THE “NARRATIVE NEXUS”
- Every A-lister knows how to use it incredibly well…
- Studies show it can significantly boost your copy’s performance…
- New doors and opportunities open once you learn it…
Plus, it can…
- make you a better writer than you ever imagined…
- separate you from ordinary writers instantly…
- propel you to the very top of the writer’s food chain…
- and more!
That’s why we’re leading the charge in teaching it… and inviting a small group of writers to learn it from a legendary copy chief.
This is your exclusive invitation to join us.
*Special on-demand access to this program CLOSES SOON!
Details below.
Dear Reader,
Hi, Sandy Franks here.
I’ve been working with writers and copy for over 36 years now…
28 years helping to grow the biggest information publisher in the world…
… and 8 years as a senior copy chief here at AWAI.
And in that time, I’ve identified the single-most powerful writing technique by far, when it comes to sales copy…
It’s a technique that immediately grabs your reader like no other copy can… keeps them glued to every word… and immediately puts them in a buying mindset…
Used properly, it’s been known to breathe new life into “dead” copy and multiply sales tenfold… even launch multimillion-dollar businesses…
And as a writer with this skill, you’ll be in massive demand, with the highest-paying copywriting clients begging you to work with them…
That’s because as far as copywriting techniques go — this is truly the “holy grail.” Something that melts away any sales “resistance” and instantly bonds your reader to you.
It emphasizes any point you want to make… and can even help shift beliefs, sidestep any objections to buying, and massively boost belief in your promises.
In fact, this technique is so powerful, copywriters who know it have given it a name:
The “Narrative Nexus”
It’s a technique that dramatically improves the selling power of ANY piece of copy.
How?
Recent discoveries in neuroscience from the University of California, Berkeley, show it literally “lights up” important areas of the brain…
And activates hard-coded psychological triggers that make it nearly impossible for your reader to ignore what you’re saying.
Open New Doors and
Huge Opportunities
Think about that for a second…
How much better do you think you’d fare as a writer if people found themselves irresistibly drawn to every word in your sales letters?
… in your white papers?
… in your articles or blog posts?
… or even your social media posts?
How many more doors and opportunities would blow wide open for you when future clients got wind of the fact that your copy is converting up to 30% better than other copy “out there”?
All because of this one technique you took the time to master and other writers didn’t?
It’s why I have to say it:
If you aren’t using the “Narrative Nexus” in your copy…
… you’re missing out big-time (and doing yourself and your clients a huge disservice).
The Era of Distraction
Getting great results with your sales copy is harder today than it’s ever been before.
That’s because your prospects are distracted. In fact, most of us are.
We’re constantly bombarded with ads, pop-ups, emails, messages, notifications, “chirps,” buzzing, and more — all vying for a small sliver of our attention.
To cut through the noise, you need every persuasive and attention-grabbing technique available to you.
Especially if you want your clients to keep coming back and hiring you time and time again.
This is why understanding the “Narrative Nexus” has gone from a nice-to-know to a must-know technique for copywriters looking to reach the highest level in our industry.
Especially when you consider it can make everything you write from here on out convert significantly better!
Why This Is So Darn Powerful
So what exactly is the “Narrative Nexus”?
Instead of me telling you, let me just show you a real-life example:
While on patrol on the outskirts of Kandahar, Afghanistan, First Lieutenant Scott Jackson’s Humvee rolled over an IED buried under the dusty road.
The explosion transformed his vehicle into a “twisted inferno.”
And while he was able to heroically escape the wreckage, 30% of his body had been covered with life-threatening, third-degree burns.
First Lieutenant Jackson’s injuries were so severe, he was immediately air-vacced to a burn specialization unit in Germany.
But the doctors were unable to effectively treat him.
Morphine was useless. The agony had so enveloped his body that even in his sleep, he dreamt of being on fire.
Out of desperation, he was sent to the Institute of Surgical Research at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Here, doctors had begun testing an experimental new treatment: a “Neural Imprinting” device.
It is non-invasive, drug-free, and has no dangerous side effects.
But, most importantly, during initial studies, it had demonstrated a nearly miraculous ability to eliminate extreme pain.
First Lieutenant Jackson’s critical injuries would put it to the ultimate test.
And the results were beyond anyone’s imagination.
