Posts by Mark Morgan Ford
ETR’s History Since Day One
“Hell, there are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something.” – Thomas Edison I had lunch with Katie Yeakle the other day, and she reminded me of how ETR started. It happened in early 2000. Katie had been running AWAI (American Writers & Artists Inc.) for three years, and it was growing. We…
Read MoreA Start-Up Collection for New Wine Collectors
“Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.” – Andre Simon, Commonsense of Wine My friends E and B love wine, as K and I do, and whenever we travel together (which is at least once a year) we drink lots of it. B is the wine selector in…
Read MoreSpecial Opportunities for Your VIP Customers
“Yield to temptation. It may not pass your way again.” – Robert A. Heinlein A good way to increase the lifetime value of your customers is to sell them products and services that are outside the scope of what you can deliver yourself. An example: Dry Creek Vineyard recently sent me, as a member of…
Read More4 More Ways to Get Maximum Impact From Testimonials
“A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but is miles ahead in results.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox One of the best ways to promote your product is through customer testimonials. On Tuesday, I explained that you can make your testimonials as strong as possible by…
Read MoreUsing Testimonials for Maximum Effect
“Get someone else to blow your horn and the sound will carry twice as far.” – Will Rogers Anyone who’s been in marketing for more than a day understands the value of customer testimonials. Better than any other form of proof (logical argument, data, endorsements), they can prove particular claims that the marketer wants to…
Read MoreHow to Become What You Want to Be
“What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it dry up / like a raisin in the sun? / Or fester like a sore / And then run? / Does it stink like rotten meat? / Or crust and sugar over / like a syrupy sweet? / Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.…
Read MoreAdvice on Giving Advice
“Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that’s no reason not to give it.” – Agatha Christie I love to express my opinions. There’s almost no situation that doesn’t seem to beckon my advice – from traffic jams to international politics. Most of my opinions are worth what everybody else’s opinions are worth,…
Read MoreThe Advantages of Running an Ethical Business
“Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honor, I lose myself.” – William Shakespeare I recently got a letter from a small-business owner and “avid reader of Early To Rise” who is struggling with an ethical question. This woman, whom I’ll call “Renee” to protect her identity, is successfully selling investment software to…
Read MoreHow Marc Singer Became a Great Filmmaker
“The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” – Thomas Edison For most dreamers who want to become filmmakers, this would probably be the most sensible path for them to follow: Spend six months to a year locating a film school that will accept you. Invest tens of thousands of dollars to…
Read MoreHow Marcella and I Improved My Book Idea
“A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning.” – Pat Riley Yesterday, I had a meeting with Marcella to discuss one of several book ideas I’m working on. She had agreed to help me do the research for it. The meeting started off badly, because it was my fourth meeting of the day and…
Read MoreA 3-Step Program to Get Yourself Un-Stuck
“There’s a very fine line between a groove and a rut.” – Christine Lavin When Geena called to ask for an appointment, I had a good idea what the subject of our discussion would be: Did I think she should keep trying to make it as a freelance copywriter? She had an auspicious beginning, working…
Read MoreJoin Me in This Fat-Loss Challenge
“I have the wherewithal to challenge myself for my entire life. That’s a great gift.” – Twyla Tharp I met with Dr. Sears at the very end of January to talk about his businesses. Eventually, the conversation turned to fitness. I told him that I’m very happy with my physical condition these days. I am…
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