Top 7:
Dan Kennedy
Bob Bly
Clayton Makepeace
John Carlton
Gary Halbert
Robert Cialdini (influence/persuasion)
Claude Hopkins

Does anyone have any experience with Harlan Kilstein?

I've been on his list for awhile, was really interested in his copywriting seminar, and then had a bad experience with him.

I bought a product through his affiliate link for PLF 2.0 with the promise that I'd be getting a bonus (that I really wanted) from him.

I've literally emailed him 5 times without a single response, so obviously I'm a little leery about spending over 1k with him...

Anyone had good/bad experience with him?

Brett

Brett,

I'm stunned to hear of a disappointed Kilstein customer. Harlan routinely and massively over-delivers on his promises.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll hear from him soon... right after he deletes your post LOL!

You have not received your bonus because we have not received affiliate commissions from Jeff Walker.

We do not know if you paid, refunded, etc.

These days in affiliate marketing, there are massive numbers of people ordering to get the bonus and then refunding.

Now, with Jeff's PLF 2.0, I'm sure this won't happen. I'm a PLF owner and I bought PLF 2.0 and paid to go to his seminar.

But I've been burned many times in the past.

I've done a number of promotions recently where they had massive numbers of people not pay as committed.

Rest assured there is a CD with your program on it sitting next to my secretary's desk. I've even thrown in a video on how to use it.

I'm sorry my secretary hasn't communicated this to you. Her father has second stage Cancer and is in fact having surgery today. It's been on her mind for a while.

I'll contact Jeff Walker's assistant Betty and see what the story is.

Peace.

Thanks Harlan,

I did use your affiliate link to buy (but his servers crashed so I don't know what ended up happening), you should get credit for it.

I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks

Brett

I haven't found a need for 7 so here's my top 4.

1. Dan Kennedy
2. John Carlton
3. Joseph Sugarman
4. Gary Halbert

I'd love to see your copy ... with those four as your influences, I'll bet it's hard-hitting and persuasive!

Alex

I started to make my list of 7... and couldn't.

Couldn't , because every time I tried to whittle it down to just 7,
I ended up leaving people off who were just too influential, and
who've contributed too much, to not make the list.

So, I broke it down into two catagories for copywriters. Those of
the present, and those from the past.

From the present:
1. Clayton Makepeace
2. Gary Bencivenga
3. Dan Kennedy
4. John Carlton
5. Michael Masterson, Bill Bonner, Bob Bly and John Forde for their
AWAI courses, ezines, articles, and material.
6. Dan Levis
7. Tie: Harlan Kilstein, and Michel Fortin.

From the past:
1. Eugene Schwartz
2. Gary Halbert (still doesn't seem right listing him here).
3. Claude Hopkins
4. Mel (Mr. Fascinations) Martin
5. David Ogilvy
6. Robert Collier
7. John E. Kennedy

I also had to add a 3rd catagory - 7 direct response marketers who aren't
necessarily full time copywriters, but who've also had a major impact,
and influence upon my copy.

Internet Marketing Mavens:
1. Tie: Frank Kern & Eben Pagen - two marketers who know the value of,
and leverage the power of great copy. And who've also mastered the multi-media
approach for direct response marketing.
2. Jeff Walker - for the influence of his "Product Launch Formula."
3. Rich Schefren - the online generation's Jay Abraham (from Manifesto, to Coaching Maven).

Old School Direct Response Legends:
1. Jay Abraham
2. Marty Edelston/Boardroom
3. Ted Nicholas
4. Ben Suarez/SCI

And I have to include Robert Cialdini for the contribution of his book - "Influence."
Where would we be without reciprocity, scarcity/urgency, authority, consistancy,
consensus/social proof, or liking/relationship building?

Aw' hell, I'm on a roll. There ain't no stopping now.

How about adding...

The most valuable book on copywriting ever written:
"Breakthrough Advertising" -- by Eugene Schwartz.

The greatest seminar on copywriting ever given :
Tie: The Bencivenga 100 & Clayton Makepeace's Summit.

The hottest paid membership site, or copywriting coaching program:
(for which I'd move into a homeless shelter before ever canceling)
Clayton Makepeace's --"Easy Writers Club."

The best paid subscription newsletter:
Tony (T-Flo) Flores for -- "The Screaming Eagle."

The top online copywriting forum:
You're reading it now... Michel Fortin's "Copywriters Board."

The most informative and educational free ezine/newsletter:
Clayton Makepeace for -- "The Total Package."

Top Gun copywriters whom I'd like to hear and see more teaching from...
Arthur Johnson, Jim Rutz, David Deutsch, Parris Lampropoulos, and Doug D'Anna.

Most under the radar copywriters that I'd also like to hear more from...
Dean (Keyser Söze) Jackson, and Dan Rosenthal.

I learned a lot by attending events where Dan spoke particularly with Ron Legrand, a real estate guru who learned most of his skills from Dan. Ron sells his bootcamps for $6K+ for 5 days. His letters put 200-400 people in the room so I know they work.

What I learned when those two were together is enormous. Particularly they'd say that if you're going to cross the line then really cross it. I guess I took that to heart. I imagine that John and Gary would agree. Not sure Joe would but I appreciate everything I've learned from him. I wish you the best.