This week at VOMP Studios - Spending the end of the week in Dripping Springs, TX at a Men’s Work Retreat with my brother. Then flying back to Orange County, CA on Monday for a wedding and to help my parents move. Lotta moving parts lately so let’s get after it!

This week’s riffs for the creative vandals, outlaws, misfits, and pirates of the internet:

• Create Cooler: How to write 775 words and make $2 Billion

• Build Better: How to build online products like they’re drugs

• Earn Easier: 8 buying emotions to consider in 2024

• Break The Rules: The new comic book marketplace taking on Marvel

• The Hit List: Music to turn up and tune out

How 775 Words Brought In $2 Billion

It’s 1975.

Disco’s hot, bell-bottoms are somehow a good idea, and Martin Conroy is sitting at his kitchen table, probably wearing both while wondering…

How the dick am I gonna sell more newspapers than anyone in history?

His task?

Write a sales letter so persuasive it makes people practically hurl cash at The Wall Street Journal like a roided-out, early-2000s Erig Gagne.

Martin could’ve stared at his typewriter all day playing a weird game of existential chicken with writer’s block, but he didn’t…

Instead, he does what any self-respecting copywriter does when they’re fresh out of ideas:

He fuckin’ steals one.

And not just from anyone—he nicks a little nugget from Bruce Barton, a 1919 copywriting legend who told a juicy story about two Civil War dudes who had the same shot at success.

… But one ends up rolling in cash and the other’s digging through couch cushions for rent.

No Really: Here’s the ad he looked at from 1919.

Martin’s lightbulb goes off. Eureka!

He copies the “two guys: one rich, one poor” shtick and whips out a two-page letter like he’s just unlocked the cheat code to capitalism.

… Or like he memorized the cheat codes to GTA San Andreas by heart, like some of us internet dorks.

The Result: The Wall Street Journal mails it out, and over the next three decades, this bad boy rakes in a cool $2 billion in subscriptions.

Yeah, billion—with a fuckin’ "B."

So how did this dude’s two-pager sell more papers than a viral Kardashian tweet?

No, scratch that.

How does this one dude’s type-written sales page of fewer than 800 words pull in more dough than if Kim made that spicy video with the Pillsbury Doughboy instead of Ray J all those years ago!?

Too far? Good.

That’s the point I’m making with how successful this sales page is.

1. Don’t Sell the Steak, Sell the Sizzle—and the Private Jet

Martin didn’t waste time blabbering about what The Wall Street Journal is.

Spoiler… it’s literally just a newspaper.

Instead, he painted a freakin’ masterpiece of what your life could look like if you read it.

Imagine This: Two guys start in the same job.

One’s a sad middle manager, stuck in a cubicle so small he could touch all four walls at once.

The other’s the big boss, with a corner office the size of a football field and a private jet on speed dial.

You see that contrast?

That’s the sizzle. The vacation. The fuggin’ dream.

Forget boring facts and features—people don’t care about what your product is.

They care about what it can do for them.

Sell them the dream life they secretly drool over when they’re stuck in traffic.

2. A Four-Course Meal Of Fear

Okay, so the letter doesn’t just sell the fantasy life.

No, no. That would be too easy.

Martin also kicks you square in the FOMO (anatomically, this is right above the Vas Deferens for the males), showing you what your life’s gonna look like if you don’t read The Wall Street Journal.

One guy’s jet-setting like a youthful Bobby Axelrod.

The other? Essentially eating a sad lunch at his sad desk packed by his sad wife.

Both had the same shot, but one of them blew it.

Spoiler: It was the guy who read The Wall Street Journal who made all the money.

And the other guy?

His life was made to look “sad” on purpose.

This right here? It’s the power of contrast, baby.

Paint the success story and the failure story side by side, and then let your audience freak out over which one they’re headed for.

Kinda like every political debate ever, huh?

People will do almost anything to avoid being the loser in that scenario.

3. You Only Need One Trick If Your Trick Is Valuable Enough

Now, here’s where Martin really flexes his copywriting muscles.

He doesn’t drown you in a hundred different reasons why you need The Wall Street Journal.

He doesn’t list every boring feature like some kind of snooze-worthy product manual.

Nope.

