Gary Halbert Quote - Copy Ads
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“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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