Posts by Clayton Makepeace
Overcoming Skepticism
Marketing pros consider all of the emotions the prospect is feeling when reading the sales message. And to our over-advertised-to prospects, skepticism is definitely a resident emotion today. One of the biggest mistakes marketers make is not addressing that skepticism early in their sales copy. Addressing and defusing your prospect’s skepticism with testimonials, endorsements, test…
Read MoreCreativity vs. Proven Sales-Boosting Techniques
“There is just one justification for advertising: Sales! Sales! Sales!” – John W. Blake Sometimes I wish I had gone into advertising instead of direct-response marketing. I can see myself nestled in a posh Madison Avenue corner office, pulling in six figures a year … creating taco-eating Chihuahuas and other madcap characters … faithfully worshipped…
Read MoreCould You Be the Next Direct-Response Millionaire?
“Forget the lottery. Bet on yourself instead.” – – Brian Koslow Not long ago, eight lucky co-workers at a meat-packing plant in Nebraska came forward to claim the highest-ever winnings in the Powerball Lottery … a staggering $368 million. Three of the eight were immigrants who had came to America to make a better life…
Read MoreCreating a Power-Packed Headline
Every part of your sales message is important. Your opening is crucial. Your presentation of product benefits … of proof and credibility elements … of the offer and premiums … of your guarantee … and of your closing “ask-for-the-sale” copy are all critical. But of all the things you do to produce a sale, nothing…
Read MoreMillions in Internet Sales in 5 Easy Steps
I imagine a time when I’ll be telling my grandchildren about the Good Ole Days of Internet marketing. When we could just blast an offer – almost any offer – to our customer file (or even ice-cold prospect names), then sit back and watch an avalanche of orders come pouring in. The money was absolutely…
Read MoreGet MORE Than Your Money’s Worth From Your Copywriter
Although I’m generally known as a copywriter, I recently put every aspect of a new client’s company under the microscope for him. My client’s business was growing nicely, but not anywhere near as quickly as it should have been. Response to his new customer promotions was lackluster … he had no presence on the Internet…
Read More11 Startling Forecasts for 2006
Forecast #1: The Cost of Talking to Prospects and Customers Will Continue to Rise – BOTH in Direct Mail and on the Internet. Direct-mail costs will jump by double digits. In direct mail, new postage rate increases effective January 9th will drive postage rates more than 5% higher in 2006. Paper costs – driven by…
Read MoreHow I Bagged $5 Million for My Client in 5 Weeks
Several months ago, one of my favorite clients asked me to create a web-based promotion for a new investment advisory. The service would give daily mutual fund trading advice to investors for the princely sum of about $1,000 per year. By the time the dust had settled, we had generated an eye-popping $5 million in…
Read MoreCould Copywriting Be the Business of Your Dreams?
Have you ever dreamed of owning a lucrative business that lets you work anywhere you want – anytime you want – and gives you plenty of time off to travel, spend time with family and friends, or to pursue your hobbies? If so, direct-response copywriting could very well be the business of your dreams. Why…
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