American Writers & Artists Institute - Michael Masterson Potentially bad business - trying to find objective info or people who've been involved with AWAI Delray Beach Florida

I purchased the AWAI course in copywriting, and found much of the information to be of little value. I would describe it as "puffery" - a lot of "see what you can be/do/have when you become an accomplished copywriter" but very little in the way of applicable techniques or information. 

I am already a published author and freelance writer, so I understand the basics of writing. However, copywriting requires the mind of a salesperson - and good copywriters have been in sales at least once or twice during their lifetimes. This is the factor that is completely left out of this course (or any book on copywriting that I've read!) 

If I were to do things all over again, I would invest instead in The Copywriter's Handbook by Bob Bly. This is available in print or as a Kindle e-book. It includes information that is of immediate benefit, such as a "swipe file" of headlines and current examples of effective advertisements. The AWAI course reaches back to the Mad Men days, using ads that worked in the 1950s - 1970s.

In fairness, because copywriting is a craft that tends to be pretty specialized, it may not be possible to offer a single, comprehensive course that effectively teaches "anyone" how to make a good living writing copy. The AWAI course can be a starting point, but for economic reasons, purchasing a library of books by Robert Bly and other seasoned, proven copywriters is of better value.

And the puffery about "earning 6 figures as a copywriter"? Well, that can be realized IF your copywriting skills are used to promote yourself! Otherwise, ad agencies across the country want to see a portfolio, a degree of some sort and want to know the results of your campaign(s). 

Wow, Karl.  Sounds like you need to hole up in your bunker and await the Apocolypse.  We can only hope that your bunker is on the "primary targets" list.  You didn't take time to order the course, evaluate the course, or even try to learn anything from the course.  You are just another ninny out there in the fields, braying noisily and needlessly.  This arena has no need and no room for your silly political rants.  

@ Nancy ...(USA) & Everyone else.

I followed the link Nancy posted on her rebuttal. I saw that thay didn't have any complaints until shortly after she posted her rebuttal. Both complaints were billing issues, both were resolved quickly. One complaint was a woman who cancelled within minutes and wasn't getting responses. If you read the complaint details, you will see that they not only fixed the issue, they refunded the money and they gave her the apology she asked for. 

I am currently taking an AWAI course called  Secrets of Writing HIGH-PERFORMANCE Business-to-Business Copy  and it's written and endorsed by none other than Steve Slaunwhite It also features helpful bonues from Bob Bly and several others mentioned in Karl's comment. So now that these Top Earners are affiliated with AWAI...should that be enough to make a rational choice. Before I had even found this rip-off report. I already decided I wanted to purchase the program; I want to pick the brain of the highly successful Steve Slaunwhite. I want to be a part of his forum's and I want to get tips and more indepth knowledge to difficult questions by asking Steve Slaunwhite....that is what AWAI is offering me along with a 365 day refund; if the program is not for me. So I am going with it now and will more than likely pick up additional programs in the future to further my education which will ultimately help with the growth of my freelance copywriting business.

I find it interesting that the people slamming AWAI here are not members, have not gone through the course and have not implemented the advice for building a freelance copywriting business.

I have.

Before getting "the letter" I wrote articles part-time as I had small children at home. After reading the letter and researching AWAI and the courses, I dove in -- and paid more for the course back in 2002 than they're charging now.

I studied the course seriously, I scored well on the test, and AWAI started referring me to companies for work. I have been a well-paid copywriter, working with companies of all sizes from mom & pop gift shops to $billion corporations for 12 years.

I attended a number of bootcamps, took several of their other courses, and supplemented that with training in marketing strategy. The copywriting and marketing training I received through AWAI's conferences and materials have allowed me to grow my freelance copywriting business into a full-service agency for travel/tourism related companies.

I chose this niche because I love travel (I was a travel agent for 10 years before I married). I have held to the lifestyle-based business model I learned from AWAI and have set my company up in a way that allows me to run it from anywhere that has a high-speed internet connection, so I can stay in touch with my project managers and contractors. I now outsource everything but specific copywriting projects and marketing consultations.

I realize some here will claim that I'm just another AWAI puppet, drinking the Koolaid. That's fine. 

But the fact remains that I am not speculating about, or poo-pooing, something I've never even tried. I went through the first course, landed my first client, moved onto several other courses, busted my butt to implement them, went to bootcamps, got a helping hand from AWAI's staff when I had questions, and have built a business I'm very proud of, and that brings in an excellent income. One that also allows me to spend a lot of time with my family, and go play tourist when I want.

