Random Motivation Notes

[Joe Ditzel]

Here are some random quotes I found in my notes you may find useful when you are slogging away writing copy.

The first ones are from an interview copywriter Kevin Rogers had with TV star Billy Gardell (Mike and Molly). Billy was trying to crack Hollywood for years when he got the Mike role. He says:

--If you don't believe in everything you are doing, people sense it.
--Have and show belief no matter what.
--You have to have faith when you don't have faith.

Here's a few from Andy Andrews, author of "The Seven Decisions":

--Adversity is preparation for greatness.
--I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
--I will persist without exception. I will find a way where there is no way.

Put that in your pipe and puff on it!

[BrianMcLeod]

Originally Posted by Joe Ditzel

Here are some random quotes I found in my notes you may find useful when you are slogging away writing copy.

The first ones are from an interview copywriter Kevin Rogers had with TV star Billy Gardell (Mike and Molly). Billy was trying to crack Hollywood for years when he got the Mike role.

That was a really fun call...

Fun to listen to Billy do the time-warp with Kev, back to the mid-90s... on the road as comics, dreaming big, starving... being (temporarily) OK with starving...

I don't remember if Billy talks about it on that call, but Kevin and I have talked about this at length before (it all kind of runs together in my mushy mind).

Unlike me, Kev, maybe you reading this... Billy never got that "day job" to support (replace) the pursuit of his dream. He went ALL-IN on making it in Hollyweird.

And someone smart guiding his young career gifted him with some very wise advice. He told Billy to never again accept anything less than the feature slot he deserved. He told Billy he'd suffer in the very short term, because people would be dicks about it (and they were), but that the implications for his career would be huge (and they were).

It didn't take long before Billy was *naturally regarded* as the headliner that SHOULD be getting that slot, instead of demanding it.

Think about the parallels in your own business life...

If you're dissatisfied with the arc of your story, watch this video and tune into the lyrics carefully.

Does it make you angry?

Good.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Brian

[Kevin Rogers]

Originally Posted by BrianMcLeod

Unlike me, Kev, maybe you reading this... Billy never got that "day job" to support (replace) the pursuit of his dream. He went ALL-IN on making it in Hollyweird.

And someone smart guiding his young career gifted him with some very wise advice. He told Billy to never again accept anything less than the feature slot he deserved. He told Billy he'd suffer in the very short term, because people would be dicks about it (and they were), but that the implications for his career would be huge (and they were).

It didn't take long before Billy was *naturally regarded* as the headliner that SHOULD be getting that slot, instead of demanding it.

Excellent insight as always, Brian.

To unpack that story a bit, Billy was stuck in the "middle" slot on the traditional American 3 act comedy show back then (as was I).

You'd have an emcee - the low guy on the totem pole (unlike in the UK where they wisely put the BEST comic in the hosting slot)... then the "middle act" who would do 20-30 minutes and the headliner who was supposed to be the draw to do 45 mins to close the show.

In those days, on those tours through the southeast, the headliner would typically be some hack with a "hook" that involved a bullwhip, a ten gallon hat and an out-of-print joke book.

Young guns like Billy and I who were out to be the next Bill Hicks would torture these guys with our edgy material (once we got good at it anyway).

After 25 minutes of jokes tearing down politicians, drug laws, and, of course, much talk about our dicks... the average headliner looked silly trying to follow us with gimmicky one-liners.

Headliners would always cry to the bookers and club owners, demanding they make us "tone it down". Some did, others didn't, and either way if the hacks whined we only turned up the heat.

(Keep in mind we were in our early 20s and little to zero business sense. We really thought we were getting paid for our "art" back then.)

The story Brian touched on is the clear dividing line between mine and Billy's career in stand up...

It was clear Billy was ready to headline clubs. No one could follow him. But, as you might have experienced in your own biz, once you are know as a certain thing at a certain price it's very hard to justify an increase in your value. You either have to find new clients, or start your own gig.

I took the find new clients route by moving to Chicago where I had a great run in the city clubs, but never learned to demand more money.

Billy, under the guidance of his manager (they're still together), held out for more money. He literally would not leave town unless he has getting headliner fees and closing shows. He would stay home (Atlanta at the time) and paint houses, or do whatever it took to pay rent so he could say no to middle slot gigs.

This is a huge lesson. It's very hard to say no to money. We've all faced this and it only gets harder when you have a family. But, if you know your value and want to stop feeling abused, you MUST learn to say no to sub-par fees.

It only took Billy about 2 months before the clubs relented and gave him his shot at headlining. Soon he was one of the top draws in many of the best clubs.

The second great lesson there is that you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone into that next level. It's the only way you'll ever grow into it and start truly deserving the fees you demand.

It's not easy, but there's no greater feeling than pushing yourself to grow and arriving where you belong. It's what we are wired to do. So, if you're feeling stagnate or under-appreciated, do not wait for someone else (especially clients) to come along and lift you up...

It's on you and you'll love yourself for doing it. Plus, it's a feeling that you'll want to repeat, which means success will continue to come your way, because you demand it.

Thanks for the memories, Brian and Joe. I'm gonna go practice my bullwhipping now.

Kev

P.S. Here's the call with Billy (posted on our new site launching soon) Billy Gardell Bare Naked Interview « IMBareNaked ... you'll hear him tell a story about how he now has to tame some acts that open for him. Ironic, isn't it. But notice how he doesn't cry to the booker, he handles it himself (great lesson #3).

[Daniel Scott]

Having met Kev for the first time in NYC in August (in person anyway), one of the highlights of my trip was actually hearing the "War Stories" from him and Vin about their days as comics.

Plus hanging out with ex-comedians is always fantastic for a laugh. Ask Kev about the "disappearing business card trick" sometime...

But as much as I enjoyed the stories about messing with club owners and recreational drug use, there were some great freelancing tips buried in there.

One thing that resonated with me reading this story was the fact Billy would say "no" to low-paying gigs even if he needed the money. He'd do whatever he needed to do to pay the bills instead, but he'd never devalue his talent in comedy.

And as any freelancer knows, that's freakin' painful when you've got bills to pay and that extra cash would really help...

Not to mention you feel like a "failure" if you're not booked solid.

But one of the things that resonated with me (and I hope Vin doesn't mind me sharing this) is that as a comic back in the 80s, Vin was getting 4 times what his "opener" was (they road-tripped around the country as a package deal, I think).

One day, his friend (probably frustrated with the situation) says, "Vin, I don't get it. I'm funnier than you are, but I'm only getting paid a quarter of what you do. What the hell?!"

(Vin says this guy [I]was[/I ]funnier than him. And having heard some of Vin's "jokes" - and I use that word loosely - I can believe it :P)

So Vin says to him, "You know why they pay me more than what they pay you?"

"Because when they offer me your fee, I say no."

I certainly wasn't green to the whole freelancing thing at that point, but it's a lesson that resonated with me strongly - and I've never forgotten it.

Don't be afraid to ask for what you're worth - and hold out for that figure.

Just make sure you're worth what you're asking for.

-Daniel