World Copywriting Blog

Finally, a way to learn how to cash in quickly with Social Media... while you build a solid foundation for the future

I can think of four conversations I had yesterday where the main topic of conversation was social media -- you know, Twitter, FaceBook, YouTube, blogging.

The one that stands out in my mind was what a business partner told me.  A coach he knows just closed a $12,500 contract just with back and forth on Twitter.

What a way to get new business!

I have to admit I'm behind the curve on social networking.  So when I learned about the Social Media Success Summit 2009, I signed up.  I need the information and this is the most convenient, efficent way for me to start to put together my own social media marketing plan.

More than 3 out of 5 marketers are spending five or more hours per week on social networking sites, according to a survey called the Social Media Marketing Industry Report.

The one Detroit automaker that isn't expected to file for bankruptcy in the next few weeks, Ford, is active in social media.

Dell Computer recently reported a million dollars in sales just by issuing coupons on Twitter.

On a personal note, the richest friend I have (he sold his latest business a few years ago to a Fortune 1000 company for over $100 million) recently told me he was at a business conference and all everyone was talking about was: social media, social media, social media.

You can download a free class on social media at the Social Media Success Summit 2009 site.  Go to:

www.tinyurl.com/socialmedia09

David Garfinkel
Publisher, World Copywriting Newsletter

Testimonial Tamp-Down: Is a golden age of marketing about to come to a screeching halt?

Uh-oh. New rules now being considered by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission could put a whole new spin on how marketers can use testimonials.

And make it a whole lot harder to sell anything and everything in print, on radio, or with video.

Testimonials would not become illegal. But anytime an advertiser talked about extreme results, they would have to give equal time to describing "typical results."

"The tougher rules, the first update to the guidelines [about testimonials] since 1980, are designed to make it easier for consumers to judge the credibility of marketers' claims," writes The Chicago Tribune. "The changes would affect all forms of advertising and marketing, including blogs and company Web sites. The FTC could bring legal action against firms that don't comply."

This could have serious consequences for businesses that depend entirely on results obtained by outliers -- people at the very front of the bell curve, the exceptional achievers -- to hold up as inspiring examples to sell their products.  Such businesses could disappear from the landscape entirely.

For the rest of us, it may be a signal to roll up our sleeves, hunt down the works of John E. Kennedy and the other old masters of copywriting, and learn to work much harder to sell with the written word.

As someone who was born in Washington, DC (and now lives just about as far away from there as you can get while still living in the continental U.S.), it consistently amuses and amazes me:

Look at the claims, promises and assertions made by the good folks who run for public office.  Like: The President, Vice President, and Members of Congress.

If they were held to one-tenth the "truth in advertising" standards that the businesses who overtly and covertly fund their campaigns are, well, we would be an ungoverned nation because nobody would vote for nobody.

Ah... isn't life ironic?

Thanks to Jon Keel and Perry Marshall for bringing the FTC news to my attention.

Source for details about the FTC proposed regulations, which are "widely expected to be adopted":

Chicago Tribune, March 20, 2009

David Garfinkel, Publisher
World Copywriting Newsletter

TV pitchman Billy Mays gets his own reality show... and, by the way, are you one of those people who are terrified of direct marketers (like Billy)?

Got a note this morning from World Copywriting Blog Executive Contributor Jim Van Wyck that everybody's favorite (or least favorite) TV personality, Billy Mays, has landed his own reality TV show.

Jim found this out from Dave Kaminski's Web Video University blog.  I highly recommend you read the entire post.

Dave makes two very powerful points:

… coming from the world of direct response, I also know from multiple, first-hand experiences that there are two universal truths:

1. Direct response advertising…when done correctly…can be devastatingly effective

2. The corporate world is terrified of direct response style advertising

Interesting, huh?

Here's a shortcut link to Dave's post:

http://tinyurl.com/direct-marketing-terrify

David Garfinkel

Update June 28, 2009: Billy Mays was found dead in his Tampa home early this morning East Coast time.  May he rest in peace.

Making sales in this economy -- is it better to be lucky than smart?

After many years of thinking I was smart -- and the reflection of age helping me realize all the times I've been pretty dumb but incredibly lucky -- I'll go for luck over smarts any day.

But these days, I wouldn't depend on luck alone.

One of the smartest lucky guys I know, strategist and copywriter Chris Haddad, has amazingly agreed to give away $30,000 worth of copy to one lucky attendee on a teleseminar he and I are giving together Tuesday night.

There are several other very good reasons to attend this teleseminar. If you are a subscriber to my World Copywriting Newsletter, you already know all about it.

Reprieve: If you missed the teleseminar, Chris has posted an mp3 online for a day or two (starting April 8). Get it while you can:

http://cmhaddad.audioacrobat.com/download/GarfinkelHaddadEmergencyTeleseminar.mp3

David Garfinkel
Publisher, World Copywriting Newsletter