Comments on: 3 Inviolate Rules We Routinely Violate http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/ insight, tactics, advice and mutterings on copywriting, marketing and living life deep... from the most ripped-off world-class ad writer alive... Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:57:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-35031 Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero Tue, 20 Feb 2007 03:55:55 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-35031 Whoa, John. That was a great post. I agree with all three rules. But the one about clients sucking (duh) was particularly true when you are your own client. Boy is my copywriter just not getting those deadlines met. I'll be bringing Sybil to work starting tomorrow to kick some ass. Thanks for everything. Whoa, John. That was a great post. I agree with all three rules. But the one about clients sucking (duh) was particularly true when you are your own client. Boy is my copywriter just not getting those deadlines met. I’ll be bringing Sybil to work starting tomorrow to kick some ass. Thanks for everything.

]]> By: Swans G Paul http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32920 Swans G Paul Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:30:04 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32920 Dear John, Thanks for your advice. I hope that the question below doesn't get you to violate rule # 1. I was reading a testimonial by Harlan Kilstein. I think you told him to :" Get Serious" How does one get serious in direct response advertising? Does it mean adopting a "do or die" attitude? Does it mean spending hours on end copying direct response ads written by you, Gary Halbert, Gary Bencivenga? Does it mean writing the 17th version of the sales letter? Does it mean telling the client that you want to write a different type of copy and if it doesn't work, you'll re-write until it beats the current control? Some day, perhaps, you'll write a blog entry about "Getting Serious". Sincerely, Swans G Paul P.S: Why is it so hard to copy the magic of your sales letters? I stare and stare at them. I copy them and yet I feel that there is a hundred miles of distance between what you write and what I wrote. Ouch. Have a great day. Dear John,

Thanks for your advice. I hope that the question below doesn’t get you to violate rule # 1.

I was reading a testimonial by Harlan Kilstein. I think you told him to :” Get Serious”

How does one get serious in direct response advertising?

Does it mean adopting a “do or die” attitude?

Does it mean spending hours on end copying direct response ads written by you, Gary Halbert, Gary Bencivenga?

Does it mean writing the 17th version of the sales letter?

Does it mean telling the client that you want to write a different type of copy and if it doesn’t work, you’ll re-write until it beats the current control?

Some day, perhaps, you’ll write a blog entry about “Getting Serious”.

Sincerely,
Swans G Paul
P.S: Why is it so hard to copy the magic of your sales letters? I stare and stare at them. I copy them and yet I feel that there is a hundred miles of distance between what you write and what I wrote. Ouch. Have a great day.

]]> By: Bernie Malonson http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32524 Bernie Malonson Wed, 14 Feb 2007 05:44:27 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32524 John- You are one of the best when it comes to pulling visual imagery out of your readers minds. I loved the bit about the dark cellar. Great tips as well. My wife and I are both working on entrepreneurial endeavors (separate ones luckily). You did make me realize that I need to watch out for bring too much of my professional baggage home with me. It is slowly poisoning my relationships with my wife and kids. Something I will now be more mindful of, thanks to your insights. Keep 'em coming! Bernie John- You are one of the best when it comes to pulling visual imagery out of your readers minds. I loved the bit about the dark cellar.

Great tips as well. My wife and I are both working on entrepreneurial endeavors (separate ones luckily). You did make me realize that I need to watch out for bring too much of my professional baggage home with me. It is slowly poisoning my relationships with my wife and kids. Something I will now be more mindful of, thanks to your insights.

Keep ‘em coming!

Bernie

]]> By: Tom Tolman http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32368 Tom Tolman Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:28:35 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32368 Interesting, thought provoking and timely stuff. Keep up the good work. Interesting, thought provoking and timely stuff.
Keep up the good work.

]]> By: Joseph Ratliff http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32363 Joseph Ratliff Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:54:22 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32363 John, Nicely done man. Sometimes we forget those "other rules" that can actually have a larger impact on our business and personal lives. The wise one speaks again. And many shall listen. Joseph Ratliff http://www.buildinginternetwealth.org John,

Nicely done man.

Sometimes we forget those “other rules” that can actually have a larger impact on our business and personal lives.

The wise one speaks again. And many shall listen.

Joseph Ratliff
http://www.buildinginternetwealth.org

]]> By: BrettFromTibet http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32357 BrettFromTibet Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:29:55 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32357 rockin' blog post! You copy is some of the most readable and riveting.... rockin’ blog post! You copy is some of the most readable and riveting….

]]> By: Ramon Thomas http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32312 Ramon Thomas Tue, 13 Feb 2007 10:03:22 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32312 John this blog is like a god-send. I'm in a really shit place in my career right now. And I think I've violated Rule 1 more than any other. John this blog is like a god-send. I’m in a really shit place in my career right now. And I think I’ve violated Rule 1 more than any other.

]]> By: Brian Jones http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32300 Brian Jones Tue, 13 Feb 2007 08:58:21 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2007/02/13/3-inviolate-rules-we-routinely-violate/#comment-32300 Now that's the attitude I like to hear from a teacher. Reminds me of some of the better sports coaches I've had in my life. I look forward to learning from you. Brian Now that’s the attitude I like to hear from a teacher. Reminds me of some of the better sports coaches I’ve had in my life. I look forward to learning from you.

Brian

]]>