Hi Guys,

I'd like to get your feedback on a possible new product. It would be classified as a "cheat sheet" -- an easy way to reference a powerful subject, such as... Proof... Bullets... Headlines... and so on.

Here's an image of it:

I've found this kind of thing incredibly helpful, because it has so much info that can be easily refernced during the writing process.

They're not cheap to print, however. The estimated price would be around $25 -- but they're very sturdy laminate and would come with a lifetime guarantee. And still, it would be the cheapest product we have!

So please give us some feedback: Worth the price? ... Questions? ... Concerns? ... Would you be excited about it? (Also, the copy you see on the left column was just a draft, and will be better in the final version)

Your input will help us make the decision about whether or not to move forward -- and when.

I appreciate it!

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Thank you!

Respectfully,
Tony Flores
Editor, The Screaming Eagle™

Hello Tony,

In a word...

Sold.

Please design it to be 3-hole punchable so we can
keep them in a notebook, or binder.

Offer them individually and as a packaged bundle...

>> Headlines
>> Deck Copy
>> Opening Leads
>> Body Copy
>> Proof/Credibility Elements
>> Bullets/Fascinations
>> Features/Benefits Checklist
>> Offers
>> Risk Reversal/Guarantees
>> The Close
>> Response Devices
>> The PS
>> Urgency/Scarcity Tactics

In addition to the individual elements...structured
outlines for...

>> Short Copy
>> Medium Copy
>> Long Copy
>> Advertorial Themes
>> USP/Benefit/Big Promise Themes

And don't forget...

The Sensei's 37 Point Checklist for Maximum 'Suasion!

I think it's a great idea... Speak Up People!

Martin R.

PS: You know what else I'd love to see?

Some cheatsheets & outlines from Breakthrough Advertising on...

>> Stages of Awareness
>> Levels of Sophistication
>> Intensification
>> Identification
>> Gradualization
>> Redefinition
>> Mechanisms
>> Concentration
>> Camoflague

Actually, you probably wouldn't want it in a binder, because it's aout 6 x 9 -- but maybe a carrying case for all of them.

But your feedback helps. I've definitely considered doing more of them, but this one was kind of a test. If enough people are interested, it's something that we can get out there ASAP.

We're going to put a link to this in today's issue, so I hope more people chime in with their feedback.

Thanks again!

Tony

__________________
Thank you!

Respectfully,
Tony Flores
Editor, The Screaming Eagle™

re: The 6" x 9" size

I'd sure like to see an 8 1/2" x 11" size product. First, you could
use a larger font and make it more readable & user friendly.
It would fit perfectly in those stand-up typing stands, or on those
swivel arms with the clip, that fasten onto the top of your computer
monitor.

You could supply a modestly priced "D-ring" binder (less than a buck a
piece in volume) with a nice front and/or rear insert cover and
maybe some insert tabs for each catagory.

An 8 1/2 x 11 piece would also carry a littler higher perceived value in
my opinion. For a 6" x 9" piece - where would you store them without
them getting lost in the shuffle?

I aint putting no stinkin' recepie box on my he-man desk...

Clayton,

Yes, you should. I'd certainly want a copy. What would also be useful is referenced issues of Tony's Screaming Eagle. That way, if we want to drill down into the details in the print newsletter, we'd be able to.

Eric Lynch

This is a great idea! I've been an accountant for 35 years and have used and abused one side of my brain way too much. I am now looking to start using the other side more and have been studying all of the Total Package information and many of the copywriting books you recommend and would like to begin a new later-in-life career doin' some of this copywritin' stuff. Seriously, it really looks interesting and challenging and a lot of fun at times.

This product would be fantastic for new brain-dead beginners like myself...and I feel so smart because I had already started to do some cheat sheets for myself from all the reading I have done. But mine look pretty amateurish (is that a real word?) compared to your example. I would certainly trust the pros to put together a better cheat sheet than I could.

But one thing that might be helpful is to leave some blank space so we could write in some of our own notes and comments and examples. When you reach a certain age you need all the help you can get to remember even why you're reading what's in front of you.

This is the first time I have ever posted to a forum and I hope I didn't make too big a fool of myself. I've always believed like I think it was Mark Twain..."It's better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Thanks for reading this post and thanks for all the help in the Total Package. I'm sure I'll be back begging for more help from all the smart people on this forum.

Thanks again,

Bob Johnson

Hello all,

I think this would be a very good idea. As a beginning copywriter, I need all the help I can get!

I love the Total Package and gets loads of good advice from it. So any additional helpful products you can come up with would be very helpful the way I look at it.

Please keep up the good work.

Thanks for all you do,
Cynthia Wyant

Thanks everyone for the fantastic feedback.

And Bob -- don't worry about sounding like a fool. You didn't and your thoughts help. The product would be laminated, so writing on it won't really be possible. But stickies can be placed on it very easily

Also, I think the 8.5 x 11 can be done -- although the overall amount of writing and font-size would be the same. The 6 x 9 version would just have a few more pages and would fold in a different way.

Also, since nobody has objected to price -- I assume that's okay too? I think for such quality content, in such a practical format, that lasts forever... you can easily make back that $25 investment.

Any final ideas or suggestions?

__________________
Thank you!

Respectfully,
Tony Flores
Editor, The Screaming Eagle™

I like the idea/concept of an easy-to-reference set of pullouts like this, though it would be important to have actual examples of winning controls included to illustrate how the concept has been used ... re pricing, I would suggest a 3-pak or bundle of each one for higher perceived value; $25 for a single sheet of paper is a bit on the high side, since entire copywriting books cost less. There would have to be some specific USP for it that validates such a high price point.

And yes 8 1/2 x 11 is much better than small, easily lost 6x9s, unless they were hole-punched and came with a binder. That's a good idea re give them the binder upfront, then sell the content via subscription mailouts a la franklin house collections.

-ken

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