He drops one big, fat punchline: Useful. Business. Knowledge. That’s it.

That’s the missing link between “cubicle life” and “champagne on a jet” life.

He keeps it laser-focused, like a marketing sniper, delivering a message that’s so clear it might as well be tattooed on your forehead.

People love simplicity.

And when you hit them with one undeniable benefit, their wallets practically open themselves.

Wanna read all 775 words? Click the link below:

The Tale Of Two Young Men

3 Ways to Build Products Like A Drug Dealer

You want to build a product that people actually love?

First, watch this podcast episode that inspired the article.

It’s between Greg Isenberg and Jason Fried, two of the coolest internet builders with very impressive track records.

Luke’s Note: This article is 100% influenced by this episode with my own spin but do yourself a favor and give the episode a listen!

#1. Turn Real-Life Fun Into Digital Crack

Ever wonder why people scratch lotto tickets like it’s a survival instinct?

It’s not just about winning a couple bucks.

Spoiler: You won’t… but the lotto rig is a whole other article.

It’s that delicious cocktail of mystery, anticipation, and the thrill of maybe uncovering a prize.

It’s like gambling, but without having to explain it to your accountant later. Or your partner.

So what if you could jam-pack those feelings into a digital experience?

Imagine an app where people "scratch off" digital ads every day for a shot at winning something cool.

It’s not just an ad anymore—it’s the main event.

And users?

Hooked like caffeine addicts on a Monday morning, if you’re average.

If you’re really good?

People will scratch and claw FOR your product like a crack fiend looking for a fix.

Here’s the kicker: Jason’s vision is to make ads fun again.

Yeah, I said it— ads that people actually look forward to your product.

By turning ads into daily rituals, you're not selling to people—you’re playing games with them.

Except, instead of being the creepy dude who won’t leave you alone at a party, you’re the fun one everyone wants to hang out with.

Author’s Note: If you’re the creepy dude at a party, let’s talk. Don’t be that guy. Read that again. Don’t be weird, friend.

Want in on this magic? Look at your daily life.

That weird thing you do every morning (like listening to true crime podcasts while brushing your teeth)? It could be your next big idea.

No, really.

Flip the mundane into a masterpiece, and suddenly, you’re holding the blueprint to a product people didn’t even know they needed.

Questions to get your wheels turning:

• What’s something surprisingly fun, tactile, or nostalgic that your friends point out about you?

• How can you take something people hate (like ads) and make them the star of the show?

• How do you inject mystery and surprise, like when you’re scrolling Netflix and land on that one show no one else knows about?

Remember, the best products often come from scratching beneath the surface (pun absolutely intended).

So, next time you’re in the shower, let those weird thoughts marinate—you never know, that could be a million-dollar moment.

2. The Power of Scarcity: Less Really Is More

Here’s the thing: in a world of apps trying to be everything to everyone, you stand out by doing one thing and doing it so well it hurts.

You ever notice how the best products make you want more because they don’t give you everything? Think about HQ Trivia.

People lost their minds for that app—not because it was always available, but because it dropped like a bomb at a specific time, and if you missed it, tough luck.

That’s the power of limitations.

When something feels exclusive or rare, it becomes a thing people make time for.

You want to create a product that’s an event, not just another notification cluttering someone’s phone.

Example: Jason’s wild idea for a “shower door sketch” app.

You draw your masterpiece, but just like the fog on a mirror, it disappears.

No saving, no going back. It’s temporary. It’s fleeting.

And that’s exactly why it’s so damn fun.

How to pull this off in your own product:

• Make features time-based or exclusive to certain windows. Miss it? Too bad.

• Focus on one thing your product does insanely well. Don’t cram in 50 features just because you can.

• Scarcity = value. Offer limited-time features, secret events, or apps that self-destruct (okay, not literally) after use.

Less isn’t just more—it’s irresistible.

Limitations create obsession.

And when you design for that, your app becomes the digital equivalent of avocado toast in LA: everyone wants a bite, but not everyone can have it.

3. Make the Internet Weird Again

Let’s be real: the internet has gotten a bit too... predictable.

Remember when it was a wild, wonderful playground filled with weird projects that made you smile, not just another “growth hack” or “data point”?

