Should You Attend AWAI Bootcamp? Direct Response Copywriter Archive March 2019 2.

March 2019

AWAI BOOTCAMP MUSINGS

If you’re in the AWAI database, or even if you’re not, you’re probably getting some information about the AWAI bootcamp.

The official name of the event is …

AWAI’s 2019 FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp and Job Fair

And it takes place this May from the 14th to the 17th in Delray Beach, Florida.

This email is not a promotion for AWAI or the bootcamp. You might be thinking about going. Or you might be booked to go. Or perhaps you have never heard of the event.

My goal in this email is to provide some insight into bootcamp based on my experiences. I think I went 6 years in a row but I didn’t go last fall.

There’s no affiliate link or anything like that. I have no connection with AWAI other than writing a few emails for them a couple of years ago. I don’t currently write for AWAI.

I don't have a dog in the fight.

Here you go …

It’s the biggest copywriting event I know … with about 500 people attending.

It usually takes place in October but it’s happening in May this year. Maybe it will take place in October too.

The content is mostly geared toward newcomers and relative newcomers.

I love Delray Beach. You'll find me in The Blue Anchor.

It’s fun to hang out with other copywriters and talk shop. I rarely get to spend any time with other copywriters.

There are some big names at the event … as speakers and panelists. And yes, you can meet them in person.

The event is superbly organized and presented.

The official price is $2,495 but discounts are usually available and you can make payments. Still … that’s a pretty hefty price tag. And that’s before the travel, lodging, and pints at The Blue Anchor.

I know (almost) all the speakers at the upcoming bootcamp. Some of them are excellent. I wonder about some of the others. But, in reality, it’s impossible to put together an event with speakers that every attendee is going to love.

I know what the speakers are likely to say because I've heard them at previous bootcamps or elsewhere.

I could provide a lot more salient and valuable information than 80% of the speakers. I was on a panel one year.

Most of the speakers have been superb. But I can remember a few that had me wondering, "why is that person speaking?"

Job fair … the Friday afternoon scrum. Job fair remains a bit of a mystery to me. One year I got almost $20,000 worth of work directly from job fair. But other times it’s been weird. There are 50 companies who need/want copywriters and I’m a copywriter and my copy motivates people to try products and services … all based on actual results.

There's a "rah rah" element to bootcamp, complete with a motivational speaker/organizational guru. It might work for you but it's not my cup of tea.

When I approach people and the companies and I tell them about my results and my background, they are nonplussed. I guess I smell. One year I even handed out a zip drive with a presentation. I have followed up with the people I met and, again, nothing happens.

There’s quite a bit of churn. It seems that a lot of people only attend once. But there were plenty of familiar faces, too.

The entire AWAI staff is there and they’re extremely helpful and welcoming.

The event sells out so don’t dilly dally if you want to go.

Should you go?

If you’ve never been and you’re keen to learn and you’re still relatively nascent, and you’ve got the time and money, then go. Maybe we’ll meet in person.

All the best,

Scott Martin Direct Response Copywriter

Additional questions about bootcamp? Feel free to ask.