---
name: Convert Audit
slug: convert-audit
category: Writing
description: Convert Audit scores existing copy against The Donahoe Method’s eight frameworks and returns a normalized score, dimension-by-dimension findings, and prioritized rewrite recommendations. Use it when you want to diagnose a sales page, email, opener, or VSL before rewriting it.
github: "https://github.com/FerroxLabs/wayland/tree/main/resources/bundled-extensions/business-conversion/skills/convert-audit"
language: TypeScript
stars: 596
forks: 113
install: "npx degit https://github.com/FerroxLabs/wayland/tree/main/resources/bundled-extensions/business-conversion/skills/convert-audit ~/.claude/skills/convert-audit"
installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/convert-audit
source_path: resources/bundled-extensions/business-conversion/skills/convert-audit/SKILL.md
collection_size: 25
category_size: 1109
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/FerroxLabs/wayland"
added: 2026-09-03T06:03:28.064Z
last_synced: 2026-09-03T06:03:28.064Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/convert-audit"
---

# Convert Audit

Convert Audit scores existing copy against The Donahoe Method’s eight frameworks and returns a normalized score, dimension-by-dimension findings, and prioritized rewrite recommendations. Use it when you want to diagnose a sales page, email, opener, or VSL before rewriting it.

**Install:**

```bash
npx degit https://github.com/FerroxLabs/wayland/tree/main/resources/bundled-extensions/business-conversion/skills/convert-audit ~/.claude/skills/convert-audit
```

## README

# Convert Audit - The Donahoe Method Audit

> *"Would I actually say this to someone I'm trying to help?"* - The Donahoe Method, Bullshit Filter

This skill takes existing copy and scores it against all eight frameworks of The Donahoe Method. The output is a defensible scoring rubric: each dimension graded 0-10, total normalized to 0-100, plus prioritized rewrite recommendations tied to the specific framework that failed.

## When to Use

Trigger phrases: "audit my copy", "score my sales page", "donahoe audit", "method audit", "audit this opener", "score against the method", "critique my copy", "copy review against donahoe", "is this copy good", `/convert audit <copy-or-path>`.

Use when:
- The user has existing copy and wants to know what's working / what's broken
- A draft has been written and needs a Method gate before shipping
- A page underperforms and the user wants the diagnosis (which lock is closed? which framework failed?)
- An audit is needed *before* a rewrite - to focus the rewrite on the right dimensions

Do NOT use for:
- Generating new copy from scratch - use `/convert sales-page`, `/convert open`, etc.
- Auditing a live URL's full conversion experience (page + funnel + traffic) - use `/market landing <url>`
- Auditing the offer construction itself - use `/funnel offer audit` (offer ≠ copy)
- Auditing visual design alone - use `/convert above-fold` for hero, `/convert proof-stack` for proof zones

## The 8 Frameworks (the Method, full)

This skill scores copy on the eight Method frameworks, plus the foundation (One Person Rule) and Voice Rules + Bullshit Filter. Eight scored dimensions; total 0-80; normalized to 0-100.

| # | Dimension | Framework source | Max |
|---|-----------|-------------------|-----|
| 1 | Open | Framework 1: The Four-Layer Open | 10 |
| 2 | Proof | Framework 2: Conversational Proof | 10 |
| 3 | Three Locks | Framework 3: The Three Locks | 10 (3 sub-scores) |
| 4 | Bullets | Framework 4: The Donahoe Bullet System | 10 |
| 5 | Close | Framework 5: The Cascade Close | 10 |
| 6 | Chute | Framework 6: The Greased Chute | 10 |
| 7 | Voice | Framework 7-equivalent: Voice Rules + Bullshit Filter | 10 |
| 8 | Temperature | Framework: Market Temperature | 10 |
| | **Total** | | **80** |

Normalized score = (raw / 80) × 100.

