Damn Fine Words is a cross between a professional writing course and a business course. It’s perfect for:
- Business owners who need professional writing skills to write website copy, sales letters and articles for their business.
- Bloggers and professional-level writers who want to learn how to improve their writing skills so they land better projects that pay well.
- Freelancers (from any industry) who want better writing skills so they can compel and convince new customers through newsletters and content marketing.
In short, it’s perfect for you.
Damn Fine Words is a professional writing course that helps you learn how to write effectively, in a way that reaches your ideal customers with a message they want to hear. It teaches you writing techniques that bring you business results.
It’s designed to change your business – and your life.
And it works. Here’s what past students have said about the Damn Fine Words writing course:
Learning 3-sentence minis and meeting my three creative staff members changed everything. My focus, enthusiasm, energy, clarity and confidence relative to writing, to be sure. The repeatable system that can be compressed or expanded as my time and creativity are so inclined is a tool I have wholeheartedly embraced and evangelized.
Surprising (to me anyway) was the impact the 3-sentence minis and the creative staff combo had on my mental health. Not that I was on the brink of breakdown or tempted by open windows in high rise buildings…but once I met my staff and knew their roles in creating minis, drafts and completed copy, I was a new woman.
Most of all, DFW and these two lessons in particular, have made me see myself as a writer. I’m not just a speaker who also writes pretty well. I’m not just writing so that I can get more speaking engagements. Yes, that will happen. Yes, that’s how I justified the investment. But now writing is more than a means to greater end.
Writing is no longer a “need” or “should” do activity. Now writing is a “want to do” and “love to do” part of my day.
And when you love what you do for a living, life will love you back.
Here endeth my lesson to new DFW students: The world needs to hear you.
Terri Langhans, Certified Speaking Professional, Blah Blah Blah
In just the first few lessons of Damn Fine Words, I saw changes. My confidence grew and my writing became stronger. By the end, I was equipped with a solid methodology that’ll last me a lifetime. I no longer dread writing and I use my new skills almost daily! Kudos to James for delivering a damn fine course that delivered in all its aggressive goals.
David Goldstein, 360 Net Marketing
I used to spend hours on writing assignments that should have taken half the time. When I sat down to write, I didn’t believe I’d produce something people wanted to read.
Damn Fine Words gave me a lifetime vacation from all of that. I walked away with a systematic approach I can use at any time I need to produce quality content on demand.
Every lesson, I learned something I could immediately apply to my business. Each “Use it Now” exercise provided with the lesson helped me apply what I learned to the “real world.” One technique allowed me to easily come up with more blog post ideas than I could use in a year. I also learned how to get in the “zone” so writing becomes effortless. I could get out of my own way and fly through any writing I need to do for my business.
I saw immediate results. too. My blog posts got comments. One person was so surprised at the change in my writing that he asked, “Did you write this?”
And after a single Facebook post using a simple strategy I learned, an organization approached me requesting I write for them weekly.
Now, I use the techniques I learned in Damn Fine Words every day to make my life easier and my clients’ writing more profitable. I love what I do, because James taught me the process that makes writing easy. This course is the best investment I’ve ever made in my business.
Jesse Lanclos, Cajun Copy
The DFW course help me get off my butt and actually do something. I learned so much from your course and I really appreciate you for putting it there.
I finally wrote a non-fiction book that has been sitting in my mind for last 15 years. I am in the process of outlining a novel that should be complete by January. And I am going to apply this to my screencast videos and my podcast.
DFW turned my life around and I enjoy writing now with my new skill set. 2013 will be an awesome year, thanks to you James!
Phil De Fontenay, Build a Better You
Wow, if it hadn’t been for James’ ebook-writing course and for Melinda at Commit Action, this never would have happened.
I’d still be doodling ideas in my head. I’d have maybe written an intro, but I’d have been changing my mind 10 times over about how to structure it. And it would have taken me a week just to get out 500 words.
Instead, I have written and submitted a first draft of 8,000 words written over the course of 3 weeks! Thanks!
