Story Power Blog
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.03.25
Spring Art, Saint Louis, Missouri, March 2024 #allthisusefulbeauty (Photo byĀ Caren Libby) Recommended Events Ā Mastermind Book Club re: “How to Work a Room”We were supposed to do this last month, but technical difficulties messed that up. So… The Mastermind Book Club will discuss Susan RoAne’s “How to Work a Room” THIS month — and the author…
Ewe Have to See This…
I bumped into my GPT-powered robot, “B-9?” this morning in the break room at Story Power HQ. Since I hadn’t come up with an idea for today’s email, I asked “B-9?” to dig up some weird, amusing news stories to inspire me. “B-9?” zipped over to his office, dug through his digital file cabinet, and…
1 Week Until…
I got the idea for today’s email from my handy-dandy holidays calendar… …which told me today is National Countdown Day. March 21. 3-2-1… (Get it?) Convenient timing for this silly, made-up, meaningless holiday because… …I’m putting the finishing touches on Club Storyville… …which will launch in āµ week so… Let the countdown begin! Club Storyville will…
A Story About the Client-attracting Power of Stories…
Happy World Storytelling Day. Let’s celebrate with a quick story about the client-attracting power of stories. At Stanford University, Chip Heath asked his students to give one-minute speeches that contained three statistics and one story. Some time after the speeches, Heath quizzed students on what they heard. Only 5% of the students remembered a single…
From Daily Grind to Fabulous Adventure…
AtomicSquirell is having a midlife crisis. He has spent the majority of his professional life in advertising. But he lacks passion for his work. He appreciates “the artistic aspects” of the profession, but he hates other aspects — including “the daily grind” and “the relentless focus on sales.” I get it, AtomicSquirell. I used to…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.03.18
Hay House in the Ozarks, Crawford County, Missouri, March 2024 #allthisusefulbeauty Recommended Events š»How to be A Ghost Buster: Capture & Convert Prospects to ClientsI’m a Lynn Whitbeck fan! She’s a sales and leadership who teaches how to end sales chaos and amplify profits using a robust strategic sales plan. On Thursday, March 28, 2024…
Gamification Nation: The Power of Score-keeping
I solved this morning’s Wordle puzzle in three guesses… …and my streak lives on. 58 days and countingĀ Wordle is a game where you get six tries to guess a five-letter word. With each guess, the puzzle gives you feedback. It reveals if a letter you guessed is in the right place, in the word…
The Wrong and Right Recipes to Cook up Profits…
A self-proclaimed “email marketer” posted a diatribe on Reddit recently, accusing a biscuit company of “assaulting his inbox.” He ordered some biscuits online, and then the biscuit company sent him, on average, five emails per week. “Sending five emails per week is not the way to stay top-of-mind,” he declared. He suggested sending “fortnightly” emails…
Princess Kate Flubbed Photoshop. Off with Her Head!
