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Does this work?

by Zodiax
11 replies
I read somewhere that copying other successful sales letters daily, can improve your copy-writing ability over time.

Is this true? Has anyone tried this?
#work
  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Gould
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...ters-hand.html

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  • Profile picture of the author jemacb
    Absolutely True! Your sub-conscious becomes trained. Similar to daily affirmations.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    Here's the thing.

    It ONLY works if you handwrite letters that are/were proven monster winners.

    I've known copywriters who walked about wearing a splint and a sling for a month plunging their knackered wrist into a bucket of ice every 10 minutes saying...

    "F*** me it was worth it. I've written so and so's and so and so's stuff 20 times and all the fabulous techniques are wired into every neuron of my brain"

    Trouble was the letters read well, may have worked but there was no conclusive evidence that they made an abundance of money.

    So, before you go through the agony of doing it make absolutely sure the letters DID make fortunes.


    Steve


    P.S. So how do you find them?

    Stick with triple A list names.

    Ignore any and all internet hype (that would be when you hear from someone nobody recognises saying "my copy made $109,779, 997").

    Get on the list of the big direct response companies if you keep getting the same "pitches" chances are they are doing well.

    No harm in asking them first (not sure if this is entirely true - but a "new" copywriter wrote to a CEO's and asked for their top producing pieces so they could learn the craft - and got their 5 best winners with the stats showing the revenues they made).

    Write Ads that constantly ran/run in the press and magazines (they don't keep paying the media costs if they aren't making big money).
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    • Profile picture of the author IDoTheLegWork
      Would you say the letters Halbert "requires" in his 30 day
      challenge are proven?

      Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter View Post

      Write Ads that constantly ran/run in the press and magazines (they don't keep paying the media costs if they aren't making big money).
      This should be KEYED ads that constantly run. Without
      the key they very well could be losers run by those who
      know no better.
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      ..and you WILL contribute a verse.
      Indifference is the enemy that must be conquered.
      Appeal to the crowd by addressing the person.

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      • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
        [QUOTE=IDoTheLegWork;9553906]Would you say the letters Halbert "requires" in his 30 day
        challenge are proven?



        I imagine they are.

        But (I don't think) the late great Mr H mentioned the actual money they made.

        However, if I had no other option I would "write" them.

        But personally I would prefer to handwrite if I categorically knew the letters had made warehouses full of wonga.


        Steve


        P.S. Most long running Ads (and I did mean to say from bigger companies not Mom and Pops weekly grocery store Ad in the local paper) do have "keys" or "codes" If not, as Leg says be wary about using them.

        BTW I'm delighted if Mom and Pops Ad does bring them in the business, with the income they require and keeps the shop profitable. As long as they are happy they probably don't want to become the next Walmart.
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  • Profile picture of the author Top Notch Copy
    Why yes, it certainly does. My mentor David Garfinkel even recommends it, as well as
    many other world-renowned copywriters.

    What's most important is that you look at a lot of great copy.

    Analyze it, critique it, try to understand WHY they wrote it the way they did.

    Make it a habit to read one great sales letter a day.

    You can just search for famous sales letters, or see who's topping the clickbank charts.

    But what's most important is that you put what you learn into practice.

    Read great copy... and then go write some great copy.



    Cheers

    - Dan Daily
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  • Profile picture of the author smoor2012
    I have begun doing the same thing. I think it will work because you are really letting the ideas sink in as you write it out by hand.

    The top copywriters say to do this exercise so I have begun doing it. I am new to writing copy myself. I think the exercise will be worth it.
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    PM me and I will respond as soon as possible

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

    I read somewhere that copying other successful sales letters daily, can improve your copy-writing ability over time.

    Is this true? Has anyone tried this?
    It does work but it shouldn't be the only way you learn how to top-notch sales copy. You can look at a salesletter and if you don't have a good foundation of copywriting knowledge then you will miss WHY it converted well. This is especially important when you're looking at something where you aren't part of that target market.

    So my advice would be to read several of the recommended copywriting books first so you learn what it is you should be looking for when you look at someone else's sales letter. Only then, should you gradually start studying winning controls.

    Being a highly skilled copywriter is a journey, not a destination. The top guns I know are always working on honing their skills. It doesn't matter if it's reading or writing copy every day or taking additional training. That's part of how they stay top guns.

    Best of luck,

    Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author Jack Sarlo
    Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

    I read somewhere that copying other successful sales letters daily, can improve your copy-writing ability over time.

    Is this true? Has anyone tried this?
    Yes I have tried it. I printed salesletters of high performing products (the ones like those at clickbank) from popular gurus, and read, studied them and finally written them word for word by hand.

    I had learned it's extremely good for you, and it's in fact true I think, it has helped me a lot.
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