Story Power Blog
Stop Wishing and Waiting. Start Selling…
Yesterday, I shared a cautionary tale about list-building raffles and how they fill your CRM with lousy leads. An agreeable reader replied with this: “The people signing up for our raffle were the exact opposite of the people we wanted.” (So far, so good. But then this…) “Now we don’t do anything. A lot of…
An Invitation to Learn From my Mistakes…
One of the reasons I’m hosting a free masterclass about lead magnets (Thursday, Dec. 7 2 p.m. — register here)… …I want you to learn from my lead-magnet mistakes. An example of one of my lead magnet failures from the early days: Soon after I started my email marketing software company, MarketVolt, in 2001, I attended…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.12.04
You’re Invited How to Create Prospect-Attracting Lead Magnets AND Business-Generating Follow-Ups — Quickly & Easily With the right lead magnet (free giveaway), you can attract ideal prospects. With smart, automated follow-up, you can engage those prospects and inspire them to buy. In this free masterclass, I’ll reveal: ✓ Quick, easy ways to create a powerful,…
The Most Common And Clichéd Opening Is…
Is it just me, or has “I hope this email finds you well?” become the single most-overused, cliched, and meaningless opening on the interwebs? Big question. So I turned to a big, AI-powered brain for answers — my GPT-powered copywriting robot, “B-9?” Our conversation — word-for-word — below… 🤖 🤖 🤖 MeHey, “B-9?” What is…
Join us Today (Oprah-inspired, Legend-endorsed)…
It’s not everyday that a marketing legend applauds you for doing something that would “make Oprah proud.” But chalk one up for Ted Prodromou and me. That happened earlier this month when the great Brian Kurtz wrote this post about the Mastermind Book Club. If you’ve never attended a Book Club meeting, today’s your chance. 2:30 p.m.…
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Lead Magnet
Now that we’re finished gobbling Turkey, let the holly, jolly season begin. And nothing says “Holly, Jolly” better than the stop-motion animated movie “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” I watched it earlier this week for the 38-gazillionth time. The made-for-TV movie first aired in 1964, 25 years after a copywriter named Robert L. May wrote the…
I’ve Invented a New Holiday…
I hereby proclaim that today, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, will now and forever be known as… Tick-Tock Tuesday Get me two aspirin and something strong to wash ’em down with… …because I can’t get the echo of that Cyber Monday ticking and tocking from outta my head. Don’t get me wrong. I like door-busing…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.11.27
Recommended Article Don’t Mistake Audience Size for Revenue Potential Which metrics matter? Neil Patel answers in this must-read article. It reveals how to avoid the “vanity metrics” trap and measure what really matters. Recommended Resource Pabbly – A Great Alternative to Zapier Like Zapier, Pabbly is an online platform to build marketing automations. I’ve used Zapier…
Why “You’re Not Alone…” Marketing Works
Earlier this week, I met with a business coach who wants her followers to know it’s OK not to feel OK. My client (let’s call her Emily) planned to write a blog post describing her own emotional ups and downs — how she, too, has times when she feels dejected and doesn’t feel grateful. Quite…
My Thanksgiving Wish for You
Happy Thanksgiving. My wish for you: You spend this day (and many others) around a crowded table, filled with people you love. There’s a song called “Crowded Table.” It captures the wish. Before Covid, I produced monthly concerts as a side gig. A hobby business. A labor of love. I built a big email list.…
Crazy, Stupid Thanksgiving Tales
Thanksgiving Eve. To prepare for tomorrow’s holiday, I’m scanning the inter-webs for crazy, stupid Thanksgiving stories so… …if any crazy, stupid stuff happens at MY holiday party, I can think, “At least we’re not the family where…” Mom and auntie ate way decided Thanksgiving would be a great time to try edibles. They each gobbled…
Robot Generated Jokes: Did you Hear the One About the Fired CEO?
