Epic Cause Marketing In Six Words

In 2009 I wrote a post I called Cause Marketing in Six Words.

It was inspired by Rachel Ferschleiser and Larry Smith's book "Not Quite What I was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure."

It begins with a story about Ernest Hemingway who was once challenged to write a book in six words. He responded with: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

That's punchier and more pathos-filled than anything I've ever read on Twitter, my own account included. (My Twitter handle is @paulrjones).

Ferschleiser and Smith published many more of these evocative and diminutive tales following a contest on Twitter.

Here’s a select few:

“Danced in fields of infinite possibilities.”
Deepak Chopra

“Brought it to a boil, often.”
Mario Batali

And, two personal favorites…

“Found true love after nine months.”
Jody Smith

“Wasn’t born a redhead; fixed that.”
Andie Grace

Here’s my challenge to you cause marketers: develop a description of your campaign that comprises six words [or less!]. You’ll find the discipline imposed by just six words will bring not only brevity, but clarity.

I’m not talking about writing a headline here. Headlines are meant to tease you into the text that follows. Six-word stories tell complete truth.

Back in 2009 regular reader Debbie Kellogg Director of Corporate Relations & Alliances at The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, submitted this gem:

"You talk. Teens listen. Drug-free families."

Here’s my slightly bawdy version version for Boxtops for Education:

"Clipped Boxtops. Now School Has Balls."

What about you? Do you have a six-word story that describes your cause marketing efforts or a favorite one?

To inspire you a little I've got an offer you can't refuse. The best submission gets a signed (by me :0) copy of "Cause Marketing for Dummies" by my friends Joe Waters and Joanna MacDonald.

Comment below or email me at aldenkeene @ gmail . com.