Ten things I wish I’d known

Here’s an interesting list from John Watson which appears in the IDM’s September newsletter where they ask the great and the good what 10 things might have short-cut their route to the top.

1. That whatever people tell you about DM packs is the opposite of what they actually do
2. That it is against a physical law of universe to write copy without it being changed by the client
3. That ‘junk mail’ is a term of endearment, not one of disparagement
4. That the cost of a mailing pack is actually quite important
5. That test results are mostly lies
6. That your first creative thoughts are always your best creative thoughts
7. That clients have discovered wormholes in space and the secret of time dilation, which is the only logical explanation for the timings they give you
8. That everything can be done cheaper by the small printer down the road
9. That the longer you do direct marketing, the more interesting it gets
10. That I will never be able to play the guitar like Eric Clapton