Write of Passage
Review

Learn to Write Online, Build Your Audience, and Accelerate Your Career

Medium
  • Last updated 17/06/2025
by David Perell

What you'll learn ? Overview

Write of Passage, David Perell's five-week, cohort-based writing program, is something we simply had to explore. What we found was a profound shift in how professionals can approach online writing and building an audience. This isn't just another course; it's a meticulously designed system that transcends typical writing instruction.

The program champions a powerful "Write, Publish, Repeat" methodology, specifically crafted to help participants overcome that common fear of hitting "publish." It aims to build what Perell brilliantly calls a "Personal Monopoly" – your own unique and unassailable position in the online world. Through dynamic live sessions, structured peer feedback pods, and robust accountability systems, students cultivate consistent publishing habits while forging connections within a vibrant network of ambitious writers.

What genuinely stood out to us was the exceptional emphasis on community. Unlike many self-paced writing courses, Write of Passage actively cultivates an environment where students deeply engage with each other's work, build lasting professional relationships, and often continue to collaborate long after their specific cohort wraps up. The curriculum itself is incredibly comprehensive, covering everything from potent idea generation techniques and effective writing frameworks to sophisticated audience-building strategies, with a particular focus on platforms like Twitter and leveraging email newsletters.

At $3,995 for the Essential tier (and $6,995 for lifetime access), this program firmly positions itself in the "Ultra High Ticket" category. This substantial investment reflects not only the in-depth content but also the invaluable cohort experience, the rare direct access to David Perell himself, and the ongoing community engagement. Students consistently report dedicating 10+ hours weekly to lectures, assignments, focused writing sprints, and peer reviews, making this undeniably one of the more demanding online courses we've reviewed.

Show More

Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Intermediate (Some Foundational Knowledge Recommended)

👉

Time commitment

intensive Intensive (10+ Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Hybrid (Mix Of Pre-Recorded Lessons & Live Workshops)

👉

Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Professionals, consultants, and entrepreneurs ready to invest serious time and money into building their online presence. Ideal for those who thrive with accountability, value high-quality networks, and can handle intensive workloads alongside other commitments.

Instructor

David Perell

The Writing Guy Legitimacy Score: 9/10
David Perell is a renowned writer, educator, and digital entrepreneur who has made a significant impact in the realm of online writing and education. As the founder of Write of Passage, a highly acclaimed writing course, Perell has helped thousands of individuals improve their writing skills and build an online presence. His approach combines traditional writing principles with modern digital strategies, empowering students to articulate complex ideas clearly and build meaningful relationships through their writing.
Perell's career trajectory is marked by his transition from a corporate job to becoming a prolific content creator and educator. After being fired from his first job out of college, he embarked on a journey of consistent content creation, publishing daily vlogs for 114 consecutive days. This habit laid the foundation for his future success. He has since published over 1,000 pieces of content, including blog posts, podcast episodes, and newsletters. In March 2019, Perell launched Write of Passage, which quickly became a six-figure business.
• Founder of Write of Passage, a successful online writing course
• Built a newsletter subscriber base of over 70,000 readers
• Interviewed notable figures like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Seth Godin for his North Star Podcast
• Published viral essays such as 'What the Hell is Going On' and 'The Ultimate Guide to Writing Online'
• Achieved six-figure sales within weeks of launching Write of Passage
• Recognized as a thought leader in the field of online writing and digital education
• Speaker at the Sovereign Writers Conference 2023
• Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show podcast
• Featured speaker at the On Deck Writer Fellowship
• Appeared on the Lex Fridman Podcast
• Keynote speaker at the Creator Economy Expo (CEX) 2022
• Guest on the My First Million podcast with Shaan Puri and Sam Parr
David Perell is a digital dynamo, consistently engaging his audience across multiple platforms. He tweets daily insights on writing, entrepreneurship, and personal growth to his 780,000+ Twitter followers. His YouTube channel features in-depth discussions on writing techniques and interviews with industry experts, updated weekly. Perell's LinkedIn presence showcases his professional journey and course offerings, while his Instagram account provides behind-the-scenes glimpses of his work and life.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration35
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentIntensive (10+ Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

Strong English writing abilities and genuine commitment to building an online presence. No prior publishing experience required.