Prior to treatment “on a scale of 1 to 10, [his] pain was easily a 9.”
However, within a matter of minutes, this “Neural Imprinting” device created such a transformation that First Lieutenant Jackson reported he “had only been vaguely aware of the pain.”
Simply put, this technology “canceled out the pain.”
Now, a Few Questions for You…
Are you interested in learning more after reading the copy above?
Even the least bit curious to find out what this neural imprinting device is that “canceled out the pain”?
If so, you’re not alone.
Thousands of people wanted to know too… which is why this copy is part of a sales letter that went on to become a huge, smashing success:
It Brought in
Millions of Dollars of Revenue.
Thanks in large part to using the power of the “Narrative Nexus.”
Now…
If you guessed the “Narrative Nexus” has something to do with storytelling, you’re right.
There’s power in telling stories.
As I mentioned earlier, research from Berkeley proves the brain is hardwired for paying special attention to stories.
Whenever we listen to a story, our brains light up like Christmas trees!
Especially during the emotional parts of a story.
And according to a professor at Princeton University…
As a story unfolds, your brain waves actually “sync” with those of the person telling the story.
It’s why stories are one of the few ways we can shift someone’s core beliefs.
Research at the University at Buffalo found this to be true when it comes to making changes in your own health, for example.
Let’s say a patient needs to “de-stress” to help improve their condition.
A doctor could simply “tell” their patient they should relax by starting a daily meditation practice.
Think the patient’s going to do it?
Likely not.
But what if the patient hears an emotionally compelling story of someone just like them, who was in a similar situation…
And overcame their condition by totally de-stressing because they started a meditation practice?
Now it’s far more likely that the patient will start meditating.
Again, all thanks to a simple story.
Stories Are Up to 22 TIMES More Memorable Than Facts Alone
It’s true.
This is what research from Stanford found.
We humans are far more likely to remember a story than we are a bunch of facts and figures.
It’s because our brains were never wired to think in numbers or logic.
Instead, our brains think in pictures. The stuff stories are made up of.
A good story involves many of your senses. Your emotions. And takes you on a journey that makes you feel.
That’s why they’re so memorable.
Which of These Product Descriptions Makes You Pay More Attention?
Pretend you’re looking to buy some new leather shoes.
You come across two different descriptions from two different companies.
The first one reads…
“Our shoes are made with high-quality leather, feature a slip-resistant sole, are ergonomically designed for comfort, and come in a range of stylish designs and sizes, from 5 to 12 and wide styles as well.”
Not bad.
Here’s the second one:
“In a sun-drenched corner of Tuscany, Antonio, a third-generation cobbler, meticulously hand-selects the most supple leather, aged to perfection.
“Each shoe is a testament to a legacy, crafted with passion and precision.
“As you slide your foot in, you're not just wearing a shoe. You’re stepping into a story of tradition, artistry, and Italian elegance. Every stride you take is grounded in the heritage of a family who has poured their heart and soul into shoemaking for over a century."
Now It’s Time for a POP QUIZ!
Name ONE single feature of the shoes from the first company’s description — GO!
I’ll wait…
…
…
…
That’s what I thought.
Chances are, you can’t remember a single detail that was mentioned… or remember only there was something about leather.
But what about the second description?
The one with Antonio, the third-generation cobbler in sun-drenched Tuscany?
Even if you can’t remember the exact details, chances are good you remember how reading that short passage made you feel about the company and their shoes.
That Antonio and his family are true craftsmen. So you can feel at ease you’re buying quality.
That slipping them on transports you to a bygone era when people truly made it their life’s mission to master their craft, artistry, and tradition.
So you feel pretty confident that if you buy the shoes, they will look impeccable, down to the smallest detail.
All that, from just a few lines of story “copy.”
This is why…
Every Business Needs a Good Story — Especially If They Want to Grow
I told you earlier how it’s so easy to get distracted these days.
Everything is always “on.”
As consumers, we get bombarded with countless advertisements, promotions, and offers…
… whether it’s on your phone, scrolling through your social media feed, or even in the middle of a video you were watching on YouTube.
And think about it…
How many of those ads do you remember?
Now, think about how many stories you remember…
That’s why a product, service, or brand can easily be forgotten.
But if there’s a good story attached to it?
It lingers.
