A good book on copywriting (A Copywriter's Handbook is good) and a good book on raising capital (Capital Raising by Richard Wilson) will take you pretty far. 

If you are going to use direct response, the key is through using element(s) of your marketing and copywriting to build trust.  

Since I'm a freelance copywriter, I can approach your question from my experience with online copywriting and content marketing (as opposed to coming at it purely from a real estate perspective).

Study copywriting, list segmentation, direct response marketing and one-on-one sales techniques. 

I started off with a very decent return rate on those but in the last 3 months the well has ran dry and I am contemplating whether to revamp the copywrite which is simple or just switch the neighborhoods.

I think some of that is just copywriting, and designed to get you excited.

I found out the reason people can't see the video from mobile devices is because I used a song (Welcome to the Jungle) that is copywrited.

@Karen Margrave I come from a copywriting/editing background and have always had an interest in the real estate world.

Just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that i am really excited about being apart of this community.I have been a marketing consultant and direct response copywriter for 9+ years and now I'm making to shift into the RE world.My goals are to learn as much as i can about this world, and get involved in Wholesaling properties.

Lesson #1 in copywriting: tune in to your listeners' favorite station...WII-FM!"