One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building
with a hat by his feet and a sign that read:

"I am blind, please help."

A creative publicist was walking by and stopped to observe.
He saw that the blind man had only a few coins in his hat.
He dropped in more coins and, without asking for permission,
took the sign and rewrote it.

He returned the sign to the blind man and left.
That afternoon the publicist returned to the blind man and noticed
that his hat was full of bills and coins.

The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked
if it was he who had rewritten his sign
and wanted to know what he had written on it.

The publicist responded: "Nothing that was not true. I just wrote the
message a little differently." He smiled and went on his way.

The new sign read: "Today is Spring and I cannot see it."

- From http://www.goals-2-go.com/

thank you for sharing this with us j.

some time we have to write books on simple and evident sentence like this one.

It's a great story, and proves to me that what I thought all along is true. You don't learn that in a book on copy writing. That kind of writing comes from some where else.

Clint Pollard

Wow. I was expecting a punchline - a joke.

That gave me a little chill and a tear in my eye.

Thank you.

Janet

P.S. Clint, I like your comment.

Thank you Janet, I accept those kind words as a generous gift on Father's Day

Thank you
Clint

Clint's right. Whatever "it" is that the great copywriters have, they didn't learn it from books. They were gifted with something that comes from a higher place. Sure, they may have learned copywriting theory from books, but their talent is definitely supernatural! For example, I used to be a pretty good basketball player in my younger days, but I was no Lebron James! He really is "the chosen one!" I write decent copy. But I can't touch Michel Fortin. I realize and accept that.

With all due respect,

All great writers first learn by copying others. Then they learn their own voice. It's a grave error to think otherwise... if you want to be a writer.


Zachary Romero
www.profitableink.com

I voiced my opinion. That's all it is, my opinion. I stand by what I wrote. However, I should clarify: It would be wonderful if we could all be Michel Fortin's. The reality is, we all can't. Does that mean we shouldn't strive to be like "Mike?" No it doesn't. You should try to be better than "Mike." And even if you don't get to that level, it doesn't mean you failed. You can still be damn successful!

I think I will call a foul on you Dale, the chosen one is spelled like this "Michael Jordan" lol.

Clint

Clint:

Last year I would have agreed with you. But everytime I watch this kid Lebron, all I can say is DAMN!!! He's better at 22 than Jordan was and he's getting better! Remember, he would still be a senior in college had he gone. No disrespect to MJ, but now Lebron's the man. And I didn't think I would ever say that about Jordan.