“There is no persuasiveness more effectual than the transparency of a single heart, of a sincere life.” – Joseph Barber Lightfoot, Born Apr. 13, 1828. Let’s define a term temporarily for the purpose of this piece. I’m talking about your average bullshitter. And by “bullshitter” I mean the kind of person that is just always… Read More →
To Gain Persuasive Power, Practice Practical Lying in Person…
“Lying increases the creative faculties, expands the ego, and lessens the frictions of social contacts.” – Clare Boothe Luce, Born Apr. 10, 1903. Lying is powerful. Whether you call it telling tales, self delusion, pretending, make believe, whatever – if you want to get good at what we do, you need practice. If you want… Read More →
Speaking Publicly is the Shortcut to Authority on Any Topic (If You Don’t Do It Wrong)
“The ability to speak is a short cut to distinction. It puts a man in the limelight, raises him head and shoulders above the crowd.” – Lowell Thomas, Born Apr. 6, 1892. Getting on stage to teach copy at marketing events was easily the biggest factor in my rapid rise to recognition and success –… Read More →
How To Profit Against Your Competition – And Even WITH Them, Too
“I don’t care who does the electing, so long as I get to do the nominating.” – William M. “Boss” Tweed, Born Apr. 3, 1823. You shouldn’t consider yourself as merely the seller of only your own product or service. That’s too limiting. It’s too narrow. Having a product or service of your own to… Read More →
Admission of Luck Makes Success Seem Attainable to Those Who Would Buy Advice From You
“No writer should minimize the factor that affects everyone, but is beyond control: luck.” – John Jakes, Born Mar. 31, 1932. A positioning secret which probably seems counterintuitive to many, is to admit that your success is due in large part to luck. And I don’t mean like a gambler’s cocky bragging about how you’re… Read More →
Counterintuitively, The Ultimate Positioning is Being Unobtainable
“I have now established myself in a most enviable manner. Those who require something of me must seek me out – I remain apart. I work for no one unless he is a high-ranking personality or a friend.” – Francisco Goya, Born Mar. 30, 1746. Once you are already well known for what you do,… Read More →
Guessing Right Makes You a “Guru” (And So Does Guessing Wrong…)
“A leading authority is anyone who has guessed right more than once.” – Frank A. Clark, Born Mar. 28, 1860. Frank here probably meant it as an admonishment for trusting self-described authorities. But you know me, I never let appropriate context get in the way of making the point I want to make… If you… Read More →
Positioning for Preeminence the Proper Way…
“Live as if you were living a second time, and as though you had acted wrongly the first time.” – Viktor E. Frankl, Born Mar. 26, 1905. Vic was giving advice on how to live a fulfilling and satisfying life. It’s a neat avenue of thought. But this isn’t the Cult of Philosophical Warm Snugglies…. Read More →
The Secret of Acquiring (And Portraying) Mastery
“If there be anything that can be called genius, it consists chiefly in ability to give that attention to a subject which keeps it steadily in the mind, till we have surveyed it accurately on all sides.” – Robert Quillen, Born Mar. 25, 1887. If you look at anything long enough, you’re going to notice… Read More →
Conjuring Emotion in Your Reader is Easy – Just EXPLAIN Them
“Things have to be believable, not in a literal, photographic sense, but in an emotional sense – capturing the essence of the situation.” – Michael Foreman, Born Mar. 21, 1938. Emotional authenticity is key. What people frequently call “hype” is when the writer’s enthusiasm is inauthentic. It feels forced and faked, and therefore what you’re… Read More →
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