## Inputs

Required:
1. **The copy to audit** - pasted text, file path, or asset reference. Can be a full sales page, an opener, an email, an ad, a VSL script. Audit dimensions adapt to asset type (a 200-word email won't have a Cascade Close to score; that dimension becomes N/A and the rubric reweights).
2. **Asset type** - sales page / VSL / email / ad / opener / squeeze / OTO / lead-magnet / bridge
3. **Stated audience temperature** - what the user *says* their audience is (Ice Cold / Cool / Warm / Hot / Boiling). Dimension 8 scores whether the copy actually matches the stated temperature.

Optional:
- **Stated target reader** - the One Person the copy is supposed to be written to (informs Voice / Bullshit Filter scoring)
- **Stated offer** - what's being sold (informs Want / Excuse lock scoring)
- **Prior Method skill outputs** - if `/convert open`, `/convert proof`, etc. ran on this product, their output can be cross-checked against the copy
- `out_path` - caller-controlled output. Defaults via `build_report_path("business-conversion", instruction)`

## The Scoring Rubric (full, defensible)

### Dimension 1 - The Open (0-10)

Framework 1: The Four-Layer Open. Layer 1 Nerve Strike + Layer 2 Side Door + Layer 3 Skin in the Game + Layer 4 Fingerprint, in 3-5 sentences.

**Sub-scores (each 0-2.5; total 10):**

| Sub-score | What it measures | 0-2.5 scale |
|-----------|-------------------|-------------|
| Layer 1 - Nerve Strike | Specific, names a pain the reader already feels, no marketing-speak softeners | 0=absent or vague; 1=present but generic; 2=specific; 2.5=hits the nerve cold |
| Layer 2 - Side Door | Casual tone, "I noticed something" feel, no pitch announcement | 0=announces the pitch; 1=neutral; 2=casual; 2.5=defenses-down conversation |
| Layer 3 - Skin in the Game | Within first 3-4 sentences, reader knows why YOU're telling them | 0=absent or credential dump; 1=hinted; 2=present with specific detail; 2.5=earned through scar/specific story |
| Layer 4 - Fingerprint | Distinctive voice / opinion / image that's only-you | 0=swappable for any competitor; 1=mild voice; 2=clear voice; 2.5=unmistakable |

**Total Layer score = sum of 4 sub-scores (out of 10).**

Diagnostic moves:
- Look at sentences 1-5 only. Mark which layer each sentence serves.
- If any layer is missing, the score drops by 2.5 directly.
- If Layer 4 (Fingerprint) is missing, treat it as the most diagnostic failure - Fingerprint is what makes copy *this* author's, not generic.

### Dimension 2 - Conversational Proof (0-10)

Framework 2: claim → proof → claim → proof rhythm. 5 proof types covered.

**Sub-scores:**

| Sub-score | What it measures | 0-2 scale |
|-----------|-------------------|-----------|
| Proof rhythm | Every major claim within 2-3 sentences of a proof | 0=no rhythm; 1=sporadic; 2=consistent throughout |
| 5-types coverage | Of Anecdote / Receipt / Drive-By / Namecheck / Because, how many appear at least once | 0=≤1 type; 1=2-3 types; 2=4-5 types |
| Specificity | Numbers / dates / names / places (not "thousands of customers" - "1,847") | 0=vague; 1=mixed; 2=specific |
| Conversational delivery | Proof feels like conversation, not a "Testimonials" section labeled as such | 0=marketing block; 1=neutral; 2=conversational |
| Verifiability | Each proof item is real and checkable (no anonymous testimonials, no invented logos) | 0=fake/anonymous detected; 1=mostly real; 2=fully verifiable |

**Total = sum of 5 sub-scores (out of 10).**

### Dimension 3 - The Three Locks (0-10)

Framework 3: Want / Trust / Excuse. Each lock 0-3.33 (rounded; total 10).

