Kipling’s 6-Step Secret Dissolves “Writer’s Block”
Joseph Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) was an English author and poet. Born in Bombay, British India (now Mumbai), he is best known for his works of fiction like The Jungle Book.
According to Wikipedia, he is one of the greatest innovators in the art of writing the short story. Kipling was one of the most popular English writers in the late 19th century and he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907.
He is the first English writer to receive the prize and to date he is still its youngest recipient.
As a work-at-home entrepreneur, I believe that Rudyard Kipling’s greatest contribution to the marketing and copywriting world was his Six Honest Serving-Men technique (or “Six Honest Servants” which is more politically correct today).
Whenever he waged an occassional battle with ”writer’s block” he quickly called upon his Six Honest Serving-Men because they taught him all he knew. Their names are:
What - Why - When - How - Where - Who
I call upon my Six Honest Servants anytime I’m prepare to write an email message to my worldwide tribe of students, colleagues and strategic alliance partners.
Thanks to Kipling’s simple, yet powerful technique (which newspaper reporters also borrow today), I blast through “writer’s block” and can send out an email broadcast (from blank screen to written page) in less than 5 minutes!
It’s a huge time-saver for me, so I thought it would be helpful to demonstrate how I do it, so you can do it too. As you start utilizing this writing preparation technique, you’ll dramatcially boost your copywriting power, productivity and profits!
CASE STUDY: Here’s the actual email broadcast message I wrote that invited my students to watch the Marketing Lessons From Geese post I published on the morning of January 20th, 2009.
><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><
Subject Line: “Grab your mouse for this post…”
Body Copy:
FR: Alex Mandossian (WHO)
RE: Marketing Lessons from Geese (WHAT)
I think you’ll like my newest blog post…
My sister referred me to this movie and
after watching it for about the 3rd time,
it occurred to me how much marketers
can learn from geese. (WHY)
http://AlexMandossian.com <– Jan.20th (HOW & WHERE)
This movie will take 2 minutes out of
your day … but what you’ll learn may
last you a lifetime. (WHY again)
Give me your candid comment when
you finish watching it and feel free to
forward this to a friend or colleague. (WHEN)
To Your Success,
Alex Mandossian (WHO again)
CEO & Founder
http://HeritageHousePublishing.com (HOW & WHERE again)
><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><
In less than 90 words and 300 seconds of writing time, I’ve dispatched this time-proven 6-step process to write email copy that has more pulling-power without struggling with writer’s block!
Look, these are the 6 questions your readers, your viewers and your listeners are unconsciously asking themselves anyway, so why not relieve them of the burden of inquisition?
When you consciously answer each of the six questions early on in your copy, your prospects will quickly and easily figure out what you’re talking about. That saves them time and it makes you more money.
Win-Win, right?
I do it and it works for me. World-class copywriters and marketers do it and it works for them. And now you can do it too! Once you get into the habit of utilizing your Six Honest Servants, it will become as natural to you as breathing.
What To Do Now: The next time you sit down to write an email, even if it’s a one-to-one communication to a friend, call upon your Six Honest Servants. Ask yourself:
What:
Why:
When:
How:
Where:
Who:
And then just fill-in the blanks. You’ll find yourself blasting through “writer’s block” faster, better and with least amount of human effort.
Please forward this post to your friends and colleagues so they can write to you with more ease, and you can read what they write with more ease :-)
Your comment on this post will be most appreciated.
Tags: alex mandossian, english literature, google, Info Marketing, online marketing, rudyard kipling, wikipedia
This is the actual 6-step copywriting secret I’ve utilitzed in email copy, postcard copy, direct mail copy, website copy, radio/TV script copy and any other marketing communications you can think of.
Thanks to Mr. Kipling, his Six Honest Servants are my fastest, easiest and most reliable way to blast through “writer’s block” without worrying about what I’m going to write next.
Please read and re-read this post. The micro-decision of utilizing this 6-step secret will improve your copywriting skills overnight!
Respectfully Submitted,
~ Alex
Alex,
Very clear and vivid illustration of this powerful tool. I love the way you used this new lesson to build a bridge back to the geese lessons from Tuesday.
