A Tale of Two (Writing) Mentors
First there was Richard. Then there was Mark.
Richard is why we can be here at all, on this platform - or any platform - reading words from my fingers.
Without bumping into him in 2005, I wouldn't be a copywriter.
Or any kind of writer.
I was 37.
Aleda was 11, Morgan was 3 and Zane wasn't even an idea yet.
I'd given up schlubbing the girls around to craftshows to sell my jewelry and selling whole sale was worse than I'd thought it could be - production hell.
"Write your story."
That was the prompt Richard gave on a call I was listening in on. I wanted to build a Network Marketing business.
Badly (and by badly, I mean badassly)
But ... introvert.
They eventually picked some of these to use on their marketing website. I took the bait. Being chosen was a badge of honor.
These guys were doing it differently.
The other guy was an ass. Richard was the prize inside. The copywriter secret sauce.
"Write your story and I'll edit it." What an insane and unexpected gift.
The editing in particular.
Rocked.
My.
World.
So streamlined. So less was clearly more. So much "couldn't unring the bell".
We'll get back to Richard in a minute.
Next came Mark. Mark arrived on my radar while exploring online system possibilities - ways I could support what we now know as Planet Andrea <3
Mark was never a techy guy, in fact he was quite inept in that direction.
He probably saved me from a life of tech service slavery if I'm honest.
But direct response and dreamscaping? Oh Yeah.
He called himself an Adventurepreneur.
And Lordy could he write. Emails mostly.
Could turn a good FB post too. And move people. Literally and figuratively.
Like a Pied Piper.
That was his wizardry.
He also showed me why High Ticket was more my jam than the other biz model. Or at least why it needed to be my primary focus first.
For quantum leaping.
And being able to serve more deeply.
I'll never forget the first $3k sale I made ($1k to me) - it was so f-ing effortless.
Because the pre"sell" and irresistible offer work had already been done.
AND it was offered to the right person. One who really liked the dream the transaction offered access to.
Access.
That's an important piece of the puzzle.
Lots of tales to tell about the importance of access.
Mark died 9 years after we met... at the all-too-soon age of 39.
Hit me hard. Tears still well up typing this.
Luckily there are plenty of pictures of us for me to remember - this is one below.
One of my favorites.
Here's the backstory:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153162935625218
Flew to California to essentially go to "camp" with him and a bunch of 21 year olds and gave him that painting by @leed.
Thank-goodness I sought the access.
We didn't know it ... or I didn't really get it. Time was of the essence.
Anyway - lots to share someday when we're sitting 'round a table somewhere, breaking bread - or not.
Point is. Without Mark ... also no Planet Andrea.
He gave me the gift of embracing my influence. One of his hardest hitting lines was something like -
"Whose life will be different when you're wealthy?"
Dreamscape. That.
So that was Mark.
Now back to Richard. Yesterday was his birthday.
He turned 74.
So I sent him an email
(the one before that was in 2014 - ironically sent because of a thing Mark used to have us do at events - 'take a minute on your lunch break to send a note' to someone you deeply appreciate)
I just replied to that one and picked up where it left off lol.
Got all emotional when I read what I'd written then too. He is such an important part of who I've become.
We first crossed paths when I was 37. This year I'll be 54.
17 years.
He lives 2 hours away. And we've never actually met.
I emailed to say Happy Birthday - I mean he's 74, Facebook isn't the way.
And holy heck - if the reply took 10 minutes I'd be surprised.
Phew.
Have to admit, that was a little shocking.
Funny thing? I'm writing better already - just remembering how both of these men kept stepping up to the plate.
How important it was for me that they did.
Impact.
Literally by showing up and being themselves - out loud.
Changed my life.
Oh and -
Next month, despite my general "no scheduling rule" ...
Richard and I are booked for lunch.
Maybe I'll get a picture.
😍
Andrea
PS. Wanna try something?
Now that you've read all that, what if you were to take a minute to send a note of appreciation to someone for no reason.
A quick note/text of recognition.
I can too.
Would love to hear who you chose and what happens next <3