Did you ever watch Sex and the City? A casual one-liner in a writer’s room became a bestselling book and blockbuster movie title. When Greg Behrendt said, “Or, maybe he just wasn’t that into you,” it cut through the noise and voiced a resonant truth. That’s the power of a Dialogue Name — titles and taglines that capture exactly what people are thinking and feeling. If you want your ideas to viscerally connect, start listening for lines that already POP.
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Circumstances change. Our desire to connect, doesn’t – The Better Newsletter #110
Why do some messages stay relevant for decades while others fade away? During a recent Tongue Fu! workshop, a participant asked why the book Tongue Fu! still resonates as powerfully today as when it was first published. The answer is simple: when you speak to the human condition—our desire for connection, growth, meaning, and being seen—your message becomes both timely and timeless. Circumstances change, but what we long for doesn’t. When your writing reflects the universal truths we all live, struggle with, and aspire to, your words become a force for good today… and for years to come.
POP! A Phrase That Pays – The Better Newsletter #104
When people walk out of your meeting (or watch your video, read your blog, website, marketing material) can they repeat anything they heard… word-for-word? If not, use my 5-tips to POP a Phrase That Pays!
Partner With the Muse – The Better Newsletter #92
A podcaster recently asked for my BEST writing experience. I didn’t even have to think about it. I told him, “It was writing my “What’s Holding You Back?” book.
Attention is a Two-Way Street – The Better Newsletter #90
I’ll always be thankful for having the privilege of experiencing David’s poetic word artistry in person.
The Most Intriguing Person I’ve Ever Met – The Better Newsletter #89
A friend recently asked, “Who’s the most intriguing person you’ve met?” Here’s who POP’d out and the story of how we met. See if you can guess who it is!
Are You Repeatable & Retweetable? – The Better Newsletter #88
Garry Marshall, director of the movie Pretty Woman, told our audience, “Hollywood directors can predict when their movies will make money based on one thing: Do people walk out of the theater repeating something they heard… word for word?”
Your Message Matters – The Better Newsletter #86
People often tell me, “I’m a business owner, not a speaker.” “I’m a consultant, not an author.” “I’m a non-profit leader, not a social media influencer.”
I reply back with, “I hear you! AND, if we want to impact more people, we must be all of these!”
Pass the Eyebrow Test – The Better Newsletter #82
The first year of the Maui Writers Conference, a woman walked out of her pitch meeting with tears in her eyes. I walked over and asked her, “Are you okay?” “’No, I’m not okay…”
You’re Now Free to Forget – The Better Newsletter #74
As Emcee of the Maui Writers Conference, I walked the beach every morning. One morning, I saw Pulitzer-Prize winning author Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes) writing away on two high-school composition notebooks… I was intrigued and asked, “Frank, quick question, what are you doing?”