Best Blackhat Forum

GORDON SHUMWAY'S RECOMMENDED READINGS
OF THE DIRECT RESPONSE COPY MASTERS

One of 4 Classic Titles You Can Download Below

You Get Extras, Too --- All Direct-Downloads!

Make no mistake about it: there is plenty of money to be made in direct response copywriting. But it's a cut-throat, highly competitive industry that rewards only the best.

That's why I was happy to see BBHF's own Gordon Shumway refer readers of a post I recently wrote to go back to the Master's of the Craft and to learn how it's done.

As a serious student and practitioner of the craft, he knows what he's talking about.

So, I am happy to post a list of the recommended readings originally shared by BBHF's Non-Conformer.

Here is the post I'm referring to:

MY LIFE AS A 50+-YEAR-OLD
WHITE MALE

Magic Button :

I took a look at the 4 books and thought they were so valuable, I needed to compile them into a list (with download links, of course) so you can grab what you need conveniently.

And as I'm hooked on providing more of any additional resources I can find, I threw a bunch of them into the mix.

And to finish the share, I included a little of Layna's Lagniappe --- titles from my own digital book shelf --- just to sweeten the pot.

DENNISON "DENNY" HATCH: Use the slider arm in the opened window below to see all the links.

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BREAKTHROUGH ADVERTISING - EUGENE SCHWARTZ (AUDIO COURSE)

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JOHN CAPLES - TESTED ADVERTISING METHODS

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VICTOR SCHWAB - HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ADVERTISEMENT

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BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE...

DIRECT MARKETING COPY EXTRAS: Use the slider arm in the opened window below to see all the links.

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AND FINALLY...

LAYNA'S LAGNIAPPE

10 Extra Titles That Will Help Propel You
to Success in Direct Response Copywriting

GET THEM ALL HERE:

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VIRUS TOTAL: This is for the Layna's Lagniappe book collection above ONLY. Please run a local scan on anything you direct download.
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/b528.../detection
File name: Laynas Lagniappe.rar
File size: 13.05 MB
Detection ratio: 0 / 60
Analysis date: 2020-10-25 18:37:10 UTC

If you're seeing this post anywhere other than bestblackhatforum.com or
being shared by anyone other than Layna61524, then that's where/who
THEY TOOK IT FROM!

I encourage you to mirror the Layna's Lagniappe file for the benefit of late-comers; I won't re-up it.

Enjoy the share!

Thanks

for reading!
Layna61524

More utter sweetness from Layna!

@BlackTopHat: Thank you for that kind post. Enjoy the share and the rest of your weekend!

Thanks

Layna61524

Layna... When will you accept my marriage proposal?

You cannot be this kind, good and resourceful and not get
married to me!

Geeeeeez!!!!!

@Layna61524

WOW, Called me out and put the spotlight on me! Yikes... LOL

For those of you that have arrived here, but are missing the backstory, this all started in a Post, Far, Far, Away...

As any High-Quality Layna thread, a discussion started when another member asked me about what other Clayton Makepeace items I had learned from (Clayton is another of those Master Copywriters you want to search out and learn from if you are serious about copywriting).

I mentioned in the post that Layna has highlighted above. That Nonconformer had given us the links to some awesome foundational education materials that have become well know in the Copywriting Mastery Circles.

These guys were the Original Mad Men of Marketing. And having read this stuff multiple times, I can say that it will change the way you do your marketing and increase the size of your bank account if that is what you are after.

Even if money is not your goal, maybe you want to help change the world, start a Non-Profit Org, whatever... You still need to be able to get your message out in a way that connects to people and that my friends is really what Copywriting is all about.

A long time ago, I had a bad opinion about sales and marketing. It wasn't until I came to understand that selling and marketing are only "bad" when you use the powers of influence you can learn to get people to do stuff they don't want or need.

Once I came to understand that good marketing is about solving a problem that people have, making their day a little easier or helping them move forward in their lives, my entire world view changed.

Today, that is what I think I am, a "Problem Solver". It's not how I introduce myself, but it is the way I think about myself and this has made all the difference in the way I do things... And my client list has grown because of it.

When you step into a new situation and are always asking "What is the problem/issue this person/company is facing and is it possible for me to help them?" The client always seems to pick up on that. You give off a different vibe rather than the "Please, please please just give me some money and I'll sell you whatever" type of energy.

I must have said it at least 100 times on this site, across a long list of posts, Copywriting is the #1 Skill you can learn to be successful.