It has been taking me a whole lot longer than 300 seconds to write copy for an email and the results have not been as good as the model you offer here. I am very excited to have this new tool and will put it to work today.
Thanks for yet another pearl,
Columbia
Great tip anything that makes writer block disappear is good and answering all the questions seems to make the writing start easily.
Alex thanks very much for this. I knew there were techniques out there for this. Thanks for saving me the time in finding it and sending it out. This will save me alot of time when I’m working with my clients!
Alex, :) Perfect, as usual!
It’s so simple as to be almost something to just send by the wayside. But you know what? It’s right on target. And walking through one of your emails just highlights the points even further.
Of course, I think the very BEST cure for writer’s block is one you talk about all the time which is TALK. Just talk, record it, write it out, edit it, and VOILA, you have an article or an email.
John Carlton talks about talking to a buddy in a bar. If the guy turned and asked you “so, what do you do?” (or whatever the question is that would pertain to your article) what would you answer? That’s your article.
Love your work,
Rhegina Sinozich
Click to get instant access to a FREE teleseminar on manifesting what you want in 2009.
http://www.balloontothemoon.com/123.html
Thanks, Alex,
Good reminders on how to keep it clear, focused and brief. I always love direct how-to’s as opposed to the theoretical. Especially important nowdays when we all get so much content coming across our senses, it is great to remember how to help people focus easily.
Glad you are loving Hawaii
This is fabulous. Too often we get in our own way as writers and entrepreneurs; we put off what we know we must do for fear of all the effort/grief/self-inflicted pain it will bring upon us!
The most productive and successful marketers keep things simple don’t they?
Cheers,
Karri
Hi Alex,
Great post. As always, a good reminder to go back to the basics. Answer the questions that every reader is asking in there heads and you are golden.
I will consciously use this method the next time I sit down to write an email/blog/article, which will be very soon.
Thanks for the value.
Much love and aloha,
Dr. Amy
http://sacredconnectionjourneys.com/
Simple, effective and easy to remember.
How powerful is that? Thank you for this.
Subject Line: “Comment on Alex’s Post by Cdin”
Body Copy:
FR: Cdin (WHO)
RE: 6 Step Secrets from Kipling and Alex (WHAT)
I think Alex’s post is pretty good this time!
Well, perhaps every post is good, but this one is
first I’ve been able to read through. And I like it!
Alot! : )
And I’m really going to put it into practice. (WHY)
http://www.alexmandossian.com/2009/01/22/
kiplings-6-step-secret-dissolves-writers-block/
<– Jan.20th (HOW & WHERE)
His post will take two minutes out of your
lifetime, but will add many more to your
productivity. And I sure hope it helps mine! : )
(WHY again)
So right now, I’m giving a candid comment
so i can share this advice with my friends
and also cooperate with Alex. Thank you,
Alex! (WHEN)
To Your, My and Everyones’ Success,
Cdin (WHO again)
New Commenter on Alex’s Blog : )
http://www.alexmandossian.com/2009/01/22/
kiplings-6-step-secret-dissolves-writers-block/
(HOW & WHERE again)
Thanks Alex! I too struggle with writer’s block from time to time. This is such a simple strategy to get the creative brain juices flowing again.
Thanks for the tip,
John
Colorado Springs, CO
As usual, wonderful, clear thinking and copy that teaches a lot in a short communication. Thanks for this great copywriting tool!
I have made a list (and posted at my desk) of the 6 honest servants. I intend to post them at my home computer as well.
I am looking forward to employing them!
Thanks for the great article.
Alex,
Thanks for another quick formula for results.
It meets the KISS test.. keeping it simple… sticking with the basics trump overcomplicating anything.
John
Alex
Thank you for sharing this diamond. You always share unselfishly as you provide the nuggets of your own successs.
You have proven yet again, that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Your posting is a response to a need I was wanting to feel.
Thank you,
Stephanie
Thank you so much for this brilliant tool! And so helpful to have your model showing how to use the 6 steps. I appreciate all of your work, and every tool you provide is so useful!
Thanks for all that you do and share,
Liana
As with Teleseminar Secrets, you are setting us in the right direction with good illustrations.
This is great to use not only for articles and emails, but also for press releases.
Thank you!