**Sub-scores:**

| Sub-score | What it measures | 0-3.33 scale |
|-----------|-------------------|----------------|
| Lock 1 - The Want | Sells the *state*, not the product; sensory, visceral, specific | 0=feature-list; 1=generic outcome; 2=specific state; 3.33=visceral painted picture |
| Lock 2 - The Trust | Built through Conversational Proof + voice authority + mechanism reveal | 0=no proof / hedged voice; 1=some proof; 2=clear proof rhythm; 3.33=mechanism + voice + proof aligned |
| Lock 3 - The Excuse | Logical justification for the emotional decision; math, comparisons, risk reversal | 0=absent; 1=hinted; 2=present; 3.33=mathematical, undeniable |

**Total = sum of 3 sub-scores (out of 10), rounded.**

Diagnostic move: A page that "feels off" but reads competently almost always has one specific Lock closed. Identify which Lock scored lowest - that's the rewrite target.

### Dimension 4 - Bullet System (0-10)

Framework 4: Keyhole / Flip / Snapshot / Scar - mixed for rhythm.

**Sub-scores:**

| Sub-score | What it measures | 0-2.5 scale |
|-----------|-------------------|-------------|
| Type variety | Of the 4 bullet types, how many appear | 0=one type only; 1=2 types; 2=3 types; 2.5=all 4 mixed |
| Specificity | "Page 14" / "$14,327" / "Module 3" - not "Inside you'll discover..." | 0=vague throughout; 1=mixed; 2=mostly specific; 2.5=specific in every bullet |
| Curiosity gaps | Each bullet creates a gap only the product resolves | 0=feature-list; 1=mild gap; 2=clear gaps; 2.5=irresistible gaps |
| No-marketing-speak voice | Each bullet sounds spoken, not advertised | 0=full marketing-speak; 1=mixed; 2=mostly spoken; 2.5=conversational |

**Total = sum of 4 sub-scores (out of 10).**

### Dimension 5 - The Cascade Close (0-10)

Framework 5: Stack → Vision → Math → Safety Net → Door + P.S. + P.P.S.

**Sub-scores (each 0-2):**

| Sub-score | What it measures | 0-2 scale |
|-----------|-------------------|-----------|
| Stack | Conversational value summary (not formal value-table inflation) | 0=formal/inflated; 1=present; 2=conversational |
| Vision Close | Paints the desired state at the close | 0=absent; 1=present; 2=specific & visceral |
| Math Close | Logical / arithmetic justification | 0=absent; 1=present; 2=undeniable math |
| Safety Net | Strong, specific guarantee | 0=absent or weak; 1=present; 2=so-strong-it's-almost-absurd |
| Door + P.S. / P.P.S. | Direct CTA + at least one P.S. + ideally P.P.S. | 0=no clear CTA / no P.S.; 1=CTA present, no P.S.; 2=full cascade including P.S. + P.P.S. |

**Total = sum of 5 sub-scores (out of 10).**

For asset types where the Cascade doesn't apply in full (short emails, ads, openers as standalone), score the closes that should be present and reweight. Note the reweight in the output.

### Dimension 6 - The Greased Chute (0-10)

Framework 6: paragraph rhythm + open loops + transitions + read-aloud test.

**Sub-scores:**

| Sub-score | What it measures | 0-2.5 scale |
|-----------|-------------------|-------------|
| Paragraph rhythm | 1-3 sentence paragraphs predominantly; varied sentence length | 0=walls of text; 1=some short; 2=mostly short + varied; 2.5=engineered rhythm |
| Open loops | Section endings tease, never conclude; threads pulled forward | 0=conclusions everywhere; 1=some teases; 2=most sections tease; 2.5=loops stack and resolve |
| Transitions | Use of Donahoe Transition System moves; no "here's the thing" filler | 0=clunky / filler; 1=neutral; 2=movement-driven; 2.5=transition arsenal deployed |
| Read-aloud naturalness | If read at speaking pace, no stumbles, no energy drops | 0=stumbles often; 1=some stumbles; 2=mostly natural; 2.5=fluid throughout |

**Total = sum of 4 sub-scores (out of 10).**

Diagnostic move: read aloud at speaking pace. Mark every place you stumbled, paused, or felt energy drop. Each marked spot is a Chute failure.

