A Forest

16 years ago

Needlessly complicated. Sounds like something created by a tenured academic who never had to sell anything in their life.

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Kyle Tully

16 years ago

Actually I think it's spot on.

I use each of those techniques in my copy.

They are VERY powerful.

But it's not a "formula" I follow.

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Raydal

16 years ago

I can't say that I'm familiar with the acrostic but the elements
are quite common to persuasive speech. And, yes you can learn
a lot about copywriting from studying communication text books.

Look for the principles and just adapt to your audience.

-Ray Edwards

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briancassingena

16 years ago

Originally Posted by SamstaUK

I was learning about writing to persuade in school the other day, and was wondering if any of you here have heard of it? It's called 'A Forest':

A - Alliteration
F - Facts
O - Opinions
R - Repetition / Rhetorical Questions
E - Examples / Experts
S - Statistics
T - Rule of three (Repeat something 3 times for it to stick in peoples heads)

How effective do you think using this technique would be?

Yeah it's not something copywriters teach, we follow formulas like

problem-aggravate-solve-prove-call to action

or

attention-interest-desire-action

The one you have quoted is not an a to z step by step formula even a novice can follow, unlike the 2 classic ones I have included here. It does seem like an academic theory, from someone with a marketing degree. Nothing against university, but a marketing degree and the ability to sell something are worlds apart.

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dorothydot 16 years ago

Guess if it works for you, then it's spot-on great... for you!

Doesn't really matter what others think. Just look at your results.

Dot
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- moreymcmb 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by dorothydot
  
  Guess if it works for you, then it's spot-on great... for you!
  
  Doesn't really matter what others think. Just look at your results.
  
  Dot
  
  Exactly! If you haven`t tested yet, why ask other people!?
  
  I think that everything should be experienced first as a test, than put in action.
  
  Personally I prefer AIDA, because its simple and to the point.
  
  Thanks
  
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jompert

12 years ago

Originally Posted by briancassingena

Yeah it's not something copywriters teach, we follow formulas like

problem-aggravate-solve-prove-call to action

or

attention-interest-desire-action

The one you have quoted is not an a to z step by step formula even a novice can follow, unlike the 2 classic ones I have included here. It does seem like an academic theory, from someone with a marketing degree. Nothing against university, but a marketing degree and the ability to sell something are worlds apart.

AIDA
A- Attention
I- Interest
D- Desire
A- Action

Thanks

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BrianMcLeod

16 years ago

I've never heard of "a forest"... but I'm very familiar with the trees.

Each of the points are important in selling, but how and when to use them is a little more nuanced than simply running them down the line.

Here's one from the University of Street-Smart Selling where I matriculated - and this one's a little easier to "follow" in a sales message:

The HELLYEAH Copywriting Formula

H - Holler at 'em - Gain their attention
E - Empathize with 'em - give them some back story
L - Lambast the *******s that created the problem they're having
L - Legwork - show 'em that you walk the walk (prove it)
Y - Yes, there is a solution, and you have it...
E - Educate them on why your solution is the best fit for them
A - Action - demand that they take it, right now
H - Handle any lingering doubt or objections with risk reversal

: )

Of course, all formulas are academic in nature... the real world application of that formula sometimes require that you "break some rules" - so don't be slavish to sales dogma.

Here's the thread that HELLYEAH formula came from:

http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...les-pages.html

Best,

Brian

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Brian McLeod

Direct Response Copywriting

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Adaptive

16 years ago

A FOREST - That's a cute way to remember an otherwise unrelated random assortment of persuasion tactics. It's not any kind of recipe or formula you can follow to ensure sales success. If you include "A FOREST" you'll have more persuasive copy, but that's no guarantee that you've included everything.

If you're fond of acronyms, master the AIDA formula. Then set AIDA in A FOREST and you'll have a very strong presentation.

HELLYEAH - I love that one, thanks!

Regards,
Allen

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jamsferguson

16 years ago

Combine the AIDA with the elements of AFOREST in a not formulistic way, and you have awinner. I liked the last "H" part in HELLYEAH -it's a good reminder.

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tylerjaysen

12 years ago

yeah I've heard of that....and to answer your question... I think all that forest ...would work wonders.

I like the rules of 3...and repetition...to help make things stick. Works like a tee when going to college and passing those multiple choice exams.

Thanks

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gjabiz

12 years ago

Read Brian M. post and print it out.

Your list is one of devices, not one of persuasion technique. You use those devices within your copy when and where appropriate.

Read Brian's post and print it out.

NOW, here is one more formula. Time tested and proven.

E of A = H of R SoM + P0I
The Effectiveness of your Attempt to influence someone remotely is equal to the Harmony between the Recipient's State of Mind and the Pre-Occupational Interrupter used to gain attention.

Once you have attention, you hold it any way you can. Until they do what you want them to do.

gjabiz

PS. Read the B.Mc. post again and then print it out.

Originally Posted by SamstaUK

I was learning about writing to persuade in school the other day, and was wondering if any of you here have heard of it? It's called 'A Forest':

A - Alliteration
F - Facts
O - Opinions
R - Repetition / Rhetorical Questions
E - Examples / Experts
S - Statistics
T - Rule of three (Repeat something 3 times for it to stick in peoples heads)

How effective do you think using this technique would be?

[ 1 ] Thanks

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CurtisSWN

12 years ago

I have one, and it works pretty well, in fact you can insert any words you choose as long as it spells "GET RIGHT TO THE POINT". Very reader friendly.

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BrianMcLeod 12 years ago

Originally Posted by CurtisSWN

I have one, and it works pretty well, in fact you can insert any words you choose as long as it spells "GET RIGHT TO THE POINT". Very reader friendly.

Curtis,

I guess I understand what you're saying, but you haven't taken enough time or written it clearly enough for me to get it without fail.

I'll think about what you said some more and get back to this later.

Is that what you're after?

Then your approach is perfect.
- Thanks
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Brian McLeod

Direct Response Copywriting
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The Marketeer

12 years ago

As soon as I read this post, I couldn't resist so here's one that I put together after being inspired by "A FOREST".

You could say, I learnt this one in the school of improvisation. I named it "The TIMBER" Formula. So here goes:

T - Tell em something they wanna hear right from the word, "Go".
I - Instill in them a sense of empathy and deep understanding of their problem. It's storytime!
M - Make their problem sound so bad that it makes them uncomfortable and then introduce your solution.
B - Back your solution up with some solid proof.
E - Educate them on the need for your solution and sell them on the benefits.
R - Remind them of the importance of taking action and hit them with a strong call to action.

Thanks

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mark healy

12 years ago

i use the rule of AIDA but will try these you suggested

Thanks

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Adetony

12 years ago

Great just heard of AIDA few days ago and today now I have to look for TIMBER in A FOREST of HELLYEAH.
Great thread I must confess, I'm learning fast now.

Thanks

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Shiga

12 years ago

It's much more complicated to learn that fomular than just remeber all the points in my mind.

Thanks

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A Forest

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