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Thoughts on Blind Copy.

by jayspann
17 replies
Marketing Don't: I'm not a big fan of "Blind Copy"

Only marketers are going to know what I'm talking about here.... but let's give it a try.

Someone tries to pitch you "something" as the greatest thing since sliced bread, but they don't tell you what that "something" is... you have to buy it first to find out.

Here's an example: let's say hypothetically... that there's this politician and his running mate. They are telling everyone that they have the greatest plan ever seen to get America back on track.

They even show you the cover of the plan every time they get a chance.

But when anyone asks whats in the plan, or what its all about, they tell you to buy us for (at least) the next four years and you'll find out.

What's even worse is the return policy...

If your not satisfied with your purchase your stuck with it for at least 1460 days! At least.

There must not be a lot of confidence in there product with a guarantee like that.

What are your thoughts on "blind copy?"
#blind #blindcopy #copy #copywriting #thoughts
  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    I would never write blind copy.

    But I do use blind bullets in the copy.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author CharismaticMannequin
    Reeks of shadyness if you ask me. Doubt I'd ever use 'blind' copy' - think about it from the prospect's POV:

    "Hmm, so I know NOTHING about the product, and they want me to front cash? No thanks"

    You chuck away a huge profit from that. "The more you tell, the more you sell." It's true, and is proven daily. As Steve said, blind bullets are fine; they're there to entice people to buy and find out these secret tricks etc.

    Ben.
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    • Profile picture of the author BrandonLee
      In my experience that's not true. I've found, with very few exceptions, that blind copy will perform AT LEAST as well as non blind, and in most cases it's better, even taking into account the huge increase in refund rate you will see with blind copy. I don't use it very much, typically I will just use it as one piece of prelaunch material usually out of three or four,


      Originally Posted by CharismaticMannequin View Post

      Reeks of shadyness if you ask me. Doubt I'd ever use 'blind' copy' - think about it from the prospect's POV:

      "Hmm, so I know NOTHING about the product, and they want me to front cash? No thanks"

      You chuck away a huge profit from that. "The more you tell, the more you sell." It's true, and is proven daily. As Steve said, blind bullets are fine; they're there to entice people to buy and find out these secret tricks etc.

      Ben.
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      • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
        Mike,

        Like any copywriter, I have seen thousands of examples of ethical "blind bullets".

        I was hoping you would give an example of "blind copy" where the whole context of the copy is shrouded. WIth Bottom Line's stuff, you always know what it is you are going to get - a book of interesting information, even though you don't know what exactly the information will say.

        As in the original post: "Someone tries to pitch you "something" as the greatest thing since sliced bread, but they don't tell you what that "something" is... you have to buy it first to find out."

        With this kind of blind copy, you won't know whether it's a course, a business opportunity, a book, a toy or something else until you pay.

        Thanks,
        Marcia Yudkin
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  • Profile picture of the author davemiz
    if the product is good, customers like it and blind copy happens to be the best way to sell it, then i dont see a problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author Don Grace
    I don't really care for it, but the bottom line is it works especially in MMO
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    ...personally I've never found a product or service that sold better with blind copy.

    If only because you want to attract the right audience.

    I guess you could just about manage this "blindly" but inevitably you'll also get a high % of curiosity seekers (and those costs can be expensive) who are unlikely to ever buy the product/service because it was never meant for them.


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  • Profile picture of the author Jerome Y
    I think blind copy has it's uses in certain types of marketing. It can generate hype by not revealing too much because you want to reward people who take the leap.

    This should only be done by people who have something of real value to offer here. Other than that I think blind copy is pretty much shady business.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jerome Y
    Wow KevinStegman and Marklandrum. You guys have telepathy eh? Or do I smell people just trying to rack posts up?
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  • Profile picture of the author George Lee
    I personally don't think that it is a good idea. We all have to think about pleasing merchant accounts now more that ever. If your refund rates are too high, you run the risk of getting your payment processor shut down. In order to keep refund rates low, you need to make sure that you are meeting customer expectations. Can't do that real well with blind copy. A lot to think about with that one.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Jeffels
      You're missing the point.

      If you step on Great Dane Sh*t. It's still Great Dane sh*t.

      Using blind copy is using a P.S. like using a call to action.

      The call to action didn't get them to ask for their money back. The Great Dane sh*t did.


      Bill Jeffels



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    • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
      Originally Posted by George Lee View Post

      I personally don't think that it is a good idea. We all have to think about pleasing merchant accounts now more that ever. If your refund rates are too high, you run the risk of getting your payment processor shut down. In order to keep refund rates low, you need to make sure that you are meeting customer expectations. Can't do that real well with blind copy. A lot to think about with that one.
      Sorry George, I don't agree.

      If you have a high refund rate it's because the product isn't delivering what was promised in the salesletter.

      The type of copy doesn't matter if the product is half-baked... badly written... doesn't keep its promises made in the salesletter... or flat-out doesn't work.

      Bottom line... when you used blind copy ethically, it can take an ordinary piece of information contained in your product and make it sound far more interesting... and it can do it without lying or deceiving the customer.

      Take care,

      Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author Quality Copywriter
    i think it depends on the niche.

    Seems to work well in the IM niche on a number of occasions.

    some of the best bullets are completely blind.

    you can mix up the blind bullets with partial giveaway ones to balance things out.
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      when you used blind copy ethically, it can take an ordinary piece of information contained in your product and make it sound far more interesting... and it can do it without lying or deceiving the customer.
      Can you give an example of this? I don't mean that as a challenge or disparagement. I have an open mind on this question. Thanks!

      Marcia Yudkin
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