### Dimension 7 - Voice Rules + Bullshit Filter (0-10)

Framework: Donahoe Voice Rules (sentence mechanics + word choices + structural moves) + the Bullshit Filter.

**Sub-scores:**

| Sub-score | What it measures | 0-2 scale |
|-----------|-------------------|-----------|
| First-person + contractions | "I", "you", "you're", "don't" - not "we" / "customers" / "do not" | 0=corporate voice; 1=mixed; 2=consistently first-person + contracted |
| Specificity > generality | Numbers, names, dates, places - not abstractions | 0=abstract throughout; 1=mixed; 2=concrete throughout |
| Banned-word check | No "leverage", "optimize", "revolutionary", "unlock potential", "game-changing", "next level" | 0=multiple banned words; 1=1-2 hits; 2=clean |
| Visceral > abstract | "Stomach-churning" / "wake up and check your phone" / "cash hitting your account" | 0=abstract; 1=mixed; 2=visceral throughout |
| Bullshit Filter | Would you say this out loud to someone you're trying to help? | 0=fails (sounds like writing); 1=mixed; 2=passes (sounds like talking) |

**Total = sum of 5 sub-scores (out of 10).**

Banned-phrase Wayland TM grep: also flag any of these (zero hits required for a clean ship; deduct 1 point per hit, max -5):

```
"Perfect Webinar", "One Funnel Away", "ClickFunnels",
"Product Launch Formula", " PLF ", "Sideways Sales Letter",
"Grand Slam Offer", "$100M Offers", "$100M Leads",
"No B.S.", "Magnetic Marketing", "Don't Make Me Think",
"Mass Control", "DotCom Secrets", "Expert Secrets",
"Traffic Secrets", "Soap Opera Sequence", "Seinfeld Email"
```

### Dimension 8 - Market Temperature Match (0-10)

Framework: Market Temperature. Does the copy match the stated audience temperature?

**Sub-scores:**

| Sub-score | What it measures | 0-2.5 scale |
|-----------|-------------------|-------------|
| Length match | Ice Cold = long-form education; Boiling = short reminder. Length aligns with stated temp. | 0=wildly mismatched; 1=mild mismatch; 2=close; 2.5=ideal |
| Awareness assumption | Copy assumes the right level of awareness (Ice Cold = no problem awareness; Hot = product awareness) | 0=wrong assumption; 1=neutral; 2=mostly right; 2.5=perfectly calibrated |
| Tone match | Cold = pattern interrupt + education; Hot = persuasion + urgency; Boiling = reminder | 0=mismatched; 1=mild; 2=mostly matched; 2.5=ideal |
| Pitch placement | Cold = pitch buried late; Hot = pitch early; Boiling = pitch immediately | 0=wrong placement; 1=mild; 2=correct; 2.5=ideal |

**Total = sum of 4 sub-scores (out of 10).**

The most common failure: hot copy written for a cold audience (the #1 marketing mistake per the Method's Temperature framework).

## The 0-100 Normalized Score

```
raw_total = D1 + D2 + D3 + D4 + D5 + D6 + D7 + D8     # max 80
banned_penalty = sum of TM-banned-phrase hits, capped at 5
normalized = max(0, ((raw_total - banned_penalty) / 80) * 100)
```

**Score bands:**

| Band | Score | Interpretation |
|------|-------|----------------|
| Method-grade | 85-100 | Ship it. Minor polish only. |
| Strong | 70-84 | One or two dimensions need surgical rework. |
| Mid | 55-69 | Multiple dimensions weak; targeted rewrite required. |
| Weak | 40-54 | Method scaffolding mostly missing; substantial rewrite. |
| Off-method | 0-39 | This isn't Method copy. Treat as a brief and rerun the writing skills. |

## Workflow

### Step 1 - Ingest the copy

Receive the copy via paste, file path, or reference. Confirm:
- Asset type (informs which dimensions apply / N/A)
- Stated audience temperature
- Stated target reader (if available)
- Stated offer (if available)

If asset type is "opener only" or "email" or "ad," some dimensions (Cascade Close, full Chute) get reweighted or marked N/A. Note the reweight in the output.