And the thing is, it all comes down to desire. I don't care your background, the money in the bank you have, what house you live in, what color or gender you are. YOU CAN LEARN TO BE A DECENT QUALITY COPYWRITER.

You don't have to be at the Master Level to make a decent life.

And never limit yourself to thinking that Copywriting is limited to just the words on a page. It really is foundational in ALL forms of communication. Videos, websites, emails, eBooks, training courses, coaching, etc.

Copywriting is just that. It's all about learning to communicate better.

And when you learn that, you can write your own ticket.

OK, so Layna called me out, and once again delivered the GOLD by taking a link I mentioned in a different post and did the Full Layna on it and turned it into another awesome share.

But being her humble self, she forgot to mention that she is a Wizard herself.

If you need some help with your Copywriting, have a look at this post from her:

Magic Button :

This is a monster post with a Standard Layna Level of Awesomeness.

I am on BBHF fairly regular. My time is valuable to me as I am super busy. But the reason I make this time for this site is twofold.

The connections I have made here and the knowledge I have picked up.

I do a lot of things in life, but at the core, I live my life based on Kaizen.

Kaizen is the practice or philosophy of continuous improvement.

It boils down to taking small steps to move forward in a chosen direction.

That has been my guiding light for many years and has made life so much more enjoyable and rewarding.

That is what I suggest you do also. Choose what it is that you want in life and keep moving in that direction. Make steps, even smalls ones, towards it as often as you can. That and THINK BIG.

To all of you that have helped me on my journey, I Thank You. And to all of you that I have in some small way helped, Your Welcome. That is what community is about. Understanding that together we are all stronger, can learn from everyone, and help others when you can.

I am blessed to be a member here. Maybe you see it maybe you don't, but you are blessed also.

Cheers,

G.S.

WOW Layna61524!! You're simply awesome and thank you so much for this great share.

Reps added.

And G.S. I appreciate your contribution to this forum too. Reps added.

@Gordon Shumway: I waited with baited breath to see if you would see and respond to this share. My apologies, buddy, for "calling you out" but I had to dedicate this post to you for kindly directing people to such a stellar book list. And since I had found the links on {{{Blocked by Omni Potens, reason: reports from LEGIT GB STARTER}}}, I wanted to help people to re-visit them. But in all fairness, I should have checked in with you via PM before putting your username on the post. I hope you're okay with it; otherwise, let me know and I will edit it out. But it's my way of saying "You deserve all the props." You inspired this post.

@jubileewizzy: Wow! Sounds like I'm missing out on a good thing, there, buddy. I would say "proposal accepted" but then I'd have some half-a-dozen other guys here all up in arms. They send PMs asking to marry me. So I'll tell you what ... I will put you on my waiting list. I've already got one digital hubby and that's all I can handle at the moment. You guys are great fun and keep me laughing! Hahaaaa! Just be careful what you wish for ... you may just get it.

@actionguy: Thank you for the kind post. I just love-love-love my forum friends and appreciate the support.

@All: I need to say this: We're all facing a challenging time right now. Be it the loss of a job, health insurance, a home or dear family or friends due to COVID-19; we're pretty much experiencing some residual effect from the pandemic in our daily lives. Heck, even if you're healthy and still have your source of livelihood, the restrictions on the way we interact with one another and the things we usually do are affecting us --- to some degree --- either physically, emotionally or financially.

I get PMs occasionally from people who are seeking moral support. They need a gentle push. Or their confidence boosted. It makes my heart bleed to hear some of the stories. And I care.

Sad thing is, we're all going through this.

The very least I can do, then, is provide access to a course or product they can use to build their skill set or suggest ways they can cope during these dark times until there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I've said it before (in PMs to people) but I will publicly say it here: If you are in a financial bind or on the verge of becoming homeless or can't afford your medications, seek IMMEDIATE HELP from the local agencies that are funded to help you Swallow any semblance of pride and take whatever temporary or part-time job you need to, if you are willing and able to work, to support your family.

Many of you need emotional support or simply encouragement that it's going to be okay. And may feel that you have no where to turn to for it.

I try as best I can to soothe the pain, frustrations and stress I hear in the words of the people who connect with me via PMs but I am not trained to do that. And it's dangerous to even try.

As much as I value my forum friendships, I don't know any of you. Yet, I feel your pain because that's what connects us as human beings. So I empathize with you during these hard times.

Here's what else you can do...

Seek the help of trained therapists at social services agencies.

