Happy Two 29

“I know that the earth absorbs perfume and urine with the same indifference.” –Zora Neale Hurston

This is my new newsletter. Reflecting on lessons learned, one thing I know I have not done well during my journey up “Content Mountain” is to build my email list. I never made it a priority. Pulling people in from the wilds of the Web to get them to read my stuff on my sites was my priority, and it worked for a long time.

Now, I am shifting the emphasis and the platforms I use to reach out to you. I’m going as old school as I can in 2020, which means I want to talk to you on the phone, meet you in person, and send and receive emails. One thing you can do to help me with this goal is to share this newsletter with two people who might enjoy it. I’d also love to hear your voice and see your face. Let me know if you want to book a Zoom chat.

Need Better Ideas? Breathe Fresh Air

When I am on the beach in Mexico, I am not online. When I am not online and also on the beach in Mexico, I remember to remember and this brings me back to myself. There’s no such thing as an analog self or a digital self. Those are flimsy constructs to help describe how we’re living today.

When I am walking the village streets in Mexico, almost everyone says, “Buenos Dias.” The connections between people, even the people who don’t know one another, are better, warmer, more real. People have time to listen. People have time for friends and family and time to make their lives more joyous.

Let’s All Learn from the Ad Legends

Last year, I created a new workshop for creative teams. Ad Legends—The People, Creative Movements, and Legendary Work that Shaped the Modern Craft of Advertising is a participatory 3-hour experience designed to help today’s ad-makers understand the foundational thinking and practices that continue to matter and endure.

“Make it simple. Make it memorable. Make it inviting to look at. Make it fun to read.” -Leo B.

Do you want to hear me rehearse? Do you want to discuss this workshop and determine if it’s right for your team? My email is david at davidburn dot com.

Austin Insider: How to Attend SXSW for Free

South by Southwest badges cost just under or over a grand, depending on when you buy them and how much access you need. I don’t require any access, which keeps it simple.

If you’re like me and want to avoid the crowds and the price of a badge, there are dozens of brand-sponsored installations scattered around downtown Austin, many with interesting speakers and displays, free cocktails, and no lines.

The conference also lists free events on the official website.

In related news, I am introducing a new service for visitors to Austin. My highly customized introduction to Austin is a combination of concierge-like services, plus Marcom magic.

The Small Business Spotlight

Because SMBs are the backbone of the American economy, I’m going to pick one small business to highlight each new issue of this newsletter.

SPOTLIGHT: Wild Gift Coffee Roasters in Austin, Texas. I love their tagline and their coffee. The tagline is “Coffee Is A Wild Gift,” and the small-batch producer makes this possible by offering coffee subscriptions.

Let’s Dance

My email is david@davidburn.com. My homepage is DavidBurn.com. I’m also active on Soundcloud, Twitter, Medium, and Instagram.

I offer writing, brand communications consulting, live skill-building workshops, walk-’n’-talks, and concierge-level welcome packages to the city of Austin, TX.