How I Cracked the Code on Direct Response Copywriting
Published: Tue, 07/25/23
Fellow copywriter,
My quest began at Phillips Publishing in 1991, where I had the privilege of competing against some of the industry's most talented copywriters, including Gary Bencivenga, Clayton
Makepeace, Jim Rutz, and Eugene Schwartz.
These guys were making millions of dollars and I wanted to break into that game.
This is why I meticulously analyzed their ads, breaking down every headline, subheadline, call to action, and reason why argument in each one.
Through this process, I not only learned valuable techniques but also applied them to my own copy.
Learning and competing simultaneously was no easy feat--especially if you did not write a winner the publisher would drop you!
As a result, it fueled my determination to create something truly groundbreaking on every assignment.
Over time, I developed a unique approach to writing copy that not only
consistently produced winning results, making me one of Phillips Publishing’s most successful copywriters ever.
My success earned me incredible accolades former Phillips senior vice president and from the legendary publisher Chris Marett, who said:
“I have been extremely fortunate to have gotten to work with, and learn from many of the great copywriters of our time, including Gary Bencivenga, Gene
Schwartz, Gary Halbert and Clayton Makepeace.”
“But for all the significant success I had with these legends, the simple fact is I made more money working with Doug D'Anna...a lot more.”
“Time after time over
our 15-year working relationship, Doug has proven himself to be a positioning and copywriting machine, making me look really smart by cranking out winner after winner and turning the toughest copywriting assignments I threw at him into direct marketing gold."
The master key to my success was simple:
Learning exactly what to say to my target audience to get them not only to read my promotions but also get out their credit card to buy-just like personal
selling.
You see, it’s not just about the words you use--it’s
about how those words trigger internal responses with the people you are selling.
This is what my subconscious selling formula teaches you. How to connect with your target
market on a much deeper level.
It was this realization and consistent competition that make realize that if I would going to compete with the best in the business, I could not reinvent the wheel with each
assignment.
I need a formula that I could lean in
that could be relied upon to deliver breakthrough responses. Over and over and over.
With each assignment, I would see a system taking shape. I would take the success of my previous assignments and then begin those wins and knowledge to the next win.
As a result, I would not only write even more profitable emails, landing pages, and video sales letters but I would write them faster than my competition because I had a formula that worked.
This is why my clients could reach out to me at 6:00 am. I could quickly turn around a new lead in less than an hour.
All thanks to the tried and tested success factors that I could easily apply.
It was truly like
taking years of knowledge and applying it on the spot--no differently than an Olympic Judo competitor who takes his decades of training to the mat with each competition.
Just like dozens of Judo competitors, I did not always win the gold. But I won enough gold to make a million-dollar copywriter
This is why my copy would often crush the competitors by 50% or more!
This is how I could write quicker and more persuasively than others, and
Why they could barely keep up.
I don't mention this to brag, but my competitors would spend months writing a direct mail or email promotion and I could knock out a winner in weeks and an
update in hours.
I did it by transforming my bank of knowledge on a subconscious level into a set of principles that delivered consistent results over and over and over.
As you will learn, when it comes to making money as a copywriter, that is what your clients are looking for: Consistent results.
You can see this consistency in my long list of winning control packages.
The Great Retirement Betrayal: A grand slam promotion that speaks to the fears of retirement and financial security.
One Nation Under China: A compelling promotion that taps
into the fear of China's influence on the global economy.
Tap the Hidden Wealth Inside Your Paycheck: A promotion targeting individuals seeking financial success and security.
The One Stock That Will Make You a Marijuana Millionaire: A promotion focused on the fear of missing out on profitable investment opportunities.
The New Science of Getting What You Want: A self-promotion that combines credibility and success to drive action.
The Fast Money $1 Million Giveaway: A persuasive promotion
that uses FOMO and a cash credit offer to entice readers.
Oil Time Bomb to Blindside U.S. Investors: A promotion leveraging the knowledge of oil's impact on the economy to provide protection and profit strategies.
The Master Key to Marijuana Profits: A promotion that takes a macroeconomic view to present investment opportunities in the marijuana industry.
The Lightning-Fast Profits Summit: A transcript for a
successful trading service VSL that explains the trading mechanism and its potential for profitability.
