Earn Six-Figures Copywriting? Why I Respectfully Disagree With AWAI and Michael Masterson.

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» left by Elizabeth Adams from Shelton, WA, USA (1 year 301 days ago.)
Comments from a Happy Customer and Business Owner of ElizabethAdamsDirect

Well, gee whiz ... let's see ...

I bought several copywriting books before I discovered AWAI ... the best books, too ... the ones by the greatest copywriters of all time.

And here's what I found out about trying to learn this craft from a pile of books:

It's like trying to catch a greased pig.

Yes, you learn stuff ... you pick up little tips and tricks and so on ... but gluing them together into a process ... that's the part that slips through your fingers.

I don't mean to imply, here, that there is no value in studying the works of the world's greatest copywriters because there certainly is.

But if your objective is to join their ranks, then something more is needed ... something along the lines of a step-by-step progression ... an effective procedure for eating the elephant one bite at a time, you might say.

Here's what happened to me:

Shortly after Thanksgiving, 2007, I decided to order the "Six-Figures Copywriting Course" from AWAI on the installment plan, which is $39 a month for 13 months, with the understanding that it was returnable for a refund if, after looking it over, I felt it wasn't for me.

AWAI is at the south-eastern-most tip of our country, and I am at the north-western-most tip — the farthest possible distance apart! — so it took awhile for my first month's installment to get here; but, once I was able to sit down and turn pages in it, I knew I had made the right decision ... that I had "come home," so to speak.

What did I base this on?

Well, on Page 9 there is a copy of a letter on the stationery of American Express that was mailed to 280 *million* people over a period of 12 years from 1976 to 1988 and brought in over a *billion* dollars in revenue for American Express.

And, during that time period, American Express tested 150 *other* letters against it, but this one beat them all.

When I read that bit, I said to myself,

"I wonder why?"

And the answer is: When you read it for yourself, you'll know.

You may not know why you know — you may not be able to explain it to yourself, let alone to somebody else — but you'll know.

There's this feeling you have inside that it's ...

Well ... true.

Not in the sense of "true or false," but in the sense you have when you hear a beautiful piece of music perfectly executed ...

When you read this letter, you say to yourself,

"It plays."

And when the very next instruction is to practice *reading* it at least 10 times and *writing* it at least 3 times, you know something else:

You know that this is how you "get it in you" ...

By suction, so to speak ... so that it becomes part of you ...

So that it's "in there" and no one can ever take it away from you. It's part of your very soul, now ... the rhythm of it ... the cadence ... the forthrightness of feeling and the lilt of the language ... and the subtle seduction of your desire for status!

And I respectfully put it to you:

You could read literally *hundreds* of books and not come away with what you will have when you do these exercises.

And there's more to the exercises than just the re-reading and re-writing of the best direct-response letters ever written.

There's *analyzing* them.

With AWAI's expert assistance, of course.

For the purpose of starting to begin to commence to find out what it is about them that makes them so great!

Now, here's the funny part:

A couple of weeks later, I discovered that there's lots more stuff that I got for my $39 than I thought ... a whole bunch more!

And one of the things I got was access to a copywriting-jobs bulletin board where marketers from all over the world come to post requests for copy of various kinds, sizes and descriptions.

So I look at it and ... hello!

Here's something I can do! The very first entry I see, I can do. I know I can!

Only thing is ... would the marketer want to deal with an absolute beginner? Maybe I better tell him that, while I'd love to see if I could help him out, he deserves to know that I'm just getting started.

And you know what?

He didn't care! He wrote back that he had looked at my website — which is not about copywriting, by the way — and really liked a couple of articles I had there and would I please call him!

And then he wrote me *again* to say "please call"!

Onaccountabecause it was Sunday and I had prior commitments and couldn't call til later in the day!

May I point something out, here?

I read all these comments, and I didn't see one single place where anybody even so much as mentioned being of service to their clients ... of working together with them to help them achieve their marketing objectives.

Like this guy who put up the post I mentioned ...

What he needed was a "landing page" to "capture" visitors' names and addresses so he could continue to follow up with them.

From where I sit, he needs a lot more than that ... but then I'm the professional, right? Right!

I'm *supposed* to see things he doesn't see! That's what he *pays* me for!

