Bob Bly Direct Response Copywriter Official Banner

The secret of transparency

April 22nd, 2013 by Bob Bly

One of the differences between traditional print writing and
online writing is the principle of “transparency.”

Transparency means telling the reader all sorts of personal
things about the writer.

Why should the reader care about you? I don’t know.

In the good old days, my mentor SR wrote:

“Don’t tell the reader what YOU did or like. Talk about her
fears, her concerns, her desires, her dreams.”

That’s still the primary interest of today’s prospects. But now,
they also want to know more about you.

A possible reason: the Internet is a more interactive, two-way
communication medium than print.

Therefore, your readers have a stronger desire to connect
directly to you, and part of that is to know more about you.

So in the interest of transparency, here are 21 things you may
be curious or interested to know about me – or not (I am not
100% sold on this transparency thing):

1-I am 5’7″ and have a hang-up about being short. If I could
change 7 things in my life, one would be to become six feet tall.

2-I embarrassingly weigh a little over 200 pounds, and have
struggled with a weight problem for the past few years (I used
to be 175).

3-I absolutely love my work, which primarily is freelance
copywriting and secondarily book writing, Internet information
marketing, and speaking. There is nothing on the planet I would
rather do than write, and my favorite writing is copywriting.

4-One of my great writing pleasures is writing essays. Years
ago, Thomas Nelson published a book of my essays, Count Your
Blessings, though it was hardly a best-seller.

5-I am a hardcore introvert. I like being surrounded by my wife
and kids, but other than that, I prefer to spend time alone.
Prolonged exposure to people wears me out.

6-Aside from writing, my favorite activity is reading The New
York Review of Books. I read every word of every article in
every issue, and if you know NYRB, you know that’s a lot of
words!

7-Unlike some entrepreneurs who work 24/7, I seem to need the
normal amount of sleep, although I often have trouble sleeping.
One of my guilty pleasures is I take an hour nap on the
weekends, and it is the best sleep I have. I agree with Fran
Lebowitz, who said, “I love sleep because it is both pleasant
and safe to use.”

8-My favorite movie is One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. My
favorite comedy film is Rat Race.

9-I also love horror movies, especially the old ones. My
favorite horror movie is Dracula Has Risen from the Grave with
Christopher Lee.

10-My favorite book is Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. Of
course, that’s a play. My favorite novel is The Prince of Tides
by Pat Conroy, who is also my favorite writer.

11-I love science fiction and have a web site dedicated to it,
www.sciencefictionprediction.com. My favorite science fiction
novel is Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny. I’m also a fan of
Harlan Ellison and Isaac Asimov, who is my writing role model
for his prolificity and clear prose.

12-Although I am not a hardcore Trekkie in that I do not go to
conventions, I love Star Trek, and I wrote a trivia book for
HarperCollins titled The Ultimate Unauthorized Star Trek Quiz
Book.

13–For decades my hobby was keeping fish tanks, both saltwater
and fresh, and at one point I had 4 tanks, including one with a
freshwater stingray and another with an eel. Now I have cut down
to one 92-gallon tank. I also have a web site dedicated to this
hobby: www.aquariumdetective.com

14-When I was a kid my passion was science, in particular my
chemistry set. And yes, I have a web site on this too:
www.mychemset.com. I have a B.S. in chemical engineering from
the University of Rochester.

15-I used to enjoy playing chess with my kids, but now in their
20s, they have lost interest. So I don’t play anymore. No great
tragedy; I am not that good anyway.

16-When in high school, I played clarinet and baritone sax, and
I was not terrible. I enjoy listening to bari sax, especially
Gerry Mulligan. A big thrill of my life was meeting Benny
Goodman in an elevator at a club where my father had taken me to
listen to the Buddy Rich band.

17-I used to listen to music in the office 12 hours a day. Now I
prefer silence when working. But I still love a wide range of
music: jazz, classical, rock, and pop. I occasionally listen to
and enjoy a Barry Manilow CD. So sue me.

18-I love dogs. Our golden retriever, Princess, died a couple of
months ago and I am still not over it.

19-A few people I find funny: Louis CK, Demetri Martin, Sean
Morey, Ricky Gervais, Seth McFarlane, Ray Romano. I like Chris
Rock but his mouth is too foul for my taste.

20-If I could do one thing over again in life, I would have had
my kids in my 20s instead of my 30s. But my wife had cancer when
we were young, so we couldn’t.

