Godfather of Persuasion

I was watching "The Godfather" recently.

For the uninitiated, "The Godfather" is the classic oscar-winning show about the Italian Mafia (or the "Mob").

The opening scene left a very deep impression on me.

It’s the scene of Amerigo Bonasera, an owner of a funeral parlour who went to Don Corleone to ask for a favour, which was on the day of Don Corleone’s daughter wedding.

His daughter has just been raped by 2 men. But due to the failure of the justice system then, the 2 men got away scot free.

Bonasera swore revenge. But the only one who can help him deliver justice is Don Vito Corleone, the head of the Corleone mafia family in New York.

Don Corleone agreed to "settle" the 2 men.

But the scene that particularly struck me was how he made Bonasera acknowledged him as his "Godfather" and promised to return the favor if he ever needs it in future.

In Don Corleone’s words…he said to Bonasera, "Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But uh, until that day, accept this justice as a gift on my daughter’s wedding day."

Setting Goals

In my course of my work and social activities, I get to meet many people.

And it amazes me to see that many people are aimless. They just go through the motion. And have not much of a goal in life.

As long as their is a comfort and security of job, it’s all good. They tell me that they don’t see the need to excel.

They don’t want to get out of the comfort zone.

I find this very sad.

Is this what life should be all about? Being mediocre?

Even those that have goals are often vague about it.

It’s not good enough.

It has to be more specific.

What I found was that the very action of writing down your goals on paper can be very powerful in internalizing them into your subconscious.

Now you are doing something about it.

It’s no longer just pies in the sky.

Now you are willing to take some responsibility towards achieving what you want.

Writing it down on paper is the important first step.

But it doesn’t end there.

Everybody Favourite Radio Station

I first this a long time ago from Brian Tracy.

What’s everybody favourite radio station?

From a sales perspective, here it is – WIIFM – aka “What Is It In For Me?

Human nature is such that they think first about their personal benefits. They think about themselves first before others.

That’s why I always try my best to put other people’s benefits first if I want them to open themselves up to me.

They say that god gives us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a simple reason.

To listen more and talk less.

Listen to other people’s needs more…and talk less about yourself.

It’s counter-intuitive…but it will help you establish a better rapport with your prospect.

Jag Foo

How You Should Start Every Day For The Rest Of Your Life!

I’m a great believer of how you start your day will shape the rest of your day.

Start you day well…on a good positive, healthy note..and chances are…you will have a great day.

You will feel strong, fit and all ready to take on the world.

I’m very much influenced by the morning ritual of the late copywriting legend, Gary Halbert.

He wrote it in his newsletter, which you can find here:
http://www.thegaryhalbertletter.com/Newsletters/aslk_start_every_day.htm

Well…the morning routine obviously does a world of a good for him, seeing how successful he is.

I got the gist down here, as well as his rationale for his routine. I don’t follow his routine exactly…but it’s close. And I try to keep at it as much as I can on a daily basis.

Here’s the way he advocates on how to start your day (take it away, Gary!):

1. Set your alarm clock to go off 10 minutes earlier than usual.

2. The first thing, after you get up, is to immediately remake your bed.

3. Go to the kitchen, pour yourself a glass of water and drink it all.

Simple Approach To Negotiation

I’ve been doing deals for a while now. And knowing how to negotiate is a MUST if you want to deals of any sort.

I remember, I used to read up a lot on this topic…listening to audio training series…reading up on whatever materials I can find…and the likes

For me, I think negotiating need not be too complex.

Here are some of the negotiating rules I live by:

1. Be Fully Prepared

When I do a deal, I immense myself into all critical aspects of it. I do my due diligence. The ins and the outs of it.

As they say – fail to prepare and prepare to fail. I never over-prepare though. I just do enough and get on with it. If not, no deals will ever get done!

2. Ask For More If You Can Help It

I never accept any offers the first time round. I always ask for more. Why? Because if I ask for more…there’s a chance that I might get it.

If I don’t ask…I know there’s a 100% chance I WON’T get it.

3. Think Win-Win

Copy Checklist

For copywriters – this is a superb copywriting checklist you can consult whenever you need to polish up your copy.

It’s by John Forde of the Copywriter Roundtable’s fame.

http://copywritersroundtable.com/

Enjoy! I’m sure you will find it as useful as I did.

I Package Description:

CARRIER ENVELOPE

[ * ] *Excellent
[ * ] *Good
[ * ] *Needs some improvement, but can be salvaged
[ * ] *Needs to be rewritten
[ * ] *Needs to be redesigned

Is there a strong teaser that effectively does these two things?:

(1) *The copy identifies and qualifies the prospect immediately.

[ * ] Yes
[ * ] No
[ * ] MAYBE

(2) *Gets him inside the envelope?

[ * ] Yes
[ * ] No
[ * ] MAYBE

THE LETTER

[ * ] Excellent
[ * ] Good
[ * ] Needs some improvement, but can be salvaged
[ * ] Needs to be rewritten
[ * ] Needs to be redesigned

Content:

The letter must contain the following in this general sequence–all done
strongly and effectively according to proven direct response methods: