Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk

Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk

A client suggested this marketing book, so I figured I'd better read it.
It's been well over a year since I've read any marketing books. Since I work by myself from home, I don't get to learn from other professionals as often as I would if I worked in an office setting. I always appreciate reading good, inspirational marketing books.

Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk was very inspirational!

I've already suggested the book to many of my clients.

He basically explains how to build your brand using the power of social media.

He has emphasized a concept I've tried suggesting to my clients in the past. While I'm the "social media editor" (cool term he used to describe folks like me) for my clients, and my industry articles and perspectives are important and beneficial, they can only go so far. It's even more beneficial for clients to get into their social media accounts and post inside information as well.

Here's how Vaynerchuk explains this point:

"My business already has a Twitter account and a Facebook page, we’re set in the social media department.

This is the equivalent of claiming twenty years ago that just because your business bought a TV spot and a few ads in the newspaper, you didn’t need to pay attention to your advertising department. Social media isn’t about joining in, it’s about being involved."

Share your surgery schedule, share birthday photos of staff members, share what your diet coordinator is eating for lunch, share what your dental staff gives out at Halloween, share the exercise techniques of your cosmetic surgery staff, share your experiences during a hair training class.

A cool point about blogs from the book, "A website is for communicating logistics and facilitating sales; your blog is for communicating the essence of your brand. It allows you to expand your topic in ways that a static website simply can't.

Vaynerchuk gives a step-by-step marketing strategy that is easy to follow and will help readers "Crush It."

From the Amazon link:

Learn: Why social media has evened the playing field, destroying the “gate-keepers” who had previously dictated the distribution of content.

Learn: How to beat unemployment and create wealth-building opportunities by building and maintaining a personal brand.

Learn: Why storytelling is the most important business concept in the current marketplace.

Learn: How you can build an online business around your passion without quitting your day job.

Learn: Why Twitter and Facebook are just tools and not a social media strategy.

Learn: How to take advantage of the half-billion dollars in advertising that are moving to the internet.

Learn: Why transparency and being true to yourself are now winning marketing formulas.

Learn: How to build and maintain an online community around your passion and brand.

Learn: Strategies for turning attention into money.

Learn: Why the legacy element of the internet era is so underrated.

New Book: So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom

Home-based businesses are estimated to be a $427 billion-a-year industry. In recent studies it was found that as many as 105 million people in North America alone were working at home. Considering this information, it is obvious that home-based businesses can be successful and authors Jill Hart and Diana Ennen will help you succeed with your own.

So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom details all the basics of starting a business in a spiritual, motivational, and comprehensive manner. From deciding what type of business to start to keeping your family and faith first, this helpful tool details every aspect of establishing a business. With proven success tips utilized by the authors and others who own work-at-home businesses, this inspiration approach will provide you with the resources you need to start your own home-based business.

So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom includes:
* Detailed information on types of businesses to start
* Ideas and assistance for setting up, operating, and marketing your business
* Definitions and descriptions of work-at-home terminology and processes
* Help for developing your Website
* Explanations of the business nuts and bolts, including bookkeeping, taxes, and more

About the Authors
JILL HART is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Jill is a co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom. Jill has published many articles and is a contributing author in Laundry Tales, The Business Mom Guide Book, I'll Be Home for Christmas, and Faith Deployed. She holds a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies. Learn more about working from home at http://www.cwahm.com/work-at-home/ .

DIANA ENNEN has been a leader and mentor in the work-at-home industry since starting her business, Virtual Word Publishing, in 1985. She is the author of many books, including Virtual Assistant the Series; Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA and Words from Home: Start, Run, and Profit from a Home-Based Word Processing Business. She resides in Margate, Florida, with her husband and their three children.

Below is an interview with the authors of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom – Jill & Diana.

If
have questions they are happy to answer your questions anytime. Leave a comment below or email Jill@cwahm.com or Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com

How long have you been working at home?

Jill Hart - I've been working at home since 2000. I had to go back to work full-time for a brief period in 2003 when my husband got out of the Air Force. At that point I got even more serious about making my business work and I've been home full-time since then.

Diana Ennen – I’ve been working at home since 1985, when my son was born. He’s now graduated college and already working towards his own career. I absolutely love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What types of businesses do you operate?

Jill Hart – I run Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com, a website full of free resources, job listings and information about home businesses. I also write articles and books (yes, more books to come!) and am a blogger for sites like Time/Warner's Christian Momlogic.com and a member of the Guideposts blogger team

Diana Ennen– I’m the President of Virtual Word Publishing. I’m a virtual assistant and specialize in marketing & publicity. I’ve also written numerous books on how to start a VA business and offer PR and VA Coaching.

