- $499 or 4 monthly payments of $130
Write better headlines. Faster.
Stop doubting your creative abilities. Start thinking and writing with speed and confidence.
I spent over a year creating and curating the best writing and thinking techniques for quick-turn timelines and high-pressure situations. I've condensed hundreds of hours of my time into just 3 hours for you.
I share countless tips and break down 200+ examples from the world's most creative brands. To build our creative confidence we have to set time aside to deliberately build our creative craft. That is why this course exists and it will help you for the rest of your career. I'm still an active copywriter and I have never been faster or more confident since creating this course. It can do the same for you.
***If you work for a company, ask them to pay for it. Most agencies and companies are. Forward this link to your manager and ask about your company's Learning & Development budget. A course that helps build your craft, helps build their business.
900+ students ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dave Harland ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I've been a copywriter for almost 20 years, but writing good headlines fast has always been the one area that needed the most brushing up.
This course is helping me nail it. Not just with techniques Dan teaches, and the examples which show how the big brands do it, but with the takeaway PDF at the end - which is like a little bible of inspiration for when you need a bucket of solid lines."
This course is helping me nail it. Not just with techniques Dan teaches, and the examples which show how the big brands do it, but with the takeaway PDF at the end - which is like a little bible of inspiration for when you need a bucket of solid lines."
Harry Dry, Founder ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The only course I’ve taken and blown through front-to-back without once checking the time.” Dan just gets it!!!”
Chrissy Mize, Copywriter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Writing Under Pressure has levelled up my headline writing like nothing else.
Just this week a client asked for a headline for the back of the can for a new beverage he's launching. I was able to come up with a handful of great ideas FAST. He replied back with his favourite, saying "That is freaking brilliant." Before this course, it would have taken me 5 times as long to come up with not-as-great options."
Just this week a client asked for a headline for the back of the can for a new beverage he's launching. I was able to come up with a handful of great ideas FAST. He replied back with his favourite, saying "That is freaking brilliant." Before this course, it would have taken me 5 times as long to come up with not-as-great options."
Greg Harrison Clay, Copywriter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"It's everything it promises, a guide to fast and thoughtful headline creation. It's given me a powerful set of tools I can pull out in a pinch AND practice when the pressure's on or off. To top it off, Dan is an excellent teacher. His approach is humble and funny, making the material infinitely approachable and easy to watch."
Meredith Papps, Copywriter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"If David Ogilvy is the Father of Advertising, Dan Nelken is the Fun Uncle of Copywriting.
I believe that the idea always comes and the work always gets done. But Writing Under Pressure gave me the tools I need to unlock creative ideas faster. I have so much more confidence in my headline-writing abilities now!"
I believe that the idea always comes and the work always gets done. But Writing Under Pressure gave me the tools I need to unlock creative ideas faster. I have so much more confidence in my headline-writing abilities now!"
Jason Westall, Head of Copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"As writers, we're too often expected to expel copy 'gold' in high-pressure situations. Dan's course not only helps reduce the palpitations in these moments but offers up original techniques that allow you to structure your thoughts and get to the best lines quicker."
Esther Novak, Copywriter/Brand Strategist for NPOs ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Take his course and save the PDF to your desktop! This is the most practical copywriting course I’ve ever taken. I had so many headline ideas for the most recent ad I wrote and none of the new-project-anxiety that usually hangs around between accepting the project and getting into it."
Justin Smith, Copywriter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Dan all but implores you - as only a friendly Canadian can implore—to take a big belly breath, stay in your seat, and follow his simple steps to unsticking your brain.
I refer to his course whenever I find myself all twisted up in the shrouds of (copy)writer's block and imposter syndrome. Do as he says and the ideas and headlines will show up. They're darn near guaranteed to."
I refer to his course whenever I find myself all twisted up in the shrouds of (copy)writer's block and imposter syndrome. Do as he says and the ideas and headlines will show up. They're darn near guaranteed to."
Steve Miller, Art Director ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"As an Art Director, this course has really helped me a ton in the ideation phase of projects.
Not only can I come up with new areas faster, but I'm finding I can 'speak' the same language with a writing partner as we're jamming. It's also helped when we're in deeper dives or need to swap out headlines on the fly—I can now annoy said writing partners with half-baked lines. They usually suck, but at least there's a nugget of something useful in there that a writer can pull from."
Not only can I come up with new areas faster, but I'm finding I can 'speak' the same language with a writing partner as we're jamming. It's also helped when we're in deeper dives or need to swap out headlines on the fly—I can now annoy said writing partners with half-baked lines. They usually suck, but at least there's a nugget of something useful in there that a writer can pull from."
Jade Bothma, Copywriter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"He built up my confidence, allowed me to embrace imposter syndrome, and provided insightful tools that help me every day.
I changed careers at the beginning of 2022, from trade to marketing. If you can imagine the least confident person on the planet, drop me down by two pegs (or three). Dan's course felt like having a cup of coffee with a friend each morning as he gave me a pep talk."
I changed careers at the beginning of 2022, from trade to marketing. If you can imagine the least confident person on the planet, drop me down by two pegs (or three). Dan's course felt like having a cup of coffee with a friend each morning as he gave me a pep talk."
Sally Fox, Founder Lumen & Fox ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://lumenandfoxwords.com
"I feel more confident making promises to my clients knowing I can deliver without fail. I'm also less terrified of tight deadlines because I have tactics to think (and write) faster.
Before this course, my approach to writing was pretty much 'spray and pray'. I'd attack the problem with no real logic or strategy and hope something good would come up. Having breezed through Dan's course, I now have a solid, organized set of strategies and tactics for finding headline gems. Dan has helped me approach creativity in a way that's less chaotic than trying to pluck good ideas out of thin air."
Before this course, my approach to writing was pretty much 'spray and pray'. I'd attack the problem with no real logic or strategy and hope something good would come up. Having breezed through Dan's course, I now have a solid, organized set of strategies and tactics for finding headline gems. Dan has helped me approach creativity in a way that's less chaotic than trying to pluck good ideas out of thin air."
200+ example ads from top brands.
THE INGREDIENTS
What you'll get out of this course
Three sections. Each consists of pre-recorded videos averaging 5 minutes in length.
Section I
Creativity Under Pressure (33 mins)
A quick but necessary look at the difference between how we expect our brains to work and how they actually work.
- Learn 3 ways to respond to people who expect you to be creative on command.
- Understanding this one concept is like duct-taping your inner critic's mouth shut.
- Countless creatives leave their creative thinking to the very end of a timeline. They tell themselves it’s when they’re most creative. But they’re wrong. They’re mistaking creativity for __________ and _________.
- Find out where idea babies really come from.
- The key to building creative confidence or just plain old confidence.
- What if the problem isn't your brain but how you're using it?
- If you’re skipping these two things, your creative efficiency is being severely impaired.
- Learn how to respond when someone expects you to pull creative headlines or ideas out of a hat.
- Doing this at the beginning of the creative process makes you feel like you’re getting somewhere but it could be the cause of your stuckness.
Section II
Types of Headlines (85 mins)
I spent endless hours identifying the best/fastest headline techniques for creative emergencies.
- Go-to techniques for even the tightest of headline deadlines.
- If you’re an experienced copywriter but still fight impostor syndrome, these headline techniques will help you gain the upper hand.
- You already use this headline technique but you probably don’t have a name for it and you’re likely not using it deliberately.
- These 2 headline techniques are the most used across all of adland. They are must-haves in every writer's toolbox.
- Feeling more stress than joy in your creative process? Take queues from Apple, Innocent Drinks and Tesco.
- I’ve seen a lot of content around, “How to write like Apple” but I’ve never once heard this tip, which I got from someone on the inside.
- Want to be the most confident and fastest creative in the boardroom? Or Zoom-room?
- It took me breaking down 1000+ headlines over countless hours to have 3 key creative A-Ha moments. You can get them in just minutes.
- What’s your go-to definition for creativity? Let's consider a new definition that actually helps.
Section III
Thinkin' Techniques (56 mins)
I don’t like to pick favourites but this section might be it. By the end, you’ll have endless ways to turn a blank page into pages full of headlines.
- Ask these two questions to never feel stuck again.
- Why this one tip from Luke Sullivan’s Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This, might help you write more headlines than any other. This one alone might be worth the price of admission.
- What you should never do when you’re feeling stuck on a brief. Doing this makes you feel more anxious and alone.
- Want to become the fastest thinker and creative in the boardroom when the pressure’s on?
- The secret to being a great copywriter that has nothing to do with writing. Or thinking.
- The easiest way to pump out quality headlines when you’re fighting the clock.
- This could be the root cause of much of your creative self-doubt.
- Structure and creativity. Friends or foes?
- Many creatives can’t be creative at work. Find out what you or your company might be doing wrong.
- How to enjoy the creative process and tight timelines instead of fearing them. It is possible!
100% Money-Back Guarantee
If this course doesn't help you, I'll return your money. No questions asked.
