Gary Halbert Quote - Copy Ads

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Gary Halbert Letters
“Get yourself a collection of good ads and direct mail pieces and read them aloud and copy them in your own handwriting.”
Gary Halbert - The Boron Letters

That’s Gary Halbert, the “Prince of Print.” His favorite writing exercise? Hand-copying proven ads with pen and paper. It may sound old-school, but it’s one of the fastest ways to train your brain to write copy that actually sells.

Why Halbert’s Handwriting Method Works

  • Builds persuasion muscle memory
  • Teaches the rhythm and flow of great copy
  • Forces focus on structure, not fluff
  • Instills instinct for what converts

Real Examples of Pros Who Do It

  • Halbert’s students rewrote WSJ’s “Two Young Men” letter by hand
  • Agora copywriters still copy winning promos daily
  • David Ogilvy studied competitor ads line by line
  • Dan Kennedy handwrote direct mail to sharpen his sales instincts

Sometimes, the best writing tool isn’t a laptop. It’s a pen.

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