“To me there’s no creativity without boundaries. If you’re gonna write a sonnet, it’s 14 lines, so it’s solving the problem within the container.” – Lorne Michaels, Born Nov. 17, 1944. There is something incredibly empowering about using creative limitations. And it’s not just about placing arbitrary deadlines. It’s about limiting your materials, your scope. […]
Creativity Will Keep You Broke Unless You Strap On The YOKE Read More »
“Human vocabulary is still not capable, and probably never will be, of knowing, recognizing, and communicating everything that can be humanly experienced and felt.” – Jose Saramago, Born Nov. 16, 1922. Jose is talking about how even the best writers can find themselves incapable of expressing the full range of human emotion. And that’s arguably
Explain To Others How They Feel When Their Own Words Cannot Express It Read More »
“Comedy is the most palliative way to make a point. People are more willing to listen if they can laugh.” – Judy Gold, Born Nov. 15, 1962. This is one most people will dismiss, but they shouldn’t. Think of that kind of marketer/guru/whatever that people think is trashy or phony or arrogant, who is still
A Daily ____ Is The Bait That Brings Them Back Tomorrow Read More »
“Timing and arrogance are decisive factors in the successful use of talent.” – Marya Mannes, Born Nov. 14, 1904. Talent alone is no guarantee of success. There are plenty of broke ass nobodies with talent so abundant it’s oozing from their pores. You need to USE the talent you have in a way that lets
Another “Bad” Character Trait That You MUST Have to Succeed… Read More »
“A liar begins with making falsehood appear like truth, and ends with making truth itself appear like falsehood.” – William Shenstone, Born Nov. 13, 1714. If you’re reading this and the word “liar” makes you feel all squicky to the degree that you can’t stand it, you might not like this conversation. Because marketers are
Make Your Solution Feel Like a Life Preserver to a Drowning Swimmer Read More »
“Language is legislation, speech is its code. We do not see the power which is in speech because we forget that all speech is a classification, and that all classifications are oppressive.” – Roland Barthes, born Nov. 12, 1915 Something vital to keep in mind when you are a persuasive writer is this: You are
The Illusion of Choice is Beneficial Oppression Read More »
“The moment kids start to lie is the moment storytelling begins. They are talking about things they didn’t see. It’s amazing. It’s a wonderful moment. Parents should celebrate. ‘Hurray! My boy finally started to lie!’ All right! It calls for celebration.” – Kim Young-ha, Born Nov. 11, 1968 The basis of persuasion is storytelling. And
Persuasion Is Storytelling and Storytelling is Telling Lies Read More »
“It is often wise to reveal that which cannot be concealed for long.” – Friedrich Schiller, Born today, Nov. 10, 1759 Ah yes. The “damaging admission”. Confess your sins before your audience rather than hiding them. Expose your own flaws. Uncover your shortcomings. This applies to you, your products, and your offers. But don’t stop
Flaunt Your Flaws as Features for Authority and Authenticity Read More »
“Any fact is better established by two or three good testimonies than by a thousand arguments.” – Marie Dressler, Born Nov. 9, 1869. Let me tell you a secret that most copywriters won’t share. There is nothing you or I can create or cleverly state that will be as easily believed as a good testimonial
When Your Buyers Testify, They Sell For You Easily Read More »
“As a writer, I’m more interested in what people tell themselves happened rather than what actually happened.” – Kazuo Ishiguro, born today, Nov. 8, 1954 Just because something isn’t REAL doesn’t mean it isn’t TRUE. Emotion is not REAL – it isn’t physical. It isn’t detectable by anyone outside of the one experiencing it unless
Something Doesn’t Have To BE True If It FEELS True Read More »
