Tom Ruwitch

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True story: Guy sells Brooklyn Bridge

By Tom Ruwitch

Here’s the story of how Paul Hartunian became the first person to “sell” the Brooklyn Bridge — for real. For years, scammers and hoodlums “sold” the bridge to gullible dupes. But Hartunian’s offer was the real deal. It was 1983. Hartunian was living in New Jersey, across the Hudson from New York City. He was…

RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2025.10.27

By Tom Ruwitch

Recommended Reading 📢RIP to the Old PR Master by Ben Settle Legendary PR master Paul Hartunian died earlier this month. Never heard of him? Well, he’s the guy who sold the Brooklyn Bridge — one piece at a time — and it was NOT a scam. (I’ll share that story later this week in another…

This “Completely Changed” How He Thinks About Writing Copy

By Tom Ruwitch

My friend Ted Prodromou sent a fantastic email to his list on Wednesday, and I’ve swiped it for you. Ted and I hosted the legendary copywriter David Garfinkel on Tuesday to discuss his book “The Persuasion Story Code” with members of the Mastermind Book Club. It was an incredible discussion — valuable for anyone who…

⏳ Last chance: LinkedIn Training Today

By Tom Ruwitch

Quick reminder: Jason Osborn’s live LinkedIn training starts today (10/23, 2:30 p.m. ET) If you haven’t registered yet, click here and save a seat. I heard yesterday from someone who got my invitation to this training and said, “LinkedIn is just a big job board; it’s not a place to market your business and find leads.”…

Does This Make You Cringe, Too?

By Tom Ruwitch

Six words that make me cringe: “I came across your profile and…” The first time or three I received messages like this on LinkedIn, I felt honored. (“Gosh, he was ‘impressed’ by my profile!’) But that grew old — quickly. And I saw the messages for what they were: Impersonal, spammy cold pitches. There’s a…

Most People Use LinkedIn Wrong — Are You One of Them?

By Tom Ruwitch

Want to know why I highly recommend Jason Osborn’s liveLinkedIn training? Because he’ll show you how to use LinkedIn to land more clients — without spinning your wheels or being a pitchy pest. (Details below). Most people treat LinkedIn like Facebook or Instagram and wonder why nothing happens. (The wheel spinners). Or they act like this…

RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2025.10.20

By Tom Ruwitch

Recommended Training đź”— Free LinkedIn Training On Thursday, Jason Osborn will host a free training session — for my online family — where he’ll reveal how to attract high-quality leads on LinkedIn the authentic way. No paid ads. No spammy tactics. Just proven strategies that work. Details and registration here. Recommended Bootcamp Starts Today đź“§…

Why Great Copywriters Reject the “Hero’s Journey”

By Tom Ruwitch

In Chapter 1 of his book The Persuasion Story Code, David Garfinkel says: A friendly warning: You may have heard of a widely held theory that the only kind of story which works for persuasion in business is what is known as ‘the hero’s journey.’ While this complex, long-form narrative can work in persuasion, it rarely does.…

Meet the Persuasion Master Who Became the Pioneering Teacher

By Tom Ruwitch

By 1999, David Garfinkel had already made it as a copywriter. He’d written a sales letter that brought in $40 million for one client. He’d studied under the masters. He knew the craft inside and out. While taking a screenwriting course in California, David often would cite connections in class between what they were learning…

How Unexpected Benefits Stories from Ignored to Irresistible

By Tom Ruwitch

A long, long time ago, the great orator Daniel Webster served as auctioneer for the sale of a New Hampshire farm. Here’s Webster’s pitch: “Neighbors, we’re not auctioning Tom Brown’s good milk cows… or 80 acres of fine land… or a sturdy home that’s seen 20 winters. “No. I’m offering you the chance of biting…