AWAI is directly, and unequivically, responsible for the growth and success I've experienced as a copywriter and marketing consultant.

I find it highly unprofessional that some people here, who claim to be professional writers, have trashed a product and company they've never tried, never made any attempt whatsoever to implement.

As a business owner who hires copywriters and other contractors for my company, I wouldn't even consider working with writers who are so lazy and lacking in integrity that they'd try to build arguments without doing honest, indepth, fact-finding research of their own.

You need to understand that what you put online today will be researched by potential clients tomorrow. In the real copywriting world, this kind of shoddy work will get you fired by your client, and blackballed in the industry tout de suite.

I haven't been to the American Writers & Artists Inc. website yet, my comments only concern the letter written by Ashley over 11 years ago. I try to research things before I spend money on them, and looking up the American Writers & Artists Inc. full-page ad, found at the beginning of Writer's Digest  magazine seemed like a good idea. What my google search led me to, however, left me slack-jawed.

Perhaps Ashley typed her response on the keyboard of her smartphone. That might explain why there were more spaces in her sentences than needed. There were spaces between words and subsequent punctuation. What stopped me in my tracks and left me wondering if this person really considered a career in writing was the consistent misspelling of the word "course". Ashley's spell check would not notify her that the word "coarse" had been used incorrectly. It is a word, and it is spelled correctly. The best example I could imagine to explain how wrong it is would be to simply state that it was wrung.

A different letter, written by Reynard in April of this year, went a step further to point ou that no ad agency will hire a copywriter that doesn't have a college degree. This comment is one I looked into and found to be accurate, most jobs as copywriters (even entry level) expect not only a 4 year degree, but varying amounts of experience in design and direction, as well as experience in direct mail. Like so many jobs, the postings state they expect you to already know how to do what they would be hiring you to do, before even sending in a resume. As is true of all jobs, in any industry or trade.

I'll get off my soapbox now and wish Ashley the best of luck in whatever she decides to do. Thanks for letting me vent.

Put your money back in your pocket. I've looked at the AWAI website and this is just another ripoff, folks. It is hilarious to read the glowing comments for AWAI on ripoff report. Think about it - all of these comments are actually direct marketing sales letters. The same techniques that are used to sell you the $400 AWAI course were used to write the comments in this thread.

No ad agency will hire a copywriter who doesn't have a college degree. You don't have to pay anyone to learn how to write. The quality of the materials received in the course does not justify the cost. How can Mr Masterson can sleep at night knowing he has cheated thousands of customers for this worthless crap?

He is a scum and no better than someone who robs you on the street with a knife. He will gladly cheat you and go on his happy way while you end up with a worthless $400 copywriting course. Do a google on "AWAI scam" and you will learn what real people think about this too good to be true scam. Delray Beach and Boca Raton are full of scam publishers. They are all bottom feeders like Mr Masterson.

I would like to contact you directly, since I have heard good things about this company and was interested in some programs...wanted to know if there was a way we can connect online?

thank you

Frannie

I bought their course, read it carefully and decided it was a pretty good course on old fashioned direct response copy writing. However, there are more up to date books that could teach you the same thing for a whole lot less that $500+. So I ended up asking for, and receiving my money back. Can you make six figures as a direct response copy writer? Maybe, after several years of incredibly hard work, networking and promoting your services.

Since I am a professional copy writer, I can say that this is a business, like any business. If you are very good, very hard working and catch a few good/lucky breaks, you can earn a decent income. I suppose in the "good old days" of direct response copy writing (which is the experience of the producers of the course) there were far fewer copy writers and even fewer great copy writers. So, back in the day, you could probably make six figures pretty easily. Today, there are millions of writers, around the world all competing for advertising and copy writing work.

Since the people at AWAI are very good copy writers, they are constantly trying to sell you more courses, attend their very expensive "boot-camp" and other products. Again, the copy writing course is a pretty good course. However, the business of copy writing is not part time, with huge royalty checks whenever you decide to dash off some copy, living the good like etc, etc. It is hard competitive work.

Hope that helps.

(((link redacted)))

(((link redacted)))

http://www.bbb.org/south-east-florida/business-reviews/desktop-publishing-services/american-writers-and-artists-in-delray-beach-fl-26000012

I took their copying writing course and found it to be very helpful in many areas of my professional life. Its foolish to think that you will go out there and start making a six-figure income overnight or upon completion of the course. Like any other type of work/job it-takes-time to achieve a six figure income. Instant gratification is NOT the name of the game with any training.

