The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
cold, smooth & tasty..png
THE DEVIL'S PEN

12 Months of Copywriter Training with Lex DeVille

For those who want to learn copywriting from me even if you’re a complete beginner. If that is you, click here to join.


What is This?
This email-based training is for anyone who wants to learn copywriting from me even if you’re a complete beginner. Each week over 12 months I will send you two emails. The first email is a training module developed to course quality. It covers a specific copywriting topic. Once you read the week's first email you will have an opportunity to respond with questions by Wednesday. On Friday I will send the second email, a Q/A session to clarify any parts of the training that you asked for help with.


What Will I Learn?
There are modules to develop your skills with writing, influence and persuasion, voice, style, emotion, empathy, and other topics relevant to copywriters who seriously study the craft. Additionally, there is training to integrate techniques of storytelling, NLP, hypnotic copywriting, personality writing, and modern research in the fields of neuroscience and neuropsychology. Finally, you will train in unconventional writing styles, poetry, lyrics and more to help expand your voice and capabilities as a copywriter (areas no “master” will teach you because it's a non-traditional approach).


Examples of Topics
  • Direct Response Copywriting
  • Brand Copywriting
  • NLP Copywriting
  • Hypnotic Copywriting
  • Storytelling
  • Neuropsychology in Copy
  • Empathy & Emotion
  • Behavioral Change Process
  • Sales Pages
  • Warm and Cold Emails
  • Sales Letters
  • Product Descriptions
  • Website Copy
  • Influence & Persuasion
  • Brand Voice

This is not a comprehensive topic list. Just examples of subjects I plan to cover.


The Vault
Each training module and its corresponding Q&A session will be retained in a vault. When you checkout you will have an option to add vault access to your purchase. If you purchase vault access you will be able to search for and quickly return to any topic we’ve covered for the duration of your membership.

This is useful as you will not receive back issues regardless of when you join. For example, if you join next month or the month after that, then you will miss our first several email sessions and will not have access to those. However, when you purchase vault access you will get access to those past training modules.







FAQ


What If I’m New to Copywriting?

That’s fine. Even if you’re brand new you will get a lot of value from this. One of the benefits of being new is you probably don’t have as many limiting beliefs about copy. Your mind is more open which can benefit you as you learn and grow. Many copywriting programs only teach you one skill set (direct response). Here you will learn to be an adaptive copywriter who can pull from external resources beyond copy to create words with more impact while avoiding the most common mistakes and pitfalls.


Do I Have to Be a Freelancer?
No. If you just want to learn useful copywriting techniques for some other business, then this will be good training for you. You do not have to be a freelancer. You don't even have to want to sell copywriting as a service. As long as you want to learn to write better copy, then you will find this useful for you.


How Much Does It Cost?
It's $297 per year but just $197 for the first 12 months when you join in the next 3 days.


How Can I Pay?
The checkout link has options for payment by Stripe/Credit Card and PayPal.


Is There a Monthly Option?
No. Monthly payments are for dabblers. This training is only for those ready to commit to a serious ongoing study of copywriting for at least one year.


How Will Training Be Delivered?
Training will arrive weekly by email and may be text, audio, video or a combination of these.


What if I'm a Creative Persuasive Member?
Active Creative Persuasive Members who have maintained their membership will have free access to this training at no additional cost for the duration of your membership. If your CP membership lapses, you will no longer have access to this training.


Why is it Called the Devil’s Pen?
The Devil is known for her silver-tongued ability to tempt, seduce and persuade. She never forces you to act. Humans have "free will" after all. The Devil simply presents enticing offers, gift-wrapped in mind porn. She hands you handcuffs and you place them on yourself. To be a copywriter is to do the Devil's work and since that work is "writing" you become the Devil's pen. Make sense? Join here.


All other questions, post below. Training begins next Monday 5-6-19.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.
Last edited:

Schwarz

Half Man ; Half Goat
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
107%
Feb 16, 2019
81
87
Flanders | Belgium
She never forces you to act. Humans have "free will" after all. The Devil simply presents enticing offers, gift-wrapped in mind porn. She hands you handcuffs and you place them on yourself.
Any other questions, post below. Training begins next Monday 5-6-19.

Ironically, it are those exact words that convinced me to participate.
 

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
Is the course just to become good at copywriting or will it also include on how to get started freelancing?

This is just copywriter training for those who want to go deeper with the craft.

Most of my freelance training is available for free on my YouTube channel (see my signature) or on sale for $9.99 through my website over at lexdeville.com.

The Devil's Pen is for the people who've been asking me to offer new copywriter training. Instead of waiting until I turn the different concepts into courses (which may never happen) I decided to teach individual topics one week at a time by email so at least the information gets out there for those who want it.

