Incredibly, Max Sackheim wrote this ad ninety years ago for the Gloucester Fisherman, Frank E. Davis. The company's sales exploded after Max's ad debuted and it served as the prototype for mail order food products to come later like: Omaha Steaks, … [Continue reading] about Max Sackheim Ad #3: The Gloucester Fisherman
Crisis Copywriting 101
The economic turmoil taking place today affords savvy marketers a great opportunity to win the hearts and minds of their prospects, yet few have the courage to take it. Case in point is the teaser copy on this mailing, offering business … [Continue reading] about Crisis Copywriting 101
Shirley Polykoff: Blonde Copywriters Have More Fun
(The following is a 40+ year old article on one of the great women copywriters, Shirley Polykoff. She was #24 on Advertising Age's top 100 of the 20th Century and also one of the highest paid ad writers of the 1950's and 1960's. Though she wrote … [Continue reading] about Shirley Polykoff: Blonde Copywriters Have More Fun
Eugene Schwartz Interview: “The Creators” (1975)
The following comes from a five page story entitled, "The Creators," in The Capitalist Reporter circa 1975. The article covered three of the world's greatest mail order copywriters. Paul Michael and Joe Karbo were the other two writers, besides Gene … [Continue reading] about Eugene Schwartz Interview: “The Creators” (1975)
Dead President’s Twitter Account
Sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, may have died in 1848 but that doesn't stop the man from tweeting. In an elegant little PR stroke, the Massachusetts Historical Society has launched a Twitter account, JQAdams_MHS, and has … [Continue reading] about Dead President’s Twitter Account
Eugene Schwartz Ad #52: “One Day With This Man Could Make You Rich!”
The year was 1969...the place was Manhattan. While flower children were frolicking in nearby Central Park, an unusual event was taking place at the Commodore Hotel in midtown. The event was called the "Seminar for Future Millionaires." Yes, … [Continue reading] about Eugene Schwartz Ad #52: “One Day With This Man Could Make You Rich!”
100 Good Advertising Headlines (by Victor Schwab)
Many moons ago, one of the sharpest copywriters in the world wanted to drum up business for his ad agency. What did he do? He created a massive, two-page advertising spread of 100 headlines he handpicked as the most instructive ever written. The … [Continue reading] about 100 Good Advertising Headlines (by Victor Schwab)
(Ogilvy On) Direct Response Advertising vs. General Advertising
Many today connote direct response with enlargment pills, acai berries and colon cleansers. Let them. Here's a yesteryear presentation by the Scottish high priest of direct response, David Ogilvy (heralded by trumpets). Interestingly, the … [Continue reading] about (Ogilvy On) Direct Response Advertising vs. General Advertising
Gary Halbert Ad #12: “An Open Letter To Every Man And Woman In America Who Wants To Have Better Sex Without Feeling Guilty”
"An Open Letter To Every Man And Woman In America Who Wants To Have Better Sex Without Feeling Guilty" was a full page ad written by Gary for Dr. Ross Stewart's training tape and had many insertions around 1995. The price of the VHS tape was $69.95 … [Continue reading] about Gary Halbert Ad #12: “An Open Letter To Every Man And Woman In America Who Wants To Have Better Sex Without Feeling Guilty”
Billy Mays Superstar Direct Marketer & Salesman
Billy Mays passed away last week at the age of 50. He got his start as an Atlantic City boardwalk barker and parlayed his face-to-face sales experience into the consummate infomercial production. In this short interview, Billy Mays and his … [Continue reading] about Billy Mays Superstar Direct Marketer & Salesman
Wish Away Cancer! Get A Lunchtime Face-Lift!
I was in the dentist's office a few weeks ago and was startled by a Newsweek cover story about Oprah Winfrey entitled: "Crazy Talk: Oprah, Wacky Cures and You." When I flipped to the article, it was like being bombarded by a dozen magalog … [Continue reading] about Wish Away Cancer! Get A Lunchtime Face-Lift!
Example of Leverage in 1/30th the Time
Yesterday, I sent an email broadcast to my Canadian customers and subscribers, wishing them a Happy Canada Day. Took me 60 seconds to scribe two lines and send. That simple email triggered a flood of replies, not simply out of bewilderment that … [Continue reading] about Example of Leverage in 1/30th the Time
9 Headline Templates That Have a Prayer
Many A-list copywriters argue headline templates, and swipe files in general, are a waste of time. They don’t work. Most purveyors of copywriting material, on the other hand, praise the plug-and-play simplicity of templates for selling any product … [Continue reading] about 9 Headline Templates That Have a Prayer
Victor Schwab Ad # 7: “How To Win Friends And Influence People”
When a book title is perfect, there's no need for a copywriter to wrack his brain over a headline...even if he's the best. And that's exactly what Victor Schwab did. He used Dale Carnegie's book title, "How To Win Friends And Influence People," as … [Continue reading] about Victor Schwab Ad # 7: “How To Win Friends And Influence People”
Facebook Vanity URL’s…Wide Open (For Now)
I am not Joe "social networker" nor have any pretension to be since I'm a perpetual late adopter/contrarian. In fact, I haven't been on Facebook or Twitter meaningfully until the last month. However, if I could go back in time to the early 1990's … [Continue reading] about Facebook Vanity URL’s…Wide Open (For Now)
The Lost Joe Karbo Interview…Was He Really Lazy?
The following article about Joe Karbo is excerpted from an interview entitled, "The Creators" from the now defunct publication, The Capitalist Reporter, circa 1975. But was the mail order magnate who penned The Lazy Man's Way to Riches, himself … [Continue reading] about The Lost Joe Karbo Interview…Was He Really Lazy?