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How to get what the U.S. Government OWES YOU!

Author: Gary Halbert Era: 70s
Categories Financial Opportunity Government Benefits Tax Refund Opportunities Taxpayer Benefits

Information

In this copy, we see a creative advertisement built around a highly tedious topic: paying taxes and government benefits.

Gary Halbert uses his technique to craft an ad in the form of an article (also known as an advertorial), showing readers how they can take advantage of benefits they already have access to simply by being taxpayers in the country.

He employs a highly attention-grabbing headline that even resembles something the U.S. Internal Revenue Service might send on occasion. It’s also noticeable that he flips the narrative by positioning the government as the debtor, even framing it as a kind of common enemy.

As in many of his other pieces, Gary’s writing style makes the message feel like a letter from a friend who genuinely wants to help.

He identified a common frustration that affects most ordinary people—paying taxes—and didn’t try to reinvent the wheel or invent something overly elaborate. Instead, he simply transformed information into something the target audience could easily absorb: middle-class Americans who pay taxes.

Copy Text + Notes

The headline immediately hooks the reader through the element of surprise. The scenario here is completely inverted, where it is the government that owes something to you. Gary makes it clear who the common enemy is here (the U.S. Government) and promises to show hundreds of different ways to get something back from that enemy.

How to get what the U.S. Government OWES YOU!

320 almost secret ways to get something
back for your tax dollars right away!

by Gary Halbert

Notice that the author begins the letter by giving the reader a name. This helps place the reader within the context of the topic that will be addressed in the letter.

Dear Taxpayer,

What do you get? The “poor” get federal housing, food stamps, and other welfare benefits. The rich get oil depletion allowances, lower interest rate loans, and expense accounts.

What do you get? The answer to that one is easy. YOU GET TO PAY TAXES! Isn’t that nice? It is a bit depressing, isn’t it? To work so hard for your money and then each year give Uncle Sam a bigger and bigger share of it.

What can you do about it? Well, you could always cheat. Or move to another country.

But seriously, if you are already claiming all of the legitimate deductions you are entitled to, there is still something you should do.

This section ensures the reader becomes aware of what they may be entitled to. That awareness keeps them reading. Notice the use of social proof and FOMO when mentioning “millions of Americans.”

And that is… MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE GETTING EVERY PENNY’S WORTH OF GOVERNMENT BENEFITS THAT YOUR HARD-EARNED DOLLARS ARE PAYING FOR!

Millions of Americans just like you are already collecting on them. For example, RIGHT NOW, you and your family may qualify for one, several or all of these government benefits:
Below Gary uses bullet points to capture the reader’s attention and make the message easier to digest. Notice that the product he is about to offer isn’t new at all. He simply transformed a dull and tedious subject and compiled it in a way that captured people’s attention.
  • $5,000 in government loans at below-market interest rates — if you know how to apply for the loans!
  • Full scholarships and other financial assistance for education. Uncle Sam is paying good money just to locate deserving students!
  • Low cost insurance. You can save hundreds of dollars with special government policies!
  • A 5-acre vacation hideaway for you and your family. Prices begin as low as $25 an acre!
  • Social Security benefits before you reach your sixties. One and a half million children receive social security checks each month!
  • Free employment assistance if you are having trouble finding a job because you’re not a youngster anymore!
  • Free help from the U.S. Secret Service to protect you against counterfeit money and forged checks!
  • Free plans and architectural designs for 12 different structures — from a 3-bedroom house to a boat landing!
  • A $25,000 start-your-own-business loan, with 15 years to pay it back!
  • Free aptitude tests (that would cost you up to $25) to find the job you are best suited for!
  • 25% to 75% of your rent paid by Uncle Sam — if you qualify and know how to apply!
  • Free government land to stake your claim when prospecting for gold, silver or other valuable minerals!
  • Free government service to help you locate lost marriage or divorce records!
  • Free protection for your children against hazardous toys provided by the government Office of Consumer Affairs!
  • The right to enter a fabulous government sweepstakes — a public drawing to claim oil and gas rights to public lands. Profit potential ranges from $5,000 to $75,000!
The author shows that he has been in the same position as the reader. He was someone who didn’t know his rights and therefore wasn’t benefiting as he could. He has been there, but now he’s in a better place. This makes the reader want the same transformation. People rarely trust someone who has never experienced the same pain they’re going through.
You know, a person could fill an entire report just listing little-known government benefits that are available to every U.S. citizen. I know, because with the help of a friend, I did. It’s titled “HOW TO GET WHAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OWES YOU”.