Tell us about your book? How do you think it can benefit those who want to start a business?

Jill Hart - The book has been such a "God thing." He orchestrated the entire sequence of events - from putting Diana and I together as co-authors to bringing us to the right publisher. The book is a hands-on practical guide for anyone who wants to build a business from home. We cover topics ranging from how to select the right type of business for you, to how to get started, to how to market and grow your business.

Diana Ennen - I think one of the best features of our book is that it’s not only informative, but motivational as well. You’ll feel like friends are helping you on your journey to success. Also, we discuss numerous types of businesses to start and provide proven methods to achieve success. We also often hear how starting a business can be so overwhelming. That’s why we pay special attention to all the how tos. We feel very confident our book will help, not only those starting a business, but those already in business wanting to expand it.

What types of businesses are featured in your book?

Jill Hart - We have such a great range of contributors - everything from direct sales companies like Southern Living at Home and Avon to unique product-driven businesses like BSM Media and GrillCharms. These woman are amazing and give readers a great insight into how they've grown their businesses in very different ways.

Diana Ennen - We cover everything from direct sales companies to specialized areas such as medical transcription and virtual assisting. Also, Jill shares detailed information on starting a community based membership site. We think you’ll get a lot of helpful tips too from such work-at-home powerhouses as Maria Bailey and Lesley Spencer Pyle.

Do you have any tips for success for Christian entrepreneurs that you’d like to share?

Jill Hart - I think my favorite tip - shared with me by one of our contributors, Tammy Degenhart, almost ten years ago is that working together benefits everyone. She told me, "Jill, what you give to others God brings back tenfold" and I've seen that hold true time and time again. It may not be in financial gains and it may not look like what we expected but God is so faithful in that when we work together there is no competition - it's a win-win situation.

Diana Ennen - Do what you believe in and use your own skills and prior experience to find the business that’s just right for you. Research/Research/Research. The more you research, the better your business. Continue to market and be out there. So many once they find a few clients stop marketing. You need to get out there continually. You then become the go to person when someone needs services or products that you offer.

What are some of the challenges that you see with those starting or operating a business?

Jill Hart – In my experience, I've talked with many women who get frustrated because success doesn't come easily or quickly. Working from home may sound easy, but in reality it can actually be just as hard as working outside the home. There are many unique challenges, especially when working at home while raising children. If women don't prepare themselves, they can become discouraged and disheartened.

Diana Ennen– One of the major challenges I see is losing belief in yourself that you can do it. That’s why I think a faith-based book will be so beneficial. Even when times get tough, you can rely on your faith to forge ahead.

With the economy, do you believe it’s still a good time to start a business? Why?

Jill Hart – I think it's a better time than ever. The internet is so much more widely used than it was even nine years ago when I began my website. If people do their research and find a company that fits them as well as their budget this can be a great time to break into the work-at-home field.

Diana Ennen – Absolutely. In fact, I think there’s never been a better time. You might have to work a little harder, but it absolutely can be done. Plus, there are so many businesses who need us more than ever because of the economy. For example, with virtual assistants because businesses are downsizing they are seeking the help of a VA to help on an as needed basis.

Your book is written from a Christian perspective? Tell us a little about that and how you feel that makes it so unique?

Jill Hart – My faith is central to who I am and therefore central to my business. I began Christian Work at Home Moms because I wanted women to have a safe place where they could discuss not only business things, but also talk about an area that doesn't get talked about a lot in business circles - how our faith affects our businesses. The book is written in a way that doesn't hit anyone over the head with our faith, but it's true to who we are and talks about things from the vantage point that we see life - through the lens of our faith.

Diana Ennen – There are so many books out there today on starting a business. However, few have the Christian mom in mind. We provide a lot of scriptures and examples of how you can use your faith to help you. Our hope is that not only will your business thrive, but it might just give a little boost to your faith as well.

Learn more about the book at Beacon Hill Press or SoYouWantToBeAWAHM.com.

Free Subscription to Business Week

To my fellow business-owner friends, here's a link to get a FREE subscription to Business Week. You'll have to answer a few questions on 1 page about your MP3 player and write 25 words about the topic. It will take you less than 5 minutes. I just signed up!

This is from a Frugal Friend website. A fabulous website!

Click here.

