The Power Of Social Proof
Wednesday, 2:10 PM
Dear Friend,
A brief marketing lesson today… and a request for a small favor.
BTW, this isn't my regular post for the week. I'll do that in a couple days. (It's probably gonna ruffle some feathers!)
Anyhoo… here's the marketing lesson…
There is almost nothing more powerful than strong social proof. People are STRONGLY influenced by what "the crowd" is doing or saying.
And today, I'm going to attempt to generate some for my own personal benefit.
Selfish S.O.B., aren't I? 
Here's what it's all about:
A REAL book publisher with several NY Times best-selling authors on their roles has asked me for a book proposal.
They think there's a market for a book about my experiences with my mentor… the late, great copywriting legend, Gary Halbert.
So instead of just little old me pitching them the idea that there's a market for this book… AND… I'm the right guy to author it…
It Would Make 1,000 Times
More Impact If YOU Told Them!
So while I'm scribbling away at my proposal (with yellow pad and pen, remember?)… if you'd like to see a book authored by by yours truly and published by a well-respected publishing company… could I please impose upon you to add a brief comment below?
If I DO land this book deal, I promise you this…
I'll do my best to make it one of the most valuable (and entertaining) marketing books you'll ever add to your library.
MUCH more valuable… with many proven techniques that REALLY WORK… than most of the ripoff $2,000 courses sold by the IMGOBC (Internet Marketing Good Ole Boys Club).
Please… if I've ever provided any value to you in any way over the past several years… would you please post a comment below to show the publisher you'd be interested in buying my book about Gary Halbert?
If not… that's OK, too.
I appreciate you reading this… and I really appreciate having you as a subscriber.
Seriously… your comments and support… and dare I say love… are quite humbling to me.
All the best,
Dan – a book on Gary Halbert is long overdue. And can only be written by one of his protégés. A journalist could never capture the magic of the man.
It always struck me as weird that there was no definitive work on the man.
I have diligently tracked most of his works. And bought it. This book belongs on my bookshelf too.
"Onward" …
I am buying this book!!!
Gary Halbert was a Wizard. Dan has insights we need to read. He'll write it from the Heart and give us the reader useful tools not just fluffy stories of just how great Gary was.
Tim
I DONT DOUBT YOUR ABILITY TO PRODUCE A FIRST CLASS BOOK. I CANT WAIT TO GET MY HANDS ON A BOOK WRITTEN BY YOU. PLEASE GO AHEAD AND WRITE THE BK ABOUT GARY.
UNTIL THEN
HOWARD MAHERE
Dan, I am buying this book.
Halbert had his warts but he was brilliant.
Your experiences with him would be info that would bew helpful to me and, I'm sure, many others
Gary Halbert was once asked what was the point of his newsletter. He replied, "I'm saving lives." Doberman Dan's experiences with Halbert, along with some of his own, have literally given shape and purpose to my life, when I was otherwise adrift. Dan's accounts represent homespun storytelling at its finest, and provide a beacon of light for all who struggle to learn life's lessons in business and beyond.
Hey Dan
The publisher is correct.
I'd enjoy reading about your life w Sir Gary of Halbert.
I know it's ego fulfilling to have a real published book, especially when the publisher has asked you for a proposal.
You'll make more dough tho, if you go the way of Robert Ringer and John T Reed.
I'd definitely buy Dan's book. He's one of the few marketing guys online worth reading. And reading about Dan's experiences with the great Gary Halbert will be fascinating.
I would love to buy the book.
Gary Halbert was a genius.
His wisdom is still valid today.
Actually I am ready to pre-order.
From what I've seen, I'm confident you've got enough valuable (not to mention entertaining) material for a multi-book deal — I'll pre-order this from Amazon the moment I hear it's coming out.
Dan's knowledge and insights into the world of internet marketing and copy writing is top notch. His outlook on traditional internet marketing gurus or IMGOBC (Internet Marketing Good Ole Boys Club), as he likes to call them, has truly opened my eyes to a whole new way to be successful online. No more chasing the shiny objects for me.
One of my favorite things about Doberman Dan is his unique writing style. His style appeals directly to the individual instead of the masses. You can relate to his real-world point of view and don't feel like it's all one big marketing pitch. Is it important for me to know that his doberman is 13 years old and has outlived the typical 10 year lifespan of it's breed? No, but I do and it's that personal touch that makes Dan the man.
