Brian Kurtz, P. O. Box 12, Westport, CT (2026)

09/18/2026

📌 **Confidence or Bragging?**

Why the difference matters…

***“If you can’t advertise yourself, what hope do you have of advertising anything else?”***

***– David Ogilvy***

Yes, confidence sells.

But when you cross the line into bragging, trust disappears fast quickly.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Confidence builds trust.

✅ Bragging destroys it.

✅ Your audience can feel the difference.

📌 **Lead With Humility, Not Hype**

***“If you done it, it ain’t bragging.”***

***– Walt Whitman***

It’s not just what you’ve done…it’s how you talk about it.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Success requires support, timing…and a little luck.

✅ Gratitude keeps confidence grounded.

✅ Humility makes your message more relatable.

📌 **Criticism Isn’t an Attack—It’s a Mirror**

Even helpful stories can land wrong.

I’ve been there.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Feedback is a gift, not a threat.

✅ Count the “I’s” vs. “You’s” in your copy. Make it about them, not you.

✅ Stay in the sweet spot: Confidence without arrogance.

📌 **Arrogance Kills More Than Vibes—It Kills Copy**

One eager writer told me he would be the “best copywriter my company has ever seen.”

*NOTE: My company (Boardroom Inc.) had a history of working with the most legendary copywriters of all time including [Gene Schwartz](http://www.breakthroughadvertising.com), Gary Bencivenga, Jim Rutz, Clayton Makepeace and dozens more.*

Back to the eager writer…I checked his work and his claim of being the best copywriter my company has ever seen was incorrect (understatement). 🙂

Key Takeaways:

✅ Arrogance clouds judgment—and weakens persuasion.

✅ Humility isn’t weakness—it’s clarity.

✅ As John Caples said:

***“The most frequent reason for unsuccessful advertising is advertisers who are so full of their own accomplishments (the world’s best seed!) that they forget to tell us why we should buy (the world’s best lawn!).”***

Humility is more than a virtue. It’s a strategic advantage. 🔥🚀

09/16/2026

Attending my fifth *Rolling Stones* concert reminded me of something powerful.

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are both in their 80s now.

Ronnie Wood, the “youngster,” is 78.

But their voices, energy, and stage presence felt timeless.

It wasn’t just their longevity that impressed me.

It was their continued relevance.

For over six decades, they’ve continued to delight (and surprise) new generations.

It’s the result of constant evolution, dedication to their craft, and staying connected to what people care about.

That’s 60 years of cumulative experience…which beats having one year’s experience repeated 60 times.

Because doing anything average for years is easy.

Doing something exceptional for years is rare… and it’s worth celebrating.

Then I thought about Ed Sheeran.

He’s been touring for closer to 6 years than 60, yet he filled the same 50,000-seat stadium as the *Stones.*

Watching him felt like witnessing his origin story unfold… just like it must have been for the *Stones* all those years ago.

Too often, I hear excuses for young entrepreneurs not acknowledging or rewarding those who helped them succeed…they think it was only their grit and hard work that got them to where they are.

Both concerts reminded me that age has nothing to do with “getting it.”

Mick Jagger (and the band) showed me one perspective at 80; and Ed Sheeran another at 30.

Truly successful people stay humble, knowing they stand on the shoulders of giants.

And they always find ways to give back.

Although as it pertains to entrepreneurs, in the words of Dan Sullivan (the top coach for entrepreneurs in the world):

*“They don’t need to give back because they never took anything.”*

But for the purposes of this post, let’s say that “giving back” is universally a good thing. 🙂

I don’t know if *The Rolling Stones* or Ed Sheeran are great guys personally, but Mick’s gratitude on stage was obvious.

And Ed’s actions spoke louder than words.

Mick acknowledged Chanel Haynes, their powerhouse background singer who steals the show during the last *Rolling Stones* concert tour; and Ed thanked his warm-up band – the same band he once opened for when he was a nobody (*Snow Patrol*)—with warmth and sincere gratitude.

Mick and Ed shine a spotlight on others while being showered with love.

The notion of acknowledging others isn't just polite; it's a core success formula, for anyone.

And not just rock stars.

I’ll keep following both for many reasons, but two stand out:

- I want them to keep making great music that millions will enjoy.
- I want to see how they continue to pay it forward.

Because in the end, success isn’t measured by how long you stay in the game.

