This is not directly on the topic of copywriting, but
may be of interest nonetheless.

Here's a content rich Net business newsletter
(and site) that seems to stand above the crowd.

Lot's of facts, hard analysis, testing etc.

Latest issue here:
http://MarketingExperiments.com/arch...te_program.cfm

Phil

Great recommendation, Phil.

I've been subscribed to Flint's newsletter for quite a while, and it offers some really interesting insights into tracking, testing and results.

(BTW, I've been online since 95 (my own site since 97). Are you the same Phil Tanny of OakNetPub fame? Just wondering.)

Hi Mike,

Wow, somebody still remembers OakNet. Yup, that's me, still here lurking about, looking for a new mission in life...

Please pardon my ever softening memory, were you an OakNet user?
Or do you just remember the name from being such an old hand on the Net?

Yes, Flint's newsletter is a standard setter, no question.

Phil

I rememeber being a subscriber to so many ezines you published ... Hmmm, if memory serves, Dr. Nunley was with you (or used your services) back then. I believe I was also a subscriber to The OakNet News.

(Ohmygosh, that's bringing back memories! )

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the resource tip... I love testing data! It cuts to the chase... and cuts out the chaff.

And with two fine fellows like you and Mike recommending it, it must be good stuff - signed up without thinking twice.

All the best,

Tim

Oh my, The OakNet News. I hope it's not archived out there somewhere, it would be embarrassing to revisit!

How the Net has changed. I remembered when I first published ONN. 96?
97? People would say, "Wow, you have a newsletter? Can I join?" And I would say, "Yes, and not only that, it's FREE!" And this conversation would fascinate all involved.

I copied the idea from somebody (I-Sales?) and so did a zillion other folks. Now the whole concept is so common that all the novelty is long gone and most of us power skim all the many ezines we get, should we get around to reading them at all.

Banners are another example, once interesting and effective, now almost worthless because we've had so much practise at ignoring them.

Is this same process underway with direct response copy? A successful formula is copied by one and all until all the life is sucked out of the original impact?

Don't know, just asking.

I'm not hip to the industry inside shop talk. Do copywriting pros see the direct response formula as a moment in time, and are they pondering amongst themselves what might come next? If yes, what are they imagining?

This is old man whining but I must admit the pace of change is now an issue for me. I've only been on the Net for 7-8 years and already most of what I've learned is obsolete. Having been through that loop a number of times now it's starting to affect my motivation to learn new stuff to a degree. Anybody else experiencing this, or should I just call the nurse and have her update my medications?

Phil

Phil,

I know what you mean. I spent 12 years in technical support and never moved up the ladder careerwise. I became jaded by my lack of success and the relentless, problem driven nature of the work. It's the intellectual equivalent of a factory. Problem in - problem out - next .....

I got quite burned out and I also got absolutely fed up with having to learn new stuff all the time. I didn't mind learning when I thought it would further my career, but eventually it got to the stage where everyone in the industry had to keep learning just to stand still!! That's exhausting.

As far as emotionally-charged, direct response copy is concerned, I suspect it will be around for some time to come. The masters have been using it for over 100 years. Some sales letters and adverts are used for like 20 years - because they work! There are a few notable examples that everyone seems to quote: the Wall Street Journal's tale of 2 men, and that advert that starts "My friends all laughed until I began to play" or however it goes.

But selling has changed, and seeing as copywriting is "salesmanship in print" then perhaps the style will change a bit. I doubt that the psychology is going to change anytime soon though!