The Magic of Self-Appointment
“A man should learn to detect and watch for that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the luster of the firmament of bards and sages” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dear Web Business-Builder,
From a young age, we are appointed.
Appointed by our parents … old enough to stay home alone. Appointed by our institutions … educated enough to enter the full time work force. Appointed by our employers … responsible enough for promotion.
Important question: Have you become mentally conditioned by all this external appointment?
Have you given your power to someone or something outside of yourself?
Could this be the invisible Great Wall of China that’s blocking you from rocketing toward your goals and reaching your full potential?
For most of us, to one degree or another, the answer is “yes." Take a look at this note I received from one of my subscribers earlier this week:
“I have a few questions re: your material …
- Is this setup as a correspondence study course or is it just ideas to use for implementation? Does the material guide you on how to write good, strong copy? Is there anyone who critiques you on your assignments? Or is it all up to one’s own imagination and assumptions?
- How does your material compare to the American Writers and Artists Institute – 6 figure copywriting? Or to the Institute of Copywritng course? Or to any other course out there … ?
- Is it possible to become a successful copywriter without prior experience in finance or marketing? Without a college degree in journalism, finance, marketing …?
- Do your materials also include how to improve one’s writing skills, language usage …?
“I’m very much interested in the field of copywriting. I believe I have a flair with words as well as a good way of expression. However, I’ve done extensive research online as well as perused the copywriting opportunities available, and I keep coming to the same conclusion.
“It seems the only way to truly succeed in the copywriting field is to have an accredited history in finance, journalism, or/and marketing as well as experience in the aforementioned fields. Being familiar with Web design and computer graphics doesn’t seem to hurt either. Many accomplished copywriters have refuted the idea of being able to master copywriting and succeed in the field by simply taking a copywriting course whether online or by correspondence (which doesn’t even seem to be what you’re offering).
“Therefore I question you, as well as other courses, which claim that after completing your/their material one can become a successful copywriter and earn …
“How can you distort reality just in order to sell your product or promote your course? How can you convince people of unbelievable, unattainable goals? Is this another marketing gimmick? Since you guys are the masters of copywriting, perhaps you’re pulling the wool over the consumer’s eyes and convincing them of twisted truths … all for your benefit. UNLESS … perhaps you can convince me otherwise.”
If it weren’t for the rather cheeky last paragraph, I might have sent this woman a constructive response. As it was, I simply replied: “Thanks for writing. With all due respect, I don’t think this is for you.” Who needs customers like this?
I can only imagine what kind of “research” could have possibly led her to these erroneous conclusions. I mean honestly, “an accredited history in finance, journalism, and/or marketing as well as experience in the aforementioned fields.” I can’t think of more onerous liability, can you? Where do these self-defeating delusions come from?
I’ll tell you …
From a young age, powerful forces within society condition you to undervalue who and what you are — so you will look to them for your own self-worth — so you will look to them for validation, power, and permission, through the appointments they bestow on you.
Yes, we have all been hypnotized into believing we are smaller than we really are. Just as a fishbowl keeps goldfish tiny … we have all to one extent or another been fooled into believing our value equals the size of our external appointments.
The question is not: Have you given your power to someone or something outside of yourself? But rather: How can you take it back?
Unlike a goldfish swimming around
oblivious in a tank, you have a choice …
Power is an inside job. You do not need to import it from external sources. All you need do is peel away the lies you’ve been told — and went on to tell yourself — that are keeping you wading around in the kiddy pool of life.
Realize our school system, government, and industries reward dependency, NOT self-reliance … conformity, NOT innovation … slavery to the status quo, NOT fearless adventure into the unknown.
Aside from the 3Rs, (reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic) what you learn through formalized education is obsolete, outdated knowledge by the time you learn it. Worse, it is designed to prepare you to become a droid in a large vertically integrated company or institution the likes of which are disintegrating daily.
The result is the inevitable stunting of your initiative, creativity, and capacity for capitalist thinking. Naturally, you fail to appoint yourself captain of the myriad entrepreneurial opportunities around you. And then you wonder why external appointment eludes you.
I hope this hasn’t made you cynical like my subscriber. She sees a band of rebels thumbing their noses at the mainstream, defining their own lives and prosperity on their own terms. And instead of becoming inspired and encouraged by this, she sees it as distorted reality, twisted truth — a marketing gimmick. How sad.
Please don’t limit your life with these kinds of hideous hallucinations. Expand your beliefs to encompass the life you were born for. Emerson said, “Do the thing, and you will have the power.” You don’t need anyone’s permission.
To be a master — ACT LIKE ONE — starting today!
