Hey Reader You know the typical scene in the movies that marks the beginning of a movement. Someone stands in the town square, or the battlefield, or the courtroom. They deliver the speech. The music swells. People cheer. They start marching to do whatever it is they plan to do. Everyone is fired up and falls into line behind them. And history is made. That’s how movies show a movement starting. One speech. One powerful image. One legendary line. And boom, in a flash you have an army of...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader Are you struggling to find a good enemy? Well, search no more… … because your ideal villain may be living right next door to you. Let me explain. With the summer holidays fast approaching, I felt it was time to upgrade my wardrobe ahead of making an appearance around the pool. Not wanting to go for something too predictable, I somehow found myself obsessing over this sassy little number: A black and gold swimwear onesie in the style inspired by James Bond’s Goldfinger. Perfect for...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hey Cult Leader, Let’s be honest for a second. If you’re finding it tough to build a meaningful brand, it’s probably not due to your effort. You may be posting a lot. Showing up when you can. Giving it your all. Nope... If you’re doing all this and still struggling, it’s probably because your audience doesn’t feel anything yet. Not really. They like you. They applaud you. But they don’t clamp themselves to you limpet-style like their identity depends on it. And that’s a problem. Because if...
about 1 month ago • 9 min read
Want to know how Liquid Death disrupted an multi-billion dollar industry and started a cult? Hey Reader,If you've been in the How To Start A Cult Facebook group recently, you'll have seen a new regular call I've added: The Cult Case Files. These are calls where I break down business, brands, organisations and even individuals to see how they are using cult principles. And show you how you can take what they've done and apply it to your own business or brand. The latest call was for that...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Do you think Shakespeare is boring, Reader? Well, that’s the feeling I was left with after my experience of Shakespeare in school. Having to read page by page out loud in front of the class. Struggling to understand what all these bizarre outdated words and phrases meant. With teachers who were less than enthusiastic and unwilling to make it any more interesting. The only mild enjoyment was when the teacher gave up and let us watch the Franco Zeffirelli versions of Macbeth (super gruesome)...
3 months ago • 4 min read
How now, Reader - how farest thou this day? On his birthday - and indeed St George's Day - it seems only fit that a writer should honour William Shakespeare. For the greatest debt the English-speaking world owes is to him. It shocks me we don’t celebrate it more in the UK. If Shakespeare was American, it would be a national holiday with fireworks and lots of food. But, for us, it slips right under the radar. (In fact, the only reason I ever remember is because it’s also my wife’s nan’s...
3 months ago • 4 min read
I don’t know about you, Reader … … but I f**king hate it when I see someone selling something they’ve not achieved for themselves. You know what I mean: All these pimply teenagers in rented AirBNBs trying to tell you how to think like a millionaire Or telling you’ve they’ve "cracked the code" of making money online (There are more “cracked codes” in internet marketing that in Bletchley Park!) That’s why I won’t sell or promote anything unless I have done it myself. The fact I even have to say...
3 months ago • 6 min read
Hey Cult Leader, Be bold. Ok, that's a weird start to an email but I can't emphasise how important this is. From speaking to future cult leaders in the Academy, on consult calls and speaking with others on podcast interviews or in-person, there is one element that nearly everyone struggles with.Yep, being bold.I get it. It's not in our nature. When people say "you weren't born to fit in", they're absolutely wrong. Everything about the human make-up and human psychology does the opposite. We...
4 months ago • 11 min read
What does it take to grow a cult-like following, Reader? A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with coach Benjamin Owen on his podcast, A Mile Deep. The aim of the podcast is... well... it's in the name, isn't it? We went deep on all aspects of building a cult following, with Benjamin sharing his experience and what has and hasn't worked for him. If you're in the coaching or health and fitness space, you'll find this discussion particularly useful. Heck... regardless of your...
5 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Cult Leader, Before, you head into this Squid Game-themed email, a quick question... Have you ever caught yourself uttering or thinking… “I’ll definitely do this… at some point” “This is important to me… as soon as I have more time/money/other vague thought” “I’m planning to do this in the future… when the time is right” You know how it sounds when you hear other people say stuff like this. I’m not going to judge. Instead, I’m going to do something that will help you take the action you...
7 months ago • 8 min read