Gordon: Thanks for the laughs ...
 

Gordon,

Haven't checked in here for a while.

I can picture the first moment I ever saw you. We were sitting outside, and that dentist was playing his guitar and singing "Margaritaville." Wonder how he's doing these days. Talented folks in Arkansas.

Holy crap! That's gotta be 20 years ago. You must be really old.

Anyway ... just wanted you to know, as I look back, it was one of the most fun weeks of my life. You were a hoot.

Come to think of it, every good copywriter I've ever known has been pretty darn funny. Certifiably nuts, but funny.

Here's a memory for you. I had this one framed, hanging on my bedroom wall, all thru high school.

Our Hero

Glad to see you're still alive and kicking.

Richard Dennis

Richard, nice to see you here...
 

Arkansas, that group had some very interesting people, a rocket scientist, the above mentioned dentist...you and me, great fun.

We only recently recovered from the Rocky trade, when LeBron came home and gave us some light, not counting the 64 Browns, but the CURSE has been a long one...two days ago, before trades were nullified, I thought maybe the Indians had a chance, today...not so sure.

Hope you are doing well, might be down your way this winter, a little bit north of W. Palm to visit family, then hope to drive my RV to San Diego, for a final resting place.

I was with a group of Cub Scouts in 59, Rocky knocked two out of the park that day, never forget him, and the darkness which consumed Cleve ever since the trade.

Gordon

PS. Wanna help me write Super Secrets of Direct Response Copywriting...I have a recording somewhere of Halbert shouting, "try again sh!t weasel", as paper tears into small pieces, "this sucks!"

Re: Richard, nice to see you here...
 

Gordon,

Copywriting secrets?

I'm not a big fan of Carlton, but he's the first thing that comes to mind when you ask.

Back in 1990, I was writing some pieces for Halbert's clients, and Carlton was reading one piece back to me and disputing almost every sentence. And what he said was, time after time after time ...

"SO WHAT?"

He said "So What?" probably 2 dozen times in the piece he was critiquing. It's crazy, it's been 26 years, but I can still hear his words in my ears.

I could tell you that the best thing I do in copywriting now is edit. I am ruthless in getting rid of anything that does not matter. I don't say "So what?" ... I don't need to, anymore ... but I did, for a long time.

If what you say does not matter - and matter a LOT - then your reader will disappear. I learned that lesson from Carlton.

Richard

Thanks for sharing that key piece of copywriting advice!
 

Hi Richard,

Thanks for sharing that piece of wisdom!

One piece of copywriting knowhow which I've found useful are using the "emotional hot buttons" - as taught by Axel Andersson/Bob Hacker/Denny Hatch...

http://www.targetmarketingmag.com/ar...arketing-copy/

http://www.targetmarketingmag.com/ar...ordinaire/all/

I always try to work several of these "hot buttons" into any copy I write. I've even used them to help my wife write persuasive emails to her boss!

Now, I'll take your advice on board too!

Best wishes,

Dien

Re: Thanks for sharing that key piece of copywriting advice!
 

Dien,

Terrific articles. Thanks for posting them.

Richard