Assuming greatness is not phony. Unworthiness is the imposter.
If you want to accelerate your development, then stop putting off doing for learning. Smear yourself in the fray. Get your teeth kicked in by day on the mean streets, and burn the midnight oil to make the next day better. You don’t need anyone to tell you you’re ready.
I’m convinced most people fail to get what they want out of life because they’re simply afraid to express their talents without external appointment.
They feel unworthy of asking for and accepting money in exchange for those talents without validation from some external authority.
And they fail to take action toward building their livelihood around those talents without external permission.
Instead, they spend their days doing things they don’t care about. They struggle financially. And they wither emotionally. All because they refuse to allow themselves to fearlessly follow their passions RIGHT NOW!
If you look at some of the most successful people in the world, you’ll see they became that way by taking a very different approach.
… Who told Steve Jobs to drop out of college and appoint himself MESSIANIC LEADER OF STONED GOOFBALL COMPUTER GEEKS EVERYWHERE in a crazy war against centralized computing and its overbearing, power hungry priesthood? A war they ultimately won. Had they not, you probably wouldn’t be reading this.
… Who told Andrew Carnegie — the son of a weaver — who started his career changing spools of thread in a cotton mill twelve hours a day for $1.20 a week that he should appoint himself CAPTAIN OF INDUSTRY?
… Who told Abraham Lincoln that with one year of a backwoods Kentucky education (reading, writing, and ciphering to the rule of three) he was qualified enough to be appointed Postmaster, and then Lawyer, and then Congressman, and then President, and then MILITARY COMMANDER IN CHIEF?
Nobody, that’s who, THEY JUST DID IT!
… And the rest is history.
So just do it, man!
Until next time, Good Selling!
Daniel Levis
Editor, The Web Marketing Advisor
THE TOTAL PACKAGE™
Daniel Levis is a top marketing consultant and direct response copywriter based in Toronto, Canada and publisher of the world famous copywriting anthology, Masters of Copywriting, featuring the selling wisdom of 44 of the “Top Money” marketing minds of all time, including Clayton Makepeace, Dan Kennedy, Joe Sugarman, John Carlton, Joe Vitale, Michel Fortin, Richard Armstrong and dozens more! For a FREE excerpt visit http://www.SellingtoHumanNature.com
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19 Comments »
Join the Discussion!
Let us know what you think. Or ask us anything. Or offer your own sage advice.
The only rule: RESPECT THIS HOUSE! Postings that contain abusive language and/or personal attacks will be cheerfully VAPORIZED. One cross word and – POOF! – your well-thought-out post will be gone in a puff of smoke.
– Clayton
Comment by Blake — July 16, 2008 @ 10:22 am
Another kick-ass article. Keep them coming and THANKS.
Comment by Jennifer — July 16, 2008 @ 10:39 am
Wow Daniel, you’ve done it again! What an amazingly powerful post…
I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to do things the "hard" way. When I decided to strike out as a full-time freelance copywriter and ghostwriter, people looked at me like I was crazy.
"You don’t have a degree…"
"You’ve never been published…"
"You don’t have any industry contacts…"
"You’re going to starve to death!"
While I appreciated everyone’s concern, I wasn’t about to let their objections stop me.
This was what I was born to do… something I’ve known since I was in first grade and won a Young Author’s competition in school.
Did I care that I hadn’t attended or graduated college?
Heck no!
Did it bother me that I was a "newbie"?
Absolutely not!
And so, as I quit my day job (10 years in direct marketing management) to enter the world of writing, I landed my first paying gig, which paid over $0.30 per word - not bad for a first assignment!
People ask me what the most important skill or trait has been in my quest to become the world class writer I am today. I think my answers surprise them…
1. Confidence: I know without a doubt that "I’m the bomb." I know I’m an expert. When clients or referrals call me for help, I’m CERTAIN that I’m the best solution for their problem. It doesn’t bother me if the client makes more money than I do, has a higher education or ranks higher on the "popularity" scale than I. I’m still the best at what I do, and that’s why they’re calling me.
2. Enthusiasm: Perhaps because I’ve already tackled confidence, enthusiasm is a natural next step. I’m good at what I do, and I’m excited about the clients I team up with. If I don’t get fired up about their product or promotion, I don’t take it on. Enthusiasm is like nuclear energy when you’re in sales and marketing, and it can’t be faked.
3. Relationships: I’ve long been a believer in "partnering" with clients, versus working with clients on a one time only basis. I spend a lot of time building up my personal relationships with my clients, getting involved with aspects of their life that are beyond the scope of the project at hand. I make suggestions for solutions to problems they’re facing but haven’t yet asked me to solve. I show them new ways to think outside of the box. And that’s why I’m literally FLOODED with work, not just from them, but from their friends, relatives, colleagues and coworkers that have heard them rave about me in the past.
