Inside The Cult of Copy – How I Leveled Up My Copywriting Game

Posted on by John Fawkes

Inside the Cult of Copy: How I Leveled Up My Copywriting Game (And Why the Viking Velociraptor Formula Still Kicks Ass)

If you’ve been in the online marketing or copywriting world for any length of time, there’s a good chance you’ve heard whispers about The Cult of Copy. Maybe you’ve seen the skull and quill logo on Facebook. Maybe someone forwarded you a spicy, offbeat sales post. Or maybe, like me, you stumbled across it when you were hungry to sharpen your skills—and maybe get a little weird with your words.

I first discovered the Cult of Copy back in 2013 or 2014. I’d been a working copywriter for a few years at that point, but I was still in that phase where I was constantly devouring new material, experimenting with different styles, and searching for that next edge.

That’s when I found Colin Theriot.

Who Is Colin Theriot (and What Is the Cult of Copy, Exactly?)

Colin is the creator and high priest of the Cult of Copy—a Facebook group and paid training community that exploded into one of the most active and engaging hubs for copywriters on the internet. He’s sharp, smart, darkly funny, and absolutely has his own voice and style.

He isn’t some buttoned-up “guru” in a tailored blazer handing you a PDF and a pat on the back. Colin operates like a mad scientist with a flair for showmanship—equal parts teacher, provocateur, and carnival barker.

The free Facebook group alone is a goldmine of rants, resources, job leads, and irreverent wisdom. But the real treasure is what lies behind the paywall.

My Journey from Lurker to Cult Member

I lurked in the group for about a month, watching how Colin posted, how he sold, and how the community responded. The guy clearly knew his stuff, and his writing cut through the noise like a knife made of sarcasm and psychology.

Eventually, I bought one of his email promo templates and his now-legendary Viking Velociraptor Formula. Both trainings were scrappy, dense, and full of that unmistakable Colin flavor—entertaining but actionable, raw but brilliant. They helped me streamline several client projects and sharpen how I thought about offers and persuasion.

Soon after that, I signed up for his monthly membership. I was hooked.

Inside, you get access to a massive archive of trainings. Some are polished, but many are live-recorded sessions where Colin basically brain-dumps his knowledge in real time. That off-the-cuff, gritty vibe actually works—it makes the content feel alive. You get to see how a pro thinks, not just what he says.

Eventually, I went all in and bought the lifetime membership. No regrets.

What You Get in the Paid Trainings

Here’s what really stood out to me inside the Cult:

  • Templates that actually work – Not just plug-and-play, but adaptable frameworks that make you think and write better.
  • Mindset & positioning training – Colin talks a lot about how to think like a copywriter, how to pre-frame offers, and how to write from a position of authority.
  • Sales letter templates – These alone are worth the price. I still use versions of them in my own workflows.
  • Email promotion breakdowns – Colin teaches email like it’s a martial art: aggressive, precise, effective.
  • Live product creation – Watching Colin create a product live and then sell it while he’s still making it is an education in itself.

You also get access to his exclusive Facebook sub-groups, where members share critiques, wins, and even the occasional high-ticket client lead.

Is It Worth It? Here’s My Take.

Over the years, I’ve joined a lot of programs, bought a lot of swipe files, and listened to a lot of “experts.” Some were good, most were forgettable.

But the Cult of Copy stands out.

It’s not just the material—it’s the mentality that Colin teaches. It’s an attitude of irreverent professionalism. Of wielding persuasion like a tool, not a trick. Of owning your weirdness and making it profitable.

Even now, with 15+ years of experience under my belt, I still revisit his trainings. They remind me to keep it human, keep it sharp, and keep it fun.

The Viking Velociraptor Formula: Why It Works So Damn Well

Let’s talk about one of the most iconic pieces of the Cult curriculum: the Viking Velociraptor Formula.

Don’t let the ridiculous name fool you—this thing is fire.

It’s a hybrid framework for writing copy that combines brute-force attention-getting tactics (Viking) with speed, precision, and agility (Velociraptor). Basically, it helps you:

  • Hook attention right away with something unexpected or visceral
  • Build emotional momentum fast
  • Switch gears into benefit-driven logic
  • Attack objections with sharp, aggressive language
  • Close with clarity and force

It’s designed for high-impact sales copy, emails, or promos where you need to punch through apathy and get results—fast.

I used it in client projects early on and saw immediate upticks in engagement and conversions. It taught me to write faster, edgier, and more decisively. And even when I don’t use the formula word-for-word anymore, the principles are baked into how I approach persuasive writing.

The Cult Community

The community itself is a trip. You’ve got everyone from baby-faced copy cubs to grizzled veterans with million-dollar launches under their belts. It’s one of the few places where you can post a copy critique, get roasted, and walk away smarter.

Some people even use the group’s job board to land premium clients. I’ve seen it happen, though I’ve never personally posted a gig there. But if you’re just starting out or trying to land work, it can be a goldmine.

A Word of Warning (In a Good Way)

The Cult isn’t for everyone. Colin’s style is bold, sometimes abrasive, always opinionated. If you want fluff, motivational quotes, or corporate polish, this ain’t it.

But if you want to level up your skills, challenge your assumptions, and learn how to write copy that actually sells—and have fun doing it—this is one of the best investments you can make.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I can say with confidence: the Cult of Copy made me a better copywriter.

It gave me tools, mindset shifts, and a community that helped me refine my voice, grow my business, and build a more agile writing process.

More than that, it reminded me that copywriting is part art, part science, and part dark magic—and that it’s okay to have fun with it.

Whether you’re just getting started or you’re a seasoned pro looking for a creative jolt, I’d say: check it out. Lurk in the group. Grab a template. Try the Viking Velociraptor Formula.

You might just end up joining the cult.