guia-matthieu/sales-letter-writer
Write high-converting direct response sales letters using the proven methodologies of Gary Halbert (The Boron Letters) and Dan Kennedy (The Ultimate Sales Letter)—master the art of persuasive long-form copy that turns readers into buyers. Use when: **Write a long-form sales letter** for a product or service; **Create direct mail pieces** that generate response; **Write landing page copy** in sales letter format; **Craft email sequences** with direct response principles; **Develop VSL scripts*...
npx skills add https://github.com/guia-matthieu/clawfu-skills --skill sales-letter-writer
> Write high-converting direct response sales letters using the proven methodologies of Gary Halbert (The Boron Letters) and Dan Kennedy (The Ultimate Sales Letter)—master the art of persuasive long-form copy that turns readers into buyers.
Use this skill when you need to:
This skill is particularly valuable for:
Sources:
Core Principle: The success of a sales letter depends first on the market (a "starving crowd"), second on the offer, and third on the copy. Master all three to create letters that consistently convert.
> "The best thing you can do to improve your copywriting is to copy, by hand, great advertisements and sales letters." — Gary Halbert
> "The ability to write a compelling sales letter is the most valuable skill you could ever acquire." — Dan Kennedy
| Claude Does | You Decide |
|-------------|------------|
| Structures production workflow | Final creative direction |
| Suggests technical approaches | Equipment and tool choices |
| Creates templates and checklists | Quality standards |
| Identifies best practices | Brand/voice decisions |
| Generates script outlines | Final script approval |
When invoked, I will guide you through the complete sales letter writing process:
Provide information about what you're selling and to whom:
Example prompts:
Information that helps:
Before writing a word, answer Kennedy's essential questions:
| Question | Why It Matters |
|----------|---------------|
| What keeps them awake at 3am? | Identifies deepest pain points |
| What are they afraid of? | Reveals fears to address |
| What are they angry about? | Shows frustration to empathize with |
| What do they secretly desire? | Uncovers aspirations to promise |
| Who else has failed them? | Explains their skepticism |
| What do they think about daily? | Enters their mental conversation |
Kennedy's Rule: Spend 80% of your time on research, 20% on writing.
Halbert's #1 principle: The market matters more than the copy.
Signs of a "starving crowd":
Gather all credible proof elements:
Every great sales letter has ONE big idea that hooks the reader.
| Approach | Example |
|----------|---------|
| New Discovery | "Scientists discover hidden cause of belly fat..." |
| Secret Revealed | "Wall Street insider reveals how the rich really invest..." |
| Contrarian | "Why everything you know about dieting is wrong..." |
| Prediction | "Why 90% of retirees will run out of money by 2030..." |
| Challenge | "I bet you can't do just 10 pushups..." |
The big idea should be:
The headline does 80% of the work. If it fails, nothing else matters.
The "How To" Formula:
How to [Achieve Desired Result] Without [Common Objection]
Examples:
- How to Lose 20 Pounds Without Giving Up Your Favorite Foods
- How to Double Your Business Without Working More Hours
The "Secrets" Formula:
The Secret of [Achieving Something Desirable]
Examples:
- The Secret of Making People Like You
- The Secret Six-Figure Consultants Don't Want You to Know
The "Warning" Formula:
Warning: Don't [Do Common Action] Until You Read This
Examples:
- Warning: Don't Buy Another Diet Program Until You Read This
- Warning: Don't Hire a Financial Advisor Until You Read This
The "Reason Why" Formula:
[Number] Reasons Why [Target Audience] Are [Achieving Result]
Examples:
- 7 Reasons Why Smart Investors Are Moving to Gold
- 5 Reasons Why Top Athletes Eat This Before Games
The "Question" Formula:
Do You Make These [Number] Mistakes in [Activity]?
Examples:
- Do You Make These 7 Mistakes in Job Interviews?
- Are You Making These Costly Tax Errors?
1. HEADLINE
└── Grabs attention, makes the main promise
2. SUBHEADLINE
└── Qualifies reader or expands the promise
3. OPENING (The Lead)
└── Hook them in the first 50 words
└── Identify the problem they're experiencing
└── Show you understand their pain
4. CREDIBILITY STATEMENT
└── Why should they listen to you?
└── Brief, not braggy
5. THE STORY / EPIPHANY
└── Your journey or a customer's journey
└── The discovery that changed everything
└── Build emotional connection
6. THE MECHANISM
└── What makes your solution work
└── Why it's different from what they've tried
└── The "secret sauce" explained
7. BENEFITS (Not Features)
└── Everything they'll get/achieve
└── Paint vivid pictures of results
└── Use bullet points for scanability
8. PROOF
└── Testimonials with specific results
└── Case studies
└── Demonstrations
└── Third-party validation
9. THE OFFER
└── Exactly what they're getting
└── Stack the components
└── Assign value to each piece
10. BONUSES
└── Additional value items
└── Should relate to main offer
└── Create "pile on" effect
11. PRICE REVEAL
└── Compare to alternatives
└── Break down to daily/monthly cost
└── Show the value vs. price gap
12. GUARANTEE
└── Remove all risk
└── Make it bold and specific
└── "Better than money back" if possible
13. URGENCY/SCARCITY
└── Why they must act NOW
└── Real deadlines or limits
└── Consequence of waiting
14. CALL TO ACTION
└── Exactly what to do
└── Make it crystal clear
└── Repeat the key benefit
15. P.S. SECTION
└── Restate main benefit
└── Remind of urgency
└── Often read first (after headline)
Your opening must accomplish three things:
Opening Patterns:
The "Problem-Agitate" Opening:
If you've ever [experienced painful situation], you know
how frustrating it can be when [consequence of problem].