Now, you can’t just tell a story willy-nilly.
There’s a very specific framework at play here.
It’s what gives the “Narrative Nexus” its power. And once you know it and can wield it, the sky’s the limit.
I’m not just saying that.
The results speak for themselves…
The Short Story That Sold $2 Billion
Just take the famous “Wall Street Journal Letter,” for example.
On the surface, it tells a short and simple story about “two young men”…
On a beautiful late spring afternoon, twenty-five years ago, two young men graduated from the same college. They were very much alike, these two young men. Both had been better than average students, both were personable and both — as young college graduates are — were filled with ambitious dreams for the future.
Recently, these men returned to their college for their 25th reunion.
They were still very much alike. Both were happily married. Both had three children. And both, it turned out, had gone to work for the same Midwestern manufacturing company after graduation, and were still there.
But there was a difference. One of the men was manager of a small department of that company. The other was its president.
What Made The Difference
I’ll stop it here.
The point is…
This “simple” story is arguably one of the most — if not THE most — successful direct-mail advertisements in history.
The letter was mailed for decades.
And brought in around $2 BILLION in sales for The Wall Street Journal.
If you look a bit deeper, however, it wasn’t just the storytelling.
It’s the way it was done.
Yes, it’s the “Narrative Nexus” that gives this story its power.
Another example:
The Story of the “Dirty Lady”
This next story built what went on to become one of the largest shelters for homeless children — Covenant House.
Take a look:
This letter was mailed for years.
And it helped the Covenant House grow their donations to $87 million.
That’s three times what the U.S. government was spending at the time on runaways.
And all thanks to a story about a “dirty lady.”
Can you guess what I’ll say next?
The power of this story comes from the way it was told — using the “Narrative Nexus.”
The bottom line here is this…
More Than Just Ordinary Storytelling
When you can get your hands on a great story…
And tell it to as many people as you can…
That’s when a company (i.e., your future HAPPY client) can make millions of dollars, or as in the case of The Wall Street Journal — billions.
But as I’ve alluded to earlier, it’s not a matter of “simply” telling a story.
Any “run-of-the-mill” writer can do that.
It’s why many writers tell stories… and don’t make much money.
It’s knowing what story to tell and how to tell it that matters.
And it’s why understanding and mastering the “Narrative Nexus” is so important.
Let me explain…
The Power of the “Narrative Nexus”
So what is the “Narrative Nexus”?
What makes it so powerful when it comes to using it in your copy?
Simply put, the “Narrative Nexus” is the crossroads where…
1) emotion,
2) experience, and
3) artful expression meet.
It's the heart and soul of every captivating story… the magnetic force that draws readers in and keeps them hooked.
Without the “Narrative Nexus,” a story will fall flat and lose the reader.
And, without all three elements in the Nexus, you’ll get “ho-hum” results.
It’s so important, I’ll say it again…
You’ve got to have ALL THREE elements — emotion, experience, and expression.
Let’s Break It Down…
Emotion is the core.
It’s the feeling you want to evoke in your reader.
Maybe it’s motivation. Maybe it’s anger.
Maybe it’s sadness. Or hope.
Oftentimes this can be done by addressing the reader’s fears and/or aspirations.
Experience is what makes the story relatable.
It’s getting the “Oh, I’ve been there” moment from the reader.
Or getting the reader to “see” themselves in one or more of the main characters.
This can be done by showcasing real-life transformations or challenges. Or any other kind of moment the reader can resonate deeply with.
Expression ensures the message is delivered powerfully.
It’s the choice of words, the rhythm, the pacing.
It’s the unique voice that sets great storytellers apart.
A Quick Example
Dove — the makers of soap, conditioner, shampoos, and other beauty products — ran a very successful campaign called Real Beauty.
The emotion:
Dove wanted to challenge and redefine traditional beauty standards. So they evoked emotions of acceptance, self-love, and empowerment.
In their ads, they featured women of all shapes, sizes, ages, and ethnicities. And the campaign touched on many insecurities women feel because of societal beauty norms.
As a result, the ads also made viewers feel seen, represented, and validated.
The experience:
The entire campaign was rooted in the shared experiences of women worldwide. One of the most powerful ads featured women describing themselves to an FBI-trained forensic artist.
The artist sketched the woman…
- based on her own description of herself and
- based on a stranger’s description of her.