Princess Kate and her pals at the palace are in hot water.In case you’ve missed the relentless news coverage, here’s the story… Last week, the British Royals released this photo of the Princess and her kiddos… A bunch of news agencies ran the photo but then pulled it because they discovered digital alterations The Princess…
Women and Vegans Welcome Here…
When Charlotte was 20 and just getting started as a writer, she sent one of her creations to England’s top poet. Poet Laureate Robert Southey liked Charlotte’s work. But in a letter dated March 12, 1837, he wrote, “Literature cannot be the business of a womanās life: & it ought not to be. The more…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.03.11
Typewriter Keys, March 2024 #allthisusefulbeauty #stuffinmyhouse Recommended Service šGiftHopperOne of my smartest business moves over the last couple of years: Implementing GiftHopper. One of my resolutions this year: Expand my use of GiftHopper. I use GiftHopper to deliver thank you gifts to clients, partners, and other key business associates. I simply give them the list…
He Didn’t Want His Name in THESE Red Lights…
Sydney Story didn’t ask to have the red light district named after him (who would ask for that???). It just turned out that way. Here’s Story’s story: He was an alderman in New Orleans who, in 1897, wrote legislation to establish “The District. It was an area north of the French Quarter where prostitution (technically…
Why I Mourn AND Celebrate
Today is my birthday… …which means I’m thinking more than usual about my dad. Dad died on this day in 1990, my 25th birthday. That evening, family and friends gathered at our house to remember Dad and mourn our loss. At some point, Mom interrupted the somber chatter by marching into the living room with…
Reason #372 to hate GoDaddy…
LAST CHANCE to register for today’s masterclass:How to Put Personality In Your Content So You Stand Out, Attract Raving Fans, and Land More/Better Clients.Ā Today (March 6), 2 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. CT. RegisterĀ here. Now back to our regularly scheduled program… I hate GoDaddy.Ā Usually, I’m not the hating kind. But when it comes to GoDaddy,…
Knock, knock…
I asked my GPT-powered copywriting robot, “B-9?” to come up with some jokes to help me promote tomorrow’sĀ masterclass… How to Put Personality In Your Content So You Stand Out, Attract Raving Fans, and Land More/Better Clients. Here’s one: Knock, knock. Whoās there? Harry. Harry who? Hurry up and sign up if you want your content…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.03.04
Radiator Cover, February 2024 #allthisusefulbeauty #stuffinmyhouse Podcast (Story Power Marketing Show) Ā The Secret to Create 30 Days of Content in Just 90 Minutes a Month Aaron Witnish is the co-founder ofĀ contentonly.auĀ which specialises in an extraction system that creates 30 days of content In just 90 minutes a month. Aaron’s been marketing online since 2008, has…
How to Summon Your Creative Power — Even if you Think You’re not Creative
Last week, during a meeting of my Story Power Content Transformation Academy, one of the VIP members told us he doesn’t know how to be creative. He can’t come up with ideas for entertaining content. To help him get over the hump, I shared with him a story from a few years back, and I…
Easy-peasy… and Bad (a Cautionary Tale)
At next week’s masterclass (How to Put Personality in Your Content…), I’ll share ways I use AI to help me produce more content with less time and and effort. (More on that below) We’re going to have a big crowd for the masterclass… How to Put Personality In Your Content So You Stand Out, Attract Raving…
You’re Invited… to Stand Out and Be Hired
In case you missed it yesterday… You’re invited to a masterclass next week called: How to Put Personality In Your Content So You Stand Out, Attract Raving Fans, and Land More/Better Clients. Wednesday, March 6 at 2 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. CT… Click the button below to claim your seat… I’m doing this because… Struggling content…
Why Personality Punch is More Valuable than Texas Tea
Come and listen to my story ’bout a man named Fred… …(named changed to protect the guilty)… …a poor marketer, barely kept his family fed. You see, Fred was one of those marketers who spouted unproven “rules” — as if they were commandments from the mountaintop. “Rules” full of more bullsh*t than the compost pile…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.02.26
Tree Trunk Near My House, January 2023 #allthisusefulbeauty You’re Invited Ā How to Put Personality In Your Content So You Stand Out, Attract Raving Fans, and Land More/Better ClientsA free masterclass on Wednesday, March 6, 2 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. CT because… …People don’t hire you based on what you know. They hire you based on…
You Don’t Have to be a Genius to Generate “Genius” Content
Earlier this week, a happy reader replied to one of my emails and called it “genius.” I have a love/hate relationship with notes like that. On one hand, I’m delighted she’s delighted. When I send an email, I aim to captivate and delight readers. On the other hand, I don’t like readers to think I’M…
OpenAI Blames “Inference Kernels.” I Blame Booze & Dope.