It has 320 government benefits that most people have never heard of. But it doesn’t just list them, mind you, it tells you how to get them! It tells you how to qualify, who to contact (including all necessary addresses) and what to say.

Here he uses the anchoring effect, first placing the product price at a higher level. Shortly after, he reveals the real price. This makes the reader feel they are facing a great opportunity.
I am thinking about publishing the report in a hard cover edition selling for around $8.95. Perhaps I will. But this has been a labor of love for me.

And right now I’d like the satisfaction of immediately getting the information into the hands of as many short-changed taxpayers as possible. So I’ve had a local printer reproduce the manuscript in report form and bind it with a soft cover. And I am offering it, personally, direct, by mail, for only $3.00.

If you are interested, please let me know right away as I have only ordered a small press run.

This PS is very clever. Here he reinforces that the reader already has access to the benefits mentioned — however, he holds the path and the method to obtain them. He isn’t selling a simple printed guide; he’s offering solutions and answers.

P.S. If you don’t take advantage of these benefits, you are only cheating yourself. After all, you’ve already paid for them. So, order today and see for yourself the hundreds of FREE and inexpensive things the government has for YOU and your family!

A bit of reinforcement of the offer. During these 12 months, there will likely be additional offers designed to increase the value generated from each captured reader.

P.P.S. The government comes out with new benefits nearly every day. To keep you up to date, I will send you information on them every other month for the next 12 months. This information comes in a small special publication called The Good News Hot Line. There is no extra charge for this.

HERE’S JUST A GLIMPSE OF THE INVALUABLE INFORMATION YOU’LL GET! 39 GREAT CHAPTERS!

  1. FREE FOR ALIENS AND REFUGEES
  2. FREE FOR AMERICAN INDIANS
  3. FREE FOR ANTIQUE CAR BUFFS
  4. FREE FOR BOATERS
  5. FREE FOR BUSINESSMEN & INVESTORS
  6. FREE CAREER AND JOB TRAINING
  7. FREE CONSUMER PROTECTION SERVICES
  8. FREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES & CIVIL SERVICE JOBS
  9. FREE FOR FARMERS & GARDENERS
  10. FREE FILMS, FILMSTRIPS & SLIDES
  11. FREE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE & LOANS
  12. FREE FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT
  13. FREE SERVICES & BENEFITS FROM ALL BUREAUS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE
  14. FREE HELP FOR YOU FROM UNCLE SAM ALL AROUND YOUR HOME OR APARTMENT
  15. FREE TO YOU FROM INTERNAL REVENUE
  16. LOW COST U.S. GOVERNMENT LAND BARGAINS & PROGRAMS
  17. FREE FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS & THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
  18. FREE MAPS
  19. FREE MARRIAGE & DIVORCE RECORDS LOCATION SERVICES & DIRECTORIES
  20. FREE ABOUT SPACE & THE MOON
  21. FREE FROM THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
  22. FREE PROTECTION FROM NATURAL DISASTERS
  23. FREE FOR NATURE LOVERS AND SPORTSMEN
  24. FREE FROM THE UNITED STATES NAVY
  25. FREE OIL, GAS & MINERAL LEASE OPPORTUNITIES
  26. FREE FOR PARENTS
  27. FREE POSTAL REGULATIONS & LIBRARY
  28. FREE POSTERS
  29. FREE FOR PROSPECTORS
  30. FREE SAFETY SERVICES & BENEFITS
  31. FREE SCIENCE SERVICES & BENEFITS
  32. FREE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
  33. FREE SICKNESS & HEALTH BENEFITS
  34. FREE LIBRARY OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
  35. FREE FOR STUDENTS & TEACHERS
  36. FREE GOVERNMENT SURPLUS OPPORTUNITIES
  37. FREE FOR TRAVELERS & VACATIONERS
  38. FREE FOR VETERANS
  39. FREE FOR WOMEN

PLUS 2 EXTRA REPORTS — FREE Free Report No. 1: “How To Complain To The U.S. Government” Free Report No. 2: “Directory of Regional and Local Addresses of U.S. Government Agencies”

© 1974 Good News Publishing Co.

Mail check or money order to: Gary Halbert, Good News Publishing Co. 7576 Freedom Avenue, North Canton, Ohio 44720

Dear Gary: Enclosed find $3.00. Please send me my copy of “HOW TO GET WHAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OWES YOU!” — plus the Good News Hotline for the next year — FREE! I understand that if I am not satisfied I may return the book for a full refund of my $3.00.

Print Name _______________________________________

Address __________________________________________

City ______________________________________________

State _______________ Zip ________________________

[ ] Here is an extra $3.00. Send me another copy of the book (and the free reports) to give as a gift!

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