I would trust the better business bureau not the naysayers...I have included some website addresses for you to view and hope they answer some of your concerns. Remember, what you get out of any educational venture is in equal portion to what you put into it.

No one guarantees us a six-figure income, that opportunities will be flooding our mailboxes.

I am getting ready to sign up for another course through American Writers and one of the nice things about them is their refund policy. Another thing I appreciate is the great customer service you receive; that is difficult to find in most businesses today.

I wish you luck and success in your future!

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Copy writing is a business like any other. I know, because it is my business and I have taught copy writing. It is highly competitive and requires skill, experience, dedication, sales skills, very hard work and ....oh, a talent for writing. As someone here posted, if you cannot spell the word "course" - then perhaps a career in writing is not for you. AWAI may be somewhat guilty over over-hyping their courses, but I can assure you, these courses are for professional writers, not beginners. You will not make 6 figures in any business unless you are willing to do the incredibly hard work of mastering how to run your own business, market your business and keep your customers (among other things). I don't work for them, I just bought their accelerated course for copy writers. It is one of the better ones I have seen. I bought it to further my professional education. That's one of the things that top professionals do, they invest in their education. Before you consider starting your own business in any field, find yourself a business mentor to help you learn the basics and start networking with other professionals in the field. Find something you have a talent for first and proceed from there.

Copywriting Courses through AWAI are typically not sent to you unless you want a print edition, which costs more. You gain access to them as links on the AWAI website.

After you've paid and received acknowledgment of your payment, you need to wait two business days when you'll gain access to your course of study in the Member area of the AWAI website. First of course you click in your name and password.

If you study the material, practice the exercises and take the course seriously, you'll learn the material and slowly become an effective copywriter. AWAI is serious. You need to be too. 

I enrolled in the AWAI program shortly after it was launched. A year
and a half later, I became a full time freelancer. In the interest of
full disclosure, I work closely with AWAI and do receive a number of
freelance projects from them. In the long history of my relationship
with them I've found them to be consistently honest in their dealings
with me and with other customers and I've been more than satisfied
with their programs.

The original filer of this report requested an unbiased opinion on the matter of AWAI and their program.

Accordingly, I would like to present my personal experience and present some facts - and some nonsense, regarding the issue.

On the surface AWAI claims to provide individuals with the training, concepts, and insider information needed to make money - specifically $100,000 or more annually - through copywriting, and more specifically, through direct response copywriting. They promise a lush and lucrative lifestyle with the ability to work at home and have a virtually unlimited income ceiling.

Notice that I said they will provide you with the information... not necessarily the clients, contacts, assignments, or income. This is a critical distinction in the debate.

The question then becomes this: Is AWAI living up to their promises? Are they actually providing the promised information for your $507? And, more importantly, can the information itself actually live up to the promise?

Consider it like buying a package of corn seed. The package promises to contain corn seed let's say a hybrid golden sweet corn perfect for boiling or roasting on the grill during a July 4th BBQ. Two promises here: First the actual contents of the package: corn seed. Well, you can prove that theory by simply ripping open the package and looking inside. Are they in there? Yep. Then, at least that part of the promise was true.

But then there are the promised characteristics of the corn the seeds: sweet, tender, ears perfect for boiling or roasting. To prove that part you have to get to work. The package will not be able to grow itself and even in the growing of the seed, it will take some solid effort to turn those dry, hard seeds into sweet, juicy ears of corn. Plowing, raking, planting, watering, plenty of sunlight, and a bit of bovine droppings (excuse me, fertilizer) will be needed to get the job done. And even after you do all of that, if the seed is bad, then you'll be left with nothing but a few weak sprouts and a lot of wasted time.

The analogy holds true with AWAI's program. Fact: AWAI's program has every scrap of information that their letters and promotions promise to deliver and more information that they don't tell you about. It is as easy as cracking open the package and looking inside to prove that.

But will the information deliver? Will that three ring binder and the 457 pages (plus bonus materials) really be able to give you the know-how to work from home and make six figures as a freelance writer?

The fact is, the only way to know for sure is to get out there and plant the garden or, as you are attempting to do here, learn from other's experiences.

Here's another fact: no one who has not gotten out in the garden, plowed, planted and followed the instructions on the package has a right to tell you whether or not that corn seed will actually grow and deliver on its promises.