In case you missed it over the weekend, a news update: OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, fired its CEO Sam Altman on Friday. I’ll share my serious take in a moment, but first… …this calls for some jokes! I summoned by GPT-powered copywriting robot, “B-9?” and said, “Tell me some jokes about Sam Altman being fired…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.11.20
Recommended Podcast “Experts Speak” with Michael DeLon (and his special guest… ME) My friend Michael DeLon (a.k.a. “The Paperback Expert”) hosts a great podcast which I’ve recommended before. Last week, he released a new episode featuring yours truly (my second time on the show). Here’s the big twist: We discuss the new marketing technology software I…
How to Get Rid of Looky-loos and Price-shoppers
I woke just after sunrise this morning and took a long hike along the beach in Marco Island, FL. Nice way to kick off National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17). After I finish this email and press send, I’ll join my biz buddies/peers for Day 2 of our quarterly mastermind meeting. Day 1, yesterday,…
I Didn’t Want to Like This Wicked Email, But…
Here’s a new one. One of those appointment-setting firms spammed me yesterday with a twisted pitch that… …ummmmm… …impressed me with its wicked genius. The subject line was “Tom, referral candidate…” and the email started like this: “Tom, Do you guys work with smaller businesses? I run agency/consulting partnerships for Floor 9 Ventures, and I…
How to Persuade — Without Being a Manipulative Scumbag
I’m about to board a Southwest Airlines flight to Florida to spend a few days at a small-group mastermind meeting run by Dave Dee. Dave is an A+ marketer who recently hosted a workshop called “Present, Persuade, & Profit.” He likes to teach by doing. Dave told us he would break down the workshop we…
What Should I Name My App?
My son, Jake, just moved from Fort Collins to Boulder, CO and is looking for a new gym. He checked out the 24 Hour Fitness down the street from his apartment… …but he passed because… …it’s closes Monday-Thursday at 10 p.m. (and earlier on weekends). I think it’s time for 24 Hour Fitness to consider…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.11.13
Recommended Podcast Episode Diana Nyad on Cal Fussman’s Big Questions In 1978, when she was 28, Diana Nyad attempted to become the first person to swim the 111-mile stretch between Cuba and Key West Florida without a shark cage. She failed. She tried again and again and again and failed each time. Then, on her…
You’re Invited to Ask my Anything
It’s time for another episode of “Ask Tom Anything (Preferably About Marketing)” (Catchy name, huh!?) The game is simple. Reply to this email with a pressing question (preferably about marketing). I’ll get back to you as soon as I can — probably over the weekend — with a reply — including resources/gifts to help you.…
The Unfortunate Tale of a Leader Who Flew Alone
I’ll be launching a new small-group, do-it-with-you mastermind after the holidays to help you attract more leads, engage them with captivating content, and persuade them to hire you. If you’d like to hear the details, reply to this email with “tell me more.” But first… …read on for a cautionary tale about… …the power of…
She Asked For Help and Then… 🙄
A few months back, I met a business coach who asked for my help with email marketing. She wanted help, especially, with the follow-up emails for new followers. She said she “really struggles” with this. She shared a few of the follow-up emails she now sends, and I gave her some free advice. Then I…
Charmless Bartender Suppresses Beer Sales (A Cautionary Tale)
A few nights ago, I visited a brew pub with Melissa and two out-of-town guests to grab a bite and some beer. Along with our meal, we got a lesson in customer service — or lack thereof. I saddled up to the bar first. The bartender spotted me. But she didn’t greet me. She was…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.11.06
Recommended Book They Ask You Answer This month’s selection for the Mastermind Book Club: “They Ask, You Answer” by Marcus Sheridan. From the author’s website: “They Ask, You Answer” is a business philosophy which, when embraced fully, will make you the most trusted voice within your industry. “And it begins with an obsession of understanding…
What Inspiration Do You Carry in “Your Pocket?”
