Tweet This!Brain Management 101
Dear Business-Builder,
A couple of weeks ago, on our fourth birthday, I invited you to ask us for anything you like – and boy, did you ever!
In fact, as soon as NewsBlarg.com launches on July 4th, we’ll turn our full attention to improving The Total Package – so brace yourself; big changes are coming!
In the meantime, though, I thought it might be fun to address a couple of questions Dr. Kevin tossed at me in that issue – so here goes:
“How do you organize
your days and weeks?”
I rise around 4:00 AM and pad down to a little cedar cabin on my property in the dark. After a half-hour or so of mainlining caffeine and checking the day’s news, I open my “To Do” list, pick the morning’s most pressing creative project and go to work.
At 7:00 AM, my team and my financial client’s team meet on a conference bridge for our daily marketing meeting. We discuss the client’s longer-term strategic issues like product development and campaign strategy for the week and month ahead as well as the messaging we need to do that day.
Around 7:30, I go to work on the copywriting projects I need to get done first for that client. I might jump on e-mails we’ll be sending in the next day or so … a script for an online video conference we have in development … a sales page for a new product we’re about to introduce … whatever.
When I’m done with my financial client’s most pressing copywriting task (usually by 9:00 or 10:00), I move on to copywriting projects I need to do for other clients or one of my own companies. Generally, I’m finished with the day’s creative and copywriting duties around 11:00 AM.
So I check my e-mail. Jill, our scheduler/traffic cop, has typically sent me a list of the additional things I’ll need to do that day, so I go to work on those.
These might include reviewing and critiquing draft copy that has been created by one of our five in-house copywriters … marking up drafts of Web pages created by our Web team … crafting marketing plans for one of my companies or for a client … or maybe a conference call or two with the ResponseInk and NewsBlarg teams or with one or more of our clients.
Around lunchtime, Tim – our “Jack of all trades” who takes care of our vehicles, property, homes, horses and more – drops off my daily Subway samwich and I happily munch away while turning my attention to other matters.
Most days, I’m toast by about 1:00 PM or so. So, I grab a quick nap, then hit my desk again around 3:00 to answer e-mails and/or return to any creative projects on my plate for a couple of hours or so.
I follow this schedule every workday except Thursdays, when I do my best to leave my home office around 11:30 AM, hop in the 911 and make the ten-minute drive to our main office to meet face-to-face with our staff – typically on major in-house projects like The Total Package or NewsBlarg.
And of course, Fridays, when I do my darndest to get everything done early, then take the rest of the day off to extend my weekends.
There is a method to all this madness, of course …
I begin work early and focus on creative chores like copywriting when I’m freshest.
Next, when the right side of my brain begins hollering “Uncle!” I switch to less intense, more left-brain chores.
Then, after a quick nap, my right brain is serving up creative solutions so I take another look at whatever copywriting projects I have going.
This way, I’m able to keep at it for ten to twelve hours (sometimes, more) each day and still be fresh enough to hang with The Redhead and the kids in the evenings before I turn in around 9:00 or 10:00 PM.
“How do you plan projects
and break them down into steps?”
Pretty much the same way I plan my weeks, when I think about it …
See, every copywriting or marketing project requires copious amounts of creative, right-brain skull sweat plus plenty of detail-oriented, left-brain elbow grease.
So when I’m fresh, I focus on the creative tasks associated with the project. Otherwise, I use my time to handle things like research, number-crunching, charts, graphs, tables and other detail-oriented stuff.
In other words, I approach copywriting projects modularly and out of order, much like they make movies in Hollywood.
If I’m feeling frisky, I’ll work on my theme, my headline and opening copy or maybe the first two-thirds of the body copy.
If I’m running a bit low on creative juices, I may simply outline the project first. Or focus on the research, number crunching or the charts and tables I’ll need.
Sometimes, if I’m kind of in-between, I may rough out the last third of my copy first – the factual product description, premium description, offer, guarantee and response device, for instance.
Or, if I’m farther along and have a complete draft, I may spend my time doing several editing passes through the copy.
… Speaking of which, I generally like to review each complete draft several times before passing it along to the client for review.
Seven editing passes on every complete draft
I’ll do editing passes specifically for organization – to make sure the copy moves logically, linearly – beginning with a proposition with which my prospect already agrees.
