“Don’t forget that the only two things people read in a story are the first and last sentences. Give them blood in the eye on the first one.” – Herbert Bayard Swope, Born Jan. 5, 1882. That’s why your opener should fuck the reader in the brain, right through their eye socket, planting the seed… Read More →
People Are Seventeen Forever on the Inside
“I’m 48 years old, not a kid anymore by any definition, but here is a universal truth that every adult at some point will realize: We are all always 17 years old, waiting for our lives to begin.” – Harlan Coben, Born Jan. 4, 1962. You can write pretty persuasively for people of any age… Read More →
Inside: Indulge in Your Weird Obsessions Without Shame
“People often ask me about what constitutes a nerd-friendly show – like, does it have to have sci-fi elements? But I think it’s just a show that satisfies the secret craving we all have to be obsessed with something and not feel at all stupid about it.” – Dan Harmon, Born Jan. 3, 1973. It’s… Read More →
Second Prize is Still a Prize
“If at first you don’t succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.” – William Lyon Phelps, Born Jan. 2, 1865. Finding success as a slacker has had a lot to do with figuring out how to plan things so that even if I don’t get the “Plan A” result, there is still a “Plan… Read More →
The Second Principle of Magic (And How To Use It to Guide the Decisions of Others…)
“The second principle of magic: things which have once been in contact with each other continue to act on each other at a distance after the physical contact has been severed.” – James G. Frazer, Born Jan. 1, 1854. It goes this way with the sharing of ideas, too. Contact with the mental machinery of… Read More →
This Is the Perfect Day to Decide to Start Showing Up Every Day
“Repetition makes reputation and reputation makes customers.” – Elizabeth Arden, Born Dec. 31, 1878. This is 100% true. Many people may read this and nod, and yet still struggle with it. They’ll struggle both with achieving it, and with understanding the success of others who you feel are inferior to your own bad self. Here… Read More →
Make People Excited Enough to Cheer BEFORE You Even Deliver
“I thank you in advance for the great round of applause I’m about to get.” – Ellas “Bo Diddley” McDaniels, Born Dec. 30, 1928. Today I want to talk to you about two ways that this idea of “confidence in advance” will work to your advantage personally, and two ways that it will benefit your… Read More →
Why You Shouldn’t Make Your Work Seem Difficult or Complicated
“The most perfect technique is that which is not noticed at all.” – Pablo Casals, Born Dec. 29, 1876 I’ve written to you here before about developing an appearance of effortlessness. It creates the perception of your mastery among your audience. Sort of like how a ballet dancer is actually straining intensely and using weightlifter… Read More →
Shortcut to Creating a Perception of Value in Absolutely Any Piece of Information
“Men value things in three ways: as useful, as pleasant or sources of pleasure, and as excellent, or as intrinsically admirable or honorable.” – Mortimer Adler, Born Dec. 28, 1902. Let’s make today about practicality. We write to sell things. That’s our goal. Our duty. And to do that, we have to make people see… Read More →
The Secret to Tricking People Into Believing Lies? Lie, Obviously.
“When it comes to snowing people, one effective technique is to get a whole bunch of verifiable facts right and then add one or two that are untrue.” – Daniel Levitin, Born Dec. 27, 1957. This is essentially what all sales pitches are. A mix of fact and lies. If it bothers you to call… Read More →
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