THE GREATEST DIRECT MAIL SALES LETTERS OF ALL TIME - Why They Succeed - How They’re Created - How You Can Create Great Sales Letters, Too!

Sep 17, 2026

A comprehensive book compiling the greatest direct mail sales letters of all time and explaining why they achieve exceptional response. It argues that true greatness involves multiple dimensions: meeting objectives, earning recognition from peers, and providing timeless inspiration. By gathering samples from leading direct marketers, top direct response copywriters, and personal files, the book distills standout techniques and writing principles. Readers learn how to analyze and apply successful elements when drafting persuasive direct mail sales copy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages457

Reading Time2 h 40 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

About the Author

Special Thanks

How to Use This Book

Creating Direct Mail Letters

Classic Direct Mail Letters

Consumer Mail Order Letters

Circulation and Book Promotion Letters

Fund-Raising Letters

Business-to-Business Direct Mail

Inquiry and Lead-Getting Letters

Retail and Service Letters

Personalized Letters

The Light Touch

Tips From the Experts

Bibliography

THE GREATEST DIRECT MAIL SALES LETTERS OF ALL TIME WHY THEY SUCCEED How THEY'RE CREATED How You CAN CREATE GREAT SALES LETTERS, Too! By Richard S. Hodgson [www.greatestsalesletters.com ](www.greatestsalesletters.com -1-)[ -1-](www.greatestsalesletters.com -1-) This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in whole orin part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. [www.greatestsalesletters.com ](www.greatestsalesletters.com -2-)[ -2-](www.greatestsalesletters.com -2-) CONTENTS Introduction ...................................................................................................................4 About the Author ..........................................................................................................6 Special Thanks ..............................................................................................................8 How to Use This Book ..................................................................................................9 I. Creating Direct Mail Letters……………………………………………………..10 II. Classic Direct Mail Letters ........................................................................................... 30 III. Consumer Mail Order Letters ..................................................................................... 160 IV Circulation and Book Promotion Letters ...................................................................... 198 V Fund-Raising Letters .................................................................................................260 VI. Business-to-Business Direct Mail ............................................................................... 303 VII. Inquiry and Lead-Getting Letters .................................................................................334 VIII. Retail and Service Letters ..........................................................................................357 IX. Personalized Letters.................................................................................................... 385 X. The Light Touch ....................................................................................................... 415 XI. Tips From the Experts .................................................................................................... 429 Bibliography ............................................................................................................. 457 [www.greatestsalesletters.com ](www.greatestsalesletters.com -3-)[ -3-](www.greatestsalesletters.com -3-) INTRODUCTION What makes a great direct mail letter? The most obvious answer is one that produces maximum response. But lots of less-than-great letters produce excellent response thanks to superior lists, a great product, an outstanding offer, or other factors over which the writer has little or no control. Some letters win contests; however, inferior letters have won contests just because the competition was weak. Other letters win the praise of the copywriter's peers—often just because they are clever. To be truly great, however, a sales letter must have more than one dimension. Of course, it must achieve its objectives. Most often it will have won some contest and likely will have won special applause from peers. It must also stand the test of time and be the kind of letter others will turn to time and again to get inspiration and think, "Gee, I wish I had written that. " This is a book of such le

FAQs

What makes a direct mail sales letter great, according to the introduction?

A great direct mail letter produces maximum response, but must also achieve objectives, earn recognition, and stand the test of time as a source of inspiration for future writing.

How did the author collect the letters featured in the book?

Leading direct marketers provided samples of top direct mail letters, best direct response copywriters contributed names and submitted favorite letters, and selected letters were added from the author’s long-running personal files.

Why couldn’t all the collected letters be included?

Although the selection process started with more than 2,000 excellent examples, the author read and reread them and ultimately made a strictly personal final selection, leaving out many good letters.

Sep 17, 2026

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