Thank goodness for short work weeks. For y’all, not this dutiful copywriter. Never would I take off Labor Day, and I’ve no plans to mail it in come 11:01 AM Friday. 

Anyway, Today’s Feature Story gives you a guide for success from one of the greatest marketers I’ve ever known. Part of his story will be a huge help for those who dislike today’s bombastic approach to marketing. Then, we’ve got insights galore in the following sections…

• Knowledge Base  

• Self Help (do you believe in miracle drugs!)

• Facts & Stats (parental inboxes)

• Get Hacking  

Let’s get into the Feature Story.

 7 Things I Learned From Dan Miller

Dan Miller is one of my favorite marketers ever. He wrote the best seller, 48 Days to the Work You Love. I’ve read it a couple of times, given it to a few people, and recommended it repeatedly.

Lesson #1: My first lesson from this super-successful author? Sell your stuff (books, etc) yourself before looking for help from big players.

Dan said he sold about $2-million-dollars worth of his book before looking for a publisher. 48 Days started as info in a 3-ring binder. This same lesson occurs on Shark Tank as the sharks ask contestants how many sales they already have.

Dan Miller Didn’t Need to Be a Loud-mouth

Nothing wrong with being loud so your marketing message can be heard in today’s noisy online world.

Lesson #2: But Dan proved you can be calm as a cucumber and still be a top-notch product peddler.

He was quietly confident and believed in what he sold and the principles he shared. 

Simple Branding

Branding can be subtle. You see it with Alex Hormozi’s nose-breathing thingy. Same with YouTuber Tim Pool’s black beanie even when it’s 95 degrees.

Dan Miller didn’t wear a bowtie or tank-top as his signature. He did, however, use a number effectively. 

Lesson #3: The number 48 was in the title of his hit book, and just about everything he sold.

Numbers work great in headlines and apparently as an identifier of your brand, especially with a common name like Dan Miller. Lots of those, but only one “48 Days Guy.”

Dan Miller Had Friends in Low Places

I first heard about 48 Days to the Work You Love on Dave Ramsey’s radio show way back in the day.

He said Dan was his buddy. That was good enough for me. 

Thing is, Dan didn’t go chasing after big names to befriend so they would mention him.

Pretty sure these two old-schoolers were friends back when Ramsey, too, was selling his stuff on card tables at church.

Lesson #4: Make lots of friends, for the sake of having friends. You never know who’ll be a star and can pimp your brand for free… plus, the friends who never rise above “low places” are just as valuable. 

Dan Miller’s Freemium Model

Lesson #5: You’re never too big to give your stuff away.  

I was shocked when I learned this best-selling author still wrote articles for free just to get links back to his website. 

Once you sell millions of books, that seems insane. 

I also suspect Dan wrote some stuff for free just to be encouraging to people. He often said on his podcast, “People can’t tell if I’m working or playing.”

That’s my measure of success. 

Dan Miller Had a Real Comeback Story

Today, too many brands (scammers too) fake their underdog / comeback story.

I quit listening to “How I Built This” because every freaking founder on every freaking episode claimed they were down to their last week of being able to make payroll then it all turned around! How inspiring - the first 16 times, then it’s played out.

Well, Mr. Miller legit clawed his way back from about $430,000 in debt (much of it to the relentless IRS).

If I recall correctly, he could’ve finished his PhD to get a 9-5 JOB, but instead leaned into a sales gig then went all in on his business that revolved around helping people find work they loved. 

Lesson #6: America is still the land of opportunity, even when you jack yourself up financially. Even when you're “past your prime,” which leads to the last lesson.

The Power of a Podcast

Dan Miller didn’t start his successful podcast until he was nearly 60 years old (if I did my math right). He was an early adopter of the technology, though. 

And he never missed a week, for over 17 years! 17 years, folks. Consistency is a lesson all its own.

Lesson #7: A podcast is a marketer’s best friend. I don’t believe you can get closer to your audience than being in their ears, 52 weeks a year.

Dan used his podcast to educate, share his life, and market his offers. I learned a lot, bought stuff, and can tell you his wife’s name and one of his sons. I know his wife worked with women in prison to give them a chance at a better life once released. The son did lots of non-profit work overseas. 

Podcasts are personal and powerful. This author made the most of his show. 

A bonus lesson? Life flies by. Don’t blink or wait to start doing work you love or encouraging others to do so. 

Dan Miller was a great man (and superb marketer). He passed away way back in January and I had no idea until last week. Life moves fast and is full of distractions.

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Self-Help

Beware propaganda, folks. It still works. 

Ozempic may be a miracle drug for managing weight (or at least getting momentum for healthier living). I’ve no idea. 

I do know Ozempic doesn’t “accidentally cure” every other ailment “as a bonus.”

Headline this morning, “Weight Loss Drug Cuts Covid Deaths.”

This from The Atlantic, “The drug has also shown clear benefits for sleep apnea, kidney disease, liver disease—and can potentially help with fertility issues, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, colorectal cancer, alcohol overuse, and even nail-biting.” 

How much can propaganda be used before it’s exposed as ridiculous? Clearly, there is no ceiling.

Facts & Stats

Bonus: 28% of customers reported they’re most likely to quit trying to solve a problem with a product or service, rather than reach out to an agent for help, if ______________. Answer at end of post. 

Get Hacking

A specific strategy to implement today

Unless you’ve done this in the past month, it’s time. Freshen up your Email Welcome Series.

Check for outdated content, bad links, and re-check how it looks in the inbox versus a preview (previews miss mistakes the inbox reveals).

Also, look for ways to ramp up the excitement of the reader.

After all, they could’ve signed up for a million other email lists. Lastly, consider amping up the writer’s profile to ensure the audience knows they’re getting human thoughts versus AI drivel. That’s the only reason I added my mug to the tail end of Inbox Hacking.

Inbox Hacking is read by high-IQ-having marketers from Procter & Gamble, Allstate, and You. Please forward to your marketing friends.

Shane McLendon, Copy Kingpin - Inbox Hacking 

Bonus Answer from Facts & Stats section: “they can't find a solution themselves online.”  (Gartner)

*P.S. Don’t give up on your dead email list. Inbox Activity Checker will show you how much life (& profits) remain.

_{*In partnership with Inbox Activity Checker.}