Everyone else is just an armchair quarterback, howling at the TV on Monday night. All they have is theory, opinion, and nonsense. They cannot know, because they have not paid the price to know. They cannot tell, because they have not experienced the reality of the program. They cannot comment (intelligently that is) because they either did not try or they tried it their own way without following instructions. That kind of unbiased opinion should be viewed as unsubstantiated evidence and immediately tossed out.

Consider this: would a judge in any court in this country take a statement from a witness that was not at the crime scene and knows nothing of the incident? Clearly, the answer is no.

I read the comments made by Karl of Long Beach, CA and wonder how that ever got posted. The point in question is not how AWAI may or may not stand politically or socially. The point in question is whether or not AWAI is living up to the promises they make about copywriting. Will paying $507 to AWAI give you enough of the right information to empower you to make a six figure income as a copywriter? That is fundamental issue at hand and all other insights or opinion outside of that issue have little bearing on the case. Not only are such comments unsubstantiated, they are wholly irrelevant and inconsistent with the premise of The Ripoff Report.

Given that perspective, I would like to offer my personal, real life experience of ordering, reading, and implementing the AWAI program. With this brief account, I also make the offer to have anyone who reviews this information the opportunity of contacting me directly. I'll gladly present to you any and all information, documentation, and evidence necessary to substantiate the claims that will follow.

In April of 2005 I was financially flat on my back. My company had just dissolved and I did have an income of any kind coming in. About that time I received a letter from AWAI telling me that I could Retire This Year and Still Make More Than Most Doctors. Being financially starving with 6 children and a wife to provide for, I was intrigued. I read and re-read the letter about the program over the next 7 days. My wife and I discussed it at length in very earnest tones.

In the end, we ventured to borrow $39 and bought the first installment of AWAI's program. When it arrived I decided that I would immerse myself in the program 100% and follow their instructions exactly and without variation at least to the best of my ability. I figured that I would put it all on the line and by all I mean my family's security, livelihood, housing, and food by putting AWAI's promise to the test. Only then would I, and could I, be sure that it was fact or fiction and I desperately wanted it to be fact.

Before I completed the first installment, I got another letter this one promoting a 5-day seminar put on by Bob Bly (no idea who that was) teaching you how to Sell Yourself as a Freelance Copywriter. Well, I could see that the skills needed to write the stuff were, in fact, contained within the program AWAI had sent me. But so what if I could write, if I couldn't get any clients? So, I borrow $5,000 from my in-laws (nerve wracking and stressful by all accounts) to pay for the seminar, hotel, travel expenses, and to get the rest of the copywriting program.

At every step along the way, I resolved to do my very best in implementing the program and the self-promotion ideas Bob had presented to me.

In the second week of June I came home and got to work. I prepared my self-marketing information packet. I put up a very simple website (I used a $39 template from template monster). I got hold of a list of potential clients and reviewed my sales letters and marketing scripts. I finished studying the copywriting course.

On August 1, 2005, I sent out my first solicitation letter and in 3 weeks, I began making follow up phone calls.

I continued these efforts for the next few months and toward the end of October 2005 I received my first positive response and paying client. Still, I continued marketing myself and writing something everyday in accordance with AWAI's suggestions. It was not easy, nor was every step of the game particularly fun.

In November, I wrote a promotion for a company that sold over $45,000 worth of products in less than 7 days. In writing that letter I had put together a checklist summary of all the elements, steps, and techniques that AWAI suggests you put into a sales letter. I wrote the letter following that checklist as exactly as I could. I really, really wanted to know if this program was for real and if I was really going to be able to make a good living. In fact, I really wanted to prove the promise of making $100,000 or more in the first 12 months so I could retire and make more than most doctors.

Upon reviewing the results of my letter the hard, cold, unbiased facts of how much my letter had sold in just one week and in actually depositing the $4,000 (plus royalties) that I was paid for writing that letter I knew without a doubt that the information AWAI provided and the system they promoted could, and did, live up to the promises being made.

By the end of April 2006 I added up all the fees and royalties I received for my writing and found that I had made over $100,000 from the time I first read the AWAI letter to that day.

That income amount is a fact. Anyone can review the deposits and who they were from to verify it for themselves.

Based on that 12-month trial alone and the very real facts involved in that experiment, I do not hesitate in stating that AWAI is the real deal.

