Comments on: Are You an Innovator or an Imitator http://www.makepeacetotalpackage.com/doug-danna/are-you-an-innovator-or-an-imitator.html Business-Building Secrets for Growth-Obsessed Companies Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:08:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Shane Arthur http://www.makepeacetotalpackage.com/doug-danna/are-you-an-innovator-or-an-imitator.html/comment-page-1/#comment-13005 Shane Arthur Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:58:02 +0000 #comment-13005 I've never heard of you before, Doug. Good write. I'm beginning to wonder how many copywriters actually "love" to write. I mean really love to. This article stresses originality and originality when modeling, and that is good. I'd be curious to know from you, though, how many writers you see that genuinely love to write. I've heard many writers complain of writers block, but I believe a genuine love for the craft and a faith that the words are there and they will eventually come (combined with using the techniques you and Clayton teach of course) will be all one needs to write that killer control. I’ve never heard of you before, Doug. Good write.

I’m beginning to wonder how many copywriters actually “love” to write. I mean really love to.

This article stresses originality and originality when modeling, and that is good.

I’d be curious to know from you, though, how many writers you see that genuinely love to write. I’ve heard many writers complain of writers block, but I believe a genuine love for the craft and a faith that the words are there and they will eventually come (combined with using the techniques you and Clayton teach of course) will be all one needs to write that killer control.

]]> By: Doug D'Anna http://www.makepeacetotalpackage.com/doug-danna/are-you-an-innovator-or-an-imitator.html/comment-page-1/#comment-421 Doug D'Anna Mon, 23 Jul 2007 08:22:04 +0000 #comment-421 Thanks for all of your fine comments. Let me share without one more thought on being an innovator. Years ago I read the book The Fountainhead. It was about two architects, Peter Keating and Howard Roark. Peter Keating was merely a mimic copying design styles and bending to the whim of the moment and the masses. Howard Roarke took the other path. He felt that every building should be built and designed on its own merits from the ground up. After all, each building was a unique structure. I believe the same could be said for copywriting when it comes to developing new promotions for your client\'s products. It should also be an original work from the ground up. If you can approach every project from this point of view, not only will your work shine but you will, too. All good wishes, DD Thanks for all of your fine comments. Let me share without one more thought on being an innovator.

Years ago I read the book The Fountainhead. It was about two architects, Peter Keating and Howard Roark.

Peter Keating was merely a mimic copying design styles and bending to the whim of the moment and the masses.

Howard Roarke took the other path. He felt that every building should be built and designed on its own merits from the ground up.

After all, each building was a unique structure.

I believe the same could be said for copywriting when it comes to developing new promotions for your client\’s products.

It should also be an original work from the ground up.

If you can approach every project from this point of view, not only will your work shine but you will, too.

All good wishes,

DD

]]> By: Cherilyn Lester http://www.makepeacetotalpackage.com/doug-danna/are-you-an-innovator-or-an-imitator.html/comment-page-1/#comment-401 Cherilyn Lester Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:45:19 +0000 #comment-401 I always love to read your opinions on the copywriters board, Doug, and you\'ve out-done yourself here again. I think thats where some of today\'s copywriting courses are going wrong, unfortunately. Sure, back in the day, writing out a classic piece word-for-word would be helpful to new copywriters, because they would KNOW and understand plagarism. Today, we live in a fast-food world. Why create something of your own when you can copy someone elses? And if its drilled into your brain from writing it out by hand 2 or 3 times, you could copy a headline word for word without even looking it up. Thats why I choose to take notes of the masters, instead of copying out the letters (and I think new people should be taught this instead). Because then, all you have in your head are general concepts & ideas - no specific words. The words are still up to you! Great advice there, Doug. If I ever get stuck for a headline or a lead, I\'ll go through my swipe notes and look for a good CONCEPT - not a good headline! - Cherilyn I always love to read your opinions on the copywriters board, Doug, and you\’ve out-done yourself here again.

I think thats where some of today\’s copywriting courses are going wrong, unfortunately.

Sure, back in the day, writing out a classic piece word-for-word would be helpful to new copywriters, because they would KNOW and understand plagarism.

Today, we live in a fast-food world. Why create something of your own when you can copy someone elses? And if its drilled into your brain from writing it out by hand 2 or 3 times, you could copy a headline word for word without even looking it up.

Thats why I choose to take notes of the masters, instead of copying out the letters (and I think new people should be taught this instead). Because then, all you have in your head are general concepts & ideas - no specific words. The words are still up to you!

Great advice there, Doug. If I ever get stuck for a headline or a lead, I\’ll go through my swipe notes and look for a good CONCEPT - not a good headline!

- Cherilyn

]]> By: Cory Fossum http://www.makepeacetotalpackage.com/doug-danna/are-you-an-innovator-or-an-imitator.html/comment-page-1/#comment-400 Cory Fossum Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:13:42 +0000 #comment-400 Great point, Doug. I\'ve \"modeled\" the International Living headline a time or two - so I was nervous when you brought it up and prepared for a good wrist-slapping. Thanks for clarifying with your example. I\'m in the clear! My headlines were definitely \"inspired by\" but not \"ripped off from.\" Phew! - Cory R. Cory Fossum www.FossumCreative.com A-List member Great point, Doug. I\’ve \”modeled\” the International Living headline a time or two - so I was nervous when you brought it up and prepared for a good wrist-slapping. Thanks for clarifying with your example. I\’m in the clear! My headlines were definitely \”inspired by\” but not \”ripped off from.\” Phew! - Cory

R. Cory Fossum
http://www.FossumCreative.com
A-List member

]]> By: Greg Thompson http://www.makepeacetotalpackage.com/doug-danna/are-you-an-innovator-or-an-imitator.html/comment-page-1/#comment-398 Greg Thompson Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:34:32 +0000 #comment-398 I always like your stuff, Doug. You\'re the only one out there focusing on the \"deeper\" elements that no one else seems to touch. I always like your stuff, Doug. You\’re the only one out there focusing on the \”deeper\” elements that no one else seems to touch.

]]> By: Lou Schuyler http://www.makepeacetotalpackage.com/doug-danna/are-you-an-innovator-or-an-imitator.html/comment-page-1/#comment-396 Lou Schuyler Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:19:07 +0000 #comment-396 Thanks Doug. I\'ve wanted use the \"modeled after an idea\" method but was always a bit uneasy. You\'ve just put my mind at ease. I like being an innovator. Thanks Doug. I\’ve wanted use the \”modeled after an idea\” method but was always a bit uneasy. You\’ve just put my mind at ease. I like being an innovator.

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