Why Kris Kristofferson Failed at First

song writer

When he first tried to make it as a songwriter in Nashville, Kris Kristofferson couldn’t catch a break.

He eventually became a country music legend, but, at first, he couldn’t tame his literary side.

Kristofferson, who died on Saturday at age 88, studied English literature and graduated with honors from Pomona College. He earned a Rhodes scholarship to study literature at Oxford. He wrote poems and prize-winning short stories. And he nearly took a job as an English teacher at West Point.

But when it came to writing country songs, all of that literary genius added up to a whole bunch o’ nothin’ — at least at first.

In a 2003 interview the New York Times, Marijohn Wilkin, Kristofferson’s first music publisher (and his occasional songwriting collaborator) said, “He had been a poet and an English teacher, so his songs were too long and too perfect. His grammar was too perfect. He had to learn the way people talk.ā€

Write like people talk.

That’s great advice for songwriters. That’s great advice for marketers.

I know many “accomplished writers” who had to unlearn much of what they knew to become profitable marketers.

My seventh-grade English teacher, Clara Fieselmann, would turn in her grave if she saw my emails.

Sentence fragments? Crazy-making for Ms. Fieselmann. But that’s how we talk so you get ’em in my emails.

Anyhow, there’s a right way and a wrong way to create country songs…

…and marketing copy.

I’ve written some songs, but I ain’t expert at that.

I’ve written some marketing copy, and I’m darn good at that.

I’ve packaged everything I know in a new do-it-with-you workshop called the “7-Figure Content Blueprint.”

Last chance…

I’m closing enrollment on Thursday. No more chances after that. If you’re interested in how to create client-attracting, profit-generating content — without ever getting stuck…

reply to this email with “What would Kris do?”

I’ll get back to you with the details.

Don't go away yet..

p.s. Coaches, authors, and consultants hire me to power-up their creative content and storytelling to captivate prospects, stand-out and book more business.

Whenever you're ready, here are several ways I can help you become a storytelling stand-out so you'll land more clients without pitching and prodding:

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4) Work with me one-on-one: If youā€™re interested in working directly with me -- to discover, assemble, and deliver powerful, business-building stories -- simply reply to this email and change the subject line to "Private Client." Tell me a little about yourself, your business, and what you'd like to accomplish, and I'll reply to discuss options.

5) Invite me to speak at an event: I can tailor a presentation that meets the specific needs of your organization. Informative. Entertaining. Virtual or live. Potential for continuing education credits when applicable for your group. If interested, reply to this email and change the subject line to ā€œSpeaking Engagement.ā€ Iā€™ll circle back to discuss the possibilities.

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Tom Ruwitch

Tom Ruwitch is the founder and CEO of Story Power Marketing. For more than 30 years, he has helped businesses grow by delivering powerful stories using a variety of different media.