The Retirement Club: An email promotion that positions a publication as an exclusive club, appealing to individuals seeking financial guidance.
91 Powerful New Vitamin Cures That Work. I used the age-old “announcing” approach to launch this book. What helped sell this magalog was the credibility proof
points that you’ll see throughout this promotion.
The Men’s Health Guide to Peak Conditioning. Here's how I targeted what men are looking for: easy ways to get bigger, stronger, and faster and make themselves more competitive in every sport.
New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats. Here you’ll see I targeted our love for pets to target to the nth degree and not wanting to see them
experience pain or suffering.
Doctors Health
Journal of Alternative Remedies and Cures was another long-running control for me. The key to its success lies what every doctor asks: “Where does it hurt?” and delivers on the alternative cures.
Common Pain Remedies Revealed uses a son’s love to end pain and suffering for his father.
The Forgotten Secret was one of the most fun story
copy promotions I have ever written. REASON: It sold a book about natural sex supplements without screaming SEX.
Heal Joint Pain in 30 Days or Less. This is total “cookie and the dog promo” that readers came running for to heal their pain.
101 Safe and Simple Cures. Isn’t that what everyone is looking for...for allergies, pain, insomnia, chronic fatigue, sores, bruises, asthma? You bet it is. That’s
exactly what I targeted.
Secret Herbal Cures That
Combat Illness. Here you’ll see how I used that “anti-drug company” approach that I was able to create a book promotion that has withstood the test of time.
The New Mineral Cures. Because mineral imbalances are a big thing with the “heal yourself” crowd, I used that knowledge to create another long term
control.
A Man’s Guide to a Healthy
Prostate. In this one you’ll see how I targeted men’s real fears about prostate cancer in a personal and shocking way.
Worse Than Cancer and It’s in Everything You Eat. Can you imagine what this is?As such, the health crowd did a swan dive to the order form to grab a copy of a breakthrough health book called The Disease Blocker System--all using the power of subconscious selling.
The 24-Hour Cash Flow Miracle Here you'll see
how I targe the golden dream of all americans: How to acquire wealth and riches quickly and easily
The Quantum Wealth System I targeted the $10,000 a month research showed me Ameicans wished they could make working from home, as people do now--in as little as three hours per day!
The Ultimate License to Print Money, I again tapped directly into the thoughts, wishes, and dreams of Americans to make money simply and easily
The Recurring Riches System. Here you’ll see
how I targeted the passive income desires of millions of Americans.
How to Sell Yourself as a Copywriter taps directly into copywriter's BIGGEST frustrations and pain points--finding work
Million-Dollar Copywriting Formula Coaching Program, is another example of targeting the hopes, dreams of aspiring copywriters to become million-dollar
copywriters.
Awaken the Leader in You. Here
you’ll see how I used subconscious selling techniques to show how easily you could rise to the top of your profession.
I mention none of this to boast, but only to confirm the effectiveness of my formula to produce winning packages.
The
advantage it offers you is amazing:
Consistent Winning Results: With my formula, you can
consistently create winning control packages that generate substantial revenue. By implementing the techniques and strategies I have developed through years of analysis and competition, you can increase the effectiveness of your copy and outperform your competitors.
Unparalleled Expertise:
Having competed against some of the industry's most talented copywriters, including Gary Bencivenga, Clayton Makepeace, Jim Rutz, and Eugene Schwartz, I have gained a deep understanding of what makes exceptional copy.
This expertise has been distilled into my formula, providing you with insights and techniques that
have been tested and proven in the crucible of fierce competition.
Meticulous Analysis:
The meticulous analysis I conducted on the ads of these renowned copywriters has provided me with invaluable insights into the elements that make copy truly persuasive.
By breaking down every headline, subheadline, call to action, and reason why argument, I have identified the crucial components that engage audiences and drive them to take action.
With my formula, you can leverage this knowledge to create compelling and persuasive copy.
Unique
Approach:
Through years of learning and competing, I have developed a unique approach to copywriting. This approach goes beyond the traditional methods and incorporates innovative techniques that have consistently yielded outstanding results.
By adopting my Million Dollar Copywriting Formula, you gain access to this distinctive approach that sets you apart from the competition.
