Bob Danzig

I hadn't heard of Bob Danzig before I read this blog post from Bill Harris but I'm definitely going to read up on Bob now!

Enjoy: http://www.centerpointe.com/blog/2009/02/22/you-are-worthwhileyou-are-filled-with-promise-a-few-moments-with-bob-danzig/

The Art of Persuasion

Another interesting piece from the Makepeace Total Package people. Today Michael Masterson delves into an example of persuasion in advertising. It's a definite art copywriters must master but most of us stumble because we are focused on our own needs - versus addressing what our readers will gain.

One of the big questions I keep in mind when writing is the "What's in it for me?" - everyone is asking this as they're reading sales promotions. Some of us do it consciously while other do it unconsciously. Either way that question is prominent.

For more read Michael Masterson's piece here: http://www.makepeacetotalpackage.com/michael-masterson/the-case-of-the-disappearing-copywriter.html

Enjoy!

Why I am a Writer...

So today I left work early because I needed some mental health time. I played a little but still didn't feel completely comforted so I'm here to write. Writing makes the world go away...it makes everything simplified, clear and coherent in my mind. There is no question it is simply part of my being.




So why don't I do it more?? I could argue that I write several times a week - which I do - but even that isn't enough. I must do it daily...for hours every day. It must become one of my main sources of income.




There are days like today when writing feels like a compulsion, it's a pulsating drive flowing through the veins of my arms and into my fingers out through my fingertips. It's as necessary as blood is to my body's survival. Writing is necessary to my mental, spiritual and emotional survival. Yet there are times I stymie it or I question it...clearly I do so unnecessarily. Or I do so because of some inner belief that maybe I'm not that good or it's really not a gift of mine.




Whatever the reason I do stop myself from writing. Perhaps because my words come from such a sacred space I am hesitant to share that with the world for fear of rejection...or even better, fear of joyous celebration.




What would that be like? To joyously celebrate me and my gift? How many of us have ever been joyously celebrated and acknowledged? Few.




But I will say this much: it must come from within. Before anyone else can fully embrace and enrapture me I must do that for me. And I am...slowly, slowly progressing on that end. I'm doing more projects for my copywriting coaching program for example. This week I am writing articles that will be given to one of the coach's clients. :) It makes me feel incredibly happy to do so!




So for that I am grateful. There is progression in my copywriting career.




This week I have struggled with being grateful for where I am - my "mind" has wanted to focus on where it thinks I should be. And naturally I have felt quite frustrated most of the week because where my mind says I "should be" is not where I am...but when has it ever been and when will it ever be?


My "mind" is attempting to trick me and keep me in my current situation. It won't work! I am stronger than that and so I grow out of my comfort zone and into a new one. :)




So as I write this I settle back into gratitude and thankfulness (is that even a word?!).




I am happy to have a lovely home, co-workers and bosses who appreciate me, clients who appreciate my work and a path I am traveling on (and enjoying the travel!). All in all things are good and well on their way to great. I embrace both the highs and the lows because it is all necessary - even my frustration is necessary and purposeful. Writing for me is both a blessing and a curse..as all things are. I choose to acknowledge the curse and keep a welcome focus on the blessing.

Timothy Ferriss on Overcoming Fears

I've written about Timothy Ferriss in the past - love his book, love his simple and practical methods, etc. Here's a video of his that I really enjoyed and thought I'd share. Hope it inspires you!

An inspirational video

Here's Matt Furey, an incredible man, speaking about one of his greatest triumphs. Enjoy.

2009

So the other day I was reading a book called Power of Purpose and it helped motivate me to begin plans for next year.

I came to two important decisions: I'm replacing my PT job with income from teaching classes and one on one coaching/marketing assistance. My deadline to do so is by June of 2009.

Now I don't have a clue how I'll make this happen but it's what I want to do so I'm setting the intention. I will teach people about direct marketing, copywriting and how they can improve their businesses with these tools. Ideally the teaching will be in a non-traditional setting and will generate more than my PT income does now.

Beyond those specifics I am open to however these classes come about and how I work within them.

My second decision is simply to spend at least half of the month of May in Ireland - the month of my birthday. It's time to really celebrate being me and doing something I have dreamt of for years! And in recent years I've taken a spiritual/personal journey in honor of my birth. Combining a long-time dream with a personal celebration seemed perfect to me. :)

Those are my 2 intentions for 2009...at least for now. I'm sure I'll come up with more. What are your 2009 creations going to be? I'd love to hear them!

Making up for lost time

I've been pretty lax with the updates on this page. So to make it up for it I'm posting some interesting copy links. Check 'em out below.

Zig Zigler on copywriting: http://blog.onecoach.com/2008/12/09/how-to-sell-in-print-the-secret-of-writing-killer-copy/

Joe Vitale on publicity for your business: http://blog.onecoach.com/2008/12/08/how-to-get-publicity-for-your-business/

And one of my favorites: http://blog.onecoach.com/2008/04/21/why-change-is-so-difficult-and-seven-ways-to-make-it-easier/

Enjoy!