Comments on: Best and Worst Places Online to Learn Copywriting http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/ bly.com direct marketing blog Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:15:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Bob Bly http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-517808 Bob Bly Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:32:19 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-517808 Sheri: I am frugal too. I can't understand why people spend $5,000 to go to a guru's boot camp when they have not yet bothered to read and study the hundreds of pages of content on his site which are available free. I say: do that first. Master what he gives away. Then if you want more than he gives for free, buy it from him. Sheri: I am frugal too. I can’t understand why people spend $5,000 to go to a guru’s boot camp when they have not yet bothered to read and study the hundreds of pages of content on his site which are available free. I say: do that first. Master what he gives away. Then if you want more than he gives for free, buy it from him.

]]> By: Sheri Cyprus http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-517452 Sheri Cyprus Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:07:01 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-517452 Bob: To me, you and Ogilvy really do belong on the same list. As I said a few posts ago above, both The Copywriter's Handbook and Confessions of an Advertising Man really gave me a start in what copywriting is all about and helped propel me to amazing success in only six months on the job. It was just the advice I needed to stand out in a direct marketing shop. Otherwise, without your detailed "how-to" copywriting advice when I needed it, I wouldn't have been able to pull a 13% response rate in sweepstakes dm packages right off the bat -- so thanks! (: You're right about people learning in different ways and I guess I do learn best from the written word. But, don't most copywriters if they are voracious readers/wordsmiths? I do have to admit that I'm also way too ch---frugal! to ever go beyond the middle of #3 on your list, but your list of the different levels makes sense as a logical progression of learning/spending. Bob: To me, you and Ogilvy really do belong on the same list. As I said a few posts ago above, both The Copywriter’s Handbook and Confessions of an Advertising Man really gave me a start in what copywriting is all about and helped propel me to amazing success in only six months on the job. It was just the advice I needed to stand out in a direct marketing shop. Otherwise, without your detailed “how-to” copywriting advice when I needed it, I wouldn’t have been able to pull a 13% response rate in sweepstakes dm packages right off the bat — so thanks! (:

You’re right about people learning in different ways and I guess I do learn best from the written word. But, don’t most copywriters if they are voracious readers/wordsmiths? I do have to admit that I’m also way too ch—frugal! to ever go beyond the middle of #3 on your list, but your list of the different levels makes sense as a logical progression of learning/spending.

]]> By: Bob Bly http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-516638 Bob Bly Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:55:45 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-516638 Sheri: Thanks for putting me in the same list as Ogilvy, which of course I don't deserve. I think the hierarchy of information on copywriting or any other field is something like this: 1. E-zines, blogs, free e-books -- zero cost. 2. How-to books (me, Ogivly) -- $20 or less each. 3. "Courses" sold mostly online -- $100 to $3,000. 4. Boot camps, coaching, consulting -- $3,000 and up. Different people learn in different ways, and there are entries at every level I recommend. But if a person is on a budget, no need to spend five grand on someone's big event. Read his free e-zine first! Once you master what he gives away there, then consider his expensive product.... Sheri: Thanks for putting me in the same list as Ogilvy, which of course I don’t deserve. I think the hierarchy of information on copywriting or any other field is something like this:

1. E-zines, blogs, free e-books — zero cost.
2. How-to books (me, Ogivly) — $20 or less each.
3. “Courses” sold mostly online — $100 to $3,000.
4. Boot camps, coaching, consulting — $3,000 and up.

Different people learn in different ways, and there are entries at every level I recommend.

But if a person is on a budget, no need to spend five grand on someone’s big event. Read his free e-zine first! Once you master what he gives away there, then consider his expensive product….

]]> By: Sheri Cyprus http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-514448 Sheri Cyprus Mon, 10 Sep 2007 06:28:35 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-514448 Mike: From my point of view, for what it's worth, a great copywriter doesn't need those courses to make six figures. I'm not saying anything against the AWAI courses or anything, it's just that I think the best copywriters definitely have to learn the basics from the gurus, but at the same time they really must think for themselves and go from there and promote themselves and that there's only so much good advice you need to do that. That is only my opinion, but I've just reached my first year as a freelance copywriter and I'm accomplishing the income goals I set for myself. Within five years I can realistically expect to earn six figures. I think it's important to learn the basics from Bly, Ogilvy etc. and then really really think creatively every single day. I study the master copywriters and the industry without spending a fortune to do that and I'm really certain I will be earning those six figures within five years. After all, copywriting is all about thinking, promoting, confidence and creativity! Mike: From my point of view, for what it’s worth, a great copywriter doesn’t need those courses to make six figures. I’m not saying anything against the AWAI courses or anything, it’s just that I think the best copywriters definitely have to learn the basics from the gurus, but at the same time they really must think for themselves and go from there and promote themselves and that there’s only so much good advice you need to do that.

That is only my opinion, but I’ve just reached my first year as a freelance copywriter and I’m accomplishing the income goals I set for myself. Within five years I can realistically expect to earn six figures. I think it’s important to learn the basics from Bly, Ogilvy etc. and then really really think creatively every single day. I study the master copywriters and the industry without spending a fortune to do that and I’m really certain I will be earning those six figures within five years. After all, copywriting is all about thinking, promoting, confidence and creativity!

