… [Continue reading] about Street Hypnosis (with Derren Brown)
Hydroxatone…Erase Wrinkles Without Botox! (Wrinkle Cream Ad #7)
"Forget Botox or any other radical treatments. Throw out other creams that simply don't work. Hydroxatone is a proven anti-wrinkle cream that is completely safe and clinically proven. Within two weeks Hydroxatone users will start to see results. With … [Continue reading] about Hydroxatone…Erase Wrinkles Without Botox! (Wrinkle Cream Ad #7)
The World’s Second Largest Swipe File?
If you're a serious direct marketer, you already know what a swipe file is. Beyond the conventional definition of a collection of winning ads, every master marketer I know of uses a swipe file not just for inspiration for writing advertising copy … [Continue reading] about The World’s Second Largest Swipe File?
How To Write An Advertorial: 2 Examples
Several advertising textbooks suggest advertorial or editorial style advertising always outpulls conventional advertising layouts. While it's true that readership of an advertorial can be anywhere from 5-10 times that of regular ads, it doesn't … [Continue reading] about How To Write An Advertorial: 2 Examples
The Copywriter’s Sweet Revenge
One of the most gifted marketers and copywriters who rarely gets the attention he deserves is Bud Weckesser of Green Tree Press. This is one of my favorite ads of his. The ad starts out: "Did you ever notice that when you're fat, men don't … [Continue reading] about The Copywriter’s Sweet Revenge
The New Google Keyword Tool
Google has just released their new keyword tool and it looks to be the nail in the coffin for many of the subscription based keyword compilers, much as Google Analytics was for web analytics companies. Here is an example of just how valuable this … [Continue reading] about The New Google Keyword Tool
108 Ways to Improve Your Website’s Profits
Two summers ago, one of the big name I.M. gurus rang me up. We talked about several things and then wound up on the topic of website analytics. When I asked him some basic questions about his sites' metrics, I was stunned when he revealed he … [Continue reading] about 108 Ways to Improve Your Website’s Profits
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum
Some (not entirely) random ramblings from my trip around Europe Last week, I met an American friend who's been living in Rome for a while. He still has a lot of assets in dollars and complains about how expensive it is paying for everything in … [Continue reading] about A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum
Good Yellow Page Advertising
There are several expert Yellow Page advisers on my list. While I'm no expert per se, good Yellow Page advertising conforms to the same direct response principles which separate us from the blind fumbling around in the darknesses of image … [Continue reading] about Good Yellow Page Advertising
Halo Marketing (alla Alfredo)
For the longest time, I was confounded by my next door neighbor's success in the restaurant business. His brand of marketing is foreign to my direct response mind. From the smiling images of him on everything from wine labels to billboards...to … [Continue reading] about Halo Marketing (alla Alfredo)
“Junk Mail’s Top Dogs” (Bill Jayme and Heikki Ratalahti)
"Junk Mail's Top Dogs" was an article that appeared in The New York Times Magazine on August 10, 1990. Bill Jayme was the copy genius and Heikki Ratalahti was the design master behind over 200 winning direct mail packages. Denny Hatch called … [Continue reading] about “Junk Mail’s Top Dogs” (Bill Jayme and Heikki Ratalahti)
Take My Social Security Number…Please
I just ran across one of the most startling proof elements ever devised. It hails from a company called LifeLock. The ad starts off: My name is Todd Davis My social security number is 457-55-5462 I'm Todd Davis, CEO of LifeLock, and yes, … [Continue reading] about Take My Social Security Number…Please
Two Makepeace Pieces and a Special Copywriting Report
Tony Flores rang me up a few weeks ago and asked if I'd be willing to promote a new project he's got cooking with Clayton Makepace. I felt bad telling Tony no. He's Jesuit educated like me, a super sharp marketer and also one of my customers. … [Continue reading] about Two Makepeace Pieces and a Special Copywriting Report
A Million Dollar “Marketing Course” for $100?
Full Scoop on Boardroom JV, launching Monday, January 10th, is here. It amazes me. Quite often, a subscriber will email to ask my opinion of the recently launched "XYZ course." Inevitably, it's some flavor of yesterday's successful traffic tactic … [Continue reading] about A Million Dollar “Marketing Course” for $100?
“How To Get A Better Job” from Drayton Bird
An insightful, free report I just downloaded from Drayton Bird's website led me to recall some unusual advice from an acquaintance back in New York, who was one part psychologist, one part prankster. He advocated that everyone in the workforce … [Continue reading] about “How To Get A Better Job” from Drayton Bird
Gary Halbert Lead Generation Ad from 1990
Here's a lead generation ad Gary Halbert ran in the Wall Street Journal in 1990. I counted several insertions so this little lead gen must have gotten the phone to ring and there were few as persuasive as Gary to handle the incoming calls. The fact … [Continue reading] about Gary Halbert Lead Generation Ad from 1990