“You’re in big trouble, mister!” I said. My GPT-powered robot, “B-9?” sat before me quietly, hands on his knees, chin on his chest as a delivered the verdict and punishment… “GUILTY & GROUNDED… “No going out this weekend. No Angry Birds on your phone. No binge watching “Real Housewives of Atlanta.” No sudokus or mini…
Valuable Lessons From a Terrible Email
It’s time for another episode of “Email Rescue — Cautionary Tales from Tom’s Spam Folder” I salvage junk from the folder and share the don’ts-and-don’ts it contains… …so YOU can learn from the spammer’s mistakes… …and create more captivating, less irritating content. The email I’m salvaging landed yesterday at 10:58 a.m. with the subject line…
An Ode to Noticing
It snowed here in St. Louis on Friday. By Saturday morning, the melt was on. Melissa opened the front door to go for a walk. She began to step on the door mat, but stopped… …because she saw this… “Snowy Symmetry” she called it when she texted the photo to me. That diagonal line near…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.02.19
“Snowy Symmetry” by Melissa Ruwitch, Feb. 2024 #allthisusefulbeauty Recommended Reading & Event Ā Mastermind Book Club re: How to Work a RoomJoin Ted Prodromou and me this Thursday, Feb 22, 2:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. CT) as we discuss “How to Work a Room” with the Mastermind Book Club. The author, Susan Roane, will join us.…
Want Secret Recipes for Yum-dilly-icious, Client-attracting Content?
It’s not easy to sell a $13+ cookie. I’m not talking about one of those giant, 16″-inch cookie cakes they sell at the mallĀ . I’m talking about a single-serve cookie… …that fits (barely) in a single human hand… …and sells for $13.33… …if you buy a box of 12 ($160, plus $15 for standard shipping).…
How to Overcome Your Wallflower Ways
You might not know it from these emails… …but I’m a shy guy.Ā Shyer than a mouse at a cat convention. When attending in-person events, I have to summon deep reserves of energy and focus to overcome my wallflower ways. I thought Zoom might fix this. But I quickly discovered five words that make me…
š The Most Magnificent Valentine’s Gift Ever
I’ve been racking my brain to come up with the perfect Valentine’s gift to show my love to you and the rest of my online family. Should I send you a box of chocolates?Ā Some roses?Ā An adorable puppy?Ā All lovely ideas. But as marketers say, that doesn’t scale. So I’m thinking about gifts I…
I Robot? How to Prove I’m Not…
My favorite Super Bowl ad… …”Robots” by Discover: My GPT-powered copywriting robot, “B-9?” skipped the Super Bowl (he’s a Dolphins fan, and he’s not into that Travis-Taylor drama). But I shared the ad with him this morning and asked, “Do you like it?” “B-9?” said:Ā “I don’t have personal opinions.” I asked: “Does it bother you…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.02.12
Sunrise over St. Louis, Feb. 2024 #allthisusefulbeauty Recommended Reading How to Work a RoomHave you ever walked into a roomful of strangers and felt uncomfortable? If the answer is yes, youāre not alone! Over 85% of American adults feel the same way. The solution: How to Work a Room, the fully revised Silver Anniversary edition, which…
A Tale From the Storytelling Hall of Fame
A while back, I created a free e-book: Hall of Fame Ads Reveal… 5 Storytelling Secrets to Help You Captivate Prospects and Inspire Them to Buy. One of those Hall of Fame ads is one Listerine ran 100 years ago(!) that transformed the company from a small family-run outfit into a corporate giant. You can…
Happening Today…
Back by popular demand… Today at 1:30 p.m. CST, I’m hosting a master class: How to Create Prospect-Attracting Lead Magnets AND Business-Generating Follow-Ups — Without Working Your Tail Off If you can’t attend, register anyhow. I’ll share the recording with everyone who registers — even those who can’t attend.