Then, I check to make sure I’m walking my prospect, step-by-careful-step through every benefit, every sales argument and answering every possible objection (usually without raising them in the first place) in a logical progression …
Until the only conclusion a sane person could possibly draw from the copy would be that NOT buying the product from me, right now, would be a blunder of epic proportions.
Next, I do editing passes for tone and language. I work hard to make sure that the emotional tone in the copy is appropriate for the point being made; thereby making my copy feel credible. And if any word feels imprecise or “just not quite right,” I’ll thesaurus it and words like it until I strike gold.
I also do credibility checks – feeling my way through the copy; searching for moments at which a skeptic’s B.S. monitor might begin to buzz – and then shoring up those places in the copy with third-party research, charts and endorsements, testimonials, whatever’s needed to make my case.
Another important editing pass is to check the momentum of the copy. Making each section shorter than the one before is a great way to keep the prospect feeling as if he’s moving through the copy quickly and easily – absolutely crucial in longer-copy promos.
Infusing the copy with fun and interesting words, alliterations, colloquialisms, metaphors, similes and other figures of speech is another great way to keep the copy entertaining and moving along.
Here’s another biggie: The Subhead Check. When I’m writing my early drafts, I try to move through the copy quickly. I try not to allow myself to get bogged down in selecting just the right word or writing the best subhead for each section.
If I get stuck for a word, I might just type “xx” in the text. I’ll rough-in subheads or even type “xx INSERT SUBHEAD HERE” when I hit a place where I’m changing the subject or want to break up a too-long section of copy.
So at some point late in the process, I also need to conduct an editing pass to polish all the stand-out copy – the pre-head or “eyebrow” … the main head … the deck copy … the opening copy … every subhead … and sidebar title.
Finally, I force myself to read through the entire draft without touching it – and if I have time, ask The Redhead and/or others to read it – to answer the question, “Does this copy leave you champing at the bit to order NOW? And if not, WHY not?
If the answer to the first question is an enthusiastic “Yes!” – it’s ready for client review. If the answer is “No” or if answers to the second question arise, I address them first.
… Or, whatever floats your boat.
This is only what works best for me: The approach I’ve developed through trial and error during my four decades in this biz. It fits me like a glove.
It may work for you, too. It might make you tons more productive now and improve your sales copy by an order or magnitude.
Or, who knows? My way could prove to be the absolute worst way for a person with your personality, gifts and skills to approach your work.
There’s only ONE way to find out. Test. Analyze the results. Improvise with new ways to work that may fit you better. Repeat.
Hope this helps…
Yours for Bigger Winners, More Often,
Clayton Makepeace
Publisher & Editor
THE TOTAL PACKAGE
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37 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 Caleb Osborne — June 22, 2009 @ 11:08 am
Clayton!
This is absolute Gold for anyone wanting to figure out how to do, as you say, “brain management” for the creative job of copywriting and marketing!
I’m working in a very similar way right now, though not the exact same hours — it’s neat how I’ve fallen into the same pattern as the big guy!
Later,
Caleb
Comment by Dainis — June 22, 2009 @ 11:11 am
Decent tips on the editing passes, and I like the question: “Does this copy leave you champing [chomping] at the bit to order NOW? And if not, WHY not?”
I guess with the style of the copy about NewsBlarg, I’ve found Clayton’s believability to be greatly reduced in my mind. I find myself wondering what kinds of projects Clayton really works on.
Comment by Clayton Makepeace — June 22, 2009 @ 11:19 am
Hey, Dainis: You know what? It may surprise you to learn that I couldn’t care less whether you find this — or me — credible or not.
If you don’t like what you see here, why subject yourself to the aggravation? Why don’t you just go away?
In fact, I’ll tell you what: I’ll make sure you never get another article invitation from us again.
Wendy, please take this moron off our list immediately. Pete, from now on, please block or delete every one of his idiotic posts.
There are too many folks who want to learn and who appreciate our help to have to put up with negative posts.
– CLAYTON
Comment by ADAM — June 22, 2009 @ 11:35 am
Oh my word, is this Dainis guy for real?!! He should be flogged for just a total lack of respect to our Clayton.
Clayton’s probably forgot more than this dude will ever know.