Skill and talent aren’t on my list, because in all honesty, I think ANYONE can write better, and ANYONE can learn the "secrets" of effective persuasive and promotional writing. But if you don’t have enthusiasm, confidence and the ability to build strong relationships, all of the talent in the world won’t save you!
Thanks again Daniel. You tell it like it is, and I appreciate the heck out of that!
Warmest Wishes,
Jennifer
Comment by Clyde McDade — July 16, 2008 @ 10:41 am
Hello Mr. Levis,
Thank you for this article!
Too many times I’ve asked for less than
I know I’m worth.
I’ll put this advice into action.
Then I’ll send you the results.
Have a great one!
Gratefully,
Clyde McDade
E-mail Copywriter
Accelerated Copywriting Services
accelcs@comcast.net
T: 253.632.7261
F: 253.981.3386
"Writing e-mails that sell."
Comment by Matt — July 16, 2008 @ 10:52 am
Absolutely fantastic post. Thank you!
Comment by Craig — July 16, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Daniel,
WHEW!!!…. BULLSEYE!!.. Great Stuff man, I look forward to reading each and every one of your posts as each one gets "gooderer and gooderer".
Thanks for sharing with us your intellectual insights and I look forward learning more from you in the future….
Best Regards,
Craig Thomas
Comment by Marcelino Latorre — July 16, 2008 @ 11:15 am
Wow, this article is like fresh air. I can’t believe the unbelievable talent I found here at the Total Package. I want to thank you, seriously thank you for your commitment. -Marcelino Latorre
Comment by Paul Flood — July 16, 2008 @ 11:20 am
Daniel,
As always, right on the mark! From such an early age, we are indoctrinated with "the right way" to do, be and think. It is only when we set our own path driven by our own dreams and aspirations that we begin to uncover our true potential. We become what we dream about.
It’s not what course you’ve taken that’s the big deal, it’s what you’ve done with it that counts. When reading the courses and books by copywriters, they rarely, if ever attribute their success to university learning or the years spent in a cubicle learning about finance or journalism. They attribute their success to their mentors and trial by fire.
I personally would rather learn from the general with battle experience and success than the academy graduate who’s read all the books on military strategy and spent years in a Pentagon basement.
Comment by Sean Romanoff — July 16, 2008 @ 11:21 am
Daniel - I absolutely agree with your premise that you make your own destiny, and I’ve discussed that myself in my own blog. But you do a disservice by not acknowledging a small truth that your potential customer unfortunately belabored - most copywriting courses make it sound ridiculously easy to succeed.
It’s almost as if we’re too good at selling our own industry. And that very fact makes a lot of people like this woman think it’s all a bunch of hokus pokus.
You’re right that we need to focus on internal rather than external affirmation. Still, success in copywriting takes more than just belief in oneself and solid writing skills. It takes a plan.
And that’s where most copywriting courses fall short. They give the pep talk. They impart the skills. But they don’t help so much with the plan. I must admit, though, I have no experience with your materials, so I apologize if yours has that base covered.
Don’t throw away a woman like that just yet. Try giving her the response you would have given without her last paragraph. Some advice like you give in this post with a little explanation that you can’t do it for her, and you’ll likely have a new customer.
And my guess is that she’ll be a happy one.
Comment by Brian — July 16, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
Hi Daniel,
Dead-on accurate.
I’m reminded of a story by Marsha Sinetar, author of the best-selling book, "Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow."
After the runaway success of the book , she was inundated with mail from thousands of readers. On the surface, they were asking for career advice. But most were really asking for permission. And some were even setting her up as the scapegoat in case their bold dreams failed!
Sinetar was shocked by the desperation haunting the lives of these readers, many of whom knew exactly what they wanted to do with their lives, but were terrified to take action until someone, anyone (even a stranger!) said that it was OK.
Comment by Gary Smith — July 16, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
Great Article. This connects to something I was reading out of Secrets of a Millionaire Mind by Harv Eker this morning.
The idea is that successful and rich people are very good at promoting themselves and their products. They believe what they can do or their product can do is of profound value to the customer.
And if it is not, as Steve Jobs found when he took the reigns at Apple for the second time, then you bust your ass to make your services/products the best in the world.
A much better perspective to be coming from than trying to persuade people to buy something you don’t believe in whether it’s yourself or your product.
Find the value. Find the value. Find the value.
Note to self…my mantra for the week.