She Made me Laugh Loudest
Yesterday’s email about punny highway signs reminded me: I fell in love with Melissa over a silly joke. I was 25. She was 23. We were gathered with friends at her apartment, playing a game called fictionary. The rules: One person holds the dictionary and chooses a word the other players don’t know. Each player…
Show-me Humor. Missouri Stands up to Humorless Feds
This is NOT a joke: Federal government killjoys have declared: Jokes are hazardous to our health. But in my home state, Missouri, bureaucrats are taking a stand against federal tyranny. Here’s the story… In December, the Federal Highway Administration released the 11th edition of the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways”…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.02.05
Near Picton, New Zealand, November 2018 #allthisusefulbeauty Recommended Event Ā Unmasking AI: Ninja Tools and AI News for Heart Driven CoachesMy pal RJ Redden is an AI master who’s on a mission to harness the time-saving power of AI — while remaining and sounding human. She describes this event as follows: “This isn’t about floating in…
Cool New Book!
Hi — It’s Friday, and the weekend beckons. So I’ll cut to the chase… Get thisĀ book! It’sĀ free.It’s aĀ fast read.And it’sĀ fantastic. The Rapid Lead Activator, by Csaba Borzasi … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … What!? You’re still here? OK then. I’ll tell you more about…
My Mother vs. My Robot (The Cocoa Puffs Cage Fight)
Mommie DearestĀ My dear, beloved mother FOOD-SHAMED ME.Ā It happened yesterday, after I sent an email with this opening line: “While sipping my morning coffee and eating my Cocoa Puffs this morning, I asked my GPT-powered robot…” Mom’s an avid reader of my emails, and she sent a reply with this opening line: “Gee, Iām not…
Does This Apology Make me Look Weak š«¤Ā
A note about what follows: I once heard some big-shot business guru preach you should “never apologize.” Apologies are a “sign of weakness,” he said. They undermine your standing and authority. Gimme a break.Ā That’s D-U-M… …almost as D-U-M as I felt yesterday when my cell phone and email blew up just as I was…
I’m Re-running the Masterclass (3x This Week) Due to Zoom Link Hiccup
If you tried to attend today’s masterclass and couldn’t get in… I apologize!Ā There was a problem with the Zoom link in some of the emails. I know how important your time is, and I would never intentionally waste it. Here’s what I’d like to do to fix this… I’m going to host the training…
Last Chance for Tomorrow. Are you Free?
In case you haven’t heard about it or registered yet… …I wanted to invite you to tomorrow’s masterclass: How to Create Prospect-Attracting Lead Magnets AND Business-Generating Follow-Ups — Without Working Your Tail Off. When: Tomorrow (Tuesday Jan. 30, 2:30 p.m. ET). I’ll share the systems and tools I use to attract high-quality prospects with lead…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.01.29
Crazy-doodle Moose spies a squirrel Recommended Reading Ā The Rapid Lead ActivatorBefore you get to the meat of this great book by Csaba Borzasi, you’ll find testimonials from a bunch of marketing experts, including me. I say: “Csaba breaks things down in ways that enable less experienced writers to get up and go… “…as well as…
How to Attract & Convert Leads — Without Acrobatic Monkeys
When I read Professor Lucifer Gorgonzola Butts was born on this day 95 years ago… …I knew I’d have to write an email about him. Maybe I could joke that Lucifer Gorgonzola Butts is the guy who was kicked off an American Airlines flight this month for excessive, gorgonzola-esque farting. (That story was all over my news feed this…
The Worst Email Marketing Advice Ever?
