I bet you're wondering how a sales letter could save a life.
This is a quote from Ray Edwards' new book Read This or Die!: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life
In the book, Ray tells a story about a sales letter he wrote to himself after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's.
The sales letter helped change Ray's approach to life after being diagnosed with the fatal disease.
I could also say a sales letter saved my life.
I don't have a fatal disease but I went through a very rough patch a few years ago.
Here's a long story short version.
I took a few of Ray's copywriting courses around 2010 and became a big fan of his work.
In 2013, Ray held a three-day conference in Phoenix.
The hook was you would leave the workshop with a completed sales letter.
I thought to myself, "This is just what I need" so I signed up (how many times have you said that to yourself?)
At the workshop, I was going to write a sales letter to promote my new books Ultimate Guide to Twitter for Business and Ultimate Guide to LinkedIn for Business.
In February, Ultimate Guide to LinkedIn for Business was released.
In early March, my position as Online Marketing Manager for a software company was eliminated after they received a venture capital investment and outsourced my job.
A week later my mother passed away.
Talk about the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
I was down in the dumps and seriously considered bailing on the workshop.
I was in no mood to spend three days in a hotel conference room with hundreds of strangers.
I decided to go with the intention I could leave early if I was too uncomfortable.
Turns out it was the best decision for me to go.
Ray attracts very compassionate people so I felt very comfortable.
During one of the breaks, I handed Ray signed copies of my books and told him about losing my job and my mother's passing.
I started crying.
His eyes teared up and he gave me a huge hug.
Two men sobbing uncontrollably in front of everyone.
It was just what I needed.
Ray has been my close friend since that amazing moment.
So you could say a sales letter saved me too.
This month Read This or Die!: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life is our book in the Mastermind Book Club.
If you don't have time to read the book, Tom Ruwitch and I are reading it for you.
We'd love to have you join us for the group discussion.
By the way, Ray Edwards will be our very special guest on the group call.
>>> Join the Mastermind Book Club and meet Ray Edwards.
- Ted