Yeah, those were the days.

Here’s a secret: people are dying for that weirdness to come back.

They’re sick of optimized, polished-to-death pages that all look and feel the same.

Thanks, asshole marketers! (*Luke looks at himself in the mirror).

They want something that’s different, a little quirky, and—dare I say—human.

Think back to the OG days of the web when you'd stumble on sites that made you go, “Wait, what is this?”

That sense of discovery is exactly what’s missing now.

So, what if you gave people the digital equivalent of a treasure hunt?

Want to make the internet fun again?

• Give yourself permission to create something just because. Who cares if it doesn’t have a business plan? Joy is a feature.

• Lean into niche. Go so specific that your product is a love letter to that weird hobby only 500 people in the world care about. That’s how cult followings are born.

• Imperfection is your friend. Rough around the edges? Good. People are tired of apps that look like they were designed by robots for robots.

Bottom line?

We need more digital spaces that feel like they were made by actual humans, with quirks, inside jokes, and just a touch of WTF.

Not every product needs to scale to the moon—some of the best things are the ones that just make you laugh, smile, or go, “Huh, that’s different.”

So, what’s the takeaway?

Start small, get weird, embrace the limitations, and—most importantly—make something people will talk about.

You don’t need to create the next Facebook, you just need to create something that people actually enjoy.

And hey, who knows? Your next goofy idea might just be worth millions.

8 Emotional States That Drive Your Customers to Buy in 2024

We all love to think we're rational buyers—carefully analyzing every option, weighing pros and cons.

But here’s the truth: we’re ruled by emotions, not logic.

Even if you believe you’re making the smartest choice, emotions are calling the shots.

Science backs this up.

Neurologist Antonio Damasio found that people who can't feel emotions struggle to make decisions.

Without emotional input, logic alone just isn’t enough to choose between options.

So, let’s drop the pretense and admit that emotions drive every purchase.

There are 8 key emotional mindsets that guide shoppers, according to Damasio’s study.

If you understand them, you can create experiences that turn browsers into buyers.

1. Needs Validation

These shoppers need reassurance—they’re afraid of making the wrong choice.

They rely heavily on reviews, expert opinions, and social proof to validate their decisions.

How to win them over: Load up on user reviews and offer expert advice at critical points in the buying process.

Help them feel smart and confident about their choice.

2. Decision Anxiety

These shoppers are overwhelmed by options.

They get stuck in analysis paralysis, overthinking every little detail until they can’t decide at all.

How to help them: Simplify their decision-making process.

Focus on key features, remove unnecessary clutter, and guide them gently toward a choice without overwhelming them.

3. I’m Special

These shoppers need to feel like VIPs.

They want personalized experiences that cater to their unique tastes and preferences.

How to cater to them: Offer exclusive perks, personalized recommendations, and VIP-only deals.

Make them feel like they’re getting something no one else is.

4. Got To Be First

These are the early adopters—the people who need the newest, latest thing to boost their status.

They buy for prestige and recognition like people who wait in lines at Apple or Nike stores.

How to hook them: Appeal to their sense of superiority.

Show them how your product will set them apart and help them stand out from the crowd.

5. Know-It-All

These shoppers love doing research.

They’re the ones who read every review, compare every product, and know all the specs before they buy.

We all have these friends. You know EXACTLY who they are in your friend group.

How to connect: Give them detailed, well-researched content.

They want to feel like experts, so feed their desire for information.

Position your brand as the authority they can trust.

6. Buy And Be Done

These shoppers hate the process of shopping.

They just want to get what they need as quickly as possible with minimal hassle.

How to serve them: Offer quick, streamlined shopping experiences with easy-to-find products and minimal friction.

Self-service tools and fast checkouts are key.

7. Want Some Fun

For these shoppers, shopping isn’t a chore—it’s a form of entertainment.

They enjoy the experience and are looking for something fun, exciting, and rewarding.

How to engage them: Create interactive, entertaining experiences that offer instant gratification.

Think gamification, personalization, and unique content.

8. Avoid Remorse

These shoppers stick to what they know.

They fear making a bad choice, so they tend to buy from trusted brands or products they’ve used before.

How to gain their trust: Offer reassurance and familiar experiences.

