Thanks folks for the great comments on the video testimonials earlier...I've released this new product just last week, wanted to get your feedback on it:

http://www.TradingVideos.com/private.htm

It's an ambitious 7-DVD product w/forum. So far it's made 5 figures in less than a week (but not a million in a day - so next we need to launch an affiliate program!)..

I credit Michel and Carlton with giving me some great initial coaching/feedback on it, though I still haven't made all the changes either has suggested yet, the initial ideas they did share are terrific and I've made initial copy changes, substantially improving it over earlier draft versions I had done.... and thx to Reese & Kennedy for the "big product" motivation...

I was suffering from "product developers' burnout" (try authoring and editing 7 DVDs, 13 hours of content, from scratch And writing the salesletter yourself, someday! ....). My brain feels like it's melted from video editing workload.

Getting coaching/feedback from 'the masters' really helped me get "over the first finish line", to get it launched.. before I start extensive testing w/alternate versions/pitches etc.. I can't say enough good stuff about Michel Fortin and John Carlton. They both came through for me when I needed a push in the right direction, the most. So a heartfelt thanks.

Yet I'm working on my next DVD (it has to do with coffee ... I need a change of pace from trading, and Boy do I know coffee lol. I'll rush you a free copy of the coffee-topic DVD to any well thought-out constructive comments you may care to post about this trading dvd salesletter, just remind me when I release it, hopefully within the next 3 weeks, and your coffee DVD will be sent to you as my holiday gift).

I also got some terrific ideas from my co-producer, which I included, to significantly improve the product & pitch as well...appreciate any comments..

Yes I know it takes a long time to load, but other than that, any feedback on the copy flow, or things that you'd add to, or subtract from, the copy for improvements? (my traders are almost all high-speed connected with T1s/cable modem etc fwiw)

Appreciate your thoughts and candid critiques as always - thanks, folks!

Pull no punches, please. What is "almost there but needs (----) to push you over the edge into a "gotta buy now" frame of mind?

Keep in mind, due to regulatory requirements I can't promise profitable trading or get rich quick type of copy, I can talk about the benefits of being able to learn new trading techniques, but can't promise profits.

So, secondary upstream/process benefits, vs end-point "get this course and make money" type copy is needed, a delicate balance to stay in line w/regulations, which I respect and will comply with.


Ken


P.S. It's nice to be able to spend time w/family again, after being immersed in video editing, graphics design and copywriting for this release for the last 6 weeks... I need to remember that, balance!

Ken,

I am far removed from your market, but couldn't resist the free coffee DVD offer! So here goes.

1. Your opening four paragraphs could use more energy. My eyes wandered over them straight over to your first subhead, which is very good:

"What If You Could Improve Your Trading In A Matter of Days, By Simply Learning How To Recognize Dozens of Subtle Signals That Most Traders Overlook Completely...? (You May Have Heard of These 'Hidden Triggers' Used by Top Veteran Traders, Right...?)"

I would use this as your opening paragraph because it's a real attention grabber. Only I would rephrase it slightly to read:

"What if you could improve your trading in a matter of days by simply learning how to recognize dozens of subtle signals and "hidden triggers" that only a small percentage of top veteran traders know about... and the majority completely overlook..." (or something like that.)

2. You have people already tearing open your package before they know why they are buying it. I think you need to make the case first. It's hard to picture opening the package at this point. It would be better to build up the desire to get to that point.

3. I think you could use the seminar to build up some suspense and excitement.... kind of like...

"In September of 2004, two veteran traders, Steve Nison and ken Calhoun, met behind closed doors in an exclusive invitation-only workshop limited to just a select (number of people here). Attendees flew in from all over the world to listen while these secrets were revealed." Turn it into a step-by-step unfolding of events. You have the seminar story scattered around too much.

4. What makes your program unique among all other programs? I don't think you spelled it out quite clearly enough or soon enough to convince the jaded traders who I imagine are bombarded with training videos right and left. (just a hunch). What really stands out about it? What do the other courses NOT do that yours does?

5. Your headlines could be tightened up a little to make them more forceful.

Other than that, it's some pretty cool copy.

Hope this is helpful.

Kay

Just wanted to add my congratulations on the completion and launch of this humongous project, an amazing achievement!

Best of success,
Kay

Hi Kay, excellent tips -- they make sense, agree ... I'll work on those points ... that's something Carlton had pointed out too, that my opening was too weak ...

Also, agree w/you re seminar/storytelling needs more coherent work, and that the USP should be better defined, re urgent why they need this particular video set vs (and yes you're right on the mark) re jaded 100s of other trading videos. And this is a lot more expensive than most individual trading videos, which are priced around $60 each.

Appreciate your thoughtful comments .. well written, and I'll take action based on them to tighten up the copy ... (remind me when my coffee dvd is released to send you a copy, I'm working on it this week, hopefully for an early feb release)..

other comments, copywriters? appreciate it..


ken