>> From a man who died 92 years ago. Have you noticed how so many people seem blissfully – but rather catastrophically – unaware of this: Everything you do boils down to that critical moment when someone either buys or …
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Will this email cure your hangover?
>> Do people ever praise your emails? Do you look forward to the daily torrent of guff? You know what I mean. The ones from people you don’t know – who don’t know you… Those that start with insincere concern about you, …
Read MoreAre these the two most dangerous words in business?
>> Every time I see them, my heart sinks. The words are “human resources”. I’ll explain why they trouble me in a moment But first let me tell you a story you may have heard before, for which I apologise, but …
Read MoreWant to know the difference between theory and reality?
Marketing is plagued with people who can’t tell the difference between fantasies and the truth. I hope and pray you’re not one. Because it will ruin you. So in case business dreamers have lured you from the straight path of …
Read More(SCAMS!) My second favourite hobby.
>>How I spend my first 20 minutes each day… Looking for ideas that sell? You could do a lot worse than steal from The 100 Greatest Advertisements by Julius Watkins. You’ll find some of the most successful ads ever, including …
Read MoreCan’t tell my goulash from my elbow?
Do you agree with this – or was I spouting rubbish? Did you spot my piece called “Could “Sauerkraut & Sausages with a Little Goulash” help you sell?” I suggested you look for ideas where no one else does, because …
Read More“One more drink and I’ll be under the host.” – Dorothy Parker
>> She was brilliant. Where do you find your ideas? Victor Hugo said all the armies on earth cannot beat an idea whose time has come. The problem for you and me is that we can’t wait for the idea to come. We must produce ideas to order. …
Read MoreThe day I met Charlie Chaplin
>> and wrote perhaps my most foolish copy ever. Back in 1966 I wrote posters for a great film. Truffaut’s Fahrenheit 451 was about a future in which the government sends out firemen to destroy all literature so as to prevent people …
Read MoreWhy great brands fail
>> Lessons from two dead – and one dying – businesses Brands fail for three reasons. And this includes brands customers love, with dedicated staff who often get stiffed by greedy bosses. They fail because the bosses forget who pays them (usually …
Read MoreAttention masochists!
Here’s a blessedly short interview I did with Eddie Shleyner which a lot of people seem to like. Let me know what you think… Or even better, sign up to my mailing list. You don’t want me to starve, do you? Best, …
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