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What I Learned From Putting On
My First-Ever Copywriting Boot Camp
I just got back from the most intensive workshop I’ve EVER attended!
Yep, it was my first-ever Copywriting Boot Camp on Steroids – and it was an unbelievable experience! We had a room of 20 or so folks with one goal:
To suck my brain dry!
I promised to tell ‘em everything they wanted and needed to know about copywriting … reveal my cherished “secrets” for writing kick butt copy … and USE ME to get their foot in the door – and excel in their copywriting careers!
Did I deliver?
Well, I could answer that – but as we learned in the boot camp – testimonials are more powerful than bragging about yourself …
“The most personal seminar I’ve ever attended!”
“We set the agenda! You showed samples to illustrate techniques. Informal, very funny – LOTS of laughs!”
–Dick R.
“Wow!”
“Carline is amazing and hilarious. She generously shared all of her copywriting secrets with us to help us become successful copywriters. Meeting Clayton and Wendy Makepeace, Carline and her design and research team made this the best networking and first-class learning opportunity for aspiring copywriters, ever. Having three legendary gurus in the same place at the time, sharing their dos and don’ts, successes and failures and their inspiring personalities was an experience of a lifetime. We were truly at the right place at the right time!”
–Melody T-S.
“Greatly exceeded my expectations!”
“Everything was 1st class. I came to get my motivation back and network with some positive people. I definitely got what I came for … and MORE! I have already made back AT LEAST 10x’s my investment!”
–Dan G.
“It really was ON STEROIDS!”
“We covered tons of material! Your energy … easy going personality … consideration of others … and your knowledge and know-how - was a 10 plus! You always took the time to answer questions or help everyone. You were always available- even during breaks!”
–Larry M.
“I expected a LOT – and got even MORE!”
“I expected A LOT from Carline’s Copywriting Boot Camp on Steroids. After all, this is Carline Anglade-Cole – million-dollar copywriter to the stars. Well, to Oprah, anyway.
As a working copywriter, I needed that extra something I felt was missing. That oomph … that pizzazz … that golden touch that Carline so obviously has.
And I found it.
As Carline led us step-by-step through her process for writing smokin’ hot controls, I discovered so many things I could be doing better – secrets that are going to transform my copy into response-exploding, sales-rocketing winners!
Carline, you rock! Thanks to you, this is going to be an amazing year!”
– Deanna B.
Aw shucks, thanks, guys! But the truth is – you gave me MORE than I could ever give you!
I honestly felt I learned more during the boot camp than my attendees. Or more accurately, I re-learned a few powerful lessons that can help you, too – whether you’re putting on a seminar – or want to excel in life in general!
Lesson Learned #1: Create your personal network! The friendships I’ve formed in the copywriting field are priceless. Every one of the folks who spoke at my seminar did so as a favor to me. Through the years, we’ve helped each other out – and they willingly jumped in to help me with my first boot camp – and wouldn’t accept a dime to speak!
Clayton and Wendy Makepeace drove three hours just to join us for our special Saturday dinner – and then drove back bright and early the next morning so Clayton could get back to work. Do you realize how valuable that is? Well, let me tell you: Getting one hour of Clayton’s consultation time on the phone would cost a whopping $5,000 – but he willingly spent over three hours talking with each and every attendee FREE of charge!
Graphic Designer Lori Haller has a schedule that’s full until the middle of 2009! She was working hot and heavy on a major project – and PUT IT ON HOLD – just to spend time with the attendees! Again, as a favor to me!
Web Designer Lynnette Taylor has two small sons and is very protective of her weekend time with her family. Plus, she HATES to fly – in fact, she hasn’t gotten on an airplane in years! Yet she gave up her weekend – and hopped on a plane just to join us at the boot camp! Her husband still can’t believe she got on that plane!
These are examples of what people can do for you when they know you’ve got their back whenever they need it! I would return the favor for them any time, any place. Bottom line: Verizon shouldn’t be the only one with a network – create your own too!
