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kathyf
Member
Joined: 3 Jan 2006
Posts: 7
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# Posted: 3 Jan 2006 21:50
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This is the American Writers and Artists Institute. They have a copywriting course. Is anyone familiar with it? Have you or anyone you know taken it?
It sounds very interesting to me and I have been thinking about it for quite some time.
Thanks for the input.
Kathy
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kathyf
Member
Joined: 3 Jan 2006
Posts: 7
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# Posted: 12 Jan 2006 13:13
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You mean no one has heard of this? Maybe it's not scam then!
Kathy
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mcbsconsulting
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 114
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# Posted: 12 Jan 2006 14:24
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Hey Kathy,
I did a quick Google and they do have a Street address and Phone number. They are apparently based in Del Ray Beach, Fl
It could be all valid, but I would check further if I were you.
The URL I found is awaionline.com Usually, .com means commercial.
Most Schools have either .edu or possibly .org
Good Luck,
Joe
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jnsnent
Member
Joined: 3 Mar 2006
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2006 20:26
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It would appear that the company has packaged the business of copywriting so a beginner can enter the business. What I am wondering is: how much time would I have to invest to locate the same information myself, and is the 500.00 purchase price offset by this saving of time?
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quintbiz
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2006
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 9 Apr 2006 16:02
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Hi Kathy,
They also promte a travel writer's course
I don't believe they are a scam. I first came across them a couple of years ago through a very reputable online travel magazine that I subscribe to. Since my passion is travel, I wanted to combine my work at home business with my passion. But I found something better and did not go with them. Apparently, you take the training with them & you qualify to become a travel writer
Hope this helps
Cecilia
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electricmeg
Member
Joined: 18 Aug 2006
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 22 Aug 2006 16:45
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I actually took the course, and it was a fantastic entry into the world of direct marketing. And, not only do they grade you and really boost your skills, but they have a job board, community newsletter, and very good customer rep. AWAI offers several different courses, including a travel writing course. Many companies will hire copywriters who have taken their courses, that's how respected AWAI is.
The copywriting course was the first step I took in my quest for an online job, work at home style. And I believe the skills I gained have helped me - in terms of writing for adwords, webpages, newspaper ads etc. Sometimes, it's better to pay a little bit of money to learn from the masters, instead of spending years learning the stuff on your own.
PS - I'm not getting paid to write this!
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malibumentor
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
Posts: 342
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# Posted: 5 Sep 2006 08:46
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I haven't taken the course but I kept something they sent me in the mail. I was really intrigued. I think I am an ok copywriter but also recongnize that writing superior copy is CHA-CHING! money in the bank.
I'll probably be taking one of these courses in the future to improve the response rates on my splash pages, which are pretty good now, as far as attracting really serious people.
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zowiemagic
Member
Joined: 5 Nov 2005
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 12 Sep 2006 19:50
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I'm in the process of taking AWAI's copywriting course and I've got to say it's FANTASTIC... very personal and one-on-one in tone. NOT A SCAM, I will assure you. Check out their site...
www.awaionline.com
(Vishal, am I allowed to mention URLS? If not, I apologize in advance, flog myself fifty times with a wet poodle and promise never to do it again....)
Laurie
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Vishal P. Rao
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 1049
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2006 00:05
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Hi Laurie,
You are absolutely free to post urls as long as they are not self-serving 
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michaelgale
Member
Joined: 4 Sep 2006
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2006 22:16 · Edited by: michaelgale
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Kathy
I took AWAI's resume writting course and I would rate it an A+. They provide you with everything that you need including software and prewritten photo ready adds to start a campaign. Some of it was a bit basic, but they guide you through client interviews and you write your personal resume as if you were your own first customer.
Michael
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Adahma
Member
Joined: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 16 Oct 2006 15:43
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I signed up for the AWAI direct mail copywriting course a little over a year ago and have stopped and started it several times because I just can't seem to stay interested in it. I get e-mails about the travel writer course and I think it would be something I'd be more interested in, but I'm a little hesitant about paying more money for more courses that I don't finish. Anybody done the travel writer course and/or have any suggestions as to if I should give it another shot and try the travel writer course? Thanks.
