Finding points of connection. Today I had a phone call with the Times-News newspaper, to resubscribe Dad. I talked with a pleasant lady who handles subscriptions and classifieds.

Instead of being transactional, she asked if I was enjoying the snow. She talked about the inch or two they received over the weekend. She talked about how her computer was slow today and how tempted she was to throw it out the window. It all made for a short and funny conversation. Not salesy at all, but real and genuine.

Two people chatting and exchanging goods. How it should be done. Bonus points: we both talk with NC accents.

How can a 54yr old and 19yr old find something in common? Music. When driving my daughter, Kate, back to VCU, we listened to Sabrina Carpenter’s album and talked about the lyrics. Funny, when we got to her dorm, her roommate had a picture of Sabrina on the wall. Music bridges generations.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

It’s easy to laugh at email marketing. "That's so last century!” people say, as they chase the latest social media trends.

But look closer. Your “rented” social media audience can vanish overnight with one algorithm change from the robot overlords. Meanwhile, your email list? Still there, still converting. 

An email database is your most valuable digital asset. Consider it your prized piece of internet real estate. On social media, you're renting space in someone else's house. With email, you own the land. 

The proof is in the numbers. Email consistently outperforms other digital channels in conversion rates. The only thing better? Speaking to a live audience. 

Whether you’re trying to sell a book or a shiny widget, build that email list. Future You will thank you for it.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Signing up (for emails) is a powerful signal of intent to buy. Send them emails until they do.”

— Jordie van Rijn

“Email has an ability many channels don’t: creating valuable, personal touches – at scale.”

— David Newman

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3 Writing Questions

1. How does the concept of "rented" versus "owned" audiences apply to different marketing channels?

2. What strategic advantages does email marketing offer for long-term business growth?

3. How does email marketing create the ability to to create “personal touches” at scale? How is this different from other platforms?

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HAVE YOU GOT MY NEW BOOK?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

Think Narnia with gears and goggles… YA fantasy meets steampunk.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Want to know the most important (and often overlooked) aspect of a website?

Cue the suspenseful music…

Collecting email addresses from your visitors.

That’s right, it’s not the glossy photos or the latest design trends.

In the wild world of marketing, email addresses are the shiny bars of gold.

That’s why EVERY homepage should have a strategy for collecting info from interested readers/customers/clients.

With an email database, you can stay connected with your audience without worrying about the ever-changing algorithms of social media.

cough Zuckerberg cough

But wait, how do you convince someone to hand over their precious email?

Simple. Offer them something irresistible in return.

Maybe it’s:

• A PDF

• A short story

• A coupon

• Free shipping

• Or even better, an 8x10 glossy of you in a velvet smoking jacket holding a glass of wine

Whatever it is, think about your target audience. And try to make them say, “Whoa, that’s cool.”

Now offer that for free.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing.”

— Tom Fishburne

“When you give something away for nothing, you look nice. When that something is valuable, you look authoritative and trustworthy. Win-win. Freebies help your audience trust you as an expert in your field.”

— Elise Darma

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3 Writing Questions

1. What's the most enticing freebie you've ever been offered in exchange for your email address?

2. What's the ideal way for a website to promote a freebie offer without being too pushy or intrusive?

3. Can you think of any websites that offer unique freebies?

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HAVE YOU GOT MY NEW BOOK?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

Think Narnia with gears and goggles… YA fantasy meets steampunk.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Ever thought about a character’s first line? 

It’s their initial handshake… firm and confident. Or soft and fishy.

A few reasons to give red-carpet treatment to debut lines:

• Impressions Matter
  Just like a first date or job interview, opening words set the tone. 

• Hook ‘Em Fast
  A great line can be the difference between a reader thinking, “Meh” or “More, please!” 

• Show, Don’t Tell (The Golden Rule)
  Instead of saying “Jane was sarcastic,” have her early dialogue drip with delicious sarcasm.

• Reflect Their World
  Sneak in a hint at the character’s background, social status, or setting.

Fun Exercise: Try writing five different first lines for your main characters. Which one makes you go, “Yep, that’s them!”? 

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Well-crafted dialogue will indicate if a character is smart or dumb, honest or dishonest, amusing or an old sobersides. ”

— Stephen King

“Diction in dialogue is about so much more than the ideas your characters communicate. It’s a tool for revealing who they are, what they want, and how they feel.”

— Abi Wurdeman

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3 Writing Questions

1. Can you think of examples from books or movies where the first line left a strong impression on you?

2. How can the first line of a character contribute to their overall development throughout the story?

3. What makes a first line memorable?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.