What a joke he is.
Clayton, the rest of us all love you. And the insanely brilliant insights you spend hour after hour on for us.
Comment by Clayton Makepeace — June 22, 2009 @ 11:38 am
Thanks, Adam — this site is for you; not for losers like Dainis.
Kind of makes me want to make this a pay site …
Comment by ADAM — June 22, 2009 @ 11:45 am
It annoys the heck out of me when you get people like him shooting his mouth off and making an ass of himself.
The amount of people you’ve inspired and made so much more successful through your awesome free content — including me — shows who you really are and what you’re about:
Clayton “over-deliver” Makepeace. You’re awesome Clayton.
And yes, making this a paysite would get rid of A-Holes like him. Maybe you should. I’d have no problem at all paying.
Comment by Clayton Makepeace — June 22, 2009 @ 11:58 am
So what do the rest of you think? Should we begin charging a nominal monthly fee — say $10 or less — to keep out the riff-raff?
Comment by ADAM — June 22, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Count me in.
Comment by Cathy Sutter — June 22, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Clayton–
In the words of the immortal Smokey Robinson, “I Second That Emotion” regarding Dainis’s comment above. I think he just disagrees with your politics maybe?
He wonders what kind of projects you actually work on? Like he’s questioning your abilities? What a joke! Has he seen your spread there in North Carolina, along with all your toys? (Duh…)
I admire and model rich and successful people…you are one of MY FAVORITES!
I personally devour every word you write and fully appreciate your willingness to help and teach copywriters how you do it.
Now to your topic: I love the way you approach copywriting projects out of order, the way Hollywood makes movies. (Great comparison) I talked to you about that last year at Carline’s, remember?
To me, it is just plain counterproductive to start with the headline, come up with a ball-buster, eye-grabber, yadda yadda yadda, BEFORE you continue. Heck, you could sit there for a LONG TIME coming up with the freakin’ headline.
I’ve watched many movies being filmed (they do a lot of ‘em here in Vegas)…and I also read a book about the making of Gone With The Wind, my all-time favorite flick. Most know that the burning of Atlanta was filmed first, before they had even cast Scarlett! What a perfect example you came up with!
About the wanting to buy subject: I practice every day by copying winning promos and all the time find myself wanting to get whatever I’m writing about. That’s how you know you’ve got a winner.
Thanks again for your generous advice, suggestions, and guidance. You are a rare human being.
–Cathy
PS Speaking of movies filmed in Vegas…go see “The Hangover.” (Especially if you’ve ever experienced a blackout while drinking.) It’s a home run!
Comment by Carmen — June 22, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
Clayton
Please do not make this a pay site yet. I’m on a “buy no more products until you sell some copy” diet.
I have been readin the TP (looks like something I write on my weekly shopping list) for a long time. I am a consummer of your products and a lot of others. But I just need your excellent advice and insights for free a while longer.
Thanks again.
Carmen
Comment by ADAM — June 22, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
Surely you can afford 10 bucks, Carmen?
Comment by Carmen — June 22, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
$10 bucks how often?
Carmen
Comment by Mark Dresner — June 22, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
I would clearly pay for these great insights, useful advice and breakthrough ideas.
Perhaps you could make the site free to customers :^) and
a nominal charge for others.
-Mark Dresner
P.S. In the words of one of my the best managers I ever had (about 25 years ago)…
“Never let the bastards get you down”
Comment by Clayton Makepeace — June 22, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
Carmen, I was thinking slightly less than $10 each month … would that be too steep for you?
Comment by Dan — June 22, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
Even making it an annual fee similar to Flickr.com’s premium service would weed out a lot of riff raff. I believe their price point is $25, which just about anyone can afford, I think.
Always enjoy reading posts in the style of “The Way I Work,” An interesting feature Inc.com runs regularly.
Thanks, Clayton.
Comment by Fred H — June 22, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Dainis sounds like a Cool Aid drinking, bleeding heart liberal who can’t see beyond the middle finger on his left hand. He’ll destroy anything, as long as it advances his political agenda - just like his master in the White House.
Fred
Comment by Clarke Echols (Resident scientist and rabble-rouser) — June 22, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
I’m on a tight budget too. But one idea: If you’ve bought a product from from Response Ink (I’ve spent a lot, relatively speaking), exempting you from the fee would be an appreciated benefit. But what of those who didn’t have the $$ but benefitted from TTP and are now productive?
