(Chuck Muth) – Marketing/copywriting expert Bob Bly has some excellent advice that is particularly pertinent to political candidates, most of whom spend more time talking about themselves than listening to the voters…
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“One key to being a good conversationalist is to ask people questions about themselves and listen to the answers.
“When you are the one asking most of the questions, you are being a good conversationalist, because you are engaging the other person by making the conversation about their favorite subject: them.
“Most people are poor conversationalists, because they only talk about themselves, and show little interest in those they are conversing with. … (B)lathering on about yourself gives you a dopamine rush that produces pleasure, good feelings (in you), and positive mental stimulation.
“This helps explain the constant, endless bickering, bragging, and boasting that fills Facebook to overflowing: it makes those who rant and rave feel really good about themselves.
“Unfortunately, it also turns them into thundering bores – and makes many others avoid them in social and business situations. … But still, they choose to babble endlessly about themselves.
“It's not involuntary. Because practically the only thing we can control is what comes out of our mouth. Yet many people simply choose not to exercise that control, even though their better judgment tells them to do so.”
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I’ll repeat the wise old saying: You have two ears and one mouth. Use them in the same proportion.