How many of you still read a hard copy newspaper? Some people do. Yet the number of people who read a newspaper as opposed to getting their news online dwindles by the day. A copywriter friend of mine reminded me of this fact in sharing a story about literally yesterday’s newspapers.
My friend had written a cookbook in the early 1990s. In promoting his book, he received significant media coverage. Some of those clips he pasted to a board and used as a display at book signings. My friend recently discovered that board at his parents’ house. What he did next is why I’m sharing this story:
He took pictures of the board and each individual piece of the board and then threw the entire thing away.
My friend is a longtime reader of this newsletter. While never considering himself a pack rat or hoarder, he admitted to hanging onto some things out of sentiment. That belief has shifted over the years.
“I saw the board and it brought a huge smile to my face. This is something my kids have never seen. So, the thought of keeping it did cross my mind. It’s also in tough shape. So, after I showed the kids the board what then? Would I want to display it in my office? Not really? True, it’s a great memory. But the newspaper articles have faded and it’s not really an attractive look. So, I scanned it and now whenever I want to revisit it, I can look at the electronic file. The memory is the same. It brings back those times when I set up a table, put out my recipe for spinach dip and hoped people would stop by. I’m smiling now just sharing that.”
What are the yesterday’s newspapers in your life? Do they add enough to your daily life today to keep around? Take a walk around your home or office. You may uncover quite few headlines from yesteryear that are better preserved in your memory and the cloud.
If you need some assistance with your yesterday’s newspapers, please give me a call at 508-246-6120 or drop a line.
