“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 […]
People Are Seventeen Forever on the Inside Read More »
“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
Second Prize is Still a Prize Read More »
“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
This Is the Perfect Day to Decide to Start Showing Up Every Day Read More »
“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
Make People Excited Enough to Cheer BEFORE You Even Deliver Read More »
“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
Why You Shouldn’t Make Your Work Seem Difficult or Complicated Read More »
“Pretend you’re a southern sheriff. Or Mae West. Or Donald Duck. Buy a western hat and walk around the house like a cowboy. The point of all this, of course, is to draw yourself out of your accustomed groove.” – Steve Allen, Born Dec. 26, 1921. A lot of entrepreneurial, self-employed, freelancer types like us
“Dress For the Job You Want” Means a Different Thing to Professional Persuaders Read More »
“A movie and a stage show are two entirely different things. A picture, you can do anything you want. Change it, cut out a scene, put in a scene, take a scene out. They don’t do that on stage.” – Cabell “Cab” Calloway III, Born Dec. 25, 1907. Being able to PERFORM for your audience
A Secret to Portraying Mastery is the Confidence to Wing It. Read More »
“We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.” – Abigail Adams, Born Dec. 22, 1744. In our line of work, it can be easy to be attracted to other ads that are clever, or funny. We envy the creativity of their writers and conceivers. We mentally (or even physically)
A Funny Sign You Saw Is Not Good Copy Read More »
“If we would have new knowledge, we must get a whole world of new questions.” – Susanne Langer, Born Dec. 20, 1895. In groups I run about copywriting, a lot of newbies ask the exact same questions. How do I start? What books do I need to read? Is this course I found any good?
Through Working, We Discover Deep Questions People Will Pay Us to Answer Read More »
“The fame of heroes owes little to the extent of their conquests and all to the success of the tributes paid to them.” – Jean Genet, Born Dec. 19, 1910. Let’s talk about idols. Idolization. Idolatry. Let’s talk about you in that role. It’s yours if you want it. But most people don’t understand how
To Become a Guru, You Must Nail This Change Read More »
