One of those weeks, very interesting.

[GordonJ]

Just an update.

Through my Craigslist ads, I've found a Chattel Partner. A younger man with a van who wanted to take my chatteling course, but after talking to him, we came to a mutual understanding. Very exciting to have a "Man with a Van", with a lift on back, which gives us (ok, HIM) the ability to move bigger objects, and we're going this weekend to several restaurants which are going or have gone out of business.

What is it with restaurants? Oh, well, their loss will be our gain. Once I showed him how to look for dollars and not things, his wheels turned. He comes from the trades, having been an all around handyman for a builder. He showed me a few faucets he had worth several hundred dollars each.

AND, as exciting as this new venture is (mainly because I let him do all the "work" while splitting profits)...I've had some great response to my 30 week copywriting course too.

In fact, one SowPubber has a great idea, which is exciting, but more importantly, he gave me the idea of having HIM create the course he wants to learn....WHAT?

Yea, why not?

People come to learning with different backgrounds, experiences and methods of learning.

Why not ask them what exactly they want to learn, what would be their ideal curriculum, and then, IF possible, give them what they want?

That is exciting too. AND...as if my excitement level couldn't get any higher...April will be when (or IF) I test my "Walmart" EDDM project, where low price is the first thing I'll mention to a business wanting more customers.

I've been experimenting for a couple of years now with postcards and EDDM, with hosts, coupons, trade shows...all of which boils down to selling ads...and IF this low price idea works, then I'll crank it up. I want to close off a co-op postcard with up to 10 ads on it, in two days, max. SPEED is the goal, and low prices are the hope, the big promise.

No one is walking into businesses offering a branding/direct response co-op advertising opportunity for less than 100 bux, which is a no brainer for what they get. Keep you posted on this after April.

So many exciting projects, and these don't even include the good ones, like my "Jack Kerouac" beat poets revival project.

It is Spring here, time to be reborn, come alive and get busy with projects which excite you and keep you motivated, and probably...spread yourself to thin, too. HA!

Gordon Jay

[GordonJ]

HELP.

With the DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSE idea.

The trigger for me was a talk with a SowPubber who has a fully fleshed out idea, and I felt my 30 week copywriting course wouldn't suit him or meet his needs. So, we discussed what he needed.

And I've been firing on all neural cylinders since then.

See, I can help people learn to sell products, but what about selling their ideas? Well, ideas have to be sold differently, but they still need to be sold, or presented to the right group.

In talking to the Remote Direct Marketers who want copywriters, we realized there are people at different skill levels and some of the more experienced writers may have either bad habits or preconceived notions on the how THEY want to do things, but, these guys, are sort of set in their ways and with their success, hard to argue.

But I think there are lots of courses out there, which don't fit a LOT OF PEOPLE, for example, SowPubbers in general know more about business, selling and marketing than Warriors...probably by a mile.

So a SowPubber wouldn't want to take the same HOW TO course as a new Warrior.

Now am I crazy or what? Doesn't it make sense to offer a customized course, if you can, and let the "student" build the curriculum, based on need and not on formula or format?

Teaching face to face selling to two people, one an introvert the other an extrovert the exact same strategies is going to leave one with tools/knowledge which may not useful.

Offering copywriting to a total noob is different than offering copywriting to a door to door vacuum cleaner salesman. The experience of one can be immediately applied where as the other has nothing to anchor the new concepts too.

BEFORE I get overly excited and too far carried away, how about some feedback, would you please?

What sort of a course might you want designed for your studies?

And, would offering a customized course be worth while, could we pull the necessary components together, in other words, can we take all the ingredients we have up on the shelf and bake a one of a kind cake ON DEMAND? Doesn't seem hard, but...I may be overlooking an important detail or two (or a dozen).

Thanks for any comments you have.

Gordon

Gordon,

I'll throw in my $0.02.

Perhaps it's good to step back and ask, "what is an org like AWAI doing right and what are they failiing students at?" (I know, what you are offering is superior to awai on many levels but hear me out).

If some numbers I saw recently are any indication, they're failing the students because they're not finishing. Why are they dropping off? Bad course? Uninteresting material? No sense of accomplishment? Disinterest in the industry? Lack of follow up?

Perhaps with the 30 lessons, you could incorporate what AWAI is doing well. I'm not even sure what that is but they seem to be able to market themselves well. They also have a variety of courses, sales letters, non-profits, business niches, etc. etc. Maybe they do variety well. Maybe not.

As a total newb myself, I see a large but unknown world of copywriting out there. Sure, there are a ton of resources to see and study, but what happens in the real world when the business owner is asking me what my expertise and copy can do for him?