Kathryn Merrow
The slightly slimmed down formula followed by many UK journalists is:
Who
What
When
Where
Why
Just losing the How?
Works a treat and if followed from the PR side of the fence hugely increases the chances of your news release being used! Go a step further and couple it with the advertiser’s best friend Aida, and you’re laughing.
Hi Alex,
Thanks for a very useful writing technique.
It is said that the opening paragraph of a press releases should also answer the five-Ws – Who, What, When, Where and Why. However, I never thought to apply this writing technique to other copy such as emails.
Nickolove
I am passing this to all my friends who are writers. This comes at a perfect time for a book that we are so close to finishing.
Keep up the good work.
Alex,
This is a powerful and very easy to implement writing strategy. Really appreciate you posting this!
Great post, Alex.
Other tips are:
From the ‘who’ column: Who is your audience? If you were writing to just one person from your audience, visual him/her and then write to that person.
When I get stuck, I ask myself:
- What is a key point I want to make? (and jot it down)
- What’s another key point…?
Prompting my mind with these questions leads to an effortless outline. Then writing comes easily.
Thanks,
Sue Brenner
Author of ‘The [N]aked Desk’ (http://www.suebrenner.com)
You know what would be great Alex? As you know repetition is the key: How about over the next couple weeks writing the What, Why, When, Where and Who next to each of your paragraphs? As we see it more and more, the repetition will help us unconsciously and consciously absorb it.
Sean Patrick Simpson
–The Mindset Apprentice
Alex,
Thank you! I love how we can keep learning (with ease) from those accomplished figures who have already “been there and done that”.
P.S. I gave a presentation to a group of Entrepreneurs yesterday and mentioned your “egg timer” idea. (How you set your timer for 60 minutes and work non-stop…simple yet VERY potent)
Dear Alex:
Thank you for your contribution on 6 steps or 6
Honest Serving Men. I sell insurance and plan to
use your ilustration to communicate the benefits of our different insurance and health care policies. Short and time saving emails will be easier to understand and we hope to be able to
close more deals at our office,here in Guatemala
Central America.
Sincerely yours,
Guillermo Melville
We love Kipling and we love you, Alex Mandossian! And we can now set aside the ubiquitous writer’s block that has plagued us for years, eh? Six honest, willing and able servants. That’s good!
Perhaps already mentioned in previous posts…
But, man did I need this post today!
Thank you Alex, I was struggling with copy for my upcoming TeleSeminar, for the TSS challenge, when I received your email. I’m about to put it to use now.
Audrey Sussman anxietycontrolcenter.com
Alex,
This is a great reminder of how simple it can be..why do I try to make it so complicated!!
Thanks,
Lela Bryan
Alex,
My English teacher gave me this tool way back in my senior year of high school. It would take way too long to share all the times I have used it since 1969. I will say, however, it is delightful to see it show up on your blog. Thank you. The reminder came at the perfect time.
Mega
Alex,
You truly are brimming over with good tips! Thank you. Not only does this make writing easier it, it adds clarity and focus.
Deborah
“Giving Our Children the Keys to Success”
Great! Thanks. I’m about to use it right now (when) as I invite people to our meeting in Waterbury (where) next week (when) on integrity (what) and how you get power in business (why) through doing what you say you will do (how), consistent with a vision…Dorothy (Who)
Love your blog and the ideas that you share. This blog only emphasized for me to shut up and just write! I sometimes over talk.
For me, this is a great way to help me start organizing my thoughts around the subject at hand. Your point about – this is what my readers will be asking me anyway – is a wonderful liberating thought.
Thank you for liberating me and my readers at the same time from the burden of inquisition, which is always a consumer of precious time.
MarthaRather.com – http://www.TheHolisticCookie.com
Columbia,
I’m really excited for you to try the 6-step secret every time you write copy. It gets easier and easier as it becomes a daily habit.
Thanks for your comment.
~ Alex
Karen,
Thanks for noticing.
I made a commitment in 2009 to blog-dialogue and not just monologue. Judging from comments like yours, it looks like a WIN-WIN.
Thank you,
~ Alex
Guillermo,
Kipling’s technique works with insurance products, financial services, consumer products and any other marketing communication you can think of.
Thanks for your comment.
