For over 30 years, this author has set the standard for interview compilations in the trading markets. Here's what he says: "These books, which are based on interviews with exceptional traders, are by far my most widely read books, accessible … [Continue reading]
James D. of James Direct is one of the most capable old school marketers I know... who comes from a lineage of direct marketers. James is one of the greatest proponents of A.B.T. Always be testing! He's UNDER the radar and likes it that way. … [Continue reading]
If you're fond of legitimate loopholes most of the world is ignorant of... you're about to discover a remarkable one. Not some flash in the pan, not today's shiny object, but a bonafide ASSET you can make bank with today... next month... and five … [Continue reading]
Here's a classic from the company that helped write the book on self-help mail order copywriting. You gotta love this salutation: "Dear Sleep Challenged." I'm partial to "Dear Sleep Deprived Maniac," but that's just me. … [Continue reading]
Here's another "banner that brings it"... flying high in May of 2020. It's an offer for Beverly Hills MD Dermal Repair Complex at $39.95. Want a rock solid origin marketing proof element in health and beauty? It's hard to beat Beverly … [Continue reading]
Here's a banner that's all over the place in May of 2020. He’s one of the most visible frontmen in financial publishing. And he wields plenty of cloak and dagger to fill up any mail package... or VSL. Who is he? … [Continue reading]
John Caples was the great story selling adman of the early 20th Century. "They Laughed When I Sat Down at the Piano" has been swiped more times than anyone can count. But there's nothing to laugh at. It's a proven success in countless … [Continue reading]
Looking for business development and lead generation ideas for 2020? Look no further than 2010! Ecclesiastes proves right again: "Nothing is new under the sun!" … [Continue reading]
Mailed in 2009 and signed by "Anonymous," here's the setup for "Lethal Termination Tactics." "You don't know me ... and I'm not gonna tell you who I am. And I won't even bother wasting your time with a fake name. … [Continue reading]
It's hard to go wrong with a headline like this when your readership is close to 100% female. This full page ad runs like clockwork in Woman's World. This ad uses the straightforward PAS setup -- problem... agitation... solution. Here's … [Continue reading]
Time-Life was once at the summit of continuity selling in the direct response world. Here's one of its evergreen offerings from way back. "At the age of 6, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the talk of Europe. By the time he was 8, he had sat on the … [Continue reading]
Here's a pain relief supplement making the rounds in May of 2020. The envelope is as LOADED as it gets with teaser copy and pictures. The offer for Turmeric Triple Gold is a risk free trial that goes into "smart ship service" continuity. … [Continue reading]
Not every marketer has an unlimited budget for graphic design and the production costs associated with printing a full color tabloid-sized magalog. What about those of us who are sole operators who dabble in direct mail now and then to sell … [Continue reading]
Image link corrected. You should always pay heed when a marketer spends near $30 to get a red hot promo in your hands. Especially one for a product or service that's selling for $2,995. Every marketer (and mail recipient!) knows nothing … [Continue reading]
Clayton Makepeace was such a giant in direct response for so long... it's hard to fathom his passing. Here's one of his mid '90s magalogs for Health & Healing, just a few years after he single handedly put Phillips on the map in … [Continue reading]
Insurance boasts some of the greatest lead generation and compelling offers of any category in advertising. It's surely due for a category of its own here. This ad by Sun Life ran as a full page insertion in British tabloids in 1987. The … [Continue reading]
Here's one of the premier direct mailers and stalwarts of crisis copywriting that's been going strong since 1969. This DM piece is one part story selling, one part crisis copywriting and one part customer reactivation. The headline is not … [Continue reading]
"Kiss harsh hand sanitizers goodbye" was a subject line that hit my inbox in early May. It hails from the Utah conglomerate behind Klein Becker, Bremmen Labs, Basic Research, Generix Labs and about a dozen more entities... that have sold over a … [Continue reading]
This was one of the most successful advertorial series of all time. NGC Sports were BIG TIME in sport fishing and golf and had TENS of thousands of insertions in everything from local newspapers... to trade publications like Oklahoma Farm … [Continue reading]
I must be on more email marketing lists than Imelda Marcos had pairs of shoes. Oops, I’m dating myself. Sometimes a subject line hits your inbox and it just GRABS your attention. ", Delete After Reading" is surely one of them. This is one … [Continue reading]
Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It's one of the most concise, yet most powerful selling propositions in publishing history and direct response selling. Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad is the brand that was built entirely on the back of story … [Continue reading]
It's hard to believe Clayton Makepeace is no longer with us. Clayton broke the mold and there will never be anyone like him again in direct response. Besides single-highhandedly launching the biggest newsletter for Phillips Publishing, Health … [Continue reading]
A marketing acquaintance asked me to keep this one under my hat. My Vallyspeak reply was: "Duuude, it's in Forbes magazine." You just can't "corner the market" of ideas. This direct mail strategy involves intentionally sending an EMPTY envelope … [Continue reading]
There's no one size fits all in copy or marketing, but there sure are plenty of universal principles that are as close as it gets to "money in the bank." Here's one of my favorite direct mail promoters who is riding HIGH during the current … [Continue reading]
You can learn a TON by keeping tabs on successful supplement sellers. I've been watching these guys for over a decade and here's the latest wrinkle in their advertising AloeCure hit the airwaves in 2007 and landed in print in 2010, so this is a … [Continue reading]