You've probably tried [common failed solution] only to find
that [why it didn't work].
And the worst part? [Emotional consequence].
But what if there was a way to [desired outcome]?
The "Story" Opening:
[Name] was about to [give up/face consequence].
After [time period] of [struggling with problem], [he/she]
had tried everything—[list failed attempts].
Nothing worked. Until [the moment of discovery]...
The "Shocking Statement" Opening:
[Counterintuitive claim that challenges beliefs].
I know that sounds [crazy/impossible/too good to be true].
But in the next few minutes, I'm going to show you exactly
why [the counterintuitive thing] is true—and how you can
use it to [achieve desired result].
Short transitional phrases that keep readers moving:
Kennedy's technique for building credibility by admitting a flaw:
"Look, I'll be honest with you—this isn't cheap."
"I'm not going to lie—this requires work."
"This won't work for everyone..."
This builds trust and pre-handles objections.
| Element | Purpose | Example |
|---------|---------|---------|
| Core Offer | The main thing | 12-Week Program ($997 value) |
| Bonus #1 | Addresses objection | Quick-Start Guide ($197 value) |
| Bonus #2 | Speeds results | Templates ($297 value) |
| Bonus #3 | Adds convenience | Private Community ($497 value) |
| Fast-Action Bonus | Rewards urgency | 1-on-1 Call ($300 value) |
The Stack Reveal:
Here's everything you're getting today:
✓ [Core Offer] .......................... $997 value
✓ [Bonus #1] ............................ $197 value
✓ [Bonus #2] ............................ $297 value
✓ [Bonus #3] ............................ $497 value
✓ [Fast-Action Bonus] ................... $300 value
Total Value: $2,288
But you're not paying $2,288...
You're not even paying $997...
Today, your investment is just $497
Types of guarantees (strongest to weakest):
Real urgency elements:
Consequence of waiting:
Every day you wait is another day of [suffering consequence].
How much longer can you afford to [continue current situation]?
The people who take action today will be [enjoying result]
while those who wait will still be [stuck in problem].
Be crystal clear:
Click the button below to get instant access.
You'll be taken to a secure order form where you can
complete your purchase in less than 60 seconds.
Within minutes, you'll have full access to [everything
they're getting], and you can start [experiencing benefit]
immediately.
[BUTTON: Get Instant Access Now]
The P.S. is often read first (after the headline). Use it wisely:
P.S. Remember, you're protected by our [guarantee]. If
[condition], you get a full refund. You literally have
nothing to lose and [everything to gain].
P.P.S. [Urgency reminder]—the [bonus/price] expires
[deadline]. Don't miss out.
P.P.P.S. Still not sure? [Address final objection or add
one more proof point].
Context: Selling a $497 course on email marketing for e-commerce
HEADLINE:
How This "Weird" Email Strategy Generated $2.1 Million
in 90 Days For a Small Candle Company
(And How You Can Use It Too)
SUBHEADLINE:
Without a huge list. Without being "salesy."
And without spending a dime on ads.
OPENING:
Dear Fellow E-Commerce Owner,
If you're sending emails to your list and hearing nothing
but crickets...
If you've tried "best practices" that somehow never work
for YOUR business...
If you're watching competitors crush it while you wonder
what you're doing wrong...
Then this might be the most important letter you ever read.
Because in the next few minutes, I'm going to show you the
exact email strategy that transformed a struggling candle
company into a $2.1 million success story—in just 90 days.
And no, it has nothing to do with:
- Sending more emails
- Using "AI" to write your copy
- Offering bigger discounts
- Or any of the tired advice you've heard before
Instead, it's about a simple shift in HOW you think about
email—a shift that, once you make it, changes everything.
OFFER STACK:
Here's everything included in Email Revenue Engine:
✓ The Complete Email Revenue Engine System
8 modules, 47 video lessons ($1,997 value)
✓ The "Silent Seller" Template Library
52 proven email templates, copy-paste ready ($497 value)
✓ The Automated Welcome Sequence Builder
Set-and-forget sequences that convert ($297 value)
✓ Private Community Access
Get feedback, ask questions, share wins ($597 value)
✓ BONUS: Live Q&A Call with Me (Monthly)
Get your specific questions answered ($500 value)
Total Value: $3,888
Your Investment Today: Just $497
That's less than what most businesses spend on ONE Facebook
ad that doesn't work.