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mochamama
Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 11
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# Posted: 23 Oct 2006 02:32
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I'm so glad to find a discussion of this. I've had my eye on these courses for some time now. I'm very interested in travel writing, and the romance writing program is intriguing as well. I'd be interested in knowing from anyone who's taken them, how much help do you receive in actually finding travel writing work, and in getting a novel published? Thanks for your input. I'm happy to hear that this isn't a scam.
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A Network Marketer's Dream Come True: Customers Call You! http://www.ITVventures.com/LMcDaniel
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malibumentor
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
Posts: 342
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# Posted: 29 Oct 2006 11:44 · Edited by: malibumentor
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I talked with some people at AWAI. The irony that allows people to take the course and get work in the field is that such a high-percentage do not follow-through, finish the course, and start doing the business.
No matter what kind of writing you are doing (perhaps I should turn my talents to Bodice-Rippers myself) its still essential to market it like a business because as a freelance writer, thats what you have.
In my success as an internet marketer I have discovered that I had to have a stronger "WHY" than to make a ton of money. It required soul-seaching to find the reasons that ring true for me. In my case I get a kick out of helping people see how to achieve financial liberation as work-from-home internet marketers.
I do this with writing and when it comes down to it: the best internet marketers are consistent writers. If wirting is what you do...
what gives you pleasure...
what gives your life meaning...
Then by all means learn how to monetize the craft. There are a lot of ways to go about it. Writing sales letter copy is just one way.
For me, having a strong reason to improve my copywriting is there because I write copy for my own business. Selling copywriting skills to others is just another pond to fish in.
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mochamama
Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 11
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# Posted: 7 Nov 2006 03:42
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Has anybody taken the Romance writing course? I'd really love to know how it compared to other writing programs.
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A Network Marketer's Dream Come True: Customers Call You! http://www.ITVventures.com/LMcDaniel
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KatieYeakle
Member
Joined: 8 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 8 Oct 2007 23:55
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I'm Katie Yeakle, Executive Director of AWAI.
First of all, I'd like to invite anyone with questions about any of our programs to contact me directly.
AWAI makes some aggressive claims, so scrutiny is to be expected.
I will say this though. We have hundreds of letters from people who love our material. Many... those who really want it and really apply themselves have gone on to successful copywriting careers.
I'll stand by the information we deliver. I believe it's the best you can get, short of working side by side, day in day out with an experienced copywriter.
But here's the real secret of associating yourself with AWAI � something even the best of all the very good books out there on copywriting can't offer.
And I'll premise it with something we say I our promotions ...something that is very much a fact: our industry is screaming for good, competent copywriters.
So here's the secret: if you're eager...and you're smart...AWAI offers insight and access to the industry.
If you learn to write copy � and you're aggressive and you're smart, and you take the initiative � you'll learn who the marketers are and find a way to get your samples on their desks. From there, the copy does the talking.
Let's face it. You can be a great artist, but if no one sees your work, you'll toil in obscurity. You need your "big break". And AWAI can offer you that, like it's done for others who've figured it out.
I encourage you to check us out for yourself.
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dreamer08
Member
Joined: 14 Oct 2007
Posts: 12
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# Posted: 15 Oct 2007 21:23
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Quintbiz, if you don't mind answering a total beginner (first time on here tonight) ... what did you find that's better? I'm at the point where I'm quite eager to get started and am willing to work.
BTW, AWAI is not a scam, the course is for real. The big catch is the age-old challenge of anyone trying to break into such a competitive field: finding clients when you're first starting out. AWAI says copywriters are "desperately needed," which is most definitely not true. It's a tiny bit less hard to break into than travel writing, that's all.
I've considered them, too. But so far the people who I've read have said while it's a good course, it's wildly overpriced and it's hard to break in afterwards. You can get the same info at your local community college. And, once you're finished the course, they come after you constantly for even pricier seminars, etc.
So, they're a legit business but they are just that: a business.
