Ann Handley - TA #170: 🍁 September barges in

Sunday, September 1, 2024

Hello, my big-hearted friend.

September barges in the door, jacked up like a Gatorade-fueled eXtreme eSports avatar, ready to Get Stuff Done! And Check! All! The! Lists!

September is the true start to the year. (Never mind what January tries to tell you.)

Inboxes fill up; calendars bulge.

Autumn adrenaline can be exhilarating, this rush of re-entry. Everyone's back. Time's up! Let's GOOOOooooooo!

But after the slower, liquid days of summer... September can feel... Rude. Abrupt. Too much too fast.

September loves outcomes, performance, getting things done.

September loves KPIs.

August wishes we'd take a beat.

* * *

I'm writing this on the very last day of August. The last day of the last summer month.

I'm in Maine, perched in an upper-floor bedroom at an old wooden desk I don't usually work at. The kneehole is too small; my legs keep knocking the sides. Outside the window, leaves on the highest treetops are already reddening.

It's the long Labor Day weekend here in the US—a last-ditch effort by Summer to hold September at the door. 

Maybe I want to hold September off for a bit, too. 

This desk feels awkward. And autumn is coming. 

* * *

Now is the "night of the year," Thoreau writes. Late August "is full of warnings of its lateness, as is life."

Time is closing in—on the year, on the long days, on the light. Time will eventually close in for each of us, too, Thoreau is saying.

Oof. Not untrue... but a little dark on this perfect sunny day in Maine. (I just whacked my knee again!)

Maybe before we stuff our calendars silly with September... we can hang onto August a bit longer. Hang on to the light. Carry it with you for a while.

Soon enough, it'll all be behind us for good. 

* * *

EVERYBODY WRITES RECS OF THE WEEK

🤖 When to Use AI: Lessons from My Favorite Summer Library. How do we balance the human and the robot to make the best use of each?

⚰️ Possibly the Best 170 Words I've Ever Read. B2B writing can feel less real, less tangible, less alive. Here are 170 words to inspire your own B2B copy. Bonus: It features a seasonal visitor to your house.

🥶 How to Tell a Story Like The Office. How to master the art of the cold open.

QUICK FAVOR?

This annual blogger survey is focused squarely on your writing and blogging practices. It takes 2.5 minutes, and you can do it one-handed on your phone. It's that easy. I'd love to include your insights. That link again.


STORYTELLING MASTERCLASS: SEPT 18

 
Our friends at Vyond have created a very special storytelling masterclass for anyone in the communication business. I'll be there to talk about authentic engagement in the age of AI. It's free... it's fun... and it all goes down on 9/18. Join me!
 

DEPARTMENT OF SHENANIGANS

Passive-aggressive emails. 

[h/t Jess Tyson]

SELECT EVENTS

📆 SEP 4 - NOV 6: MarketingProfs Marketing Writing Program [virtual] 10 weekly sessions on UX writing, messaging, gen AI (code ANNARCHY saves you $50)

📆 SEP 18: Storytelling Masterclass: A 2-hour masterclass; I'm talking about authentic engagement in the age of AI. [virtual; free] 

📆 SEP 25-27: American Writers & Artists International Copywriting Success [virtual] 3 days focused on direct response copywriting; I'm keynoting day 2.

📆 OCT 8: SparkTogether, Seattle

📆 OCT 16-17: GURU Events [virtual]

📆 OCT 17: GAIN 24, McLean, Virginia (Code: INSPIRE100 gets you $100 off.)

📆 OCT 22-23: Content Marketing World, San Diego

📆 NOV 12-14: MarketingProfs B2B Forum, Boston. What's the ultimate destination for B2B marketers to discover how to drive growth, elevate brand reputation, prove ROI, and stay ahead of the ever-changing marketing curve? It's Boston. You gotta be there this year.

Thanks for reading this far.

Thanks for your kindness and generosity.

Stay healthy.

🫡 See you September 15!