First this: Is it… “John” or “Jack?”

And the answer… it’s both. I get asked this more times than you can imagine. Even if  you have a good imagination. And how the confusion comes about is a long story, probably not worth telling.

I’m John to my family and close friends. And Jack to my close friends and, sometimes, even family. I don’t have a preference between the two. Just pick one and run with it, no worries.

And what about this site?

Well, that’s a story too…

I started it in 2001, shortly after attending a real “roundtable” of working copywriters, held in the Ahr Valley of Germany. We were there to share insights and we decided it was worth keeping the conversation going, via email. The first issue of the CR was the beginning of that conversation. 

It was meant for only a few. It became something more. The original circle of about 30 readers forwarded it to friends… who sent it on to more friends… and then it was recommended by a few early bloggers and other working pros with ezines… until the list grew to 300… 1,000…  3,000… 7,000… now about 10,000 and climbing.

Does the Copywriter’s Roundtable make me an income? A little, though that was never the agenda.

After all, as I’m sure you know, to become an expert in anything you need to study it… to write about it… and to stay engaged in conversations about it. Thus far, that’s what each issue of the Copywriter’s Roundtable — affectionately called the “CR” — has meant to me. And, I hope, to the many others who read it.

I’m proud to say we’ve got everyone from beginners to top pros on the distribution list. I’m also proud to say that I’ve heard more than once from our readers “out of all the e-letters I get, the CR is one I wait for and read consistently.” 

That’s a high standard and one I hope we can continue to meet. You’ll find plenty here. From what’s working, what might work, and what’s not working anymore… to online and offline selling, what to charge, how to get clients, working with designers, and much more. (Yes, that includes the occasional ubiquitous “how to write a headline” advice.)

I have a lot of fun writing it. I hope you’ll have fun reading it. If you find something offered in the ads that come with each issue, I’ll be glad for that too — I never recommend a product I don’t find both exceptional and useful to my readers — but even if you don’t, I love having you in on the conversation. So keep reading.

I like to keep this genuine… so you might find a little “extra,” from stories about the kids and and the life of an international copywriter (we spend a good bit of the year in Paris)… to the occasional interesting tidbit or story… a little bit of opinion… and, sure, the occasional typo, grammatical misstep, mistake in judgement or erroneous historical detail… just to “keep it real.” We don’t claim to be perfect. I’m just here to get the core of the ideas out there to you, as they come and as quickly, completely, and amusingly as possible. 

And of course, it costs you nothing to sign up. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Not a penny, farthing, of pfenning. Free. Gratis. No strings attached. Complimentary. On the house. Without charge. (Wait, let me get out my Thesaurus…) Nil. Zero. Diddly-squat. And so on.

Here’s the best part: You don’t have to listen to me all the time. Because, when it’s not me writing, it’s a contribution from some of the best in the business. Bob Bly, Chris Marlow, Michel Fortin, Michael Masterson — and many more — have all appeared here with flashes of brilliance. And they’ll appear here again, if our luck holds out. 

If you’re not on the list yet, here’s all you need to do to get started. Fill in your email address below and click the button. Your issues will start arriving every Tuesday. It’s that simple…

I hope you’ll give it a try. 

One last thing: Please tell your friends who might be interested about the CR. Invite them to sign up. At least invite them to come here to this site, look over everything, and decide what they’d like to do. If it helps, reassure them that I never spam… will never sell or share their email addresses with anybody else… never fold, spindle, or mutilate… and always wash my hands before typing or eating dinner. 

This letter got it’s start from thanks to readers who passed the recommendation along to other readers. I’m hoping — even counting on — that trend to continue. You can find “sign up” information at the end of ever issue and at the top of this website. Thank you!

John Forde has worked as an direct-response copywriter for nearly 16 years, with a specialty in the marketing of financial and health information products. His copy has both directly and indirectly, via work with junior writers, help generate hundred of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of subscriptions. He’s the proud recipient of the “Ouzilly Award for Sterling Copy” and the “2008 AWAI Copywriter of the Year” award. John has directly mentored dozens of successful writers and has lead or helped lead international copywriting training programs, seminars, and bootcamps in the London, Paris, Bonn, Warsaw, Baltimore, and Delray Beach, Florida. He’s also a regular speaker at travel writing conferences, a published author, and shamelessly proud father of the two best little children in — well — the world. No, really.