Lesson Learned #2: Allow people freedom and give them an environment to grow and they will amaze the heck out of you! Nothing in our boot camp was rehearsed. Heck, I didn’t know what I was going to talk about until we created the syllabus RIGHT ON THE SPOT.
When I asked my speakers to help me out, all I said was, “Hey, you’re the best at what you do – now go out there and knock their socks off!” And boy did they ever!
Plus, I was pleasantly surprised at some of the outcome. For example, my researcher Sandy Ferguson would rather pluck out her eyeballs than to speak in front of an audience. But she not only delivered killer info to help the attendees write stronger, credible copy – she had them cracking up with her humor! Who knew she had it in her?
My personal trainer, Anissa “The Assassin” Petty joined us to help energize the attendees during the breaks – and keep their mental energy up. But never in my wildest dream did I think we’d have the female version of Richard Simmons on our hands! She simply wowed the audience!
I asked my friend Miriam Saccomani to help me organize the boot camp because I’ve known for years that she was a wiz at making things happen. In fact, Miriam’s secret talent is she “can fake anything until she learns it!” But man, was I amazed to see Miriam wheelin’ and dealin’ and handling all the behind-the-scenes stuff to make the seminar a reality! She handled everything so professionally – the Hilton staff, vendors and attendees were shocked to find out this was our first seminar! Miriam gets all the credit!
And my assistant – and daughter #3 – my introverted child – took it upon herself to surprise me during the boot camp with a wonderful speech, flowers – and even chocolates! Hey, this kid wouldn’t speak in front of close family and friends at her mom and dad’s anniversary party – but she was motivated to get up and talk at the boot camp! And she had me in tears! Who’d a thunk it?
Lesson Learned #3: Give … Give … GIVE – and you get much more in return! The truth is: I could’ve used the time I spent working on the boot camp to write a promo package that would produce a hefty stream of income for months – even years down the road – and it would’ve been a heck of a lot easier than doing this boot camp!
But I really wanted to find a way to help as many folks as I could to get the hands-on, one-on-one mentoring and private consultations that can help a copywriter skyrocket his craft to new levels!
But what I didn’t expect was what I got in return. I met folks from all over the world who will become new CopyStars in the very near future – and I had a hand in helping them reach their dreams.
I’m talking about folks like Chris L. who, by 2pm on Saturday, made the decision that he was going to GO FOR IT as a copywriter. And by the end of the weekend, we developed a 3-step plan to help him break into the biz and start raking in some serious dough FAST!
And Reg D. who thought about copywriting OVER 30 years ago – and finally took the steps to make his dream come true. (By the way, Reg said he signed up for my boot camp because he felt he was getting “a discounted Clayton Makepeace”! Wow! Comparing me to Clayton Makepeace is a HECK OF A COMPLIMENT – even if it’s at a discount rate! Thanks Reg!)
Cathy S. woke up Saturday morning with the “mother of all headaches.” She really looked ill – but she refused to miss one minute of the boot camp. By noon she was feeling better – and pumped-up to put her new copywriting skills to work!
What about you? What’s holding you back from
fulfilling your dreams?
If not now, when?
In other words, WADDAYA WAITING FOR? Go after your passion. You’ll be amazed and delighted at what you uncover!
Here’s to Creating Success Your Way!
Carline Anglade-Cole
Guest Contributor
THE TOTAL PACKAGE
P.S. My Oprah promo is finally finished – and in the mail! Woo hoo! If you want to see it – you can go to my website on the home page and download it for FREE at: www.CarlineCole.com
Carline Anglade-Cole writes multi-year controls in the alternative health field for clients including Healthy Directions, Health Resources, True Health, Soundview Publications and Sun Chlorella USA.
She publishes CopyStar – Copywriting ideas and tips for stellar response – an e-zine for copywriters and direct marketers.
She is the author of How to Write Kick-Butt Copy: Straight Talk from a Million-Dollar Copywriter, Anatomy of a Kick-Butt Control: How to Create a Winning Promo from Start to Finish and Which One Won? How to Write Kick-Butt Headlines and Boost Response!
