More email lessons from the movies:<\/p>\n
Once upon a time,\u00a0I wrote in an “Email Players” issue about a powerful email persuasion formula I’d been using for years, but never saw it systematized before (just did it instinctively) embedded in the movie:<\/p>\n
“The Tao Of Steve”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n It’s “B movie” quality.<\/p>\n And, hokey at times.<\/p>\n But, if you look at it through the eyes of a marketer you can pick up some huge ol’ fatty nuggets of gold from it to use in your emails, blogs, podcasts, videos, articles and any other kind of selling.<\/p>\n One of which is the “Steve” vs “Stu” question.<\/p>\n Here’s the story:<\/p>\n The main character Dex is a fat, underachieving slob but who is also a master at swooping hot women anyway — and he ends up explaining to his buddy Dave his philosophy on being “Steve”.<\/p>\n Steve is the prototypical cool American male.<\/p>\n Like Steve McGarrett.<\/p>\n Steve Austin.<\/p>\n Steve McQueen.<\/p>\n Etc, etc etc.<\/p>\n Yet Dave is no Steve.<\/p>\n He’s kind of a dope.<\/p>\n Repulses women.<\/p>\n And, thus, does not get called “Steve” when he hangs with Dex and his other friends (as they all greet each other “hey Steve” when they hang out for poker — but only greet Dave with “hey Guy.”)<\/p>\n So Dave asks:<\/p>\n “Okay, so if I’m not a Steve, then what am I?”<\/em><\/p>\n Dex replies:<\/p>\n “You… You’re… a Stu.”<\/em><\/p>\n Stu being the exact opposite of Steve.<\/p>\n And guess what?<\/p>\n We got the same phenomenon in the marketing world.<\/p>\n The Steve’s make things happen.<\/p>\n They attract JV’s.<\/p>\n They attract customers.<\/p>\n And, yes, they attract sales.<\/p>\n The Stu’s?<\/p>\n Not so much.<\/p>\n (No offense if your name is really Stu, btw — keep it in context…)<\/p>\n They’re constantly struggling, have no long term plan, repulse JV partners away and never stop riding the “guru carousel” — falling for every goo-roo offer, lie and BSO (bright shiny object) launched by anyone with an identifiable name.<\/p>\n They never bother mastering the fundamentals.<\/p>\n Never stop being infatuated with nonsense.<\/p>\n And, thus, never win the game.<\/p>\n Eventually everyone must ask themselves:<\/p>\n “Are you a Steve or… a Stu?”<\/p>\n Steve’s have a solid base of repeat<\/span>, happy customers.<\/strong><\/p>\n Stu’s often have a string of jaded<\/span> one time buyers.<\/p>\n Steve’s are bold, fresh and original<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Stu’s only know how to swipe, steal<\/span> and never innovate.<\/p>\n Steve’s mainly study their market<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Stu’s mainly study “persuasion<\/span> tricks<\/span>.”<\/p>\n Steve’s have more JV offers than they can handle<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Stu’s are ignored<\/span> by possible JV partners.<\/p>\n Steve’s are 100% non-needy<\/span> with their lists.<\/strong><\/p>\n Stu’s are 100% super needy<\/span> with their lists.<\/p>\n Steve’s seek out ways to invest<\/span> money to grow their businesses.<\/strong><\/p>\n Stu’s only chase free<\/span> and cheap.<\/p>\n Steve’s are players<\/span> in business.<\/strong><\/p>\n Stu’s are merely spectators<\/span> in business.<\/p>\n (Eating the hotdogs and buying the t-shirts, while watching, judging, imitating and sometimes even heckling the players from the safety of their nosebleed seats in the bleachers.)<\/p>\n Be honest with yourself.<\/p>\n Are you a Steve?<\/p>\n Or a Stu?<\/p>\n If you’re a Stu it’s not too late to change your wicked ways<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n You can begin by treating your business as an actual business and not a get-rich-quick scheme. By looking at products that can help you grow as investments and not “costs.” And by being ruthless with the teachers you pick and products you buy — studying them over and over and over (i.e. read 10 great books 10 times, instead of 100 mediocre books 1 time).<\/p>\n This is the mindset I teach in the “Email Players” newsletter.<\/p>\n It’s wholly inadequate for the Stu’s.<\/p>\n It’s ONLY for the Steve’s.<\/p>\n Stu’s who join are quick to quit and slow to implement.<\/p>\n (If they implement at all.)<\/p>\n Steve’s RUN with the info<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Are fast to implement.<\/p>\n And are anxious for more the next month.<\/p>\n (Often nervous if it’s even a day late to their mailbox.)<\/p>\n If you’re a Steve and want to blast your sales to the next level, there’s still time to get in on the September issue.<\/p>\n But, time is short.<\/p>\n And you can’t put it off much longer.<\/p>\n (Besides, only Stu’s procrastinate.)<\/p>\n If you want in go here today:<\/p>\n