For instance, I've been exploring local businesses lately. The common thing is, find what someone's doing poorly and rewrite it. To someone like me, I have no idea what that means. Sure I can understand taking a totally crappy hand-painted sign and revise that, but what about the small ad in a newspaper or yellow pages that needs rewritten or the web copy that works but is not stellar? How does an ok ad get to be a great ad that pulls the reader in within such a short space? Or even as you recently mentioned, buy the chattel item on CL and write a great craigslist ad to sell it. What are the elements of a great CL/FB/Bing ad?

Or, what are the different types of copywriting for local businesses? I know good copy is good copy is good copy, but how can you spot a crappy brochure from a great brochure, as an example?

I guess what I'm rambling on is to give the student a broad overview of what copywriting is while he is doing the assignments - or even have some assignments of looking at the crappy stuff and fixing it. Perhaps the student doesn't have a particular interest until you go over that "module." Then it clicks for that student. And then that becomes "the thing" to focus on.

Is this making any sense?

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by TommyBoy

Gordon,

I'll throw in my $0.02.

Perhaps it's good to step back and ask, "what is an org like AWAI doing right and what are they failiing students at?" (I know, what you are offering is superior to awai on many levels but hear me out).

If some numbers I saw recently are any indication, they're failing the students because they're not finishing. Why are they dropping off? Bad course? Uninteresting material? No sense of accomplishment? Disinterest in the industry? Lack of follow up?

Perhaps with the 30 lessons, you could incorporate what AWAI is doing well. I'm not even sure what that is but they seem to be able to market themselves well. They also have a variety of courses, sales letters, non-profits, business niches, etc. etc. Maybe they do variety well. Maybe not.

As a total newb myself, I see a large but unknown world of copywriting out there. Sure, there are a ton of resources to see and study, but what happens in the real world when the business owner is asking me what my expertise and copy can do for him?

For instance, I've been exploring local businesses lately. The common thing is, find what someone's doing poorly and rewrite it. To someone like me, I have no idea what that means. Sure I can understand taking a totally crappy hand-painted sign and revise that, but what about the small ad in a newspaper or yellow pages that needs rewritten or the web copy that works but is not stellar? How does an ok ad get to be a great ad that pulls the reader in within such a short space? Or even as you recently mentioned, buy the chattel item on CL and write a great craigslist ad to sell it. What are the elements of a great CL/FB/Bing ad?

Or, what are the different types of copywriting for local businesses? I know good copy is good copy is good copy, but how can you spot a crappy brochure from a great brochure, as an example?

I guess what I'm rambling on is to give the student a broad overview of what copywriting is while he is doing the assignments - or even have some assignments of looking at the crappy stuff and fixing it. Perhaps the student doesn't have a particular interest until you go over that "module." Then it clicks for that student. And then that becomes "the thing" to focus on.

Is this making any sense?

Thanks TommyBoy, makes a lot of sense. I spoke with a guy a couple of hours ago, and asked him to give me an idea of what he wants from this.

I ask everyone right up front what they see themselves doing in 2 years. And some honestly don't know, so we start with that, the whole what do you want question.

Now most people have been studying copywriting, and have a lot of book knowledge. Which is why the first couple of weeks is writing something to sell something. And within the writing and the marketing comes what comes with it all.

But, really, and this opinion comes under attack...but writing the right words isn't that difficult...IF

IF one studies human behavior. In fact, we, you and I have been doing similar research. Mine in advertising, and why so many 9x12 co-op postcard people can't do it or fall out. Their failure rate might be a lot higher than copywriters. So, why?

The reason, none of the groups address, is the PRICE. If you offer an ad on the postcard at the same price they are already paying, they resist.

But, what if you put a low cost out first, which makes them have an almost knee jerk reaction of, tell me about it.

It is now, them chasing you. Same thing with copy writing. You have to put your offers in terms they understand, results. You could write a great ad, but, it might be in the wrong place. So, all of that comes into play, which is what most of these Internet copy guys don't get. They use formulas and follow some scripts, and MAY get some results, but they don't know why.

The writing has to be done for a specific person, or audience. Sometimes a buy one get one free offer, like a pizza is all you need to say.

Gordon

[Glenn]

Thanks Gordon,

Interesting Co-incidence.

I am Testing which of a Series of "How to Make $ in 24 Hrs with Copywriting"
books to write first.

Did a BRIBE Test to my list.

===========
===========
A - Chocolate Cake Copywriting - The Energy Sponge Writing Method (V#1)

Subhead - IF You Feel Like Cr*p You Can’t Persuade in Print
(I am SLOW - It took a Swift KICK by a Billionaire Copywriter to Learn this.)
———-
B - Chocolate Cake Copywriting - How to Fight Writers Block And WIN (V#2)

(Subhead) - NEVER Face a Blank Page Again

———
C - Chocolate Cake Copywriting - Want More Moolah in 24 Hrs?(V#3)

(Subhead) Plug Your Content into these 7 NLP Thank You Letter offers
that made Btwn 1326.11 and 186,414.34 in 24 hrs - Again & Again.
———

D - CHOCO CAKE COPYWRITING - The Billion Dollar NLP Template That Makes You Moolah from Home
(V#4)

(SUBHEAD) PLUS - 3 Proven Variations We've Adapted to S-ell On-Line

===========
===========

RESULTS?

