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.  ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 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 ...

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 ...

“If you’re not part of the solution… …there’s good money to be made in prolonging the problem”  This definition is the dark side of what we call “consulting.”  It doesn’t have to be this way…but it’s true more often than it’s not.   I want to give consultants (and clients who hire consultants) more hope today…and ...

For those of you who follow baseball in the U.S., you are aware that after a long and arduous labor negotiation, the 2022 season will take place.  For those of you who don’t follow baseball, this post will still be relevant because I won’t be focusing on the negotiation or the intricate details of ...

I want to tell you about four “rebels” today…cut from the same cloth but completely different…all with a mission of spreading the gospel of direct response marketing, audience engagement…and entrepreneurial freedom.  As a bonus, while they spread their influence, they also leave us no excuses when we stare at a blank piece of paper, ...

Those of you who have been reading these blog posts for any length of time know that I often quote (and refer to) Gene Schwartz…and for good reason.  Not just as a copywriter or a marketer…but as a true Renaissance man.  This week, while working on a new book based on Gene’s classic tome, ...

In one of the mastermind groups where I am a member, someone posted a question whether they should use (for their students for a charter membership offer), a free trial, a one-dollar offer, a short term/lower priced offer…or simply charge them full price.  And the answers that came back from a group (who are ...

The first time I entered your inbox with this Sunday missive (some of you may recall that fateful day) was 8 years ago this week, in honor of Valentine’s Day 2014.  At that time, it went out to a small group of family and friends (a VERY small group) …but I maintain that it ...

Most awards given to marketers are silly…especially when they are based on anything but positive results.  Be skeptical when a marketer gets an award for an ad that looks pretty or because it contains clever copy…it’s far more important to find out if the ad worked (by some significant metric, whether related to response, ...