### Step 2 - Score Dimension 1 (Open)

Read the first 3-5 sentences. Mark each sentence with its layer. Assign sub-scores. Justify each in one sentence.

### Step 3 - Score Dimension 2 (Proof)

Walk every claim. Check for proof within 2-3 sentences. Catalog the proof types used. Spot-check verifiability.

### Step 4 - Score Dimension 3 (Three Locks)

Identify which sentences open the Want, which build Trust, which deliver the Excuse. Score each lock independently.

### Step 5 - Score Dimension 4 (Bullets)

Find every bullet block. Classify each bullet by type (Keyhole / Flip / Snapshot / Scar). Score variety, specificity, curiosity, voice.

### Step 6 - Score Dimension 5 (Close)

Find each cascade layer. Score what's present, what's missing, what's strong / weak.

### Step 7 - Score Dimension 6 (Chute)

Read aloud at speaking pace (mentally simulate). Mark stumbles, energy drops, walls of text, conclusion-endings. Score paragraph rhythm + loops + transitions + naturalness.

### Step 8 - Score Dimension 7 (Voice + Bullshit Filter)

Grep for banned words. Check first-person + contractions. Check specificity. Run the Bullshit Filter mental check on representative passages. Apply TM-banned-phrase penalty.

### Step 9 - Score Dimension 8 (Temperature)

Cross-check the copy's length, awareness assumption, tone, and pitch placement against the stated audience temperature.

### Step 10 - Compute totals + prioritize fixes

Sum dimensions. Apply banned penalty. Normalize to 0-100. Identify the lowest-scoring dimensions; those drive the rewrite recommendations. Order recommendations by impact (which dimension would lift the score most if fixed?).