I don’t have a good answer. It’s TTP that made me a customer and supporter of Clayton and what he represents.
On the other hand, if the losers stir up the fire too much and make themselves unwelcome, they can always be blocked from posting. And Clayton’s shut-down of Dainis was better than a round of WWF wrestling.
Or dumping water on somebody on the old Laugh-In TV show.
An engineering project manager I used to interact with a lot as an advisor on various issues had the best definition I’ve seen yet for the Internet:
Organized anarchy.
Usually the riff-raff will disappear if they’re given the cold shoulder and the regulars go down their throat. I saw it on a forum I used to frequent related to converting commercial buses into motor homes. Occasionally some smarty hot-shot would come in and try to attack my opinions or reasoning. Inevitably a dozen other guys would go right down his throat and he either straightened out or left. Nothing destroys your credibility like criticizing an expert among his friends.
Some people do it for attention. But if they persist, I think the total shut-down is a better approach rather than having a fee.
30-35 years ago, I built our home (now 8000 square feet after we added onto the original 6500 or so).
I’d never built a house before in my life. The critics where I worked across the street at what later became one of the largest computer companies in the country were graduates from the best engineering schools in the US. They almost stood in line taking turns telling me all the reasons I couldn’t do it.
Another engineer in QA told me years later there was hardly a day went by that someone didn’t ask his opinion about whether I could actually pull it off.
Recently a commercial building contractor told me he had watched me build it over those four years, and said in his opinion it’s structurally one of the best-built homes in the entire city and surrounding rural areas.
The biggest lesson I learned through the four years it took to build it:
You aren’t prepared to succeed until you reach the point where you don’t care what others think.
AND:
If you intend to be successful at anything, you better make some very good decisions about who you’re *not* going to listen to.
When I decided 3 years ago to look into copywriting after 20 years as a senior technical writer before my retirement 10 years ago, I saw it as an easy thing to learn. Until I bumped into a bunch of guys named Masterson, Bly, Levis, Usborne, Schefren, and a few others.
Boy was I ever wrong on that one. This stuff is WORK to learn and master. But there is great wisdom in learning *only* from the very best. And for that opportunmity, I will be ever grateful.
Now I consider it a great honor to know some of them well enough to call them good friends, while wishing there was opportunity to know them all because they are worthy of respect, not only for their skill, but their integrity.
And without integrity, it matters not how good you are or how much you make. Because without integrity, you are nothing worthy of respect. And that is something critics and riff-raff will never have unless they change in a very big way.
CE
Comment by Clarke Echols (Resident scientist and rabble-rouser) — June 22, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
OOPS!!!!
I left Makepeace out of the list. That was absolutely not intentional!
Comment by George Scott — June 22, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
Am I the only one mildly concerned by the implied oxymoron of inviting us to post comments, but threatening to ban us if we disagree with you?
That is, am I not allowed to respect your craftsmanship but not agree with your politics?
Comment by Emre Yuce — June 22, 2009 @ 5:43 pm
In addition,
Clayton, you’re one of the four guys I follow closely, in trying to build some effective and efficient habits for my goals. (The other ones are Brian Tracy (my all time favorite :D), Jay Abraham, and Rich Schefren)
And, I could probably not be able to get a hold of some excellent ideas of yours without the Total Package website in its current shape…
Comment by Paul — June 22, 2009 @ 6:13 pm
There is a BIG difference between posting a useful comment and issuing a personal attack on someone’s character. The post by Dainis clearly wreaks of the latter.
If you have a comment or otherwise don’t agree, make it constructive by including a healthy dose of fact and reasoning, so we can all learn from it.
The problem is, reasoning takes a lot of “skull sweat”, as Clayton likes to say, and most people are just too damn lazy to do it.
So no, I’m not concerned in the slightest by the banning of Dainis. I, for one, am here to think and learn.
Just my two cents…
Paul
Comment by Nathan — June 22, 2009 @ 7:01 pm
Geez.
Did this really happen?
Even a rabid, crazy-assed pinko commie liberal like me thinks Dainis was out of line.
Weirdly. Absurdly out of line.