After taking your DFW course, I have had a flurry of comments about my newsletter, including:
“I have enjoyed reading your newsletters, especially the coverage on ManMachine which seems to be a very interestingly run business to say the least. All the best with that!”
“I thought the newsletter amply demonstrated your unique ethos as well as setting out what you can do very clearly. Congratulations. I have passed it on to a few people I know. It certainly merits a wide circulation.”
“I usually read client’s newsletters out of courtesy; but I actually really like reading yours.”
Thanks for all your teaching.
Melissa Kirby, Sharpe and Abel
Just had to drop you a note and tell you how happy I am as a writer because of you. When you found me I was like a malnourished stray dog wandering the streets, and now I feel like a prize winning show dog.
It just feels good to know I made a good investment.
I still use the minis, my editorial checklist, and the wash, rinse, repeat checklist you gave us at the end. I’ve really gotten clear on my ideal reader and I’m getting better a highlighting the benefits. I read everything I write out loud and my writing flows as a result, with rarely any typos.
I always knew I had ideas in my head but now I’m able to express them. The more I use what you taught me the easier and more enjoyable it is to write.
The results from what you taught me just keep coming. People are loving my writing! I get compliments all the time and my message is really resonating with people. I’m getting 100+ Facebook shares and Likes on my blog posts. And as my Twitter following grows, so do the Tweet shares. I’m also getting a decent amount of comments on pretty much every post. Plus, the subscribers are coming in as well.
Just feels damn good and wanted to thank you again.
I don’t think you understand how important writing is to me. Then again, uhm, you probably do.
Tony Fuentes, Qwitr
I went looking for somebody who could help me do what has previously not been done — namely find a way to talk about what I do for a living not just in plain English, but in language that was so compelling people would engage.
I like to say I’m in the disaster business. I am a crisis manager, I help companies plan for the worst, do what they can to prevent disasters, and then manage a crisis when it happens. The subject matter can be tough to pitch, tougher to sell… who wants to think about the worst?
I spent the summer strategizing with James, working with language. I had hope but no real idea how I would find the language for what was in my head. I thought I would need to pay someone like James to craft the base content for my website.
Then in the fall, DFW came around.
The DFW lessons were, are, tough. They stretched my brains. Forced me to keep digging, keep at it, wrestle, be brave enough to put the content out there, and to do the work. The forum community was also important, in some ways as important, as the lessons.
Then something happened. Content. Clarity. Voice. Focus. More speed.
My humble site came into the open today. The learning, the work, the process – it works… and for that I am deeply grateful.
Shelby Edwards, Blue Crows, Inc.
This is my second time through the course, and I can honestly say it’s been worth going through again. I certainly recommend giving it a second go. I guarantee you’ll pick up something new, something that will change the way you write forever. And you can also share your knowledge and experience with the rest of the class–something that makes this particular course so… well, So Damn Good.
Having access to the forum means I can learn from what everyone else has said, and the feedback everyone has given. (Trouble is there’s so much good stuff in there!)
Just like last time, this class has been a blast. The lessons were fun (even the ones I struggled with), and you’ve all been great classmates. And James, I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing my teachers at school were all as good as you.
Thanks.
Bill Harper, Sharper Copy
You’ve been an important part of helping me prepare to become a great writer. I’m grateful for what I learned in DFW, and I’m working toward consistently using the strategies from the course.
I have a few things I want to share – both have happened since I took DFW and since I started using several of the writing techniques you taught in class.
The article you encouraged me to publish with Natural Horse Magazine is now in print. It’s my first publication in a “real” magazine. And last week another major horse publication contacted me. It’s called Equine Wellness. They’re a competitor of Natural Horse Magazine. They asked if I would be interested in doing an article related to horsemanship. That’s one of my favorite subjects, so it will be a breeze to write.
Thanks again for everything you do for those of us who strive to become a great writers.
