EDITOR’S NOTE:

The sign of a great teacher:

In 1985, the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl after having the greatest American Football season of all time.

The Bears defense was particularly special. In one 3-game stretch, the Bears defense alone tallied more total points than the offenses they faced. 

Buddy Ryan was the Defensive Coordinator that year. Mike Singletary was one of his linebackers. 

At the end of the season, Singletary wrote Ryan a letter. “You’re my favorite coach of all time,” he said. Years later, a reporter asked Singletary why he loved playing for Ryan so much.

“He had the ability of taking the complex and explaining it simply,” he said. “And that’s the sign of a great teacher.”

I feel this way about Harry Dry.

Harry’s the founder of Marketing Examples and Copywriting Examples, two incredible repository of clear, concise lessons that make complex marketing principles and tactics accessible, simple. 

Every time I read Harry’s work, I learn something, retain it, and use it. 

And now I’m excited to have this great teacher on for a VGC Micro-Interview. 

In just 157 words, Harry shares:

  • The difference between a “great” article and an “average” article… 

  • The #1 thing that shortened his learning curve…

  • His perspective on failure…

And more…

Enjoy!

Instantly get 6 “micro” courses and series about copywriting when you subscribe to the VeryGoodCopy newsletter for free. Plus...enjoy new content every week. Learn more → 

Thank you, Harry.

Let’s get started:

1) “What’s your work routine?”

Wake up. Exercise. Go to the cafe. Order two coffees. Work till I get tired. 

Go back home. Exercise. Eat a late lunch. Back to the cafe till it closes. 

Call family on my way back home.

2) “What do you know about your work now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”

One great article is worth 50x more than 10 average articles.

3) “What did your biggest professional failure teach you?”

Literally no one cares about you failing. 

If anything they admire you more for trying. So pick yourself up and fail again. 

4) “What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your craft’s learning curve?”

Feedback. 

High quality feedback is everything. Otherwise you never know where you're going wrong.

5) “What book has helped you the most over your career?”

I haven't written it yet.

6) “And your parting piece of advice?”

Get the off Twitter and do the work.