P.S.:
P.S. Remember—you're protected by my "Double Your Email
Revenue" guarantee. Implement the system for 90 days. If
you haven't at least doubled your email revenue, I'll
refund every penny AND let you keep all the templates.
You literally can't lose.
P.P.S. The "Silent Seller" template library took me 3 years
to build. And right now, you can get instant access for less
than the cost of hiring a copywriter for ONE email. But only
until Friday—then the price goes up to $997.
Context: Selling a $5,000 done-for-you LinkedIn lead generation service
HEADLINE:
WARNING: Don't Waste Another Month on LinkedIn
Until You Read This
SUBHEADLINE:
How B2B Founders Are Getting 15-30 Qualified Sales Calls
Per Month—Without Cold Calling, Ads, or Posting Content
OPENING:
Dear Fellow B2B Founder,
Let me guess...
You know LinkedIn could be a goldmine for your business.
You've heard the success stories. You've seen competitors
landing clients.
But when YOU try it?
You post content that gets 12 likes (mostly from your mom
and your college roommate).
You send connection requests that get ignored.
You spend hours "engaging" with posts, hoping someone
notices you.
And at the end of the month, you have zero new clients to
show for it.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: You're playing the wrong game.
While you're trying to become a "LinkedIn influencer,"
your competitors are using a completely different approach—
one that fills their calendar with qualified buyers without
posting a single piece of content.
And today, I'm going to show you exactly how they do it.
THE MECHANISM:
It's called the "Direct Buyer" System, and it works because
of one simple truth:
Your ideal clients are already ON LinkedIn.
They're already LOOKING for solutions.
They just need the right MESSAGE at the right TIME.
Our system does three things:
1. IDENTIFY: We find the exact decision-makers who need
what you sell, right now. Not "someday." NOW.
2. ENGAGE: We start conversations using a proven sequence
that gets responses (even from busy executives).
3. QUALIFY: We filter out tire-kickers and only book calls
with buyers who have budget, authority, and urgency.
The result? 15-30 qualified sales calls per month, on autopilot.
No content creation.
No cold calling.
No ads.
Just real conversations with real buyers.
GUARANTEE:
Here's my "15 Calls or Free" Guarantee:
In your first 60 days, you'll receive at least 15 qualified
sales calls with decision-makers who fit your ideal customer
profile.
If you don't? I'll continue working for free until you do.
And if after 90 days, you're still not seeing results, I'll
refund your entire investment—no questions asked.
Why can I make such a bold guarantee?
Because I've done this for 127 B2B companies across 23
industries. I know it works. The only question is whether
you're ready to stop wasting time on LinkedIn and start
getting real results.
URGENCY:
Fair warning: I can only take on 4 new clients this month.
Not because of some fake scarcity—but because we do
everything manually, with real humans, and I refuse to
sacrifice quality for volume.
As of today, 2 spots are already filled.
When the remaining 2 are gone, you'll have to wait until
next month (or longer, depending on our capacity).
If you're serious about filling your pipeline with qualified
buyers, click the button below now to schedule your strategy call.
KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER:
□ What problem keeps them awake at night?
□ What have they tried that failed?
□ What do they secretly desire?
□ What objections will they have?
□ What proof will convince them?
KNOW YOUR PRODUCT:
□ What is the main transformation/result?
□ What makes it different from alternatives?
□ What is the unique mechanism?
□ What proof points do you have?
KNOW YOUR OFFER:
□ What's included?
□ What bonuses can you add?
□ What guarantee removes risk?
□ What urgency/scarcity is real?
□ Does it promise a specific benefit?
□ Does it create curiosity?
□ Is it believable yet surprising?
□ Does it qualify the right reader?
□ Would YOU click on it?
□ Have you written at least 25 alternatives?
HEADLINE & OPENING:
□ Headline promises specific benefit
□ Subheadline expands or qualifies
□ Opening hooks in first 50 words
□ Problem is clearly identified
□ Empathy established
BODY:
□ Story/journey included
□ Mechanism explained (why it works)
□ Benefits emphasized over features
□ Proof throughout (testimonials, results)
□ Objections addressed
□ "Bucket brigades" keep flow
OFFER & CLOSE:
□ Clear offer stack with values
□ Bonuses add perceived value
□ Strong guarantee removes risk
□ Real urgency/scarcity
□ Crystal clear CTA
□ Compelling P.S. section
READABILITY:
□ Short sentences
□ Short paragraphs (2-4 sentences)
□ Conversational tone
□ Specific numbers, not vague claims
□ "You" used frequently
Halbert required students to hand-copy winning letters. Use this for practice:
DATE: ____________________
LETTER: ____________________
AUTHOR: ____________________
WHAT I LEARNED:
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
TECHNIQUES TO USE:
□ Headline approach: ____________________
□ Opening hook: ____________________
□ Proof element: ____________________
□ Close technique: ____________________
Primary Sources:
Additional Resources:
Take guia-matthieu/sales-letter-writer from the repository into ~/.claude/skills for personal
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