Of course there is more to the story objective information that is not so easily verified. For example, how do I quantify the respect, friendship, professionalism, and sincere desires for my success that I felt from AWAI's staff and Bob Bly? How can I plot on a graph or chart the sustaining emotional support I received at no extra cost or fee from Katie, Bob, Helen, or Barb during those first rigorous 12 months? Clearly, such things are subjective though perhaps not all together irrelevant.

But, there is one final set of facts that I can leave you with.

Fact: On April 1, 2005 I had never heard of copywriting as a career.
Fact: By April 30, 2006 I had deposited over $100,000 in fees received as a freelance copywriter.
Fact: Almost 3 years later, I still enjoy a strong, and consistently growing, six-figure income as a freelance copywriter.
Fact: I am the father of eight children (same wife, no twins everyone asks), I work from home with virtually unlimited flexibility in my schedule to do as I please, spending time with friends, family, and associates as I choose.
Fact: AWAI far exceeds every promise they make they deliver.

And now, for the nonsense

Nonsense: AWAI's course will make you rich overnight simply by buying the course. That's as ridiculous as buying a package of seeds and believing they will magically plant themselves and produce a rich harvest for you.

Over the past few years I have actively coached a number of prospective copywriters. Invariably, I have found that those who are willing to follow the instructions given by AWAI find success in their efforts. Those that fail, fail to do the work necessary to make the seeds grow.

I learned about American Writers & Artists Inc. through an email from Townhall.com (the only reason I subscribe to their emails is to keep up on what the right-wing extremists are paying attention to). This crowd promotes books and authors that don't think global warming is real and that don't think evolution is real, but they do imagine their freak religion somehow connects with reality. This bunch is okay with an official American policy of torture, okay with indefinite imprisonment without trial, okay with an unjust war and mass murder, lies from the White House and the steady creep toward a police state exemplified in the Patriot Act and the NSA crimes of spying on Americans. And they absolutely vilify good people who are against these things, they are as hateful and hate-filled as is possible to get. They aren't just going along with America's decline into fascism, they are cheerleaders and boosters of the effort.

By their advertising, American Writers & Artists Inc. is supporting Townhall.com and their extreme right-wing authoritarian values. I do not want to be contributing to what I consider to be the sad decline and degradation of my country's values so I took Lj from New York's advice: "But if you really want to get into freelance copywriting, you can just pick up a bunch of books by top copywriters like Dan Kennedy, Bob Bly, Joe Sugarman, Maria Veloso, Steve Slaunwhite, and Peter Bowerman and save yourself a lot of money and time. And you'll learn the truth about freelance copywriting that AWAI conveniently seems to have left out of their course."

For what these guys are charging, you probably could go to a local accredited school and get a piece of paper that would actually mean something to somebody in the ad business. My biggest complaint is that they don't promote themselves as a correspondence school, they promote themselves as a business oportunity and send links to websites that imply that the $39 tuition is actually going to lead to direct employment with someone.

I finished the American Writers and Artist Institute's "Michael Masterson's Six Figure Copywriting" course over a year ago and there's a lot of great stuff in it. But I have a few problems with it:

The first problem is that the course tells you, in many cases, what to do, but not how to do it. They'll say things like, "get your prospect emotionally involved in your copy." They don't tell you how to do that; you have to wait until you finish the course and start taking their "Master's Copywriting Course" to find out how. This is their real nuts-and-bolts course and is continued automatically for two years after you finish the "Six Figure" course one year later. They will continue to send you lessons each month after you finish the one-year course - and continue to bill your credit card until you tell them to stop.

The Six Figure Copywriting Course takes you step-by-step through the copywriting process and you get to send in 2 sales letters that you wrote and they send them back to you with their critiques (very useful). But once you stop taking their courses, at least in my case, they block you out of the forums so you can't post and refuse to answer your emails. Maybe every correspondence course company does this, I don't know. But I found it very unnerving. Having said that, when you are taking their courses, and you do need help they are incredibly helpful.

My biggest complaint about AWAI's Six Figure Copywriting Course is that there is absolutely nothing in it about creating a portfolio to show prospective clients. When I finished the course, I contacted various agencies and direct mail companies and they ALL, without exception, wanted to see samples of my work. I tried AWAI's technique of saying that 'I'll write your copy for free' - and I pretty much got laughed out of the office. These people don't have time for things like that (in my experience). They're often in a rush for copy and the copywriter they usually use is unavailable at the moment.

