Think of a Number (that Hits)

"A firm selling boilers asked me to help so we wrote the commercials and their business increased 1,000 per cent in 12 months — they went from selling 500 boilers a year to 5,000."

Reminiscence of 87yo English telly legend, Johnny Ball. As revealed to London's times this week [sub'n req'd].

A boiler being the English label which around the anglosphere hold different terms; heater, furnace, geyser. Regardless of appliance, at heart there's a more burning issue.

His brilliance in front of camera was making maths fun for children. Yet I can't help but wonder on that claim up top.

As five hundred to five thousand is but a ten-fold jump. Impressive, but not the '1,000 per cent' increase duly prefaced.

Unless there's say, one helluva exponential service charge alongside...

No matter the arithmetic though, there's a testimonial message for us here.

Specifically, in metric terms.

First off, it can be tricky to include both a percentage and actual figure in the same one. There's potential for distraction, confusion, and lessened later recall.

Branching out from a sole number focus might muffle the bang, could disrupt rhythm, and worm yourself far from an ear.

It is usually best to fix on a single amount. Preferably one that is hard, attractive and most importantly, monetary.

In terms of mechanics, it just about follows a discernible, acceptable base camp sᴛᴀʀ format. Although with the doubling-up of the impact, it sounds more, STARR.

I did chuckle to myself thinking on various rephrasing for the punchline.

they exploded, from selling 500 boilers a year to 5,000

Boom boom.

This success story, metrified, is a good example of how you sculpt your own. With attention to the actual values cited, the flow of the heat, and hummability of your beat.