A puzzled marketer posted a common question for help on an online forum last week: How can businesses improve open rates in their email campaigns? I hear this question all the time (you may be wondering the same thing)… …so I dove into the forum where I found… …lots of lousy advice! The lousiest was…
Are Your Free on Tuesday for This…
Hi — I’m writing to make sure you didn’t miss this… On Tuesday (Jan. 30, 2:30 p.m. ET), I’m hosting a masterclass where I’ll share the systems and tools I use to attract high-quality prospects with lead magnets and turn those prospects into clients. The masterclass is called: How to Create Prospect-Attracting Lead Magnets AND…
The Winner in a Landslide…
The voters have spoken. Alan reigns. So does irrationality. Let me ‘splain… In yesterday’s email, I asked you to choose between Alan and Ben. I described them both. Alan is “intelligent — industrious — impulsive — critical — stubborn — envious” Ben is “envious — stubborn — critical — impulsive — industrious — intelligent” Funny thing about…
Alan or Ben? Cast Your Vote
Do you prefer Alan and Ben? I’m going to describe them both, and then I’d like you to choose — quickly without overthinking it — which one you view more favorably. Alan: intelligent — industrious — impulsive — critical — stubborn — envious Ben: envious — stubborn — critical — impulsive — industrious — intelligent Which person…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.01.22
Frozen Waterfall, Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri (2024.01)#allthisusefulbeauty Recommended Event ļøāJack Turk’s Copywriting SummitI can’t believe this is free. My friend Jack Turk is a world-renowned marketer who has been called “The World’s Fastest Copywriter” (I wrote about himĀ here.) Now, I call him The World’s Most Generous Summit Organizer. Jack has gather 25+ expert presenters…
A No-hassle Way to Attract Leads & Land Clients
If I had a Shekel for every time someone said, “it’s too hard to do…” when I suggested they create a lead magnet to attract qualified prospects… …I’d have a giant piggy bank full of Shekels! I get it. Seems like you have to work your tail off to create a lead magnet, promote it,…
Biz Lessons From the World’s Ugliest Lawn
Ripped from the headlines… An Australian woman now holds the prize for owning “The World’s Ugliest Lawn” thanks to a global competition hosted by a water-thirsty municipality in Sweden. Gotland, Sweden’s government launched the contest after a draught nearly left the island municipality without water. Organizers thought they might inspire water conservation if they made…
A Warning and an Invitation
This question generated a lot of buzz on a popular marketing forum this month: “Best Lead Magnets in 2024? What channels and lead magnets will you be focusing on..?” My least favorite answer came from a pitchy list vendor who said forget about lead magnets and buy a pile of leads. He directed readers to…
Batman Rules for Business and Life
In Friday’sĀ email, I promised to share Batman Rules — business and life lessons from the greatest television show ever. There are too many Batman Rules to count. I don’t have time or space to share them all here, but I can share five of my favorites. If you follow these rules, you’ll be well on…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ MLK Day 2024 Edition
Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a civil rights march in Montgomery, AL (March 21, 1965) Recommended Viewing & Listening on MLK Day Ā MLK and the MountaintopOn April 3, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech at the Mason Temple in Memphis, TN. The speech ended with these words; Well, I don’t know what will…
How The Caped Crusader Kept Them Tuned In
Holy cliffhanger, Batman! It was on this day in 1966 that the Caped Crusader and his sidekick, Robin, debuted on ABC television with an episode — called “Hi Diddle Riddle.” The episode ended like this: This was all the Riddler’s fault. His henchman slipped a mickey in Batman’s orange juice at the “What a Way…
That Batsh*t Things Unappreciated People Will Do…
Here’s a story for your don’t-try-this-at-home file… Last year, a guy in Belgium faked his death and then showed up at his funeral to teach his family a lesson. As mourners gathered and waited for the outdoor ceremony to begin, a helicopter landed nearby. I’m-Not-Really-Dead Guy hopped from the copter with a camera crew behind…
My Resolution: Profit More. Work Less. What’s Yours?