Connect with your local church. Not only can they provide spiritual support but most houses of worship have connections to service agencies that can help with food security, mental health support, or even securing short-term employment.

Pray. Seek solace in whatever your belief is. Regardless of your faith, pray. Talk it out. Either to yourself or a counselor. But nothing beats talking to God.

But then DO SOMETHING.

What I fear most is that many here are accustomed to getting something of value for nothing but the click of a link. But we're talking about something far more valuable than internet marketing here.

THIS AFFECTS YOUR LIFE AND THAT OF YOUR LOVED ONES.

Take whatever work you can get to put money in your pocket and food on the table for your family. It doesn't have to be long-term ... just until you can get back on track.

You can always do your IM stuff on the side or a few spare hours a week.

I get messages from people who are in IMMEDIATE need of help but they are talking about setting up websites or doing KDP or what-have-you. Even the most passive income businesses still take time and effort. And you can't afford to dabble in something that may or may not be immediately profitable. YOU NEED SOMETHING NOW!

So make phone calls. Visit social service agencies.

All pride aside --- do whatever is legal to get some cash and security. Don't spend your last money on hit-or-miss business opportunities. Now's not the time.

Apply for whatever help or government assistance you qualify for. That will take some time, as well, but once your application is approved and some assistance starts coming in, you'll have that to sustain yourself.

That takes away some of the stress and allows you to focus more on IM or other avenues of income.

It's scary to say but, we don't know how long this pandemic will last. I know it's raging out of control now and will only get worse if we don't get a vaccine and a strategy for reeling it in.

And someone who knows what the f*ck they're doing in the White House.

In the meantime, do whatever you need to do to keep your family safe and strong.

I appreciate all the digital LUV everyone! And I'm sending mine right back at 'cha!

for reading!
Layna61524

Excellent share! Thanks Layna!

One small advice to those who read this thread:

If you end up reading Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples, I highly recommend you read the 4th edition ONLY.

In the 5th edition, almost all the original illustrations have been cut out and replaced with worthless, untested advertisements. He also consolidated the text with the illustrations, turning this priceless classic into a piece of excrement. It's a crying ass shame what that editor did to this book.

You can grab the 4th edition here (from the benevolence of @C.Jensen):

Magic Button :

I think he actually bought the book and scanned it himself, a real MVP. This version of the book online is INCREDIBLY RARE.

@Dreonar

Good Call. You are right in that the 4th Edition of John Caples book is MUCH BETTER. And the link you share leads to an active share that still has a Mega Link that is working.

I sent you some reps for the point out to the community AND anyone that follows your link (Post #8) and gets the C.Jensen share should give REPs to them also.

Cheers,

G.S.

@Layna

All is well. I never mind when you mention me in any post you are involved with. I know your words are always to help and you are a good soul.

I was reading your heartfelt post and it got me to thinking.

People that know me here, know I am always saying that Copywriting is the best skill to learn. I stand by that. They also have seen me go on about Kaizen, the practice or philosophy of continuous improvement.

What this is all about is ACTION. And that is what your post above (#7) is all about.

If you read the book by Jeff Olson, The Slight Edge, he explains in a way what the results are of using Kaizen in your life

I believe it was Jim Rohn that popularized the quote: "What is easy to do is also easy not to do".

And as the image above from the Slight Edge shows us, these small steps can be uncomfortable to start, but become comfortable... vs comfortable to start and uncomfortable over time.

Making choices and taking action on those choices are really the only things in life we have control over. And every choice you make has an impact on the ones that follow it.

If you want to read Jeff Olson's book, go here:

Magic Button :

For me, that is the formula for success: Make a Choice + Do the ACTION.

You can change the "Make a Choice" part to so many different things.

Read a Book + Do the ACTION.
Study a Course + Do the ACTION.
Learn to eat right + Do the ACTION.
Blah, blah, blah + Do the ACTION.

Learning is a dangerous thing for me. I could spend my entire life sitting around just learning new stuff. I love to do it... But I know the great strides forward I have made in my life and come from the ACTION side of things.

The Application of what I had learned.

You want to make the best Choices you can in the moment... But then you must do the ACTION to get the results.

Here is a quote from Jim Rohn that I picked up a long time ago:

And all of this is what Kaizen and The Slight Edge is about. Make the best choices you can and take action.

Cheers,

G.S.

layna61524

BlackTopHat

layna61524

jubileewizzy

GordonShumway

actionguy

layna61524

Dreonar

GordonShumway

GordonShumway