A Blair Warren quote on persuasion: People will do anything for those who encourage their dreams, justify their failures, allay their fears, confirm their suspicion, and help them throw rocks at their enemies. I’ll reformat this, because it’s a useful framework before you ask someone to do something (and an extremely useful framework before you … Continue reading People Will Do Anything For Those Who…
Tag: marketing
How Mic Jagger Answered, “Who’s Better, You Or The Beatles”
Irish TV, 1965, the reporter asks Mic Jagger, “How do you compare your group with the Beatles?” Watch the video and hear Mic’s “diplomatic” take, It’s a massive lesson in why “different” beats “better” (that’s for you marketing/brand people). h/t Cole Shafer for sharing, who summarized it well in an older blog post with: “you … Continue reading How Mic Jagger Answered, “Who’s Better, You Or The Beatles”
Podcast Of The Week: Ben Hunt On Rational Optimism
Ben Hunt is back on Howard Lindzon’s podcast and I couldn’t be more excited about seeing both of them speak at Epsilon Connect in just a few weeks - so I had to listen (and share it here). Of all the things in this conversation I love, Ben Hunt’s explanation of “finding your pack” really … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Ben Hunt On Rational Optimism
If You Can’t Have An Idea While You’re Awake, Go To Sleep
A classic piece of creative life advice from David Ogilvy: If you can’t have an idea when you’re awake, go to sleep. It is, after all, how he came up with the iconic Pepperidge Farm ad. But don’t take it from me - here’s Ogilvy himself telling David Letterman right around the 2 minute mark … Continue reading If You Can’t Have An Idea While You’re Awake, Go To Sleep
Dyson: Make It Work, Make It Exciting
David Senra shared the following quote/note from James Dyson’s autobiography Against the Odds. You’re going to want to read the whole thing, but let me highlight these two lines first: It didn’t matter how other people did it. It didn’t matter if it could be done better. As long as it works, and it is … Continue reading Dyson: Make It Work, Make It Exciting
Content/Intent Autocorrect Life Philosophy
I was trying to type the word “content” into a note but it kept autocorrecting to “intent.” An iPhone philosophy reminder apparently. Because you know autocorrect will make you type it 18 f$@#ing times until you surrender and click the shamefully suggested first word in the greybar to end the war. But I said this … Continue reading Content/Intent Autocorrect Life Philosophy
When Headlines/Subject-Lines Don’t Feel True
A quote from Harry Dry (before you write your next headline/email subject line/etc.) “Good copy is falsifiable.” A clear message tells the reader “this is provable, if you want to prove it for yourself.” A marketing example (which Dry uses) - let’s say you’re selling an energy drink. Ask yourself which of these feels true: … Continue reading When Headlines/Subject-Lines Don’t Feel True
Podcast Of The Week: What The NBA Can Learn From Formula 1
Ben Thompson of Stratechery takes a look at “What the NBA Can Learn From Formula 1” (and what we ALL can learn from his breakdown). Seeing as we’ve already established my fandom of Thompson and Drive to Survive - I couldn’t resist him applying systems-logic to the business strategy of these two fan-culture driven entities. … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: What The NBA Can Learn From Formula 1
Dave Grohl’s Tip On How To Get ANYTHING (From A Musician At Least)
“If you want something from a musician - ask their girlfriend.” - Dave Grohl* *Noted on his behalf and from experience, this is not gender specific. If you want someone who is a little all over the place to do something, ask the person who gets them to focus. It’s really not about musicians at … Continue reading Dave Grohl’s Tip On How To Get ANYTHING (From A Musician At Least)
Why So Many Creatives Have a Background In Advertising (Pressfield)
Steven Pressfield told James Altucher: Advertising teaches you nobody wants to read your shit so you better make it immediately compelling. He continues (paraphrased): The other thing it teaches you is how to edit. The space has constraints you need to fit in. A 60-second ad goes by FAST. People romanticize creativity as being willing … Continue reading Why So Many Creatives Have a Background In Advertising (Pressfield)