When it comes to your business in 2024… What’s your #1 New Year’s resolution? Please reply to this email and let me know. I may have some thoughts or resources to help you. My primary resolution? Delegate and automate so I can work less and earn more. Long ago, I thought delegation would increase costs.…
Join The Club…
No story today, just a thought… “It is much easier, as well as far more enjoyable, to identify and label the mistakes of others than to recognize our own.” Daniel Kahneman said that on the first page of his book, Thinking Fast and Slow. Wise insight — the first of many in this book. Slow down…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.01.08
Tampa, Florida; (2023.11.04)#allthisusefulbeauty Recommended Reading Ā Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanRead this book, and you’ll understand better how human beings think and make decisions. That includes how YOU think and make decisions. Why bother? So you can make informed decisions more and guess less. So you sell more by anticipating what motivates prospects. So…
The One About the Naked Yoga Guy
I mentioned last month how I scarfed down more than 37,238 cookies ā give or take ā over the holidays. And last year I made nine too many excuses NOT to workout. So this month, I’m back in my home gym — biking, rowing, lifting, sit-upping, and tread-milling. ā¬Ā Artist’s rendering of me after my work-outĀ ā¬…
Shame on These Lying Liars & Their Marketing Tricks
A cautionary tale about trust-busting marketing tricks… Yesterday, I heard about a company offering a $400 discount on its lifetime software license — $97, instead of $497. Tempting. So I visited the site and saw this… “Deal Ends Today….!?” That set my hair on fire. “I better act fast,” I thought. So I checked out some…
Let’s Resolve to Do This…
It’s the first week of the new year, and it’s J.R.R. Tolkien’s birthday (Jan. 3). Seems like a good time for this resolution: Embrace conflict without contempt. Tolkien and his literary pals — including C.S. Lewis — inspire my resolve. Tolkien (The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) and Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia) were colleagues…
The Best-ever Description of “Branding”
I didn’t expect this… I can’t stop thinking about the exhibit I saw the other day at the St. Louis Art Museum… The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century. I mentioned it inĀ yesterday’s email, and I shared the description for the exhibitionās section on Brand. This is the thing playing over and…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2024.01.01
“Turkey tail” mushroom on fallen tree trunk (Huzzah Creek flood plain; Crawford County, MO; 2023.12.27)#allthisusefulbeauty Happy New Year Welcome to 2024. I hope you had a wonderful, restful, rejuvenating holiday season. I did. Lots of great family time with Melissa, our twins (Maddie and Jake), and our Crazy-Doodle, Moose. Long hours in front of the…
Give and Ye Shall Receive – Krishna Style
When I was a kid, you couldnāt move through a big-city airport without being pestered by people pitching their religion and begging for money. The āHare Krishnasā were the most notorious. With their shaved heads and orange robes, the Krishnas would approach travelers and offer a small gift. The Krishnas hoped travelers would return the…
Poor Richard Wisdom
On this day (Dec. 28) in 1732, Ben Franklin published the first edition of Poor Richard’s Almanack. For 25 years, he published the Almanack annually — 10,000 copies per year. To celebrate the Almanack’s birthday, I’ll share a favorite quote from each edition, starting with the first “1733” edition. Maybe these can inspire some new year’s…
Better Than S*X Sale Copy
I estimate I’ve eaten 37,238 cookies this month — give or take. Chocolate chip cookies like Granny used to make. Peanut butter cookies topped with Hershey’s Kisses. Santa-shaped sugar cookies with red sprinkles. Reindeer-shaped shortbread cookies with green icing. I’m sick of cookies. So, of course… …I spent a chunk of yesterday reading about… …cookies.…
My Memo to Santa
December 26, 2023 TO: Santa ClausFROM: Tom RuwitchRE: Next Time I don’t mean to sound ungrateful… …but next time… …I sure would appreciate it if you could stuff one of those new fangled Wearable Beanbags in my stocking. Don’t get me wrong. The new socks are great. I’ll wear them often. But socks is socks.…
Cybertruck-inspired Marketing Wisdom
Love it. Hate it. When it comes to Tesla and its new Cybertruck, there seems to be no in-between. Jay Leno loves the Cybertruck. A few days ago, he featured it on his show “Jay Leno’s Garage.” Tesla’s Head of Design, Franz von Holzhausen, joined Leno on the show. They discussed the love/hate dynamic. Leno:…
Lessons from the Game of Business
Yesterday was “Games Day” — one of those random, made-up holidays that started in the United Kingdom. At a live networking event I attended yesterday, we had a Games Day-inspired ice-breaker. We broke into small groups, revealed our favorite games, and discussed lessons we’ve learned from them — especially lessons we apply to business. Fun…
What Sets You Apart?