Comment by Scott — June 22, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
Hell, look at the guys blog. WTF is he even offering an opinion. He’s a putz. Sic my boy Levis on him.
I’d like continued freedom and liberty as I’m not a putz but I am membership-challenged and a founding reader. so, don’t let that ignorant left-nut jeopardize our common accessibility.
Comment by Ekene — June 22, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Clayton you have set out to give this to those who understands gold when they see it, remember a lot of materials are on sale or subscription and then they are still junks.
If you decide to make this a paid service then that is what you have decided to do, I have not bought anything from you and not because they are not Gold to me, but then there are other things to be sorted out before I shell out the money.
I mean sorted out by me not you, so this post has been a great learning vault for me.
The Brain Management 101 is timely. Thank you
Ekene
Comment by Andrew Francis — June 22, 2009 @ 7:50 pm
Perhaps we are over-reacting. Tomorrow, might we practice Shoshin, (beginners mind, seeing thru new eyes) and then make a decision?
Comment by Susan Connors — June 22, 2009 @ 10:22 pm
Hello Clayton
Thank you for taking the time to share your work ideas with us.
I really appreciate it!
For me, with four young kids I am up and down at times all hours.
Often the early morning is a good time to work for me. Usually between 3am and 7am. Even if the rugrats are up and about, I can get my work done.
One thing about my kids is they keep me flexible. Another words I have learnt the art of balancing work on one hand whilst maintaining the family.
I do work as well when they are at daycare and school. So my work is to say best mixed.
I devour anything I can find on this site as the information is invaluable. As are the products I have purchased - helping me to find new life in words and life in general.
You see life isn’t all black and white - its multi-spectrum with millions of colors in-between.
I used to cuss myself for not being super organized - you know when at school and writing essays. We had to work in a set way or it would not be good enough. Another words, set standard and so on.
I did well at school and was told I would make an excellent lawyer or solicitor. Yes, I loved studying law and fell out of love when I had to study all the crap that goes on. History was fascinating as were the cases. I was not into the other goings on and soon left that field of study.
Words - are one of my passions. Crafting and creating images,facts, figures, arguments, life experiences is where I do best. Now I am no master of copywriting - still much to learn. I know people - I get people - I understand what makes a person tick - that is my area of expertise and always has been.
Wanted to say I appreciate all that is being done and look forward to continued interaction.
There are enough negative influences around for our various industries without listening to people who are down on topics. I mean come on stop whining and get on with life.
Get out of the way of people who are doing what they want to with life and business. Showing what can be done not wallowing in mud and saying it can’t be done!
my pennies worth,
Susan Connors
Australia
Comment by Clayton Makepeace — June 23, 2009 @ 1:53 am
George, you must be new. Of the thousands of comments on this blog — many disagreeing with my political views — Dainis is the ONLY poster who has EVER been banned or had his posts removed.
It wasn’t because he disagreed with me. It was because he repeatedly impugned my integrity. See the rules?
– Clayton
Comment by Anonymous In Alabama — June 23, 2009 @ 10:35 am
Clayton,
I’m writing this post as “Anonymous” because I need to ask you a few questions without exposing my name or my identity.
The reason for the secrecy is for fear of being blacklisted from getting future copywriting assignments from other companies.
It deals with a copywriting assignment I did for a company in South Florida.
I believe you are very familiar with this company.
In fact, I believe I’ve connected the dots correctly when I say I believe this is the company (”the team of copywriters”) you referred to in your December 1, 2008 post entitled “Eye of The Tiger.”
If I am correct in my detective work (and i believe I am) then you know how powerful this company is.
To segue into my story, (and the reason I’ve decided to post this now) is because of your last post here … #27.
You talk about your impugned integrity.
Integrity.
It matters a lot, doesn’t it? In fact, it is our very identity.
The Holy Bible would say it this way; “A good name is rather to be had than great riches.”
Anyway, I want to tell you the cliff notes version of my story, and then I want to ask you a few questions … and get your honest opinion.
I was working as an onsite/employee copywriter with a South Florida company, and I wrote a promotion for a financial product they were selling.
Without giving away too much information, I began to feel very weird about the direction of the promotion I was writing when my Copy Chief began to change some things my copy.
