Lessons from football: how to be a better marketer [video]

Lessons from football: how to be a better marketer [video]

It’s football season… And while you won’t find me lost in the TV room all weekend, watching game after game, I do follow our local religion — Nebraska Cornhuskers Football. And in anticipation of what’s bound to be an exciting season for Huskers fans, I’ve been...
How to get rich, according to 233 rich people…

How to get rich, according to 233 rich people…

Over 85% of America’s millionaires are self-made, first-generation rich… It always frustrates me to see media portrayals of rich people — and especially people who got rich through business and free enterprise — that basically say that in order to be rich, you have to...
New technology won’t make you a better marketer…

New technology won’t make you a better marketer…

“Have you seen the new [insert software platform here]?” With that, the conversation is off to the races.  It’s the best thing since sliced bread.  It’s the long-awaited answer to our marketing problems.  It’s the last missing ingredient to make our funnels finally...
Burn your copywriting books…

Burn your copywriting books…

This email is written to one reader in particular, although it’s relevant to many… The main topic — which we’ll get to in a minute — is burning your books on copywriting and marketing.  But first, the context… I’m well into the registration process for my upcoming...
How to convert prospects to leads to clients

How to convert prospects to leads to clients

Today, we go back to the basics — getting leads and clients… It’s Monday — the day I open my mailbox and answer YOUR questions about marketing, selling, copywriting, business-building, and more. To have your question answered in an upcoming Mailbox Monday issue, click...
The 7 Emotional Command Systems [video]

The 7 Emotional Command Systems [video]

This could be the secret to really connecting on an emotional level… I discovered a powerful framework in the work of Dr. John Gottman, considered one of the world’s preeminent researchers on relationships. It’s called The 7 Emotional Command Systems. Have you ever...
A formula for effective upsell copy…

A formula for effective upsell copy…

So you’ve made the first sale — now how do you make the second? Funnels changed the entire economics of online marketing.  When you suddenly started adding offer two, three, four — up to however many — to the sequence AFTER the first sale, the economics of everything...
Bare minimum criteria for success

Bare minimum criteria for success

The vast majority of copywriters never reach “six-figure” status… Much less the famed (and sometimes fabled) seven-figure status of the best-of-the-best. That is… With all the promises of earning $100,000 or multiples of that per year as a copywriter — as much as most...
How to reduce rejection when cold-approaching prospects…

How to reduce rejection when cold-approaching prospects…

Are you afraid of rejection? No doubt — we all are! Nearly every social fear we have seems to be tied, in some way, to the fear of rejection.  Fear of speaking?  Don’t want to be rejected.  Fear of dating?  Don’t want to be rejected.  Fear of networking?  Don’t want...
Wanted: The next great financial copywriter…

Wanted: The next great financial copywriter…

Today’s Video Friday is different. It’s a peek into something different I’ve done in my copywriting/client service business, that is instructive in its own right. But it’s also an invitation directed at newer/novice (but not complete rookie) financial copywriters who...
Would you rather? Ideas vs. Execution

Would you rather? Ideas vs. Execution

Let’s play a little game… Maybe you know it? It’s called, “Would you rather?” The way it works is this. I ask you a question, starting with “Would you rather…” Then you answer it. Since I’m writing this to you and not speaking to you in person, I’ll simply have to...
Memento Mori: Remember, you will die…

Memento Mori: Remember, you will die…

Talking about marketing every day gets boring — so let’s talk about death… I’m certain this will come back around to marketing, selling, persuasion, and business eventually.  But seriously, let’s spend a little time talking about dying. The people I’ve known and...
Do what makes you uncomfortable…

Do what makes you uncomfortable…

Comfortable is a lie… I’m not talking about your mattress, or your pillow, or your clothing.  It’s a virtue of any one of those things to actually be comfortable.  It’s good to have a comfortable mattress — it may actually help you sleep better, and better sleep can...
What to do when you’re smarter than your mentors…

What to do when you’re smarter than your mentors…

Today’s issue should be fun — we get to talk about being better than people! OK — for those who know me, you know that’s a little tongue-in-cheek.  A little. To get anywhere in life, I think you have to have a nice little mix of arrogance and humility. Wanna make it...