It’s measured by the lives you touch while you’re playing – and the people you lift up along the way.

That’s the kind of success worth chasing…in music, in business, and in life.

09/14/2026

Let’s talk about what’s working in marketing today… and what always has.

We’re seeing a shift toward:

- Less stuff (people don't want more to store, dust, or discard)
- Leasing over buying (no guilt, no clutter)
- Creating a "barrier to switch" (stickiness through value, not contracts)
- Continuity and renewals (because the second sale is everything)

We’re not just in the business of selling products.

We’re in the business of building relationships.

And here’s the big idea:

👉 A subscription gives you content.

👉 A membership gives you belonging.

People want to be part of something.

Memberships tap into that, and they renew better, last longer, and create deeper loyalty.

Dick Benson’s book, *Secrets of Successful Direct Mail*, nailed it decades ago:

“Memberships renew better than plain subscriptions by 10% or more.”

Today, that number is much higher.

One-off sales are exhausting.

Continuity gives your audience more time to grow with you… and gives you a business built to last.

On a recent [*Titans Xcelerator Mastermind*](http://www.briankurtz.net/xl) call, a member who is a copywriter/marketer/coach didn’t ask how to build a course, book or short-term program.

He asked:

*“How can I turn my knowledge and resources into a membership?”*

That’s exactly the question to begin with as you contemplate sharing your genius with the world.

And he got practical, proven advice from others who’ve made it work.

He’s now on track to build something sticky, meaningful, and built for the long term…dare I say a lifetime.

[*Titans Xcelerator*](http://www.briankurtz.net/xl) is a virtual mastermind packed with value—affordable, impactful, and full of smart, generous marketers, copywriters, and entrepreneurs.

Let's focus on making each other smarter, rather than just one person being the smartest. 🙂

How we do that:

- 30+ live, interactive calls a year with the best-of-the-best copywriters and marketers in the world.
- Hot Seats that go deep with a member’s biggest business opportunities…and/or challenges.
- Guest speakers from all areas of direct response marketing, the best-of-the-best…bleeding edge only.
- Breakout rooms to meet fellow Titans.
- A lively and helpful private *Facebook* Group…where you can ask anything…and get answers to your most perplexing problems.
- A portal of the call recordings in addition to outstanding, selected content.
- A spirit of everyone contributing first…to connect deeply.

It's where great ideas get sharper…and not-so-great ones get reworked into something better.

It’s part mastermind, part marketing insurance policy, and part Board of Advisors.

I’d love to have you join us.

👇

[https://www.briankurtz.net/xl/](https://www.briankurtz.net/xl/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=infusionsoft&utm_campaign=brand&utm_content=05262024)

Also: Grab a copy of my book *Overdeliver* [here](http://www.overdeliverbook.com) **and you’ll get a bonus PDF of Dick Benson’s out-of-print classic.

A masterclass in timeless marketing that still applies today.

It’s the perfect companion to Chapter 3, where I share how paying for postage made me a better digital marketer.

Plus ten (10) additional priceless bonuses from some of the legends of direct response marketing including Dan Kennedy, Jay Abraham, Joe Sugarman, Perry Marshall and many others.

Titling a book “Overdeliver” means I had to overdeliver on the bonuses. 🙂

👇

https://overdeliverbook.com/

09/11/2026

In marketing today, most start small and ascend.

I say, why not start big and descend?

Back in 2015, my first "product" under my new corporation, *Titans Marketing,* was a $20,000 mastermind.

Now, 10 years later, I'm perfecting the “descension model” to connect with vastly more people by making high-value content accessible at lower prices.

It's been an incredibly fulfilling journey:

**Timeless Masterpieces: Like the legendary book, ***Breakthrough Advertising***.

👉 [https://breakthroughadvertisingbook.com/](https://breakthroughadvertisingbook.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=infusionsoft&utm_campaign=brand&utm_content=03242024)

**Killer Swipe Files: From master copywriters like **Jim Rutz**:

👉 [https://titansproducts.com/jim-rutz-lost-files/](https://titansproducts.com/jim-rutz-lost-files/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=infusionsoft&utm_campaign=brand&utm_content=03242024)

… and **Bill Jayme**:

👉 https://www.briankurtz.net/bill-jayme/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=infusionsoft&utm_campaign=brand&utm_content=03242024

**Low price/high value bootcamps:

👉 [https://www.briankurtz.net/ba-bootcamp/](https://www.briankurtz.net/ba-bootcamp/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=infusionsoft&utm_campaign=brand&utm_content=03242024)

Now in my sixties, my drive is sharing wisdom from the greats and my own career with a wider audience, not just "squeezing out every dollar."