💻 Requirements

Laptop/desktop with webcam, stable high-speed internet for live sessions


💸 Hidden Costs

Domain name ($10-20/year), Website hosting ($5-30/month), Email marketing software (free tier available, $10-29/month for advanced features)


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Live Q&A with David Perell, small group feedback pods, active Circle community for alumni, direct mentorship in higher tiers

Course content

  • Module 1: The Age of Leverage - What to Write About, Clear Writing Fundamentals, Starting Your Online Home, Essential Tech Setup
  • Module 2: Make Your Serendipity Vehicle - The Permissionless Apprentice, How to Write Online, Nailing Your Niche, The Content Triangle
  • Module 3: Build Your Online Home - Creating Your Website, Editing Secrets, The Headline Toolkit, Crafting Your About Page
  • Module 4: Distribute Your Work - Distribution Mindset, Twitter Flywheel Strategy, Email List Building, Audience Growth Tactics
  • Module 5: The Business of Writing - Monetization Strategies, Online Writing Career Path, Future Planning, Graduation
  • Live Components - Weekly sessions with David Perell, Guest expert workshops, Small group feedback pods, Writing sprints and co-working sessions

Show More

Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

The course generates passionate responses from alumni who credit it with transforming their writing careers, though the Ultra High Ticket price sparks heated debate about value versus accessibility.

Praised points

  • Unmatched accountability system: The cohort structure forces consistent publishing, with many students producing more in 5 weeks than previous years
  • High-caliber network: Alumni repeatedly mention meeting co-founders, collaborators, and clients through the course community
  • Direct instructor involvement: David Perell actively participates in sessions, providing insights beyond what's available in his free content

Criticisms

  • Prohibitive pricing: At $3,995+, many question whether the ROI justifies the cost, especially for those early in their careers
  • Overwhelming time demands: The 10+ hour weekly commitment proves challenging for participants with demanding jobs or families
  • Not universal fit: Self-motivated learners report finding similar value through Perell's free content combined with disciplined self-study

Testimonials

"Write of Passage paid for itself in one cohort, I met my co-founder here." - RoxineKee.com

"In five weeks I published more than in the previous five years." - Reddit User

"The price is steep, but the people and energy are unmatched." - Blog Review

"I finally built a publishing habit that stuck." - aazarshad.com

"Be prepared: you will be stretched beyond your writing comfort zone." - staticsteven.com

Social insights

Reddit discussions reveal a clear divide. Alumni on r/writing and r/EntrepreneurRideAlong share transformative stories, with one user stating "WoP paid for itself when I met my co-founder in week 3." However, skeptics in the same threads question paying thousands for "information available in $20 books." Quora conversations echo this tension, with prospective students weighing community benefits against the substantial investment.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The promise to "build an audience and accelerate your career" holds true for engaged participants. We verified several alumni success stories, including Packy McCormick (Not Boring newsletter) and Ana Lorena Fabrega, who built substantial audiences post-course. However, these represent best-case scenarios rather than typical outcomes.

Price History

The course started at lower price points in 2019, with steady increases as demand grew. Current pricing ($3,995 Essential, $6,995 Premium) represents a significant jump from early cohorts, following standard cohort-based course pricing evolution.

Upsell Practices

Transparent tiered pricing with clear value additions at each level. No aggressive post-purchase upsells reported, though Perell markets other products to his email list.

Student Success

Verified success stories include published books, newsletter businesses, and career pivots. However, comprehensive data on average student outcomes remains unavailable, making it difficult to assess typical results versus highlighted successes.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Combination of Zoom for live sessions, modern LMS for course materials (varies by cohort), and Circle for community interaction. Multi-platform approach works smoothly according to student feedback.

Content Accessibility

All sessions recorded with lifetime access to materials. Downloadable resources including templates and frameworks. Global student base benefits from replay availability.

Mobile Compatibility

All platforms (Zoom, Circle, LMS) offer mobile apps or responsive design. Students can access community and some content on-the-go, though live sessions work best on desktop.

Technical Requirements

High-speed internet for video streaming, functioning webcam and microphone for participation, modern web browser

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

The primary complaint centers on the course's Ultra High Ticket pricing, which many find exclusionary. Some participants who couldn't maintain the pace felt they missed out on the full value, essentially paying thousands for partial participation.