Rumor has it Muhammad Ali carried in his pocket a copy of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If.” This morning, in his excellent, weekly newsletter, 5-Bullet Friday, Tim Ferriss said he’s studying the poem. I’m sitting at Lambert St. Louis International Airport waiting to board a plane to Tampa… …and I’m studying the poem, too. I like…
How NOT to Get Burned by Dirty, Rotten, Lying Robots
Reason #473 to attend today’s free masterclass (How to Use AI Wisely 💡 to Save Time ⏱️ & Produce Great Content 🚀 — Without Sacrificing Your Sparkling Personality 🤩 and Humanity)… GPT-powered-robots are dirty, rotten, liars. I’m going to show you how NOT TO GET BURNED by their dirty, rotten, lying ways. I know. Them’s…
You’re Invited… to Relieve Writer’s Block
Tomorrow, I’m hosting a free I’m hosting a free masterclass: How to Use AI Wisely 💡 to Save Time ⏱️ & Produce Great Content 🚀 — Without Sacrificing Your Sparkling Personality 🤩 and Humanity There are 3,273 reasons () you could benefit from this event. Here’s one: AI-robots relieve writer’s block — if you ask…
🎃 Stupid H’ween Jokes — and Other GPT-Powered Treats
Happy Halloween. It’s Melissa’s favorite holiday… …so the halls are decked with witches, skeletons, and things just too gruesome to describe in writing. And then there’s the candy. Mountains of Reese’s and Snickers and Almond Joys and Yorks. 36.3 pounds of candy. Enough chocolate to feed a zombie brigade. In a few hours the neighborhood…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.10.30
Event How to Use AI Wisely to Save Time & Produce Great Content — Without Sacrificing Your Sparkling Personality and Humanity When: Thursday, November 2, 2:30 p.m. ET, 11:30 a.m. PT Where: Zoom (you’ll get the link when you register) What: A free masterclass. I’ll reveal tools, tactics, and strategies I use to save time and produce better content with AI’s help.…
Clueless Human Relies on Brainless Robot (A Cautionary Tale)
I bumped into a bummed out marketer this week who hollered for help in an online forum. His AI-powered marketing failed to generate sales for his software… …which uses AI to write marketing messages. So he asked the humans on Reddit for help. He told us humans he sent a mountain of AI-generated, cold emails…
“The Most Important Advertising Question”
n 2004, on the eve of his retirement, when he was no longer accepting clients, “America’s best copywriter” began to share his most powerful trade secrets by email. His name was Gary Bencivenga and he called the emails “Marketing Bullets.” I’ve been reading Bencivenga’s Bullets again lately, inspired by Brian Kurtz and his book “Overdeliver.”…
Picasso’s Priceless Advice…
Pablo Picasso was born on this day (Oct. 25) in 1881. Before he painted like this ⬇ … …Picasso painted like this ⬇ Makes sense that Picasso said: “Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.” What’s good for Picasso is good for us marketers. That quote (also attributed…
All Great Marketers Must Possess This Quality…
When it comes to being a great marketer, nothing is more important than… …what? … … … … … … … … … The answer: Insatiable curiosity. So says Brian Kurtz in his book Overdeliver… …and I agree. From Chapter 6 of Overdeliver: “If a copywriter I’m considering hiring doesn’t ask me for a ‘list history’ (every…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.10.23
Recommended Book All the Light We Cannot SeeI usually recommend nonfiction/business books, but I’m making an exception today to share one of my all-time favorite novels. This is the story of a blind French girl and a German boy lives intertwine during World War II. I this book. And I learned yesterday: it has been made…
Go Ahead. Swipe Others’ Stuff. Here’s Why…
I came across a cool quote yesterday from Carla Bley. She was a jazz pianist and composer who passed away earlier this week, Austin Kleon shared her words in his newsletter: “Listening is how I started. I didn’t start when I was a piano player. I didn’t start as a composer. I started as a listener.”…
🐻 What Bears Know… That Marketers Oughta
I was talking the other day to a great marketer whose wife loves to go on adventures in the woods… …hikes on backcountry trails where, as he told her… …people have died. “Hikes in the woods? No thanks,” he said. “Remind me not to invite you to our next backcountry fishing adventure,” I said And…
Look, Ma, I’m on “TV” (Watch and Get a Gift)
Wouldn’t you know it… I make my “TV” debut… …and my mama is on a boat in some Norwegian fjord, gazing at the northern lights, and doesn’t have a clue. She’ll have to watch when she returns home… …but you can watch right now… Actionera TV is live in your favorite app store, and I’m…
Invitation to Meet a Marketing Legend
I remember the first time I read Brian Kurtz’s book “Overdeliver” and got to the part where he refers to your email list as “your online family.” I thought, “What a great way to describe your list!” Kurtz’s idea: Your list is not some inanimate asset. It’s a collection of human beings — all who…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.10.16
