28 things marketing writers need to know about people

Physiological needs, love and belonging, self-actualization, esteem. Safety. The drivers of human behavior haven't changed. Neither have the basics for persuasion and motivation.

Here's a list of 28 things to know about people from legendary direct marketer "Rocket" Ray Jutkins from his book Power Direct Marketing:

1. People procrastinate over making any “thinking” decision. If it is going to take brain power, you are going to have to write strong and say it better, if you are to gain immediate action. You must give your audience a reason (or several) to respond now.
   
   
2. People are skeptical of anything new. New people. New products. New services. A new offer. Your new ideas or way to do something. Know that people are many times happy with just where they are today. If you want them to make a decision in your favor, present your message with a most believable offer.
   
   
3. People follow leaders – companies and products who are leading. Or, those who are “considered” leaders. Please note, if you can position yourself, your company, your product, your offer as a leader, you will be way ahead of the game – and your competition.
   
   
4. People prefer the comfort of unity: “Two-getherness.” Meaning that people like to be with other people like them. That’s why they group with others similar. It happens all around the world. Schools are where there are families with kids. Restaurants are locations where people need or want to be fed. Churches go up where people of that faith live. Know this about audiences: They group “Two-Gether.”
   
   
5. People are sometimes flat-out lazy! Yes, all of us are lazy some of the time. But there appears to be a breed of folk who practice lazy as a habit. Know that when you reach out to our marketplace. And, make it easy to do business with you – so you can catch this lazy bunch, too.
   
   
6. People glance at, more than thoroughly read, what you present to them. Even when they asked you to send them something, much of the time your message is not read – it is “looked” at instead. Know this fact. Then make your writing as easy to read as your audience wishes.
   
   
7. People say: “I don’t understand this message.” Well, of course they don’t understand it… they didn’t read it! What this says is that you must go to extremes to make your message readable, so that when it is read, it will be totally understandable.
   
   
8. People say: “I didn’t ask you to send me this message.” Possibly true. What is equally true is that if you don’t get your message to your audience, they will then complain they didn’t hear from you. Do make certain your message goes to the right people every time… and you are much less likely to hear any complaints.
   
   
9. People say: “And besides, I’ve had a rotten day and feel really crummy.” Everybody has a bad day now and then. Which of course has nothing to do with anything. It is an excuse, not a reason, for not replying to your offer. But people will say just that. So, what do you do? Make your message a happy one!
   
   
10. People like grooves and formulas and niches. Lists of things that are important work well in POWER DIRECT MARKETING. The 5 easy steps. The 4-point plan. Ten things to know. Give people a list – directions to follow - and there is a good chance you've got them!
    
    
11. People like the feeling of power and control. They want to make their own decisions. They want to feel that they are important. And, of course, they are! People are your prospects and your customers. Know that people are important.
    
    
12. People respond best to limited time offers (which is most interesting, as LTOs take all power and control away!). Offers with limits most often gain more response than those without. Limited time offers urge people to take actions now, before the opportunity slips by.
    
    
13. People do worry over decisions and changes. They do “What is” thinking. “What if I make this change and it’s wrong?” or “What if I make a decision in that direction and it doesn’t work?” People worry. Take all the worry away with a case-history story or two. To allow people to become comfortable with you.
    
    
14. People avoid risks and threats. There are only a very few leading-edge people out there. Nowt many who will make a move to something new before it is proven. Be aware of that and be persistent with your message.
    
    People don’t like to be threatened. You can convince, you can prove it, you can persuade, you can even sell. But do not threaten.
    
    
15. People give incomplete attention to your message; a message which would help them in decision making and risk avoidance. Simply, this means people don’t listen, either! Now we know they are not reading what you are writing, and they are not listening to what you are saying. No wonder they don’t get it! Be aware of this about your marketplace and be prepared – in fact plan – to repeat your message over and over, again and again. Until they get it.
    
    
16. People ask lots of questions. First they ask questions about your offer. We know an offer is over and above features and benefits, and your audience wants to know all about it. Be prepared with answers. Think ahead to what questions are most important – and provide the answers.
    
    
17. People ask questions about benefits. The WAM Theory: What About Me? What am I going to gain from buying this product or service from you? What are the benefits to me, my family or friends, my staff at the office, my company?
    
    This is not a selfish act, it is an honest response to your presentation. So, what do you do? Talk about what they will earn, save, make, enjoy, learn. Talk benefits.
    
    
18. People ask questions about a Guarantee of Satisfaction. There are two parts to every guarantee: First is that the product will work, do what it is supposed to do, or the service will be supplied. That much of the guarantee is “assumed.”
    
    The second part of the guarantee is the personal part: “What if I buy, and you provide, but I’m still not happy? What will you do to make me happy?” A Guarantee of Satisfaction is mandatory in POWER DIRECT MARKETING.
    
    
19. People ask questions about facts and figures to prove your statements. They want to believe you… they really do. Show your marketplace that you have the proof at your finger tips. Hide nothing. Prove your presentation with facts and figures.
    
    
20. People generalize from what they consider “acceptable fragments.” They draw conclusions based on incomplete information. Partly because they have not read nor listened to your message. Partly because they want to believe you – no matter what you say. You must realize that many times people make a decision they regret later. And it will be YOUR responsibility. Know this about people.
    
    
21. People are suspect of perfection. If something is “perfect,” people look immediately for the imperfection. Research has taught us that people are most comfortable with an 85% level of knowledge; this is where things are most believable.
    
    This does not mean people don’t want the best. It does mean you don’t have to be perfect to be successful in POWER DIRECT MARKETING.
    
    
22. People prefer a little less information; not so much knowledge. Why? Because there is so much to know, many people have decided to be selective. And because they want to make their own decisions. They want to seek out what is important to them and then ask for the details. So they can come to their own conclusions; so they can feel that they are in charge of the situation. You must be prepared for a dialogue with your customers and prospects at the level they wish to communicate.
    
