Today is P.T. Barnum’s birthday. In celebration of the occasion, I’m going to be presiding over a session this morning during which a psychic medium will endeavor to contact Barnum himself. You can get all the details over here and follow the session on Twitter.

Meanwhile, it feels appropriate that on his 200th birthday, Barnum would want to give you a present, so here it is: “Barnum’s Rules for Success in Business” as published in 1855 in The Life of P.T. Barnum (Written By Himself). He made (and lost) a fortune several times over the course of his remarkable life, so you might want to pay attention:

1. Select the kind of business that suits your natural inclinations and temperament.

2. Let your pledged word ever be sacred.

3. Whatever you do, do with all your might.

4. Sobriety. Use no description of intoxicating drinks.

5. Let hope predominate, but be not too visionary.

6. Do not scatter your powers.

7. Engage proper 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 upon others.

Barnum, of course, had more to say about each specific rule. For those details, and a very entertaining read all around, pick up a copy of his book.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 5th, 2010 at 6:00 am and is filed under Internet Stuff, Marketing Stuff.