Proven Million Dollar Results:
The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say. My formula has not only earned me millions of dollars but has also helped numerous clients achieve tremendous success.
By implementing this system, you can tap into the power of proven techniques that have generated significant revenue and results.
All by learning to sell on a subconscious level that triggers higher responses than 9 out of 10
copywriters.
To help you crack the code I created a new e-book
called:
"Subconscious
Selling: High-Level Copywriting for Serious Practitioners - The Definitive Guide to Harnessing the Power of the Unconscious Mind."
This comprehensive guide is not only designed to take your copywriting skills to new heights but also includes 29 of my million-dollar copywriting samples--FREE.
Here’s why I created it, and how you can use it to increase your sales and conversions.
Let me explain,
After 30+ years of writing copy, my house is paid for,
my kids have graduated from college, and I have enough money to be comfortable.
In other words, I’ve already climbed the mountain, created a multimillion-dollar copywriting business, and now I’m ready for a new challenge.
My next goal is to create a legacy of copywriting knowledge that proves that anyone can use my time-proven formula to create twice as many million-dollar marketing campaigns in half the time—and more effectively than any
other copywriting method on the planet.
This is why I created
it:
To teach you the
art of what I call "selling between the lines" -- understanding the hidden desires and subconscious motivations in a reader's mind, and crafting powerful, persuasive emails, landing pages, and video sales letters (VSLs) that speak directly to those motivations.
The power of this kind of subconscious selling is simply astounding.
Imagine possessing the ability to delve into the depths of your reader's psyche, uncovering their deepest desires, and expertly guiding them towards the order form.
This is the incredible power that subconscious selling brings you.
You see…
Instead of merely manipulating words, you become a puppet master, skillfully pulling the strings of your reader's emotions and driving them effortlessly to the
order form.
That's the level
of influence and impact that subconscious selling brings you.
All because you know how to "sell between the lines" -- taking what was already in the heads of your readers and using THAT to
hypnotize them if you will, and not only walk them to the order form but get them to click and buy.
In fact, in every single one of my direct mail, email, and video sales letters, I used these subconscious techniques to get them to do
a swan dive to the order form.
For example…
In "The Great Retirement Betrayal," I targeted the underlying fear of running out of money in retirement and getting ripped off -- fears that rest in every man and
woman over 50 years old.
In "One Nation Under
China," I used the fear of China taking over the world and destroying the American economy -- the result would crush the investments of millions of Americans.
In "The One Stock That Will Make You a Marijuana Millionaire," I played very heavily on the fear of missing out (FOMO) because virtually every investor on the planet
is looking for the secret stock that will make them rich.
In "The Fast Money $1 Million Giveaway," I combined FOMO with a locked-in $1,000 cash credit just for saying yes to one incredible offer.
In my "Oil Timebomb to Blindside US Investors," I used the walking knowledge virtually every investor has in their head that oil prices drive the economy and the
stock market to show them what to do to protect themselves and profit from a doom that was headed their way.
And I used the exact same "Subconscious Selling" techniques for "The Master Key to Marijuana Profits, Tap the Hidden Wealth Inside Your Paycheck," "The Lightning Fast Profits Summit," "The Retirement Club," and "The New Science of Getting What You Want," along with the hundreds of email, direct mail, and video sales letter (VSL)
controls I have written in my 30 years of writing copy.
This, my friends, is the power of Subconscious Selling -- getting directly into the minds of your readers and using that knowledge they
possess to sell them.
This is why it doesn't matter how pretty your words are... but how well you have targeted your ideas to the person you are trying to persuade.
It's the cookie and the dog analogy I have been
writing about for years. You don't have to sell the dog on eating the cookie -- it's what he wants, and he will come running for it all the time.
All you are doing is taking what is in your reader's mind and writing your copy towards that, no matter what you're selling.
This has been my
advantage for three decades, and it's why I've beaten the control nearly 70% of the time, have controls that have lasted for years, and made millions of dollars along the way.
I never shared this secret before because I didn't want my competitors to use my approach to beat me in head-to-head copywriting tests and steal my royalties!
But now that I'm retired, I want to leave behind a legacy of copywriting knowledge proving that anyone can achieve similar success when they master the art of
subconscious selling.
That's the
whole reason why I created this e-book, so that you can take your copywriting to the next level and beyond and enjoy the kind of success that I have.
