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Question about courses

by wannaluvmyjob
11 replies
I am new here and am interested in getting into copywriting.
I have a few books - by Kennedy, Sugarman and Veloso and am planning to read Cialdini. People seem to have varying opinions about who is the best. These are just the ones I have so far.
I am interested in learning copywriting and was looking at a couple of courses from - can I say it here? AWAI. I have read so much stuff about them but it seems to come mostly from them. I would just like to get the opinion of some actual copywriters as to which courses are really good for someone who isn't a copywriter yet. Thanks in advance for any input.
#courses #question
  • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
    The AWAI course concentrates on traditional, hard-sell direct mail. For that, it is reasonably good. It includes a bit of personal feedback, but not a lot. And last I looked, it didn't have a whole lot specifically on online copy.

    So whether or not it would benefit you depends on your goals and preferences.

    Marcia Yudkin
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    Check out Marcia Yudkin's No-Hype Marketing Academy for courses on copywriting, publicity, infomarketing, marketing plans, naming, and branding - not to mention the popular "Marketing for Introverts" course.
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    • Profile picture of the author wannaluvmyjob
      Ok - Thank You. Can you recommend a course that you feel is really good for direct mail and one for online copy? (I recognize your name from another writing course I took.)
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    It may seem a bit overwhelming, but did you check out this
    thread?

    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...pywriters.html

    -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 wannaluvmyjob
      Thank you all - I will check out the resources listed.

      I know I need to start practicing at some point, I'm just afraid that I will miss out on something if I don't read enough first - not sure how much I can retain/retrieve.
      I know it takes time and a lot of work. Aside from reading, I'm not sure where to begin this seemingly daunting process.

      I listen to Youtube videos on copywriting and a marketing podcast on the the drive to and from work and while I'm at the gym.
      I have made fill in the blank flash cards (a 2" + stack) that I copied from a course (can't remember the title) that has different variations for each part of a sales letter.
      I've read that I should copy, by hand, really good sales letters to get my brain to start thinking like a copywriter. I think I've learned something but I feel like I've barely touched the tip of the (learning) copywriting iceburg and am not ready to try to start writing.
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      • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
        Originally Posted by wannaluvmyjob View Post


        I think I've learned something but I feel like I've barely touched the tip of the (learning) copywriting iceburg and am not ready to try to start writing.
        What will make you ready? Isn't today a better time to start than tomorrow? How long? How many days, weeks or months will pass before you begin?

        True story: At one time I had one of the largest rosters of golf students in the US. I had 5 PGA professionals on my payroll.

        I taught a totally different way, my first lesson was to have them HIT THE BALL. They had to "try"...so one day a country club maven comes in and demands I teach her, I tell her to hit the ball...

        She replies, "I don't know how, which is why I'm paying you to teach me."

        OK I say, go ahead and hit the ball.

        "But I don't know how to hold the club", says she.

        That's OK, go ahead and just hit the ball.

        "The other pros start with the grip, the stance the swing, so let's start there."

        I don't teach that way, go ahead and hit the ball.

        OK, she never did, fired me, (or did I fire her), berated, through a hissy fit, complained to everyone in the club.

        The feedback she got: "I was the best golf teacher in the country," And based on results I probably was. My students got better faster than any of the PGA taught students.

        BECAUSE, each lesson was custom tailored to suit THAT person, based on the results of them TRYING to hit the ball. A 250 pound guy on a 5'8" frame has a big belly to contend with, NO WAY can he imitate a Tiger Woods.

        Likewise, most women had breasts that got in the way of the golf swing, unless they were already athletic with good hand-eye coordination.

        So, unless a person was willing to TRY to hit the ball, to take some action, to establish a BASELINE for the sake of measuring progress, I couldn't work with them.

        I doubt if you will make a very good student of copywriting, perhaps one of the $5,000.00 Gurus (PGA pro equivalent) will suit you better, eh?

        No one can help someone unwilling to try. (MY opinion).

        gjabiz
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  • Profile picture of the author David Rosa
    everyone has their opinion on the best, but the only thing that matters are results.

    Some say Makepeace Is Great, Gary B, Gary H, but they all made bajillians. You just have to check them out and learn the basics.

    I suggest going back back back in the day to get the real edumacation. Claude Hopkins, Gene Schwartz, Vic Shwab...

    But that's just me, I'm crazy. I do enjoy Dan Kennedy though. I'm scared to read his letters, can't help myself sometimes.

    A good one I learned from was Scott Haines Quick Copy Course. John Carlton kickass secrets to start.

    No matter what, you have to get the basics down. Then bend the rules.
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    Selling your Expertise & Knowledge... Here's a better way
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  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    The best course is...

    one which suits you. How to know?

    Well, you've read a few books, right?

    What have you written?

    Taking a course is "knowing" as in an intellectual understanding. Doing is knowing in the real world.

    Old story. Ben Suarez was on Gary Halbert's new boat. Gary said it was fast. Ben said, "I know".

    Gary said, "no you don't", then opened the throttle and they skipped across the ocean like a stone. A few minutes later, Gary stopped the boat.

    Looked at a white-knuckled, ashen Ben and said..."NOW you know it's fast!"

    Write a promotion so you get potential buyer feedback, no sales, examine all the elements of your copy including the big four of

    Product
    Prospect
    Promotion (Copy)
    Media

    Learn fastest by doing, not just writing for critique let the wallets of your niche tell you how you are doing.

    gjabiz



    Originally Posted by wannaluvmyjob View Post

    I am new here and am interested in getting into copywriting.
    I have a few books - by Kennedy, Sugarman and Veloso and am planning to read Cialdini. People seem to have varying opinions about who is the best. These are just the ones I have so far.
    I am interested in learning copywriting and was looking at a couple of courses from - can I say it here? AWAI. I have read so much stuff about them but it seems to come mostly from them. I would just like to get the opinion of some actual copywriters as to which courses are really good for someone who isn't a copywriter yet. Thanks in advance for any input.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Oziboomer shared this resource in another thread, and I've been making my way through it this week.

    As a starter course, it contains immediately applicable and pretty deep level info. I'm surprised (but not really, as it's a Boomer share and his info is always great.)

    You could save a lot of $$ by reading this and applying what you learn.

    A point I really want to stress:

    You don't learn copy by reading and studying. You learn copy by writing copy.
    Signature
    >> Executive advisory: Unstick sales, strategy & growth problems fast → jasonkanigan.com

    >> Selling? Then this is the FREE YouTube series you need RIGHT NOW
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  • Profile picture of the author wannaluvmyjob
    OK thanks Oziboomer and gjabiz,

    There are just so many masters that are recommended for reading. I know it would be foolish to try to read or listen to them all before trying to actually write. I have started writing copy, if you could call it that, despite huge self doubt. I think I am getting better at deciphering "good" from "bad" copy that I see - it really is everywhere. I have to begin somewhere.
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  • Profile picture of the author Launch6
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author wannaluvmyjob
      Thanks Launch6,

      I have read Cialdini, I will check out the others.
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