Hollywood Whitewashing is your next email.
John Oliver of Last Week Tonight hosts the regular segment “HOW IS THIS STILL THING?” about bizarre norms that still exist. Last Sunday, the topic… white people playing people of color in movies and TV– Whitewashing.
Check out the NSFW segment here.
People like experts, but they LOVE leaders more because leaders often take controversial stands.
Think Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders, both with loyal followers who love their candidate for the same reasons as their opposition.
In this case, standing up for diversity isn’t controversial, but calling out the Hollywood Goliath for racism is.
Be a thought leader and turn this into your next email.
BONUS: You’ll drive mouks who don’t share your views off your list.
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Concepts to reference this directly or indirectly in your market:
– All filler no thriller. The glossy veneer of your competitors masks the real things holding you back… kinda like how Hollywood holds back actors and audiences with false representations. (Cautionary story. Jab at the competition story.)
– Say one thing, Do another. How some of your customers say they want to “improve”, but their actions show otherwise. Describe why it’s actually hurting them (and the people they care about). (Calling your reader out story.)
– Did you know that when you hear X, it really means Y? Describe how the powers-that-be/experts/leaders in your industry confuse terms to make sales. (Revealing “did-you-know” story.)
– Everyone tells you this is just how it is, “Be happy you’re where you are”. It’s bullshit. So say it. Talk about if your reader knows their problem is not good, what’s holding them back from changing. (Challenge existing dogma story. Call to bear arms story. Don’t rely on faith or wait for help story. Are you happy with just this story. )
– Companies say one thing and deliver another. Competitors guarantee the solution to your problem in record time… but Time’s up? Where are the results? Describe why your solution actually guarantees it with testimonial(s) (Call out the system story.)
– If you play by the rules, you have to accept the losses. Tell a story that describes your readers problem, and the conventional wisdom around it. Then describe an alternative approach, your approach, that address the same issue with lasting results. (Build a better mousetrap story.)
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Build rapport with your reader by sharing something they already fight for every day. Relate it to the same way you fight for your work… and for them.
People who share values stay loyal to each other.
Go forth right now… write now.
Write an email to your virtual-friend (reader).
Tell a story he or she needs to hear.
Hollywood Whitewashing is your next email message.
– Max!