BEST OF ALL
I've made it possible for you to not only grab a copy
of it for a fraction of what I would charge in my one-on-one coaching program but also receive my complete swipe file of 29 winning emails, direct mail packages, and video sales letters.
I'll tell you more about that in a moment, but first, here's a sneak preview of the kind of copywriting knowledge you'll find in "Subconscious Selling: High-Level Copywriting for Serious Practitioners":
For example...
Unveil the hidden
workings of the unconscious mind and harness its immense power to captivate your readers.
Discover the cognitive biases that shape consumer behavior and learn how to ethically leverage them to boost your conversions.
Explore the psychology of persuasion and influence, understanding the principles that drive human decision-making.
Master the art of storytelling and its ability to engage
the unconscious mind, leaving a lasting impact on your readers.
Learn to create irresistible emotional appeals that tug at the heartstrings of your audience and drive them to take action.
Unearth the secrets of crafting powerful headlines that grab attention and compel readers to dive deeper into your copy.
Develop a deep understanding of cultural influences and
symbols, enabling you to create connections that resonate with your target market.
Discover the art of creating anticipation and desire, building momentum that leads to a resounding "yes" from your prospects.
Unleash the persuasive power of scarcity and urgency, creating a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) that drives conversions.
Master the delicate balance between logic and emotion,
creating a seamless blend that compels readers to trust and act.
And
that's just the beginning!
With "Subconscious Selling," you will have at your fingertips a treasure trove of proven techniques, psychological insights, and ethical strategies that will
elevate your copywriting to unprecedented levels of success.
Each chapter will empower you with the knowledge and tools to create persuasive messages that captivate minds and drive sales.
Here's an inside look at the kind of high level copywriting knowledge that awaits you...
Chapter 1: Understanding the Unconscious Mind
In this chapter we'll journey into the depths of the human mind, where hidden influences shape decisions and guide consumer behavior.
Uncover the secret influence of the unconscious mind on decision-making and shape consumer behavior.
Explore real-life case studies that reveal the transformative power of targeting subconscious fears in copywriting.
Learn the art of crafting messages that address deep-rooted fears, resonating with readers on a profound
level.
Understand how to create
emotional connections by addressing underlying fears and offering trust-building solutions.
Harness the collective fear of dominant forces like China, evoking urgency and driving readers to take action.
Chapter 2:
The Impact of Cognitive Biases on Purchasing Decisions
In this chapter,
we'll look deep inside the world of hidden forces that shape choices and the strategic use of cognitive biases to captivate audiences.
Discover the hidden forces that shape purchasing decisions and leverage cognitive biases to influence consumer behavior.
Dive into captivating real-life examples where cognitive biases have driven remarkable results.
Harness the fear of missing out (FOMO) bias to create urgency and desire in your readers.
Unveil the secrets behind the endowment effect bias and increase perceived value and motivation.
Master the art of utilizing cognitive biases, gaining an advantage in captivating your target audience.
Chapter 3: The Psychology of Persuasion: Unlocking the Secrets
In this chapter, we will enter the realm of persuasion, where words hold immense power to captivate minds and forge connections.
Unlock the hidden secrets of persuasion and shape consumer behavior with compelling messages.
Explore case studies and examples that reveal the
incredible influence of persuasion in copywriting.
Dive into the untapped power of the unconscious mind, leveraging underlying fears, desires, and motivations.
Captivate and intrigue your audience with the "announcing" approach, leaving them hungry for more.
Unleash credibility, build trust, and master the art of persuasion through case studies and examples.
Chapter 4: The Art of Storytelling: Engaging the Unconscious Mind
In this chapter, we explore the art of storytelling and its ability to engage the unconscious mind and create powerful connections with your audience.
Tap the power of storytelling, engaging the unconscious mind and captivating your audience.
Discover the art of addressing pain points and providing solutions through storytelling.
Unveil shocking truths and awaken the reader's mind with storytelling techniques.
Discover how to inspire personal growth and success, igniting a sense of possibility.
Craft narratives that connect with your audience's motivations and aspirations,
establishing emotional bonds.
Chapter 5: Emotional Appeals: The Heart of Persuasion
In this chapter, we'll delve into the power of emotional appeals and how they can create deep connections and inspire action.
