“Did you write your newsletter yet?”

Thanks for asking, Daniel; no, I didn’t. That happened earlier today (Thursday) at a Mexican joint while getting dinner with Daniel, a newsletter subscriber (part of the tribe?).

Anyways, I’m here, excited to write to you. I hope you’re well.

I finished season one of my podcast last week, which was a dream interview with a CMO of a major Saas product, Kyle Lacy. I interviewed him in April of 2022, and it was a huge boost in confidence and learning.

My company, O’Connor Connective, had an intense strategic planning session. My week was full and fun. Grateful to be alive, I hope you are too.

This week’s newsletter looks a lil different; let me know your thoughts!

Marketing insight

(Time to read: 1:09 minutes)

If you want to be a better marketer, write.

Here’s why:

When you write, what you’re doing is thinking in words.

“Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That’s why it’s so hard.” — David McCullough. So many people suck at writing or are terrified to write because we’ve evolved not to think (hey, TikTok 👋).

Anyways, the core truth is that the exercise of writing is thinking.

And the more you write, the better you think.
And the better you think, the better you write.

It’s a self-perpetuating cycle. If you commit to writing, you will improve your thinking. Take me to the bank on that.

Now back to marketing.

Marketing, at its core, is decision-making. Thinking.

Where do we invest our budget?
Which platforms do we spend time on?
What should be our marketing strategy (approach)?

And decisions are (or should be) a combination of thinking and processes. You can use frameworks or mental models (processes), but you must also use your brain to contextualize and make a final decision.

By improving how you think, you will enhance your marketing.

That’s the goal of this newsletter. To help people improve their thinking on marketing to do better marketing. As you think better, you market better.

For my math nerds out there, here is our equation currently:

Writing = thinking.
Marketing = thinking.

We can safely assume, then, that marketing = writing.

The best marketers think well. And usually, that means they can write well too.

The next time you want to improve your marketing, I’d suggest writing.

Write in your journal.
Write about your expertise.
Write your best friend a letter.

It doesn’t matter what you write, do more of it to do better marketing.

Three Books. Three Quotes

"As we write, we become known to ourselves, and increased tenderness to the self we are discovering is the reward.”

– Julia Cameron (Author of The Artist’s Way)

"Research shows that imagining the absence of a positive event in your life has a more powerful effect on you than simply looking back on the positive event.”

– Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy

"We are eager to see others made perfect, but we rarely try to amend our own shortcomings.” (I’m soooo guilty of this!)

– Thomas Ā Kempis

Links to the three books quoted above:

• Write for Life by Julia Cameron 

• The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy

• Imitation of Christ by Thomas Ā Kempis

Heard. Saw. Experienced.

Heard:

My friend Tommy shared with me while recording a practice (run) episode for season two that we all should feel worthy. I agree. Waking up and not feeling worthy sucks. Been there and don’t wish that on anyone.

I shared how I find my worth in the “I am” and not what comes after (e.g., Jordan, husband, marketer). The I am for me is the Spirit of Christ (God) living within me, guiding me. Many days I struggle to feel. But I find comfort and rest in the I am. How do you feel worthy? Help me out!

Saw:

I’m trying something new: I stare at things for longer periods of time. I give them my utmost attention, and I find myself receiving so much back. These are short bursts, but I’ve enjoyed the practice so far.

This week I kept strolling by these beautiful yellow and red flowers in the downtown area. I’ve also slowed down by construction and watched them do routine tasks. It’s inspiring to see with a beginner’s eyes.

Experienced

I got to have a walkthrough of a hotel in Green Bay that my company is helping with their strategic communications/marketing. It’s been a fun experience, and was awesome to tour the place (and stare, lol).

I also got lunch and dinner with a few friends that mean a lot to me, and that was rejuvenating. While it was a busy week (many experiences) I’m grateful and better because of them.

What I’m writing

• (Human Operating System) Who this Guide is Not for

• On feeling worthy

• Guide to the Human Operating System

Thank you for sharing your time. I hope you found something of value.

See you next week? 😊