This mission is exemplified "**The $25 Group**," a 4-man accountability crew I was part of for years.

Want to see this group in action?

I even "showed off" my $25 Group at my 2014 [***Titans of Direct Response***](http://www.titansofdirectresponse.com) event, inviting my three comrades-in-arms—**Michael Fishman, Jim Kwik, and Ryan Lee**—to join me on stage.

👉 Watch the presentation here: https://vimeo.com/137629449/69fdf8d9f4?share=copy

I also wrote a post some years later on a variation of The $25 Group entitled “**Making Oprah Proud**,” which talks about the process of turning a “book club” into an accountability mastermind.

👉 Read "Making Oprah Proud":

[https://www.briankurtz.net/making-oprah-proud/](https://www.briankurtz.net/making-oprah-proud/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=infusionsoft&utm_campaign=brand&utm_content=03242024)

I did a “book club to mastermind model” much like two of my [***Titans Xcelerator***](http://www.briankurtz.net/xl) members as well.

And *Titans Xcelerator*…a mastermind that costs 10% of what my initial *Titans Mastermind* cost…is a full circle moment to the descension model.

There’s also an article inside that post about making Oprah proud that appeared in *Forbes.com* interviewing me on the subject.

The descension model is not just about lowering the cost…it’s about increasing value…which leads to raising your impact.

If you're building a business rooted in service and legacy, I encourage you to think not just about what you can sell…and what to charge for it… but who you can reach.

And if you're curious to learn more about my work, go to:

***Titans of Direct Response*:

👉 https://titansofdirectresponse.com/

***Titans Xcelerator*:

👉 [https://www.briankurtz.net/xl/](https://www.briankurtz.net/xl/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=infusionsoft&utm_campaign=brand&utm_content=03242024)

**Read *Forbes.com* interview here:

👉 https://www.forbes.com/sites/garrettgunderson/2016/05/26/troops-at-the-pentagon-loved-this-79-year-old-business-lesson-about-books/?sh=44ed9a822378

09/09/2026

There’s a “final death” worse than any other…when someone is forgotten entirely.

That idea from the Pixar film, *Coco,* always hits me hard.

I refuse to let it happen to the mentors and heroes who shaped my life.

One of them was Hugh Downs.

I first met Hugh when he was a sprightly 84, but it felt like I’d known him forever.

In 2005, he became the star of the most successful project of my career and one of the most successful infomercial franchises in history.

When *The New York Times* wrote his obituary, they criticized him for “selling out” by appearing in infomercials for health books.

But I saw the real story first hand.

Hugh refused to endorse anything he didn’t believe in.

He didn’t want to “sell.”

He wanted to remain the curious, objective journalist viewers trusted.

And all of that was accommodated in spades.

Every claim was backed up by top doctors and researchers.

His co-host, Arthur Johnson, carried the hard selling; Hugh asked the questions people genuinely wanted answered.

The result?

Millions of books sold with return rates under 10% (and in some cases under 5%) in an industry where 20–30% is the norm.

That’s proof people found true value.

It was a perfect storm: the right promotion, the right media, the right team, and Hugh as the lynchpin who brought credibility, curiosity, and humanity to every frame.

Hugh’s sign-off from 20/20 still echoes in my mind:

“We’re in touch, so you be in touch.”

So here’s my takeaway for you today:

Be in touch.

With your mentors, your heroes, and those who’ve shaped your life and career.

Because remembering them and sharing their stories keeps them alive forever.

Who’s someone you want to keep alive today by sharing their story?

09/07/2026

Three years ago, I wrote a blog post profiling my mom on her 97th birthday… and a month later, she passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Today, I’m remembering her once again.

My mom was an unknowing direct marketing legend—an even better wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother…and a world-class hoarder of both things and people (with purpose).

Even without finishing my book, Overdeliver, she lived its principles—crafting offers, being everywhere, and making customer service her way of life.

She was an absolute expert in three areas covered in my book:

✅ Telemarketing.