The point is this:

I haven't even hardly gotten started studying the course and already somebody is offering me a job. Ain't that somethin'!

On top of that, there's lots more jobs on that board which are there for the taking ... and tomorrow there'll be even more!

And I know I'm going to earn *at least* $39 on this first one, so right there I've just reimbursed myself for my first installment payment, haven't I?

And once I "break even" each month by taking on some little assignment or other that's within my (ever-increasing!) capabilities, everything I earn after that is pure profit!!!

Now, I don't know about all you folks here, but speaking just for myself, any and every dollar I'm able to earn in this way seems like a blessing to me. I am *so* thankful for it. It's a harbinger of lots more like it to come!

Another thing:

I do understand how some of you could get to thinking that, if there's more courses past the first one, then somebody is just trying to squeeze more money out of you.

But look at it this way:

A "big name" like Dan Kennedy charges heaven-only-knows how much money for just an hour of his time, let alone for a full-fledged consultation and business coaching.

And people pay it!

Why?

Because when they do what he tells them to, they make lots of money!

*Bucketsful* of money.

But most people can't afford his services so, in an effort to make them more available to more people, he provides them in smaller, more financially-manageable chunks, like books and courses and things.

And he arranges their order of presentation to you in such a way that, by the time you've bought everything, you know everything, too. Everything you need to know, at any rate, in order to be deserving of his services as a business coach.

And you will have spent about $20,000.

Which is just about what you would have to spend for an hour of his time, if not more.

Yes, AWAI's Six-Figures Copywriting Course *is* what they call an "acquisition" product ... meaning that this is the one they use to bring a customer into their business.

And yes, AWAI *does* offer other items, which they call "back-end" products, in order *to better serve* their customers.

Copywriting for the internet, for example, is an art and a science unto itself and therefore deserving of its own course of study. Since I am an AWAI customer, and since I very much want to know more about how to write copy for the internet, you can bet that this course is up at the top of my list to buy as soon as I have finished the basic course.

And incidentally, if I earn even more money from taking on jobs posted on the bulletin board, I can pay off my installment plan early and accelerate my study of the basics of copywriting and get my internet specialty course even sooner!

In other words, it's all in how you look at it, whether you see the glass as half empty, or half full.

In any case, since you can get your money back if you find it isn't a good fit for you for whatever reason, why not try it on for size and see?

I mean, what do you have to lose?

As for the "controversial" nature of the article above ...

Well, controversy sells newspapers, right?

Keep this in mind the next time a bit of rant gets you all riled up. Ask yourself:

"Has this been done on purpose?"

"Am I being manipulated through my emotions?"

"Does this author have something to gain from using this technique, which in marketing circles is called 'negative marketing'?"

And just among ourselves, doesn't it bother you a little bit when you realize that you've jumped up to the bait and swallowed it hook, line and sinker?

That you've been manipulated through the emotion of fear ... specifically, the fear of losing something you have, such as your money?

Maybe it's true what this author says about a career in copywriting not being what AWAI cracks it up to be.

On the other hand, maybe it's *not* true what this author says the "reality" of it is, either.

Maybe you just got sold a bill of goods!

Maybe his hidden agenda is to keep you from becoming his competition!

If so, he certainly appears to have succeeded.

And that seems sort of sad to me.

How does it seem to you?


Elizabeth Adams

P.S. Happy New Year!

:)

.

» left by Anonymous (1 year 301 days ago.)
Reading all of that babble makes no sense at all. If you can't write where people can understand you, then you're no copywriter. You are offered one job and think you're a copywriter?

It's not that easy folks. You have a lot of competiton. Unless of course you'll take those low paying jobs, like corporate communications work. If you do, you're no copywriter. If you are not writing to sell a product or service, you are no copywriter.

You have to be a great copywriter to earn six figures. It's not that easy. Let's see if you can earn a decent living from being a "real copywriter."

There are many "A" list copywriters who have been doing this for years. Many
"B" list copywriters who have been doing this for years. You're not going to find that much work with little or no experience.

If your business or company depended on sales letters and ads for much of it's profits, would you hire a copywriter with little or no experience? Or would you hire someone with a proven track record?

That's what you'll discover when looking for work. Unless it's not a real copywriting job. The first time you write a direct mail sales letter and it fails, you'll see.

