“Thank you! Inspired by [your ideas about time management and productivity], I created a daily task list template that I’ve been using…. It keeps me on track (something I have challenges with) while focusing on key daily tasks that move me closer to my objectives for the week.” – ND

“Hi, Mark – I’ve been following you since 2010. I moved to the US from Canada where nobody talks about the ‘market’ let alone have it play a daily part of life like in the US! Your newsletters were my first guide book to investing.” – DB

Re what I said in the Oct. 18 issue about the friends/relatives of writers:

“I wonder if Shakespeare’s friends had comments like: This part about ‘Be not afraid of greatness.’ It’s too grandiose. Don’t flatter yourself.” – MS

“Thanks for validating my beliefs of the liberal arts education system [in the Oct. 21 issue]! But the purpose of my message is to say I was expecting a definition of ‘autodidact’ and not the lowly ‘feisty.’ However, what I have learned is that I am in fact a complete autodidact and much of my knowledge, and thirst for knowledge, has come from you. Thank you for that!” – TM

Re my “Father-Son Talk” essay in the Oct. 11 issue: 

“I loved your piece on father-son talks. It was funny because it was so painfully true!” – SA

“Once men were direct and straightforward. Sadly, slowly, they turned into pushovers.” – VB

“I don’t expect you to remember me, but I met you over a decade ago at an event in Florida where you spoke. We chatted briefly at the bar. And that inspired me. I have read and followed you for years and I just want to say ‘thank you’ and I am glad to hear that you survived your two strokes. It seems to have been a wake-up call and I hope you treat it as such. Take care and be well.” – VM

“I’m so – SO – happy to still be reading your blog!” – MS

Re my essay about owning a piano in the Oct. 4 issue 

“We have pianos in both our homes, too, for about the same reason as you do…. Two other items come to mind when I think about what used to make a house a home. The Encyclopedia Britannica and a globe. Later came the NYPL Desk Reference, but that was on the eve of the internet.” – SL

My Response: Yes, you are SO right. We had no money, but we had the hardcovered books and the Britannica and the globe. These were prestige items for anyone that wanted to be seen as well educated in the very suburban communities of Long Island, NY.

You couldn’t tell at arm’s length, but our globe was made of cardboard. But because it was so nicely made, in three dimensions and with all the colors one could imagine, it looked expensive, like an expensive heirloom.

Because of its size (I think there were 24 volumes in the set) and the leather binding, the EB was very expensive. I think my dad bought it on some kind of payment plan. I used it exclusively in college. Thanks for the reminder!

Re my brief about self-checkout machines in the Sept. 30 issue 

“Based on your experience, I think you’ll like this. Click here.” – JD

“I’m thrilled your surgery went well! Awesome goals you have and excited to see you pursue them with your newfound health!” – HG

“Happy to know you are doing well – and happier to note the power of your writing is as impactful as ever!” – AD

“Delighted you are back doing projects you care about.” – RG

“I just wanted to say how happy I am to see you get through your recent speed bump in life. I really love your blog and look forward to reading your observations. I’ve learned a lot over the years. Please stay healthy and keep the joy coming our way.” – TA

“You’ve been a mentor from afar for me. Especially your essays on productivity. I wish you continued health and success for many more years!” – ND

“I continue to be dazzled by all you write – and everything else you do.” – BB

Emails about my surgery keep coming. (I’ll be answering as many as I possibly can personally.)

As always, I’m happy to say, I’m also getting requests for my help/advice. Like this one…

“Ever since I completed AWAI’s direct-response copywriting program, I’ve been itching to ask you something… If you were just starting out in direct-response copywriting today, what would you do to ‘make it’? I know I have writing talent, and I think I could be a good copywriter (maybe even great), but I lack guidance. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.” – CI

My Response: There are two things you can do as a student of advertising copy. After you’ve completed your AWAI coursework and feel that you have mastered the basic concepts and understand the sort of copywriting you are good at and like to do, find an entry-level job. Either as a researcher or junior writer for an established copywriter or as an employee at an advertising company or in the advertising department of a large business.

Then commit to spending two years working at least 80 hours a week on your skills. If you can’t commit to that, you should look for other work. If you commit to it but fail to keep your commitment, you’ll know that you don’t have what it takes. If you commit to it and keep your commitment, you will be ready… and the big, wide world of copywriting will be your oyster.