Rick Peterson

Ex-Agora copywriter | Story-based email campaigns your audience WANTS to read & buy from

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

I once won a competition that won me $200 and an interview at one of the biggest direct response companies.

You had to write two emails and an advertorial.
Here’s how I did it:

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

Test your copy on normies…

I've started to try this out after some copywriters I respect told me they do this all the time.

(Especially when they're in the middle of writing a promo.)

Start a conversation with a spouse, friend, or family member even if they're not interested in your offer.

And see if they understand what you're talking about.

If they still don't "get" it.

You've got work to do on clarity.

You'll also benefit from hearing the questions an outsider asks.

Do you ever talk to the people in your life about the products you sell?

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

@benfitterman Say something jarring to get their attention lol…

“So you guys will be out of business by the end of the year if…”

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

Think you can’t build a brand with direct response?

If you read most of the social media influencers, they’ll have you think it’s one or the other.

Here’s an example of why they’re wrong…

The late, great Joe Sugarman used long form magazine ads and direct response TV commercials…

To build his BluBlockers brand that’s still around today.

Like Ken McCarthy said, “Build a brand by selling a bunch of stuff with your logo on it.”

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

How to start your own private eye business 👇

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

https://t.co/iZXSWLNoEe

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

https://t.co/iZXSWLNoEe

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

@storeycopy Nice! One of my favorite books is The Architecture of Persuasion by Mark Ford. Which pairs nicely with Copy Logic.

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

Free trials have become an always available offer.

I get it. It’s an easy “lead magnet.” But at the very least there should be an email sequence selling them on staying.

I think it’s better to turn the free trial into an event. Only available every so often. And during the free trial event there’s a sales process to get them to upgrade to staying.

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

@phengwrites Right! Sticking to the proper fundamentals will get you further than a bunch of barely used tactics.

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

Most copywriters barely understand the basics, let alone master them.

(I know I can use some more work on them.)

But the basics are boring to most copywriters.

They want the one ultra-mega secret that’ll make them rich before the end of the day.

And now most of them want to know how AI can do it for them.

Forget all of that and remember this 👇

[George Ten @GrammarHippy]

Copywriters.

All you have to do is understand the basics. That takes reading three books.

Then?

Go to real direct-response brands and FIND how they use the basics you already know.

That’s step one.

Step two is getting a mold.
Take ONE type of copywriting and create or buy a mold.

For example:

Most emails follow the same structure.
Most sales letters do so too.
Same with any other type of funnel or piece.

Pick one. Get a mold.

Now you have the basics and you have a mold to throw those basics into.

You’re top 1% in that medium.
Just by doing those two things. Promise.

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

@AndrewWriteCopy Yea, seems the secret may be martial arts.
I can think of more than a few copywriters in martial arts. 🤔😂

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

Newer copywriters commit an email sin that not only...

Makes their emails dull to read…

…Nobody could possibly make it to their link without either...

A. Passing out from boredom. (On second thought, it could cure insomnia.)
B. Or hurting the grey matter in between their ears.

The sad part is... It has nothing to do with their ideas.

But instead, it's how they try to convey those ideas.

Here's an example I reviewed a few days ago.

The guy was selling a supplement for men to get better results when they workout.

The idea was that there was a special blend of seven ingredients.

Not bad if it's positioned right.

Here's the sin they commit...

The email said 7 ingredients about five times in less than 300 words.

Too Repetitive!

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

@HeyHealy AI will have to send a drone while I’m not home to get any of my old, out of print books.

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

@thejamesperkins Nice! Definitely not something you hear about.

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

3 types of copy nobody ever talks about:

1. Customer Service scripts
2. Editorial
3. Space ads

Anything you’ve written that no guru talks about?

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

@Je_ph_th_ah Messaging you now! Thanks!

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

Looking for beta testers:

Get 3 emails written for you.

I’m making an AI agent that’s trained on how I write emails. One is a greed email, one is a fear based email and the last one is an urgency email.

All you have to do is answer 3 questions.

It’s pretty good. Although I would use it as a first draft. Like anything AI spits out.

Are you game?

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

When you’re researching, studying, or reviewing notes…

Skim through a bunch of different sources. Here’s why…

Speed will get your brain moving and making connections.

Keep your notebook close to capture ideas.

Once something gets you excited, stop!

Use that energy to write.

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

@CopyWithOlli Great post!

Attraction marketing positions you better.

Like Dan Kennedy says, “Be a welcome guest, not an annoying pest.”

I gotta start posting more wins lol.

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

@AndrewWriteCopy Nice, I’ve got to keep this in mind.

[Rick Peterson @TheRickPeterson]

If you don’t know who Maxwell Sackheim is, here’s a quick overview….

Remember the old ads offering 5 CDs or books for $1?

When you claimed the offer, you had to sign up for their monthly subscription.

Sackheim was the originator of the negative option plan.

If you don’t cancel, you’d be charged.

If you did, you wouldn’t be charged anything further.

11 years ago, I responded to one of these types of deals for like 4 Dr. Seuss books for $1.

Have you ever respond to one of these deals?