Stephanie Krahl, Soulful Equine
Thank you mostly for the amazing experience that you provided through the Damn Fine Words course, James. Clearly, you spent a great deal of time designing the course so the lessons built on each other in way that was both productive and empowering.
Editor’s Note: Click here to read more on Elizabeth’s personal journey in the course.
I especially appreciated your way of participating and interacting with us that seemed wonderfully encouraging and playful without lowering your accountability expectations. You managed to convey a genuine “I believe in you” attitude.
As one of the older members of the class, this was just what I needed.
Elizabeth Cottrell, Heartspoken
I want to acknowledge just how beautifully constructed your course was. Many classes from online teachers lack a certain… well… elegance. They throw together a bunch of videos and a forum. Each unit sits separate from the others — another bit of wisdom tossed into the pile.
Your class flowed. Each lesson built on the ones before. We used work from several weeks ago and then developed it farther.
I loved that you didn’t have any damn videos. What business person has time to sit in front of the computer and watch someone talk? I loved that the lessons built on each other. I loved that there were themes running through the course. I loved that the lessons had a pleasing layout.
I really see how masterfully you understand designing a class.
The final lesson became really important to finishing the process. And writing it put everything together. It made me realize how far I had come. What I learned coalesced.
The course has been glorious.
The depth of information, the way it was organized, and the forum have been outstanding. Your teaching, coaching, and interaction has been stellar. I have felt your presence throughout the course.
You care. About the quality of the course. About your students. It’s rare to come across an individual with your integrity.
The effect that the course has already had on me is significant. It changed my feelings about writing.
It changed my feelings about myself as a writer.
And much more.
Fran Sorin, Fran Sorin
The course actually changed my life. Yeah, I know those are big words, but it’s true. I think it was lesson 4 or 5 that made me realize what I’m really about, and it all started to fall into place.
None of this would have happened without you. Thank you.
Andy Fogarty, Destination Thrive
I just apply the 3 sentence mini system to every business email – and I keep scoring work!!
Siita Rivas, Riivas Wrought Iron Design
I’m writing to say thank you so much for everything I’ve learned from you. Already, thanks to Damn Fine Words alone, I’m writing better copy — from blog posts to articles, sales copy to emails. And I’m writing them faster and easier.
But most importantly, I’m writing with more confidence and fun that even my clients can sense. Needless to say, this has helped boost my copywriting business a lot.
Lisa Zahran, Copy and Coffee
I have enjoyed the course, and have been impressed by the content and the enthusiasm. I have a lot of writing experience, but what I wanted from this course was a look into a new generation of writing, one that isn’t familiar to me. I believe I got it. Now, to have it make an effect. I love the challenge.
Mostly I want to say a big thank you. You’re terrific, your writing is great, and I salute what you are doing.
Susan Loomis, On Rue Tatin
The last article I posted to my blog and sent to my list got more comments and responses than any article I’ve ever written before – in 3 years of writing! It’s solely due to everything I’ve absorbed from Damn Fine Words. I’m devouring all the lessons and putting them into practice… and it’s paying off!
Dawn Caryl Allen, Dawn Caryl Allen
My go-to person on the topic of biz writing for the past two years has been James Chartrand of Men with Pens. I like her style, the fact that she doesn’t sugar coat anything and that she knows how to teach. Easier said than done.
Last year I did her private writing coach program and in addition to helping me get some clarity on various topics, pointing out the error of my optimistic ways and lighting a fire under my butt, she also taught me some of the most valuable writing tricks ever. By the end of our time together I whipped out what I call my “tricked out editorial calendar” for the entire year…and I did it for some of my clients as well.
That alone would have been enough to get me to keep going with James but all of the other strategies and tools I learned just sealed the deal. Writing for me began to feel like art and it just doesn’t get much better than that.
So, when I found out she had created a new writing/business course called Damn Fine Words it took me less than 10 seconds to decide hell yes.
I have worked with James personally, I have bought her programs and products and I can say without question that I have earned more than my investment back every single time.