Recommended Resource The Financial Freedom Formula E-BookI’ve met more than a few “successful” business people who are not financially free. They wonder if their money will last through retirement. They work extra hours because they need the extra dough. They worry they have to sacrifice one thing in their life to afford something else they want or…
A Subject Line that Stinks More Than Blue Cheese 😷
The email from Rocky screamed at me from my spam folder… …with a subject line so stinky I had to share it with you: “Re: #Give me Appointment Please…!!” I opened the email (only because I thought I’d write an email about it)… …and found a pitch for credit card processing services. My reaction: No…
How to Evolve Beyond Paint-by-numbers Marketing
We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you this important announcement: You still have time to register for today’s free masterclass, How to Turn Your Book (or Other Content) Into a Lead-Attracting, Client-Generating Machine. Details and registration here. Now, back to our program… After seeing Lucinda Williams in concert on Sunday, I bought her memoir, Don’t Tell…
A Success Secret From “The World’s Greatest Salesman”
First, a quick correction… In yesterday’s email, I said this Thursday’s masterclass would be on June 12… …which doesn’t make any sense… …because we’re in October… …meaning this Thursday’s masterclass is actually on October 12 (2:30 p.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. CT). So if you want to attend the training called… …How to Turn Your Book (or Other Content) Into…
No More Missed Opportunities — If you Attend This…
I racked my brain this morning to come up with a great anecdote to promote Thursday’s masterclass… …How to Turn Your Book (or Other Content) Into a Lead-Attracting, Client-Generating Machine… …and I kept going back to one I emailed just a few months back. So, yes, this is a rerun… …but I can think of no…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.10.09
Recommended Reading Re-Building Your Brain & Becoming The Person You Want To BeI love this post by August Bradley — who has helped me “re-build” my brain and implement life management systems that transformed how I work. At the end of the post, you can subscribe to his Life Design Newsletter which I highly recommend.…
You’re Invited…
On Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. CT), I’m hosting a live masterclass: How to Turn Your Book (or Other Content) Into a Lead-Attracting, Client-Generating Machine You’ll want to attend this event if you have a book (or plan to write one)… …or if you have any other kind of lead magnet (e-book, video,…
Did I Just Dream The Next Big Thing?
Last night, I had the craziest dream. I invented a wi-fi-enabled blender with a vertical video screen built into the side of the container… …so you can watch TikTok videos while making smoothies. Brilliant! …or so I thought… …until I asked my GPT-powered copywriting robot, B-9(?), for his opinion. He said the younger, “tech-savvy” crowd…
Holy Missed Opportunity, Batman (A Cautionary Tale) 😫
A cautionary tale about missed opportunities… I recently met a fitness trainer who wrote a bestselling book. On his website, he offers a .pdf copy of the book for free (good). I filled out the form to get the book and jumped to a confirmation page with this message: 🥱 🥱 🥱 That’s missed opportunity…
Why I Let my Thoughts Run…
Greetings from Denver, Colorado, where I’m grabbing a quick breakfast before delivering a TED-style talk called How to Generate Client Attracting Content — Without Writer’s Block. The big idea in my talk: Anyone can assemble great content if they can master a simple framework. Content creation is more craft than magic art… But that doesn’t mean…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.10.02
Recommended Reading Stop Trying to Measure EverythingI believe in measuring and testing. But I also know a lot of the most popular marketing metrics are meaningless — including email opens. This is a great article that says we should view out marketing through an “outcome based lens,” rather than measuring “everything.” 🤖The Man Behind ChatGPTAs…
This Email is About Taylor Swift (Kind Of)
Taylor Swift is in the news… …again. And I want to understand why. So I turned to the one-and-only who could help me make sense of this… … … … … …my great and powerful GPT-powered copywriting robot, B-9(?). Here’s our conversation: Me: Hey, B-9(?), what’s the big deal about Taylor Swift? B-9(?): Hey Tom!…
My Priceless Advice for a Copywriter Called “Lice”
I got an email this morning from a pitchy, pesty subscriber who offered to help me with my copywriting. To protect the “innocent,” I’ll call her “Lice.” Lice signed up for my list 17 days ago and claims she read all my emails since. She offered a 21-day trial period where she would work with…
