“Is it not dangerous to have students study together for years, copying the same models and approximately the same path?” – Theodore Gericault, Born Sep. 26, 1791. People who study marketing WITHOUT doing much ACTUAL marketing will all learn the same way. They read the same books. They copy the same winning ads. They learn… Read More →
Stuff You Choose Today Must Bear Fruit in the Future (Or Else Don’t Waste Time)
“I started doing ’30 Rock’ and started writing ‘Mystery Team’ at the beginning of that. While I was doing ‘Mystery Team,’ I started practicing stand-up. While I was doing stand up, I got ‘Community.’ It’s like I planted trees six years ago, and now they have fruit.” – Donald Glover, Born Sep. 25, 1983. Here… Read More →
Put a Pin in Those Excuses. Instead: Produce. Publish. Profit.
“You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere.” – John Coltrane, Born Sep. 23, 1926. Don’t let anything be an excuse that keeps you from doing what you want to do. “I only have an hour a day.” “I need a better computer.” “I’m working on my game plan.” “I was busy this weekend.” “I… Read More →
If Your Wish is for Riches, Rub Pencil to Paper Instead of Polishing Magic Lamps
“There is no magic in all the world like that magic when you sell your first bit of writing.” – Rosamunde Pilcher, Born Sep. 22, 1924. Oh Rosamunde, you poor dear. The magic that exceeds your claim is the feeling when your words can sell things – yours or those produced by others – sell… Read More →
“Success” can be a Dream, but SUCCEEDING is an Action Plan
“The rules are simple. Take your work, but never yourself, seriously. Pour in the love and whatever skill you have, and it will come out.” – Chuck Jones, Born Sep. 21, 1912. So many people WANT success. But they don’t want to succeed. Because “succeed” is a verb, and that means you have to DO… Read More →
Success Might Seem 1000 Miles Away, But How Many Miles Did You Walk Today?
“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” – Walter Elliot, Born Sep. 19, 1888. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. If you have a massive project, which will take days (if not weeks) to accomplish, many people lack the organization and willpower… Read More →
Become Yourself By Imitating All Your Heroes At Once
“I was a pretty good imitator of Roy Acuff, but then I found out they already had a Roy Acuff, so I started singin’ like myself.” – Hank Williams, Born Sep. 17, 1923. When you get started in a field you want to pursue, it’s completely valid to begin as an imitator of the most… Read More →
Figure Out Who You Will Serve, And Then Satisfy Them (Fully and Repeatedly)
“A merchant who approaches business with the idea of serving the public well has nothing to fear from the competition.” – James Cash Penney, Born Sep. 16, 1875. Well, J. Cash, I think times have changed. Service is still key. But you no longer need to be concerned with serving “the public” at large. We… Read More →
The Only Opinions About Your Copy That Matter Are…
“I finally got to the point where I decided I don’t care if it’s good art or bad art – it’s what I do. I enjoy doing it, and people like it.” – Margaret Keane, Born Sept. 15, 1927. There is a fear when people start a freelance career, especially in a field like copywriting…. Read More →
Worry Less About Being Unique, Just Focus on Being Good (By Just Doing Good)
“Don’t try to be different. Just be good. To be good is different enough.” – Arthur Freed, Born Sept. 9, 1894. I don’t know that I agree exactly with this. Being different can definitely be valuable. But I don’t think you have to worry about being unique or special in that way when you’re starting… Read More →
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