21-My favorite food on the planet is a kosher hot dog. And yes,
I wrote a book about them: All-American Frank: a History of the
Hot Dog (Publish America). Oranges come in second.

Share

This entry was posted on Monday, April 22nd, 2013 at 11:55 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

83 responses about “The secret of transparency”

  1. Arlene said:

    Thanks for sharing – just started reading your book: Blog Schmog for a report.

  2. Bon said:

    Thanks for sharing this, Bob. I’m very sorry for your loss. I hope your grief ends.

  3. Shirley de Rose said:

    We (my husband and I) appreciate your transparency so very much. We are similar to you in many ways, from being major introverts to enjoying fish tanks. We watch a marathon of Babylon 5 (all 5 seasons) once per year. Like you, we haven’t made it to a Sci-Fi convention, but there’s always “next year.” We are in the SEM business, often copywriting for clients – we understand those 12 hour work days though we do break for naps occasionally. We consider you to be one of our blessings. Thanks for your transparency!

  4. nero free download full version said:

    I always spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s articles or reviews daily along
    with a cup of coffee.

  5. camping in texas said:

    Great article.

  6. SearchLight Reviews said:

    Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot.
    I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.

  7. run 3 cool math said:

    I am grateful to have opened this discussion. This question is quite interesting to me. Finally the answer was found

  8. Miami said:

    This post shows nice details. I like the way you analyze issues windows 10

  9. Richard Rats said:

    I like your list of 21 things, sounds like me – Richard Rats

  10. mediabox hd said:

    Its very nice article,loved it.

  11. Talktowendys Survey said:

    Thank you so much for your research. Our community often puts off medical advice and intervention let alone the stigma associated with mental illnesses.

  12. BrunoA said:

    Hello! Does anyone know how to write a 1000 word essay? This is a really huge text!

  13. don said:

    This page is really attractive for the readers which are making SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INDIA the page really special for the readers. The collection of such relevant ideas are making the page best for all kind of readers across the page and makes the page really special for all readers.

  14. Jim Rhodes said:

    http://www.fsdf.com

  15. Shreyansh said:

    Thanks for sharing this info

  16. aosdownload said:

    Thanks to you sir.

  17. Run 3 said:

    I did enjoy the storyline of that game, it was pretty interesting, plus missions were tough and challenging.

  18. mapquest directions said:

    The blog is very informative and outstanding. I would love to read your blog. Give me lots of useful information. I will often visit your blog.

  19. john Smith said:

    It depends upon the level of the streaming that which type of laptop or PC having different expects. Now the question arises which type of Laptop we should use for the streaming? Therefore we are presenting you with the best laptops for streaming.

  20. Eront 11 said:

    Greatpeople.me is an employee login web portal that maintains an appropriate interrelationship between all the employees, users, associates, and team members, especially those who work under Kroger.

  21. AMMAR said:

    thanx sir you explain me in a very easy way 21 things great!!!

  22. Woomn 44 said:

    Download K7 Ultimate Security for Windows PC – In this article, you can see how you can download and install the K7 Ultimate Security for Windows PC, Laptop, and desktop for free.

  23. Twan Grey said:

    This article is well written. Transparency is a significant factor in internet marketing. Vegan Celebrities It is the responsibility to share data with peoples that are obliged to make well-read choices and hold leaders liable for the care of the people’s business.

  24. 4movies said:

    Read this :4movies latest Hollywood, Bollywood 720p and 300mb movies

  25. One Dasty said:

    Bringing home a new puppy is a wonderful experience involving the whole family, which is why we begin training early to ease the transition to their new home and family. Owning a pug puppy or French Bulldog puppy is hard w to respectable families
    https://pugslandbreeder.company.com

  26. robert said:

    https://savannahbengal.company.com/

  27. Chris said:

    Our service offers assistance with all types of papers from essays to dissertations https://homeworkfor.me/. We know how to meet every customer’s needs. Let us know your initial requirements and get help with homework in one click!

  28. io games said:

    although the internet shapes our lives. i show a preference for handwriting.