    
23. People do want to trust you… they really do! People want to believe. Which puts the burden of proof and believability on you. Testimonials and references will help you build trust. Other people saying good things about you. You must perform up to standards. Sometimes you set them – always your customer does. You must know what your audience expects.
    
    
24. People want the heart and warmth and emotion and feel-good of the sales process. They want the touch. Reach out and touch your marketplace. Let them know you care. Be personal. Communicate. And do it often. Hold their hand. Be their teddy bear. Be their security blanket. Touch your customers.
25. People’s responses to any message are in direct proportion to their personal identification with you, your product and service, your company. If you are known in your marketplace, you will gain more new business and keep more current business than if you are not. Be active. Be seen. Let your audience know who you are.
26. People then ask questions about the next step. “Okay, I agree. What happens next? What do you do? What do I need to do?” People want to know the process. You must make certain they do.
    
    
27. People ask questions about timing. They want to know how long this process is going to take. They say: “If I make this decision today, how long will it be before something happens?” Tell your audience all about the timing.
    
    
28. And always, people still want to be sought after, talked with, they want you to A.F.T.O. – ask for the order. Yes, most people do not like to be sold, but they sure do like to buy! You must make 100% certain with POWER DIRECT MARKETING that they know you want them to buy from you. Always A.F.T.O.

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Ray Jutkins (1936-2005) was a legendary direct marketer for nearly 5 decades and author of “Power Direct Marketing” and “Magic Marketing Minutes”. “Rocket Ray” was known for his colorful and eccentric presentation style and stunts such as riding his Harley Davidson coast to coast in 46 hours.

Jutkins died from leukemia on January 6, 2005. “In February 2004, Ray threw his own wake because 'the dead guy never has any fun at the funeral.' A month earlier, doctors had announced he had at most six weeks remaining. Having already died and been revived twice during intense chemotherapy, Ray pronounced leukemia ‘good’ because it had caused him to rediscover his sister.” – Bill Blinn

Here's Your Copy

To speed up the approval process, don't just submit your copy ... present it.

Show why you made certain decisions.

Demonstrate how it supports the strategy.

Keep it positive and results focused.

Get the customer to buy in.

REMINDER: This isn't about you and your process, it's about how the copy has been designed to specifically reach the campaign's goals.

A REMINDER ABOUT THE REMINDER: It's never about you.

 

The Sun Also Rises

Many consider The Sun Also Rises to be Ernest Hemingway's best and most important work.

Most are unaware it's original title was Fiesta.

Imagine being a fly on the wall in Hemingway's publisher's office: 

"Ernie, this one is gold, pure gold ... but 'Fiesta' just ain't gonna cut it.  

It's just the same old same old. 

We need to jazz it up with some of that deep shit you're always going on and on about after few of those Cuban daquiris you like. 

How 'bout 'Decadent, Dissolute, and Damaged'? 

Huh? Like the three D's?

Com'on ... Ernie ... bubala ... work with me here.

It's late and we gotta get this baby to press before the sun rises ..."

_________________________

Interested in learning about a couple of dozen classic books that almost had different names? Such as: 

George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four? (It was originally titled The Last Man in Europe) and 

John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men? (It was originally titled Something That Happened) 

Check out: In Search of a Title

Full Plane

Open seat next to me. 

Fingers crossed. Hoping I'd have the row to myself for the flight.

It was a small jet. Two seats on either side of the aisle. I was in the first row of economy in an aisle seat.

I watched as the other 60 passengers entered the cabin and walked towards me. I sent nonverbal messages to each new traveler:

"No. No. No." 

"Not here. Not here. Not here."

The plane was filling up. The 2 seats across the aisle were now occupied as were the two directly behind be.

Fingers crossed. 

The number of passengers boarding slowed. Still no one claiming the empty window seat to my left.

"Please ... oh please ... oh please ... oh please ..."

At the time I weighed over 250 pounds. Airline seats were not my friend. The idea of raising the center arm and spilling over into an open seat was making me almost giddy in anticipation. No rubbing shoulders. No thigh-to-thigh contact. No elbow jostling on the arm rest.

The line of passengers dwindled and finally ended. The seat remained unclaimed. I don't like flying in these little jets, but the empty seat next to me was making it much, much better.

Until I heard these words coming from the jetway:

"I didn't think I was going to make it."

The next words were worse.

"Excuse me."

And, with the exception of basketball player Charles Barkley, the largest man I have ever seen in person wedged himself into the window seat. And partially into mine, even though I was already filling it to overflowing.

Aside from the obvious discomfort, I knew what else was coming.

Forced to lean to the right, I knew that everybody walking to the rest room would bump my shoulder. 

And the drink cart posed a threat of potential injury.

I had planned on reading but my left arm was pinned by my seatmate and my right arm was dangling in the aisle."Whattayagonnado?" I thought to myself, sighed, and closed my eyes. 

I fell asleep. Perhaps it was a form of self-protecting dormancy.

Later, the feeling I was being watched brought me slowly awake.

As I gained consciousness, through my partially open eyes I could see the flight attendant looking at me. She had a slight smile.

"Could she be interested in me?" I thought drowsily.

No. She was looking at me like I was an cuddly puppy, not as an object of desire.

It was then I realized that my seatmate was also sleeping.

My head on his shoulder. His head on my head.

Guess we made a cute couple.

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The photo above is not my seat mate. It’s Brian Shaw, the 6'8" and 420 pound winner of the World’s Strongest Man competition in 2011 and 2013. It’s a still from a video on his YouTube Channel Shawstrength. Was my fellow traveler this big? Probably not, but at the time he seemed bigger.