Ana
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brianrkrt
Member
Joined: 16 Oct 2007
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 16 Oct 2007 23:36
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She says that "good, competent copywriters are desperately needed". A couple years ago I started on this home study program. Unless it has changed drastically, the material was very good and there were some opportunities to have your materials not only critiqued, but possibly submitted to live clients. I wasn't sure that I could pursue that line of work and stopped. Now I'm trying to make my living online and find the materials that I saved from that course just as, if not more, valuable as any ebooks that I've found on the 'net. This is definitely a good course, if you are willing to spend the money on it and follow through with it.
By the way, did you notice one of the key people in that program just happens to be making a killing on the internet now? Does the name Michael Masterson ring a bell? I don't think that anyone is going to find a Community College instructor with the credentials of an experienced and highly regarded copywriter such as Michael.
More and more the copywriting skills of the Direct Mail industry are becoming critical to internet businesses. The deeper and deeper I get into the advertising aspects of the internet, the more and more copywriting terms that I learned in AWAI are popping up. And, more and more, I'm hearing that the skills needed for this aspect of the internet are the same as the "old" direct marketing industry. Electronic envelopes/ads instead of paper, otherwise the rest seems to be the same!
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Arial
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Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 27 Nov 2007 16:58
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I signed up to this forum just to answer this.
I have not taken an AWAI course but I did order the Travel Writer course on approval. I sent it back because I have had quite a few articles published and there was not enough new in it to justify paying the amount they charged. But for someone that is completely new, I think that what it offers could make a real difference in getting started.
I have not seen the copywriting course so can only comment on this one.
One word of warning. I think the shipping and handling costs were about $35.00 (it's been a while so I could be wayyyy off there). By the time I had paid the shipping costs both ways I was sorry I even looked at it. So unless you are sure you want to do it, I would not order planning to send it back if it does not meet your needs.
Otherwise, as a writer with a modicum of success, I would say that for the newby it is well worth considering. Arial
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malibumentor
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
Posts: 342
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2008 12:27
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I'm reading the Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman
and it's not only a good book about how to get
freelance writing jobs, it's an excellent book on running
your own business, Period.
If anybody is considering freelancing or unsure how
to set things up and get clients, get this book.
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ellerda
Member
Joined: 12 Jun 2008
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 12 Jun 2008 11:45
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Kathy,
What did you find that was better?
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ceaf
Member
Joined: 17 Jun 2008
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 17 Jun 2008 19:04
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Don't, save your money. You can learn it on your own faster and easier. There's no $100,000 in copywriting, their statements are misleading. People make this because they have many avenues of revenue, not just copywriting.
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mikesmall
Member
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 26 Jun 2008 07:31
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Hi All,
I took the AWAI six figure course and got a lot out of it. I am not a great success example but I make an average of $1,800 per assignment. Each takes me about two days (weekends) and I land an average of 3 to 4 per month doing this part time (still too nervous to quit the day job but I'm getting there 
I also got a lot out of a book called "Hypnotic Writing" by Joe Vitale. He's a successful copywriter who's been around a long while.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
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Mike Small
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sperkins
Member
Joined: 15 Sep 2008
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 15 Sep 2008 17:32
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mikesmall,
Did you have any experience in the copywriting field or marketing before taking the course? And how long did it take you to get your first assignment upon completing the course?
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flybilly
Member
Joined: 2 Jun 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2009 12:31
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Thanks for all who replied, I have been looking at this course and needed some advice about taking it and if it would be something I could use or a dust collector. I will now check it out and will let all know what I find1 Thanks again!
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David Smith
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gowriter
Member
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Posts: 120
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# Posted: 27 Jul 2009 07:56 · Edited by: gowriter
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Yeah, they're legit and they have good customer service because I asked for a refund for one of their books.
It was a little too expensive for me with all these books. A lot of the authors who contribute to their books have their own books which you can purchase for cheaper on Amazon.
I'd rather learn how to do affiliate marketing. That seemed more appealing to me, but if you're interested in becoming a professional copywriter, they're legit.
Just be prepared to fork out some cash.
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tctrader
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Joined: 2 Mar 2009
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 28 Jul 2009 17:09
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I took the course and I rate it as good. My association with AWAI was actually my introduction to online marketing through some other AWAI promotions. It is definitely worth checking out and doing your own assessment.
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