From Legend to Icon
That is the headline on the letter that accompanies the renewal bonuses sent to members of my Titans Xcelerator Mastermind who are renewing for their sixth year.
No…I am not giving them away to you today…although I would if I could. 🙂
What I will do instead is share “why these bonuses?”…and how they are symbolic of what it takes to become iconic.
“Iconic” means something or someone well-known, recognizable, and admired, especially for representing a particular idea or time.
Some background: On their third anniversary, the Titans Xcelerators were dubbed “Titan Rejuvenators”; on their fourth they graduated to “Titan Masters”; on their fifth they became “Titan Legends”; and now, on their sixth anniversary of membership, they have been anointed “Titan Icons.”
Now that’s an ascension program. 🙂
I gave them two special gifts for this iconic achievement, two gifts that are inspired by an icon of copywriting and marketing, Gene Schwartz.
And they are gifts that honor their commitment to being, and remaining, at the top of the marketing game:
1. Those of you who have bought Breakthrough Advertising from me know that on the cover of the book is a picture of a classic manual typewriter.
While I thought about getting each 6th year Xcelerator one of those, I came up with something equally meaningful (and a bit less expensive…and much easier to ship):
A “Titans Xcelerator Icon Mouse Pad” (with a smart phone charging station built in).
One of the things I teach my students is that whether they write a book, sales pages, a blog, a VSL script…or just carefully crafted emails to friends, family, and clients…or a journal to themselves…they have a “right” (and an obligation) …to write.
The mouse pad represents a convenient way, in the words of the great Steven Pressfield, to Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be (in this case, in front of a computer screen, putting your cursor where it needs to be… so you can share your wisdom and heart with the world.
Despite Steven also saying, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, that doesn’t mean we should avoid writing…he’s actually encouraging us to write…but to write with severe intention and purpose, with the goal of always moving our respective audiences.
Gene Schwartz would wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments.
So do I…and I want my members to follow their lead as well.
Despite Gene Schwartz not being “a mouse/computer/smart phone kind of guy”—he passed away while still being at one with his manual typewriter—he was as prolific as anyone writing copy anywhere, anytime.
And that’s with a hunting and pecking technique, one finger at a time on that manual typewriter, after suffering a stroke mid-career, losing the use of his right hand.
Now that’s iconic.
But I know if Gene had a mouse, a computer and a smartphone, he would have embraced them with gusto, considering them luxuries.
I don’t know if he would have been more productive because he was already as productive as any copywriter of his time…but I know he would tell us how lucky we are to have tools like these at our fingertips…not to mention AI and all the amazing technology that sadly, we often take for granted.
So…here’s the reason for the mouse pad as the gift to the “Titan Icons” (in the spirit of being grateful that technology exists):
To constantly remind them–members of my business family—of the many unfair advantages they have compared to those who came before them who toiled in the marketing and copywriting world…and that TODAY is the best time in the history of the world to be doing what they are doing.
And to use all their unfair advantages to change the world, with integrity and passion.
Nothing too big, right? 🙂
2. The second gift is also a tribute to Gene…and something profoundly simple that is intended to change the way my members work…specifically, creating a maximum productivity environment using this:
The official Titans Xcelerator Pomodoro Egg Timer
It is both symbolic and a utility just like the mouse pad.
It symbolizes how Gene was so productive (while typing with one finger) using a method that has been around for over 60 years (The Pomodoro Technique) …which he adapted and perfected…and taught it to copywriters and marketers…and whoever else would listen.
He would set the timer for 33 minutes, 33 seconds, would do nothing but sit at his desk and write…or think about writing…or just sit and not get up until the timer rang.
Then he would rise, stretch, maybe even go outside for a short walk…returning to his desk for another 33 minute, 33 second session of intense concentration.
Set timer…sit (and write) …break…set timer…sit (and write) …break.
Simple yet powerful.
He outlines his specific routine in painstaking detail in a video that is part of an interview series–a.k.a. “Gene Schwartz Live”–which I mention in the P.S.
Why did I choose the egg timer for my “advanced Xcelerators?”
To give them the option to emulate an Icon.
Following routines of the best-of-the-best is a great place to begin that emulation…which only makes you bigger and stronger…and it is one of many ways how Legends become Icons. 🙂
Warmly,
Brian
P.S. You can’t get the gifts described above (boo…hiss).
Well…you can…in 6 years…if you join Titans Xcelerator.
Short of that, you can buy Breakthrough Advertising (Gene Schwartz’s masterpiece and a must have for every library whether you are a copywriter or not)…and all the supporting products…by clicking here.
Options include the glorious 500-page companion volume, Breakthrough Advertising Mastery (in a physical or digital format), “The Breakthrough Advertising Interviews” which includes that live presentation from Gene being Iconic…and the ultimate Gene Schwartz Swipe File.
Don’t you want to be Iconic too? 🙂