Episode Details

This week we will continue with listener questions. As you may remember, we just completed our first ever Annual Reader/Listener Survey for this site (and podcast). We got some interesting and surprising results in that survey…  and lots of feedback, comments, and questions.

We will answer more questions and comment on more comments. Also on today's episode…

• Tip of the Week
• I address the overreaction to my comments about "radical grace".
• Would you like to be in a mastermind with me?
• And the always award-winning, much much more.

Announcements:

• Looking for a copywriting gig? Send me a one sheet "sales letter" on why you would be a perfect copywriter for me to hire. 800 words maximum. Also send along any samples you think would convince me you are brilliant. Make the subject line of your email say only: "Blue Fondue". Send that email to the address I provided in the podcast, and listen to the podcast audio for instructions about what happens next. If you email me with questions, I have not listened to the podcast instructions, I won't be able to answer you.
• Starting this week, every person who submits an audio question for the podcast will receive a free gift (if, and only if, we use your question on the podcast). Click here to submit your audio question.
• Meanwhile, if you would be interested in the possible one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… And if you're not just "interested" but you already know you want to do it,  fill in this form. If it looks like you would be a good fit, I will call you myself.  (If you just want the "details", listen to the podcast. I explain all the "details".)

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Strategic Influence Jan 14-16, 2014, Phoenix, AZ
• NAMS 11 February 7-9, 2014, Atlanta, GA
• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• JV Alert: The Perfect Game April 24-27, Denver, CO
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

 Stuck In Customs

Copywriting Corner

This is the official kickoff of one of your suggestions from our listener survey: that I include a copywriting tip in each episode.  Each week I will include a tip on how to improve the power and persuasiveness of your copy. In other words, I will help you write copy that moves people to action, whether that action be to buy a product, to opt into a list, or to adopt an idea you are "selling" to them.

This week's tip: the easiest and fastest way to influence anyone is by using what is already influencing them.

This is a restatement of Robert Colliers classic advice: you must enter the conversation that is already taking place in the mind of the reader.

But how do you do this? To get into the mind of your prospect, you need to have tea.  No, it's not a beverage. It's a visualization exercise, for which I have coined the term The Empathy Amplifier (T.E.A.). Here's how to do it:

• Gather all the actual data you have about your prospects (the people to whom you are writing).
• Get into a quiet place. Perhaps even have an actual cup of tea.
• Now visualize yourself stepping into the