Free eBook about Blogging for Women

Over at the Scribbit Blog, you can download a free book about blogging, "Blogging in Pink: A Woman's Guide."

This is what writer Michelle Mitchel has to say about her new book:

"If you're interested in starting a blog or in improving your existing blog this 24-chapter guide gives you tips for organizing yourself, getting started, focusing your efforts and taking things to the next level."

Chapters include:
Basic blogging etiquette.
Ten Housekeeping Tips for Your Blog
How to Make Money Blogging
How to Promote Your Blog

Click here for the free blogging book.

Undress for Success by Kate Lister

I haven't read this book, but saw the author quoted in the Dallas Morning News recently. Thought I'd pass along the book details.

Undress For Success:
The Naked Truth About Making Money at Home

Do you dream of working from home? Are you sick of the work-at-home scams and the miscreants who pretend to show you the way? Are you tired of the 'make money while you sleep' ads?

Undress for Success delivers a real-world, step-by-step guide to how you can earn a living as a home-based employee, freelancer, or entrepreneur.

If you're bummed out, burned out, and stressed out and eager to trade your business suit for a sweatsuit, we'll show you the way home.

This is a hands-on guide for stay-at-home parents, retiring baby-boomers, and others who want to lose the commute and live a more balanced life.

Undress for Success provides realistic, practical information about the best home-based jobs and opportunities, plus details on how to avoid the many scams that prey on the uninformed.

Details

Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

My husband bought this book for me for my birthday. He had heard an interview with the author on one of his favorite talk radio shows.

Here are some points from the book and how I can apply them to my PR business. As the book explains, “If anyone wants to start an epidemic, then he or she has to somehow employ Connectors, Mavens and Salesmen: he or she has to find some person or some means to translate the message of the Innovators into something the rest of us can understand.”

This is what I do as a PR professional. One example of how I’ve done this is with a former baby sling client. I developed a relationship with a popular mom/blogger who writes about baby slings. She was generous enough to include many of our promotions and contest on her blog. This helped build my client’s business.

I found his theory on the success of Paul Revere’s ride fascinating. As well as the success of making NY subways safer by removing graffiti. All parents will find it helpful to know who may influence the smoking epidemic in their children’s lives.

“It takes only the smallest of changes to shatter an epidemic equilibrium.

Social epidemics are driven by the efforts of a handful of exceptional people. How socialable they are, how energetic or how knowledgeable or influential among their peers.

Epidemics tips because of the extraordinary efforts of a few select carriers.” (It was fun to learn about these carriers and categorize various people I’ve met in my life.)

“Any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts.”

“Connectors, people with a special gift for bringing the world together. Connectors manage to occupy many different worlds and subcultures and niches. …they have some combination of curiosity, self confidence, sociability and energy.” Peter Shankman, the creator of HARO comes to mind.

“It’s also the case that the closer an idea or a product comes to a Connector, the more power and opportunity it has as well.”

As a PR person, how can I find the connectors and mavens in each of my clients’ industries? How can I find the “exception few” who are capable of starting epidemics? Once I find them, how can I develop relationships with them and treat them well?

Mavens
“Have the knowledge and social skills to start word-of-mouth epidemics. They are teachers as well as students. Mavens are the data banks. Connectors are the social glue.”

Gladwells’s studies on the “Stickiness Factor” in ads was also fascinating. He talks about very simple things companies have added to their ads that made all the difference.” With this in mind, I’ve been trying to place directions to my clients’ businesses in the blog posts I write for them.

“…small, close-knit groups have the power to magnify the epidemic potential of a message or idea. What are the most effective groups? Many small movements can create one contagious movement.”

What blogs, Yahoo Groups, FaceBook groups, etc. should my clients be a part of?

I highly recommend “The Tipping Point” for anyone with their own business and anyone who does business consulting. http://www.gladwell.com/

Keep on pitching...

"There is a reporter for every story. It might not be the reporter or the publication that you would dream of enticing, but there will be reporter somewhere who is interested."

This is a quote from the book, "Media Training 101: A Guide to Meeting the Press" by Sally Stewart.

This quote is very inspirational for me as a publicist. As the book points out, even experienced story pitchers hear "no" frequently.

When I'm plowing through my media lists, studying and commenting on reporters' stories, I like to keep this quote in mind. It keeps me going until I find a reporter (or 2 or 3!) for my clients' stories.

"There is a reporter for every story...." Keep on pitching....