So is AWAI's "Six Figure Copywriting Course" worth it? If you don't mind paying $600 for a 500 page book and constantly being pitched their $2,000 3-day Copywriter Bootcamp or their $1,500 Copywriting Mentor, then yes, it's worth it. There is plenty of copywriting work out there. And the sales letters and website copy I've created using their techniques have worked really well for me.

But if you really want to get into freelance copywriting, you can just pick up a bunch of books
by top copywriters like Dan Kennedy, Bob Bly, Joe Sugarman, Maria Veloso, Steve Slaunwhite, and Peter Bowerman and save yourself a lot of money and time. And you'll learn the truth about freelance copywriting that AWAI conveniently seems to have left out of their course.

I too am taking the course.

When you begin, you see just how a direct mail copywriter can make thousands. Because when you get established in the industry and write letters that sell, you can charge thousands. And that gross yearly income they mention? The more you work, the more money you can make.

Remember, when you make millions for a company, they'll be less inclined to say "no" to an increase in your rates. That's because you're a winner in their eyes.

And maybe it's just me, but I felt like they were being conservative with the "how much you can make".

There are quite a few copywriting jobs available out there. Just hit one of the job search sites and see.

The Masterson course is written so that you remain interested. And the fact that you feel like enrolling in the course is proof enough that they are experienced copywriters. That's what good copywriters do, they make you want what's being offered.

The course makes it clear that this is a DIY business, but AWAI isn't above giving you as much help as possible. For example, their newsletter. It contains not only tips, but also opportunities to work with companies.

Most educational programs just offer instruction and leave you to the task of finding work.

But you want to know what really caught my eye? Even though they talk about this being a business opportunity (which it is), they used the word "opportunity" extremely rarely. Most scams use the word "opportunity" to the point you feel bludgeoned to death by it.

AWAI sure doesn't exaggerate about the increase in direct mail marketing. I, for one, find myself drowning in offers of all kinds on a weekly basis.

I'm actually glad I started taking this course. When it comes to "selling," I'm just too blasted factual for my own good. And unfortunately, h*o-hum boring factual just doesn't sell. It's just a reality that in order to sell, you have to tell stories and work the facts in there somehow. That's the only way to "hook" a prospect and make the sale. Otherwise, your letter goes in the trash.

To "T" from jericho. VT. I also agree with James from Apple Valley. AWAI has kept its promises up until now.

I am from Ottawa, Canada and I used to receive the AWAI sales letter for the Copywriting course from many persons, - Bob Bly - Michael Masterson,Paul Hollingshead, and others, for a whole year now, until I finally decided to take the plunge and purchase the course.

I am quite sceptical most times,specially when it'll cost more that $600.00 in my Cdn $. But I must truly say that the first part (just started the course this July 2004) turned out to be quite fascinating and educational.

I already write copy and translate into French from English and there were some tips that I've learned from the very start. Although I find that the course material does not arrive as quickly as I expect it to, but then that's the U.S. and Canadian Postal Services for you, so I'm being patient.

I must say that I fell on this site by accident while looking for something else, and I am happy and relieved to read so many good things about AWAI.

I'm communicating with 2 extremely nice young ladies who do not hesitate to answer my emails where I am constantly questioning, about this or that.

I'm also paying on installment and that is really very convenient for me at this time.
I have already sent my first assignement, in September and I am waiting for a "genuine", down-to-earth, sincere and honest critique with all the "trimmings".

That'll be the only way I learn. I have a website which needs a push with a GREAT Salesletter to attract as many customers as possible and I truly believe that this course will give me this opportunity -

Well, don't want to make this really long. If anyone wishes to reply please don't be shy, love to chat and accumulate knowledge.

Thank you all

To "T" from jericho. VT. I also agree with James from Apple Valley. AWAI has kept its promises up until now.

I am from Ottawa, Canada and I used to receive the AWAI sales letter for the Copywriting course from many persons, - Bob Bly - Michael Masterson,Paul Hollingshead, and others, for a whole year now, until I finally decided to take the plunge and purchase the course.

I am quite sceptical most times,specially when it'll cost more that $600.00 in my Cdn $. But I must truly say that the first part (just started the course this July 2004) turned out to be quite fascinating and educational.

I already write copy and translate into French from English and there were some tips that I've learned from the very start. Although I find that the course material does not arrive as quickly as I expect it to, but then that's the U.S. and Canadian Postal Services for you, so I'm being patient.

