I've been lurking for a while, and I thought I might contribute something that has helped me write several million-dollar sales letters for myself and others.

I think most people find the hardest thing to do is to get started writing.

It's easy to get caught up in trying to figure out the best hook, or headline...but I have found an easy way to get a really quick head start on a letter.

I'd rather be golfing than sweating out a sales letter...so I'm very interested in achieving QUICK results.

It all starts with deciding exactly what I want someone to do...and then sitting down for 60 minutes to write an unedited hand-written letter baring the NAKED TRUTH of what I really want.

I sit down with a pen and a legal pad, and I start writing a stream of consciousness hand-written letter to ONE person I imagine as my IDEAL prospect.

I write the letter like they are the ONLY person who is going to get the letter, and I'm not concerned about the grammar, or the look, or the techniques of copywriting.

No one is actually going to see the letter...so I don't edit myself.

I can get myself to sit down with the thought of having to get it all done in less than one hour. Sometimes, when I look up, it's been 2 hours...but it didn't feel like it.

Here's the 10-part letter formula.

Dear Dean,

1) I'm writing to you because I want you to:

[insert my naked truth reason I'm writing...as if I were making my request known to a lamp Genie who could grant my wish]

ie: Take out your credit card and pay me $39 for my new book called...


2) The reason I'm writing to YOU specifically is because I think you want:

1.
2.
3.
etc.

3) Here is a list of what you get when you [buy my book]:

1. You get ______ -- which means ________
2.
3.
etc.

4) If I were trying to guess the top 10 questions or objections you have about buying this today...they would be:

1.
2.
3.
etc.

5) So- here's how I would clear those up for you:

1.
2.
3.
etc.

6) I want you to be completely without risk...so here's my guarantee:

7) It's really easy to get started...you just:

- click this button
- fill in this form
- call this phone number
- return this coupon
etc.

Once you decide to get started here's what's going to happen:

9) You need to do this right NOW because:

10) Here's a list of people who have already [done this] and exactly what happened for them:


When you're done with this exercise, it's easy to start taking the naked copy elements from it and dressing them up to take out in public.

Try it, and let me know what you think.

Dean

I don't know how Troy White's signature got attached to my post...but I'm not Troy White

I'm Dean Jackson.
No Signature.

Seems to be a glitch... lemme check, Dean.

Mean Dean Jackson is a Monster Ya'll.

Seriously,

This guy kills it so bad.

I honestly think a newbie could take that
simple post and start a copywriting career
right now by just paying attention to what
Dean wrote.

That template could launch your new
writing career today.

Too often people want to complicate the
process and Dean has clearly shown that
you just need to tell people what the hell
your product is and why they would want
it.

Get those messages across and you'll sell
a hell of a lot more products.


Good to see ya Dean

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

For a beginner copywriter like myself, that type of advice and example is priceless!

How do we know you're not really Troy White?

Catch up with ya for golf.

Orlando work for you?

Mr Jackson,

Thanks so much for this trick. This is going to find a front row slot in my swipe file. (with proper credit of course)
You just simplified something I have been struggling with for 2 days!
Thank you
Gary Gilman

Hi Dean,

Great post! I'm curious though about just how much of the naked truth to tidy up with regards to point #1 where you pretty much spell out that you would like them to pay you x dollars.

I'm tempted to keep that naked and truthful point right in the beginning of the letter without dressing it up simply because it is a refreshingly bold statement.

If I received a letter starting out like that I'm pretty sure that I'd continue reading just to see how the author proceeded to justify the request.

Thoughts?

All the best…

Ian

Great strategy, Dean.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one...

Thanks for your replies.

Glad to hear it's helpful. It's just something I find really useful as a quickness tool.

Most of the time, the thing that slows the writing process down is trying to really get everything figured out before actually starting to write.

I find if I just sit down and do it, without really conciously thinking about it, things just flow.

Once you know what the truth is...your mind is free to just say what you're really thinking.

Often...while we're busy "copywriting" our conscious mind is trying to avoid what you're really trying to say...and if you just let it out unedited, you get the best stuff.

Anyway. Good Karma all around.

Jason, good to see you.

Harlan...golf it is.

Ian...try it. I once started a letter for a realtor that said:

I'm writing because I know the listing on your house expired today, and I want you to let me sell it for you...

others...nice to meet you.

Dean