Let’s do something fun today.
After writing a couple emails about marketing and movies last month a few people have asked about making a list of movies that might be helpful for their marketing, selling, copywriting, etc.
Below are a few I’ve found helpful.
In fact, in many cases, these flicks have been more practical and helpful than some of the books and high falutin’ marketing courses I’ve bought.
Ready?
OK, let’s roll…
1. Boiler Room
This isn’t so much a “how to” movie, but a “how NOT to do” movie.
I don’t waste my time getting on goo-roo lists, but from what people I know are telling me, this is exactly the kind of high pressure nonsense some of these goo-roos are using to upsell people by phone into big ticket coaching programs.
Still… there is ONE good lesson in it.
And that is, when one of the salesmen is doing his thing, he asks a question (I think for the sale) and then… shuts up.
That was pretty cool.
And good advice when selling in person or phone.
2. The Matrix
I think we covered this movie pretty well here:
3. Sherlock Holmes
Ditto with Sherlock Holmes — you can skim my “review” at:
4. Lethal Weapon
Ah yes… now we’re cookin’.
Once upon a time, marketing and copywriting “legend” Eugene Schwartz said Lethal Weapon was “mandatory” for direct marketers.
Why?
Well, the short version is, there’s a certain “rhythm” to it you will see in a lot of great sales pitches, Check out chapter 3 in “The Copywriting Grab Bag” — www.CopywritingGrabBag.com — for a more detailed analysis on this particular movie.
5. Batman Begins
IMHO, the “sales rhythm” in Batman Begins is even better than the one in Lethal Weapon. In fact, I use it as sort of sales letter “template” when writing my ads these days.
Anyway, there are more than this.
But these 5 movies are like little “mini marketing seminars” if you pay attention to them.
And (especially) if you watch how people react to them.
Ben Settle
