The Gonzo Copywriting Blog

Do You Test and Track Like John Reese?

We've all heard John Reese, Michel Fortin, Jay Abraham, and Dan Kennedy talk/write about the value of testing and tracking everything about your sales copy and marketing. We all know that we're supposed to change one variable at a time, and then see how that changes our conversion ratios (or maybe get more advanced with Taguchi methods). But... do we do it?

I'll 'fess up, and tell you the truth: I test and track... but not nearly as much as I think I should. How about you? Are you a fanatical tester? A complete non-tester? Or (like me) somewhere in between? Comment below...

MegaSeminar Videos Are Up

Ken Calhoun has posted some video clips of folks who attended the MegaSeminar, along with some pictures, over at http://megaseminar.com/ . This was a great event, my friends. It's a "must attend" event already - Ken says the next one will be in the Spring sometime. I can hardly wait!

Gonzo Copy Podcast #2 | 07-22-2005

Download MP3: Click here

Specs: 4.5 MB | 19 mins, 35 secs
Presented by: FreePublicityMachine.com

Show Topics/Links Mentioned

The first podcast in the aftermath of the first-ever MegaSeminar in Denver, Colorado.

• Summary of the last day of the Seminar.
• Thoughts about how to make the most of any seminar.
• Action plan creation: make 5 lists...
  1. Two things I will do today.
  2. One thing I will do each day for the next week.
  3. Set your 2-week goals.
  4. Set Five 30 day goals.
  5. Set Five 60-day goals.
  6. Set Five 90-day goals.
• I'll have a special bonus of some kind for anyone who buys the MegaSeminar DVD's through a special link that I will provide (within the near future).

Download MP3: Click here

Specs: 4.5 MB | 19 mins, 35 secs
Presented by: FreePublicityMachine.com

Show Topics/Links Mentioned

The first podcast in the aftermath of the first-ever MegaSeminar in Denver, Colorado.

• Summary of the last day of the Seminar.
• Thoughts about how to make the most of any seminar.
• Action plan creation: make 5 lists...
  1. Two things I will do today.
  2. One thing I will do each day for the next week.
  3. Set your 2-week goals.
  4. Set Five 30 day goals.
  5. Set Five 60-day goals.
  6. Set Five 90-day goals.
• I'll have a special bonus of some kind for anyone who buys the MegaSeminar DVD's through a special link that I will provide (within the near future).

More MegaSeminar Pictures

I have posted a few more pictures from MegaSeminar - and I'll have a podcast up within the next 24 hours.

That's me and Willie Crawford in that picture to the left.

I have some things I am really excited about coming out of this events, and some ideas and thoughts to share with you especially if you weren't able to be there.

Stay tuned... and if you have pictures from the event, email them and I'll post them. Or if you have some already posted on your blog, let me know and I will link to you!

Mega Seminar DVDs and Comments

Well, it looks like there will be DVDs of the seminar available in the near future. I figured that was the case, but wanted to be certain before I confirmed it here. Ken does some elaborate video production, so I know these will be some of the best (if not the best) seminar DVDs you've ever seen.

I have more thoughts on the seminar, and some key insights, but they will have to wait until a bit later - the bistro is calling, and it's been a long time since lunch!

MegaSeminar Pictures

Hey, I took some snaps at the MegaSeminar. I'll have more of these posted tomorrow night or Monday, but for now here's a few. Click this nifty link to see the photo album: Ray's MegaSeminar Photo Album

Gonzo Copy Podcast #1 07-16-2005

Download MP3: Click here

Specs: 2 MB | 8 mins, 24 secs
Presented by: FreePublicityMachine.com

Show Topics/Links Mentioned

Here is the very first edition of the Gonzo Copy Podcast... hurriedly produced late at night from the location of the first-ever MegaSeminar in Denver, Colorado.

• What the Gonzo Copy Podcast is all about.
• Some thoughts on MegaSeminar. Key point: if Ken makes recordings available afterwards... you must get a copy immediately!
• Mike Filsaime
• Lorrie Morgan-Ferrrero
• Willie Crawford
• Gary Ambrose
• Dr Mike
• Quentin Brown

MegaSeminar, and a New Podcast

I'm on my way to Ken Calhoun's MegaSeminar in Denver, where I somehow ended up on the speaking roster (my session is Sunday at 2pm). I hope to meet you there. This is going to be one power-packed weekend! I am looking forward to meeting and learning from all the speakers and attendees at the seminar.

On a separate note, now that the blog has been officially launched - the podcast is soon to follow. Some of you know that I have been involved in podcasting since June of 2004 (pretty close to the beginning), and have launched several other podcasts successfully.

The Gonzo Copy Podcast will focus on copy writing, marketing (on-line and offline), and advertising. It won't be stuffy or boring. If connectivity is good I'll probably have the first episode posted from Denver this weekend (but no podcasts of the Seminar itself, sorry!).

Windfall Profits Hidden In Your Business

There is money hidden in your business. Money that you could be using. Money that, unless you do something about it, will slip through your fingers and vanish without a trace.

Where is this money – and how do you get it?

Most businesses have many hidden opportunities for discovering “windfall profits” – but I want to focus on just one of those opportunities in this article.

That “opportunity pocket” is: marketing and advertising.

In my experience, almost every business – whether it be retail, service, professional practice, or “business to business” in its nature – is unconsciously letting profits slip away.

Your biggest opportunity most likely lies hidden inside your underperforming sales copy (copy that isn’t selling as many units/contracts/ memberships as it potentially could be).

If you want to make more sales without spending a single dime in additional ad costs, this article might be the most important document you read this year.

5 Instant Cashflow Boosters

Here is a list of 5 simple ideas that can instantly boost your cashflow.

Each of them can be implemented immediately – or at most in just a few days. Some of them can get you a big instant or nearly-instant payoff. Others may offer only a small return at the start, with growing returns in a (short) period of time.