Goldmine Marketing

Tag: benefits

  • What’s the benefit here?

    2:28pm
    Saint Paul

    I assembled a web ad today, from the client’s provided copy.

    It starts out, “Want to do more in 2025?”

    Not exactly, I whispered.

    What’s the benefit? The big idea? The hook?

    (more…)

  • Small change to your pop-up = Big impact.

    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…)

  • Give Me One Reason!

    9:46am Tuesday

    This morning I read a Sweepstakes Letter from the Publishers Clearing House.

    With a no-obligation entry I have a chance at winning $7,000 per week for life.

    That’s a lot of money!

    The letter spent no time trying to be clever or discussing something that couldn’t tie into the benefits of their promotion.

    To Persuade, You Have To Enter Their World

    Do you remember most brands behind your favorite commercials?

    (more…)

  • Persuasion Articles of the Week

    Maths! Photo "Amherst63-012" by NealeA, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Maths! Photo “Amherst63-012” by NealeA, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    #science #benefits #identity #sales #ego #religion

    (more…)

  • This German restaurant advert could be so much… besser

    5:24am

    Saint Paul, MN

     

    Yesterday I mentioned that burger joint’s weaksauce newspaper ad. It could be so much better.

    Well it’s pretty early, but I had it on the brain all last night. I thought I’d write some more about the advert.

    (more…)

  • Advice from a World-Renowned Copywriter (Robert Collier Letter Book, Part 1)

    I’m sitting at the dining room table, hand writing some of the sales letters from the Robert Collier Letter Book while my licorice tea cools off.

    Robert Collier Letter Book, 6th Edition, with the library punch card
    Robert Collier Letter Book, 6th Edition, with the library punch card

    Collier was a direct mail writer, successfully selling all kinds of products during his career, including jewelry, tires, books, and clothing.

    Hand writing successful sales letters like these helps to slow down and focus your brain, while (more…)

  • What is your Cash really worth? The Law of Diminishing Returns

    We’ve all been asked to donate to our favorite causes.

    School events, charities, public radio, and politicians have all asked for our cash. They each promise the biggest bang for our buck.

    Politicians ask for small donations not because it makes a large difference, but because you'll remain consistant. Image "Bernie Sanders - Caricature" by DonkeyHotey, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Politicians ask for small donations not because it makes a large difference, but because you’ll remain consistent. Image “Bernie Sanders – Caricature” by DonkeyHotey, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    How about you, have you donated small amounts of cash to any politicians? (more…)

  • I Smell a Rat! The Prisoner’s Dilemma

    Did you know the original Universities were designed as Prisons to keep unruly young men caged up while their hormones drove risky behavior that threatened the local social harmony?

    Rather than allow young people to take risks that help them to grow and experience life, we continue to indoctrinate them with social rules to help keep the order.

    The risks available to busy students are far less violent than what may be the alternatives.

    I don’t remember everything from University. There certainly weren’t a lot of dangerous risks in the small town where I studied.

    Dorm life was a party — and we could smoke indoors! A “career” after graduation seemed a lifetime away. Econ 101 taught me the benefits of Free Trade.

    I hated this class! Photo "Amherst63-012" by NealeA, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    I loved this class! Photo “Amherst63-012” by NealeA, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    And while I learned a lot I’m sure, there is plenty that I didn’t learn.

    Maybe you, too?

    •We didn’t learn how to start a business in university — the mindset of an entrepreneur.

    •We didn’t learn how to create and maintain a budget — the mindset of habit.

    •We didn’t learn to negotiate — the mindset of persuasion.

    This is the reason I’ve started PersuasionReadingList.com — to learn what I should know to understand what moves the human mind, and to share these concepts of influence with you. (more…)

  • Baked Beans Bring Hopkins Back (My Life in Advertising: Chapter 9)

    Do you like to barbecue? How about baked beans, do you like them?

    I like baked beans especially at a barbecue. They’re sweet, with a touch of tomato, brown sugar, and pork. They remind me of summer days and paper plates.

    But I don’t eat baked beans weekly.

    Summer barbecue in 1913. Looks refreshing, doesn't it? Photo courtesy Orange County Archives
    Summer barbecue in 1913. I don’t know if they served baked beans. Looks refreshing, doesn’t it? Photo courtesy Orange County Archives

    Apparently in the early 1900s, baked beans were all the rage. People couldn’t get enough. Baked beans were frequently homemade. They would sometimes ferment while cooking. Other times they would explode in the 16 hour cooking process. That didn’t stop anyone.

    (more…)