“There is no failure…”

“There is no failure…”

Yesterday I caught a little bit of flak for my post on 5 ways to know if you’re going to be a failure… Apparently this was an overwhelmingly negative post — or at least, headline. I think in reading it critically, you can recognize that it’s a “do this, not that” post...
5 ways to know if you’re going to be a failure…

5 ways to know if you’re going to be a failure…

For today’s lesson, I’d like to do something a little bit different. I want to share with you some of the traits I’ve seen of people who fail. Now, I don’t know exactly what your definition of success is. And “fixing” these things might not automatically bring that...
The secret to effective online video sales letters…

The secret to effective online video sales letters…

Today, a quick lesson in online video sales letters. You know, those annoying videos where someone talks while the exact same thing they’re saying is being shown on the screen… Usually with no video controls, ways to skip to the end, or even ways to take them up on...
Warning: dangerous persuasion technique inside

Warning: dangerous persuasion technique inside

Today, I want to talk about one of those things where I feel like it needs to come with a disclaimer. Because it’s really powerful. But it’s also a little bit sinister. So please, use this to be helpful to others — not hurtful. If you’re not going to do that, you...
Copywriting Royalties: How to Get Them (Part 2)

Copywriting Royalties: How to Get Them (Part 2)

Hello and welcome to another Mailbox Monday! Today, it’s time for an update on one of my most popular (and most SEO-friendly) articles for AWAI, Copywriting Royalties: How to Get Them. That was a very fundamentals-based article on structuring royalty arrangements… And...
When it’s time to move on…

When it’s time to move on…

I’m going to keep today’s issue shorter, but point you to a much longer read from someone who I respect and admire greatly. From 2005 until very early 2010, I worked at an IT training publisher in Oregon. We had a ton of success while I was there. The company more...
How to become an expert on any topic…

How to become an expert on any topic…

Gary Halbert used to teach a very simple method for creating a book, report, or other informational product. … With a side-benefit that it can turn you into a recognized expert on a topic in as little as 30 days… Let’s say you’re interested in the golf niche, and want...
The Triumphant Return of Email Marketing…

The Triumphant Return of Email Marketing…

I was listening to The Self Publishing Podcast the other day, and there was a statement that caught my attention. It was about email marketing. Now, I don’t self-publish fiction — which is the topic of that show. Not now, at least. But I listen to this podcast because...
Dan Kennedy is WRONG! (A shift change in consumer demands)

Dan Kennedy is WRONG! (A shift change in consumer demands)

In 2007ish, I did something I recommend all copywriters and direct marketers do. I started a direct marketing “side project.” This one started as more of a coincidence than a plan. My dad had a video he’d recorded on cutting foam wings for model airplanes. It’s his...
Stealing, incest, and where to find breakthrough ideas…

Stealing, incest, and where to find breakthrough ideas…

Yesterday’s post about online fundraising for nonprofits got me thinking. It’s an incredible demonstration of a simple principle. Simple, but powerful. Because this principle can create breakthroughs that transform entire industries. In yesterday’s post, I showed how...
Online Fundraising: A NEW Formula for Success

Online Fundraising: A NEW Formula for Success

WANTED: ONE Direct Response Nonprofit Fundraiser to help me finally crack the code of online fundraising success (and raise a bunch of revenue for your mission)… See below for details. Today I’m going to write specifically to a very small segment of my audience —...
How to pitch your big idea to get the gig…

How to pitch your big idea to get the gig…

So… Um… How about them Ducks? Dang. Gotta give a ton of credit to Ohio State though. They played to win. And win they did. Since I now live in the land of the Big 10, I can be happy that a Big 10 team won. And… Proved the value of this new playoff system. Last year,...