### Step 11 - Emit the audit report

## Output Template

```markdown
# Donahoe Method Audit: <Asset name / topic>

**Asset type:** <sales page / VSL / email / ad / opener / etc.>
**Stated audience temperature:** <Ice Cold / Cool / Warm / Hot / Boiling>
**Stated target reader:** <one specific person, if provided>
**Stated offer:** <if provided>

---

## Headline score

**Total: X / 100** - <Method-grade / Strong / Mid / Weak / Off-method / FILTER-FAILED>

| Dimension | Score | Of |
|-----------|-------|-----|
| 1. Open (Four-Layer) | X.X | 10 |
| 2. Proof (Conversational + 5 types) | X.X | 10 |
| 3. Three Locks (Want / Trust / Excuse) | X.X | 10 |
| 4. Bullets (Keyhole / Flip / Snapshot / Scar) | X.X | 10 |
| 5. Close (Cascade) | X.X | 10 |
| 6. Chute (Greased Chute) | X.X | 10 |
| 7. Voice + Bullshit Filter | X.X | 10 |
| 8. Temperature match | X.X | 10 |
| **Raw subtotal** | **X.X** | **80** |
| TM banned-phrase penalty | -X | -5 max |
| **Normalized** | **X / 100** | |

### Bullshit Filter HARD-GATE OVERRIDE (mandatory, applied AFTER normalization)

The Donahoe Method spec calls the Bullshit Filter *"the single most important question in the Method."* Without this override the rubric allows copy to score 97/100 while failing the Filter - which violates the spec.

**Rule:** if the Bullshit Filter sub-score within Dimension 7 is **0 (FAIL)**, cap the normalized score at **39 / 100** regardless of other dimension scores, and stamp the verdict **FILTER-FAILED - do NOT ship this copy until the Bullshit Filter passes.**

| Bullshit Filter sub-score | Action |
|---------------------------|--------|
| 0 (FAIL - sounds like writing, not talking) | Cap normalized score at 39/100. Tag verdict **FILTER-FAILED**. Refuse to proceed to fix-priority output until copy passes the Filter. |
| 1 (MIXED - some lines fail) | No cap. Flag as **FILTER-WARNING**. Output must include the worst 3 lines + 3 forced rewrites for each. |
| 2 (PASS - sounds like talking) | No cap. Score normally. |

Why: a beautifully-structured AI-flavored sales letter (high Open / Locks / Bullets / Close scores) but failing the Filter is *worse than a structurally weak human-written piece that passes the Filter.* The Filter is the gate to which no other dimension is allowed to be a substitute. This override aligns the rubric with the Method spec.

**The Filter sub-score must be a separate human/coach pass.** The audit skill itself cannot grade the Filter on its own copy - see `convert-bullshit-filter` for the adversarial coaching pass that produces the Filter sub-score.

---

## Dimension-by-dimension findings

### Dimension 1 - Open (X / 10)

- Layer 1 Nerve Strike (X / 2.5): <evidence + verdict>
- Layer 2 Side Door (X / 2.5): <evidence + verdict>
- Layer 3 Skin in Game (X / 2.5): <evidence + verdict>
- Layer 4 Fingerprint (X / 2.5): <evidence + verdict>

**What's working:** <specific>
**What's broken:** <specific>
**Top fix:** <action>

### Dimension 2 - Proof (X / 10)

- Proof rhythm (X / 2): <verdict>
- 5-types coverage (X / 2): <which types appear / missing>
- Specificity (X / 2): <verdict + examples>
- Conversational delivery (X / 2): <verdict>
- Verifiability (X / 2): <flagged anonymous / fake items>

**What's working:** <specific>
**What's broken:** <specific>
**Top fix:** <action>

### Dimension 3 - Three Locks (X / 10)

- Lock 1 The Want (X / 3.33): <verdict>
- Lock 2 The Trust (X / 3.33): <verdict>
- Lock 3 The Excuse (X / 3.33): <verdict>

**Closed lock:** <which lock failed; this is the diagnostic priority>
**Top fix:** <action>

### Dimension 4 - Bullets (X / 10)

- Type variety (X / 2.5): <which types present / missing>
- Specificity (X / 2.5): <evidence>
- Curiosity gaps (X / 2.5): <evidence>
- Voice (X / 2.5): <evidence>

**What's working:** <specific>
**What's broken:** <specific>
**Top fix:** <action>

### Dimension 5 - Close (X / 10)

- Stack (X / 2): <verdict>
- Vision Close (X / 2): <verdict>
- Math Close (X / 2): <verdict>
- Safety Net (X / 2): <verdict>
- Door + P.S. + P.P.S. (X / 2): <verdict>

**Missing layers:** <list>
**Top fix:** <action>

### Dimension 6 - Chute (X / 10)

- Paragraph rhythm (X / 2.5): <verdict>
- Open loops at section endings (X / 2.5): <verdict>
- Transitions (X / 2.5): <verdict - mention any "here's the thing" filler>
- Read-aloud naturalness (X / 2.5): <verdict + flagged stumbles>

**Stumble points:** <list of specific lines>
**Top fix:** <action>

### Dimension 7 - Voice + Bullshit Filter (X / 10)

- First-person + contractions (X / 2): <verdict>
- Specificity (X / 2): <verdict>
- Banned-word grep (X / 2): <hits if any>
- Visceral language (X / 2): <verdict>
- Bullshit Filter pass (X / 2): <verdict>

**Banned-word hits:** <list, e.g., "leverage" appears 4 times>
**TM banned-phrase hits (penalty):** <list>
**Top fi