On March 24, 2006 it happened!

In front of a room full of people, Clayton Makepeace - known as 'The Master Closer in Print' and America's Highest Paid Copywriter - called me up to the dinner stage and announced I was the FIRST PLACE winner in his 2006 Copywriting Challenge!

 

Clayton at award ceremony podium

 

I couldn't believe my ears when I heard him call out my name. It was a wonderful surprise -- I just wish I'd known ahead of time so I could've had my wife standing by with a camera...

Since I didn't, Clayton was kind enough to congratulate me again the next morning and have his photographer snap a few pictures for me (Thanks Clayton!).

follow-up picture

So, why did Clayton pick me? Well, I asked him that very question and here's what he said...

"I copychief scores of young copywriters, but when I found John McCrea it was like striking gold!

The instant I saw John's first draft, I knew I had a big winner on my hands -- and a red-hot new copywriter to help take my clients' response through the roof. I hired him on the spot!

John is a rarity -- a one-in-a-million find. He's blessed with the knack for creating headlines and sales copy that prospects can't resist AND the formidable persuasive powers required to make the sale.

If you're looking for award-winning sales copy that sizzles and, most importantly, that SELLS -- I recommend you give John a call. And I suggest you do it NOW -- while you can still get on his soon-to-be-packed schedule"

-- Clayton Makepeace


The surprises didn't end there though...

As a result of that win I became one of Clayton's copy-cubs AND I wrote copy for some of his products at The Total Package.