Recently, I was re-reading a 20+ year old interview with comic book writer Peter David (who made the Incredible Hulk one of the highest selling Marvel titles back in the 90’s).
He shared a lot of valuable ideas for writers in the interview.
But, my favorite was about all the incessant copycat writers:
“People focus on the surface elements, try to emulate them, and then are surprised when they don’t succeed. It’s the writing equivalent of what many beginning artists do: copy the surface elements of a style and not look at the things that make it work as a whole.”
Anyway, here’s why I bring it up:
New “Email Players” subscriber Andy recently made an observation about this phenomenon.
And, it’s especially relevant to the people incapable of independent thought who not only copycat me, but who copycat anyone else, too…
First off, I’ve finally started accruing my own list and became an email player today. Feels good man.
But the pressing issue is how many dopes I keep seeing trying to be Ben Settle clones. I get it, the lingo del benbo is amusing, but only when spoken by him. Otherwise it seems forced/un naturale.
Self proclaimed gooroos will run these terms into the dirt without ever learning why they worked in the first place.
I had some shitbird send me an email that tried sounding like you and it just added kerosene to my fire.
“what gives you acid reflux in your current endeavours?”
fake ass marketing charlatans
These proles are out there pushing folks towards your subscription. Nice
I probably should be thanking them.
But, if anything, I pity them.
Why?
Because they are also sabotaging their sales, their brands, and their entire businesses.
Whatever the case, I’ll never understand why people want to copy someone else’s personality.
Especially in email — which is personality-driven.
But, marketing proles aren’t known for being particularly bright.
To learn how to use your own personality to sell your products & services with email, go here:
Ben Settle
