A lot of people have been telling me they wished they could register for the Damn Fine Words writing course. They say that if they could just take this course…
- They could finally start that online business, because they wouldn’t feel like they had to put off writing for their audience.
- They could improve their writing skills and get higher-paying clients, instead of the meagre income they’re slaving to earn right now.
- They could feel confident in their written communication for the first time in their lives, instead of agonizing over every piece they write.
These people know that Damn Fine Words could change their game. And for many of them, the course could even be a life-changer.
I’d like to help make that change happen.
Welcome to the Damn Fine Words Contest.
This contest is a friendly competition where your sincerity, desire to learn, and motivation counts. It’s a writing contest that isn’t about the quality of your writing but rather the quality of your thoughts on writing.
Here’s what you can win:
Two people will win a place as a student in the Damn Fine Words writing course, valued at $1,399.
Winners will join the course as full-access students and benefit from the lessons, the hands-on exercises, the interactive forum and my personal feedback and support throughout the entire course.
Pretty awesome, right?
Here’s what you need to do:
Write a blog post about why writing is important to you. Why becoming a better writer could literally change your life. How not feeling confident in your writing has affected you, and what it would mean to you to have that obstacle swept away.
I want to know why it’s important for you to be in the Damn Fine Words writing course.
The Rules
- Write one blog post article of at least 450 words on why writing is important to you and how better writing skills would change your business or your life.
- Link to www.damnfinewords.com once in your post
- Post your article to your blog.
- Come leave a comment here in the comment section that links to your post.
- Pat yourself on the back.
That’s all.
There are no points given for correct grammar or spelling. There are no points given for the fanciness of the words you choose or the quality of your sales writing. In fact, there are no points given for the quality of the writing at all.
What I’m looking for is someone who really wants to be in the Damn Fine Words writing course.
I’m looking for someone who will show up every day and do their very best because improving their writing skills matters to them. I’m looking for someone who understands the value of writing and its worth.
You don’t need fancy language or correct grammar or finely-honed writing to convey the sincerity of your passion. Trust me – I’ll see it.
Two judges will help me select the winners:
- Taylor Lindstrom is a professional writer who has worked closely with me for several years.
- Peter Shallard is the Shrink for Entrepreneurs and a success consultant I work with on all my ventures.
Submissions end January 16 at 5pm EST. We’ll select a winning post and contact the author directly – be sure to have a Contact page on your site, or leave us an email address here in the comments!
Ready? Get writing!
Ready to join the Damn Fine Words writing course right now? Registration is open now to January 23 - don't miss it! Your business will thank you - and you'll be amazed at how much your life can change. Click here for details.
I’m a little confused – you say “one of 2 people” will win a place on the course and then you talk about “winners”.
Are there 2 prizes, or 1?
Sorry about that – TWO people will win a place in the course.
(The “one of” was a leftover of a sentence I’d removed. Kind of like the snow on your boots you can’t quite knock off when you come inside.)
Could you please post if/when you’ve selected the winners? The suspense is killing me!
Heh, and I thought I was the only one who was continuously checking for a winners post
Kari, you are definitely NOT the only one
I was wondering if perhaps the winners would be announced on the call with Laura Vanderkam today, but I’m at work and can’t hop on the call.
I’m sure we’ll hear soon one way or another! Nothing like anticipation to get the adrenaline flowing….
Lynn, you are SO funny, and your timing is impeccable: I’m on the call right now and Laura just said something like “I tell myself I’m working, but I’m really just reading blogs….”
LOL
Who isn’t continuously checking the blog post to know who won! I want to make sure I read the winning entries (again)!
Heh — you and me both! I keep reading the entries as well, wondering who they’ll pick
Hi James
I thought why now, what have i got to lose?
If anything else it’s 30 more minutes to the 10,000 hours
Here’s the link to my article>>>> http://wp.me/p24wgV-3F
I hope you get good response to this really great contest.
Thanks again
Matt (Turndog Millionaire)
Hey there, James. This contest is great. I hope I get to join your class. It would really help out my life.
Here’s my entry.
http://sagoyism.com/2012/01/09/writing-shaped-my-life/
Hi, Josh. Somehow when I clicked your link I got a little lost. It’s possible that the actual address is
http://sagoyism.com/writing-shaped-my-life/ I enjoyed it. Best of luck! So many great entries, I don’t know how they’ll decide!
There’s no magic here, just an aching heart:
http://davidmasters.posterous.com/writing-is-my-life
James, you are a brilliant marketer. I won’t be entering the contest, but I just may write it up as an example of an excellent idea for garnering publicity and backlinks! Fantastic.
This is a most amazing opportunity. You are so generous! I’d love to enter. You can read my post here:
http://sheisafiresign.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/damn-fine-words-writing-course-contest/
What an opportunity of a lifetime. I cannot miss this. James, you are uh-may-zing.
http://junhax.com/2012/01/a-damn-fine-blog-post-for-a-damn-fine-words-writing-contest/
Awesome opportunity, and this gets to be my first blog post! Here’s the link to my blog:
http://kristylyseng.wordpress.com
Wow what a great contest! Thanks for putting the opportunity out there for us aspiring writers on a budget who need some mentorship and confidence – makes the whole process a lot less scary knowing that there are people like you who are there for us
Here’s my post – hope you like it!
http://gathersnm.blogspot.com/2012/01/damn-fine-words.html
Word and the ability to have better ones, how can anyone resist? Here’s my entry http://www.saraharrow.co.uk/why-do-you-write/
Right you are, Sarah.