- $499 or 4 monthly payments of $130
"Dan's course is like a plunger for writer's block."
—Luis Vásquez, Associate Creative Director
EXCLUSIVE TO COURSE MEMBERS
The never-ending booklet
At the end of the course, you gain access to a pdf. But it’s not just any pdf.
3 things that make it unique:
3 things that make it unique:
- It summarizes all the key tips and features 200+ headline examples for quick and easy reference for the rest of your career.
- It grows. I'm constantly adding new tips and examples.
- It's only available to course subscribers.
You get lifetime access. Every 6 months, you’ll get a notification to download the most recent version. I’ve already heard from countless students who've said the pdf alone is worth the price of the course. Since the course launched I've already added 30 pages full of more examples.
If you’re ever feeling stuck, it's all the inspiration you need—when you need it most—right on your desktop.
"You know that feeling when you finish watching a TV series and you're sad because it's the end? It's kinda how I feel now that I just watched the last video.
Thank you for putting so much heart and knowledge into the course and delivering it in such a delightful way! And the booklet? Damn, I didn't expect it to be just as packed as the course itself. I can't wait to put everything I learned into practice!"
Jakub Rogalski, Content Marketer at LiveChat
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"In my opinion, your PDF is weirdly maybe the best. It's ready to be clicked when sh*t hits the fan. Additionally, the thought that it will expand in the coming years is inspiring, I love this as it feels like a solid advertising armour."
Jona Bronkhorst, Freelance Creative
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Absolutely incredible stuff.
Although I've spent most of my time in the last few years exploring headline writing and creative techniques, I learned so much from this course. And simply listening to Dan's wisdom for two hours was worth every penny. Can't wait for the next course <3"
Although I've spent most of my time in the last few years exploring headline writing and creative techniques, I learned so much from this course. And simply listening to Dan's wisdom for two hours was worth every penny. Can't wait for the next course <3"
Shlomo Genchin, Head of Creative ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Dan's course is like a plunger for writer's block.
I've struggled with writer's block for a couple of years now, and nothing has worked like this course. If you're looking for a way to get your writing juices flowing again, I highly recommend Dan's course.
I'm looking forward to part two!"
I've struggled with writer's block for a couple of years now, and nothing has worked like this course. If you're looking for a way to get your writing juices flowing again, I highly recommend Dan's course.
I'm looking forward to part two!"
Luis Vásquez, Associate Creative Director ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"One of the challenges as a copywriter is making sure you think from enough angles. This course gives you more angles than you could ever need.
It's valuable for new copywriters but just as valuable if you have decent experience. It has made me more confident with my copywriting and I was already comfortable. But it also made the process a lot more fun. I can't recommend it enough."
It's valuable for new copywriters but just as valuable if you have decent experience. It has made me more confident with my copywriting and I was already comfortable. But it also made the process a lot more fun. I can't recommend it enough."
"I don't think I have ever taken a course as an adult that I felt I learned so much from nor giggled at so much.
I loved the easy-to-follow self-paced format and the content is just spot on. Dan is so skilled he can easily explain to a novice such as me how to write better and look for ideas.
Having a resource in terms of the booklet to refer back to when my wits leave me is undeniably great value too.
Thank you, Dan, for creating something that feels helpful and that you are being nurtured to become a better human being let alone writer.”
I loved the easy-to-follow self-paced format and the content is just spot on. Dan is so skilled he can easily explain to a novice such as me how to write better and look for ideas.
Having a resource in terms of the booklet to refer back to when my wits leave me is undeniably great value too.
Thank you, Dan, for creating something that feels helpful and that you are being nurtured to become a better human being let alone writer.”
Vicky Hawes, Digital Content Creator ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- $499 or 4 monthly payments of $130
"I've been a copywriter and CD for 20 years and still got a lot out of this course."
—Michael Skarbek, Creative Consultant
Proof of your newfound ability to write better headlines faster.
WHY I BUILT THIS
"I didn't want anyone else to know I was a writer who sucked at writing headlines."
Through much of my career I struggled with writing headlines. I lacked confidence. It was always a grind.
Yet, I worked with writers who loved it. It seemed effortless for them.
When I worked in ad agencies, my trick was to avoid writing headlines until I got home. I didn’t want anyone else to know I was a writer who sucked at writing headlines. I hid it. It was a secret between me and my inner critic.
And it was pretty easy to keep. I was doing a ton of TV, radio and most of my concepts would be visually-driven with a short payoff line. It was the trend of the times and still is today.
But there were times I couldn’t hide it. Like in meetings, “Hey Dan, you’re a writer. What’s a better way of saying this?”
