Analogies Gone Wild
Analogies can be a powerful tool when used well. But, like a parachute made from a volleyball net, they can sabotage your message when they’re terrible… Continue Reading
Fun and Games
Fun stuff that barely fits on this website (but I’m including it anyway)…
How Business is Done
There’s a guy named Jack (just a coincidence). He has a son. The son is in his early 20s and unmarried. One evening after dinner, the father and son have a conversation. “Son, I want you to marry a girl of my choice…” Continue Reading
Time-Tested Fridge Wisdom
It’s commonly said that the Greeks talked about two kinds of knowledge… One you gain from study, the other you gain from experience. But there’s a third kind of knowledge, one the Greeks absolutely didn’t have access to… but you do: refrigerator wisdom.… Continue Reading
A Persuasion Secret Toddlers Teach
Everything we do is dictated by the “why” behind it. As in, the only reason why we would change our behavior to get a certain outcome. And the only way to persuade others is to answer the “why” behind what… Continue Reading
When Clichés Work “Like Gangbusters”
I joked in an issue of my e-letter about writing “good,” and got a note from a reader soon after that said… “So there I was reading my favorite newsletter writer and I come across, ‘For career success: lather, rinse,… Continue Reading
We Can’t All Be Einstein (Thank God)
We can’t all be geniuses, right? And in some ways, thank God. For instance, how about these little tidbits I recently found online about one of the most famous geniuses in history – Albert Einstein…
How Curiosity Can Save a Copywriter
Somebody once asked David Ogilvy for a list of traits that matter most when hiring copywriters. Above all, he said, they have to have an unwavering, overpowering, enormous sense of curiosity. I can’t help but think that has to be right. Why? Continue Reading
A Lucky Accident
I got a note awhile ago from consultant Bob Serling Bob writes: “Years ago, I was using a print broker for some of my mailings. She had been referred to me by a direct marketing legend whose identity I’ll protect… Continue Reading