I must say that I fell on this site by accident while looking for something else, and I am happy and relieved to read so many good things about AWAI.

I'm communicating with 2 extremely nice young ladies who do not hesitate to answer my emails where I am constantly questioning, about this or that.

I'm also paying on installment and that is really very convenient for me at this time.
I have already sent my first assignement, in September and I am waiting for a "genuine", down-to-earth, sincere and honest critique with all the "trimmings".

That'll be the only way I learn. I have a website which needs a push with a GREAT Salesletter to attract as many customers as possible and I truly believe that this course will give me this opportunity -

Well, don't want to make this really long. If anyone wishes to reply please don't be shy, love to chat and accumulate knowledge.

Thank you all

To "T" from jericho. VT. I also agree with James from Apple Valley. AWAI has kept its promises up until now.

I am from Ottawa, Canada and I used to receive the AWAI sales letter for the Copywriting course from many persons, - Bob Bly - Michael Masterson,Paul Hollingshead, and others, for a whole year now, until I finally decided to take the plunge and purchase the course.

I am quite sceptical most times,specially when it'll cost more that $600.00 in my Cdn $. But I must truly say that the first part (just started the course this July 2004) turned out to be quite fascinating and educational.

I already write copy and translate into French from English and there were some tips that I've learned from the very start. Although I find that the course material does not arrive as quickly as I expect it to, but then that's the U.S. and Canadian Postal Services for you, so I'm being patient.

I must say that I fell on this site by accident while looking for something else, and I am happy and relieved to read so many good things about AWAI.

I'm communicating with 2 extremely nice young ladies who do not hesitate to answer my emails where I am constantly questioning, about this or that.

I'm also paying on installment and that is really very convenient for me at this time.
I have already sent my first assignement, in September and I am waiting for a "genuine", down-to-earth, sincere and honest critique with all the "trimmings".

That'll be the only way I learn. I have a website which needs a push with a GREAT Salesletter to attract as many customers as possible and I truly believe that this course will give me this opportunity -

Well, don't want to make this really long. If anyone wishes to reply please don't be shy, love to chat and accumulate knowledge.

Thank you all

To "T" from jericho. VT. I also agree with James from Apple Valley. AWAI has kept its promises up until now.

I am from Ottawa, Canada and I used to receive the AWAI sales letter for the Copywriting course from many persons, - Bob Bly - Michael Masterson,Paul Hollingshead, and others, for a whole year now, until I finally decided to take the plunge and purchase the course.

I am quite sceptical most times,specially when it'll cost more that $600.00 in my Cdn $. But I must truly say that the first part (just started the course this July 2004) turned out to be quite fascinating and educational.

I already write copy and translate into French from English and there were some tips that I've learned from the very start. Although I find that the course material does not arrive as quickly as I expect it to, but then that's the U.S. and Canadian Postal Services for you, so I'm being patient.

I must say that I fell on this site by accident while looking for something else, and I am happy and relieved to read so many good things about AWAI.

I'm communicating with 2 extremely nice young ladies who do not hesitate to answer my emails where I am constantly questioning, about this or that.

I'm also paying on installment and that is really very convenient for me at this time.
I have already sent my first assignement, in September and I am waiting for a "genuine", down-to-earth, sincere and honest critique with all the "trimmings".

That'll be the only way I learn. I have a website which needs a push with a GREAT Salesletter to attract as many customers as possible and I truly believe that this course will give me this opportunity -

Well, don't want to make this really long. If anyone wishes to reply please don't be shy, love to chat and accumulate knowledge.

Thank you all

To "T" from Jericho, VT. I am not affiliated with AWAI at all. If they are using my name and testimonial for their direct mail piece, I am flattered and can assure you I provided the testimonial unsolicited! I am simply giving you my opinion as a satisfied student. I understand your skepticism. I too was a little leery of getting ripped off...until I looked into the company.

A gentleman by the name of Bob Bly sits on the AWAI Board of Directors. Type his name into any search engine and see what you come up with. Check out AWAI (American Writer's and Artist's Institute) with the online and Florida BBB. Check out AWAI's website at: www.awaionline.com. There is a student forum that would be worth 10 minutes of your research time. I found this site extremely helpful!

I took the leap and bought the course on installment; $39 a month for a year. They were never late, answered my questions, and delivered everything they said my $39 would buy.

I have absolutely no reason to inflate the truth nor do I stand to gain by touting the course. I am simply relaying my experience with the company.

