Second opinion

So I was punishing myself at the gym yesterday (I had a nice size desert the night before) and while on the treadmill I was watching some CNN (yes I punish myself in more ways than one at the gym).

In any event, an ad came on that was for a prominent national agency putting together some class action for some drug that was now causing all sorts of problems. You know these commercials, trying to convince you to "cash in" on something now proved or soon to be proved bad for you, the environment and the WORLD.

This one had a line in it that said "If you have died due to using XX drug to call now..." I may not be the best copy writer or even a copy writer for that matter but that line was not edited well...and for a national TV spot for that matter!!

Next time you think it sounds good to you...get someone who will be honest with you to give their "second" opinion, then go to print. Just a suggestion.

The first law of mass media

Sales people can make the best marketers!

I nearly always enjoy Seth Godin's blogs (who doesn't), but this one in particular struck a chord with me as I am convinced that in order to be effective at any level of personal marketing you have to have your relationship skills in order.

More than that if marketing firms and advertising agencies want to really get in touch with their customers and have these kind of relationships that Seth describes, I suggest they hire sales people for their creative teams not just to sell their services!


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Read a book for crying out loud

Yes, in case some of you wondered they do still print books. You remember those....paper, bindings and a place to write notes with a real pen!

I too love the web but sometimes the best way to exercise the brain is to unplug and pick up a book...sounds lame right?! I think the real challenge is to pick up the right book.

So in order to help some of you "exercise" I am offering a few recommended readings. Now lets be clear, we all have diverse tastes in reading material, some of you will be looking for pictures, pop-ups or some self-help crap that touts the latest fad of how to make a million in a week....none of that here!

In no particular order (well maybe a little order):

• "The Alchemist" Paulo Coelho, A great story told in a fictional sense about really finding a better purpose for life, in addition to some insights in how to really listen to what the world is telling us. This book is great if you are ready to "hear" it. Those of you that are ready for it will know what I mean.
  
• "11 Minutes" Paulo Coelho, An interesting look at our sexuality, how that relates to who we are, what we do and what we are willing to give up to get it. I love how raw the book shows how close we are tied to our own sexuality.
  
• "3 Cups of Tea" Greg Mortenson & David Relin, A true story of a mountaineer's life changing experience in Pakistan and his mission to promote peace by building schools and educating girls in some of the poorest areas of the world. I'm inspired by how the actions of one person can really make change, too often I think we all forget that.
• "A Prayer for Jabez" Bruce Wilkinson, A little told guy in the Bible and the power of his prayer. Never underestimate God, period.
  
• "Wild at Heart" John Eldredge, What is it that men are really needing in life, church, love and much more....I like how Eldredge challenges all men to think differently. You have to read through to the end.

There are so many more but these 5 will get you started. They are all a bit different, however I love Coelho. This guy has to be one of the better writers I have read lately.

So go enjoy a book...a real one not a downloaded copy! If you have to you can go to Starbucks and keep your laptop open and stay connected while you read.