Popular Product Idea. Lots of Responses.

But Letter C and D - almost tied.

SO.

Whilst BEFORE I was planning to Write them in #1 thru #4 Order.

Now I will Write #3 and #4 Books FIRST.

***C - Chocolate Cake Copywriting - Want More Moolah in 24 Hrs?(V#3)

***D - CHOCO CAKE COPYWRITING - The Billion Dollar NLP Template That Makes You Moolah from Home (V#4)

WHY
SHARE my test with you?

It seems that BASED ON This TEST.

Moolah Making SPEED
AND
The Credentials or PROOF of Previous Results

Might be IMPORTANT to the POPULARITY of any Copywriting Course you Create.

Thanks,
Glenn

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by Glenn

Thanks Gordon,

Interesting Co-incidence.

I am Testing which of a Series of "How to Make $ in 24 Hrs with Copywriting"
books to write first.

Did a BRIBE Test to my list.

===========
===========
A - Chocolate Cake Copywriting - The Energy Sponge Writing Method (V#1)

Subhead - IF You Feel Like Cr*p You Can’t Persuade in Print
(I am SLOW - It took a Swift KICK by a Billionaire Copywriter to Learn this.)
———-
B - Chocolate Cake Copywriting - How to Fight Writers Block And WIN (V#2)

(Subhead) - NEVER Face a Blank Page Again

———
C - Chocolate Cake Copywriting - Want More Moolah in 24 Hrs?(V#3)

(Subhead) Plug Your Content into these 7 NLP Thank You Letter offers
that made Btwn 1326.11 and 186,414.34 in 24 hrs - Again & Again.
———

D - CHOCO CAKE COPYWRITING - The Billion Dollar NLP Template That Makes You Moolah from Home
(V#4)

(SUBHEAD) PLUS - 3 Proven Variations We've Adapted to S-ell On-Line

===========
===========

RESULTS?

Popular Product Idea. Lots of Responses.

But Letter C and D - almost tied.

SO.

Whilst BEFORE I was planning to Write them in #1 thru #4 Order.

Now I will Write #3 and #4 Books FIRST.

***C - Chocolate Cake Copywriting - Want More Moolah in 24 Hrs?(V#3)

***D - CHOCO CAKE COPYWRITING - The Billion Dollar NLP Template That Makes You Moolah from Home (V#4)

WHY
SHARE my test with you?

It seems that BASED ON This TEST.

Moolah Making SPEED
AND
The Credentials or PROOF of Previous Results

Might be IMPORTANT to the POPULARITY of any Copywriting Course you Create.

Thanks,
Glenn

We're not about to compete in that market. And we're not making a course to be sold to lots of people

We were looking for a handful of copywriters, who can learn how to write our way, and get results, which result in ongoing assignments and potential long term contracts.

The problem with all courses, or books, is they are what they are. I mean a book is static, contains what it has.

Ours is dynamic, custom created, one-off, one-of-a-kind, personalized lesson plans designed around what our "consumer" brings to the table.

Not everyone needs to start at basics, or reread or rehash over certain ideas about writing copy.

I get that most of your people, and from what I understand (correct me if I'm wrong)...only about 10% of your visitors actually take the challenge...so if you are only testing to your lists, or as Colin Theriot might put it, to your "cult", it may not be the best indicator for a general public copy course, right?

I have no desire to deal with people, and, this can be taken anyway the reader wants...but, what I know, is too advanced for copywriters and marketers looking to fleece more fungalos from the flock.

But, I do appreciate your tests results, seem to confirm Ben Suarez' adage of 30 years ago...

Tell me quick and tell me true
Or my love, to hell with you.

Moolah making speed fuels IM.

Credentials? I like the idea of case studies, perhaps I'll add some to our Small Reports course.

http://www.writerstollbooth.com/jb/

Like, Bud Riggs doing 10,000 in his first week, 25 the first month.
Or Skip Rosell's 1,000 dollars a day for his first week with one of his reports.
Or the 250 Hunting and Fishing HOTSHEETS which Pete Egeler sold in a day.

Real case studies, from real people sharing results. Yea, I like that, we can probably incorporate that, THANKS.

Gordon Jay

PS. NOT case studies for the billionaires, but for other "fly low" types, especially family guys who have families to consider and don't need a Maserati in the garage.

[Glenn]

Thanks Gordon,

You are right - of course.

But.

My Test Results DID get you to Explain more about what you are doing.

AND

I had not considered "Bundling" a Series of my short "Heroin-In-Print"
Copywriting Reports together to Test.

So.

Muchas Gracias.

I'll make some moolah with your idea then Order Your "Bundling For Bucks"
Info.

Thanks,
Glenn