You can also start with my free copywriter training here on the Fastlane Forum. Just keep in mind I wrote that training like five years ago. As you can imagine a lot has changed since then.
;)
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
What is NLP and How Will You
Apply it in Copywriting?
Thanks to certain forum gurus, NLP might have some negative associations. So I wanted to make a quick post to clear some things up.

1. What is Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)?

First let's start with what it's not. It's not magic. It won't cure your spider phobia. It doesn't turn water to wine despite what NLP gurus would have you believe. It won't make you attract wealth or manifest money unless you teach it (think Tony Robbins) or learn to use it in your copy!

NLP is like a carpenter's belt filled with useful linguistic tools that help create clear communications. It is NOT any one single tool. It is a bunch of tools. A handyman doesn't use a single tool to build a house. He uses the best tool for the part of the house he's working on, and if he doesn't have that tool or isn't good with it, then he'll use another tool that can get the job done.

In NLP we're dealing with a bunch of language tools. Body language, spoken language and even mental language. Most of these tools are communication techniques that you apply every single day (you just don't think about them). For instance, when was the last time you thought about which direction your eyes move when you were telling a lie versus when you were remembering a truth?

We won't be dealing in body language much. It's not a useful tool for copywriting. But other tools such as the Meta Model (specific language) and Milton Model (vague language patterns based on Milton Erickson's conversational hypnosis techniques) are extremely useful. Plus there are like 100 more NLP techniques that work for copy too.

2. NLP is Based on Observations of Various Therapeutic Approaches

While NLP isn't magic, it is based on concepts found in a variety of therapeutic approaches. Everything from behavioral and cognitive psychology to conversational and even stage hypnosis. As such, it can be applied in ways that alter the way others experience and understand the world around them.

For instance, if you believe my training will benefit you but you can't afford it because you don't make enough money with copywriting, an NLP Practitioner might challenge that belief with a simple tool called a reframe. Perhaps not having much money is the exact reason you need my training!

If you ever speak with a therapist you'll find reframing is one of the most common techniques they use. It works in copywriting too, and I wonder if it might work for you.

3. You Don't Need to Master Every NLP Technique

The cool thing about NLP is that a single tool might be all you need. In fact, I've heard Frank Kern uses one single NLP technique. I'll tell you which one if you join. <-- that's called an NLP Open Loop.

I use a variety of NLP tools all the time every day. But you only need to use whatever works best for you. That's the brilliance of it, and when you join The Devil's Pen you'll learn how to use a whole bunch of NLP techniques so you can pick and choose which methods fit you best. Or you can learn to use every technique I teach.

By the way, I'm an NLP Master Practitioner and have used these techniques for well over a decade. I've applied them in every single GOLD and Notable thread I've written on this forum. So that's the one credibility marker I'll throw out there.

4. What Kind of Stuff Can NLP be Used For?

The most common things I use NLP for are the following:

  • Transformative writing that hypes people up and puts them in a positive state of mind
  • Planting thought seeds and anchoring associations and ideas (useful in branding)
  • Indirect persuasion through the use of therapeutic metaphors (and other techniques)
  • Direct persuasion through the use of embedded commands
  • Overcoming limiting beliefs and causing people to question or doubt what they think they know
There are a bazillion uses for NLP that have nothing to do with healing, therapy, curing, magic or picking up women. It can be used for good or bad. Hopefully you'll use what I teach you to make the world a better place, and if you have any questions just ask.

There's still 2 days and a few hours if you want the discounted price. Go here for that.

:)
 
Last edited:

C83SG95

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
100%
Mar 7, 2019
7
7
Hi Lex I only just discovered copyrighting but sign my up for when I'm finished Gary Halberts challenge in a couple of months or so, I have bookmarked this thread.
 

AniM

Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
193%
Apr 11, 2018
46
89
31
DC
Will there be assignments each week and will you be critiquing/grading them? Or is each email going to be more like an article?

How much of a time commitment would a student need to get the most out of this?

What is Active Creative Persuasive?

And, if we join from the beginning there's no need to get the Vault right?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
Will there be assignments each week and will you be critiquing/grading them? Or is each email going to be more like an article?

How much of a time commitment would a student need to get the most out of this?

What is Active Creative Persuasive?

And, if we join from the beginning there's no need to get the Vault right?

There will be assignments, but they won't be graded or critiqued by me. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and get responses by the end of the week for anything you need clarification on. We may set up a Facebook group for this if there's interest so students can learn from one another. Not sure on that yet.

Each week we'll focus on a dedicated subject. Each Monday email is being developed as if I were creating an actual course module. As long as you have time to read an email on Monday you will have time to learn. There is no set time for emails. Some will be longer and some shorter.

