If you're serious about excelling in copywriting, then it's time to embrace the 10,000-hour rule.

So, what's the 10,000-hour rule all about?

Popularized by Malcolm Gladwell's book "Outliers," this rule suggests that to become truly exceptional at something, you need to dedicate around 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to it.

 

Think about it—how do Olympic champions become champions? By relentlessly practicing their sport for thousands of hours.

The same principle applies to copywriting.

If you want to become a top-tier copywriter, you've got to put in the hours. I'm talking about intentional, focused practice—studying copywriting principles, dissecting successful campaigns, and, most importantly, writing—a lot.

 

Consistency is key.

As I always tell my coaching students, success comes from regular, disciplined practice over an extended period.

If you think you can become a master copywriter by dabbling here and there, think again. You need to commit to writing every single day, even if it's just for a few minutes.

 

And it's not just about writing. You need to diversify—emails, video sales letters, landing pages, you name it.

But here's the real secret sauce: feedback.

You need someone—a copy chief, a mentor, or a seasoned business owner—to give you honest feedback on your work. This feedback will help you identify areas for improvement and refine your skills.

I owe a huge part of my success to the invaluable feedback I received from my mentor, Richard Stanton Jones, and the seasoned publishers at Phillip Publishing/InvestorPlace. 

 

They may not have been writers themselves, but they knew great copy when they saw it, and they worked with me to polish mine.

 

As part of my mentorship, I devoured copies of control packages from industry giants like Gary Bencivenga, Clayton Makepeace, Jim Rutz, and Eugene Schwartz. I scrutinized every word, every sentence, every argument, learning from the masters until I found my own voice.

But let me tell you, becoming a master copywriter isn't a sprint—it's a marathon.

It's about putting in the hours, day in and day out, over an extended period.

I didn’t spend 10,000 hours doing this—I spent my entire life. From 4 am to 8 pm, I was consumed by my passion for perfecting my craft.

 

The more I absorbed, the faster I grew. Until one day, I could see the means of persuasion in any situation and go out and win readers' minds with compelling arguments and emotion.

So, here's the bottom line:

If you want to become a master copywriter, you've got to put in the time. The 10,000-Hour Rule isn't just a guideline for mastering copywriting—it's a blueprint for mastering anything in life.

 

The feedback and mentoring you receive can be paramount in your success journey.

 

This is why I started coaching copywriters. To help them achieve the success I have enjoyed!

Boy have many taken off!

• One has sold a business for $1.5 million
• Another is making over $200,000 a month with his agency
• Many others are making six figures annually and living life on their own terms.

The one thing they all had in common was committing to success, committing to the 10,000 hour rule and committing to my program.

If you are ready to put in the work, then my coaching program could be the ticket to your success too.

It's not for everyone, but only for those who understand the power of mentorship and are willing to put in the time.

If that's you, click HERE to learn more and get started.

All good wishes,

Doug D"Anna