All eyes would turn to me. I’d be in full panic mode.
Or the night before a pitch to a big bank when the Creative Director said, “All writers, take the next 15 minutes and write as many headlines as you can and put them on my desk in 15 minutes.”
I hated that one because I was the most senior writer in the group and I was worried my lines would be the worst of the bunch.
Or when I was freelancing for an agency and the Creative Director said, “Try and beat these headlines. We present to client in 30 minutes.”
I’ve also had countless scenarios where I had to get a line out very quickly. Often with someone standing over my shoulder.
In all of the above scenarios, I always got through it but it was tough sledding.
I assumed that confidence would develop over time, that one day I would just have it. And it would be effortless for me too. But no confidence fairy came to visit me the night I reached my 10,000 hours. Confidence comes from deliberately working on our craft. It comes from knowing how you do what you do.
Because if we don’t know how we do what we do, we can’t repeat it. And this ends up being our process—
I didn’t write my book or create this course because I was a headline writing master. I’m creating what I’ve always needed in just the way I’ve always needed to hear it.
If you’re early in your career, this will be an invaluable resource and be an unfair advantage for you. If you’re an emotionally-scarred and battle-tested veteran like me, a lot of this might just be a refresher. You might take the course and think, "Hey, I already know and do this, I just wasn't aware I knew and did this!". Either way, it will increase your speed, precision and most importantly, your confidence.
I’ve never been a faster, more confident writer than I am today. And it’s not just because I have experience. It's because I’ve been deliberately working on my craft. And I'm sharing those steps with you now.
"The best situation is for creativity to not be under the gun. But if you can’t manage that, at least learn to dodge the bullets.”
-Teresa Amabile, Harvard Professor
- $499 or 4 monthly payments of $130
Put your inner critic where it belongs. And then flush.
Write better headlines. Faster.
Whether it's the pressure of a stupid timeline or your own internal pressure, this course will help you stuff a sock in your inner critic's pie hole.
It's 3 hours of time for a lifetime of confidence.
Frequently asked questions
You’ve got questions. I’ve got answers.
I've read the book. Do I need this course?
If you found the book helpful, you'll love the course. Yes, some stuff repeats but for anything that does, I take a much deeper dive into it. I wrote the book I've always needed. And now I've made the course I've always needed. More to come.
Is it live or pre-recorded?
The course is pre-recorded and done at your own pace. Although many students are commenting under the lessons and I'm quick to chime in.
I'm a Senior Copywriter at an ad agency. Is this for me?
If you want to go up a notch in the craft and confidence department, then yes. Even if much of this feels familiar, it will show you what you already know but didn't realize you knew. And this is huge because it sharpens your tools and allows you to draw on them quicker.
I'm a Junior Copywriter. Is this for me?
This will speed up your learning curve and give you an advantage over more experienced writers who are not building their craft. If I had this at any point in my career, I'd be able to add 5 years back onto my life.
Is it interactive at all?
It's pre-recorded but participants are commenting, interacting, and asking questions. I respond very quickly to anything and love the chat. It helps me learn too. And you can email me at any point at dan@nelkencreative.com
Do you offer group rates for companies?
Yes, email me at dan@nelkencreative.com to discuss.
My country's currency is sh*t. Do you offer location-based rates?
Yes! I've recently figured this out. You should see a banner at the top of this page. If you're not or the discount is still out of reach, email me at dan@nelkencreative.com
Is the never-ending booklet sold separately?
Sorry, not currently.
In terms of entertainment value, how does it compare to my favourite film?
Well, if your favourite film is a 10, then I would say this course is a -37. It is a course but it's broken down into 5-minute chunks and there are lots of entertaining ads shared throughout. You won't be Pixar-entertained but you will be entertained. And you'll benefit from staying awake through the rest of your career.
What is your wife's age and weight?
The course is $499 or 4 x monthly payments of $124.75. Or if you want a group rate for your team, email me at dan@nelkencreative.com
Who the heck is this guy?
Unfortunately, you'll be looking at this guy's face for the duration of this course.
I'm Dan Nelken, author of A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters and still a working freelance Copywriter/Creative Director for the world's top brands and ad agencies.
I'm driven to help creatives at all levels create with more confidence than I've had through much of my career. It's working for me and I hope you'll join me.
I'm Dan Nelken, author of A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters and still a working freelance Copywriter/Creative Director for the world's top brands and ad agencies.
I'm driven to help creatives at all levels create with more confidence than I've had through much of my career. It's working for me and I hope you'll join me.