Hello Reader, How do authors build a thriving business around their published work? Spoiler alert: it's not by selling more books. In my work over the past decade with authors, coaches, and speakers, I have been behind-the-scenes of multiple 6- and 7-figure businesses. I've seen how their businesses are structured, developed the commercial offers they make to their audience, and learned firsthand what's working, and what's a waste of time. Next week, I'm teaching a free workshop for the...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, In every story, there are three characters: the hero, the villain, and the victim. A century ago, American film was born out of the vaudeville scene. The main storytelling medium at the time was melodrama, when the characters were almost comically basic. Think of the mustachio-twirling villain, tying a damsel in distress to the train tracks, being thwarted by a gun-toting hero, and you have all the basics you need to tell a compelling story: setting, conflict, and characters....
2 months ago • 5 min read
Hello Reader, What's the secret to getting more done? Is it: Working harder, or Working smarter? If you've ever hit burnout before, I'm sure you know the right answer. Sometimes the answer isn't in doing more, but in having less to do. One of the best ways you can do less, but still get everything done, is delegation. Delegation magnifies your effort exponentially. There is a limitation how much work you can personally do. By delegating to others, you gain their abilities, their perspective,...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Picture this: Your 3-hour Zoom workshop just started, and your computer freezes! 😬 What do you do? The show must go on! In last week's Magnetic Messages Masterclass, my computer froze precisely at 10:01 am. (My suspicion, for other event hosts, is: I was sharing a Zoom whiteboard in a browser window, and annotating with a couple of people, when a dozen people arrived all at once. Adding them to the meeting, and having to handle screensharing AND adding people to the Annotation...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Hello Reader, How do you handle writer's block? You decide to write, and you sit down to gather your thoughts, and...nothing happens. The blank page is taunting you. Daring you to keep silent. What I've found helpful is to start with copywriting exercises. A simple prompt that gives you a border to your canvas. This is good for getting you going - but often, when it's time to write, there's a specific function we are looking to fulfill. There's an article to write, or a brochure to create, or...
4 months ago • 1 min read
This email is about my upcoming Magnetic Messages Masterclass. You can mute this topic here, and I won’t email you about it. Hello Reader, If you’re struggling to create messages that capture your audience’s attention, keep reading… If you value expert guidance to streamline your marketing and answer your questions in real-time, keep reading… AND… if you understand that effective communication is crucial for business success, keep reading… At the end of this month, I’m hosting a live,...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, New ideas are only found in surprise. Before Thomas Edison demonstrated the electric lamp on 31 December 1879, he was a laughingstock in the press. "I have not failed," he famously said, "I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." To innovate something new, Edison had to leave behind what he already knew. New ideas are only found in surprise. What you already know will not help you discover anything new, unless you take your knowledge into the unknown. There are things you...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, It took me an extra two years to get around to it, but I finally recorded Marketing Yourself as an audiobook. If you're the type of person who prefers to listen to your book, then let me read you a story: https://marketingyourselfbook.com/audiobook
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Multiple revisions make better content. Every draft is another chance to get it perfect. But once you stop, you are stuck with what you've got. Sometimes I publish fast - when you're prolific and you like to publish, it's easier to tweet out an idea than write a list of dozens of revisions. "Done is better than perfect" can be good advice for a short video. But if you want to create something high quality, sometimes the quickest path is through high quantity. More options gives...
5 months ago • 3 min read