Dear Mr. NY publisher,
The reasons why you should contract Dobie Dan to write a book about his time with G. Halbert? Geez, my guess is you're going to be bombarded with plenty of much-better-written reasons from other fans of Dan. I look at it a slightly different way; why the heck wouldn't you? Because I honestly can't think of a single, solitary reason why any publisher wouldn't rush to get their hands on this project. Not a one. Well … wait. I can think of one really good reason you should work with Dan: He still owes me that ten-spot from three years ago. That's a pretty good reason, eh?
Wow, Dan, this is exciting!
Yes, you'd be the one to write this book and what a book to look forward to reading. I felt hunger pains and curiosity welling within me, as I was reading your post.
Yeah! You're definitely the one who has rights and insights to author a book that you've lived.
This book proposal couldn't have happened to a better guy. I'm so happy, excited and proud for you Dan. What a 'smile' this would bring to your reader's heart. Most excellent!
Shirley Bass
Hi Dan:
Sign me up to buy the book. However, do you really think a publisher adds value to the process? Why not just self-publish and sell direct?
Best, Ryan McGrath
I think publishing this book would be one of the single greatest gifts to the direct marketing world that there is …
I'm confident it would highlight the late Gary Halbert's contributions to our craft (preserving him in direct marketing legend) … be full of brilliant marketing and life insights from Dan … and would be full of edge of your seat action, adventures and stories that could only happen if you took a streetwise ex-cop and made him spend time personally with the king shitweazel himself, Gary Halbert
Can't wait to see this in print, it would undoubtedly go on my top 10 list of favorite books I own!
Put me down for 10 copies. Dan, you are the man when it comes to Halbert. PLEASE write this book.
Dan,
I can't think of a better person to write a sort of "memoirs of working with and learning from Gary Halbert". Considering that so much of your communication style came from you time with Gary, it would almost be like Gary writing it himself!
You probably don't need the money and I bet you could make more using the time doing other things. So do it for the love of the man and for posterity. It will come out better that way, anyway.
Owen
Where's the link to the Amazon hard cover pre-publishing special pricing page? I will be all over that!
Gary Halbert stories and marketing lessons from Doberman Dan? I'd buy it immediately and even pre-order it and I never do that. It'd be a successful title for sure and well worth it.
I'd buy it immediately Dan . . . I hope they accept your proposal!
Paul
==
Gary Halbert is one of the most influential copywriters and direct response marketers to date.
And he has clearly had a role on impacting one of the most underground internet marketing
guys out there right now, Doberman Dan. I would personally LOVE to see Dans insights on working
with the late Gary Halbert. Dan has a way of writing, that is engaging, insightful, intelligent & funny.
Few people have mastered the art of communicating in this way. So, in my opinion, a book authored by Dan about Gary would be a MUST READ for any SERIOUS entrepreneur, or just anyone that would want a good read. Dan has the goods, and he can deliver.
Oh Yeah Baby! Book Me
Your posts here are awesome so, I think you should just tell the Publisher to
read a few more of your posts AND the comments. He/she should find MORE than
enough soicial proof right here, right now.
Good luck with the deal.
Now that Gary is no longer among us, it's up to his pupils to carry the torch.
A lot of people have a tendency of thinking about Joe Polish first when the subject
of successful Halbert students comes up, but Dan has more of an on-the-edge appeal.
Most would-be marketers are sick and tired of hearing promises of making more money
than the federal reserve in only 3 days.
No BS promises here. You'll make the money alright, maybe not Warren Buffett amounts
of money, but enough to lead a very rewarding life.
Hi Dan
My biggest wish about the book is that you create a big bonus for buying it in bulk, I think it will make a great gift/bonus to clients (especially the younger generation) about one of the true geniuses of direct marketing, and from a guy that knew him better than most.
You have always underpromised and over delivered on anything you've ever offered your fans. I'm betting big bucks that your book will be worth 1000 times the cover price the day it comes off the press.
Dan,
I had recently subscribed to the Doberman Dan newsletter and have been reading post after post from your blog. I also happen to have been reading the compilation of some of Gary Halbert's work over at TheGaryHalbertLetter.com, and I have gained a TON of great info from this. So much so, that I am ready to tackle the world and rejigger my business to reach my epic success goals.
It's evident that your time spent with Gary Halbert helped you a great deal, and both of your works are helping me, so I can't think of a book I would more like to have in my hands right now than one written by you about the time spent with and knowledge gained from your mentor.
