As much as I would like to think that my longer, carefully plotted essays are the most popular items I write, such is not the case.

I talk to a lot of people about blogging. One of the most common questions I get is, “Ray, how do you manage to write a blog post every single day?”

Want to improve your writing as quickly as possible? Here are the 3 best ways I know to do it.

We allow ourselves to be influenced by the people we like. The reason good salespeople are known to be friendly (some even hyper-friendly) is because they understand this core principle: being likable is one of the quickest ways to being influential.

We are a world of people who love to be fascinated.

Whenever you are writing for the purpose of influencing other people (which pretty much includes all writing, doesn't it?), it's essential to know your strategic objective.

When writing for strategic influence, whether your outcome is intended to be the sale of a product or service, the adoption of an idea, or a certain outcome for your political candidate, you must begin with knowing your mythology.

Today, I'm beginning a new series on the subject of “writing for strategic influence”.

Here are juicy posts you might have missed this week:

The word discipline gets a bad rap. It shouldn't. Discipline is not the same thing as punishment (which is what most people seem to think).

1. Understand your audience. 2. Understand your audience. 3. Understand your audience.

I receive many questions about how I work, how I manage my time, and what my “systems” are for working as a writer and consultant.

Lately I've been asked by more than a few people: “Which Internet Marketing teachers should I listen to?”

I was on a conference call where marketing was being discussed.

There is a myth in the marketing world that anyone can write good copy. When this myth is spoken, it's usually followed by the advice that all one needs is a good swipe file (successful ads of the past that one can “borrow” from).

I have to be honest.