Creative Persuasive is my other paid email list for people who wanted my private updates. It isn't open for enrollment, but it is still live since there are active paying members.

If you join from the beginning you will receive every issue for 12 months. If you have the space in your email for it or if you plan to save them somewhere on your computer then you could get by without vault access and still have the ability to return to past issues.

As I send more emails over time the vault will become more valuable for those who join later on since they will otherwise miss out on past issues. It is also useful if you don't want to store the emails on your own. Also, the vault is a one-time fee. If you cancel after a year and return later on you will still have vault access if you purchased it once.
 

Taktik

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
90%
Oct 15, 2018
161
145
Will the techniques also be applicable in other languages than english?
 

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
Will the techniques also be applicable in other languages than english?

I haven't tested them in other languages. I only speak English and a tiny bit of German.

This training is based on English communications. In theory, the techniques should work in any language within a culture that has a concept of the intended effects and emotions. But that isn't a theory I've tested, and this training is primarily for those who intend to apply it in English.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

SJuan9

Patrón
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
190%
Nov 22, 2017
48
91
USA
I am currently in the process of looking for outputs where I could turn my years of writing experience into profitable services and products; no more technical and scientific reports that nobody reads. Copywriting seems like a good fit that could be applied across many of my current projects.
I'll be signing up, thanks Lex.
 

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
I am currently in the process of looking for outputs where I could turn my years of writing experience into profitable services and products; no more technical and scientific reports that nobody reads. Copywriting seems like a good fit that could be applied across many of my current projects.
I'll be signing up, thanks Lex.

Awesome. Looking forward to it. See you on the inside!
 

Taktik

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
90%
Oct 15, 2018
161
145
I haven't tested them in other languages. I only speak English and a tiny bit of German.

This training is based on English communications. In theory, the techniques should work in any language within a culture that has a concept of the intended effects and emotions. But that isn't a theory I've tested, and this training is primarily for those who intend to apply it in English.

I wasn´t thinking of some fancy language. As a matter of fact, the language I had in mind is German.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
I wasn´t thinking of some fancy language. As a matter of fact, the language I had in mind is German.

The techniques you learn in this course will work in German. Some of them maybe more challenging to properly apply due to the potential for errors in translation, but for the most part as long as you understand the general concept you should be able to apply most of the methods to your writing.

For instance, you can say the words, "black cat" in German, "schwarze Katze" and you will effectively create a picture of a black cat in a German mind just as clearly as it was probably created in your mind just now when you read those words.

As long as you know what a black cat is (you have a concept of the color and the cat) then you can create that picture and we could say the meta technique used was successful.

Where a given technique might be less successful would be an instance where a primarily American habit or emotion or tradition or cultural norm doesn't carry over to the German people.

I find many Germans are surprised by how sweet American food is, and for that reason they often can't be tempted to eat treats using the same methods you'd use to sell an American the same treat. Americans don't buy pastries sweetened only with fruit (usually) and I'd wager most Germans don't buy pastries for a two inch thick layer of sugar glaze (think Krispy Kreme or Hurtz Donuts).

The key then is finding the best technique or approach for the given situation no matter what the language is. The more techniques you have access to the more resources you have to pull from, test and apply to figure out what works!
 

Taktik

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
90%
Oct 15, 2018
161
145
Great. Thanks for the detailed explanation. I`m in.
 

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
Great. Thanks for the detailed explanation. I`m in.

I signed up and I'm looking forward to it, thanks!

Awesome! Looking forward to your questions on the inside.

For anyone else on the fence, there's still 10 hours left for the early devil discount.

Put that tax return to good use.

;)
 

AniM

Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
193%
Apr 11, 2018
46
89
31
DC
Signed up! Looking forward to improving my skills.

I've been studying marketing and copywriting very hard but very much so from the direct-response side of things. Interested in hearing your perspective.
 

issam

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
100%
Jan 14, 2019
1
1
i'm interested, but why annual payments? will you give all the knowledge in one year or more? because i want to start making money in the next month with the knowledge you are selling
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
i'm interested, but why annual payments? will you give all the knowledge in one year or more? because i want to start making money in the next month with the knowledge you are selling

It's annual payments because this is an ongoing study of the craft of copywriting.

This isn't a course designed to get you up and earning as fast as possible. I will continue sharing copywriting insights and knowledge until I either run out of stuff to say or can't find anymore ways to add value. But that's not going to be for a long time, because I apply approaches to copywriting that go beyond traditional techniques and tactics. Many of those approaches can't be learned in other copywriting courses because they don't even involve copywriting at all.

I don't want to discourage you, but if the grammar in your post is any indication of your current skill level with writing, then this training may not be for you. To make money with copywriting you first have to know how to write. Nobody will hire you if you don't know when to capitalize an i or when to add a period at the end of your sentence. Again, this isn't meant to be a harsh criticism of your grammar. Just don't want you to spend money on something that may not help you based on your current skill level and goals.

The fastest way for you to make money in the next month may be a different freelance path. Consider what skills you already have that you are good at and how you could help clients with those skills. See the posts in my signature if you need a place to start.
 

c4n

Full throttle
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
265%
May 30, 2017
379
1,003
I just wanted to give this a bump and express my sincere gratitude to Lex.

He's a great teacher knowledgeable across a wide range of topics. I've been able to put a lot of his teachings into practice and get measurable results. What's more, he is quick to answer questions and goes above and beyond to help when asked to.

If you're on the fence - pull the trigger and join! Having access to Lex is alone worth the price.
 

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
I just wanted to give this a bump and express my sincere gratitude to Lex.

He's a great teacher knowledgeable across a wide range of topics. I've been able to put a lot of his teachings into practice and get measurable results. What's more, he is quick to answer questions and goes above and beyond to help when asked to.

If you're on the fence - pull the trigger and join! Having access to Lex is alone worth the price.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, c4n. Really glad you're enjoying TDP!

For anyone else who might read this...

Here are some of the topics we've covered:

- Strategic use of Misspalled Words
- The Triforce of Long-Form Persuasion (Applies Hypnotic Methods)
- The Strategic Use of Rejection
- Capitalizing on the Power of Prediction
- Persuasive Rhyming
- Planting Thought Seeds
- Multi-Level Therapeutic Metaphors
- Copywriting Trance & Copywriting Hypnosis
- Fundamentals of Storytelling
- How to Write Product Descriptions
- Pacing and Leading in Copywriting
- Timelining & Age Regression in Copywriting

And a bunch of other stuff (you can still enjoy with vault access).

In total we've had this ongoing for 21 weeks. There are weekly homework assignments as well as a Friday Q&A session (or homework review) when I get responses from members by email.

Always glad to have a new member if you want to join.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.
Last edited:

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
ANNOUNCEMENT!
I really appreciate those who joined over the past few weeks. For those who are still on the fence,
this is for you.

In three (3) days enrollment for The Devil's Pen will close for the year.

On October 3rd, enrollment will close and you will no longer be able to join TDP this year. Since it is an annual membership, I've decided to only host enrollment once per year.

If you are considering joining...


...then you need to do it now because after Thursday you will miss your chance. The doors will close and you'll be stuck out in the cold with that sad look on your face as you peek through the window at the action-takers...sipping whiskey, making jokes around the fire.

Three days and counting.

Click Here To Sell Your Soul And Join The Devil's Pen!

See you on the inside.





 

SeeYouAtTheTop

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
291%
Jul 12, 2017
33
96
29
Fort Lauderdale
Want to give this thread a bump and say I'm very excited about this.

I followed Lex's Upwork thread years ago before the Upwork merge of elance and odesk. I quickly made money (a couple thousand in a month) and was able to find a great sales job because of the copywriting experience I learned from him.

Now I'm coming back for round 2 to scale up my profile and add another source of income to my portfolio.

Cheers mate, well deserved. Looking forward to the training to keep my mind sharp.
 

Ben Taylor

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
108%
Dec 7, 2015
37
40
28
If we pay for the archive/vault of prior weeks' lessons, are we able to ask questions about those lessons?

I know there's a new lesson every week and a timeframe questions can be asked within, and that these questions would be way outside that timeframe, but I figured I'd ask since I imagine a lot's already been covered.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
Want to give this thread a bump and say I'm very excited about this.

I followed Lex's Upwork thread years ago before the Upwork merge of elance and odesk. I quickly made money (a couple thousand in a month) and was able to find a great sales job because of the copywriting experience I learned from him.

Now I'm coming back for round 2 to scale up my profile and add another source of income to my portfolio.

Cheers mate, well deserved. Looking forward to the training to keep my mind sharp.

Awesome! Glad to know you were able to put it all to use! Thanks for sharing!

If we pay for the archive/vault of prior weeks' lessons, are we able to ask questions about those lessons?

I know there's a new lesson every week and a timeframe questions can be asked within, and that these questions would be way outside that timeframe, but I figured I'd ask since I imagine a lot's already been covered.

Hey Ben,

Great question. I try to have members send questions by Wednesday of each week so I have time to respond by Friday. But those questions don't necessarily have to be about that week's lesson. If you have questions about a prior week's lesson, you are welcome to ask. Just try to get it to me by Wed. of that week if you want me to get a response back in that Friday's email.
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top