Let’s Learn from Henry Ford’s Epic Biz Failure
Happy Birthday to the Model T. The first one came off the assembly line on this day (Sept. 27) in 1908. Time to trot out the tired tales about Henry Ford’s genius… …or not. Tired tale: Henry Ford invented — or at least perfected — the assembly line. The truth, as stated by his colleague…
They Fired their AI Copywriting Robot. Here’s Why…
A cautionary tale about enlisting AI as your ghost writer… My friends Greg and Danielle are residential real estate brokers in Alaska. A few months ago, they began to use ChatGPT to write their listings. They figured the AI copywriting robot would save time and might generate better listings. Here’s what they found instead… Their…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.09.25
Must Read… A Copywriting Master Says, “Show, Don’t Tell”My friend Jack Turk is a world class copywriter and instructor who dishes out some priceless wisdom in this short LinkedIn post. Must reading for anyone who wants to create great content. Recommended Viewing Your Elusive Creative Genius (Elizabeth Gilbert)This is a great TED talk. Elizabeth Gilbert…
[Time Sensitive] This Offer Made my Jaw Hit the Floor…
If you’re a coach or consultant and you want to get more clients faster and easier than ever, I’m about to share with you an irresistible offer that expires tonight (Friday) at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. Here’s the crazy thing: I didn’t even know about this offer until yesterday evening when my friend Virginia Muzquiz…
More Marketing Lessons from a Master Fisherman
Mini Me did it again. I spent last week in Wyoming, fly fishing with my high school pals. My son, Jake, joined us. And as Mini Me always does, he schooled us. A few years ago, Jake and I went fishing in Colorado. He caught 47 fish. I caught two. (That story and its related business…
Why I celebrate opt-outs
Another day, another opt-out. This morning it was Louise. Yesterday, Julius quit my list. Anna on Sunday, Vanessa on Saturday. And so on. Once upon a time, I would have mourned each and every opt-out. Today, I celebrate! Here’s the story… Earlier this month, I participated in Virginia Muzquiz’s Six Figure Success Giveaway. I was one…
Saul Goodman’s Marketing Genius
Want to watch a marketing master at work? Tune into Better Call Saul… …especially Season 4, Episode 4. That’s the episode when Jimmy (soon to rename himself “Saul”) works at the mobile phone store. Prepaid phone sales are slow. So Jimmy buys some yellow and red window paint and writes in giant lettering: IS THE MAN…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.09.18
Events 5 Ways to Build Your Email List — Without Paid AdsEvery month, Dean Isaacs and I host a 5in25 Training — five tips in 25 minutes, plus Q&A. This month’s event: When: Thursday, September 21, 3. p.m. ET Where: Live on Zoom What: Dean and I will share 5 tips to reveal: ✓ Simple…
In Honor of the Big Holiday…
Today is National Online Learning Day… …but, of course, you already knew that… …because EVERYONE looks forward to National Online Learning Day. In honor of the big day and the entire weekend of online learning celebration, I offer you an opportunity to get my most popular online learning product for more than half off. The…
Yes, I AM Dumber Than a 5th-grader
From the banks of the North Platte River in Southern Wyoming Well, don’t I feel stooo-pid? I ran across this brain teaser on social media the other day… What is the number on the parking spot? The guy who posted the puzzler said many grade-schoolers solved it in less than 10 seconds. “Easy-peasy,” I thought.…
How He Persuaded Himself to Live With Parkinson’s
How’s this for an attention-getting headline… READ THIS OR DIE The legendary copywriter Jim Rutz wrote that headline, followed by this copy: “Today you have a 95 percent chance of eventually dying from a disease or condition for which there is already a known cure somewhere on the planet. The editor of Alternatives would like to free…
Before You Tell Your Story, Consider This…
Alfred Hitchcock couldn’t have dreamt up this one… …another ripped-from-the-headlines cautionary tale about how NOT to get away with murder: A rapper was arrested in Las Vegas last month after police said he “confessed to the murder in his (song) lyrics.” Kenjuan McDaniel was already a suspect in the shooting death of Randall Wallace in…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.09.11
Remembering 9/11 Bruce Springsteen’s “Into the Fire”Today is September 11 — 22 years since that day. Eleven months after the attacks, Bruce Springsteen released the album “The Rising.” I remember the first time I listened to it on the day it was released. I particularly remember the second track, “Into the Fire.” I cried when I…
They love me. They really love me… in where!?!?