» left by Anonymous (1 year 301 days ago.)
Dan Kennedy has a proven track record. He's a copywriter, that charges $25,000 dollars for one sales letter. Why? Because the client will make a lot of money from that sales letter.

He has over 30 years experience writing sales letters. But I can tell you, that people who take this AWAI course are not making that kind of money.

They don't even make six figures. Many don't make an average income.

The copywriting board are low level jobs. Entry level. These are people who don't want to pay high fees. You can't make a decent income from this AWAI copywriting board. Not everyone who posts jobs on that board will respond to your inquiry.

That's so misleading. Why would I hire someone who had been in this course since Nov? Unless I have a deal with AWAI to hire someone with little or no experience.

Wait until you start receiving more offers from AWAI bootcamp's and their Master's Course. But wait. If the first course is so great, and helps you make a lot of money, why would you need the bootcamps or Master's Course?

Again it's very misleading. It takes years to reach a level of "B" list copywriter.

» left by Elizabeth Adams from Shelton, WA, USA (1 year 301 days ago.)
Comments from a Happy Customer and Business Owner of ElizabethAdamsDirect
Gosh. What a lot of obfuscation and pejorative characterizations we've got going on here!Let's be purely practical for a minute, shall we?For $1.33 a day you can get grounded in the fundamentals of copywriting through AWAI. If that's more than your budget will bear, then by all means pinch hit with books at the library until your ship comes in. Simple! But if a well-thought-out course of tuition in the subject seems like a sensible first step to you, then follow your heart and refuse to be deflected from your purpose by meaningless mumblings from the peanut gallery!  And if you're not too proud to accept "entry-level" assignments when you're just getting started and learning the ropes -- if you're the kind of person who is in the habit of counting your blessings -- then all kinds of copywriting adventures are in store for you! "Anonymous" keeps saying that "earning six figures is not that easy." Well, guess what? It's not that hard, either! I did it for several years in a row just before the internet really took off. I wrote my own books, and I wrote my own offer letters to match.

Actually, come to think of it, I wrote the offer letters first and then the books, but that's another story. And I got really, really good at picking out crackerjack lists. So good, in fact, that the whole package pretty much routinely weighed in at around a 20% response rate, with one exception, which turned in double that. Mind you, I was writing offer letters only for myself, here ... but what's wrong with that?  Nothing! In fact, some of the best copywriting talent out there currently writes only for itself! So if you run into trouble finding work from somebody else, do some work for yourself! Become your own best client!

And make a fortune! :) It's like Henry Ford said:

"If you think you can, or you think you can't ... you're right!"

I've only had my materials for a little under a month, so I can only speak to that little window of personal experience with AWAI.

And what I have to say is this:

1) I'm delighted with my first month's materials;
2) I'm impressed with the Member Services Department;
3) I'm thrilled to have a first assignment already, however lowly some people may think it is;
4) I'm eagerly awaiting the day when I've got the basic "block-and-tackle" stuff down pat and am prepared to take on the more advanced material;
5) I'm charting my own course and do not feel that I have been "misled" in any respect;
6) I'm looking forward to making however much money The Good Lord has in store for me to make, and to being on whatever list He thinks is appropriate to my talents; and
7) I'm thankful that AWAI has made this excellent course available to me for $1.33 a day, and I hope they make lots of money with it, because I know they will put a good part of that money back into the development of more products and services for my benefit because that's what they do ... that's their business model, being of the best service they can to their customers.

If all you can think about is yourself and how much money you're going to make and what list you're going to be on and how famous you're going to be and so on and so forth ...  Well, what room in your heart is there left for your client?

Elizabeth Adams

P.S. "You can wait a long time with your mouth open before a roast duck flies in."
— Old Chinese Proverb :)

» left by Anonymous (1 year 301 days ago.)
Let's see you make $100,000 dollars a year writing sales letters in 2008. Not your own business, but from clients.

I'll bet you don't make it in 3 years. But the AWAI ad has said "Retire This Year." Talk is cheap.

To become highly skilled and make that kind of money will take years. You must work for AWAI, or know someone who does.

Why do they offer more than one course? It's called back end products. Because that's where they make money.

Good luck, you'll need it.

» left by Anonymous (1 year 300 days ago.)
For those who are seriously thinking about enrolling in this course, that's up to you. It's your money. Just remember if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

It takes time to develop this skill. Lots of time. When you have no clients, and no business, what will you do? Prospecting. Cold calling on the phone.