  29. himanshu sharma said:

    check this hot babe https://www.updatedcelebrities.com/rosa-fox/

  30. Ankit sharma said:

    very good content check this girl https://www.updatedcelebrities.com/marisol-yotta/

  31. Ak Company said:

    Can pleasantly compose on comparative themes! Welcome to here you’ll discover how it should look. https://bit.ly/3uLahCJ

  32. K Walker said:

    This is fantastic work. Thank you for providing such valuable information. A free APM test is the subject of my profile. You can find your APM at any time by visiting the profile. I hope you find this material beneficial. Visit the profile here https://camp-fire.jp/profile/actions_per_minute_test

  33. GoMatka said:

    Wonderful writing. Waiting for more blogs.
    Satta Matka App Development
    Matka Game App Development
    Matka app development
    https://gomatka.gowebs.in

  34. Local Observer said:

    great post. Really helpful. Moving to USA? The Local Observer will help you find the best and worst places to live, raise a family or retire in United States. Visit https://www.localobserverdaily.com

  35. Sidhu Moose Wala said:

    Allah Maaf Kare Lyrics by Amrit Maan is new released Punjabi song in his voice, Desi Crew has made its tune. Allah Maaf Kare song lyrics are written by Amrit Maan. Its video is released by Cocktail Music.

  36. MarieNilsson said:

    I have to set priorities https://bestdoctornearme.com/

    means focusing on only the most important tasks – and letting
    the others go.

  37. Metro Shoes said:

    Metro Shoes is offering Amazing beautiful pencil heel, So check out Metro shoes collection online.

  38. ShopECS said:

    Shoes in pakistan brand for better experience shop from ECS. ECS is providing best quality shoes for summer. Wear Comfy Feel Comfy.

  39. Borjan Shoes said:

    Shop a wide range of women shoes, women heels, women court shoes, women peep toes, women boot, women sport shoes and many more Shoes for women online in Pakistan.

  40. jhon set said:

    Now you can watch most of your favorite movies on YouTube. In this article, we are going to talk more about the benefits of watching your favorite titles online. shahid for you

  41. The Citizen said:

    Great
    https://www.citizendailypost.com
    https://www.metrodailyreporter.com

  42. Rios Cosmetics said:

    Stunning best perfumes for men and perfume brands for men are offered by Rios, a great multi brand store. The shop satisfies customers with the best perfumes for men in Pakistan. Their best perfumes for men are perfect for your needs, fulfilling your demands With their perfumes for men, Rios meets all your requirements.

  43. Rios Cosmetics said:

    The best perfumes for women in Pakistan are offered by Rios. Rios wants to satisfy their customers with top notch perfumes for women. Their best perfumes for women are perfect for your needs, fulfilling your demands With their perfume for women and related products, Rios is sure to meet all of your requirement.

  44. Rios Cosmetics said:

    Powder foundation and glamorous face powder. The store aims to provide satisfaction through high quality products like Powder foundation. Grab their powder foundation online, it is perfect and just what you need Rios fulfills your every demand, with their Face Powder products.

  45. ShopECS said:

    ECS brings the best high heels and heel shoes for girls. So, grab amazing heels for girls from the ECS store today. The perfect heels for girls are available in all sizes and the best colors, only from ECS. So, hop on the ECS store today and get the best heel shoes in Pakistan.

  46. Borjan Shoes said:

    Scarves for Women buy best Scarves for women Online. Shop from borjan Scarves online Pakistan in premium quality to make your outfit cool and fancy.

  47. Metro Shoes said:

    Metro shoes offer their customers the best perfumes for women and men. Get the best perfume brands for women in Pakistan, today. So, buy only the best perfumes for men online from Metro shoes. We bring you only the highest quality perfumes for women and men.

  48. Royal Leafs said:

    If you’re searching for the best Cannabis store, you’re at the right place! At Royal Leafs, you can find plenty of Cannabis products such as Cannabis pre-rolls, raw and milled flowers, drinks, and accessories such as bongs and vapes of the highest quality. Grab Now

  49. Jack Falk said:

    General comment and all final round is painted for the turns. The theme of the ikat fabric are implied for the shades. Struggle is poised for the joys. Painting is held for the reforms for the funds in most of the joys for the candidates.

  50. Mike Rooney said:

    I really like the way that you have expressed yourself. There is a lot to be admired from this post. You might want to click oncyberpunk 2077 david martinez jacket

  51. Emma Harriet said:

    Realmente me gusta la forma en que te has expresado. Hay mucho para ser popular en esta
    escorts maduras Avellaneda publicación.

  52. William Valle said:

    You are clever and well-informed.How to improve your gaming skills. A solution is provided by Dice Roller Online, which makes it possible to generate random numbers. It has additional applications; if you’re curious, you can learn how to use roll d20 dice online. and its advantages.