Everybody in direct response marketing refers to what they learned from Gary Halbert's letters and style, but it seems very few worked directly with him. I can't imagine anyone being in a better position to keep that legacy going than you, Dan.
Not only do you have that actual living/working time with him, but those Halbert-isms are still a big part of how you work and teach today.
Besides, your affection for him is clear and I think that's an important part of passing on anyone's legacy — from someone who was behind the scenes and saw it all.
Bravo for earning this honor, and any publisher would be a fool to miss this opportunity to have you write it.
Becki
The legend of Gary Halbert will easily stand the test of time. I would completely trust Doberman Dan at the helm to write a book about Gary Halbert and his marketing lessons. I WOULD BUY THIS BOOK!
Thanks for all your help, Dan.
Brandon Duran
Dan, this is a book that needs to be written and you're the only guy I can think of that can write it.
Dan,
If you wrote a book about what you learned from Gary Halbert I would pay for a copy in advance.
Because somebody needs to spill the "goods" on what Gary Halbert was really like.
That sneaky bastard saved me from a dreary life of burger flipping by selling me on the idea of being a writer. He sold me on a different way of living I never knew existed.
You're one of the few people I would trust to tell the no holds barred truth about what the king shit weasel was really like.
If it wasn't for Gary Halbert I would probably still be flipping burgers.
Make no mistake… this book will change lives…
The publisher has the perfect man to do the job.
And I might add…
a moral obligation to the human race to publish your words of wisdom.
While I've enjoyed the Readers Digest version of your story (this blog), I'd sure like to get the full-feature account of your experiences and relationship with Halbert. Hell, if the publisher doesn't bite head to Hollywood and get a script done — what you've lived and got to say is compelling.
I know you are the right guy to write this book and I look forward to reading it.
Dan,
I have gained invaluable wisdom from reading your posts and most importantly the lessons you impart during your times spent assisting Gary Halbert as his protegee'. I would not only buy a book written by you in regards to that specific experience, I would buy a whole batch of those suckers to share with all those that I care about and want to see do well in life!
Doberman Dan has been one of the most generous and good natured marketing teachers I have ever come across. I know that this same spirit of sharing what he knows will permeate his book about his teacher and mentor, Gary Halbert. I am excited just about the possibility of reading this book of wisdom, because I know that every bit of information in it will have been squeezed from the rocks of real life experience.
Dan, I was at the seminar in Miami where Gary called you the best copywriter in the business, next to himself, of course … you were there with him, side by side, for years. Nobody can write the story better than you. Not even Gary. You have his wisdom plus a useful dose of sanity. I'll preorder a stack of the books NOW.
Hi Dan, Yes, I would definitely buy such a book – though preferably in paperback form. I'm sure it would be a good seller in that format anyway.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by John Breese, John Breese. John Breese said: Gary Halbert A major publisher has approached Doberman Dan to Write about this #copywriting legend, but he needs you: http://bit.ly/ccP3gE [...]
Dan,
You're the real deal and I'll buy any book you write.
Dave
I'm buying two,just in case!I'm always loaning books out;they don't always make it back…
Can't wait for it to come out!Way to go,Dan…
Gary Halbert completely changed my life 8 years ago. I continue to study his vast knowledge to this very day.
As far as Dan — he IS the man to write this future-best-selling marketing book. There's very few marketing experts out there telling it like it is. Dan happens to be on this short list. And for that, I have oodles of respect for him.
Put me down for advanced copies. I know, without a doubt, it's money well spent!
Hi Dan,
Let me state it this way. Just the other day I received two pieces of direct mail from marketing professionals. One was a 4 page color brochure with lots of pictures from Dan Kennedy. The other was a 22 page letter – all copy…just words…from you.
Which do you think got read first? Well, actually only one of them got read at all.
I read your letter in its entirety, immediately upon retrieving my mail. The brochure barely got a passing glance before I tossed it in the trash.
Why???
I've been conditioned by guys like Kennedy to just expect another shameless sales pitch, while you have proven yourself time and again by providing tons of value without asking for anything in return (there is a very important marketing lesson in that statement which you are obviously aware of). Whose copy was better? I don't know. Let me see if I can find Dan Kennedy's brochure in the garbage. I'll get back to you on that one.
The main reason I ordered your interview with John Angelache when I did was BECAUSE of the value that you provide. After all you do for your subscribers for free I figured the least I could do was drop a lousy $27 to support your efforts. (And the interview was awesome – well worth what I paid…and more.)