I got the big news yesterday… …in an email from “Carlos.” My podcast, The Story Power Marketing Show, is doing very well in Apple Podcast rankings. “Position 4 in the category Marketing…” … … … … … … in Tanzania . Eat your hearts out, competing podcasters. I’ve hit the big-time in southest Africa. I’ve scaled podcasting’s Kilimanjaro. …
I Can’t Put This Book Down…
I’m under the weather today 🤒. So I spent the morning in bed, reading a book I can’t put down. It’s called Read This or Die by Ray Edwards, and it’s this month’s selection for the Mastermind Book Club. I’m feeling better than earlier so I dragged myself out of bed and planned to write an afternoon edition…
How Often Should You “Sell” in Your Emails?
In a moment, I’m going to tell you how to get a free copy of my upcoming book. But first… …another sneak peek, this from Chapter 7… I asked ChatGPT recently, “How often should I sell in my emails?” The robot hemmed and hawed a bit before saying, “A common approach is to follow the…
Ripken Rules to Keep Going and Going and Going
I didn’t sleep well last night. No big deal. It happens. Now, bleary-eyed and foggy-headed, I sit before my laptop. Some mornings I arrive with a story idea, ready to roll. This morning, like many others, I’m starting from scratch. Just me, a blank screen, and no idea what to write. But I have habits…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.09.04
Podcast (Recommended Listening) Cal Fussman and Sally Jenkins re: Best Takeaways from SportsThe latest episode of Cal Fussman’s Big Questions podcast. He interviews Sally Jenkins, an award-winning sports writer, whose new book, The Right Call, explores the qualities that help top athletes and coaches achieve greatness. Citing greats such as Bill Belichick, Peyton Manning, Michael Phelps, and more, Jenkins…
Scoop up Some Business-building Brilliance
My friend Virginia Muzquiz is a referral marketing master. But when it comes to creating marketing emails, she couldn’t get her mojo working. So she signed up for my Content Marketing Masters program and… …well… …let’s hear Virginia describe it… “Today was the first day I wrote an email for my list and experienced pleasure while I…
A Crazy, Stupid Way to Cover Up a Murder
Ripped from the headlines… …a cautionary tale about choosing the wrong tool for the job. Police in Orlando Beach arrested a Florida woman named Nichole this month for allegedly killing her roommate, Michael. The cops found Michael dead in his bedroom. Stab wounds galore. They found Nichole at a bar down the street. She was…
Why “Society” is Not to Blame if Your Biz Falters
I crossed paths this morning with a coach who struggles to turn prospects into clients. Over the past month, she struck out seven times in a row with prospects who met with her (four) or talked with her (three). Her take? “Society” doesn’t understand what coaches do or, worse yet, there are “social prejudices” against…
Why Great Creators Have Their Heads in The Clouds
When Dixie Gillaspie was growing up in Kansas, her father used to say, “Dixie, get your head out of the clouds.” Dixie refused. “I don’t want to get my head out of the clouds,” Dixie recently told me, “Because my ‘head in the clouds time’ to anybody else might look like idle daydreaming. For me,…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.08.28
Article Indiana Jones and a Super Simple SEO Hack“The Holy Grail of SEO isn’t a secret algorithm or magic keyword potion. It’s about understanding what people are REALLY searching for.” So says my pal Adam Kreitman who (understatement alert ) knows what’s he’s talking about when it comes to marketing — especially the search engine part.…
Greetings From the Spawn of Satan(?)