An offer so compelling even a lurker like me would cancel lunch hour plans to steel away and post an entry.
http://www.dr1665.com/2012/01/i-have-not-yet-begun-to-write/
(It’s also really cool to see how others feel about their writing.)
Just going to check you out right now Brian, hope you grabbed something to eat while you slaved over your post. It’s too soon to be a hungry writer
Awesome contest idea James!
It’s my first time comment here, here’s my post:
http://www.turningpointmotivation.com/?p=123
I’m confused…I left a comment on Monday with a link to my post but I don’t see it here (??). Anyway, I am posting again to make sure you get it. Thanks again for the opportunity – great idea!
http://gathersnm.blogspot.com/2012/01/damn-fine-words.html
Sorry about that, Kim – it got stuck in spam, but I’ve rescued it now!
commencing back pats.
http://www.competitivewriter.com/2012/01/writing-be-damned.html
original post had bad website link on my name
Wow, and here I had written off all possibility of becoming a Damn Fine Worder! The course sounds awesome, and I really think it could be a game changer in my life. The timing couldn’t be better. Thanks for the opportunity. Here’s my post: http://grownupmom.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/my-lovehate-affair-with-writing/
Thanks for the opportunity.
Entry at: http://www.struggletovictory.com/?p=340
It was time to stop thinking about what to write and just start writing. Here’s my reason for why I want to be a better writer: http://clarifyingcomplexideas.com/2012/01/new-directions/
Ooh. How did that trackback get up there? Seems I have a lot to learn about blogging, as well as writing. Plus I see I’m not the first with the idea of my story of a love-hate relationship to writing. But, still, here’s hoping….
http://everything-written.com/2012/01/damn-fine-words-writing-contest/
not to mention…
http://kosherenlightenment.com/damn-fine-words-writing-contest/
… and, sadly, a few others. It’s easier for me to set up a blog than to actually write the content. I’ll spare you the list. Thanks so much for the opportunity!!
-Sandee
LOL – I got a BUNCH of trackbacks, Sandee… Effort noted!
Can’t blame a girl (or grown woman) for trying!
I can’t tell you just how excited I am about this contest. It’s a tight, make it or break it year for me and I’ve been banging away alone at this blog knowing it can make a difference somehow, but not quite nailing it.
http://auburnmeadowfarm.com/2012/01/13/in-which-we-submit-our-plea/
Thanks so much for all your generosity via the blog and this contest. We look forward to reading more of both….
Thinking positively,
Jackie
Too funny, Jackie – that herd… WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU, JAMES. LOL!
Glad you like them – they think pretty highly of themselves : )
It looks like there’s a ton of talented competition for the contest — but even if I don’t win a spot in the class, writing this post was medicine for my soul, and I’m grateful.
If I do get the spot, I’m going to make this class my highest priority in life (after my kids). I’m DONE messing around.
http://lynnhess.com/thisismybullshitmoment/
In either case, thanks for the motivation. I feel alive and hopeful about writing again, for the first time in a long time.
Uggh, I goofed up the link. Here’s the real one: http://lynnhess.com/mythisisbullshitmoment/
OH, and I also don’t have a contact page on the site…my e-mail address is lynnhess@verizon.net.
Keep up the good work, everyone – I’m really enjoying reading all the entries, and I’m glad to see so many people actually WRITING. (You know, from the heart, where it counts!)
Just a few days left… I’m curious to see who’ll be in the course with me!
Thanks for opening up this contest, James! I’m not sure my post qualifies (it’s about why I think good writing’s important, rather than how the course would change my life), but it was a great pleasure to write, and this is a wonderful opportunity to share.
http://jacqjolie.com/why-good-writings-important/
It was also a good excuse to take the ‘under construction’ page off my site!
Here’s my entry
Thank you for this opportunity James! 
http://www.imperfectclarity.net/blog/2012/01/15/damn-fine-words-writing/
Hope you enjoy my post!
What a great contest. Thanks for making this opportunity available.
Here’s my entry!
http://www.ashleyfesta.com/damn-fine-words-contest-entry
http://itsalwayselemental.blogspot.com/2012/01/damn-fine-words.html
Hi, James!
Thank you SO much for this opportunity. It was kinda like pulling teeth to get the post done, but, hey, that’s what I’m gonna break through if I win a spot in the course, right?
Here’s my entry: http://lifestylerightsize.com/desperately-seeking-the-right-words/
I’m anxiously awaiting your email or call….
LOL
Here is my post on my blog : http://cementmarketing.com/damn-fine-words/
Thanks for this opportunity. Here is a link to my post: What I Did For Love
http://clarabelamedia.com/2012/01/what-i-did-for-love/
I hope i have not submitted this too late. i am looking forward to taking part in the damn fine words writing contest. Thank You James and others for this opportunity, i hope you enjoy what i wrote. it is far from finished, but clearly conveys my desire to enhance my life by improving my writing.
http://patrickanarcho.uvelopment.com/2012/01/16/the-unused-skill-is-ready-to-be-mastered/
Hey everyone, great submissions, and thanks for participating! The judges and I are reading all the entries and we’ll have a final decision by the 22nd. I’m excited to see who’ll come join me in the course!