Food for thought…
Philip Glass:
“A new language requires a new technique. If what you’re saying doesn’t require a new language, then what you’re saying probably isn’t new.”
Marcel Proust:
“Every writer is obliged to create his own language, as every violinist is obliged to create his own ‘tone’…. I don’t mean to say that I like original writers [...]
Ryan W. Johnson
Story | Copy | Branding | Strategy
Author Archives: Ryan
On language
New Work: ReSource ad
CHALLENGE: Let people know that ReSource Intermediaries — a reinsurance brokerage recently acquired by Integro Insurance Brokers — goes above and beyond when it comes to providing first-class service.
INSIGHT: Let’s face it…insurance isn’t the most exciting industry around. And in the complex risk arena, the major players have been in an arms race to showcase [...]
Librolfaction: In celebration of the smell of books
Hang around me long enough and you’ll see me pick up a nearby book, flip to a random page and smell it. I love the way books smell. All types of books. Each entices with its own subtle aroma.
So with a rare free hour, I built a site to catalog my librolfactory adventures. I hope [...]
Better than copy
One of the most humbling aspects of copywriting is that no matter how sharp I write an ad or email or landing page, it won’t be as powerful as your best friend telling you “Hey, this is cool. Check it out.”
That’s alright.
Testimonials and demonstrations always beat copy. Trusted word of mouth trumps everything.
That doesn’t mean [...]
Who Wants Animated CliffsNotes?
Today’s daydream…
You know those RSA Animate video summaries of popular business books?
Great stuff.
But why limit them to business books?
I’d love to see those for fiction. Imaging the possibilities…animated CliffsNotes!
I know that sounds blasphemous, but there are so many classic and contemporary novels that I’d love to read but just don’t have the time for. (I’m [...]
Three Types of Focus (And Why You Should Develop Them)
I wrote this post for Master the Craft, but the lessons apply to all types of writing, not just screenwriting. In upcoming posts I’ll break down how to measure and improve each type…
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FOCUS IS YOUR SHORTCUT
As I explained in my last coaching post, focus is the aspiring writer’s key to success. Everyone has to [...]
How to say you’re sorry.
Everyone makes mistakes. Except for businesses.
Businesses have a terrible time admitting they messed up, saying they’re sorry and making amends. I’m not sure how they came to believe that doing so was a sign of weakness. Maybe most businesses worry it opens them up to liability. Which is silly. Either they messed up or they [...]
Writing via time travel
Awhile ago, I read this interesting advice from personal development and entrepreneurial coach Jonathan Fields:
Often the best way to solve a problem is to have a conversation with your future self. How do you do this without bending the space-time continuum? It’s simple, really. Have a seat in your favorite chair and close your eyes. [...]
Behold the mighty 3×5 card
Sometimes the hardest part about writing isn’t finishing. It’s starting. Computers, for all their value, exacerbate this problem. And the Internet…terrible, terrible, terrible when it comes to productivity.
We know the solutions. Single task, single touch, to do lists and so on. But sometimes it’s a challenge just getting to the point you can use these [...]
This time it’s operational
Two years ago…
My wife proposed that we brainstorm and share a list of 101 goals we wanted to accomplish over the next 1,001 days. And we did. We pledged ourselves to 10 shared goals and an additional 45 individual goals. Ambitious, exciting and fun.
But while I’ve accomplished some big things, I recently noticed that I’ve [...]
