Applying the Pareto Principle to your activities is the way to truly achieve more in the time (or even less time) than you currently have is the claim from some experts.
Although not an exact science, many studies frequently seem to show 20% ( or thereabouts) of effort generates 80% of the results achieved.
OK – hands up (mine are already waving high in the air) how much of your time is not as productive as you’d like it to be?
Gary Bencivenga (have you heard of him?) gives a great description in his Bencivenga Bullets newsletter of how this principle applies to copywriters and marketers; how he discovered it for himself many years ago and what action he took to turn it around so he didn’t continue to waste 80% of his time.
If you have ever looked back over your day and thought “Where the heck did the time go today? What have I got to show for it – nothing!” then some of the insights Gary shares in this bulletin (and his next one) may give you back a feeling of being in control. Read it here: Bencivenga Bullets
And talking of being in control… tomorrow’s post is an important one for making sure you get what you want from these snippets – don’t miss it.
~ Carol Bentley
technorati tags: copywriting Pareto Principle Bencivenga Less time more productivity
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This post is giving you very short notice – and I’m sorry if you don’t see it in time.
I’ve mentioned previously about Ed Rivis publishing his book The Ultimate Web Marketing Strategy [Aff]. If you took a look at his blog then you already know about his startlingly low priced 24-hour launch of his book which commenced yesterday (4th March) at 10.30 GMT.
As I write this post that means there is just over 2.5 hours before it goes from £6.99 back to its normal price of £19.97.
The description on the front of the book cover says…
“How everyday business owners can use the world’s most tested and proven online marketing strategies to attract thousands of new customers, hyper-gear revenues, boost profits up to 2.5 to 25 times and grow their business or professional practice within the next 12 months or less.”
I think that says it all – I’ve watched Ed testing and proving these strategies over the last year and, what’s more, in his book he shares how he’s discovered what works as well as explaining what to do.
If you want to take advantage of his ridiculous starting offer pop over to Ed Rivis’ 24-hour Special
~ Carol Bentley
I wonder if, like me, you turn to the internet as your first port of call when you want to find something; whether for business or personal use.
I’m always amazed at the stuff that is out there – literally at the end of your fingertips. And when I was looking for inspiration for verses for my Father’s memorial service that’s where I started to look.
Why am I sharing this with you? Because I found something unexpected – although I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised. It was an online website at which you can set up a memorial page. I thought it was a great way of sharing with family that is spread far and wide and is especially nice for those who can’t attend a funeral. www.imorial.com/bobcliff/
So what does this have to do with copywriting?
Everything!
Because there are times when your writing skills are needed for occasions outside your business; writing speeches for christenings, weddings, special birthdays and anniversaries and, of course, memorial services.
Writing for an emotional occasion is probably harder than when you are writing for your business. For me, I found that following the same principle of ‘writing to a friend’ helped me write Dad’s eulogy and the natural flow of the words made it easier for my brother to read out at the service.
And writing can be therapeutic as well, it certainly helps with the healing process.
Isn’t it nice to know that as you’re developing your writing ability you are creating a skill that is useful in all aspects of your life, not just business?
~ Carol Bentley
“I thought you were nuts about…” was the start of a comment on a hubpage I published on 9th February. But I had to smile as I continued to read because it went on to validate the advice I had given.
The subject of the hub is one I’ve mentioned in a previous post on this website… how taking time to write as many headlines as possible, before choosing the few you want to test, is time well spent.
On the hub I included a useful mind map, which gives an ‘at-a-glance’ reminder of my headline creating tips. You can download it from the hub page http://hubpages.com/hub/craftingheadlines, where you can also read the full comment left by the reader I mentioned above as well as those left by other readers.
Please give the page a thumbs up rating when you visit it. Thanks.
~ Carol Bentley
When a well respected UK business coach decides to share his knowledge and experience then taking advantage makes sound sense.
Brian James is just such a person… you may already know him. Brian has recently started his business coaching blog and I know, because I get his regular e-newsletters, his posts will be packed full of useful business tips.
If you don’t know Brian then I strongly recommend you pop over to his blog at http://www.business-coachinguk.com/ and browse his site. You can start by getting 3 chapters from his book for free; he’s gifting them just for letting him send you a notification email whenever he makes a post. Talk about something for nothing! 
I’m looking forward to getting great ideas from Brian… you can too if you subscribe.
~ Carol Bentley
technorati tags: business coaching brian james marketing business advice
I’m getting withdrawal symptoms – not having written my daily blog post for a few weeks. I’m getting back into it gradually (time still being taken up sorting my Father’s estate) and I’m starting with an extract from my book that may be a reminder (if you have a copy) or a useful insight if you haven’t.
It’s taken from chapter 10 and is my unique way of looking at how to structure your sales letter. But… I’m starting to get to grips with hubpages so I’ve put the whole article on this hubpage: Outline of a Winning Sales Letter
Take a look and, would you do me a favour, give me a thumbs up rating? Cheers!
~ Carol Bentley
technorati tags: sales letters copywriting hubpages
A little while ago I explained why I migrated to iMindMap from Mind Manager. Chris Ingham sent a message describing the surprising result he gained when he decided to give mind-mapping a try – here’s Chris’ full message (with his permission to share):
Good Morning Carol,
We’d like to thank you for promoting Tony Buzan’s iMindMap.
In an exciting and ‘full’ weekend, we’ve re-thought our Business Plan totally and committed it to paper.
It’s certainly something that I’ve been procrastinating over for a long time and I’ve had some great reasons for delaying: waiting for various marketing to run its course, still running a particular ad., not being able to get everyone focused and on-site, etc., etc.
We’ve found the iMindMap Blue-Print can easily be passed around for input (or not) and with time-limits in place, a speedy result can be on the table in next to no time. I particularly like the fact that the team feel and are involved.
Heading up the particular project is exciting; I (we) can visualise the business growing along with the map. Interestingly, with projects in the past, it’s always been an effort to refocus and concentrate on the job to hand; with iMindMap, you just know what’s down on the paper and you’re (your brain is) in-tune with the content immediately.
For just £58.69 our harnessed, collective brainpower is now a permanent team member.
Thank you for sharing Chris.
If you’d like to get the 7-day free trial you can download it here iMindMap
~ Carol Bentley
P.S. My thanks to everyone who sent their best wishes following my earlier post explaining my ‘absence’. I hope to be able to resume normal service towards the end of next week.
technorati tags: mind mapping sales letters brainstorming
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