Cindy King - My copywriting skills are based on a unique combination of expertise:

• International Sales,
• Cross Cultural Marketing,
• Multicultural Background,
• Active Copywriter Network.

I specialize in the following copywriting services:

• “International English” Copywriting Services - for companies using English to target a wide range of countries and cultures.
• Foreign Language Content Packages - to provide budget conscious solutions for international communication.
• International Development Through Internet Marketing & Cross Cultural Communication - Inspiration & Ideas, Strategies & Plans - for businesses to get international clients fast.
• International Copy Reviews & Identifying Foreign Copywriters - to help companies find the right copywriter for the job.

Copywriting is an essential skill for any online business in any country. My expertise is in “International English Across Cultures” and in developing international business through internet and multicultural marketing. During the course of my business here in Europe, I am often asked these 2 sets of questions:

• Where can I get a copywriter who writes for this specific country market? Copywriters specialize in different areas, different types of copy. In addition to this, cross cultural communication has its hurdles at all levels. Foreign companies will find some copywriters easier to understand and easier to work with than others.

Note: If you need to identify the right copywriter for a specific foreign country target, or if you need international marketing advice on whether a particular copywriters style is right for your company, send me an email. If I don’t have an answer for you, I’ll work with you to find it.

• What is copywriting? Where can I learn about it? Can you name some good copywriters?

So, here is a list of top copywriters. This list is by no means all inclusive. These are the copywriters I know, whose copywriting I’m familiar with, have met or worked with.

For budding non-native English speaking copywriters and for companies and international marketing executives: I’ve provided some comments and personal points of view you might find useful. Please remember, these comments are based on my own personal experience and are made from a cross cultural viewpoint.


Gary Bencivenga’s Newsletter - Gary Benceivenga is a top copywriter. His Newsletter Bullets give copywriting advice are are always keenly followed.

Cindy’s Comments: This is for the intermediate copywriter. Sure as a beginner you will get something from reading them, but remember to come back and have a look once you’ve developed your copywriting skills a little.


Bob Bly’s Blog - Bob Bly is a top copywriter. He is one of the most prolific copywriters around. He is the author of dozens of books, dare I say hundreds of e-books on copywriting and anything to do with internet and information marketing. A must-read blog!

Cindy’s Comments: This is one of the good places for beginners to start. His English is easy for non-native English speakers.


Angela Booth’s Blog - Angela Booth is a great corporate copywriter. She is a prolific writer, and has numerous other blogs and websites.

Cindy’s Comments: I only discovered Angela’s blog recently and regretted not having read it earlier. Her blog is particularly inspiring if you are doing a lot of home study or self study programs and need some inspiration to get on with it. I find her style would appeal to international audiences.


John Carlton’s Blog - John Carlton is one of the top copywriters. His blog is about copywriting, selling and direct marketing. John has several products available to learn copywriting and a membership website.

Cindy’s Comments: All the serious beginner copywriters I’ve met have spent a fair bit of time reading John Carlton. His style is very American to me, naturally that’s what he is and that’s his market. I’ve found that reading his copy gives a rounded view to North American copy. His blogs are an easier read for non-native English speakers than a couple of the other American copywriters at this level.


Tom Chandler’s Blog - Tom Chandler is a great copywriter and marketer.

Cindy’s Comments: I’ve read Tom’s blog for some time now and keep going back for more. Just easy and good read.


Brian Clark’s Blog - Brian Clarke is a top copywriter. There are several free copywriting tutorials here. This is great web copy in action. A must-read blog. Brian has also just launched a membership site on creating…membership sites.

Cindy’s Comments: Non-native English speakers love this blog. It is just easy to read English. But if you seriously want to acquire copywriting skills, you will need to go further. and broaden your reading to more complex articles.

Shaune Clarke’s Website - Shaune Clarke is a great copywriter out of Canada. He runs training for new copywriters based on copy without hype.

Cindy’s Comments: There is something about Shaune’s copywriting style that I find very appealing to international audiences.


Doug D’Anna’s Website - Doug D’Anna is a top copywriter. His ezine is always an interesting read.

Cindy’s Comments: I don’t spend as much time reading anything from Doug, but when I do it is always worth my time. He is an expert.


Sean D’Souza’s Blog - Sean D’Souza is a top copywriter. He runs several copywriting and article writing workshops.

