Brain Boosters For Copywriters…

…and marketers…in fact, pretty much anyone!

Let’s face it, copywriting and creating effective direct response marketing campaigns can be mentally gruelling at times.

So, I was most interested in a recent article in the Australian edition of “Men’s Health” with the title…

“Choosing Sides – Harness the hidden power of your brain’s separate hemispheres to supercharge your daily performance”

You’re probably aware that your brain is, broadly speaking, divided into two hemispheres.

The left hemisphere controls functions such as language, analysis, logic and method.

The right hemisphere controls calculation, lateral thinking and sensory input.

The article details 6 exercises to boost mental performance, 3 for each hemisphere.

Here they are along with my suggestions as to how hard-pressed copywriters and marketers might use them…

Left Hemisphere Exercises

1. Do The Impossible

Take one minute to sit quietly and breathe deeply in through your nose to the bottom of your stomach.

According to research at Wisconsin University in the USA, this exercise increases brain activity by 15% and has the effect of creating a more upbeat outlook.

Perfect for coming up with alternative ideas for offers and headlines when you realise that what you first came up with isn’t good enough.

2. Supersonic Sense

When in a conversation or a meeting, to catch more than you miss, lean in with your right ear.

This works because your right ear sends messages to the brain’s left hemisphere which is best at picking up rapid speech.

So with clients or at meetings and seminars, remember to lean in with the right ear and avoid missing out on that crucial point.

3. Create Solutions

Scribble all your creative ideas down and then walk away for 30 minutes.

A shorter time period variation on the “Sleep on it strategy”.  When you return after your break, the brain’s “utility detector” will pick the best.

Ideal for the start of a project when you have lots of ideas buzzing around for headlines and leads but aren’t sure which to go with.

Moving on to the Right Hemisphere Exercises…

4. Right First Time

Tilt your head to the left or make a point of addressing the right side of a person when passing on information.

This goes back to the right ear being controlled by the left side of the brain which processes non-emotional information.

So, to avoid misunderstandings and get the right message across remember this little tip. Not so useful on the phone, of course.  In that situation, you can ask people to repeat back to you important information.

5. Instant Success

Tap the fingers of your right hand for 45 seconds or more to make the right call on difficult decisions.

This exercise prevents rash decisions by activating your brain’s risk-averse left hemisphere.

So, if you’re “on-the-spot” to make a snap decision, do this (or tap your right foot) to give yourself the best chance of making the correct choice.

6. Make An Impression

To build rapport, direct jokes or confidences towards a person’s left ear.

The left ear is controlled by the right hemisphere which triggers better responses to emotional appeals.

Well, I can think of better uses than business situations for this tactic!  However, well worth remembering when networking and building relationships with clients.

OK, so not all of these are brain boosters, strictly speaking.  Certainly the “Instant Success”, “Do The Impossible” and “Create Solutions” will prove useful for copywriters on a regular basis.

The other tips are more helpful in improving communication, so have a slightly different application.

I’ll be trying these out…let me know if you find them useful.