Mitch’s Rules, Perfect Testimonials, Dream Control, & More – Roger’s Picks

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Another week, another batch of required reading from around the web. There’s one new feature this week – after “My Stuff,” I’ve added one “Weird or Wonderful” link just for fun. If you found a compelling piece of content this week, add a link to it in a comment!

Mitch JoelI’m in constant awe of Mitch Joel (@mitchjoel) – he publishes a huge amount of superb quality writing even as he maintains a busy speaking schedule and, in his apparently ample spare time, runs a digital agency. So, when Mitch shares his writing secrets, it’s time for all of us to pay attention. Read Mitch’s Top 15 Rules For Business Writers, then print it out and tape it to your wall. These are rules for authors, bloggers, content creators, and every other kind of writer to live by!

EEGHere at Neuromarketing, we take the concept of brain-based marketing as a given most of the time. The rest of the world doesn’t always do that, as shown by The Brain Bank (@brainbankmanc) asking: Neuromarketing: a whole lot of fluff? Although the article is skeptical, it covers a lot of ground and is worth a read.

copyblogger removes commentsThe uber-popular Copyblogger site stunned bloggers everywhere with the news that they are no longer allowing comments on their posts. This was a huge surprise – while many websites are struggling fiercely to build communities, Copyblogger actually had achieved the elusive goal of vigorous participation from readers. Here, Sonia Simone (@soniasimone) explains their thought process: Why We’re Removing Comments on Copyblogger. For a different perspective on Copyblogger’s move, Mark Schaefer (@markwschaefer) offers The economics behind Copyblogger’s decision to end blog comments. What do YOU think about Copyblogger’s move? Brilliant or bone-headed? Don’t miss out – leave a comment here while they are still open!

decision28Who’s the decider? Even avid readers of pop neuroscience may be hard pressed to locate the lateral habenula. This little-known structure may be an important part of human decision-making. Dr. Jeremy Dean (@PsyBlog) covers the latest research findings: Mysterious Brain Region That is Vital to How You Decide.

retweet-percentage-newsI greatly prefer data-based recommendations for best practices as opposed to guru advice, and this new Twitter study used extensive analysis to determine optimal tweet strategy. In Twitter Study: Which Tweets Get the Most Engagement?, Jessica Lee (@BzzContent) shares what massive data crunching disclosed about retweets.

bidmanagementguide-600x470Spotting “exit intent” is the latest rage in conversion optimization – instead of hitting a visitor with an immediate popup, or a popup timed for a few seconds later, conversion may be maximized if you wait until the visitor decides to leave. Larry Kim (@larrykim) does a deep-dive tool analysis in, Can Bounce Exchange Reduce Site Bounce Rate? A Tool Review.

4052593758_0e253120cbThe creators of the Buffer app know a lot about how content gets shared, but they also create some of their own awesome content. Belle Beth Cooper (@BelleBCooper) describes the process they use in How We Research: A Look Inside the Buffer Blog Process. This is a great guide for bloggers and content writers.

marketing-mind-control-headline-formulaWhy does some content go viral when apparently similar content doesn’t? In The Science and Psychology Behind Viral Articles in Your Social Feeds, Ernest Barbaric (@ebarbaric) looks at the brain and behavior side of the equation. It’s not a magic formula, but it may help you boost the shareability of your content.

testimonialblogTestimonials are great sales tools, and just about everyone uses them. The problem, says Derek Halpern (@derekhalpern), is that many of them may do more harm than good. Check Derek’s The Perfect Testimonial (use this to boost your sales conversions today) to turn every endorsement into a plus.

email-marketing-headerWe all do it. We find a cool service or software tool that has a free trial, and sign up in a burst of enthusiasm. Then, we forget about it, or get stuck once and abandon it. Steven Macdonald (@StevenMacd0nald) tells you how to 8 Ways to Convert Free Trial Users Into Customers Through Email Marketing. Good tips that not only help conversion but also increase customer satisfaction.

Gabe-SamuelsHere’s another independent view of neuromarketing. Gabe Samuels is a casual observer of the field who attended the NMSBA World Forum in New York last week, and he summarizes his conclusions in Neuromarketing: Problems And Possibilities.

My Stuff

making copiesI love small changes that can make a big difference in persuasion, and I describe one in Can One Word Turn Nonsense into Powerful Persuasion? Find out what the magic word is that makes even a meaningless phrase persuasive!

reppedWe think of reputation management as a business thing, but it’s important for individuals, too. In 30 Reasons To Put Your Job Search On Hold For A Month at Forbes, I review Repped by Andy Beal (@andybeal. Andy’s book is a highly accessible, action-oriented guide to tuning up your online reputation.

2014-03-15-15.46.29-e1395694273573-540x228Liking is one of the six principles of persuasion that Robert Cialdini shared at the recent Pubcon New Orleans. If liking works for people, can it also work for companies? In Can a Big-Box Supermarket Create ‘Liking’? I describe how Texas supermarket chain H-E-B uses shared attributes and social identity to build loyalty and dominate markets.

Weird or Wonderful

140326212710-largeIs controlling your dreams possible? One occasionally sees articles suggesting techniques for doing that, but they usually seem a bit sketchy and lacking scientific backup. Professor Richard Wiseman from the University of Hertfordshire has published a study that demonstrated dream control, albeit in a limited way. In Science Daily (@ScienceDaily), Mass participation experiment reveals how to create the perfect dream shows how external sounds can influence the direction and settings of dreams. And, to add a little weirdness, there’s evidence of a “full moon effect” that prompts more bizarre dreams.

Remember, comments are still open here – if you found an article you’d like to share, add a link in a comment!

4 Comments
  1. Ernest Barbaric says

    Hi Roger – thanks so much for including me in the mix. I really liked the bit on dream design and will definitely be checking out this Dream:ON app 🙂

    Cheers,

    – ernest.

    1. Roger Dooley says

      Great article, Ernest. And let me know how the dream thing works out. That’s a bit off my usual range of topics, but it was kind of interesting. You might also search “lucid dreaming,” it’s another kind of technique in which you are supposed to “wake” inside your dream and direct it. Haven’t tried it, looked dicey and time-consuming.

  2. Gary Starkman says

    I think it is a big mistake to take away blog commenting. It is the best way to get feedback on your articles. speaking of which great job on the article.

  3. Silvia Gomez says

    Comments are great way to ensure that you know what your audience wants to read. How can you get inside their heads without hearing any type of feedback? Thank you very much for your insight and information.

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