✅ Direct Mail.

✅ Lifetime Value.

And she did it all, never once calling it “marketing.”

During the month between her last birthday and her passing, an entrepreneur in one of my mastermind groups sent out an email:

"What I do to live 100 years in good health…and potentially longer."

He talked about diet, exercise, meditation—all the right things.

At 41, he’s often mistaken for 35 (not bad at all).

But my mom’s secret?

It wasn’t diet or exercise.

It was being endlessly “interested”—in people, experiences, and what truly matters.

Growing up during the Depression, she valued people and experiences far more than possessions.

And though she left behind a house full of "junk," it was her joy—and exactly how she wanted to say goodbye.

I believe it’s what kept her alive, spirited, and joyful for nearly a century.

So here’s a simple recommendation:

Surround yourself with the things that bring you joy no matter how cluttered it might get.

And clutter yourself not only with your meaningful junk, but also with the meaningful people and places that bring you joy.

Including living with clutter if that is what floats your boat.

She didn’t just tell us how to live—she showed us.

Every day.

Being “interested” was her superpower.

Family first, always—but everyone she touched became significant too.

If you wanted my mom in your life, you had two options: pick up the phone (her favorite) or check the mailbox at the end of your driveway (not your Inbox).

And if you’re reading this, know she often asked about “my online family.”

Thank you for being part of the interest that kept her spirit so vibrant.

And if you need a reminder today:

Call your mom.

Or someone who feels like one.📞🌸

09/04/2026

Creativity isn’t always pretty.

In 2022, the 8-hour documentary “Get Back" gave us an inside look at one unforgettable month with The Beatles—writing an album, playing a rooftop concert… and breaking up.

A wildly productive and unproductive month, depending on how you look at it. 🙂

Plenty has been written about the creative lessons inside “Get Back”. They’re real.

And while the film can feel long, it’s a ride worth taking.

What surprised me most was how much it echoed themes from another 2022 documentary—”George Carlin’s American Dream”:

✅ The creative process is often tedious and repetitive.
✅ If drugs are part of the story, they are the story.
✅ We can’t hold the past to today’s standards.
✅ Constraints and deadlines fuel real creativity.

These aren’t just observations—they’re building blocks of genius, no matter your craft.

And they tie The Beatles and George Carlin together in even deeper ways:

✅ Both stayed present and relentless in their writing.
✅ Both struggled with addiction, and came out stronger.
✅ Both evolved—avoiding the trap of repeating one good year for decades.
✅ Both knew that the pressure of a deadline sharpens the work.

If you’re a copywriter, marketer, or entrepreneur, that probably sounds familiar.
(Well, maybe minus the drugs.)

Gene Schwartz’s “high” was his passion… for words, people, and ideas. That was more than enough.

And yet, I know many in our world who’ve faced addiction. Their survival became part of their strength… and it shows in their work.

There’s another thread that ties these icons together:

Collaboration has limits.

The Beatles, even with Lennon and McCartney at full force, couldn’t hold it together forever.

Carlin worked best solo. And Gene often got lost in his own creative cave.

Writing by committee—whether it’s music, comedy, or a 12-page sales letter—rarely holds up long term.

Even when it works, it usually has a shelf life.

That’s not a knock on collaboration. We all need good editors, sharp feedback, and trusted counsel.

But at some point, the real magic happens alone.

“Get Back” shows both sides—moments of collaboration… and tension.

Lennon, McCartney, and George Harrison trying (and sometimes failing) to create as one.

Carlin reflecting on the solitude of writing.

Gene building a full training system out of sheer frustration with copywriters chasing shortcuts.

And yet, all three produced work that still resonates.

That’s the goal, isn’t it?

To make something that lasts.

Hope there’s a nugget in here that helps you do just that. 🙂

09/02/2026

In October 2019, just months after my near-fatal stroke, I hit the road for what I called my “Back From The Dead Tour”... a whirlwind of talks, presentations and masterminds that reminded me to continue to fulfill my obligation to teach what I know.

Six years later, I’m still here.

Grateful then, grateful now. Survival was so worth it. 🙂

Being above ground today to share so much joy with family and friends is soooo much better than the alternative.