  53. Highway Fashions said:

    Check out the latest zellbury sale collection online at Highwayfashions. Explore the wide range of branded dresses online at Highwayfashions. Get your favorite dresses online in all over Pakistan at discounted prices.

  54. Ralph Herring said:

    This webpage definitely piques my interest. It would be wonderful to see more content and updates from this website. unblocked gamez

  55. Borjan said:

    Step into the spotlight with Borjan Shoes. Our stylish, chic bracelet for girls is designed to make every girl look glamorous, stylish, and trendy. From subtle everyday styles to statement pieces for special occasions, Borjan Shoes has something for everyone. Get ready to turn heads and be the envy of your friends with our stunning selection of bracelets.

  56. Ammara khan said:

    Discover the latest New Kurti Design collection online at Ammara Khan. We offer the latest shirts design online all over Pakistan. Get your favorite kurti online at reasonable prices.

  57. Walkeaze said:

    Get the best Wedges Shoes for women online in Pakistan. Walkeaze provides the best quality wedge shoes online across Pakistan. So, grab your favorite shoes for women online at the best prices.

  58. Oxeltech said:

    Electronic design services involve the process of designing and developing electronic devices or systems, such as circuit boards, microprocessors, and other Electronic design services. These services are typically offered by companies that specialize in electronic engineering and design.

  59. Oxeltech said:

    A PCB assembly company specializes in the manufacturing and assembly of printed circuit boards (PCBs). These companies typically offer a range of services, including PCB design, fabrication, and assembly. The process of PCB assembly involves the use of specialized equipment and techniques to assemble electronic components onto a printed circuit board, creating a functional electronic device or system.

  60. Maples Closet said:

    Discover exquisite abaya designs at Maples Closet, your ultimate destination for modest fashion in the UAE. Embrace the essence of traditional Islamic clothing with our meticulously crafted abayas and stylish bags.

  61. Harsh Lahre said:

    Hindi Sink Mobile apps are designed to provide a user-friendly and optimized experience for mobile devices, utilizing the unique capabilities of smartphones and tablets such as touchscreens,

  62. vps hosting canada said:

    Experience unparalleled performance with our Windows Dedicated Hosting services. Tailored for Windows environments, our solutions offer dedicated resources, advanced security features, and seamless scalability. Host your applications or websites with confidence, backed by a platform designed for optimal Windows performance.

  63. BSNS Consulting said:

    BSNS Consulting offers top-notch Taxation Services in Pakistan, catering to businesses of all sizes. Our experienced tax experts navigate the complexities of the tax landscape, ensuring compliance and optimising your tax strategy. Trust us to handle your tax planning, filing, and reporting, so you can focus on growing your business with peace of mind.

  64. BSNS Consulting said:

    Unlock the full potential of your online presence with BSNS Consulting’s services of Digital Marketing Pakistan. Our result-driven approach utilises the latest digital marketing strategies to elevate your brand’s visibility, engage your target audience, and drive meaningful conversions. Stay ahead of the competition and achieve your business goals with our expert digital marketing solutions.

  65. BSNS Consulting said:

    BSNS Consulting offers top-notch Taxation Services in Pakistan, catering to businesses of all sizes. Our experienced tax experts navigate the complexities of the tax landscape, ensuring compliance and optimising your tax strategy. Trust us to handle your tax planning, filing, and reporting, so you can focus on growing your business with peace of mind…

  66. Vallee Real Estate said:

    Welcome to Vallee Real Estate Group -Your Trusted Partner in Real Estate Services.Our real estate group is committed to providing top-notch services for buyers and sellers alike. With a strong focus on market trends and customer satisfaction, we aim to exceed your expectations.Unlock the potential of your real estate journey with Vallee Real Estate Group.

  67. Peggy B Fuhrman said:

    Estoy agradecido por el impacto que ha tenido su blog en mi viaje de crecimiento personal. Sigue tu progreso y desafíate a ti mismo con Contador De Clicks: ¡cambia las reglas del juego!

  68. TipTop Enrichtung said:

    A Barbershop Bedienplatz is the workspace within a barbershop where haircuts, shaving, and other services for male clients are carried out. This area typically includes a chair, mirror, and tools.The Barbershop Service Station is the heart of every barbershop, where skilled barbers work their magic to create fresh looks and maintain well-groomed appearances. This dedicated area is thoughtfully designed for both the barber’s convenience and the client’s comfort.