It's the only way to have a steady income. I'm a copywriter. That's how I started six years ago. I don't care what these people tell you, it's tough earning a living when you start.

If you like prospecting on the phone, you'll make it. If rejection doesn't bother you, you'll have a chance to make it. Because you'll make about 300 calls a week. You have to prove how good you are. I don't care what this lady or AWAI tells you.

All I can tell you: try it and see. People here don't always tell the truth about copywriting. Some have their own agenda. You are not going to be an over night success. Just look at all the copywriters on the Internet, looking for work. So keep that in mind before spending your hard earned money.

Just take a look.

» left by Elizabeth Adams from Shelton, WA, USA (1 year 300 days ago.)
Comments from a Happy Customer and Business Owner of ElizabethAdamsDirect
Well, Dear Reader, it seems there are couple of issues running through all this.
One is the question of whether or not "copywriting" is a good choice of career for you. And the other is whether or not AWAI's "Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting" is a good choice of tuition for you.As to the first, if you're choosing it just for the money, then it probably isn't a good choice. Your heart won't really be in it and, according to the testimony of Anonymous, here, you'll probably have trouble finding enough work to keep you in rice and beans. But if you love to express yourself through writing — and especially if you also love to turn your hand to helping someone solve a problem — then the probability is very high that this is the perfect career for you.
Before you let all the Negative Nellies in this thread tarnish your dream, why not go where there are people who are doing today what you want to be doing tomorrow? One place I can personally recommend is Clayton Makepeace's "Interviews with America's Top Direct Marketing Copywriters" (MakepeaceTotalPackage). There you can listen to audio interviews with top copywriters, several of whom got their start with Clayton as "cubs" like you're going to be once you learn the basics.
Notice, as you listen, how different their attitudes are from that of Anonymous, here, and draw your own conclusions.
As to the second question of whether or not AWAI's "Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting" is a good choice of tuition for you, here is a copy of a post about it that I found on the "Work-At-Home-Forum" (under AWAI):


# Posted: 22 Aug 2006 16:45
"I actually took the course, and it was a fantastic entry into the world of direct marketing. And, not only do they grade you and really boost your skills, but they have a job board, community newsletter, and very good customer rep. AWAI offers several different courses, including a travel writing course. Many companies will hire copywriters who have taken their courses, that's how respected AWAI is.
The copywriting course was the first step I took in my quest for an online job, work-at-home lifestyle. And I believe the skills I gained have helped me - in terms of writing for adwords, webpages, newspaper ads etc. Sometimes, it's better to pay a little bit of money to learn from the masters, instead of spending years learning the stuff on your own.PS - I'm not getting paid to write this!"

This person is obviously happy with his course and, even though I haven't had it very long, I'm certainly happy with mine. Plus, I agree with him when he says, "Sometimes, it's better to pay a little bit of money to learn from the masters, instead of spending years learning the stuff on your own." My sentiments exactly!
And I'm not getting paid to write this, either!

Anyway, Dear Reader and Budding Copywriter, it's pretty clear that I'm a lone voice in the wilderness, here, so I'm going to make my bow and take my exit and leave the field to the Negative Nellies. In closing, I just want to say that I wish you well on your journey toward your goal, whether it's with or without the assistance of the good folks over at AWAI.
Elizabeth Adams
P.S.
"May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand."

— Irish Blessing:)

.

» left by Anonymous (1 year 300 days ago.)
The above is nothing more than self promotion. I thought this was not allowed here on this website. The reason for this page is why people disgree with claims of AWAI. We give our reasons, and let people make their own minds.

I must appeal to the owners of this website. If AWAI can promote their business here, why can't the rest of us do the same?

» left by Anonymous (1 year 300 days ago.)
Here we see comments of website address, phone and fax numbers. I clearly remember this is not a allowed. If I give a web address for opposite opinons will it not be deleted?

» left by Administrator (1 year 299 days ago.)

"Here we see comments of website address, phone and fax numbers. I clearly remember this is not a allowed. If I give a web address for opposite opinons will it not be deleted?"

Yes.. and the above comment was deleted...

I think that just about everything which can be said about this has been said.  Comments are now closed.