Make Life Easier: Find One Thing You Have in Common With Your Foes
By Michael Masterson
We all have "enemies" -- unpleasant individuals we can't avoid because of work or social obligations. As a general rule, we deal with them by staying away as much as possible. When we must interact, we speak as little as we can. Just the facts and goodbye. However, there's a better way to deal with these people. Find something that you have in common. Maybe a favorite sports team. Or an interest in wine, stamps, or Frank Sinatra. It may seem hard to imagine that someone you don't like can share a passion with you. But if you dig beneath the surface, you will be surprised at what you discover. I remember having a tough time convincing HR, a big-shot financial author at the time, to work with an editor of mine. I got them together for dinner one night, and forced a long and painful conversation. I was hoping some common interest would pop up. I tried all the obvious things -- business, art, and politics. But they were polar opposites. Then, just as dessert was served, the subject of "Saturday Night Live" came up. And it turned out that both of them had a perverse fascination with a particular skit that was popular back then. So spend a little time trying to find something you share with your enemy. Then, the next time you're together, say something specific and engaging about it. See how the conversation goes. If your experience is like mine, you'll discover that more than half of such relationships will become less stressful. The essential differences between the two of you won't go away. But it will be easier to work out disagreements and come to terms when you have a way of having fun together.
-----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- Where Can You Find the Best Business Partners? - You may consider your competitors to be bitter enemies. But in business - especially online - some of your most profitable deals will come from partnering with them. In the Internet Money Club, you'll learn how to set up these lucrative joint ventures. And put together win-win deals.
"I feel that luck is preparation meeting opportunity." Oprah Winfrey Who's Your Marlon Brando?
By John Wood Recently on Turner Classic Movies, I watched a documentary simply titled "Brando." There was a moment in it that sliced through my heart. It didn't come from the legendary movie actor himself, though. It came from Brando's Apocalypse Now co-star, Frederic Forrest. He said this about Brando: "I never had any scenes with him. He killed me twice -- in Missouri Breaks he shot me out of the outhouse, and in Apocalypse Now he cut my head off. But I never got to have a scene with him. I regret that. But God Almighty, I wish I had had enough nerve to meet him... to know him. But I was too in awe." What struck me was the true sense of regret Forrest put behind these words. You could tell it pains him to this day. Have you ever been in a similar situation... where you wanted to take action, but didn't? Perhaps, like Forrest, you wanted to introduce yourself to someone, but let the moment slip by.
Your story might not be as dramatic as missing the chance to hang out with Marlon Brando, but it's no less important.
Perhaps you were at a social event and spotted a local business hero. But when you started to walk over to introduce yourself, your feet acted like they were nailed to the floor. You remained frozen in place and silent -- leaving you to always wonder what might have been... In the marketing world, it would be like having an opportunity to have a conversation with an industry icon -- the likes of Michael Masterson, Bob Bly, Bill Bonner, or Herschell Gordon Lewis (to mention only a few) -- and not taking advantage of it.
In a minute, I'll give you some tips on how to make a good impression on someone you admire and respect. Doing a few relatively simple things can have a big impact on your life. Because on top of the thrill of meeting that person, you may end up with some "glicken." (If you're not familiar with the word "glicken," it's an unexpected bonus.) Meeting the Man Who Wrote the Book That's what happened to Pam Foster. Pam, a member of American Writers & Artists Inc. (AWAI), is a copywriter. But before she even thought of becoming a copywriter, she worked for L.L. Bean. And they just happened to have a copy of Bob Bly's The Copywriter's Handbook. Reading it is what got her interested in copywriting. That's when she signed up with AWAI. And once she did, she found the name "Bob Bly" popping up quite often. You see, Bob is the author of more than 70 books on copywriting and marketing. He's been paid millions of dollars in fees, royalties, and advances from more than 100 publishers, editors, and corporate clients. With more than 25 years of experience, he's received numerous awards and has been recognized as one of the top people in the industry. So when Pam spotted Bob at AWAI's 2005 Copywriting Bootcamp, she knew it was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. She walked over and introduced herself. The result? "We've since become friends and colleagues," Pam says. "He refers work to me and has been an affiliate for my Internet book. He's a great person to know, and I never would have met him had I not gotten up the nerve to introduce myself to him." The Power of One Little Conversation This past May at AWAI's Writer's Retreat, Toni Rockis started up a conversation with AWAI Co-Founder Paul Hollingshead.
Toni, a grant writer, told Paul that there was a need for a program to educate people on the ins and outs of submitting grants. And she suggested that offering a grant-writing program would be a great opportunity for AWAI. Paul talked to Katie Yeakle, AWAI's Executive Director, about it. And the very next day, they asked Toni to write up a program outline. (They're moving forward with the project as I type this.) What made Toni's meeting with Paul so successful was that she planned it in advance. She knew he would be at the Writer's Retreat. And she thought out what she would say to him and how she would introduce her idea. Like Toni, you can "prepare" to meet the person you want to introduce yourself to. Doing this accomplishes two things: 1. It calms your nerves. You'll be rehearsed and confident -- with no fear of sounding silly or saying the wrong thing. 2. It exponentially increases your chances of getting "glicken." You'll know the best way to introduce your ideas, since you'll have thought about it long and hard. What Pam and Toni have in common is that they had the courage to take action. And they got to meet their "Marlon Brando." If there's a "Marlon Brando" in your life, I encourage you to take action. Here's how to make that all-important first impression... - Walk up to your "Marlon Brando" confidently. Smile! No one wants to meet a grump.