Ahhhh… I see you’ve opened my email today. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! You’ve fallen for my evil desperate ploy. I can’t hide the truth any longer. Melissa, our twins, my mother, and my Magic 8 Ball … …have encouraged me to get it out in the open. So now is the time to come clean……
Invitation: All You Can Eat Business Insights
About 10 minutes into my interview with Ann Carden for her Raise Your Bar Summit, she asked me about common mistakes people make when weaving stories into their marketing. And I was off! Holy-moly, there are so many. And I covered ’em like Mrs. Butterworth’s on a stack of pancakes. Ann will release that interview tomorrow —…
Game of Scones (Biz Lessons From the Pie Wars)
Here’s a winner-loser tale to chew on… (Trigger warning: If you dislike silly puns, you may wish to move on.) It plays out every Saturday morning at the Tower Grove Farmers Market, down the street from Story Power HQ in St. Louis. Many Saturday mornings, Melissa and I visit the market to stock up on…
How Jeff Tweedy’s Dad Wrote One Poem… and then Another
In his brilliant book How to Write One Song, Jeff Tweedy tells a story about his Dad who would go to the basement when he was sad or mad, drink a beer or two, and write a poem. Jeff Tweedy writes lyrics and music for a living. He’s the founder and leader of the band Wilco. But…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.08.21
Article Are You Making This LinkedIn Mistake?Ted Prodromou is a LinkedIn master. This article is for those who want LInkedIn to work for them, but haven’t figured out how. A great, short read, loaded with lessons. Events Mastermind Book Club re: How to Write One Song(Thursday, August 24, 2:30 PM ET) Speaking of Ted Prodromou, join…
“The Most Powerful Speech of All Time Started With…”
A couple of years back, I got an email from marketing master Karl Bryan who wrote: “The most powerful speech of all time started with ‘I have a Dream!’ It didn’t start with ‘I have a step-by-step plan.’” I stashed that line in my “email ideas” file and came across it this week (there’s a…
The Rerun RX for Writer’s Block
Yesterday, email marketing master Laura Belgray broadcast a rerun… …and I loved it. It was a story about a Grammar-Cop Attorney who criticized Laura for using the phrase “‘Looking forward to hearing back” in an email. That “…is NOT a sentence. It is a sentence fragment,” Grumpy Grammar Puss sniffed. Laura shared the story to…
The Tragic Tale of Farmer Brown
Once upon a time, there lived a man named Brown who ran a dairy farm. Farmer Brown owned 100 cows, all with udders full of milk. But no one was buying Farmer Brown’s milk, and he was going broke. When he first bought the farm, Brown hired a helper who didn’t know how to milk…
How to Grow Profits Without Scraping and Scrambling for New Leads
I met last week with a financial planner who wants to run a live seminar. His plan: Attract new leads to the seminar, encourage attendees to schedule a free consultation, and convert those who sign-up into clients. I asked: “And what about those who attend but don’t sign up for the consultation?” “F%c#-’em,” he said.…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.08.14
You’re Invited… The Raise the Bar SummitI’m very choosy about the events I associate with. When Ann Carden invited me to speak at her event, I jumped at the chance — because Ann is a business coach I respect and she filled the speakers roster with so many other great people. You can register now…
Why I’m Happy to be Human — Despite the Ups and Downs
Last night, Melissa and I saw the rock opera Rent at The Muny, the great outdoor theater one mile from our house in St. Louis. It was a beautiful, cloudless night — mild and breezy. The second act opened with Seasons of Love (“…five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes. How do you measure a year in the life?”)…
Why Brand Awareness May Leave You Broke
I stumbled upon a content marketing cage fight this morning. In one corner, the “brand awareness” marketers. In the other corner, the “bottom line marketers.” It went like this… A frustrated marketing assistant posted on a discussion board about his TikTok efforts. He’s grown his company’s TikTok followers from 1,831 to 2,047, but his bosses…
Why I Never Suffer From Writer’s Block…
One of the reasons I write week-daily emails without suffering writer’s block: I have a system to find email-worthy content ideas. I regularly mine for content gold — or ask my assistants to dig for me — in 15 places. Just last week… I dug up a story from the “On This Day” calendar of…
He Wants to Write Great Emails, But…
A cautionary tale about email marketing gone wrong… In February, I met an executive coach who asked me to sign up for his email list. I visited his site, found the “Subscribe for Email Updates” form buried at the bottom of the homepage, and entered my name and address. I instantly received a confirmation email……
