Getting Things Done by David Allen [One Big Idea]

Getting Things Done by David Allen [One Big Idea]

This is perhaps the world’s most popular productivity book… The book is Getting Things Done, The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen. It was released all the way back in March 2015.  And even still, it’s ranked Amazon’s #2 best-selling Time Management...
Grammar is a low-value skill…

Grammar is a low-value skill…

I’m going to get some hate for this one… I know a lot of people who consider themselves to be writers.  Including many Breakthrough Marketing Secrets readers.  And most of them will disagree with what I’m about to tell you. In fact, some of them will very much want to...
KISS me… [copywriting secret]

KISS me… [copywriting secret]

This is my biggest weakness as a copywriter… And no, it has nothing to do with kissing…  Or the rock band KISS. Rather, it has to do with writing in a really simple way. I like to think. I like to think of myself as a thinker. I like to be thoughtful. I appreciate...
Every head in the room turned…  [first impressions]

Every head in the room turned… [first impressions]

When he walked into the room, every head turned… There was something about him. Yes, he looked good.  Fit, healthy, full of energy.  Nice clothes.  Well-groomed.  But even all these details were merely on the nice side of normal. It wasn’t just his appearance.  It was...
Break free from the Upwork/freelance job site trap…

Break free from the Upwork/freelance job site trap…

“Copywriting and direct marketing are a commodity business…” I still remember when Perry Marshall made that assertion.  I first heard him talk about it at a closed-door training session at Boardroom in 2013.  Then he doubled down on the message in 2014, at The Titans...
Grow your copywriting biz — another perspective [video]

Grow your copywriting biz — another perspective [video]

Here’s a surprise new take on Video Friday… Earlier this week, my coach and friend Joseph Rodrigues released an “insights and perspectives” video on my book — The Copywriter’s Guide To Getting Paid. In case you’re not familiar, Joseph does a few things with these...
You must make offers…

You must make offers…

“You might be an idiot if…” Remember the old Jeff Foxworthy sketch, “You might be a redneck, if…”? As a comedy album, it peaked at number 38 on the billboard chart. And it was quite the schtick.  He made fun of people for being rednecks, while also smiling and nodding...
Are you competitive? [gamify your success]

Are you competitive? [gamify your success]

I have a love/hate relationship with competition… It’s too easy for it to get out of hand. My kids — not knowing better — turn EVERYTHING into a competition.  That’s a good way to never be happy. “Last one to…” “My LEGO set is the best…” “You’re not even any good at…”...
You need a strong ego [for marketing & copywriting]

You need a strong ego [for marketing & copywriting]

“Ego is the enemy.” That’s actually the title of a book I like and generally agree with, about Stoic philosophy. But it’s also a terrible and misleading statement. Because your ego is your friend.  And having a bigger, stronger, healthier ego is actually the answer....
Case studies are underrated

Case studies are underrated

Sometimes complex marketing problems have simple solutions… I was talking to a neighbor today.  He’s in a business where he’s basically a problem solver. There’s a generic name for people who do what he does.  But it doesn’t really tell you anything — it’s wildly...
Greatness: Motivational Video

Greatness: Motivational Video

Okay, this feels really vulnerable… Today’s Video Friday is very different than anything I’ve ever done. It’s a short 2-minute video.  You could call it spoken word.  It was actually written to go over a hip-hop beat.  But I’ve NOT released it and NOT released it for...