Utilize the martial arts principles of opposite and reverse motion to make your copy highly effective
Several readers have made comments about our mutual passion for martial arts. So, I’m inspired to write an article series for you, my fellow martial artist. 🥋
These articles will be relevant to you if you are a business owner who likes to watch martial arts. And of course, if you are a martial artist yourself.
This article is the first article in this new series. The series touches on how to utilize different concepts and principles from martial art in your copywriting. The purpose of applying these concepts and principles in your marketing material is to improve the clarity of your value proposition and generate more sales. 💰
In this article, I will show you how you can use the principle of opposite and reverse motion in your copywriting to improve the clarity of your value proposition. ✅
My first encounter with martial arts
I clearly remember my first encounter with martial arts. I was reading an article in a psychology magazine. Each month covered a story about the psychological benefits of different types of sports and physical practices. This month the story in the midsection was about karate.
I had never done any martial arts before. I didn’t know anybody who did martial arts, so this was indeed something new and different to me.
I read about how this guy in the article had benefited immensely from karate. Both mentally and physically. How martial art was connecting body, mind, and spirit for him. Not only did he learn how to defend himself. He also experienced more self-confidence and focus. And he experienced a higher spiritual awareness.
As I was reading this article a clarity emerged from within.
“This is the type of sport I have been looking for my entire life!”
I put down the magazine and reached for the phone. I searched for martial arts studios in my hometown. I went down the list from the top. Called the first school I came across in my search. 🔎
“I would like to do martial arts with you,” I said. “When can I begin?”
The voice in the other end said:
“Oh, I’m sorry we don’t accept student’s midseason. You will have to wait until January”
That was not the answer I was hoping for. So, I continued down the list. Two more schools. Negative. Either not answering or not accepting students midseason.
But I was not giving up!
I picked up the phone a fourth time and got a hold of Mr. Brandt.
I said:
“I have read this article and I would really like to learn martial arts. Can you help me?”
Mr. Brandt said:
“Absolutely, come by my studio tomorrow”
I came into the studio the next day. Mr. Brandt gave me an introductory lesson in American Kenpo. And from the very first movement, I just knew.
This is it!
I wanted to master this art.
This first encounter with martial arts was 15 years ago. And I have stuck with it ever since. And I can truly say that martial art has transformed my life.
Opposite and reverse motion
At the beginning of my journey with martial arts, it blew my mind just to put 3 movements together into a technique. Later as I grew in my understanding of the art, I started to be much more curious. Asking questions about the underlying concepts and principles. Wanting to know why to do this rather than that.
I started traveling with Kenpo. Entering competitions. Going to seminars. Seeking people who had more in-depth knowledge about the art.
At one of these international events, I encountered Mr. Scott Higgins at a seminar in Dublin. He was the first martial artist I had ever met, who had actually trained day in and day out for years with the founder of American Kenpo, Mr. Parker.
At the seminar, Mr. Higgins spoke about the concept of opposite and reverse motion. Asking questions about our understanding of this concept. My first thought was that when you hit with you left. The opposite motion is to hit with your right. But the question of the reverse motion was more intriguing.
Mr. Higgins told us that Mr. Parker had discovered the concept of reverse motion by watching himself doing different techniques on video and then playing the tape in reverse. 📼
He saw how a punch becomes a backward elbow when you play it in reverse.
We spoke about how this concept of opposite and reverse motion applies in a lot of different motions.
Mr. Parker himself said:
“Logic combined with realistic thinking are the keys. You must thoroughly understand the terms opposite and reverse and learn to apply them appropriately. If there is a right inward block, there must be a left inward (or opposite) block. If there are inward blocks, then there are outward (reverse) blocks.”
This quote talks about how to be able to use the reverse motion from where you are in a self-defense situation. If you are blocking a right punch with a right inward block. The reverse motion of that would be the extended outward block. So, if your opponent throws a left punch immediately following the right punch. Using the reverse motion of the inward block you just used. You are able to block the left punch with an extended outward block.
Mr. Parker continues:
“It all boils down to your ability to think. The importance of thinking is illustrated in a story about a gentleman who bought a gadget that was disassembled. As much as he tried to decipher the instruction sheet, he found no success and was therefore frustrated. He eventually called a handyman to take on the task of assembling the gadget. In a matter of minutes, the gadget was assembled, and not once did the handyman refer to the instructions. The gentleman asked the handyman how he was able to assemble the gadget without referring to the instructions. The handyman’s answer was simple: “Well, I can’t read, and when you can’t read, you gotta think.”
🤔
If you wish to expand your vocabulary of motion, you must investigate the opposite and reverse of all maneuvers: bobbing, weaving, rolling, twisting, turning, slipping, falling, jumping, switching, shuffling, feinting, etc. Leave no stone unturned, and of utmost importance, think. Free yourself from the bondage of complacency and blind acceptance. Seek for yourself and reveal the undiscovered.”
🕵️ Being a detective of motion!
Think of reverse motion in copywriting
This story and principles in the concept of reverse motion made me think.
There is a certain structure to effective copywriting. 🧬✍🏼
It has a blueprint that it follows. This blueprint has these elements:
· Headline
· Lead
· Story that engages
· Credibility statement
· A big idea
· 3 action steps
· Call to action
If you follow this proven blueprint in your copywriting, you get clear compelling content that illustrates your value proposition and generates sales of your service or product. 💰
But what if you apply the idea of reverse motion from martial arts in your copywriting?
That gave me an AHA moment!
Start your copy with the end goal in mind!
The big idea I got was this. If I start my writing with the end goal in mind, everything I write from beginning to end will lead up to this goal. 🥅
If I just begin writing from the beginning without knowing where I’m going with it, the reader will know. It will be a winding road and who knows where it will lead.
So, writing your copy with the end goal and the call to action in mind – is “economy of motion”. Another Kenpo principle 😁
3 simple steps
And it is actually really simple. All you have to do is review your marketing material for these 3 action items.
1. What is your call to action?
- What is it that you want your reader to do as a result of reading your copy?
- Do you want them to get more information?
- Do you want them to buy your service or product?
- What is your timeline?
- Do you want them to see you as an expert?
- Do you want them to connect with you?
2. What is the big idea?
- What is the ONE thing your client should take away from engaging in your copy?
- What is the value or benefit to the client? Is this crystal clear?
3. What are 3 simple steps or action items your client can do to start accomplishing this one big idea or promise?
- Define the deliverable.
- Define their actions.
- Define the promised benefit.
If you apply these simple steps to your marketing material, I promise you that you will have much more compelling content. Your copy will have a clear value proposition and a clear call to action that will drive more revenue. ✅
By utilizing this principle of opposite and reverse motion from martial art your copy will become highly effective. You will also experience the benefit of “economy of motion” in your copy. Simply because when you write with the call to action and end goal in mind you will avoid a lot of digressions and wasted effort. And I would be thrilled to help you reach your goals and increase your revenue as your copy coach. Shoot me a message on your keyboard.
About Sophie H Higgins, MA, MBA, MBC: I’m a freelance copywriter, professional speaker, philosophical business coach, and martial artist. I specialize in providing high-quality content and in helping people and businesses grow. Need a copywriting magician? 🧙♀️ 📖 ⚡