Melani Ward, Good Fun Marketing
James has built a reputation for getting results, so I hired her for both a business consultation and enrolled in her Damn Fine Words writing program to continue to improve in one of my core skill areas. As a professional writer, I believe continual improvement and instruction is vital.
The results have been excellent. I developed a core marketing piece that has been advertised on Twitter by industry thought leaders and I got a new client less than twenty four hours after publishing.
Oh and the client I got during Damn Fine Words from a report I wrote just hired me again. A 200% monetary return on what I learned is pretty good!
Patrick Vuleta, Silvered Copy
I was in online business purgatory. I couldn’t work out how to create a business that satisfied my passion and skills and that was also profitable. I went around round in circles for months.
Then Damn Fine Words fell from the heavens – and thank you God!
James hired me as an educational consultant for Damn Fine Words and asked me to critique each lesson and suggest ideas to make the course more engaging. So before I offered a critique, I read each lesson and carried out the exercises to test them.
I’d make my recommendations, James implemented them, and I went through lessons again until we were both happy. For six straight months, I was in a constant state of working, writing and reflecting.
And as I worked, I noticed my writing voice became clearer. My blog posts improved. I developed strict criteria for every piece of writing I produced, as well as what it must include and achieve before it ever gets published.
Then it hit me – this course wasn’t just about writing; it was about business too. As I learned how to write more effectively, I was also learning how to pitch and connect with potential clients. As I learned how to edit my work, I was also learning how to design a business strategy built just for me.
And I didn’t just find my writing voice. I found my business voice.
I have the award badge to prove it, too. My business, Courses that Matter, just won an International Award for Best Learning Leader Blog, and I’ve been asked to prepare a seminar as well.
Not bad for a business that’s just six months old!
Damn Fine Words came to me at a pivotal moment in my career. You won’t just find your writing voice – you’ll find your business voice.
Which, quite frankly, is the only one that matters.
Ainslie Hunter, Courses That Matter
My mediocre attempts at blog posts weren’t nearly as good as those of my favorite bloggers. Not even close.
But I believed that I could grow into a gifted blogger myself. What one man can do, another man can too, right?
So I decided to invest in my writing skills. I bought a month of writing coaching from one of the best coaches out there – James Chartrand.
She promised to change my life and believe me, she did!
Shortly after that month’s coaching, I signed up for the Damn Fine Words writing course. It accelerated my learning, and gave me numerous indispensable skills:
- I learned exactly what I want to write about, I got to know my ideal reader and all my writing is now aimed at solving his problems.
- I learned the secrets of creating a tight outline for whatever I write, and I know it’ll withstand the scrutiny of my toughest critics.
- I learned how to get in the right zone to create my first draft, edit my work, improve readability and remain productive through the whole writing process.
In addition, I’ve learned how to handle anxiety – something that plagues most writers.
Writing well is the most-important skill an online entrepreneur can master. You can skimp on the rest, but if you can’t write well, you won’t be able to convince people to like and trust you – let alone sell your services.
I am thankful to James because Damn Fine Words has given me the confidence, ability and inspiration to finally craft my message and build my online business. I will be using the techniques I’ve learned in Damn Fine Words for years, if not for decades.
Dries Cronje, Productive Entrepreneur
Just wanted to express how happy I am with all the lessons so far. I’m learning a ton from this useful material. I feel a lot more clear on my passion, and I can now picture my Ideal Reader in my mind which helps me tremendously when I think about topics to write about and even headlines I think will attract them to read further.
This is really freaking cool. I’m starting to feel calm and relaxed about my writing. That feeling of panic is fading and is being replaced with confidence.
Best thing about this whole process is that is makes the writing process simple, fun and organized. I feel like a personal organizer walked into my brain and whipped everything into shape.
Tony Fuentes, Qwitr
Your words. lessons and articles made the “light bulb” go off and enable me to get my butt in gear and I have finally started to JUST DO IT. I’ve sorted out what sort of work I want to do and am working away – a little bit every day – toward making my business a real business.
Serena Crossfield, Connect with Crossfield
