1. Select the kind of business that suites your natural inclinations and temperment
2. Let your pledged word be sacred
3. Whatever you do, do it with all your might
4. Sobriety, Use no description of intoxicating drink
5. Let hope predominate but be not too visionary
6. Do not scatter your powers
7. Engage your employees
8. Advertise your business, Do not hide your light under a bushel
9. Avoid extravagance, and always live considerably within your income, if you can do so without absolute starvation
10. Do not depend on others
^�
Do these Rules sound like those of a humbug? I think not. However, Neil Harris in his book, Humbug - The Art of P. T. Barnum, gives the mistaken impression that Barnum was less than honest with the public. In all his dealings, Barnum strove to entertain, to provide good value for monies received and to educate the public. They loved him and his shows. You have to put in perspective the fact that there was no entertainment industry in the mid 1880s. Barnum provided shows that caught the public's attention, both in the United States, in England and in Europe. Barnum said, " I am not a Humbug." Nuf said, I believe him, not Harris.
Rules are from Struggles and Triumphs or The Life of P.T. Barnum. pp 831 &c;.
Alfred A. Knopf, 1927.
If you want you can read Humbug the Art of P. T. Barnum by Neil Harris.
Published by Little Brown and Company, 1973. Draw you own conclusions.
Take a look at Aart VanWingerden's Cornerstones, you really can't beat
hard work and faith.
And, in advertising (and education) there are the four "E" rules; excite,
entertain, educate and end. Get their attention, make it interesting, slip in
you message and the cut it short before you loose their attention. Try it.
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