The Copywriting Maven

I don’t know about you, but I love reading the "419" email scam letters I get. I hear from dethroned Kings and Queens of Africa, Barristers and Bankers of London, and Deposed Generals from countries I’ve never heard of. They have millions of US green backs to share with me, if only I’d give [...]

I’m looking to avoid a project revision and housework this afternoon, so here’s one more "fun run" before I head upstairs to report for cleaning duty …
Direct marketing isn’t a brand-focused process. We tend not to work with awareness issues as we’re more concerned with motivating measurable, quantifiable action. However, brand reputation is certainly part [...]

My good friend, Drew, at Drew’s Marketing Minute is encouraging us to "Say Howdy" to our neighbors in the BlogLog Community (which will soon explode, I’m sure, now that Yahoo has bought it.). I’m happy to pass this along, as well. It works like this:
The list below started with Andy Beard. The first link is [...]

As I perused today’s business mail, I came across a particular piece.
Plain white #10 envelope, no "corner card" identifying the sender. First class mail stamp. My name/company name and address inkjetted in the traditional typewriter courier font.
So of course I opened it … and chances are, so would you.
Inside was what appeared to [...]

When I did stand-up comedy a zillion years ago (marvelous training for direct response copywriting, by the way), one of the most important concepts I learned was "You gotta play the room."
So, depending on the composition of the audience, I’d revise my 10-minute set accordingly. Drop a story here. Add a story there. Change [...]