As I mentioned before, this is work. Nothing of any significance can be gained through laziness. Do a little homework...be skeptical...check them out thoroughly. I took what AWAI taught and parlayed it into a full-time writing business. Smooth-Sailing? No! It is a challenge. But my foray into the realm of the entrepreneur has been no less than an exciting and very rewarding adventure! And it all started with one step...

If you doubt the veracity of my claim, please go to www.exechouse.net, click the "Contact Us" link, and I will be happy to answer any specific questions you may have.

I look forward to talking with you soon!

Just yesterday, I received the same mailing. I am not certain the company truly can live up to what it promises in all areas. After reading comments on this site, I am a little more concerned because some of the "glowing" praise happens to be from people that were included in the mailing material I received. For all I know, they could be faked by the company or paid to say nice things.

Does anyone not associated with the company and not included in their "praise" sheet have anything to add?

I went through the entire course beginning to end. In a word..."Outstanding!" I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in learning the nuts and bolts of direct-mail copywriting.

The company more than held up it's end of the deal. My course material was always on-time (even after I moved across the country), the student support team was knowledgeable, friendly and accessible. That being said...

It is work! AWAI makes no bones about it. Writing a sales letter is challenging business, but they walk you through it step by step offering motivation along the way. The critique of your final "Live Assignment" is constructive and real. Believe me, these folks don't sugarcoat anything! What they will not do is hold your hand into a six-figure copywriting gig. AWAI will provide the tools, you do the legwork. There is a future in this, if you have the drive to work harder than you ever have to makes your dreams a reality.

AWAI feedback

Hi,

I am in the process of doing the Copywriting course and so far I think it is everything that they promised it would be.

I feel it is every bit as good as a college level writing course, lots of information, exercises to do and practice. Also they state very clearly over and over again that you have to do the work, practice, and revise to get good at this. They tell you up front that it takes even really good people many revisions and lots of time to write a good sales letter, and that only about one in ten that you submit will actually end up being a "control". Having said that, I feel they give a very realistic and step by step process into the theory and process of writing good sales letters.

I have not gotten to the point of submitting my first attempt for critique yet. There are a lot of exercises to go through before you get there and I have been working slowly, one of the benefits of a correspondence course. I cannot speak to how well they find you work or what they teach about finding assignments. I imagine that if if the first part of the course is anything to go by, they will give realistic and helpful information.

I don't expect them to arrive at my door with $10,000 and balloons after I send in my first sales letter. I expect a detailed critique and helpful comments. If you have these expectations I think you will be fine.

I also did an internet earch before buying the course and found nothing negative on the internet, which I thought was a good sign!

Hi!

I was a student of American Writer's & Artist Institute . The reason I say was a student . Because , I was making payments . Everytime , I'd make a payment they would send me a course .Well , one day I sent off for my coarse . It took 2 months before I received my coarse . So , I decided to quit and move on to something better .

The coarses were fun to take . But , you just can't expect to make money just like that . Some people do and some people don't . You have to compete againt other sales letters . Which I was doing real good . You probable will too. The point is there's just alot of complaints on receiving coarses late . Alot , of students just quit . I would have paid it in full but I just didn't have the money . Hope you have fun in taking the coarses and I wish you the best . The students are really nice and helpful .

I enrolled in the program from AWAI and have been satisfied to date (10 months in). Some months the program has seemed a little over-priced, they bill you $39 per month for 5-10 pages of material, but then again,it is probably what you do with the material that matters most. They don't make over-blown promises; succeeding is a matter of applying one's self. Succesful marketing, and that's what copywriting is all about, doesn't just 'happen,' you must work at it, and work and work...Which brings me to my last point. If anyone tells you their program is pefect for you, odds are they're selling you something.

I received a similar mailing in 1999. I, too, was skeptical, but decided to enroll anyway. Since then I have become a full-time freelance copywriter, quitting an 18-year career as an environmental scientist. I assure you that this is not a scam. Michael Masterson and AWAI are for real and reputable. I have personally met countless students who would tell you the same. Taking AWAI's course changed my life.

For what it's worth, the Southeast Florida BBB says: "Based on BBB files, this company has a satisfactory record with the Bureau. The Bureau has processed no customer complaints on this company in its three year reporting period."

I am also looking into the course and have been able to find only this. If you've already seen this info, then I apologize for the redundancy - just trying to help... for what it's worth!