John Carlton’s Simple Writing System… worth it?

“Dude… between you and me… is Carlton’s Simple Writing System REALLY all it’s cracked up to be?”

That’s the question I’ve been asked by countless friends, colleagues, entrepreneurs and freelancers of all skill levels. Usually in a hushed, “I won’t tell anyone…” sort of tone.

As a coach in John’s SWS since the first at-home mentoring session opened last summer… as well as a trusted ally on many recent projects for Marketing Rebel… I understand why people ask me for the truth about the system.

And I’m in tune with the part of them that half-wishes I’ll say…

“No, it sucks. Don’t waste your time.”

There’s a comfort in discovering the Emperor is naked. It relieves you from the nagging need to learn what he’s teaching. One less thing to fear missing out on.

I get it… and I hate disappointing my friends… but there’s just no easy out on this one.

The Simple Writing System really is all it’s cracked up to be.

Yes… it really is the exact 17-point checklist John Carlton developed over his 25 years of writing control-crushing sales letters responsible for so many million in sales.

Yes… the same simple — but lethal — playbook he uses to methodically turn around sputtering marketing campaigns for panicked entrepreneurs who were sure they had it all figured out

And yes… as much as some hate to hear it…

… skipping this opportunity to learn John’s system DOES put you at a (potentially HUGE) disadvantage going up against anyone who already knows it.

That’s especially true if you’re a freelance copywriter striving to get a leg up over the competition — and justify raising your price.

For a freelancer, being coached in this system by a top-tier copywriter will finally put to bed any questions you have about your own skill level.

If you’re the kind of freelancer who prides yourself on writing original sales messages and not just swiping what “seems to be working”…

… then SWS is the ultimate foundation for building ads that dominate the competition. (Your best clients will settle for nothing less.)

That’s because the 17-steps John lays out in the videos and workbook (that will be rush shipped to you)… are a safety net checklist to make sure you never miss a crucial element in your sales piece.

This is critically important because shirking any one element in a sales message could mean the difference between knocking it out of the park — or a big ‘ol, back-twisting whiff.

True… the ad you’re writing won’t always require all 17 steps of the SWS… but skipping over the elements it DOES need will cost you big.

And as you know… the competition for every sale online today is fierce.

Half-ass ads won’t get you by anymore.

The same is true if you’re a business owner or entrepreneur.

Whether you write your own sales messages, or hire it out to freelancers, having this checklist floating around your noggin will let you know instinctively if you’ve nailed your message…

… or if the copy you’ve just paid for is worthy of the price.

Now… about Carlton.

The next thing people want to the truth about… is if John really gets involved in the teaching. Or if this is his system in name only?

Fair question again. (We’ve all seen the big name gurus who slap their names on third-rate trash they had no hand in creating).

My half-joking response to this question is: Be careful what you ask for.

John is not only active in the forum (he greets every student personally) but he’s been known to blow a few minds with what to him is “casual advice.” Let’s just say lesson threads tend to stretch out when the boss man chimes in. (often inducing the best, head-slapping “A-HA” moments.)

There’s also a popular “student lounge” area in the forum where John’s been known to pop in on discussions and go deep.

Truth is… Carlton’s not kidding when he says he’s most passionate about teaching these days. And that spirit permeates the entire faculty.

It also leads to some fierce competition among the teachers.

I’m probably NOT supposed to tell you this…

But, John and Stan are really good at pushing people’s buttons. (Especially writers with eggshell egos.)

So they’ve developed an evil plot to guarantee the teachers will over-deliver big. They award prizes for best results on student feedback surveys.

These prizes are nothing major, mind you. Just cool gadgets, ergonomic office chairs, etc.

But you wouldn’t believe how heated the competition gets over a freakin’ iPod Touch.

I won’t mention any names… but Mike Morgan and Harlan Kilstein (whoops) fight like school kids on a playground over these awards.

Funny thing is… any teacher in there could afford to pave their driveway with iPods… but we all covet this prize like it’s the last one left in the world.

Of course, the dollar value of the prize is irrelevant. It’s what it represents that matters.