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.08.07
Book “Blind Fear” by Brandon Webb and John David MannJohn David Mann, who co-wrote the “Go-Giver” books with Bob Burg, has partnered with former Navy Seal Brandon Mann to write six books — including thrill thrillers. “Blind Fear” is the third thriller in the “Finn series.” My recommendation: Read the first two — Steal Fear…
How to Steal Like Disney to Conquer Writer’s Block
Later today, I’m hosting a free training called “How to Generate a Flood of Client-Attracting Content Ideas.” (Still time to register to attend and/or get the replay.) During the training I’ll share this story… This morning, I visited OnThisDay.com to dig up historical events, birthdays, deaths, and more that happened… umm… on this day. I visit this site often.…
The Thing I Wish I’d Done When I was Starting in Biz
My 26-year-old son called me yesterday for some business advice. He’s launching a new venture this month, and he wanted to pick my brain. We discussed legal matters, marketing/sales, and finances. And then we discussed mindset. I told him the story of how I didn’t focus on mindset when I was his age… …and it…
What Great Storytelling is… And is Not
Sixty-one years ago today, a guy named Robert Allen Zimmerman legally changed his name to Bob Dylan. In a few months, I’ll publish a book that embraces Bob Dylan on its very first page. Here’s how the book — at least in its first draft form – begins: When I was a young boy, my…
The Oppenheimer Formula for Captivating Content
Over the weekend, Melissa and I saw Oppenheimer. The movie is 3 hours long, and we loved every minute. Through Sunday it had earned $406 million worldwide. (Melissa and I are not alone.) Once upon a time, studios were reluctant to release movies longer than TWO hours. Bean-counters at Paramount demanded that Francis Ford Coppola chop 30+…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.07.31
Article Closed/Open (by Seth Godin)Why is better so elusive for some people? That’s the question Seth Godin explores in this short, brilliant post. Reading time: <1 minute. Impact: massive. Book How to Write One Song: Loving the Things We Create and How They Love Us Back (by Jeff Tweedy)I wore out my highlighter reading this one (and…
You’re Invited…
Next week, I’ll host a free one-hour workshop — How to Generate a Flood of Client-Attracting Content Ideas. If you ever feel stuck (or slow) coming up with ideas for emails, social posts, videos or any other content… …this is for you. I’ll share strategies and tactics I’ve developed and perfected over 20+ years of doing…
Why Your Life Stories Repel Prospects — and What to Do About It…
I bumped into a frustrated storyteller/marketer this morning in an online forum who wrote: “The problem I had was choosing a really interesting topic for storytelling. Because nobody cares about your everyday life except you and your team. I wrote sincerely, and in the end I got so few hits.” Ahhhh… A tale as old…
Biz Lessons From a Munchy-curing Girl Scout
Another episode of Business Lessons from the Dispensary… In yesterday’s episode, I shared the tale of a dispensary in Baltimore that took product demos to new highs. Read that here. Marketing master (and Story Power email subscriber) Ted Prodromou chimed in on LinkedIn and said my story reminded him of this one… In 2018, a savvy Girl…
Pot Peddler Takes Product Demos to New Highs
Ripped from the headlines… …another story for the “you can’t make this stuff up” file… Last month, government killjoys in Baltimore shut down a dispensary after a surprise inspection revealed illegal try-before-you-buy activity. Turns out Cookies dispensary fired up free samples – token tokes – for anyone strolling by. According to the shut-down notice, the…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.07.24
Article Coincidence or Cosmic Connection? (by Adam Kreitman)Marketing advocate Adam Kreitman has done it again with this great post about the importance of knowing your target audience on a deep level. I read a lot of posts and articles every week. This one was easily the best. Blog / Email List Leadership Freak by Dan…
I ❤️ Fear. Here’s Why…
Interesting question: Which work “better” for marketing — negative stories or positive ones? I hear this question often, and I heard it again yesterday after I finished a live webinar. Most who ask this question tell me they prefer positive stories. They don’t want to dish out negative stories. That’s “fear-based marketing” they say. And…
The Moon-walk Didn’t Happen!? Here’s “Proof”
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin took this picture 54 years ago today (July 20) while he and Neil Armstrong were walking on the moon… I was four years old and watched the moon walk on TV. One of my earliest and fondest memories. So it rocked my world a few years back when I saw a Facebook…