Comment by Jim Lawrence — July 16, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
Mr. Levis,
Your response to the suspicious subscriber was very uplifting. I believe as you do – that we must find our worth and confidence within before we can expect it to come from others.
However, I must comment that I, too, have noted in my research that many of today’s top-tier copywriters have some background in marketing or journalism. Bob Bly even suggests in his books that neophyte copywriters take a marketing or journalism course. And in fact, I noted that your post, while a rallying cry for self-confidence, did not seem to directly address the subscriber’s comments about "background". Agreed, your subscriber was too cynical in her letter, but let’s face it - she was correct that many of today’s 6-figure copywriters have backgrounds such as she described.
But I refuse to believe that I cannot become a good copywriter; I will continue to press on, to learn, and eventually to become one of you. If only my self-confidence holds out….
Thank you for the help you provide to those of us who need it.
Comment by Wayne — July 16, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
For those in the work force (like me), here is a reason to do something else.
I apoligise for the length but if you bear with it I think the message will be very clear.
Put your name in it and sub the message. Many companies will be doing this now.
I am going to patch in a recent email sent to me but first I would like to give some back ground.
I am a hardware and software tech who was employed by a company for 23 years that went belly up. No it was not Enron. The results are the same though. My 401 after the dust settled was around $1700.00 before taxes and penalties. By the way also no retirement funds.
I have been employed by another company for about 5 years.
I was born in 1945 (makes me 39 years by the fuzzy math standard)
I don’t know if I can do the license business (purchased) or Total Package (not purchased until I can make money to do it), but the following is a real live email that I recently received by my "new" boss. (Who has called me multiple times for advice)
Following this is the email. Read the bottom message first and the top will be my reply. By the way, In case you didn’t catch it I did not say I was in sales. Basically I am in repair. Sales was actually discouraged because they really needed a tech in Texas. ….Until they went through three sales guys who basically didn’t sell diddly. The parent company took contracts away from me to give to the new sales guys. (that means the money also)
You also might want to ask yourself why this company didn’t know what was billed for service (without asking me).
Here is the email:
I think everyone on this Blog can connect the dots….
––––––––––––––––––
David, I believe a maintenance contract was sent (actually faxed) in June. The contract was on (DELETED FOR SECURITY BY ME) The amount was $1,035.23. The scenario was that someone else had sold them the equipment and they had a problem. I had billed them somewhere around $3000.00 for the repair and pre maintenance certification. I also sold them an additional thousand dollar maintenance contract which took them a long time to get through their chain. After several reminders from me they finally sent the PO. You may recall that we spoke about this and they have to renew again I think at the end of this year. Linda passed a copy of this contract to Greg and Ray per my request. My approach is to sell the whole package whenever possible. When I sold the (DELETED FOR SECURITY BY ME) account for instance, I sold a 3 year maintenance contract along with it. Of course the 3 year contract was paid in advance. –Wayne From: (DELETED FOR SECURITY BY ME)
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:35 PM
To: ‘Wayne Le Boff’
Cc: Subject: June billingWayne,We are trying to close out the year ending in June. You only show having $100 billed for service in June. Is there some additional billing that has not been sent in? Hopefully there is because $100 isn’t enough to carry you. –David
Comment by Dale — July 16, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
Hi Daniel,
Great encouragement! One thing I’ve noticed about great people is most who overcame adverse circumstances to become successful had a strong positive influence in their early years. Usually it was a parent, but sometimes it was a teacher or mentor like Anne Sullivan who taught Helen Keller.
It doesn’t mean those of us who had strong negative influences in our upbringing can’t overcome it. We have a much tougher battle including overcoming our feelings of inferiority. It’s like having to climb Mt. Everest instead of Pike’s Peak. We can do it but it’s not easy.
We see examples of lousy writing by successful copywriters and know we can do better yet still doubt our ability and talent. Sometimes the person who can’t do it excels at selling while the person who can, struggles with sales.
Comment by James F. Burns — July 16, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
Truly nice work! It needs to be read, if for no other reason, because of it’s philosophical position. I think we all know this deep inside, but it rarely makes it to the surface long enough to reach expression!
Thanks!
Comment by Susan Connors — July 16, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
Hello Daniel..thank you for your thought provoking and powerful article.
First, I am grateful for the opportunity to read your words of wisdom and encouragement.
I am considered an "Expert" on internet marketing and all things to do with the web, around my neck of the woods. Whilst I don’t see this, it has become my place in business as well as a consulting role.
That is the trouble…I have skills and don’t know where to position them in my business.
Writing Skills: -
Mentor…business planning and development Australian Women’s Network
Web Developer…content creation, articles, editorials, interviews, proof read magazines/manuscripts, SEO, plr and more.
