We Met through Someone’s Mere Words
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I am pondering two things: death, and the power of words.
Death, because a man whom I’ve been reading for years, Gary Halbert, passed away on Sunday.
Gary Halbert was one of my copywriting mentors, though I never met him in person. I read his famous Gary Halbert Letter as often as I could. His letters amount to an amazing education in marketing and copywriting, offered for free on the Internet.
However, his writing touched me more personally a couple of years ago. It was the influence of his words that led to a relationship with someone I now cherish as one of my best, most influential friends. It all started with Gary Halbert’s words.
Here’s what happened. One day Gary wrote something that inspired someone to write to him that his words have inspired her to become a copywriter. This person mentioned she was in need of a new career, one that she could do from home, because of a disability she had developed.
Gary, being the passionate and generous person he was, called on all his friends to send this person anything that would help her become a successful copywriter.
I sent her something that had been helpful to me. I also, on impulse, sent her a copy of my book, Abundant Gifts. Though I had no idea what her beliefs were or if she’d like the book, I felt moved to send it.
She sent me a thank-you note. We began corresponding. Soon we discovered all sorts of things we had in common. One day, I asked her to become an “accountability partner.” We would help each other stay focused on our business and personal goals.
Now I don’t know what I’d do without Cathy. Though we have never met in person, we talk on the phone often and email several times daily. We brainstorm business ideas. She has helped me in countless ways, and I hope I have helped her as well.
One of my most important relationships was sparked by the words of a man neither of us knew, except through his words.
Who knows what influence and impact your words, my words, will have today and into the the future? Let’s choose them wisely.
Diane Eble has 28 years experience in the publishing industry as an editor (magazines, fiction and nonfiction books), author (11 published books, more than 350 articles), and copywriter. She is now a publishing coach as well. Her recent books are Abundant Gifts, MotherStyles: Using Personality Type to Discover Your Parenting Strengths. If you’re interested in publishing a book or information product, check out her new “tool kit,” Jump Start Your Book: 12 Questions You Must Answer Before You Write Your First Word.
Topics: Gary Halbert, words, Diane Eble |