Use the power of emotional appeals, establishing deep connections with your
audience.
Explore the role of emotions
in decision-making and create persuasive copy that resonates.
Tap into a wide range of emotions to create strong emotional appeals in your copy.
Employ techniques like vivid language and relatable narratives to immerse readers in emotional experiences.
Create compelling stories that establish emotional connections and inspire action.
Chapter 6: Creating Powerful Headlines: Grabbing Attention and Compelling Action
In this chapter, we uncover the secrets of creating headlines that grab attention and drive action, abased on the subconscious bias' and emotional triggers in the previous chapter.
Understand the crucial role of headlines as the first point of contact with your audience.
Employ subconscious selling techniques to create powerful headlines that entice readers.
Spark curiosity and compel readers to delve deeper into your content through effective headline writing.
Explore examples of powerful headlines that target desires and create a sense of
exclusivity.
Elicit emotions and
establish connections through headlines, driving desired actions.
Along with these valuable insights, each chapter in Subconscious Selling contains a
worksheet.
So you'll not only learn how to master these techniques but also have the framework for applying them to your own product or service.
For these reasons, I'm convinced it's one of the most powerful, easiest-to-use copywriting guides I've ever created to work that will help
That's because "Subconscious Selling" is not just another run-of-the-mill copywriting guide.
It's a transformative journey that will empower you to become a true copywriting virtuoso.
With each page, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to wield the power of subconscious selling like a seasoned professional.
Imagine the satisfaction of crafting a sales letter that not only grabs attention but also weaves its way into the very fabric of your reader's mind.
Picture the joy of watching your conversion rates soar as you effortlessly connect with your audience on a deep, emotional level.
With "Subconscious Selling," these aspirations become your superpower.
Combined with my three volume swipe file of winning promotions, you will not only get step-by-step instructions but also real-life examples that will sharpen your skills and deepen your understanding.
That’s the most powerful “one-two” punch of copywriting knowledge I can bring you.
This is your opportunity to unlock your true copywriting potential and join the ranks of the elite.
By applying these principles to your copy, you have the potential to elevate your copywriting skills and drive significant improvements in your conversions and sales.
By the end of this guide, you'll have learned how you can:
Create an emotional symphony that resonates deeply with
your audience, evoking desires, fears, and dreams they can't resist.
Craft messages that directly address their specific desires and aspirations, positioning yourself as their ultimate solution.
Weave narratives that evoke emotions and create connections so powerful that readers can't help but be captivated and engaged.
Master the art of urgency and exclusivity, triggering an
irresistible sense of scarcity and compelling immediate action.
Elicit desired emotions and forge unbreakable bonds through captivating storytelling that leaves a lasting impact.
Elevate your copywriting skills to extraordinary heights, experiencing unprecedented conversions and sales that redefine success.
That's why I created this guide – to help you increase the persuasiveness of your copy and boost your sales by showing them your to target the internal wants and needs of your prospects.
These insider secrets and strategies have not only generated millions of dollars in sales but made me a millionaire along the way.
If you follow them and see how I execute these ideas in my swipes, they could deliver the same kind of success for you too.
If that is the kind of success you are looing for, I’ve made it possible for you to cash in on this knowledge for a fraction of what I charge for my one-on-one coaching.
When you purchase "Subconscious Selling: High-Level Copywriting for Serious Practitioners - The Definitive Guide to Harnessing the Power of the Unconscious Mind," you'll also receive ALL THREE
VOLUMES OF winning emails, direct mail packages, and video sales letters FREE!
These samples include many of my best promotions ever.
The Great Retirement Betrayal
One Nation Under China
Tap the Hidden Wealth Inside Your
Paycheck:
The One Stock That
Will Make You a Marijuana Millionaire
The
New Science of Getting What You Want
The
Fast Money $1 Million Giveaway
Oil
Time Bomb to Blindside U.S. Investors
The Master Key to Marijuana Profits
The Lightning-Fast Profits Summit
The
Retirement Club
91 Powerful New Vitamin
Cures That Work
The Men’s Health
Guide to Peak Conditioning.
New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats.
Doctors Health Journal of Alternative Remedies and Cures
Common Pain Remedies Revealed
The Forgotten Secret
Heal Joint Pain in 30 Days or Less.
