One of my peripheral interests is copywriting and direct marketing.  I was tremendously sad to hear that one of the original gangtas of copywriting, a true legend in his own right, Gary Halbert passed away yesterday.

The direct marketing industry, which is the direct forefather to the internet marketing industry, is rife with guru’s of all kinds.  Most of them fade away with time, but Gary was really one of the first, one of the best, and had staying power like nobody’s business.  His site, The Gary Halbert Letter, was, and continues to be one of the best treasure troves of *free* direct marketing advice anywhere on the internet.

Rest in peace, Mr. Halbert … rest in peace.

PS If you’d like to hear a few last interviews with Gary Halbert you can check them out over here, done with Michael Fortin.