C\u2019mere, sit on my righteous lap, and I’ll tell you a secret:<\/p>\n
Back when Child elBenbo used to visit his dad every other weekend, we\u2019d spend those Saturdays watching low-budget B horror movies. And, during the breaks, a guy dressed up like a ghoul called \u201cSvengoolie\u201d would do some kind of goofy skit or bit that\u2019d help lighten up the dank subject matter of the horror movie playing, and even became \u201cpart\u201d of the entertainment itself\u2026 often cranking up the ratings (and, thus, profits for the TV station) far beyond what they\u2019d normally be.<\/p>\n
Such is the sales & marketing power of a talented \u201chorror host.\u201d<\/p>\n
And before you ask, a horror host is just what it sounds like:<\/p>\n
A horror show presenter or host \u2014 in the tradition of the ancient theatre presenter \u2014 but who assumes a campy or humorous horror-themed persona like ol\u2019 Svengoolie or Vampira or (my favorite) the Crypt Keeper. These horror hosts were often newscasters trying to make some extra dough on the side. But an awful lot of them were just talented boys or ghouls who knew how to take something that isn\u2019t otherwise appealing and make people want to consume it.<\/p>\n
Case in point:<\/p>\n
There is an excellent documentary called \u201cAmerican Scary\u201d about some of the most influential horror hosts who ever lived. One of the many different horror hosts & TV historians they quote is a guy named Bob Burns.<\/p>\n
And in my opinion, he summed it up best:<\/p>\n
\u201cIf [the horror host is] really very good you\u2019d rather see them. The movie is secondary.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Yes.<\/p>\n
Criminals agree with that, too \u2014 as there were some studies done showing crime went down during certain shows each week with especially popular horror hosts.<\/p>\n
You also probably agree, whether you realize it or not.<\/p>\n
Because if you\u2019ve ever watched, for example, a show like Tales From The Crypt, and found yourself looking more forward to that wrinkled little nutsack Crypt Keeper\u2019s jokes and commentary than to the show itself then you, my friend, have experienced this phenomenon first hand.<\/p>\n
Which brings your daily email \u201chorror host\u201d Bengoolie to the point.<\/p>\n
Actually, I have two points.<\/p>\n
1. These days even our entertainment needs entertainment to get it consumed!<\/p>\n
2. To put some deeper thought into just what your \u201crole\u201d is as a marketer, freelancer, or business professional of any kind with something to say.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d argue you will be most effective if you play the part not just of email marketer, but as the \u201chorror host\u201d of your offers. And I would further argue the more complex, deep, serious, \u201cprofessional\u201d, and heavy the content you are selling, the more important this is to do.<\/p>\n
Okay that’s that for today.<\/p>\n
To learn more about the email-side of marketing go here:<\/p>\n