😬

Refund policy issues

Write of Passage offers a 30-day refund policy, though our research found limited details about the specific conditions. The previous "must complete all work to qualify" requirement raised concerns about accessibility (this policy detail needs verification with current terms).

😬

Marketing practices

Marketing remains transparent about expectations and time commitment. Claims about "transforming your writing career" align with many alumni experiences, though individual results vary significantly based on effort and existing skills.

😬

Community feedback

No reports of toxic community dynamics or undelivered promises surfaced in our research. The main accessibility concern remains the financial barrier, creating an inadvertently exclusive environment.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $3,995+, Write of Passage sits at the extreme end of online course pricing. The value equation depends entirely on your utilization of three key components: the forced accountability to publish, the high-caliber network, and the cohort energy. Students who leverage all three often report ROI within months through new opportunities, while those seeking just writing instruction find the price hard to justify.

Conclusion

Write of Passage is unquestionably legitimate, delivering a transformative experience for the right student at the right time. After analyzing hundreds of alumni experiences, we found a consistent pattern: those who fully commit (attending live sessions, completing assignments, engaging with peers) often describe it as career-changing, while those with limited participation feel they overpaid for content available elsewhere.
The course's strength lies not in revolutionary writing techniques but in its ecosystem. David Perell has created a forcing function for publishing, wrapped in a community of ambitious professionals. The frameworks are solid, the accountability is real, and the network effects are powerful.
However, at Ultra High Ticket pricing, this isn't for everyone. If you're seeking pure writing instruction, countless books and free resources cover similar ground. But if you need structure, crave community, and can afford both the financial and time investment, Write of Passage offers something unique in the online education space.
Our score reflects this nuanced reality: exceptional execution for those who fit the profile, but inherent limitations due to accessibility. Consider it if you're ready to go all-in on building your online presence and have the resources to match your ambition.

FAQs about this course

The course teaches online writing fundamentals, audience building strategies, and personal branding. You'll learn to create consistent content, grow email lists, leverage Twitter, and develop your unique voice online.

Value depends on your commitment level and goals. Alumni who fully engage often report ROI through new opportunities and connections. However, self-directed learners can find similar content for much less, you're primarily paying for accountability and community.

Expect 10+ hours weekly including live sessions, writing assignments, peer reviews, and community engagement. This intensive schedule proves challenging for many with demanding careers.

While no prior online publishing experience is required, you need solid writing fundamentals and genuine commitment to publishing online. It's rated 'Medium' difficulty, best for those ready to start building their online presence immediately.

Essential ($3,995): One 5-week cohort access. Premium ($6,995): Lifetime access to all future cohorts plus advanced workshops. Mentorship ($8,000): Everything plus weekly 1-on-1 feedback with David Perell.

Write of Passage offers a 30-day refund policy, though specific conditions should be verified before enrollment. Past policies required full participation to qualify for refunds.

The cohort model creates forced accountability, the community is exceptionally engaged and high-caliber, and you get direct access to David Perell. It's less about writing theory and more about actually publishing and building your online presence.

Budget for a domain name ($10-20/year), website hosting ($5-30/month), and potentially email marketing software ($10-29/month) as you grow your list beyond free tiers.

Review statistics

No reviews yet for this course. Be the first to leave a review!

Write of Passage screenshot
Write of Passage Review
$ 3 995
Total score: 7,8/10 ⭐
  • Duration35
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2019
  • Format Enum.course_Format.cohort
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentIntensive (10+ Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
Show More

Our Methodology

At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

Our Rating System

Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

Our Process

For each review, we analyze all available online data to assess the course thoroughly. Our evaluation considers the quality of the content, the instructor's background, the marketing strategy, public perception, and authentic reviews from actual members, giving you a complete and balanced perspective.

Are You a Course Creator?

If you're the creator of a course we've reviewed and believe there are any inaccuracies or outdated information in our review, we want to hear from you.

How We Ensure Quality

Thorough Testing:

We implement strategies from the courses to validate their effectiveness.

Long-term Monitoring:

We track course updates and community development over time.

Write of Passage Review