Business…implement change in administration, public relations, event organization, media, short and long copy…private and government sectors in Australia
Written..communication, personal development, history to sex..plus many things in between. Technical manuals for software..etc
I have won awards online and offline, been extensively published and have a good readership.
I am also a mom of four active young children and now the sole provider for the finances in our family.
On our network we are bringing 20+ websites, 21 writers throughout the world..professional experts in their own trades.
Getting the basics together is no easy job.
Fear is a major thing for me to get through. People ask me how I do what I do, and I don’t have an answer. I know I will succeed, maybe not today or tomorrow, it is a daily walk. A belief and inner conviction that all is ok and will be ok. One of those annoying people who can see the good in the bleakest situation.
Every little stepping stone is a bit closer to the place where we belong. For a long time I stopped dreaming and went from one job to another..never really happy in what I did. Now, I am happy.
Knowledge, being like a sponge and absorbing as much information as I can. Giving yourself permission to be yourself..the good, the bad and the ugly is so important.
The rest will come….
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy"..Martin Luther King
Comment by Ken — July 16, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
Absolutely excellent!
People want validation from some external source, be it government or religious. You make a point that I keep hammering home to my friends, You don’t need anyones permission to be successful.
Ken
www.kenstech.com
Comment by Jeremy Reeves — July 17, 2008 @ 8:28 am
Great post!
As Randy Pausch once said, "Brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it bad enough to break through them".
Many people think success is easy. They think you can take a course and know all the secrets to getting everything you want.
But they don’t realize that, even if a course you take may make it a lot easier to success - it’s still hard and requires a lot of dedication!
Jeremy Reeves
http://www.controlbeatingcopy.com
Comment by Susan Connors — July 17, 2008 @ 9:28 am
Re-reading your post Daniel and the quality comments by other people.
Thoughts came to me.
When one door closes another one opens
Letting go of the negative influences in life including business can be a hard hitting decision to make. Despite that problematic client, paying you, what are they costing you in terms of your self worth, time and money?
How much time are you investing for the client? Is this where you want to be in work? If you free up the space the negative client is taking, how can you make best use of the time? How will this increase your quality of life and business?
There are a lot of questions..
I have recently let go of clients as they were weighing me down in many ways. Not bad by any means were the clients, the required load for work was too much in terms of time and output for the reward.
In business, I believe in excelling, over delivering to keep the client happy and business growing. I will no longer take on someone no matter how slow work is, if I see a problem of a large nature occurring. Negativity..I will work with people who are open minded.
Refuse to work with someone who plays a game called "Yes..butt".
This is no matter what idea, suggestion you give them to a problem, after they ask for your help, they come up with excuses after excuses. Reasons for why nothing will work and continue to stay in that zone..very frustrating and challenging.
Sometimes, they really don’t want to get through past this stage. Often not realising they are doing this. This is a power play and I have had much experience with power play, office politics. No time for them anymore..better things to do in life…
New opportunities and ventures to create, see and do
Wishing everyone continued success!
Comment by Clinton Hutton — July 23, 2008 @ 10:20 am
Good Day All. .
I have been reading through all your comments & as an aspiring copywriter, I thank you all for contributing to helping me understand more of what I should expect as I undertake my journey in exploring my potential,even if someone else benefits from it. .
I will hopefully,when I am accepted, be commencing my copywriting course at the beginning of September this year! I have come to know that my greatest fear, is facing fear & when I face that fear, then I have NO FEAR! Above All, I believe that the “One True God” in whom I believe, will raise me up above the hills & planes onto heights beyond what I will understand, even when I get there! That which we believe & are dedicated to is that which we will become & for this reason, I will continue to believe that all who belong to this family of "creative excellence”, through belief in what we do,will succeed even if only to the extent of growing to a point of understanding that this world is a playground, we play to win & what better prize of satisfaction can we receive, than to be content with the happiness of living out our purpose of doing what we love?
I’m right at the bottom but Its only a temprory situation because already I have reserved my place at the top. .I look forward to meeting with as many of you as I am blessed to,when I finally make it. .Its not an option, its a choice! And of cause I know that many will be thinking "You’re gonna be dissapointed when you finally get into the swing of things & realise that its not as easy as you’re assuming?" Not to worry, I’m prepared, I’ve made it to my late twenties against all odds, the question I’m asking is: since I have nothing to loose, what do I really stand to gain?? 4REAL!
I wish you all a creatively inspired day! We cannot choose how our days unfold but we can decide on how we choose to react to them?! Best Wishes & Regards,
Clinton Hutton