Use loyalty programs, product guarantees, and brand consistency to ease their fears.

Make Emotion Central

Emotions are the real drivers behind every purchase.

Understanding these emotional mindsets and tailoring your strategy to them will help you meet your customer's needs—and make sales skyrocket.

DSTLRY: The New Badass in Comic Book Publishing Ready to Kick Ass

“Hold onto your spandex, nerds!” - the guy with a Green Arrow tattoo on half his arm.

(Me. I’m the dork with a DC tattoo on his arm.)

A brand-spankin’-new contender has crashed the comic book party, and it’s not your grandma’s comic shop.

Say hello to DSTLRY (pronounced “distillery”—because why the hell not?), led by the ex-Comixology masterminds David Steinberger and Chip Mosher.

These guys are not just here to make comics; they’re here to burn the old playbook and roast some marshmallows over the flames.

Their mission?

To create a badass playground for creators and inject some sweet, sweet collectibility into digital comics.

Not Your Mama’s Book Club

Forget what you think you know about digital comics…

DSTLRY is flipping the script faster than The Crimson Comet himself.

New issues will be available for a limited time—like that one friend who drinks all your beer and leaves.

Once they’re gone, you can sell and trade those bad boys on a digital marketplace that DSTLRY calls the “StubHub for comics.”

And guess what? Creators get a slice of that resale pie!

It's like finding out your buddy's NFT collection isn't complete garbage—everyone wins.

Creators Keep Their Shit—And Get a Stake

In a world where comic creators often get fucked over harder than a rookie receiver going across Ed Reed’s middle, DSTLRY says, “Not on our watch!”

Like Image Comics, creators retain full rights to their work, but DSTLRY takes it up a notch with equity stakes in the company.

You heard me—actual shares in the place your genius built.

Steinberger and Mosher don’t just want to pay you in exposure (gross); they want you to own a piece of the pie.

Because if you’re pouring your soul into a comic, you damn well deserve a cut of the profits.

Stirring the Pot at Comic-Con

Now, let’s talk about the badassery that went down at San Diego Comic-Con 2024.

DSTLRY didn’t just stroll in; they fucking waltzed in, snagged an Eisner Award (the Oscars of comics), and sold out all their merch faster than you can say “Gee Wilikers, Batman!”

Plus, they unveiled cutting-edge tech that promises to blow the digital collectibles market wide open.

With $7.4 million raised since their inception, they’re not just here to play—they’re here to dominate.

We’re still talking about fuckin’ comic books, by the way.

Real Ownership or GTFO

Steinberger is on a mission to redefine what digital ownership means with their revolutionary systems like DSTLRY Remarques.

Imagine personalized digital signatures on your comics—like your favorite creator leaving a little love note just for you!

And their DSTLRY Proof? It’s the ultimate flex—guaranteeing your digital collectibles are the real deal.

Because let’s face it, nobody wants to be that loser with a fake signed copy.

The whole NFT wave taught us that.

Sayonara, Work-for-Hire BS

Traditional comic publishers treat creators like they’re disposable diapers—used, tossed aside, and forgotten.

But not DSTLRY!

They’re offering upfront fees, royalties, and an equity share that would make even the stingiest publisher weep.

Creators can finally earn a living wage without selling their souls to the corporate overlords.

It’s about time because this world has never even sniffed an equal-share business model.

The Human Element

And for all you AI-loving nerds out there: Steinberger’s not having it.

“Making comic books is a personal thing,” he says, and damn right it is!

AI can assist, but nothing beats the soul of a creator.

So, keep your robots; we’ll take the humans.

If AI were around 50-75 years ago, we probably wouldn’t have gotten to experience the cinematic genius of Alfred in Batman or Jarvis in Iron Man.

… Which ultimately means half the nerdy digital marketers of the world wouldn’t know how to name their at-home Wifi.

The Dawn of the Badass Era

With fresh funding and a commitment to creators that’s tougher than Wolverine’s adamantium, DSTLRY is ready to kick some serious ass.

They’re not just another comic publisher—they’re the rebels charging headfirst into battle.

Different creative pursuits call for different music to jam to. Here’s what I jammed to this week on The Vomp Playlist: