LOL! Great one Clayton! Even as an anti-smoking nazi crusader (I write copy for the health/nutraceuticals market) I have to cheer you on for that one, for being unapologetically you.

ROTFLMAO!

Seriously Clayton, this…

"When I returned to my seat, the stewardess politely tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Sir, there’s a $500 fine for smoking in the lavatory."  I smiled, handed her $500 and said, "I’ll be spending the rest of the flight in the head.  Would you bring me an Absolut on the rocks?""

Was the FUNNIEST thing I’ve read in WEEKS!With Love,
Caleb
 

I’m a fellow Harley Rider (Sportster 1200 Custom…hoping to upgrade to a nice comfy ride as soon as my career gets underway).  I’m just starting out as a writer…I’ve been paid for articles etc…and I’m hoping to learn as much as I can about copywriting and how to get clients etc…  Right now I’m finishing up some courses for my degree (47 years old and finally finishing school!).  I also signed up for that AWAI copywriting course…I hope it’s worth it!).  Any advice or help you can offer would be so very much appreciated!  I’m basically unemployed now and my savings account is dwindling fast!!! 

If you’re ever attending any bike events let me know and maybe I can plan a trip and introduce myself!  I currently live in upstate NY (Rome) after living almost 20 years in Orlando, Florida…Much colder riding weather up here!!!  AND THE SEASON IS JUST TOO SHORT!!!

Couldn’t you open up the window or something?

And if you hear screaming… ignore it. People are just so hysterical these days…

John

If you see any show here, Jersey Boys is the one.  Don’t know about Bally’s having loosest slots…had not heard that before.  I know someone won on Megabucks there about four years ago–$22 million.  I think Fremont Street slots might be better.  Don’t know, I don’t gamble much (rarely).

Yeah, I’ve been to Vegas a time or two before.  Probably twenty or more times.  Heck:  I’m so old, I stayed at Circus Circus when it was just four years old (1972)!

When I got my pilot’s license back in the late 1970s, my first solo cross-country flight was from LA to Vegas.  Wendy and I met for the first time at a Money Show at The Rivera.  Few years back, we spent ten days at Bellagio in a $5,000 a night suite (they comped us).

I’ve also stayed at the old Stardust, Mirage, Ceasar’s, the MGM and several condos off the strip.  Are the slots at Bally’s still the loosest on the strip?  The Redhead loves "Wheel of Fortune" — actually wins at it every trip!

My favorite thing to do, though is Fremont Street.  That’s classic Vegas at its best — and last time I was down there, there was even a Harley dealer at the end of the street (still there?).

I’m not so big on glitzy shows, but Wendy was able to drag me out to see Three Dog Night, the Beach Boys (we sat next to Jan and Dean!) and Bob Newhart in Vegas.

I’ve got a bajillion e-mails to write for a client today.  Then, I gotta pick up a new cell phone before we head out at 3:00 PM (spilled a drink on the old one).  Then a quick drive to Atlanta, overnight in a hotel, First-Class non-stop to Vegas in the morning (4 1/2 hours.  Yuk). 

Here’s a true story for you:  Last time we flew out there, I had a few drinks on the flight and after a few hours — and in a state of severe nicotein withdrawal — decided that the no-smoking rule was probably negotiable.  So I went into the bathroom and (to Wendy’s horror) lit up. 

When I returned to my seat, the stewardess politely tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Sir, there’s a $500 fine for smoking in the lavatory." 

I smiled, handed her $500 and said, "I’ll be spending the rest of the flight in the head.  Would you bring me an Absolut on the rocks?"

She was not amused.  Started talking jail time.  Try that today and you’ll probably wind up dancing with an Air Marshall and spending the rest of the flight in restraints.

From Atlanta, the plan is simple:  Limo to the hotel, check in, pull up a chair in front of a friendly dealer, order a drink and don’t move for a week.

… Or not.  Actually, we’ll probably get out of the casino a lot.  My lifelong buddy Denny Koska (You know:  The guy who produces all those great infomercials for Script to Screen?) is driving over from LA for the weekend.  And I’m seriously thinking about renting a car and hot-footing it over to Tahoe for a night.

The big thing, though, is purging all thoughts of marketing and copywriting from my burnt-out brain for a whole week. 

When I get back, I want to hear lots of stories about how you guys just created the signature success of your entire careers … how it’s going to pay you six or even seven figures between now and Christmas … and how you’re going to tip ME 10% of that for helping you do it! 

Cheers, y’all!

– Clayton

Clayton, I’ve read your article several times - printed it - and it’s sitting sheet protected in my binder entitled: "Best Marketing Insights."  I never thought I could write an effective sales letter but a light came on!  It’s subjective, but I think this edition of The Total Package is the most valuable to date.  And it’s one of many examples of you being a "Super George" to your readers.

Come to think of it, I have friends who have whipped out their credit cards when those infomercials came on - for both products - hair miracle pills and born again stud solutions.  They know better but bought anyway.  What’s really mind boggling is the sheer volume of ongoing sales!  

There are only 3 "beatable" gambling games - 21 - poker and sports betting.  But, for the majority of people, the chances of beating any one of them (long run) are slim, none and slim left town.  So what keeps the roulette and dice system players coming out here year after year? - and all "hell bent" that they know something we don’t.  This has to be the same resident emotion that bought the infomercial goods - the power of wanting or "needing" to believe.  Dreams are conjured like magic through great copy and the lure of Vegas alike.

Clayton, if you enjoy Asian food and an "eye feast" with dinner, try Tao at the Venetian.  It’s a gorgeous restaurant - I’ve heard that they spent over $25 million on the decor.  I don’t know how "comp savvy" you are but if you are playing blacks at the BJ tables, have your hotel casino host get off his duff and make you comped reservations.