There are only three marketing sites that I visit multiple times per week. The Makepeace Total Package, The Gary Halbert Letter, and Doberman Dan. (I printed Bencivenga's Bullets and put them in a notebook so I guess that could technically be number four
So yes, I would love to read about your experiences with Gary Halbert and all of the lessons that he taught you. I'm sure "Dan and Gary's Excellent Adventures" will stand head and shoulders above the myriad of other marketing books that will come out next year, most of which will be just a rehash of books that are already in print.
Not only will I buy the book Dan, but I will pre-order it(from the publisher if they like) and even prepay for it in advance if that helps, and I'll bet a lot of other DD subscribers would be willing to do the same.
Thanks again for all that you do for us.
John
Hi Dan,
I would definitely buy that book, please make it happen.
I'll be the first to buy it. I just started going through your blog today and I've already found a wealth of powerful usable information.
Good luck
Yes, I'd buy this book in an instant.
Dan,
Where do I sign up? Reserve one for me.
Your marketing insights are a breath a fresh air from all the cheesy one-hit-wonders peddling their magic solutions.
Ron
Buy a book written by Dan The Doberman?
Sign me up for a signed copy! As this (book) would surely, many years from now, become a coveted piece of work, worthy of the same shelf as brilliant minds such as Claude Hopkins and Elmer Wheeler, just to name a couple off the top of my head.
Excited for you Dan!
Best to you and yours,
B.
Dan,
I'll buy the book even if the publisher chickens out. Write it and you'll have a best seller no matter how it gets out to us.
I have learned so very much from Dan since being on his list of
subscribers.
He would provide very much value to anything that has to do with
marketing or business.
He knows more about Gary Halbert than almost anyone I know.
Dan, Your work in the sales copy business is outstanding! I've followed your work for sometime now and would love to read abook based on your connection with Gary Halbert. I know it would be a good read.
Dan Przyojski
Dan,
A book about your experiences with Sir Halbert would be a great addition to my library.
It seems like I have on a couple of occasions, encouraged you to write such book.
I have been following you for several years and have been absorbing what you publish.
I am looking forward to such a book to add to my knowledge of copy writing and IM in general.
Medreth
Hi Dan,
I can't wait to see this book. I will definitely add it to my library when it is published.
I will also be happy to pay the extra handling charges to have it shipped to me here in Japan.
Thanks,
Mac Bull
Japan
It'd buy the book in a heartbeat. Dan is the perfect writer because of his genuine care and honesty about providing value. You'd have to be a business moron to pass on this school of hungry fish. If this publisher falls through, give me a call and we'll put something out together.
I knew Gary pretty well, probably before Dan met him…last time I saw him and had conversation was in 1992 at the Hurricane relief seminar in Key West before I moved to Saudi Arabia. I have certainly missed his wit and marketing wisdom over the ensuing years and now I think Dan could do a fantastic job of bringing his story and ideas back to the marketing community. Go for it Dan!
Hi Dan,
I'm ready for the book. Will there be any guest writers like Carlton or any other Halbert students?
Hi Dan,
I'm in and want a copy. Autographed of course!
Just as in the investing market, many internet marketers want "exciting" and the newest shiny object.
There are myriad product launches for such shiny objects. However, many folks overlook tried and true
and "boring." The "boring" stocks are consistent and make money while many high flyers crash and burn.
Direct mail is one "boring" tool that Sir Gary was a master at and is overlooked today because it requires
some effort and is not the shiny object that glitters.
You are carrying Sir Gary's torch and I believe you would do the business world a great service by
writing a book about Gary Halbert's work and direct mail marketing. Offline seems to have been forgotten
and has been turned off.
Gary Halbert IS my favorite copywriter. Dan has got a hold of the essence of Gary like few people ever will. Best of all , he can teach it, too! And just the Gary stories by themselves will be worth the price of admission.
There is a substantial hardcore community that will devour this book WHEN it is written. I can practically feel my copy in my hands right now…
Dan
To be honest, I have read and studied many copywriters, and I visit very few blogs about it, but you are the only one that I have seen that can truly speak Halbertese.
No worship, just take the damn thing and do it philosophy.
I think you will do a great job of it and I am in line to buy the book
Hey Dan,
You know I'm aboard! Get cracking on that book..
Only if you make it "Hard Core Nasty Gary Halbert Style". Dan you just got to let it all out and get down and dirty to business with this book. I hope they have to put a "Warning Label" on this thing!!