]]> By: Mike Braun http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-510664 Mike Braun Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:19:50 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-510664 I should also clarify that I do have a job as a copywriter, though I graduated college earlier this spring. I have been in this business for about 5 months now. My employer has been very happy with my work. I should also clarify that I do have a job as a copywriter, though I graduated college earlier this spring. I have been in this business for about 5 months now. My employer has been very happy with my work.

]]> By: Mike Braun http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-510662 Mike Braun Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:17:59 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-510662 So what is the equivalent of the AWAI copywriting course? Does this course lie to you about the potential salary gains you can make? I've read a lot of great articles and books, including The Copywriter's Handbook, and I'm a new college graduate. Will taking this course really give me such an income increase? I'm trying to sort fact from fiction and sift through the hype. So what is the equivalent of the AWAI copywriting course? Does this course lie to you about the potential salary gains you can make? I’ve read a lot of great articles and books, including The Copywriter’s Handbook, and I’m a new college graduate. Will taking this course really give me such an income increase? I’m trying to sort fact from fiction and sift through the hype.

]]> By: Bob Bly http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-506822 Bob Bly Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:46:50 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-506822 Sheri: it always amazes me that people go directly to a $3,000 coaching program or $5,000 boot camp, when they have not even read the free newsletters and $10 books available from the same gurus! Sheri: it always amazes me that people go directly to a $3,000 coaching program or $5,000 boot camp, when they have not even read the free newsletters and $10 books available from the same gurus!

]]> By: Sheri Cyprus http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-504444 Sheri Cyprus Tue, 04 Sep 2007 08:34:07 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-504444 I'm quite new to copywriting. I'll hit the two year mark next week. When I first started, by landing a job as a Junior Copywriter in a direct marketing agency, I soon found out no one was going to show me what to do. I went to the bookstore and bought Bob Bly's The Copywriter's Handbook and David Ogilvy's Confessions of An Advertising Man. I kept these two 'copywriting bibles' in my desk and referred to them and really thought about the material in them every day. These two books gave me the foundation I needed and I couldn't have accomplished what I did (beating controls and writing marketing materials higher ups called "brilliant" in only six months on the job). When I chose to leave the agency after ten months (due to office politics :)) and start my own copywriting business, I ordered Steve Slaunwhite's book called Start and Run a Copywriting Business. I've been a self-supporting freelance copywriter for a year now thanks in great part to Steve's excellent advice! So, I'm personally against these online copywriting courses that cost a sizable amount of cash and promise you fortunes and all this step by step stuff. I think the best copywriters need to be able to be curious enough to look for good sources of advice in more resourceful ways and really think for themselves more and learn to create their own ideas/methods from it. There are many top-notch copywriters that have free newsletters and blogs such as Bob, Steve and Gary Bencivenga and Susanna Hutcheson. I’m quite new to copywriting. I’ll hit the two year mark next week. When I first started, by landing a job as a Junior Copywriter in a direct marketing agency, I soon found out no one was going to show me what to do. I went to the bookstore and bought Bob Bly’s The Copywriter’s Handbook and David Ogilvy’s Confessions of An Advertising Man. I kept these two ‘copywriting bibles’ in my desk and referred to them and really thought about the material in them every day. These two books gave me the foundation I needed and I couldn’t have accomplished what I did (beating controls and writing marketing materials higher ups called “brilliant” in only six months on the job).

When I chose to leave the agency after ten months (due to office politics :)) and start my own copywriting business, I ordered Steve Slaunwhite’s book called Start and Run a Copywriting Business. I’ve been a self-supporting freelance copywriter for a year now thanks in great part to Steve’s excellent advice! So, I’m personally against these online copywriting courses that cost a sizable amount of cash and promise you fortunes and all this step by step stuff. I think the best copywriters need to be able to be curious enough to look for good sources of advice in more resourceful ways and really think for themselves more and learn to create their own ideas/methods from it.

There are many top-notch copywriters that have free newsletters and blogs such as Bob, Steve and Gary Bencivenga and Susanna Hutcheson.

]]> By: Bob Bly http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-499769 Bob Bly Sun, 02 Sep 2007 02:33:06 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-499769 Lawton: to learn copywriting order my book The Copywriter's Handbook from www.amazon.com -- less than $15. To learn the BUSINESS of being a freelance copywriter, get my book Secrets of a Freelance Writer, also under $15 from www.amazon.com Lawton: to learn copywriting order my book The Copywriter’s Handbook from www.amazon.com — less than $15. To learn the BUSINESS of being a freelance copywriter, get my book Secrets of a Freelance Writer, also under $15 from www.amazon.com

]]> By: lawton chiles http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-499062 lawton chiles Sat, 01 Sep 2007 16:43:02 +0000 http://bly.com/blog/general/best-and-worst-places-online-to-learn-copywriting/#comment-499062 I have not yet ordered AWAI but have tried Clayton's 6 Figure Copywriting Course. While it gave some good resources like finding newsletter publishers and asking for a royalty, I think I need more concrete, step by step examples, while his was more of a rambling audio interview. Granted, you guys covered a lot but I think i need more specifics and how-tos, especially when it comes do actually writing great copy and text formatting for print vs. online practices and how that differs. I have not yet ordered AWAI but have tried Clayton’s 6 Figure Copywriting Course. While it gave some good resources like finding newsletter publishers and asking for a royalty, I think I need more concrete, step by step examples, while his was more of a rambling audio interview.

Granted, you guys covered a lot but I think i need
more specifics and how-tos, especially when it comes do actually writing great copy and text formatting for print vs. online practices and how that differs.

]]>