Scott Murdaugh

I just ordered my copy...

I'm a big fan of his stuff. His offline newsletter is pure gold and he's got some REALLY amazing insights into marketing and copywriting.

At $100 it's officially the most expensive copywriting "book" I've ever bought, but I think it'll be well worth it.

Anyone got their hands on it yet?

I don't know Craig and I'm not affiliated with him...

Here's the sales letter... How To Make Maximum Money With Minimum Customers!

Check that bad boy out and try NOT to buy it, I dare ya.

I also read his pre-launch list converted at 40% on this letter... Not too shabby.

He's got a unique style but it's good and it works.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's got it, if not I'll probably post a review of it soon.

Peace,

-Scott

Mr. Subtle

He must have sweated buckets to come up with that book title!

Scott Murdaugh

Paul,

Watch the video... It gives you a quick idea. As the title says it's "21 Proven Direct Response Marketing Strategies"...

His offline newsletter is good stuff... And the book is a physical and shipped.

I can't remember the link but he's got a pretty cool story about getting Gary Halbert to take him under his wing...

He'd mail him a massive megalog/package type thing once a week and Gary finally got tired of it and started working with him...

He went on to say that Craig "May be the only person alive better at writing copy than him" or something a long those lines.

-Scott

colmodwyer

I'm getting a bit tired of his marketing to be honest. Don't read his emails anymore either... It's rarely anything new and/or exciting.

I'm not the target market, but if he's such a great copywriter he should be able to "wow" me a little more than he does (I think).

Also, I reckon there were quite a few people alive better than Halbert when Garber was studying under him.

That said, Garber's "emotional triggers" (or whatever it's called) course is pretty sweet.

Colm

NealAshley

@Scott-I'm on his list and followed the launch. I like Craig as well. Please give your review on here when you're done. The only other physical book that expensive (a little more I think) is Ben Settle's Copywriting Grab Bag. I think that's an excellent letter as well. The bullets on that salesletter just pull you in.

Scott Murdaugh

Colm,

Out of curiosity do you get "Seductive Selling" or are you just talking about his online stuff?

I'd agree with you, the last few months especially, his emails/blog have been a lot less content focused and a lot more focused on selling his newsletter and new book.

I'd say you're right... Both then and now. Halbert is a legend, but there are probably quite a few copywriters who we may never even hear about who have more natural talent than Halbert himself.

Getting a testimonial from Halbert admitting that he thought he was better than even him is sort of cool though.

Are you talking about the "42 Emotional Buying Triggers" or something along those lines? I think I know what you're talking about, and I remember thinking it was pretty good too.

A big reason why I think his online content is tanking lately is the book. The sales letter alone for it is like 20k words, the book is almost 400 pages, it's a lot of content.

Who knows. I do think he's a pretty cool "rags to riches" story and has quite a lot of insight and a way of putting his ideas into words that very few people are able to accomplish.

-Scott

Bruce Wedding

I wouldn't order based on the sea of words I saw above the fold.

I don't get it. Is layout and making a design pleasing to the eye really difficult?

marciayudkin

I have the book. I actually bugged Craig several times to see when it was coming out.

As an exposition and case study of exactly how Craig has built his business, it is very good. The writing is engaging, it's well-organized and it reads well.

There are very few examples in the book of other people succeeding by using his techniques, so you may or may not feel that you could use the same techniques he used. I don't feel comfortable with many of the "me me me" techniques critical to his success, so I would recommend the book most to those who have a personality like his.

Marcia Yudkin

Intrepreneur

21 Proven Direct-Marketing Strategies ANYONE Can Use!" And it shares, in very frank terms, the exact strategies I used to make over $578,000 in one year, with a small online list of less than 5,000 names, and without even spending one thin dime on advertising.

Mr. Subtle

Come on Wedding, don't ya know it's exactly this kind of "above the fold design" that gets I.M. NOOBs salivating like Pavlov's dogs. Look at the red, white and blue standard I.M. marketing colors layout. Plus it has a whopping 99 words centered. (Make it as difficult as possible for ME to read... please.) The only thing missing is a little yellow highlighting.

I don't see how you can pass on this deal. The book is valued at $2100.00 and you can get it for a measly $97.00. PLUS you get a blooper DVD (valued at $47.00) for FREE! Wedding you must be mentally impaired not to go for it.

