“I’m always trying to turn things upside down and see if they look any better.” – Tibor Kalman, Born, Jul. 6, 1949. When you’re stuck, a change in perspective can make all the difference in the world. Obviously, writers don’t have the same ease in just “turning things upside down” that a designer might have. […]
Hot Tip For Busting Writer’s Block: Flip The Script Read More »
“Without promotion, something terrible happens… nothing!” – P. T. Barnum, Born Jul. 5, 1810. This is true in all fields, but I mostly talk to marketing and writing freelancers who have this bizarre expectation that simply hanging up your shingle is going to get you customers and clients. Nope! The best product or service in
Waiting For Clients and Customers To Come To You Is Dumb As Hell Read More »
“Even truth needs to be clad in new garments if it is to appeal to a new age.” – Georg C. Lichtenberg, Born Jul. 1, 1742. Are you one of those people who kicks yourself over wanting to be creative and original and fresh and new all the time? That shit is hard, right? Guess
How To Steal Ancient Wisdom and Take Credit For It Yourself Read More »
“When I was writing ‘Kitchen Confidential,’ I was in my 40s, I had never paid rent on time, I was 10 years behind on my taxes, I had never owned my own furniture or a car.” – Anthony Bourdain, Born Jun, 25, 1956. I didn’t start doing this “Cult of Copy” thing – my life’s
It’s Only Too Late To Start If You Woke Up Dead Today Read More »
“First, make yourself a reputation for being a creative genius.” – David Ogilvy, Born Jun, 23, 1911. I truncated this quote. Steps two and three only apply if you’re working with partners – if you want to know, look it up… For now, though, I want to focus on what Ogilvy said was his first
How to Become a Genius Without Being That Smart Read More »
“An actor entering through the door, you’ve got nothing. But if he enters through the window, you’ve got a situation.” – Billy Wilder, Born Jun. 22, 1906. This is the secret of telling a seductive story that uses curiosity to suck the audience in like a cross between a vacuum cleaner and a blowjob metaphor.
How One Little Story Twist Kidnaps the Reader’s Brain Read More »
“I am a big proponent of writing a great outline. That way you can avoid hitting a roadblock. There is no worse feeling than writing yourself into a corner but if you’ve figured it all out in the outline then you won’t have that problem.” – Michael Showalter, Born Jun. 17, 1970. Showalter is talking
How To Never Write Yourself Into a Dead End or Blind Alley Read More »
“I learned early in life that you get places by having the right enemies.” – John Shelby Spong, Born Jun. 16, 1931. Who or what do you hate? What will you absolutely not stand for? What are you sick of? What grinds your gears? What gets your goat? What gags your giraffe?… Not in general,
Show Prospects What You Stand Against, and They Presume You Stand For Them Read More »
“I think those who object to my characterizing man as simple want somehow to retain a deep mystery at his core.” – Herbert A. Simon, Born Jun. 15, 1916. You are a chimpanzee in shoes. Your “self” is a hallucination being had by a computer made of meat. Civilization is a byproduct of
Chimpanzees In Shoes: Or Why This Job Is So Easy… Read More »
“Gossip is essentially storytelling: storytelling about people whom we know.” – Mona Simpson, Born Jun. 14, 1957. I think gossip – as a tone – is an under-appreciated angle when it comes to persuasion and influence. *leans in to closer* Listen… Gossip isn’t just a story about people we know – it can be the
Turn Your Pitch Into Gossip, and People Lean in Closely Read More »