I bumped into a marketing agency owner who wants help finding new clients. He posted his cry for help in and online forum. He described his claim to fame: “What sets us apart is that we strive to offer quality services at affordable rates.” Ummmmmmmm, no. “Quality services at affordable rates” is not set-you-apart stuff.…
The Perfect Gift for the Entrepreneur who has Everything?
True story: In 2016, KFC introduced ‘Finger Lickin’ Good’ edible nail polish. Two flavors: Hot & Spicy (peppery red) and Original Recipe (beige). Slather it on. Wait for it to dry. Lick your fingers. Yum! Other true stories: Doritos has partnered with a distiller to sell Nacho Cheese flavored liquor (94 proof). You can buy…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.12.18
Recommended Viewing Ā Humor: Serious BusinessThree Stanford professors walk into a room and… …deliver some important insights on why we should weave humor into our business. Viewing time: 5 minutes. Well worth it. Podcast Ā How to Claim Your Stage to Maximize Your Impact (with Adriana Baer)Adriana Baer is a public speaking coach for leaders and rising…
Biz Solutions & Success: Closer Than You Think
My client Joe asked me to help him transform his website from prospect-repelling to client-attracting. I offered several suggestions, including, “Put some testimonials on the front page.” “I don’t have any testimonials,” he said. “I bet you do,” I replied… …and then I trotted out the tale of my summer fling, Kathy. I was 19,…
The Reason Apple Wins…
I bumped into a group of grumpy marketers this morning who think storytelling is worthless. Said one: “I have never understood the appeal of storytelling. I know people talk about the importance of it over and over again, but I really can’t give a f*%k. Story, mission, vision, it’s all bulls*%t; I only care about…
If You Want to Progress, Quit Staring at The Summit
My hometown hockey team fired its coach last night. His name is Craig Berube, and he led the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup Championship in 2019. During that 2019 playoff run, I wrote an email about Berube. To honor and thank him, I dust it off and share it here… š š š…
These Ads are Funny, but Flawed…
I hate HP printers. The one I owned with ink that disappeared faster than an ice cube in the Sahara. The next one which mangled forests of printer paper. And the one that NEVER kept a wi-fi connection. The endless, fruitless customer “support” calls with clueless overseas reps who read from scripts and dished out…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.12.11
Business Humor š Consumer Privacy – The Holiday EditiionTom Fishburne (a.k.a. The Marketoonist) does it again. A funny cartoon and insightfulĀ post… Podcast Ā How to Turn Past Experiences Into Career and Business-Building Narratives (with Annie Margarita Yang)Annie Margarita Yang is a money-saving guru with over a million YouTube views, and sheās also the bestselling author of…
Cautionary Tale From Dude who Burned Eyebrows Off
A few years ago, I ran across an article about a dude in Michigan who smelled gas coming from his newly installed water heater. He checked for the leak by lighting a match. He shoulda died, but he got off easyā¦ ā¦with singed eyebrows. Mixing fire and a gas leak ā that wasnāt his first…
Bestselling Author’s Lead Magnet is Brilliant, But…
In preparation for the free masterclass I’m running today (“How to Create Prospect-Attracting Lead Magnets…“)… …I’ve been searching high and low for great examples. That led me to Adam Grant’s website. He is a New York Times bestselling author of six books, including his most recent, “Hidden Potential – The Science of Achieving Greater Things.”…
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. — registerĀ 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 Ā 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: ā Quick, easy ways to create a powerful,…
The Most Common And ClichĆ©d 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… š¤ š¤ š¤ 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 wroteĀ this postĀ 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… Ā Tick-Tock TuesdayĀ 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.Ā Don’t get me wrong. I like door-busing…
RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2023.11.27
Recommended Article Ā Donāt Mistake Audience Size for Revenue Potential Which metrics matter? Neil Patel answers in this must-readĀ article. It reveals how to avoid the “vanity metrics” trap and measure what really matters. Recommended Resource Ā 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. Thereās a song called āCrowded Table.ā 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.Ā 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 Ā 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)”Ā (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 Thenā¦ š
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…