Cindy’s Comments: I find his style ideal for non-Americans. He’s of Indian origine living in New Zealand, that’s probably why.


Monica Day’s Ezine - Monica Day is a great copywriter. She publishes the CopyProtégé newsletter with Krista Jones.

Cindy’s Comments: Beginner copywriters find Monica & Krista’s ezine a great resource and inspiration.


Ray Edwards’s Blog - Ray Edwards is a top copywriter and has worked for many of the best online marketers. He has a background in direct marketing and radio. He has a membership program for new copywriters.

Cindy’s Comments: I have a natural tendency to want to get confirmation from people when they tell me something new. I don’t do that with Ray. He know his stuff and gives it to you straight. He is an active copywriter, well I believe he has just stopped taking on copywriting jobs for others to concentrate on developing his own information empire now.

Non-native English speakers will probably like listening to Ray, if they are up to that level. He used to be in radio and you can tell.

John Forde’s Newsletter - John Forde is a top copywriter, specialized in financial copy. John doesn’t have a website, he is too busy working. Luckily he has an ezine you can subscribe to. Unfortunately he still hasn’t got his newsletter archived online. So sign up quickly, you’ll regret it otherwise. His newsletter is a must-read.

Cindy’s Comments: John is a neighbor, he lives in Paris.


Michel Fortin’s Blog - Michel Fortin is a top direct response copywriter and internet marketer. A must-read blog. Michel has several training programs, membership sites for copywriters. And he has just started a very comprehensive copywriter training membership program.

Cindy’s Comments: Michel lives in Canada and writes English copy. Michel is the only North American copywriter in his level that provides such a quantity of in depth web copy critiques - in his Copy Doctor membership. This is a school in itself. Michel is one of the first copywriters to himself invest the money necessary to test web copy. It shows.

Non-native English speakers should probably combine studying the Copy Doctor critiques with Nick Usborne’s AWAI Web Copy course to get a good all round training in how to write web copy that converts. Lots of easy to understand web copy critiques on video combined with an easy to read manual.


Ed Gandia’s Newsletter - Ed Gandia is a top copywriter. He has just published a book on how to start a career in copywriting.

Cindy’s Comments: I followed Ed Gandia from when he started copywriting freelance only a few years ago. My business background lead me to follow anyone in Case Studies and Ed had something out ages ago. I read his recent e-book on starting a career in copywriting. It is the best I’ve read on the subject, and yes, I’ve read just about every one of them. There is a large section more related to American copywriters. But the rest is worth it by itself. I also believe gives great advice for non-Americans.


David Garfinkel’s Blog - David Garfinkel is a top copywriter. His blog is a good place for beginner copywriters to pick up tips.

Cindy’s Comments: To be honest, right now I can only think of David’s quirky little cartoon on his blog. I’m going to come back and tell you more.


Gordon Graham’s Website - Gordon Graham is a great B2B copywriter specialized in White Papers.


Denny Hatch’s Website - Denny Hatch is a top direct response copywriter. His book Million Dollar Mailings is a staple for learning copywriting.


Ryan Healy’s Blog - Ryan Healy is a great copywriter.

Cindy’s Comments: I’ve been reading Ryan’s blog for quite a while and take the time to read just about all of his posts.


Gary Hennerberg’s Blog - Gary Hennerberg is a great direct marketing copywriter.

Cindy’s Comments: Gary has a natural tendency to quantify everything. As a marketer I love this. It’s great to hear from someone who does so much analysis


Vicky Heron’s Blog - Vicky Heron is a great copywriter.

Cindy’s Comments: Vicky wrote AWAI’s Circle Of Success “Architecture Of Persuation” course with Michael Masterson. This is a great course for medium level copywriters.


Dianna Huff’s Website - Dianna Huff is a great copywriter. Her newsletter is a must read for anyone interested in B2B copywriting.

Cindy’s Comments: I never feel as if I’ve wasted any time reading Dianna’s ezine. In fact I make sure to keep up to date with reading anything she has out there. Dianna is obviously a seasoned B2B copywriter. Dianna has also started hosting some very interesting teleseminars on business copywriting. Lots of value for your money.


Dan Kennedy’s Blog - Dan Kennedy is a top marketer and copywriter. He has a paid newsletter he sends out each month with a copy critique - for people who want to use great copywriting with great marketing tactics.

Cindy’s Comments: I tend to think of Dan only as a great marketer, but great copywriting skills are part of the package.

