Revisiting Mr. Ogilvy

You cannot bore people into buying your product; you can only interest them in buying it. ~ David Ogilvy 

I was in 8th grade when my Uncle Larry handed me David Ogilvy’s Confessions of Advertising Man. He was a Mad Man after all. And got his start with DDB in the 1950’s. The price on the book is $0.75. The value of the book is worth millions.

On an annual basis, I like to go back through and sit across the table from one of the greatest marketers in the modern era. Even with all the changes in communication and technology, it’s amazing how much of Ogilvy’s lessons are still relevant to business today.

Here are a few:

If it doesn’t sell, it isn’t creative. ~ click to tweet

The best ideas come as jokes. Make your thinking as funny as possible.~ click to tweet

It is important to admit your mistakes, and to do so before you are charged with them. ~ click to tweet

Tell the truth, but make the truth fascinating. ~ click to tweet

Do me a favor. Go back and revisit your favorites from time-to-time. You’ll be surprised inspired, refreshed and encouraged.

Who do you go back to? What have you learned (or relearned) recently?