World's Best Copywriting Membership Site?

A website dissecting current winning promotion would be worth visiting.

Other than that... since most copywriting rules or w.e you call them have always been the same (obviously except medium) I think you'd have to make your site for newbies or entry copywriters.


.02

Here's my input:

1. Different levels of membership for different copywriting skill levels, so people can gradually graduate and improve.
2. Video critiques of recent launch copy (doesn't have to be winning. In fact its even greater to look to copy that flopped, and show how it can be improved)
3. Monthly/weekly interaction with copywriting coach (via webinars or teleseminars)
4. Monthly updated swipe file
5. Of course, a great copywriting course must be part of this membership too

It's Ray!

I have this little voice at the back of the head though, saying,
"Don't listen to what people say, but look at what they're
doing..."

That aside, I've always found this pulling-power in case-studies
and "live critiques", especially in copywriting, since it's more of
a versatile, according-to-the-situation kind of thing. So yeah,
I'm with DavidG too...

I'm pretty sure most copywriters would already have a swipe
file, but they pretty much wouldn't have that many split-test,
1-against-1 results.

Organized swipe files could be possible - I personally would
love one, since mine is rather messy when I'm searching for
inspiration.

Oh, and what else, but new ways to do research? I'm a little
of a research junkie.

Hope that helped!

Best,
Winston Tian

I probably don't represent most people, but I'd like to see more breakdowns of sales pages... And you telling what's happening in different sections. For me that would give me more usable tactics, but again, I probably don't represent many others with that desire.

Btw, please pm me when it's live. I'll probably join.

"Just need more tricks." - Beautiful. See if this doesn't end up in some copy!

Hi Ray,
Long time no see.
I agree with Jason and VL. It would also be great to have a critique of some of my own copy. Either just different sections, the headline, lead, deck copy or offer would be great.

Thanks let me know when you post something...ml

Hey Ray, I use to help run a gaming(TCG's) forum that only wanted top-notch members.

Or rather, we didn't want our forum to become flooded with a bunch of players who had no idea what they were doing, and cluttered threads with bad advice.

So here's what we did.

We tested people before they could access the site.

Before a member got full access to the site they had to take one out of three tests - each test composed by 4 parts.

Until they passed they only had access to a few parts of the site -

One was where they could solicit advice from members of the forum.

The other was where they could submit their exams.

After they submitted their exams the graders would look over their answers, grade each section - and after 3 graders had given their say if they scored X amount of points they were allowed in.

People were allowed to retake the test up to 3 times.

Now the test wasn't extraordinarily hard, but you did need a talent for the game in order to pass it. Also we weren't even looking for "right" answers. All the questions were open ended, and it mostly allowed us to look into a persons thought process.

(For example a question would be: The board state is X, you know your opponent blah, blah, blah. What do your next three turns look like, and why?)

For a copywriting forum you could have new members critique one of three pieces. And then answer a few short questions.

People who had copy chops essentially graduated to the "real" forum where we would share pieces and critique each others work.

If noncopywriters (or just people who didn't pass the exam) wanted their piece critiqued, or had questions for experienced writers. There would be a public section of the forum for them to do so.

This kept the quality of the site very high. Stopped bad advice from being given, without alienating those who want to ask questions or get help.

PM me if you have any questions.

Ah! Another business idea in the making.

If you ask me, regular copy critiques and an updated swipe file collection sounds like a good idea for any practicing copywriter.

Having said that, if I were to sign up for any such copywriting membership site, I would only look for QUALITY, quality in the sense that whatever critiques or swipe files you offer, they cannot be rehash run-of-the-mill.

Something that makes me sit up and take notice.

Very honestly speaking, two such services (although they are free and they are not membership sites) are Gary Halbert's newsletter and John Carlton's blog.

Why? Because they give me something EXTRA. That matters.

I'm gonna continue riding the "I want extras" wave.

I second the motion that there are a plenty of "free" copywriting resources out there. I think the difference maker for me would be;

How to make money as a copywriter (and I mean the meat and potatoes).

A job board that included decent paying projects would definitely lure more members in.

You could also offer a multi-tiered membership that offers plenty of "extras" to entice lower tiered members to upgrade. Make the upgrade irresistible by offering "extras" they simply can't refuse, Eg. free members get limited access to the membership site (forum only), while second tier members get a complimentary newsletter each month with access to "certain extras". 3rd tier members get free (limited) mentoring and critiquing with "even more extras".

To add more value to the "paying members", create a blog and allow members to make blog posts on a regular basis (they can leave their link, too!) This will benefit your site and your members. Just a thought!

Hope this has sparked a few ideas for you

Best,

Bill B.

Does copyblogger offer any memberships these days? I am yet to find a good copywriting membership site. There seems to be plenty of free sites out there.