Modern digital tools have perfected the art of interruption, but they’ve left untapped a major opportunity: words on paper. In a world where inboxes are a cluttered battlefield, the physical mailbox offers a peaceful, premium refuge. That’s why, a few years ago, I decided to try something old-fashioned: a monthly printed newsletter for my clients … Read more
The following is taken from one of Bo Sacks’ recent emails. The image above is not real — it’s from ChatGPT. BoSacks Speaks Out: Greg Krehbiel is one of those media professionals who always makes you think, whether you agree with him or not. On his LinkedIn page, he describes his work this way: “I … Read more
Summary: Modern technology often delivers real improvements, but the benefits come with hidden costs and new hassles for consumers. What used to be simple and free now lives behind subscriptions, inside special gadgets, with recurring fees that leave us wondering whether “better” is really better. I’m a Redskins fan. My best friend is a Ravens … Read more
Summary: The culture and publishing go through cycles: vitality, excess, decline, collapse, and eventual revival. Renewal is already stirring. There are hopeful signs: a shift away from ad-supported free content, the rise of new media and podcasts, ongoing experimentation similar to early newsletter days, and the potential of AI as a helpful tool. The September … Read more
Summary: Is forced enthusiasm in sales and marketing a good thing? It may alienate audiences rather than engage them. Authenticity and a thoughtful read on your audience is better than assuming everyone responds to high-energy tactics. Am I the only one? I need some feedback on this one, folks Today’s podcast will sound autobiographical, but … Read more
Summary: Search is following the print trajectory and will soon be replaced by AI agents. This has big implications for content creators. I love tea. I love the bitterness and the astringency. I love the aroma. I love that it has no calories. And yes, I love the caffeine, although caffeine doesn’t love me. I’ve … Read more
Summary: People are sick of doing business with rapacious companies that put profits above people. This presents an opportunity for honest businesses. I don’t mean human vs. AI (also worth considering). I mean human vs. monster. Here are some depressing statistics about humans. Somewhere between 1-6% of us are narcissists. Machiavellianism is similar, but a … Read more
Summary: In what cases should you seek advice about your business, and from whom should you seek such advice? You want “informed advice,” and you need to be cautious about following it. It’s smart to ask for advice, but sometimes dumb to take it. The 21 Hats Podcast had an episode called “Who’s Advice are … Read more
Summary: It’s important to know your customer. Know their needs, their wants, their values, their habits, and their preferences. But don’t call into the branding trap of believing they need to be your buddy. Bo Sacks distributed an article by James Evelegh with a rather long title that starts “An even closer union. How close … Read more
Summary: Anchoring bias is a cognitive bias that makes us latch on to the first bit of data we hear. This post discusses eight ways to combat this bias. Daniel Kahneman might be best known for his book “Thinking Fast and Slow,” which I haven’t read, but I’ve read and heard a lot about Kahneman’s … Read more
Summary: When an audience member’s engagement lags you need to take action. Here’s another quote from Amanda Landsaw’s talk at MACMA Industry Day. “Stay on top of inactivity in the database. If a known audience member has not visited in a certain number of days, send an email.” I’ve seen a surprising indifference to this … Read more
Summary: Tricks and tools can help break through to new ideas. This article focuses on ways to get outside the ordinary and re-think and re-imagine your business, product, or project. The connection between writing and design is one of the issues raised in “Lessons on Branding from the World’s Most Iconic Cold,” distributed last night … Read more
Summary: The article discusses how reading on paper often leads to better comprehension and retention than digital reading, citing fewer distractions and engagement of more senses as key factors. It suggests enhancing digital reading by reducing distractions, such as intrusive ads, and incorporating features like text-to-speech, note-taking, and providing contextual elements like unique typefaces and … Read more
Summary: The article discusses the challenges facing the publishing industry, emphasizing the need for long-term, strategic thinking. It references Dominic Young’s ideas on revitalizing publishing through casual sales, akin to buying a newspaper without the hassle of subscriptions or giving personal information. The concept is compared to micro-payments, which haven’t been widely successful due to … Read more
Summary: The article discusses the challenge that artificial intelligence (AI) poses to publishers, as AI can provide answers and content similar to what traditional publishers offer. The author suggests steps for publishers to respond, including denying AI access, protecting their content, and characterizing AI answers as unreliable. It also addresses the issue of users uploading … Read more