Here’s a reminder about a powerful principle in copywriting and marketing…and true persuasion…from an unusual source.
There’s a movie currently out called “Invictus”. It’s a story based around the 1995 rugby World Cup that was held in South Africa, just 14 months after the first multiracial elections that brought the apartheid era to a close and Nelson Mandela to office as president.
At the time, rugby was something of a divisive issue. It was seen as a symbol of the white, Afrikaans culture and viewed with hostility by the majority black population.
Mandela saw something different, however…
Read the rest of "Awesome Copywriting Lesson From…Nelson Mandela" »
The doors are now open for Pete Godfrey’s “Cash Characters” workshop in Brisbane, this coming February 27-28.
What’s it all about?
Basically, how to use the power of stories for maximum impact in copywriting and in your strategic marketing.
Or, put another way, how to use stories as a positioning device.
Pete’s been a bit obsessed by this topic for at least the last year and he’s put everything he knows into this workshop.
So, if you want to stand out from the crowd and get an edge over the competition, here’s where you can get the details…
Pete Godfrey’s Cash Characters Workshop
Please note that I am a mate of Pete’s and I may receive a commission by directing your attention to this event.
Today (January 26) is “Australia Day”…
…and I’d like to wish all my Australian readers a “Happy Australia Day”! Have fun and enjoy the day.
January 26 is the anniversary of the landing in 1788 of the First Fleet at Port Jackson (which was to become Sydney), which marks the beginning of the “modern” era in Australia.
As an aside, the nation of Australia only came into being in its current form on 1 January 1901 when the then separate colonies came together to form the Commonwealth Of Australia.
Australia is a great place to live. Sure, there are problems like anywhere else. But we have much to be grateful for.
I notice that in this year’s Heritage Foundation economic freedom rankings, Australia comes in at #3, up a few places from last year (although that’s largely because other countries have slipped). And Australia has weathered the economic storms of the last year or so much better than most other places.
So, once again, “Happy Australia Day”!
Nope, I’m not talking about the amazingly successful TV show.
Rather, I’m referring to the strategic use of stories to position yourself (or your clients if you’re a copywriter or consultant) as an authority…
…ideally as THE authority in your market or niche.
Now, I’ve discussed the power of stories before. For some reason, we as humans seem to be hard-wired to be interested in stories. Probably something to do with our old friend curiosity.
BUT if you’re going to get the result you want in your marketing and copywriting…
Read the rest of "How To Add The ‘X Factor’ To Your Copy And Marketing" »
Great tip from Ryan Healy about making your blog easy to read on mobile phones and the like…
…and if you don’t have a blog, bear with me because there’s an important copywriting and marketing lesson here.
Read the rest of "Mobile Phones And An Important Marketing Lesson" »
One of the little discussed “Success Secrets” of copywriters and marketers is the importance of having the right “Mindset”.
Let me give you a few examples…
Read the rest of "Great Success Resource For Copywriters And Marketers – And It’s Just $1!" »
Legendary copywriters such as the late Gary Halbert and John Carlton suggest that it’s well worth keeping an eye out for bizarre, but arresting stories. You never know when they might come in handy to attract attention in a piece of copy.
Carlton often mentions two of his favourites (I believe these came from the “National Enquirer”)…
“Boy Eats Own Head”
..and…
“Preacher Explodes On Pulpit!”
So, I was intrigued to see this story in today’s UK “Daily Telegraph”…
Read the rest of "Today’s ‘Strange But True’ – Girl ‘Grows Back Face’" »
Gee, it’s Jan 12 already! Almost half of the first month of the year gone already!
Nice promotion from the great Mark Joyner recently with the email subject line…
“10 Days Into 2010 And (What????)”
…playing on this idea of time moving on quickly and you need to do something NOW.
A “What Happened To Your New Year’s Resolutions?” theme would tap into a similar vein. If you do use this theme, remember to “rescue” the reader and provide a way to get back on track…with your product or service of course! You’re starting from a point of stirring up some guilt and unease and you don’t want to leave people there.
(Copy giant Carl Galletti puts it this way…”If you throw them in the water, make sure you pull them out before they drown!”).
Looking ahead to February…
Read the rest of "Looking Ahead – Marketing Calendar February 2010" »
Somewhat late, I confess, but welcome to the first post for the new year of 2010 (and the new decade too!). Hope you had a great Christmas and New Year!
To kick off the year, here’s a roundup of some of the “New Year Predictions / Forecasts” that I think are worth your attention…
Read the rest of "Some Thoughts On Marketing And Copywriting Trends In 2010" »
Very much looking forward to the upcoming “Sherlock Holmes” movie with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law.
I’m a big fan of the original stories and have read them many, many times. So there’s always a degree of trepidation when someone decides to “interpret” a classic.
In this case, however, the director Guy Ritchie is himself a fan of the books and has gone back to the source material. And there is plenty in the original stories to support a darker and edgier take on Holmes (recall his cocaine habit, for example).
Read the rest of "Marketing And Movie Trailers – Sherlock Holmes" »