Dan can come across a bit too American to non-native English speakers. The only thing I can say, is bear through it, it is worth it. Don’t let cultural differences get in the way. Start observing what he does and how he does it. Even if you live in a country where you think his style just won’t go down right, I bet you’re wrong. I think you would find the tiny little gem you need to get ahead of everyone else. And Dan has been doing it for decades.

Living outside of the United States, Dan’s newsletter is useful to see up-to-date direct mail practices in action.


Janice King’s Blog - Janice King is a top B2B copywriter specializing in high tech industries.


David Leland’s Blog - David Leland is a great B2B copywriter specialized in Case Studies or Success Stories.


Daniel Levis’s Blog - Daniel Levis is a top copywriter and info-marketer based in Canada. He has several products to learn more on internet marketing.

Cindy’s Comments: Daniel’s stuff is always a great read. I really like the innovative angles he takes sometimes. Watch what he does to learn more about copywriting applied to internet marketing for business expansion. There is a lot to learn simply from watching what Daniel does.


Clayton Makepeace’s Website - Clayton Makepeace is one of the best active copywriters. His website has a great article everyday. He also has a paid membership program which includes a newsletter and Audio CD mailed every month and a live interview with an expert that is recorded. Clayton takes on “copy cubs” aspiring copywriters he trains. Several of Clayton’s copy cubs have become top copywriters.

Cindy’s Comments: For non-Americans, Clayton can be appear to be a culture shock. Who is this biker? How can this guy make so much money writing for big companies? Well, get over the culture shock, do some more research. This is one very good copywriter.

Read the articles on Clayton’s website every day and within a year you an all round training in copywriting, direct marketing or internet marketing. Clayton has guest writers on a set subject for every day of the week. It is a must-read every day.

Tony Flores writes Clayton’s monthly paid newsletter - an absolute must-read for serious copywriter training. I will be following anything Tony does. If you read the paid newsletter ever month in addition to the free online articles, you’ve got power training.

Clayton has some other CDs and books for sale. Some are better than others.

I wish my French copywriting buffs would go further than Copyblogger and this is one of the websites they should go to. Only for good English speakers though.


John Manley’s Blog -John Manley is a great copywriter out of Canada. A must read if you want to see copywriting for internet businesses in action.

Cindy’s Comments: I stumbled across John Manley’s blog a month or so after he started freelance copywriting a couple of years ago. He blog tells the story of his experience making it as a freelance copywriter. It has been a great to watch John’s progress, see the directions he has taken and why.

John is no longer a beginner freelancer. Read his blog if you want to see how to use copywriting as a foundation for creating information product businesses. The story is live. You get to see the websites and information products he creates for his clients.

I think all international clients should read John’s blog and websites. So what if you don’t like the subjects. Read his blog and look what he’s doing. This is what any business could be doing now to get more international clients.


Chris Marlowe’s Website For Copywriters - Chris Marlowe is a top B2B copywriter. She has a mentoring program for serious copywriters. Chris publishes the copywriters pricing report, which is a reference in the industry.

Cindy’s Comments: I’ve met several copywriters who have gone through Chris’ coaching program and loved it. She is good.


Will Newman’s Website - Will Newman is a top copywriter, specializing in the health market.

Cindy’s Comments: Will wrote AWAI’s Circle Of Success “Headlines & Leads” course. Will is a great teacher. He is also such a great person to work with, I can’t wait for the right client to come along so I can ask him to work with me. Will would be a great American copywriter to work with international clients. He gets it.


Ted Nicholas’ Videos - Ted Nicolas is a top copywriter. These are a few videos for beginner copywriters.


Roberta Rosenberg’s Blog - Roberta Rosenberg is a top copywriter.

Cindy’s Comments: I particularly follow Roberta’s website critiques which are also posted on Brian Clarke’s Copyblogger. There is always lots of fun copywriting stuff here to read.


Ben Settle’s Blog - Ben Settle is a great copywriter.

Cindy’s Comments: I read all of Ben’s posts. Ben shares his knowledge freely. Just about all of the audios on his site are worth listening to.


Steve Slaunwhite’s Website - Steve Slaunwhite is a top copywriter out of Toronto. Steve has a strong B2B background. He is also an excellent marketer. Steve runs an excellent training course for new copywriters and also mentors copywriters. Steve also runs interesting teleseminars regularly. His ezine is a must-read for serious copywriters.

