If the book were titled, All Marketers Are Storytellers, would you consider looking at it? Godin brought up this point in the book and it clearly explained what he means by “liars.” Of course, he didn’t insult marketers as he belongs in that category. But “storytellers” would be nothing new. Though he didn’t use “storytellers,” … Read more
The main purpose of the book is to help businesses increase their conversion rates. Conversion, and there isn’t a better word to describe it, means action that leads to the results you want. It could be increased product sales, more newsletter subscriptions, contacting the business, or more registered users. Call for Action is about improving … Read more
Some book reviewers say that when they don’t like a book, they simply don’t review it. I’d love to take the easy way out, but when I think about it from a reader’s perspective… I want to know when a book sucks. I recently had to give low ratings to a book. I posted it … Read more
I’ve either been involved with or held a process-related role since 1994. It started in the government with TQM (Total Quality Management). Then before I left the government, I worked with ERWin and some process standard model—I’ve forgotten its official name. We had pages and pages of flows that were not easy to follow. In … Read more
Ilise Benun, author of Designing Websites for Every Audience, has been talking about “What does the silence mean?” in her Quick Online Marketing Tips newsletter. This is an issue I have grappled with many times especially since I rely on email as a primary means of communication rather than the phone because of my hearing … Read more
I didn’t start drinking coffee until after I graduated from college. I never pulled in an all-nighter — geeky, I know. Now, I can’t start my morning without a good cup along with the newspaper. Between the single serve coffee brewers and the single-serving coffee can heats itself, coffee has been given a fresh look. … Read more
With a sub-title of, “The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything,” the book makes a big promise, which might make a doubter out of a reviewer. Note that “starting anything” refers to a business, not a career, school, or hobby. Obviously, it’s impossible to create a comprehensive book of business best practices because every … Read more
The Internet may have opened worlds for businesses and consumers, but it has also created a public relations nightmare for businesses. Forums, opinion Web sites, blogs, and anything that is publishable can smear a company’s name in moments. Remember, “Yours Is a Very Bad Hotel” presentation that described one customer’s bad experience with a hotel … Read more
How’s this for irony? I watched The Shipping News a couple of days ago before reading this book. One of my favorite parts of the movie was the main character learning how to write strong headlines. Instead of the dull “Horizon Fills with Dark Clouds,” his co-worker suggested, “Imminent Storm Threatens Village.” The main character, … Read more
Godin’s previous book, Purple Cow, presents examples of how to stand out from the herd. Free Prize Inside shows how to make that happen. It answers questions of “How do you create a Purple Cow?” “How do you make something sell itself?” When we buy cereal, especially kiddie cereal, what’s the best part? The free … Read more