- Introduce yourself and tell him what you do. Make eye contact.
- Compliment him on his work or tell him how much something he's written or said has helped you. Don't make it overly flattering or you could come off as insincere.
Let the conversation evolve from there. - Use his name during the conversation. A person's name is music to his ears.
- Be a good listener. Give him your full attention. Focus on and react to what he says.
- Have some questions in your back pocket. This will help move the conversation along (and avoid those awful silent gaps). If, for example, he's an author, ask if you can expect to see another book from him soon. If you're a newbie in his area of expertise, ask what advice he would give to someone just starting out.
- Be mindful of his time, and don't over-stay your visit. When it feels right, say something like "I know you must be busy, so I'll let you go. It was great meeting you."
Right about now, you're probably thinking, "Easier said than done." Most things are. But you might just be surprised by how easy this will be. Most successful people are very friendly and will be happy to talk to you. (Provided you aren't overbearing or bumptious.)
Remember, you don't have to be witty or come off as intellectually brilliant. You just have to be genuine and honest.
Take the initiative and, like Pam and Toni, you'll never have to think "What if...?" [Ed. Note: If you're interested in pursuing a copywriting career, you might want to check out AWAI's Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting. It contains hundreds of copywriting techniques, as well as a step-by-step "how-to" guide. Learn how to make $100,000 a year (or more!) right here.] -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- Why You Don't Need To Be an Author to Have a Bestselling Book A Florida martial arts expert "found" a dusty old book. Then he turned it into estimated sales of over $20,000 in one month. With another book, he's pulled in over $332,250. A 30-something Internet marketer used the same formula to dig up his own bestseller. The little-known art book he found made $19,453 in just 3 weeks. These books weren't first editions. They weren't famous. They weren't wildly popular. Best of all? These hidden treasure troves don't have to cost you a penny. You could unearth the next bestseller. Find out how right here.
Heard of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
By Michael Masterson
The EEOC's mission? To make sure workers are not unfairly terminated, harassed, or discriminated against. Good in theory. But many bad workers are using the agency to get money they don't deserve. Employee "retaliation" lawsuits were up 23 percent in 2008. It's supposed to work like this: An employee complains about unsafe working conditions. They get fired. They sue their employer. But many workers, fired for bad performance or violations, are claiming the same protection. The government doesn't see through the scheme. So they often win. How do you protect your business from these revenge lawsuits? Hire new employees for a six-month trial period. That should give you plenty of time to determine their character before you hire them permanently. -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- When was the last time you slept (uninterrupted)
for 8 straight hours? Dr. Jim LaValle (known as the "Doctors' Doctor" because of his packed educational lectures for doctors) has just released a report with the secrets to getting you back to sleeping through the night... without drugs... in just 14 days. In it, you'll discover: - How to eliminate the #1 reason why you toss and turn for hours (Your spouse will thank you too!)
- Tested psychological "tricks" that are guaranteed to knock you out cold!
- How to "burn off" the hormones that are keeping you wide awake at night (and half asleep during the day)
If you're ready to sleep like a baby all night... and wake up bursting with energy... click here for your report.
I believe there is a direct relationship between hard work and success. Those who work harder achieve more. And that applies equally to individuals, families, ethnic groups, and nations. Yes, talent helps. But talent is not something we can choose. It is given to us, as are so many other "advantages": the kind of family we are born into, the color of our skin, and even our native intelligence. You can't increase your natural talents. But you can work hard to get better at any skill. And if you work hard enough, sometimes you arrive at a point where it looks like natural talent. People say to you, "Well, such and such is easy for you. You have a gift for it." There are many talented people out there doing nothing, achieving nothing, and living unhappy lives. Because talent is a two-edged sword. Having a gift for a certain something can rob you of the habit of hard work. If you don't have to try as hard, you never develop your potential. In the beginning, you are a natural leader in the field -- but as time passes, the less-talented overtake you. So let me ask you... how hard are you working?
Latest News
"My team of one expanded to include three experts." "This was one of the best e-mails I've ever had from you. Thanks so much. This is the type of assistance I appreciate most of all. "So many of the comments made, by both Michael and Clayton, planted a seed. I opened my marketing planning folder and added many promotion and planning ideas based on what I had just read. "For one brief moment, my team of one expanded to include three experts -- a 'thinker,' a 'marketer,' and a 'pusher'!" Janet Denison
Vernon, British Columbia
-----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- No Silver Spoons Here - Success mentor Bob Cox knows firsthand that hard work trumps talent. He's helped four men go from rags to riches. Each became a billionaire, thanks to their work ethic. And they also had an attitude, a mindset, that drove them to succeed. It's something you can learn. Why not let Bob help you...
Today's Words That Work: Bumptious Someone who's bumptious (BUMP-shus) is pushy; offensively self-assertive. The word was possibly derived from a combination of "bump" and "presumptious." Example (as used by John Wood today): "Most successful people are very friendly and will be happy to talk to you. (Provided you aren't overbearing or bumptious.)"
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