Direct response dating

The idea of “direct response” usually comes attached to the hip to marketing and advertising professions. But much like Austrian economics (which is the study of human action, meaning economics is more of a study of human psychology than math equations), “direct response” also offers valuable insights into your personal relationships too.

Case in point:

Peanut and I recently got into a little tiff in our relationship for reasons I won’t go into detail here.

But instead of using this as an excuse or seeing it as an obstacle, we’re taking it and turning it into an opportunity, the way all the great Stoic thinkers might be proud of.

Here’s what we're doing:

At the end of each day, we’re asking each other 3 key questions about our day, our relationship, and ways we can improve.

In other words: It’s “direct response” dating in action.

Instead of using direct response in a marketing context—which simply means to generate a response from customers, either positive or negative because each unveils insights you can’t get any other way—we’re using it in a relationship context.

Instead of introducing a problem, a possible solution, and a call to action… we’re introducing a question, and giving each other our uncensored answers at that point in time.

Now, this isn’t always easy. Men struggle with feeling vulnerable—and I’m no exception to that rule. But it’s also uncovering deeper insights, forming new trust pathways, and the end result should be an increase in enjoyment in our relationship and for each other.

And yanno what?

This reminds me of the wild world of copywriting and marketing too.

As a direct response-trained email copywriter, sometimes I create an email that doesn’t generate as much cheddar-cheese as another. But instead of using this as a way to pity myself, my copy skills, or the product or audience, I can use that as a way of gaining real-world intel I’d have never uncovered without the “failed” campaign.

Which is kinda like these daily check-ins Peanut and I have been doing. Either one of us may not like an answer one of us spews, but it’s also an opportunity to gain a deeper insight and understanding into each of our lives.

And so it is with any kind of marketing or advertising campaign.

In fact, often it’s better to have a failed campaign—because you can learn more from failed campaigns than from successes.

Moral of the story?

By applying the basic idea of “direct response” into both your personal and professional life, you’ll unlock a deeper sense of joy, satisfaction, and security (both emotional and financial).

Need help implementing a direct response approach to your email strategy? Book a call here, and let’s discover if we’re a good fit for each other.

John