At the end, the two sketches were compared with each other, to highlight the gap between self-perception and reality.
The expression:
Dove took a bold and compassionate approach with this entire campaign. They were advocating for the viewers while also challenging norms on their behalf.
Even the name of the campaign, mentioned in the ads — Real Beauty — succinctly expressed what the entire campaign was about in two simple words.
That, combined with all the visuals and the consistent messaging around celebrating diversity and natural beauty — including the real stories and testimonials — expressed a powerful and authentic narrative.
So, how’d this campaign do?
When it was all said and done…
Dove Boosted Sales from
$2.5 Billion to $4 Billion!
Not only that…
Dove soap bars became the No. #1 soap brand in the United States.
AND…
It also became Unilever’s (Dove’s parent company) No. #1 bestselling product.
THAT is the power of the “Narrative Nexus.”
Oh, and yes… if you’re wondering… there are MANY ways to implement the “Narrative Nexus.”
Far more than I can show you or tell you about in this letter.
Which is why I’m leading an initiative here at AWAI… to help you master the “Narrative Nexus” — and give you a very specific and detailed way to structure it, so you can start using it in your copy, make your clients more sales, and ultimately make more money as a writer.
The Core Story Framework: How to Craft Persuasive
Narratives That Can
Turbocharge Your Success
I’ve always known the power of storytelling.
And that’s why early on, I tried many ways to do it.
Most didn’t work all that well.
It took a LOT of trial and error…
… and telling stories every chance I could — in copy, in person, in articles, in pretty much everything I wrote…
… until things started to click.
Then I started getting better and better results.
And that’s when my “Core Story Framework” was born.
It’s a way to tell a story, in a very specific way, while using the power of the “Narrative Nexus.”
It’s a repeatable and very simple 12-point framework that lets you…
- find stories anywhere and everywhere. I don’t care how boring you think a topic might be… There is a way to uncover the engaging stories hiding under the surface. (I recently did so by telling the story of the #2 pencil… and you’ll see how I did it in our training together!)
- write those stories in a way that grabs readers or listeners immediately by using the “Narrative Nexus”… so you keep people wanting to read every word and find out what comes next… and that ultimately, moves them to action.
That is what I’ll be showing you how to do in this groundbreaking training program — the Core Story Framework.
Until Now, I’ve Kept My Core Story Framework Pretty Close to the Vest
I’ve taught only a select few writers my technique before.
Yet it’s been one of the big “secrets” to my success — personally and professionally.
Frankly, it wasn’t until Rebecca Matter (AWAI’s president) mentioned how amazed she was that I could write one great story after another that I started thinking about sharing my framework.
She commented how, throughout our entire time working together, I’ve always had a story to tell.
And not just any stories…
Great stories that have received wonderful feedback from AWAI members, helped many sales campaigns do well, and more.
That’s when I told Rebecca how I’ve always told stories… and how they’ve helped me in my career and in my personal life. And I suggested teaching my technique to a small group of writers.
She instantly agreed — and I got to personally walk a handful of writers through this framework live, giving them feedback along the way.
And while I have no plans to do it live again, I still want to teach as many writers as I can my Core Story Framework…
So we made sure to record every minute of the training.
And for a very limited time, we’re making it public — exclusively for AWAI’s most dedicated members, like you.
Unleash the Power of
Story in Your Life and Career
The Core Story Framework is a high-impact training program where I’ll pull back the curtain on each step of my Core Story Framework.
You’ll see it all — from how to find interesting and engaging stories, even on the most mundane of topics (so you can have confidence that you can apply this technique, no matter what industry your clients are in, or what products or services they sell!)…
… to how to structure your story in a very specific way that will have the most impact on your reader…
… to how to make sure you’ve infused it all with the power of the “Narrative Nexus,” to ensure readership and action.
In short, it’s a true master class on how to harness the power of storytelling in your copy immediately.
The 4 Main Phases to Help You
Master This Technique — FAST!
Once you learn how to tell stories using my framework and the “Narrative Nexus,” you’ll instantly improve the selling power of your copy.
And you’ll know how to leverage this newfound skill to turbocharge your career.
To that end, I’ll be guiding you through four main phases.
Phase One Setting the Stage Sessions 1–4
We’ll kick things off by taking a deep dive into the power and importance of stories.