Cindy’s Comments: I like Steve’s writing style very much - I think it translates very well for international business markets. And on top of the copywriting expertise, Steve is a seasoned business professional with lots of business acumen.

Steve’s copywriter training course is about 2 months long and is based around his Everything Guide To Copywriting book. Students get the opportunity to create a selection of copywriting pieces for their own portfolio by working for real clients. The copy students write is shorter than expected in other courses elsewhere. This is to fit the length of this class. Steve tries to cover a wide range of copy that companies need: online banner ads, landing page, one page of a website, direct mail 1 or two page sales letter. This type of training is unique and great for a copywriter who wants a good portfolio to go freelance.

For International students, it is probably not a good idea to start with this course unless you have some copywriting basics. And it would probably be a hard stretch for absolute copywriting beginners. You have to give in good work on your assignments to pass the course.


Michael Stelzner’s Blog - Michael Stelzner is a top white paper copywriter. He has a best selling book and runs monthly teleseminars that are very informative…of course they are: he is a white paper specialist. Mike’s blog is a good place to go if you need to write effective lead generating white papers.

Cindy’s Comments: Michael is another seasoned professional. I listened to one of his teleseminars over a year ago and got hooked. Michael understands the notion of giving valuable training on teleseminars others would charge twice or three times as much for a quarter of the real take home information.


Peter Stone’s Blog - Peter Stone is a great copywriter, his blog is always a good read.


Nick Usbourne’s Blog - Nick Usbourne is where I go to get good up-to-date advice on web copywriting. He makes it sound so easy…and he is one of the best web copywriters. Nick wrote the new AWAI course on Web Copy. His ezine is a must-read.

Cindy’s Comments: I have been reading Nick’s ezine on and off for over a year. It is always very good stuff. But it was when I read the course he wrote for AWAI that I really went searching for and devoured everything else he has out there. I believe anything by Nick is very suitable for non-native English speakers interested in writing good web copy. He makes it simple and logical.


Joe Vitale’s Blog - Joe Vitale is a top copywriter. He has written several books well worth reading.

Cindy’s Comments: Unfortunately Joe identified himself with the American money-making buzz called “The Secret”. Yes, he is a great copywriter, but also an undiscerning soul to follow the principals of “The Secret”.

If any non-American wants to have a good laugh at just how far Americans can take things, Google “The Secret”.

But Joe is very interesting to follow as a copywriter and marketer. He has a lot to teach.


Debbie Weil’s Blog - Debbie Weil is a top web copywriter specialized in corporate blogging. Check out the list of corporate executive blogs on her site and the free business blogging tips.


Marcia Yudkin’s Website - Marcia Yudkin is a top copywriter. She has several books and courses for new copywriters.

Cindy’s Comments: Marcia knows her stuff. She has obviously been in the business a long time.


OK, so now you want to actually learn good copywriting skills and want to know how you can do this?

There are several options open to you.

Remember, copywriting is not an absolute science. There are different methods of teaching the skills. As in other domains, it’s best to learn one method and learn how to implement it before learning another method.

AWAI is the copywriting school most people go through, or ask themselves should they take it. Information on AWAI is below. It is not the only way to become a great copywriter. Most professional North American copywriters have taken the AWAI course at some point in their career.

Reading books on copywriting is mandatory. Most copywriters have their list of recommended copywriting books. I’m a book-a-holic. The list of books I have has become too long to put here. So it is under Copywriting Books. The marketer in me puts Breakthrough Advertising by Gene Schwartz on the top of the list.

Also, remember to read good copy every day. It rubs off. The AWAI exercise of copying one piece of good copy by hand at least ten times works. You will not understand anything about copywriting until you can identify it.

So here are your other choices to learn copywriting skills:

If you have sufficient English language skills, and really want to master the art of copywriting, on a budget and through home study:

• Begin by taking the AWAI Accelerated Copywriting Course below, or if you know you will be totally committed for two years, consider AWAI’s Circle Of Success program.
• Then specialize with any of AWAI’s courses or courses from Steve Slaunwhite, Michael Stelzner, Chris Marlowe.
• And…read good copy and write everyday.

If you have sufficient English language skills, really want to master the art of copywriting and don’t have any issues with your budget:

• Look into the programs from Michel Fortin, Dan Kennedy, John Carlton, Shaune Clarke.
• And…read good copy and write everyday.