Put her 20 years of direct mail experience in mailing list strategies, new product development and creating kick-butt controls to work for your company!
Contact Carline directly by visiting her website at www.CarlineCole.com
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9 Comments »
Join the Discussion!
Let us know what you think. Or ask us anything. Or offer your own sage advice.
The only rule: RESPECT THIS HOUSE! Postings that contain abusive language and/or personal attacks will be cheerfully VAPORIZED. One cross word and – POOF! – your well-thought-out post will be gone in a puff of smoke.
– Clayton
Comment by Chris Lake — September 30, 2008 @ 12:06 pm
Thanks again Carline for the best weekend I’ve had in years… realizing that I’m poised for success has motivated me more than you can imagine. Now I just want 30 hours in every day to do all the things I’m chomping at the bit for!
Chris
Comment by Dick Robinson — September 30, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
Carline,
You are not only a top copywriter and teacher, but you are truly a super human being!!! Thanks for being here for us CopyStars.
Dick
Comment by Carline — September 30, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
You’re welcome Chris! You’ve got it in you to be a great copywriter — just put in the elbow grease and you’ll do great. Looking foward to competing against you in a few years. Yikes — I’m scared–you know all my secrets! :-) Carline
Comment by Dawna — September 30, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
Carline,
You have no idea what what being at your boot camp did for me! I’ve had a hard time sleeping (and it’s not all jet lag). The ideas bouncing around in my head have me excited as a kid at Christmas. I agree with Chris, I need 30 hours days too!
You’re an amazing teacher. Everything you shared came across with honesty… sincerity… and in simple English. I understand now ( just need practice). Thank You.
Dawna
Comment by Darrell — September 30, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
Great advice Carline.
I have recently read Rich Schefren’s report and realized the biggest obstacle for me is being a one-man show. So, I have began to reach out and increase my network. Your first recommendation is a nice reminder.
The give,give, give is also good to hear because I am writing a report titled "Shatter The Success Myth" which is a free report people can get at http://www.transilien.net.
Thanks again.
Darrell
PS Clayton thanks for having this blog. It is very informative.
Comment by Darrell — September 30, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
Typing to fast. The link should be http://www.transilient.net
Comment by Melody Thomas-Scott — September 30, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
If words could possibly describe Carline’s Boot Camp on Steroids, today’s posting did it!
It was one of the most exhilarating and informative sessions I’ve attended in my life. Let me tell ya - I’ve attended a lot of sessions for a lot of different topics and this one was by far the most informative!
Not only did I gain the confidence that "I CAN do this" but I got the "Here’s HOW to do this" and the "What Are You WAITING For" motivation I needed to get in gear and promote myself to bring in clients. It was like a the pluck on the forehead saying "HELLO, GET BUSY!" That’s exactly what I’ve been doing since Boot Camp.
Carline is amazing! She is simply AMAZING! She’s found an AMAZING TEAM and produces AMAZING Controls!!!
Comment by Bernie Malonson — October 1, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
Carline, thanks for the post.
Although I did not attend your bootcamp I look forward to hearing your presentation and hopefully meeting you at the upcoming AWAI Bootcamp in November!
Regards,
Bernie Malonson
Comment by Cathy Sutter — October 4, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
When I walked into the room on Saturday morning, I told Carline I was sick…not only did I have a pounding headache but also nausea…and she said, "It’s up to you." There was no way that I was going to miss this. That’s what I told her. (Yes, I know I looked sick…grrrrr)
It quickly became our seminar since we told her what our questions were. Most of the questions posed were questions I had too…what a learning opportunity!
And what a bonus to connect with Lori, Lynette, and Sandy! All the tools to put together a package, plus to create a web site, business cards, etc.
Networking with these fantastic people plus the extra special privilege of meeting Clayton and Wendy…there are simply no words possible to express this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Hey Carline, the food helped. :) I just ate my way out of my misery. Plus the fantastic dinner that night. Yum Yum…