It’s important to fully understand how the stories you’ll be telling affect the brain… why that’s important… and how to use this knowledge to ensure you make an emotional connection with your reader from the get-go.
You’ll also learn how to leverage “psychological triggers” in storytelling, so you can have a story that can make an impact as quickly as possible.
From there, we’ll dive right into the first steps of the Core Story Framework.
You’ll discover…
- how to put your “story goggles” on and find engaging, interesting stories anywhere and everywhere…
- how to use the “Narrative Nexus” to turn literally ANYTHING into a GREAT story people will remember…
- how to uncover storytelling GOLD using free and easy-to-use tools…
- how to know you’ve come across a gem of a story…
- the “Tree Branch Effect” and how to use it to “amp up” your storytelling power…
- the one-sheet method to “carve out” your story and make it shine…
- how to think like a magician and use the Curiosity Gap to surprise your reader…
- and much more…
Phase Two Keeping Your Reader
GLUED to the Page Sessions 5–7
Now that you know why stories are so powerful… how they affect the brain specifically… and how to leverage various psychological triggers in your stories (plus where to find stories in the first place)…
It’s time to get to the “meat” of your story.
Specifically, you’ll learn how to keep your reader glued to the edge of their seat.
You’ll discover…
- the five Ws and the role they play in your story…
- a simple “mantra” to repeat over and over as you build out your story (this will make sure your story is as powerful as possible)…
- the art of the tease and how to build anticipation for the big reveal…
- how to engineer an epic “OMG!” moment for your reader (that they’ll never forget)…
- why you should never “rush” to get to the end of the story — and what to do instead…
- the one time you DO want to leave your reader hanging…
- and much more…
Phase Three The Big Finale + Creating Magic Sessions 8–10
At this point, it’s time to give your reader the big payoff.
You want to reward them for reading every word of your story.
But how do you do that?
And more importantly, how do you leave your reader feeling good about the story they read, and get them ready to take action? (We are copywriters, after all!)
That’s what we’ll cover in this phase of your training.
Specifically, you’ll learn…
- why “feeling is believing” and how to ensure your reader FEELS emotion by the time they hit the end of your story…
- how to use your initial research to end your story with a big bang…
- why “patience is a virtue” in great storytelling, and how to use this cliché to turn yourself into a powerful storyteller…
- how to refine your story once it’s done, so you can have maximum impact on your reader…
- how to create “magic moments” with the end of your story that will “bond” your reader to you…
- what a famous sumo wrestler can teach you about telling stories people care about…
- the opening salvo — how to grab eyeballs and get people’s brains to “shut off” with your first line…
- the “zigzag” method to keep your reader hooked after reading the first two to three sentences…
- why you need to be a true “artist” and paint, paint, paint…
- the most important 50 words of your story (get this wrong and you will have wasted your time)…
- the one question in your reader’s mind that you need to answer…
- how to make your story “sticky” (and why that’s a GOOD thing!)…
- and much more…
Phase Four Tapping Into Personal Stories to Get Clients, Boost Your Income, and the Storytelling X-Factor Sessions 11–12
At this point, you now know my entire Core Story Framework.
You know how to find the great stories that are hidden in plain sight all around you… and tell them in a way readers will love and care about.
But what’s next?
Now it’s time to shift the focus to YOU.
We all have stories to tell. Even if you don’t think you have any stories, believe me — there are plenty.
And in this phase, we’re going to learn how to tap into our own personal stories and how to start telling them — so you can start attracting better clients, getting paid MORE, and weaving the power of storytelling into your everyday life.
You’ll discover…
- how to find YOUR own personal story (even if you don’t think you have anything interesting to say about yourself!)…
- how to use your personal story to attract great-paying clients…
- how to always have something to say on a client call and never be tongue-tied again…
- why you’ll instantly become the most interesting person in the room, once you tap into the wealth of stories inside of you…
- what the storytelling X-Factor is and why you should always ensure every story you tell has it…
- how to apply the Core Story Framework to every area of your personal and professional life…
- and much more…
You’ll Work on Crafting (and Perfecting) a Story and Get Personalized Feedback
It’s one thing to just learn theory.
But to truly learn my Core Story Framework, you need to apply it.