Without knowing it… and channeling my inner spirit animal… my buddy Joe Polish recently sent out a perfectly timed throwback email from 2019 with the subject line:

*“Is this the greatest copywriting panel ever assembled?”*

It was from the *Genius Network Annual Event*… a room of 400 powerhouse entrepreneurs… and a highlight of my “Back From The Dead Tour.”

I’ve been a proud *Genius Network* lifer for over a decade.

Wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’ve always felt like a bit of an outsider on copywriting panels—but sitting alongside legends like John Carlton, Craig Clemens, Parris Lampropoulos, and Richard Viguerie (with Joe Polish and Jennifer Hudye moderating) was a real honor.

Together, we shared 200 years of wisdom, stories, and laughs.

Here’s a taste of what we shared on the panel (and what Joe highlighted):

✅ Brian Kurtz explains why the best copywriters in the world aren’t the best writers (and two actions that are more important than writing).

✅ John Carlton and Craig Clemens share their best definitions of “copy” for 10x’ing your success.

✅ Richard Viguerie talks about his “Four Horsemen of Marketing” (get these four right, and business becomes A LOT easier).

✅ Parris Lampropoulos, Craig and Brian share the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when it comes to hiring and working with copywriters.

✅ Craig Clemens recommends every entrepreneur read THESE three copywriting books.

✅ A step-by-step process for strategizing and writing winning copy.

✅ A common characteristic of almost all successful promotions that have mailed millions (PLUS: One of the simplest “attention-getting” strategies you can use to make your copy work more effectively).

✅ How to determine the right compensation when you want to hire a great copywriter.

✅ MYTH: Long copy doesn’t work. FACT: It can work EVEN BETTER in an age of short attention spans IF you do THIS…

✅ A discussion of the biggest copy changes in the age of social media and the internet…AND what they think about the future of copy.

If you want to watch it, I may be able to get you a link…but you’ll need to send me an email with “Dead Tour” in the subject line:

[email protected]

08/31/2026

There’s something special about being a beginner.

🧠 The humility.

🔥 The hunger.

🙏 The curiosity.

Now imagine keeping that mindset after you’ve mastered your craft.

That’s what I call the “Double White Belt”.

In martial arts, you start with a white belt and work toward black.

But some martial arts traditions bring you full circle—after the highest black belt, you receive a white belt again.

I define the Double White Belt like this:

When you reach mastery—like a black belt—you take on a deeper responsibility:

Stay grounded in the basics, keep a beginner’s mindset, and use your skills only when necessary…and never for harm.

Also: Now that you have done it, and mastered it, you have an obligation to teach it (nod to Jay Abraham).

Because let’s be honest:

Experience without humility?

That’s not mastery. That’s stagnation… or worse, arrogance. 😬

It’s the same in marketing.

👉 **Jeff Walker,** the creator of Product Launch Formula (PLF), responsible for billions in online sales— shared once that he keeps a beginner’s mindset by taking weekly ski lessons during the season…even though he’s an expert.

Why? To stay in student mode.

I’ve seen this mindset firsthand as a member of his exclusive mastermind for a decade, where even his own ideas evolve through shared innovation.

It’s inspiring—and a reminder that true mastery always circles back to the basics.

👉 **Richard Viguerie,** a legendary direct marketer who pioneered (and virtually invented) political direct mail fundraising.

At 90, he still works every day—honing his craft with a student’s mindset and sharing six decades of wisdom with anyone who asks… and some who don’t (but should).

You know I don’t like “shoulds”… but I will make an exception here.

This is what you *should* do:

✅ Step one: Learn from those who “did it.”

✅ Step two: Identify those who’ve done it and never stop learning. Follow their lead as they embrace their Double White Belts—with humility.

Richard's decades of mastery earn him a 'Triple White Belt.' He consistently returns to core principles, sharing his wisdom generously.

The most impactful people I know—marketers, mentors, copywriters—never stop learning.

They stay curious. They teach. They serve.

That’s the real flex. 💪

So if you’ve built something, launched something, scaled something…

…now might be the time to go back to the basics.

Not because you forgot—but because mastery demands it.

Earn your own Double (or Triple) White Belt. Revisit what made you great. Teach it to others. And for the love of marketing, never stop being just a little bit obsessed.

We don’t need more experts on pedestals.

We need more teachers in the trenches.

Are you wearing your Double White Belt today? 🥋

Brian Kurtz

09/18/2026

09/16/2026

09/14/2026

09/11/2026

09/09/2026

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