Things like changing the meaning of the headline that took the “big promise” and transformed it into a direct lie, in my mind.
I won’t include the whole headline here, but I will give you the portion of the headline that became very questionable to me.
Here is a portion of my original headline:
” ,,, From Novice To Savvy In A Single Day …”
Here is the change made by my employer:
” … From Novice To Seasoned Pro In A Single Day …”
The change in this headline takes my promotion from being a big promise to being a bald-faced lie to dupe people out of their hard earned cash.
Instead of giving them the honor of buying, it flat-out lies for the purpose of ripping people off.
Clayton … no one is a seasoned pro at anything in a single day. Not even sex! And certainly not in a financial discipline.
Man! Did that ever disturb me, and still does! My wife went so far as to call it fraud.
That was the first and the last promotion I wrote for that company. I left their employment and came home.
And you know what the kicker is?
You’d think a rational buying mind would dismiss such copy as hype, and move on.
But …
The promotion was successful! It’s the control.
You know what I think? I think Cluade Hopkins, John Caples and others would turn over in their graves at this kind of direct response.
I left that company very disappointed and disillusioned with my brief direct response copywriting experience.
… So, here are my questions to you … and I hope you’ll answer them honestly:
Is this the typical way most direct response companies operate … is it just the standard modus operandi?
Does a copywriter have to lie like this to get a copy cub position with a reputable company?
Does stretching the boundaries of believability mean a copywriter has to lose his integrity to do so to work for a multi-million dollar DR company?
And how about Responseink? If I made application, would I be expected to sideline my integrity for the sale? (I’d love to work for your company! Assuming I’m not required to deceive, lie and hoodwink people.)
In your honest opinion, do you think that I’m way to straight-laced to be a A-Level copywriter … and do you think I should leave the copywriting to those less concerned about integrity issues?
Finally, how does one go about making application to Responseink, or would you rather I not?
Thanks so much, Clayton, for taking the time to read and respond to this post.
Anonymous In Alabama
Comment by Clayton Makepeace — June 23, 2009 @ 11:16 am
DEAR ANONYMOUS:
Sorry to hear about your negative experience in Florida. I can only say this …
You believe the statement in question was accurate when you wrote it, but made inaccurate and deceptive when the client changed it. To you, this is a matter of fact and I respect that.
From your client/employer’s viewpoint, one of two things is true: Either he believes the revised version of the statement is still accurate, in which case this is simply a difference of opinion, or he agrees that it’s inaccurate and doesn’t care so long as it makes the sale.
Either way, I think you did the right thing by leaving. The company was obviously not a good fit for you.
You ask, “does a copywriter have to lie to get a copy cub position with a reputable company?” By definition, the answer is a resounding “NO!” If the company is reputable, it will insist on telling the truth in its ads, and will also do the fact-checking, substantiation and legal compliance reviews to ensure that this is the case.
I will not dignify your question about my company, ResponseInk with an answer. You’re asking if we “deceive, lie and hoodwink people to make a sale and frankly I find the very question insulting. Read the many articles I’ve written about the ethical, regulatory and legal issues in this business and judge for yourself.
Finally, I’d challenge you to actually READ the promotions a company has done in the past before agreeing to write for that company. If you see anything that offends you, decline the assignment or the job. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting the company’s time as well as your own.
Hope this helps …
– Clayton
Comment by Anonymous In Alabama — June 23, 2009 @ 11:36 am
Clayton,
My deepest apologies to you!
When I was writing that post, I never meant to insult or accuse Responseink of being like the other company.
Though in hindsight, it clearly looks that way. I clearly typed it in a hurry, and didn’t consider the way it was coming across.
OUCH!
I wish I could take back those words right now, and rethought them.
I’ve been a huge fan of yours for years now, and I’ve made a stumbling, idiotic mistake here.
In this case, I’m no better than the company I worked for, and no better than that Dainis jerk you’ve so rightly kicked off the blog.
Please do accept my most sincere apologies. I ask your forgiveness.
Thanks for responding.
Comment by Clayton Makepeace — June 23, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
No worries, Anonymous. Perfectly understandable.
Apology accepted, my friend.
– Clayton
Comment by Carmen — June 23, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
Clayton
Even though I’m on a ” money diet” TTP is too valuable to be without. I’m staying in.
