing this post in this forum, so maybe so.

There are several software programs on the market that can aid in helping one do copywriting. I have 2 for headlines and I can honestly say, they've helped. Although I may not go with the end result headline, the various choices I get help me brainstorm.

I don't need the software that helps produce the code for a sales page, but something along the lines that is strictly for the copy. If you have recommendations, that's cool, but I'm mainly interested in knowing if any of you use software for this purpose and what your thoughts are?

I see with some people that have bought these programs, the orig. seller actually uses testimonials on how users have used the software to generate sales copy for their own clients. I'm thinking if I used such a program, it could help me along the process. In no way would I want to use one as a full time crutch, but I'm thinking the brainstorming affect may take place actually making me a better copywriter so I can do my own copy.

I've recently acquired a few copywriting books and have yet to read them. If you have a software program that helps with sales copy, what are your thoughts of them and how do you use them with your writing?

LastWarrior

#assist #copywriting #software

MontelloMarketing 15 years ago

Ask any copywriter who has been doing this for a little while now and they've tried or at least seen the software...

Headline generators are one thing. They're great at giving you inspiration... helping you get closer to a headline that might work...

But software to help write the rest of the copy... that's a taller order.

I've tested a few different ones (won't mention names) but the truth is... every single one of them sucks.

The best thing would be for you to find a few different "how to" books on copy and study.
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travlinguy 15 years ago

This answer probably won't be popular but it's what I believe and have witnessed first hand. To be ANY kind of writer an individual needs some inherent talent. Without it there is no writer. There are no books, spinning programs or other software that will give a person the inherent talent - it has to be there. The best way to develop the talent is to read a lot and write a lot. There are no shortcuts.

The books (I tend to doubt that software would be helpful, but who knows?) can help a person to develop the underlying talent, but once again, there needs to be some intrinsic ability present. Good luck.
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Johnny12345 15 years ago

I use copywriting software all the time. The one I use is great! It's called Microsoft Word.

Johnny
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Bigsofty 15 years ago

I think the problem with any of the software I've seen so far is that they try too hard.

No software is going to write you a decent salesletter. None.

What I would like, and have already drawn up some plans for creating, is something that's just a darn sight more useful than Word. Something where I can look at my research and swipes, my notes and other such stuff, as I'm working on it.

Bob Bly gave a recommendation for something... what was it... Writer's Blocks I think it's called. I was excited at first as it seemed what I was looking for.. but no. Pig awkward thing and not much use for the actual writing.

Hand-written index cards are working better for me than anything I've seen so far.

I've also noticed many such softwares are no longer supported. For sale, yes, supported no. That includes the $200 a month one.

Can such things help at ALL? Sure, they'll teach you the basic AIDA template for selling ebooks. If you don't know why you're doing that, or how to do it, it's not going to help that much. There are deeper elements, much more important, that no software will even glance at.

B.
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Liz Micik 15 years ago

A long, long time ago I used index cards too along with a legal pad. What I did was write a reminder to myself on each index card. I wrote prompts for myself that eventually taught me all the parts of a sales letter.

For example, I would write, "why listen to me" or "consequences of no action" on each one. Then I would write the answers that fit the particular product I was selling down on my legal pad. Before long I would have a sales letter that just needed to be edited as I typed it up.

I kept the parts of the letter prompts on cards because I didn't want to get "stuck" if I couldn't come up with a good answer to the situation on the card. I just went on to the next one and came back to it. It also helped me change some parts up a bit.

Not very high tech, but the price was right and the education priceless.
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BrianMcLeod 15 years ago

This probably isn't what you had in mind, but I don't do the "push button, out pops advertising" stuff.

Nonetheless, I find this very useful for writing copy and email sequences in chunks.

It's called Scrivener and it's for the Mac.

Literature and Latte - Scrivener

Surely given the wealth of PC software we Mac weenies are always reminded that we don't have, there must be an equivalent Windows app somewhere...

Secondly, you might benefit from learning about mind-mapping.

I use and like PersonalBrain for conceptualizing, I just like the way it "moves" fluidly.

TheBrain: Mind Mapping, Brainstorming, GTD and Visual KM Software - Welcome to TheBrain

I also use FreeMind and few others. I've yet to find the perfect mind-mapping app on the Mac, but everyone's got their favorites.

Third, there are diagramming and charting apps that are very useful for conceptualizing offers and sales funnels. I typically use OmniGraffle:

The Omni Group - OmniGraffle

So, there's a few tools that I hang on my belt each day.
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briancassingena 15 years ago

First off, if there was a piece of software which you could plug some details into and turn out a million dollar sales letter, it would sell for at least $100,000.

There is no substitute for a human being when it comes to selling. A computer cannot sell something. You need emotions and empathy to be able to sell anything.

I have used a program to produce a rough draft and a web page, then I have gone back and inserted my copy and pictures. You're probably better off buying a page template. These programs are ok for beginners, a $39 ebook does not justify a $10,000 copywriting fee.

P.S. Has anyone tried that headline creator program Paul Hartunian is selling? That looks ok.
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LastWarrior

15 years ago

If we're talking about templates here, you've missed my point. I don't need help with html, templates, code, etc. It's about whether a software program "specifically" designed for copywriting can be effectively used to get a sales letter rolling.

I don't see any talk from me asking if a program like this can be used completely for the task, but I'm going to answer this myself and say I think it can be used to figure out the structure of sales letter by repetition. I've used headline creator programs and after a while I picked up on the pattern.

I have NO desire to trust a software program to do my writing. That's absurd. I'm thinking since I'm new at it and want to learn quickly, I'm thinking I'll be able to pick up on patterns that will help me figure out the process quicker than I had not gone with such a program.

Talk about a software program taking over the quality and experience of a seasoned copywriter was not mentioned by me, LOL!, but others have said it as if that's what I'm aiming at here. Wrong. Here's the way I see it... You have two aspiring candidates who want to learn some about copywriting. They both read the same books, except one, has a software program co-developed by a professional copywriter to aid as well. Hmm? I'm thinking one may get out of the gate quicker than the other.

Thanks for the helpful replies. I'm still in the process of consuming information on the subject and will continue to absorb as much of it as I can. Looks like just being here and reading posts is a great start!

Thanks,

LastWarrior

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MontelloMarketing

15 years ago

Well... then if you're just looking for software to show you the basic structure of a sales letter... sure there are a few.

Burpies comes to mind.

But... wouldn't it make more sense to just use the basic format of a good sales letter as a template of sorts?

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LastWarrior

15 years ago

Originally Posted by MontelloMarketing

Could be MontelloMarketing, but I wouldn't say "more sense", because I wouldn't have the side-by side comparisons to reach such a conclusion. In fact, assuming I do buy such software, I'll have both to use. From only reading the "free" stuff about copywriting, I have realized there's a template appearance to writing a salesletter I recognized and have plans on using that to learn as well.

Oh, and I'm not just looking for software.... It's finding the right combination of everything available to me to get me going as quick as possible. Although software is the theme for my post, not many are willing to step up and say exactly what software they've used. I'm sure a few here must have and they are not disclosing that. Probably an ego thing, don't know; maybe a secret too. LOL!

LastWarrior

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MontelloMarketing 15 years ago

Actually LW I don't think anyone's keeping it from you. I think what you're looking for doesn't really exist. Except for things like Burpies (as I mentioned).

Early in my career I got a copy and tried it. I wanted some secret to cutting down my writing time. But... it didn't help at all. And I suspect no other one helps either.

Any software I've seen spit out garbage and even the format is garbage.

The reason I say template off a proven letter is simple...

Copy has certain elements. Write the elements then put them into a proven structure. I really can't see what the software is for.
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- shawnlebrun 15 years ago
  
  I honestly think that the copywriting software is useless, because all you really need to do is find a killer sales letter, written by some of the greats, and use that as your template for writing a sales letter.
  
  And that's free.
  
  Also, using the software will not allow you to get specific with your target market, it will be too general. So you can't use those passionate, hot button keywords or themes as easy when you're using software.
  
  Software doesn't "think" like your prospect would, so you're better off using a swipe file and then trying to get into the shoes of your prospect, to write the letter.
  
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LastWarrior

15 years ago

Thanks for the replies. I suppose y'all are right about the software. It can't humanize where it needs to be and coming out with a template for all occasions that would effective, would be hard to do.(I wouldn't expect so either)

I guess I'm going to have to cut my teeth like many others and do my due diligence. I first should get out and do some real reading and studying, throw some lines down for the practice, then go out and actually do it.

LastWarrior

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Hugh Thyer

15 years ago

It might be worth checking this one out:
Brett McFall reveals how to turn your business around

I've seen a letter it produced and it was reasonably good. It still needed a fair bit of work, but it'll put you in a good starting position.

Hugh

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MontelloMarketing

15 years ago

No offense to Brett but this is burpies... and I personally have never seen it spit out anything reasonably good. At least not without the input going in being quite good.

Originally Posted by Hugh Thyer

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marlon 15 years ago

Hi,

I'm the one responsible for the entire genre of sales letter writing software.

So I'll respond to this.

The reason I originally created Push Button Letters is that I had an ebook that taught a very sensible, practical and logical 12-step formula for writing a sales letter.

I taught the formula at many seminars.

I just couldn't get people to FOLLOW the formula.

The reason I created the tool was to force people to follow a set formula, kinda like training wheels on a bike.

Of course the bike rides better without training wheels. And putting a pro bike peddler on a bike with training wheels would be dumb.

I have seen many sales letters over the years written with Push Button Letters that were pretty good letters. Not world class. But good enough to sell.

By the same token, it's only a thinking tool. Garbage in. Garbage out.

I've had people like Jim Edwards, Paul Myers and others tell me that they used the software one or more times just as a guide to their thinking, perhaps when they were in a hurry.

I agree with the merits of studying existing sales letters, reading ebooks and all the rest. I do believe there is a place for sales letter software programs when the real intention of purpose of the programs is clearly understood.

If you don't think so, then write an ebook on how to write a sales letter and see how many people output anything remotely resembling what you TOLD them step-by-step to do and you tell me if you don't feel compelled to FORCE them to follow the program!

Or teach a formula or process at many seminars and then critique letters where people didn't follow ONE THING you taught.

So this is why Push Button Letters exists. This is why Armand and then many others created their own versions.

Marlon Sanders
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hire_us 15 years ago

Till now I was on my own...After reading this thread i think I should give it a try...
But still I will consider myself as the best "Hardware" to come up with a great copy...!!
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- marlon 15 years ago
  
  Hey,
  
  Training wheels can't replace the function of balance and coordination in learning to ride a bike.
  
  And software can't replace the human brain.
  
  But there are people who use it as a guide and get a good result. There are also a lot of cases of garbage in, garbage out. Any way you look at it, learning to write copy is a process.
  
  Marlon
  
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Ever Use Software To Assist In Copywriting?

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