~ Alex
Dr. Amy,
Everything falls back on fundamentals. It seems the more bored I get with a strategy or technique, the likely it is that I’m about to border on mastery. Wish I could remind myself of that thought more often.
Thanks for your comment.
~ Alex
Laura K,
Clear, focused and brief. That’s the stuff that makes good copywriting great!
Thanks for your comment.
~ Alex
Eugenie,
The “How” does sometimes get in the way, unless of course it’s a call-to-action…how to get access to a blog post like this one.
Thanks for your insight.
~ Alex
Mike,
Best of luck dissolving your “writer’s block” forever. Kipling’s 6 Servants is your passport.
Thanks for your comment.
~ Alex
Hi Alex,
Thanks for this refreshing ready-to-implement tip!
One of my goals this year is to settle on a process that addresses my inner writer’s demon including my tendency to self-edit before I get everything down.
I’ll use this process for my next email/blog post (other than this comment, of course).
It’s dreary and wet in NorCal today so enjoy Hawaii!
Alex,
It has been a long time since I’ve heard these, but you are absolutely right, they are great.
I will again incorporate this into my writing efforts!
JonBoyd
And they copied and copied and copied, but they couldn’t copy my mind;
So I left them sweating and stealing, a year and a half behind.
R. Kipling
My favorite quote of all time!
Okay, we just learned from the geese. Now, since turn-about is fair play, what they can learn from us is to discreetly do their business in places we don’t step!
Alex
You have done it again!!! Great advice. One can also add see, tell, feel to the equation.
See what I mean
Tell me more
How does that make you feel?
Yours with Respect and Admiration,
Mario Daniel Sconza
Real Estate Broker
http://www.webuyrealestate.ca
Thank you Alex for bringing Kipling’s 6-Step focus to dissolve writer’s block back to us.
The “Six Servants” resonate with readers because we all expect this information before coming to a decision about anything we’ve read.
Whether these Servants help cure writer’s block is another question. Most often that occurs to me when I cannot zero in on a topic.
Alex, As a student/sponge in your teleseminars secrets program you never cease to amaze me. Your passion to serve is the best I’ve ever experienced!
This simple concise message was awesome
PS Chicago was below zero last week enjoy Hawaii
Hi Alex,
Thanks for the for delineating what I often forget to remember…it’s very comforting, and you expressed it all so clearly.
(…love the “sitting down wearing a tie” photo on your header!)
Alisa Rose
Hi Alex,
great tipp. I immediately put it into practice by reviewing a blog article I had just written and easily found a way to improve it. Thank you.
Alex, you always seem to know what I need almost before I need it! THis article solved my writers block problem already! It is now on my bulliten board in my office! Thank you so much!
Nikki C
Alex,
I have been using the Why, What, How, What-If formula, this adds nicely to that. Thanks!
Dan D.
Rick S:
It’s the easiest of all “writer’s block” tips I’ve ever utilized. Easiest to implement and easiest to remember.
Thanks for your comment.
~ Alex
Deborah,
Thanks for your comment. I can almost see you smiling as you wrote it :-)
~ Alex
Alex,I’m new to internet networkmarketing Thank you so much for your article on writing.I’ve been experiencieng writers block for awhile haven’t submitted any articles or bloggs for fear of sounding stupid and not knowing where to start.The video on geese makes sence!Once again Thanks for your guidence. Kimberly Kabel
Common knowledge are not commonly practice. Thanks Alex for the refresher.
Alex,
As always, a great “to the point” post. Focus seems to be the name of the game, and you show us the greats are still teaching us. Thanks for the info…
Kevin
http://www.converversiongeneral.com
Rudyard Kipling is my favorit author
thank you for this article
Best
Giusi
Hey Alex,
I know (at least for me) sometimes when you are a an entrepreneur and work by yourself, you don’t always get to see the impact you make in people’s lives/business. Every time I go to send an e-mail or make a new blog posting, I come back to this lesson, cut and paste your teachings and replace the content with my own.
What I appreciate most about you today, Alex, is how freakin smart you are!
Thanks!
Bonnie Bruderer
co credit repair…
This website is fabulous – I will be coming back tomorrow!…
I like your site. Very cool. Will come back.