If you only study creators in your own industry, your content will inevitably become derivative. Draw inspiration from diverse sources like books, newspapers, or creators in unrelated fields to develop a more authentic and unique style that stands out.

Dave Gerhardt defines his copywriting skill not by its literary elegance but by its ability to grab attention and get a point across forcefully, yet tactfully. He applies this skill everywhere, from rewriting sponsor ads to helping his wife draft firm emails to a school.

Develop superior AI-generated copy by first using an AI agent to research and deconstruct the frameworks of top marketers. Then, feed the AI examples of your own writing to distill a unique brand voice. Combining these into a custom 'skill' produces consistent, high-converting copy that feels authentic.

Instead of asking an LLM to write for you, feed it high-performing content (tweets, landing pages). Prompt it to analyze the structure, psychological triggers, and core components. This reverse-engineers success into a detailed guide you can use to replicate it with your own ideas.

Instead of brainstorming subjectively and then seeking data to support a favorite idea, start with audience insights. Analyzing what content people already engage with defines the creative sandbox, leading to more effective campaigns from the outset and avoiding resource-draining failures.

To become a better writer, don't just read—transcribe. The physical act of handwriting successful sales copy or literature forces you to internalize its rhythm, word choice, and structure. This 'copywork' practice builds muscle memory for effective writing, much like a musician practicing scales.

Instead of using AI to write final copy, leverage it as a brainstorming partner. Dave Gerhardt uses ChatGPT to generate 15 variations of a subject line. This process allows him to cherry-pick words and phrases, combining them into a superior, human-crafted final version.

Instead of imitating successful competitors' tactics, deconstruct them to understand the underlying psychological principle (e.g., scarcity, social proof). This allows for authentic adaptation to your specific context, avoiding the high risk of failure from blind copying which ignores differences in brand and audience.

Contrary to the advice of "write the subject line last," Dave Gerhardt starts with the headline or hook. This initial anchor helps frame the entire piece. Even if the first draft of the headline is imperfect, it provides a necessary starting point to react against and refine.