Can't wait,
~Mark
Dan,
I have to tell you that the insight and quality information on life, marketing and business that you've given me has been priceless. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it and you.
My first thought on the book proposal (after, "Holy crap! I've gotta buy that!") is that this book could turn into the "Breakthrough Advertising" or "Boron Letters" of our day. As you know, both of those titles have been incredibly hard to get at times (I've actually heard that "Breakthrough Advertising" was the most stolen book from libraries until it was republished within the last few years).
I think this book would absolutely be worth publishing, and, frankly, Dan, if the publisher passes you up on this (I think they would be nuts to do so), I hope you write the book anyways and self-publish it.
Thanks, Dan, for everything.
- John
Without question Dan, I'd not only buy a copy for myself, I'd buy two for three or more for my staff of writers.
Hope it comes together with the publisher, but if they fail to come through, self publish it!
Looking forward to reading it,
Aaron
Gary was a genius marketer and you,Dan,must have been lucky to work with him side-by-side.
Some people say a student cannot be better than his/her master whereas some say a student can actually surpass his/her master.
Whichever the case,i'm confident you can do it.Go for it!
As someone who has been through your training program I'd be keen to get my hands on your book.
There is always going be room in the market place for a book by someone who has lived it, rather than someone who has just talked about it. And the fact that you can still remember what it was like to be on the other side of success only makes your message that much more relevant and accessible.
I would like to write the screenplay for you – after buying the book of course…
CLIENTS SUCK – THE SECRET LIFE OF A ROGUE GENIUS
DD – I'd pre-order it. It's got winner written all over it.
Some of the stories you've told about your time with
Halbert are so loaded with real-life, concrete business
wisdom, it's sure to be a uniquely valuable title in any
publishers business roster.
Short on theory and heavy on 'get off your ass and get things
done" – it's destined to connect with a lot of readers who
are sick of all the fads and self-styled gurus who've never
mailed a letter … let alone hundreds of millions like Gary
did.
The question is – How could this NOT entertain, educate
and inspire? (Especially with more and more people
leaning towards kitchen table businesses)
P.S – Please make the cover and design REALLY ugly
Maybe toss in some faded text or poor grammar for good
measure…
All the best man.
Mike
Dan,
I suspect your book would be well worth the read. Count me in.
Regards
Wow! What a great combination, Dan do everyone a favour and go ahead and finish that book. Fast! I can't wait to get a copy!
There was only one Gary Halbert… and to have learned direct response copy writing and marketing from this man is tantamount to several PhD's from the most hallowed universities. The fact is, what Dan learned is not taught in any school… it's learned through hard knocks… and taught by survivors.
Dan's storytelling skills are reminiscent of Halbert… I know… I've spoken to Dan for hours about Direct Response Marketing… and back in the early '70's had the opportunity to speak with Gary about development of mail order deals (he was still active with his heritage mailings and looking for the next mountain to climb).
A book by Dan will share insights and experiences learned from a giant… and there are very few giants left. Dan has the ability to tell a story that is entertaining… sometimes funny… sometimes sobering… but always entertaining… yet, along the way, the unsuspecting reader discovers they've been educated.
His book will be a killer!
Halbert was a larger than life character and a brilliant marketing mind. Couple that with Dan's smooth, clear writing style. Top it off with his experiences living and working with Gary and you have the proper mix for a best seller.
Fortunately, the Halbert Letters are still available and there are still some great marketers like John Carlton carrying the torch. There just isn't that much ABOUT him. And we all love a good story.
Tell it, Dan, tell it! Can't wait to get my hands on the book…
Dan,
Your book on Gary Halbert would bring an interesting perspective to all of the Gary stuff I've been reading for years. And I'm sure a lot of useful tips for applying his secrets. As a mainly online marketer, who is now using direct mail for lead gen and customer relationships, I'll be first in line to buy a copy. And I'll pick up extras to give to my best clients. Get writing Dan!
Ken
Yes, I would be interested in reading this…especially since you write so well!
Dan,
I have often wondered why there has been no biography etc. Gary mentioned a few times in his newsletter that he was working on a book, but I guess it was never born …
As a protégé of Gary, you have insights that few others have. Your book belongs in my collection of "Halberteria" .
I am going to buy it. Gary Halbert stories never cease to amaze me.
Hey Dan,
Can't wait to see the book. I hearing you write about Gary Halbert. Should be entertaining and informative
Thanks,
Mike M
Hi Dan,
Let me know when the book's out.
I'd buy the book and even pay extra for an autographed copy.
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