John Forde's 15-year career as a top copywriter started as an understudy of Bill Bonner and Michael Masterson. Since then, John has written countless winning controls, has generated well over $30 million in sales, and has successfully launched dozens of products. He's also worked three years as a financial journalist and has written books on wealth building and health, as well as more than 250 articles on copywriting for his popular ezine, The Copywriter's Roundtable.
John has taught copywriting in private seminars and conferences in Paris, London, Bonn, Chicago, Buenos Aires, Baltimore, and Warsaw. He currently lives and works from Paris, France.
Read John Forde's previous newsletter articles below:
I shaved this morning thinking about “commodity hell.” That’s when a market for a product is so crowded that every version of it is practically the same. Interchangeable with the competition. And the only way to give yourself an advantage is to slash prices until the pain of profit loss squeezes either you [...]
By John Forde | Fri, Oct 23, 2009
In marketing copy, “need to know” info is the facts your prospect has to hear to help him make the decision to buy your product. But it’s often the “want to know” info that has more pulling power. By that I’m talking about things your prospect has an emotional interest in.
By John Forde | Thu, Sep 10, 2009
Every business is in sales. But not everyone feels comfortable selling. As someone who writes sales copy for a living, that’s worked out great for me. I get hired to craft the persuasive sales pieces that even crack entrepreneurs are sometimes afraid to touch. But what do you do when you don’t have the luxury of getting someone [...]
By John Forde | Fri, Jul 10, 2009
Usually, the writer’s mantra is “K.I.S.S.” (Keep It Simple Stupid.) And most of the time, this rule works just fine. Yet, we also know that writing – especially the kind of writing we do in sales letters and editorially – is more and more about building relationships. And aren’t relationships complex, built layer upon layer? Well, [...]
By John Forde | Tue, Jul 7, 2009
Brevity, they say, is the soul of wit. And if that’s true, I admit… sometimes, I can be a little soulless. See, I was taught to love what the nuns used to call “25 cent words.” These are the words, they told us, that make you sound smart. That win you respect, jobs, and the girl of your [...]
By John Forde | Wed, Jun 17, 2009
Personalized mailings were all the rage in direct marketing… back in 1975. They continue to be a staple today, online as well as off, based on the idea that no sound is sweeter than that of your own name. Given my one or two experiences with hand-shaking, name-abusing car salesman over the years, I beg to differ. (”John, what can we do to get you behind the wheel of this beauty today… John?”)
By John Forde | Wed, May 27, 2009
Copywriters are hired guns. We usually don’t create the products we sell, we just get hired to sell them. So how, pray tell, are you supposed to write copy that sells a product that… well… stinks?
By John Forde | Fri, May 15, 2009
It’s often said that you can use certain sales messages over and over because, let’s face it, your target market is a marching army. Over and over, they revisit the same points in life… they discover the same needs and wants… you show them how to satisfy those needs and wants… and the cycle just repeats.
By John Forde | Fri, Apr 24, 2009
“Other people paint beautifully on canvas or write wonderful poetry,” Donald Trump once said. “I like making deals. Preferably big ones.” And, indeed, coming up with appealing deals and powerful offers can be an art form unto itself.
By John Forde | Tue, Apr 14, 2009
You’ll feel great - even inspired - when all your brainstorming and research yields a Big Idea, whether it’s for a new product, a marketing campaign, or a headline for a sales promotion. But you’re not done.
By John Forde | Tue, Dec 22, 2009
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