Being acknowledged as a great teacher from the guy who taught you is a big honor.

(And you won’t find many people to disagree that John IS the best copywriting teacher you can have.)

By the way, I wouldn’t feel right mentioning which teacher won the prize for best overall feedback (with OVER 100% satisfaction rating)…

…but I am typing this post on an iPod Touch.

So, if you’re thinking of joining the Simple Writing System at-home mentoring session that went on sale to day and begins October 1…

You must do it on or after Monday September 21 using this link: Simple Writing System

That’s my private link to the site where you can get all the details and sign up.

Here’s why you want to sign up using my link…

Even though the SWS mentoring is a screaming bargain no matter which coach you end up with (David Deutsch joined the cast his time — I’ll be spying heavily in his room)…

… YOU deserve the best.

And while it would be outrageous for me to claim to be better than any other instructor (if only there were a way to prove these things)… I can promise you something extra when you request me as your coach.

I’m through all 17 steps… now what?

See, there’s only one thing missing from the SWS at-home mentoring… and that’s a critique of your final letter when you’ve finished.

They’re not part of the course for a good reason… not everyone feels they need a critique.

That’s great. And yes, the system IS thorough enough that you can feel confident in your final piece.

But smart businesses owners know it’s often difficult to step far enough back to see the big picture. (Same goes for friends and family who are too close to be brutally honest with you.)

So, I always recommend getting a set of professional eyes your copy — especially on a big product launch or major sale.

That’s why, if you purchase your seat to this SWS session using this link: My Personal SWS Link

… and request me as your coach…

… I will give you a top-to-bottom critique of your completed ad at the end of the session. Even if you need more time to finish it beyond the 8 weeks we’ll be together in the SWS.

If you sign up from here, and I coach you… just email me and you will get my eyes on your final copy.

My ad critiques sell for a minimum of $500 because I always dig deep.

I don’t just tell you if it’s good or bad. I expose any rough patch on your ad’s “greased slide” to the sale — and tell you exactly how to smooth it out. (Allowing the money to pour in freely.)

But, for my SWS student ad critiques, I’m going to dig even deeper.

By not only helping you get your slide as slippery as possible — but by directing you to the specific step in your SWS materials where you can revisit the lesson that fixes the problem for good.

This extra step of having your finished ad critiqued by me is the perfect capper to your life-altering ride through the Simple Writing System.

After this, the lessons will be settled comfortably into your brain… and on their way to becoming key weapons in your marketing arsenal.

Stuff you do without thinking to bring in the Big Bucks with every ad you write.

Look… in all sincerity, you can’t go wrong with any teacher in the SWS. These are the top writers and marketers in the game — responsible for countless millions flooding their client’s bank accounts as we speak.

I’m incredibly humbled to be a part of this faculty. And a bit shocked, frankly, to have won top honors.

These are people I study and learn from all the time.

What gives me the edge though… is being the new guy.

See… I don’t have to search quite as far back to remember how it felt to learn this stuff for the first time.
And it helps me to be patient with folks who don’t have the language down yet.

No, this is not my first rodeo. But I’m nowhere near settling down for sunset on the front porch either. I love this stuff. It’s my passion.

Plus, my class has the most fun. And it’s always easier to learn when your having a laugh.

Here’s the link again: Be my student and get a free in-depth ad critique

Be sure to get there early when this goes on sale Monday September 21 at 1:00 US eastern time…  because John is also giving away some incredible fast-action bonuses to the first 100 people through the doors.

I hope to see you in there.

Oh yeah…

One more thing people have trouble believing…

… is that John never has plans to do more of these. But it’s true.

These mentoring sessions are a ton of work, and assembling the staff of busy marketers to coach them is a minor miracle every time.

So it really is a one-at-a-time proposition. This truly could be the last. There’s just no way to know.

But I do know you’ll kick yourself very hard some day if you end up being one of those people who could have been a part of it.

I’ll look for you inside.

Kevin

Tagged as: ad writing, david deutsch, freel, harlan kilstein, John Carlton's Simple Writing System, mike morgan