10:16am Friday
Saint Paul, Minnesota
“What’s the hardest part about writing?” I ask Ruby.
“I don’t know…”
She’s eleven. And this morning, she’s picking up a short story that she’s been writing, on and off, for a few months.
12:24pm
Saint Paul
Most people hate marketing… unless it’s something they’re interested in.
Then—when it’s done right—it’s not marketing.
It’s useful.
And without a doubt, one of the most annoying methods of digital marketing is the Pop-Up.
You know what I mean. You’re on a web page, engaging with the content, when suddenly there’s something blocking your view.
Infuriating, right?
Well, marketers hate them too.
Except that… they work.
(more…)9:16am
Saint Paul
“Let me out!” the man screams.
But no one is coming.
More angry than afraid, Leo Beebe smashes the window and storms out of the room.
(more…)12:00 noon on a Friday
Saint Paul
Hey, I’m back in your inbox after taking a few weeks off. Feels good to be here—I like what you’ve done with the place.
As soon as school got out, the fam and I went on a trip to the Southwest USA. We hit up the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Mesa Verde, Four Corners, and Monument Valley.
It was GREAT to step away from my GrUeLiNg JoB where I write words that make money. No computers for a week! And it’s great to be back at it, too.
Now, on this trip, I took over 900 photos.
(more…)10:49am
Saint Paul
“Just When I Thought I Was Out, They Pull Me Back In!”
—Godfather 3… and pretty much every “one last heist” movie ever.
I had a former co-worker reach out to me on LinkedIn, asking if I was interested in IT work, or knew anyone who was. A lawyer friend of hers is looking for tech help.
I’m not in the IT game any more. I really don’t know anyone who is.
(more…)9:55am Friday
Saint Paul, Minn
I broke my phone yesterday playing basketball with my son.
Jumping for a rebound… and it popped right out of my back pocket.
Screen is black and flashing white.
New one comes early next week.
So I am cut off from clients, friends, and family who rely on text messages.
But I have backups:
(more…)2:49pm Friday
Saint Paul
I’ve been swamped the last two weeks, in a good way.
I started writing Facebook ads with a new client and it’s been a lot of fun.
One hook I wrote has me laughing maniacally and I’m not sure why. But it’s definitely not a hook that’s used in this market… or maybe anywhere:
(more…)8:59am Wednesday
Saint Paul
Time is scarce.
Everyone is busy and thinking and planning and worried about both their past and their future.
Which is why your copy needs to be clear, concise, and compelling.
David Ogilvy said, “A good advertisement is one which sells the product without drawing attention to itself.”
Someone else said…
(more…)8:34am Wednesday
Saint Paul
Someone asked:
> What are some strategies for persuading someone
> with differing opinions who is not open to listening
> to our perspective?
Before you can persuade someone, which should be to their benefit (otherwise it’s manipulation), he or she must have an open mind. If you can’t get there, nothing will work.
*|FNAME|*, persuading people is not easy. You have to set up a situation where they’re willing to question their own entrenched ideas, which means they may come to the conclusion that they’ve been wrong about this idea for however long.
And—as no one wants to be wrong, possibly shifting their entire world view—they’d rather fight than see the light.
So you can’t persuade them as much as you can give them the opportunity and ideas to persuade themselves.
Now, to open someone’s mind to a new way to see the world, you have a few options…
(more…)