Don’t be sad that it’s over; smile because it happened. -Dr. Suess, Gabriel García Márquez, Vin Scully (and I’m sure others) One of the most beloved and accomplished sportscasters, Vin Scully, passed away this week at the age of 94. I heard the quote above attributed to him—then Googled it and there were others ...

“Learning is rooted in repetition and convexity, meaning that the reading of a single text twice is more profitable than reading two different things once. – Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Lebanese-American essayist and scholar The first time I read this quote and saw the word “profitable” I knew I needed to share it with you, my marketing ...

If you were asked, “What is the top priority in your business,” how would you answer? You might say things like: Keeping my clients/customers/students happyGetting new business from new people (new customer acquisition)Creating new products or services (innovation)Commitment to positive cash flow and profit marginFulfilling on your mission I know you can think of many more. ...

The older we get, the losses and the wins add up…it’s just a function of living a full life. And as you know (if you read my post “Life is Long”), my philosophy is that everyone’s life is LONG…because it’s the only one we’ve got…and making the most of all of those losses and wins is ...

A good friend of mine sent me an article this week from The Wall Street Journal titled: The 100% Recyclable Running Shoe That’s Only Available by Subscription A Swiss sportswear brand, On, designed a shoe that can be ground up to make another shoe—so long as runners send their old pairs back and they are willing to “lease” ...

I met world renown copywriter and soon-to-be-mentor Gene Schwartz shortly after graduating college…and he hit me with a shocker in one of the first meetings I ever had with him. Shocking to me because I graduated with a degree in English, almost going to graduate school to become an English literature professor. Lucky for ...

I just finished watching a new documentary on the life of legendary comedian George Carlin (which I highly recommend) …and there was a nugget in it from late night talk show host Stephen Colbert that resonated with me…and I thought it might resonate with you. It will help if you’ve heard of “The Beatles.” ...

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, here is the definition of the word reciprocation: A mutual exchange. A return in kind or of like value. What I don’t like about this definition is that it implies that reciprocation has a “price”—that is, the exchange between two parties needs to be “mutual” or “a return in kind or ...

I want to thank everyone who sent condolences regarding my mom’s passing. This is an online family unlike any other…caring, thoughtful…and full of excellent marketing and copywriting talent. It doesn’t get much better than that. I received so many emails with stories of your own parents and what they meant to you…which was such ...

An entrepreneur in one of the mastermind groups I am a member of posted an email with this subject line: What I do to live 100 years in good health…and potentially live much longer He proceeded to share his regular routine of healthy diet, exercise, meditation and a host of other things—nothing I would ...

During the most recent Titans Mastermind meeting, copywriting superstar Parris Lampropoulos talked about how he uses comedy writing and music composition to teach his “copy cubs” about direct response copywriting. It’s far from a farfetched notion…and one that spurned a lively discussion…and inspired me to share my thoughts with you (again) about another form of entertainment ...

With my Titans Mastermind being held this week…followed by a short vacation (and I know you’re thinking, “why do you need a vacation, Brian when you don’t even work anymore?”)…I went to my blog archives and pulled one out that has been a favorite of many of you…originally published in 2015 or 2016…and the lessons still ...

As I prepare for my Titans Mastermind meeting this week—only our second live event since January of 2020 (and I am looking forward to it!), I wanted to share one of my favorite posts of the past about one of the greatest copywriters of all time…and there’s a good chance you have never heard of him. First ...

Those of you who have been in my online family for a while know about my mom, an expert in direct response marketing (and the concepts covered in my book, Overdeliver) …without actually realizing it. I like writing about her on her birthday, which became a virtual holiday after the release of Star Wars (you know, May the 4th be ...

When Dan Sullivan, the top coach for entrepreneurs in the world, taught an exercise in one of his Strategic Coach workshops (which I’ve attended four times a year for the past eight years), he began it with the phrase:“Who you are looking for is you” I was perplexed. It initially hit me as an egocentric concept. However, once Dan ...

I was thinking once again today about the late Joe Sugarman, one of the greatest direct marketers who has ever lived, who passed away a few weeks ago. You can read the tribute I wrote about him by clicking here, in case you missed it. His funeral is this week…as well as a “celebration of his ...

I know you’ve heard some version of these two pieces of advice before…not from me…but from anyone who has written a book:“Everyone needs to write a book.”And then the corollary usually comes after that:“The only way to sell a book is through a ‘free shipping and handling book offer and funnel’ for maximum sales and profit.” The ...

I spent the last week with some of the most inspiring (and aspiring) copywriters working in our industry today—however you define “our industry.” This was the first week of the Breakthrough Advertising Bootcamp, where we began unraveling the secrets contained inside the greatest book on copywriting, marketing and human behavior ever written (Breakthrough Advertising)…and I ...

I can’t believe it’s been two years since we lost copywriting superstar Clayton Makepeace. While he will no longer write a new magalog, or create a groundbreaking VSL or develop a kick ass email series that would knock anyone’s socks off (i.e., getting people to order barefoot), there is an archive of his copy and ...

We lost a Titan of Direct Response this past weekend, a marketing innovator of the highest order. Joe Sugarman passed away last week and there has been an outpouring of posts, blogs, videos being shared in many corners of the marketing world…and it’s my turn today. Fans, students and friends–along with marketers and copywriters who may ...