  69. Vallee Real Estate said:

    Discover exquisite New Westminster houses with Vallee Real Estate. Explore stunning homes in this vibrant community. Find your perfect match and experience luxury living at its finest. Trust Vallee Real Estate to guide you to your dream home.

  70. Vallee Real Estate said:

    In this vibrant city, Real Estate in New Westminster refers to a wide range of properties. There is a property to suit every taste and budget, ranging from contemporary condos to historic mansions. New Westminster provides a pleasant living environment with its picturesque riverfront, energetic communities, and practical conveniences. Discover your ideal house by looking through the many New Westminster real estate possibilities.

  71. banner said:

    Wanted to login taxslayerpro simply, visit https://sites.google.com/view/taxslayerprologinmyacc0unt/ and then enter your username and password below to access Account Hub so you can update your company info, apply for bank products, manage your business and more all from your account.

  72. wilson said:

    TaxSlayer Pro is an all-inclusive tax preparation software Logging into your taxslayerpro login/my account offers various benefits, especially if you are a tax professional or individual managing tax-related tasks.

  73. banner said:

    TaxSlayer is a company that offers tax preparation software and services for individuals, tax professionals, and businesses TaxSlayer Pro offers a secure login portal taxslayerpro login/my account

  74. banner said:

    Our platform is designed to simplify the tax preparation process and help you save time and effort Trust in taxslayerpro account for all your tax filing needs. you can trust that your sensitive information is in good hands. Streamline your tax preparation process with taxslayerpro login/my account today.

  75. banner said:

    TaxSlayer is a tax preparation software company that offers solutions for individuals, tax professionals, and businesses specifically designed for tax professionals go to their website taxslayerpro login/my account enabling them to efficiently prepare and file tax returns for their clients.

  76. banner said:

    ?If you’re looking for a fast, easy, and accurate way to file your taxes, taxslayerpro login/my account is the perfect solution An authorized IRS e-file provider,customers generally wait an average of less than 60 seconds for in season support and enjoy the experience of using software built by tax preparers, for tax preparers.?

  77. banner said:

    Lowe’s often offers special financing options for purchases made with the Lowe’s credit card. This could include no-interest financing for a set period of time on qualifying purchases. Visit the Lowes.syf.com/activate Lowe’s.SYF website.

  78. banner said:

    Lowe’s credit cards often offer special financing options, such as 0% interest for a certain period on purchases above a certain amount. This allows customers to make large purchases, such as appliances or home improvement projects, and pay them off over time without accruing interest, saving money in the long run. Go to the https://lowessyfcomactivate.godaddysites.com/ credit card activation website.

  79. banner said:

    Lowe’s does not charge an activation fee for their credit cards. When you receive your Lowe’s credit card, you can activate it without incurring any additional costs. Activation is a standard process provided by Lowe’s to enable you to start using your card for purchases. Whether you activate your card by phone or online, there won’t be any fees associated with the activation process. Visit the Lowes.syf.com/activate website.

  80. banner said:

    Lowes.syf.com/activate is the official website for activating new credit cards from Lowe’s so you can start using your card’s benefits and rewards. Activate your Lowe’s credit card to enjoy seamless shopping experiences online, in-store, or through the Lowe’s mobile app.

  81. banner said:

    Lowes.syf.com/activate is the official website for activating new credit cards from Lowe’s so you can start using your card’s benefits and rewards. Once activation is complete, you can immediately start enjoying special financing options, Lowe’s cardholder discounts, and rewards on Lowe’s purchases.

  82. Engelszahlen999 said:

    EngelszahleEngelszahlen sind wiede rkehrende Zahlenfolgen, von denen manche glauben, sie seien Botschaften von Engeln oder Geistführern. Diese sich wiederholenden Ziffern wie 1111 oder 555 werden als eine Möglichkeit für das Universum angesehen, mit Ihnen zu kommunizieren und Ihnen Orientierung zu geben.n sind wiederkehrende Zahlenfolgen, die von den Engeln als Zeichen oder Botschaften gesendet werden sollen. Durch die Interpretation dieser Zahlen sollen wir Hinweise auf unseren Lebensweg und Ermutigung erhalten.

  83. surya kiran villa said:

    Spot on! The way you broke down the topic was both engaging and informative. Thanks for sharing!
    luxury villas in india

Leave a Reply