That’s why you’ll have the opportunity to submit your writing for direct and personalized feedback.
This will give you the practice you need, and ultimately, mastery of this all-important skill.
And feel free to use your story on your social media pages, to attract clients, as a portfolio piece, or in any other way you see fit.
You Can Use the “Narrative Nexus” and the Core Story Framework with ANY Copy or Content You Write!
You aren’t limited to using this with just sales letters and sales copy.
The beauty is this is a technique that’s versatile.
You can use it to boost the engagement of your client’s blog posts… their articles… their social media posts… or anything else they’re using to gain attention and communicate their message.
You can use it personally to attract clients too.
Not many people know this, but I used the “Narrative Nexus” and my Core Story Framework to go from tiny 25-cents-per-hour raises at the hospital job I was working…
… to landing a job with Agora — one of the largest and most successful direct-response companies in the world!
I’ve used it to find a long-lost relative in just six months…
… to attract potential clients for my consulting business with posts that went viral…
… and even caught the attention of a huge company that wanted to use my story as part of a national television ad campaign.
So please know that once you learn this, you’ll have a VERY powerful skill at your beck and call.
There’s No Telling
What Will Happen Next
By tapping into the superpower that is storytelling, you’ll find that the world truly is your “oyster.”
You’ll have a skill for life that can positively impact everything you do moving forward.
Which is why your journey doesn’t end when your training does.
That’s when the real adventure begins…
When you’ll be apply to leverage this new skill for bringing attention to your writing and attracting new clients.
That is the power that’s in your hands once you’ve learned — and mastered — my Core Story Framework.
FLASH SALE:
SAVE 75% TODAY!
By now, you understand why storytelling is such a superpower.
You’ve seen how a good story using the “Narrative Nexus” can bring in sales and revenue for a company — like it did with the “two young men” letter for The Wall Street Journal… or donations for Covenant House, thanks to the “dirty lady” story.
Perhaps more importantly, you’ve seen how learning this can make you a better and more in-demand writer.
I’ve used it throughout my career with great success.
Now it’s my turn to pass the baton to you… and show you my closely guarded Core Story Framework.
Please realize, this isn’t something you’ll be able to learn anywhere else.
This framework is mine and mine alone. It’s taken me years to develop.
And through this Core Story Framework training program, we’ll cover everything I know about storytelling over 12 sessions.
You’ll get to work on a story, finessing it and improving it with each session.
You’ll get direct and personalized feedback on your writing to ensure you’re grasping the concepts.
You’ll master my framework… along with how to effectively infuse every story you write with the “Narrative Nexus.”
So given that just one good story could help you land one or more clients…
Or could help you get far better results with your existing clients…
It wouldn’t be unreasonable for me to ask $5,000 to share this with you.
After all…
If your copy does a better job at converting readers into buyers…
It could potentially mean extra royalties from a single project… more and better clients banging down your door, wanting to work with you… and more opportunities in general to create positive change in your life and writing career.
So $5,000 in this case would be more than fair.
But you won’t pay that.
You won’t even pay the $1,997 the writers who participated in the LIVE training with me paid.
Given all the personal support I was able to provide them at the time…
That was an absolute steal.
But here’s the thing…
If you’re serious and committed to your success as a writer… I don’t want money to be the limiting factor here.
Especially because these days, the price of everything — from milk, chicken, and bread to fuel at the pump — keeps going higher.
So I put together a CRAZY deal just for AWAI members…
Right now, during this FLASH SALE, you can get started with my Core Story Framework training program immediately for…
Just $497!
This is the lowest price you’ll EVER see for these recordings.
So click the button below to take advantage of this deal:
It’s Time to Write Your Story
Your story isn’t something that’s waiting to be written — it’s being penned right now, in real time.
Every second, every choice, every fleeting moment is a new line in the unfolding story of your life.
The question is, what happens next?
Do you…
- keep the storyline going in the direction it’s been going in?
OR…
- do you start a new chapter, filled with excitement, success, and a new way of seeing the world?
The choice you make right here, right now, can influence your journey as a writer, and what success looks like for you.
Storytelling is truly a superpower.
But it all hinges on what happens next.
Click the button below to grab access to my training program now (and SAVE 75% instantly!).
I look forward to helping make this next part of your story an amazing one.
Sandy Franks
Copy Chief