If you don’t have sufficient English language skills to write copy in English and still want to learn everything you possibly can to write good copy in your own language sign up for as many of the following as you can and give yourself time:

• Clayton Makepeace’s EasyWriter Club
• AWAI’s Monthly Copywriting Genius
• All the classic copywriting books
• And…read good copy and write everyday.

Here is some information on the AWAI copywriting school.


AWAI - American Writers And Artists is an industry standard for copywriting training. AWAI has a number of different training methods, and a very wide selection of specialized copywriter training courses.

AWAI’s home study courses, have all the advantages and disadvantages of home study courses. You do have to be motivated and you will need to put in a lot of work to succeed.

My personal comments: There are people who like AWAI and there are some who don’t. You can find the different opinions by Googling AWAI. Those who don’t like AWAI perceive AWAI’s own copy for their courses as being full of hype, of promising too much. My point of view is this. This is the copywriting business we are talking about. Ask yourself who is saying what. AWAI is for American copywriting. Anyone who has ever spent any amount of time in North America will know see just how much hype is used in all copywriting, from direct mail, magazine length advertisement, banners, radio and TV ads. AWAI teaches it students all aspects of copywriting. Americans also want to lose weight while eating whatever they want when they want without exercise. I guess the same thing can be said about copywriting. You have to put in the time, acquire the skills, and then deepen your skills even further. I have three observations:

• I’ve personally met copywriters with under 10 years experience as copywriters and who are easily earning a 6-figure income from their homes on their own terms. Sure they have worked alot, and some continue to work alot. But, where else can you do that?
• The copywriters that work with AWAI to create their programs are all excellent top level copywriters. They are highly paid and well sought after copywriters. Where else can you get that level of training so cheaply?
• This is a copywriting school. Is this what you want to do? You will have to do the work.

Here’s a review of some of their programs:


AWAI’s Accelerated Program For Six-Figure Copywriting Course - This is the course most serious copywriters start with. It is a home based, self study program and lays the foundation for solid copywriting training. Costs about $460 and you can pay for it over 12 months, in which case your course materials are sent to you each month. Highly motivated students can finish the course within a few months and will become frustrated with the staggered delivery option. It is for native-level English speakers - there are a couple of in-depth homework assignments involved.


AWAI’s Monthly Copywriting Genius - This is more for students with at least a basic understanding of copywriting. Each month a good copy sample is explained and analyzed in detail, and you also get an advanced report to improve your copywriting skills. In order to get good at copywriting you need to study great copy, be able to recognize it, understand why it works and identify the techniques used. This is an easy option that works. A good 4 hours read each month, and you can go back to and reference as often as you like. It is great for all levels of English speakers. Especially for budding copywriters who live in countries without good direct mail samples.


AWAI’s Other Home Study Courses - AWAI has a very wide selection of specialized home study courses. Generally students take the first Accelerated Program and then move on to the specialized courses. The latest additions is a great Web Copy Course by Nick Usborne. Other specialized copywriting courses include writing for these different markets: Business To Business, Catalog, Children, Christian, Finance, Fundraising, Health, Internet, Resume, Romance, Self-Help, Travel. There are also courses to provide copywriters with a full range of skills: Computer Skills, Desktop Marketing, Graphic Design, Photography, Self Publishing.


AWAI’s Circle Of Success Program - This is a very comprehensive program for beginner copywriters who are serious about acquiring copywriting skills. It is a 2 year program, with 4 live web training modules that each last 8 weeks and an extensive suggested study and reading program in between. If you are interested in several of the AWAI home study courses, you should probably look into this course, no matter what. Students get ALL of the other AWAI written course materials, and can attend the two bootcamps for free. Students may start this program as complete novices, motivated students can easily get their first paid copywriting assignments by the second module. By the end of the two year program these are no longer “students”, they have a wide skill set.

A great advantage to this program is learning the Michael Masterson Peer Review techinique. This teaches you how to to critique copy in small groups within 15-20 minutes. This method is great for beginners. It will get you to improve any copy you are working on and it will help you to improve your copywriting skills faster. You really need to learn this live with a group that knows what they are doing. AWAI shows you this process in the Circle Of Success live modules and at their bootcamps.

There are good non-native English speakers who have taken this class. These students will probably not be able to write English copy for Americans. It will depend on your expectations.


Also, have a look at the other pages:


Copywriting Books

Marketers Rolodex