By the way - how do I go about changing any of the information I’ve put into your data base like my email and website which are about to change. My RE-launch as a copywriter is in the works.
Carmen
Comment by Doberman Dan — June 23, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
Hey Clayton. This tidbit…
“If I get stuck for a word, I might just type “xx” in the text. I’ll rough-in subheads or even type “xx INSERT SUBHEAD HERE” when I hit a place where I’m changing the subject or want to break up a too-long section of copy.”
… is definitely going to be a big help to me. Lacking the right word or subhead has slowed me down or stopped me dead in my tracks in the past. No more, thanks to you.
Here’s one of the most important lesson Gary Halbert taught me…
No good deed goes unpunished.
Clayton, you provide a multi-million dollar education in direct response marketing and copywriting here… and you give it away for free.
Anyone with half a brain could take what you reveal here and make a MINIMUM six-figure income for themselves in a very short period of time.
It has taken me 19 years, millions of dollars, and a slew of failed projects and businesses longer than your arm to learn just SOME of the secrets you give away here for FREE.
I have purchased every product you’ve offered here… and will continue to do so. The value provided on your site and in your products is worth a LOT of money to me in terms of R.O.I. I get from applying the information I learn from you.
You would think any reasonable half-way intelligent person would be eternally grateful for all the time, money and effort you’ve invested in this site to pass on what you’ve learned.
But how you’re rewarded for all the blood, sweat and tears you’ve invested in revealing all your secrets to us is by having to tolerate people like Dainis.
In case Dainis didn’t get the message, please allow me to try to get the message through his thick skull:
Dainis, we don’t like you. We want you to go away and never come back. We don’t care what a sniveling little “arm chair expert” whiner who lives in his parent’s basement and has never accomplished anything of note has to say. Don’t ever post here again.
Now if he were on MY site posting that crap, I’d tell him he’s a s**tweasel and if he ever shows his face again he’ll be greeted with a hail of hot lead.
But I guess I can’t really say that on YOUR site. You’re way nicer to a-holes than I am.
BTW, I would gladly pay a monthly fee to keep deadbeats like Dainis out of here.
Best,
Doberman Dan
Comment by Alan — June 23, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
Hey all,
I just wanna say I really REALLY enjoyed reading all these comments. We laughed, we cried, we fell out, kissed & made up again, we got to zap someone away then tear his name to shreads….
Just great fun. I WOULD like to say that the word Riff Raff was bandied about like every second email was insulting or defamatory; even slanderous, libelous, malicious, dare I say disparaging? (sorry, I too have a thesaurus that I can´t put down).
Let´s just all agree that Riff Raff is one of AC/DC´s greatest early songs and there´s no place for it in this place of learning - though a little entertainment always helps the learning.
Stay cool and er, Make-Peace
Comment by Frank O'Leary — June 26, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
With a first name like Dainis it’s probable that this character is of Baltic extraction … Latvian, Lithuanian or Estonian.
Those are folks I admire, and in recent years some of them are doing a better job than we are in implementing low-tax and free market solutions (and building internet infrastructure).
In this guy’s case, he might be a dual citizen, or of mixed ancestry, but there is at least some chance that English is NOT his native language.
Nevertheless … the GALL of the guy!
NO excuse whatever for presuming to correct Clayton’s English. (See one of Clayton’s other recent posts about lack of humility!)
You’ll note that Dainis square-bracketed Clayton’s “champing at the bit” with his own (apparent) correction, ‘chomping.’
Guess who’s right?
Comment by Frank O'Leary — June 26, 2009 @ 11:06 pm
Not to mention his use of the non-existent word (some clumsy neo-logism of his own creation, I presume) “believability”, when the perfectly good “credibility” would not have jarred and grated on our ears so badly.
And this guy fills a website of his own with this stuff?
Stop wasting our time. You think you burnish your own image and enhance your credibility (there - THAT word again!) by tearing OTHERS down? Get a life.
Go work on your vocabulary - and your attitude - and maybe, if you ask Clayton VERY nicely, he might let you back in.
Comment by Alex K — July 9, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
It’s sad these comment boards turn into flame wars. Clayton I really appreciate your wisdom and your writing. I learn so much everyday just soaking everything on here. Keep up the great work.