101 Safe and Simple Cures.
Secret Herbal Cures That Combat Illness.
The New Mineral Cures
A Man’s Guide to a Healthy Prostate
Worse Than Cancer and It’s in Everything You Eat
The 24-Hour Cash Flow Miracle
The Quantum Wealth System
The Ultimate License to Print Money
The Recurring Riches System.
How to Sell Yourself as a Copywriter
Million-Dollar Copywriting Formula Coaching Program
Awaken the Leader in You!
With each one you’ll see firsthand:
How I use subconscious selling to grab readers by the throat
How I use subheads and bullet points to keep the readers’ interest throughout each promotion
How I drop “cookies” throughout each piece to build desire
How I close sale after sale with time-proven calls to action that work!
Together, you’ll find 549 pages filled with dozens of headline, subhead, landing page, and call-to-action ideas and examples you can use to keep your copywriting strategies fresh and engaging.
I want you to have them as invaluable references and examples that you can study and apply to your own promotions, giving you a head start in creating compelling copy that drives results.
While these swipes are sold separately for $1350, I'm going to give them all to you FREE with your purchase of "Subconscious Selling: High-Level Copywriting for Serious Practitioners - The Definitive Guide to Harnessing the Power of the Unconscious Mind."
Why am I doing this?
My motive is honest and sincere: to provide you with specific examples of how I executed the insider secrets and strategies you'll find in "Subconscious Selling” so you can see exactly how I do it.
So what's it all going to cost?
Years ago, one of my colleagues told me they would pay me over $10,000 just for access to my
swipe file.
However, as I
mentioned earlier, now that I am retired my ultimate goal is to create a legacy of copywriting knowledge that proves that anyone can use my time-proven formula to create the most persuasive emails, landing pages, and video sales letters on the planet.
Considering you'll be receiving nearly 30 years of curated copywriting knowledge and 29 of my top performing swipes valued at $1350, I believe a fair fee would be my hourly consulting rate of $1,500.
But as one of my loyal readers, you won't pay anywhere near that price.
You'll receive everything for just $699.
That price includes the "Subconscious Selling," the 29 swipe files, and the opportunity to unlock your copywriting potential!
Not only is that a savings of $451 on the swipes, but it's like getting
"Subconscious Selling"for FREE.
With this comprehensive guide, you'll gain the knowledge and techniques to craft irresistible emails, compelling landing pages, and persuasive
video sales letters that will skyrocket your conversions.
However, there's a catch.
This special Father's Day pricing is only available
for 10 customers like you, who have purchased my swipes, video breakdowns, and my sales guides and know the value and knowledge I bring.
But you will need to act quickly.
After 24 hours, the price will increase to $1500 to reflect the true value Subconscious Selling and my swipe files offer you.
Considering you'll be getting 29 of my top-performing swipes valued at $1350 FREE, you'd be nuts to pass this loyal customer offer
by.
So what are you waiting for?
REMEMBER:
My "Subconscious Selling" secrets have not only made me one of the top copywriters but made me millions of dollars along the way.
If you follow them, and see how I execute these ideas in my swipes, they could deliver the same kind of success for you too!
When you add everything up, how can you say no?
Again, it's almost like getting Subconscious Selling:
High-Level Copywriting for Serious PractitionersFREE--just for the discounted price of the swipes.
But don't delay!
This discount offer is only available until midnight Monday, or when the last discount copy is taken.
After that, the price WILL increase to $1500.
Act now to lock in your discount and unlock the secrets of subconscious
selling for yourself.
P.S. Remember, with "Subconscious Selling," you're not just getting a guidebook – you're gaining access to three decades of
copywriting knowledge and experience that can transform your results.
Plus, you'll receive 29 of my top-performing Million-Dollar Copywriting Formula promotions sold
separately for $1350 for free.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your copywriting skills and elevate your results.
I can't wait to
witness the incredible results you'll achieve with the help of "Subconscious Selling: High-Level Copywriting for Serious Practitioners."
Meet Doug D'Anna
As a seasoned direct response copywriter, Doug has created hundreds of profitable direct mail packages, emails, and video sales letters for the world's largest specialized information publishers—generating over $100 million in direct sales.