Quitting is okay?
I’m realizing that the goals I set at the beginning of the year might not be totally relevant now.
Why collaboration matters
When pitching a client alone, especially a big budget, it’s easy to get in your head. It’s easy to talk yourself down, or to play it safe, instead of believing in your process and vision.
Nothing sells like “aha!”
If you’re on a sales call with a potential client about your services, and if you can share information about your process that helps an idea finally click for them, you’ll probably make that sale.
Voluntary imposition of constraints
“What characterizes binding behavior is the voluntary imposition of constraints (that are costly to overcome)”
A ritual of outreach
When try to automate outreach and client conversations, we end up with less impact.
Set a timer for 30 minutes
A short burst of intense focus can deliver more results than we tend to think.
Hostage negotiation with reality
“My profession is hostage negotiation with reality. Reality says “I’m gonna kill it!” and I say “no, you’re not. Listen, put down the gun, let’s talk.”
Too present to advance
Instead of trying to convince someone on your team to stay, what if you found someone who’s fully present with their work somewhere else?
4 outcomes of quitting
It’s rare for me to admit I’m quitting on a goal. Usually I’ll just let the goal slowly fade in the rearview mirror as I drive away, talking about something new.
Stop putting your CEO in your ads
“Unless the CEO is unusually unpretentious and personable, his or her appearance in an ad may look like a grab for the customer’s money.”
Negative space in copywriting
In a 30-second commercial, you have time for a script of about 80 words. But you shouldn’t use them all.
Death and taxes
Two big blocks for people who want to start freelancing, but don’t, are health insurance and taxes.
Free stuff
If you’re a reader of the blog, but haven’t gotten involved with the free stuff I offer, here are some links for you.
Grit isn’t fashionable
Part of the reason creative people jump from project to project might be because they haven’t found the thing they love yet. But a more likely explanation is that they have unrealistic expectations for their work.
Key money-making actions
We turn the wrong things into habits in our business—checking email, taking phone calls, setting meetings.
$150k commercial budget build
Are there any brands still paying upwards of $150,000 for commercial shoots in 2025? The answer is yes, but there are three important things you need to do win their business.
Handwritten notes as a strategy
In a world of spam emails, handwritten notes cut through. Why is that? It’s not because a handwritten note says more, is more ecologically friendly, or even easier to read.
Ryan Holiday reposted me. Here’s why it doesn’t matter.
As a younger creator, this would be all I could have daydreamed about. My favorite living author reshared my work. Now that I have more experience, I realize this is just another day.