7 days of Dengue can teach you everything about life & copywriting

Recently, I've been diagnosed with Dengue.

That, too, happened on the last day of Durga Puja, 'Dashami' (Dussehra, as you call it).

When you get Dengue, no one prepares you for it. People usually are terrified (Thinking about the possible funeral they may have to attend). But one thing was common that came from almost everyone :)

'Drink water whenever you can!'

- because India still doesn't have a dengue antidote or the will to get cleaner cities. ??

Let's come back to today's Newsletter - why you're here?

Because it has something to do with copywriting, right? I have shared my 7 days of living with Dengue (Fear) and how each day brought a whole new perspective to my mind; a couple of them are about Copywriting and Marketing, and that's true.

Day 1:

The Denial of being unaffected = I don't have it in me ??

At first, I thought it was viral fever. But as the day went on, I felt even sicker to the point that couldn't feel my legs for an hour or two. I live this suburban (almost American) life; how can something like Dengue happen to me?

I still was in Denial (about many things), like I was not going to be a Copywriter or a marketing professional - I didn't have it in me. I mean, it's already hard enough that I am not from a writing/marketing background, and now I have to wait and keep upskilling until the day I call myself a Copywriter or Marketer.

That day I was described as a 'copywriter' in a meeting and also a creatively inclined professional. So there goes - creativity and writing are my core skills and something everyone has to learn technically at some point!

So all I have to do is pace my learning and hope for the best.

Critical skills to become a copywriter.

1. Attention-to-detail
2. Creativity
3. Researching abilities
4. Critical thinking

Day?2:

I can't work, watched House of the Dragons instead - storytelling is everything!

I used to watch Game of Thrones when it was originally aired. I started watching House of the Dragon because of it, but I really put myself into the story this time this week.

Storytelling has such undeniable power over people, and how HOTD writers have separated the world from GoT is commendable. George R.R. Martin penned the original (fictional) story of 'Fire and Blood in a way that it came off as a history book - folklores and stories were made revolving Targaryan dynasty in the world of Westeros, written by fictional Archmaester Gyldayn - to bring that on camera with a narrative show is what fascinates me.

There goes a character whom you will root for, even if he murders his own wife. A character you'd love to hate for no reason, a protagonist you feel sorry for/charmed by.

Just like in the show, you write for and on different characters, and you feel close to it also applies to Copywriting or Marketing tremendously. So our focus should be on telling the story of the product we're rooting for.

Day 3:

Got this new t-shirt from Groww ; better make it a post and later a #specad

I got a parcel lying on my bed, waiting for the blood test reports to arrive. It was a t-shirt from the Groww community to mark my one year with them :)

I completed 1 year of investing my income - without even realizing it. Investing taught me a lot of things to me, and it still continues to. Although I have lost some money in the journey, now I can select and invest in stocks without a doubt, thanks to Groww , for making it this easy.

And that led me to think about why this platform is so popular. Well, it makes an investment super easy and transparent for even a beginner. I was once a beginner when I started with Groww, but now that I am with the platform and watching their videos, I got to know a lot of things. And this wonderful gesture of theirs will be going with me for months :)

So much for customer experience and loyalty! Talks a lot about writing & representing content for them too!

#specad for Groww:

Day 4:

What if I die? Read all the books that would make me a better writer.

I have got a decent collection of books related to writing and marketing that I never got enough time (that's bullshit, I should have completed them by now) to finish.

Then Dengue got me thinking- what if this is the last time I'm getting the chance to be the person I want to be? What if I fall sick again and lose another month? What if I die without fulfilling my destiny?

What happens, then? Will my journey be incomplete? So here's the next thing I do - I make a list of books that I have to become a better writer -

• How to write better copy?
• Everybody Writes
• This is Marketing
• Contagious
• Small business marketing
• 1 Page marketing plan

Refer to this list if you want to be a better writer/marketer too!

Day 5:

The curious case of cats - persuasion at its best

Cats have a weird way of doing things - it's inexplicable and inappropriate, and you can't ask them about it. I mean, how would you? They're only cats!

But one thing I feel cats could teach us without a second thought - is the art of persuasion. Because even if I was weak from Dengue, I had to feed my 7 cats full meals 4 times a day - otherwise, they would jump up and down on my bed and make my life miserable so that I won't sleep during the day.

They literally follow you while pooping or peeing until you feed them - that's the level of persuasion in cats -show up until the target breaks or converts!

Day 6:

Fear of death- I better get started with my next HubSpot Academy course

I finished the Hubspot Content Marketing course in July, and it was great! So I planned to finish as many free courses as possible before the year ended but never really got into it.

Mostly because I have a full-time job and was mentally exhausted for personal reasons; anyways, my fever, rashes, weakness, and body aches made me realize this is probably the highest point in my life- I'm going to be 27 next month; and I should plan the next 5 years of my life ahead, professionally!

As I write email copies, I need to be a better Email Copywriter as soon as possible, like my life depends on it! And HubSpot academy is really helping me understand email marketing which will eventually help me with the copies.

I don't why people buy courses from unauthorized platforms. It's always better to complete online courses from an entity that provides proper guidance and certifications.

Day 7:

I look really bad; let's make a reel and get back to Instagram

So, I've put on a lot of weight (I finally admitted that to myself) since the 2020 remote working situation I got myself into. And mostly for that, it affected my confidence which is weird because, before this, I had none :(

Because of this, I have refrained from making enough video content or reels to grow my online community, and it affected my personal branding a lot! So this time, I thought, screw it!

I may not be slim enough for the camera, and my dance moves (Or any move) may suck, but I have helpful content and stories to tell! And I need to do that now!

The Instagram algorithm will still be an unresolved puzzle for me, but not posting isn't going to help me, or anyone for that matter!

So I posted this -

ps: I have written this as content for fun & entertainment. Please do not waste your time here :')

Thanks a lot for surviving another tale from 'Sparkling Water.'

If you liked this Newsletter in any way, you can share it with your followers for my faster recovery :)

This was the 4th edition of 'Sparkling Water' ??. Stay tuned as I come back next Saturday!