Mr. Subtle

Garber influenced by Halbert... who would have guessed?

A behind the scenes look at how Garber came up with the title for his book:

Scott Murdaugh

Yeah, the headline/subheads are definitely not my style. The guy does put out good content though...

I agree the sales letter looks cheesy...

But it works for him, and if you get into the bullets and stuff his copy is pretty damn good.

By the way, he's not targeting "I.M. noobs" with this, it's direct response ideas for small businesses...

Which is why I bought it, because I work primarily online, and I want to learn more about helping businesses offline...


I've got a stack of books and products that I've bought because I enjoy learning.

I've got an equal stack of crap I haven't bought because I don't think it'll help me or I don't have time for it.

Based on what I've seen of Garber's previous paid content, he's a guy I can learn from.

His sales letter aside, either he teaches me something that'll be worth a lot more than $100 or I take him up on the guarantee.

I think you're being a little harsh given the fact that you probably have no idea what this guy is about...

-Scott

P.S. Nice illustration...

DougHughes

Ha! This post had me laughing my ass off. Awesome!

Johnny12345

I was somehow able to summon the strength not to buy it.

Maybe it's the greatest marketing book ever written -- I don't know. But what I DO know is that for $97 you could buy a whole stack of books written by masters like Schwab, Hopkins, Caples, Sugarman, and Ogilivy... and have money left over.

Johnny

NealAshley

@MrSubtle - You should write a book on how you come up with such brilliant and simple designs. I would be salivating like one of Pavlov's dog...

Perhaps, it's a skill that can't be taught like true talent.

Scott Murdaugh

I'd buy it. I'd pay $97 for it. In fact I'd "have to be mentally impaired not to go for it"...

Seriously though, I'd buy it.

-Scott

colmodwyer

Hey Scott,

I don't get Seductive Selling but my old boss used to... Decent read.

I also got that Obama mailer which I thought was great. But the online sales letter for it (copywriting workshop) was atrocious (at least the headline was, I didn't get any further).

And yes, that's the course I'm talking about. Totally different to anything else out there I think, and therefor pretty darn valuable. I loved it.

Obviously it ain't easy being a one man show. But if you're claiming you're god's gift to copy you aught to be able to back it up more often than not in your marketing.

Colm

Daniel Scott

Maybe I'm not his ideal customer but I didn't think it was particularly well-written copy.

I felt it was very, very bloated... that it could have been trimmed a LOT and been a lot easier to read and more powerful for it.

But then again... 40% conversions is pretty crazy, but if he built up a lot of hype I'm guessing the copy was a lot less important.

Am I the only one who thinks this isn't exactly a stunning example of good copy?

-Dan

JasonParker

My opinion...

Considering just 1 thing you learn will probably be worth at least 25 times more than you paid for it, this book is correctly priced if you think about it. The guy charges more than just about everybody for everything... but he's one of the best there is.

I've got John Carlton's whole SWS to go through so I'm not investing any more money at the moment into training, though Garber is great. I personally got a lot out of his Seductive Selling Newsletter... a handful of killer techniques, especially on curiosity building.

If you don't like his copy, you're probably not in his target market. If you're in his target market, you're drooling until the book arrives at your doorstep.

Agree with me, disagree... doesn't matter to me. The dude can sell and DOES sell the crap out of his stuff. He knows how to massage a lot of money out of a small amount of clients, from what I understand... mostly people in the UK for some reason.

I recommend his stuff. Just giving my 2 cents.

I'm not looking to stir up anything among certain people in this thread who I know love to go at it in the forums. That's just not my style.

Just wanted to say I personally dig his stuff.

(No cheap shots please).

Bill Jeffels

I think Craig Garber has one of those like him or hate him personalities. I personally like his up front style and I've been reading his stuff for the last couple years.

And he knows what he's talking about. As far as the $97 price tag some may find it expensive. I know when Denny Hatch came out with Million Dollar Mailings a few years ago some thought it was pricey but I guess it all depends on what you get out of the book and what you do with it.

So, if you buy Craigs book and apply the tips and techniques that he teaches the book will probably pay for it self many times over.

But if you do nothing with it and let it collect dust next to your Frampton Comes Alive! album... well, it's probably not worth it.

Bill Jeffels

Mr. Subtle

A Marketing Brain Farts brain fart

Normally I post graphics on chat boards at 594 pixels, but I like to work larger and then reduce. I decided not to reduce this one. Hopefully you have a 22" or larger monitor. It's frickin' HUGE I tell ya... HUGE!

It's weird see it so large, BUT you can read every title of every book on the far right. It would be almost impossible to read at 594 pixels.

Scott Murdaugh

I'm going to consider that a direct attack...

I don't know who you are beyond your cartoons. Not a lot of info on "Marketing Brain Farts"...

This "holier-than-thou" condescending attitude is getting old.

Guess what? I read. A lot. Because I'm passionate about what I do and I know the second I stop learning I'm giving up a huge edge.

All of those books that can be had for pennies on the dollar? Do I have to bust out my Amazon receipts and library card? I know there's a lot of good books out there, I generally read a new one every week.

And even if the ideas aren't anything new, I happen to prefer his style of teaching and presenting information... He's a guy I LIKE to learn from... Whether I'm reading the book for its content or following the launch and buying the book to see his sales process, I'll learn something.

And for being such a "noob" I'm doing just fine, but I do appreciate the concern. Although I'm wondering when my "noob" term is up under your policy since I've been in sales and marketing for over a decade.

If that wasn't directed at me then I apologize... But since I started this thread, I get the idea that it was.

I've got more important things to do than argue over trivial stuff on the internet or wasting another minute of my time caring about what you think or have to say.

I don't care what you think about me or Garber or anyone else for that matter... But you need to stop with the personal attacks.

Maybe one day I'll reach your level and get to the point where I know absolutely everything there is to know about copywriting, marketing and business. But until then I'm going to keep learning. Can't help it, it's in my blood.

You don't know me. I don't know you. The last thing I want is some stupid argument on the internet... I also don't appreciate being disrespected unless I've done something to justify it.

Peace,

-Scott

P.S. You know, a lot of respected copywriters dig Garber's stuff too... Like, I dunno, Gary Halbert?

Have you read his book? Have you read any of his content? Do you have any basis for any of your opinions on the matter?

Noah Fleming

I didn't know much about Garber until a member of mine put me on to him. I have to say, I'm pretty hooked over the past few weeks. His stuff is spot on and he seems pretty genuine to me.

I've already implemented and used strategies I've picked up from him for free through his videos and newletters to make more money.

I haven't ordered his book yet but I do plan on ordering it eventually. I don't see him pulling it off the shelves any time soon. The only reason I haven't ordered yet is the last thing I need right now is another book.

Anyways, from what I've seen... Garber has some real skills and this looks like a fantastic buy.

Rezbi

Not surprising as he was a Halbert student.

Or is that actually surprising?

Hmm, I don't know.

Hmm, hmm?

Rezbi

Or, you could just get Breakthrough Advertising by Schwartz.

Yup, I think that would be a good one.

Or, it could turn out to be worth the price.

I just don't like the colour scheme he's used -- though that could be just personal taste.

Mr. Subtle

It's not. Did I mention your name in the graphic anywhere? I did not. So, it's not an attack on you. It's a attack on NOOBs who go out and buy expensive books when most of the info they need can be had cheaply.

Read the inexpensive stuff first. Use that info. Make some money with that info and THEN buy the expensive stuff with your profits (after all your expenses are paid for) if you want.

You can become a decent copywriter for $200. (See my list in the sticky above... you don't need any $100, $300 or $500 books.) And... if you (the collective you) can't write some decent copy after spending the $200... stealing a line from The Paper Chase: ..."here is a dime. Take it, call your mother, and tell her there is serious doubt about you ever becoming a" copywriter.

Scott Murdaugh

Fair enough. I still think it's a little insinuating. If it wasn't personal I'm happy to drop the issue.

That we can agree on.

-Scott

Mr. Subtle

This board is loaded to the gills with NOOBs. Spending $800 (or whatever) on a copywriting course isn't going to make you (the collective you) a copywriter. I'm just trying to SAVE them money. There are good, cheap ways to build a decent foundation in copywriting without having to spend big bucks.

There are a lot of expensive copywriting books/ebooks/courses out there that are nothing more than regurgitated stuff from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

I've seen too many NOOBs buying expensive courses thinking it would be some kind of panacea for their inability to write copy.

Bruce Wedding

I'm just going to say, I've seen 2 copywriters I know you consider gurus, either hire Mr. Subtle or give him high praise. I'm talking about Michel Fortin and Clayton Makepeace.

You'd do well to disregard his acerbic nature and learn from the gold nuggets he dispenses.

bwjstreet

Couldn't get past the title as it starts off excluding everyone outside America.

Bruce Wedding

We agree on that. But it's not just design skill. The guy is a hell of a copywriter.

What you're saying is you didn't deduce any insight from his posts. I disagree that there was no insight.

They don't need to. The noobs do it for them.

I agree that I'm none of the guys you mention. And all of them are capable of very persuasive copy. So am I. I have no interest in teaching copy because I simply don't have the patience for 99% of the students. God bless those that do.

We disagree. Some of the best coaches and teachers in history, were a-holes. Get past the a-hole and listen. Quit taking stuff personally. Learn.

As to whether or not "most of us" have seen copy written by me, that is debatable. I've written copy for many "gurus" in IM. Hundreds of thousands have seen my copy. I'd bet you've seen it and not known it.

Anyway, my previous 2 posts to this one were very helpful. Someone deleted the entire thread, wiping out a lot of great advice. Luckily, I preserved it on my forum.

PS: I think you mean sardonicism.

I don't see Fortin doing much of anything lately. But he was always nice to the noobs, I agree. You don't bite the hand that feeds you, right?

Johnny12345

Scott,

I don't think Subtle was "attacking" you. He just gave his opinion in a humorous way. Subtle tends to be sarcastic -- but he's not mean spirited.

And I think he's correct. I once bought an expensive product by a copy "guru" that I won't name. I went through the entire thing and what I learned is that Victor Schwab's $15 book contains FAR MORE info than the guru's entire, expensive course! I got burned once, it won't happen again.

Subtle's list (his visual stack of books) is quite good -- I don't know how the heck I failed to mention H.G. Lewis in my post! On the other hand, I'd skip Cash Copy by Lant. In fact, let me summarize the entire 400-page book for you: Write client-centered, benefit-oriented copy. There you go. One book down.

Johnny

Matt Jutras

I hate to bring up an old thread, but I got this book last week....

I really wanted to hate it because of the title. But it is a damn good read.

Copywriting is discussed, but is not the focus. This more of a manual on positioning yourself as an expert in your niche.

Is it worth $97?

I think it depends. If you already have a large library of copywriting and marketing books....then no.

On the other hand, if you're just starting out, it's good as an "all in one" manual for entrepeneurs.

I'd say it's a combination of 7 Steps To Freedom, 12 Month Millionaire, and The Gary Halbert Letter.

mccflo99

Most expensive copywriting book I ever bought was my original pressing of Reality In Advertising by Rosser Reeves with the slip cover.

Craig's book looks interesting, I may pick it up. However, the $47 "value" for his blooper DVD was humorous.

Chris Elliott

ARSuarez

I strongly agree.

I picked up this book during the initial launch.

It really is good stuff. But if I was recommending it, I'd tell someone starting out to pick it up. It really is a comprehensive manual of marketing tactics, with a crash course in emotional copywriting thrown in.

If you're new, you should get it, along with Bob Stone's "Successful Direct Marketing Methods." You'll quickly learn strategy and the mechanics of those strategies.

However, for the seasoned veterans who have already read many books, courses, etc... It's not essential reading, but worth picking up none the less.

Best,

Angel

Bill Jeffels

Hey Matt,

First, I'll second your recommendation of " 12 Month Millionaire ". I bought it directly from Vincent James, the first month , original copy, still have it in my CR library.

And In my opinion, if you, or any one for that matter, can learn something in Garber's book that is going to make you money, even one idea. I'd say it's worth it to me.

Best,

Bill



.

ewenmack

Didn't buy it as I got turned off by his
launch videos from around New York.

Plus, to be fair, I'm working more on implementation
than on looking for the next idea.

All the best,
Ewen