Blogging Success Story: Author Carol Platt Liebau

On my personal blog, I reviewed the book, Prude: How the Sex-Obsessed Culture Damages Girls (And America, Too!).

Well, the author of Prude, Carol Platt Liebau, read my review and emailed me shortly after I posted that blog. I was so honored and amazed that the author contacted me!

Carol saw that I am a publicist, reviewed my website and professional blog and asked we could talk because she “had some projects in the works.”

After a few emails and phone conversations, Carol Platt Leibau is now my client!

What an amazing blog success story. I’ve been contracted to do some media relations for her and have already secured her a couple of interviews.

One of my first projects was to help Carol create an on-line press kit. You can click here to see all the media she’s already secured for herself and her book.

So, if you need an expert to comment on America’s sex-saturated culture, lessons the culture teaches girls (from Black Canary Barbie to "Gossip Girl”), Teen pregnancy including the Gloucester, Mass., pregnancy pact, contact me at lori at lbpublicrelations dot com.

Not only is Carol Platt Liebau a culture commentator, she’s also a political commentator. She has guest hosted the Hugh Hewitt national radio show and can provide the following

Political Analysis & Commentary:

• Presidential election 2008


• US Senate campaigns, 2008


• The Barack Obama I Knew


• Women in the Political Process 2008


• A New Agenda for Conservatives


• Rescuing the GOP

Prude: How the Sex-Obsessed Culture Damages Girls (And America, Too!)
Prude is an in-depth look at the forces telling young women that being sexy trumps intelligence and character every time. For those who aren't aware of just how sexualized teen-oriented fashion, reading, movies, television and music have become and why, it's a wake-up call. For parents who want their daughters to understand the physical, emotional and psychological dangers of giving too much, too soon, it puts all the facts at their fingertips. And for anyone who cares about the impact that teen sexuality has on America's economic and social life -- and believes it's time for a more wholesome teen culture -- it's a call to arms. http://www.prudethebook.com/.

Free Social Media Book

Paul Gillin is giving away free galley copies of his forthcoming book, "Secrets of Social Media Marketing. "

"We have 250 copies available for this special offer."

I just ordered mine.

Click here to receive your copy.

Book Recommendation: "Can We Do That?"

To help me continually evolve, learn how to run my business successfully, and learn from other business owners, I enjoy reading business books.

I just finished, “Can We Do That? Outrageous PR Stunts That Work and Why Your Company Needs Them” by Peter Shankman.

This is a must-read for anyone in the PR industry. It’s also an excellent read for anyone who relies on creativity for their job.

First of all, this book was like a great novel that I couldn’t put down. I was so eager to read about the brilliant ideas the author (who owns The Geek Factory, Inc. a marketing and PR strategy firm in New York) and his team came up with and then to see how successful they were. It reminded me of my early PR days at an agency in Southern California. We once got to coordinate a home-run hitting contest for Coors Brewing Company that put me right down on the field for the San Diego Padres. It was also fun to coordinate a faucet design contest for student designers for Price Pfister.

You have to read the book to learn how his team helped a mom/pop yarn shop outside of New York City garner national media attention. Note, they worked with the creators of the Oscar Meyer wiener mobile.

It was good to be reminded why boring pitches never get any media response. This has been good for me to counsel professionals who have already written their release and they just want me to use my media list to distribute it. I was able to explain to them that the media probably wouldn’t pick it up. He then provides excellent examples of how to spice up boring/typical news announcements.

People pay me to be creative. Many people have said, “Lori, you’re so creative. I’m not creative at all.” As the author explains, “everyone is born creative. We just have to allow ourselves to be creative.”

Peter provides some excellent tips to stimulate creative ideas to avoid PR complacency. Note, I need to get my running shoes back on to “up my endorphins and get a fresh brain.” This will also help me in my desire to write more and have essay and blog ideas come to me.

The last chapter is very inspirational for anyone to read. He provides tips for getting out of a rut (don’t we all need a kick in the butt every now and then when we start acting complacent?) It’s especially hard for moms to get out and do something for ourselves. But this chapter in the book has inspired me to take a class to learn something new and to do things differently to “stir up creativity.” As Peter explains, “everything we do…has implications on how you work, how you become creative, how you do things differently than the masses.”

Peter Shankman recently created a free service called Help a Reporter. All publicists should sign up for it because writers, reporters and journalists use it when they need to find experts to interview. You’ll get 2 – 3 emails from Peter a day with the queries. I enjoy the queries because of the funny tid-bits Peter provides about his day.
http://www.helpareporter.com/