Yesterday I attended the Marcy Neumann’s product launch at I AM books where I had my own book launch 2 weeks ago. The topic of “googling oneself” came up… and naturally, I chimed in. It just so happens that an interview with the Google guys about Personal Branding is the featured cover article of Issue #3 of Personal Branding magazine (which came out last week). You can sample it here, and view the Editor-in-Chief, Dan Schawbel, in th video below. I write the Entrepreneur Brand column for it; my topic was on “Making Money while Marketing Yourself… through knowledge products.”
Last night, I attended an awesome networking event with some of the most influential leaders of Long Island. Luckily, it was my book release party (and 30th birthday). It was the biggest event the bookstore (I AM Books in Huntington, NY) ever had; and my book sold out. (This is bitter-sweet since I don’t have books for my speaking engagement on Friday; or for a real estate trade party on Tuesday; back-of-the-room sales is a Thumb-rule; this is a faux-pas.)
My main intention of the event was of course to drive book sales… but not only to sell out the room, but to promote the book as an awesome gift: 100% of my book sale profits from last night is being donated to the Cross Island YMCA Strong Kids campaign, which grants memberships to lower-income families. I’m the campaign chair for 2008, so it seemed natural to me. We raised over $1500 last night for Long Island youth. PLUS, those who purchased more than 2 books got my audio-book(s) for free. Now they have an extra copy - hopefully autographed - to give as a gift to a “stranger.” My colleagues will pollinate future orders.
I have achieved my January “book sales quota,” and I now working on February. But this success isn’t luck… And while it’s based on strategic design, I know there’s a greater power at play.
I wanted to invoke my spiritual beliefs to bless the success of my book. I invited my aunt, Geetha, to perform a short pooja (Hindu blessing ceremony). It was only fitting that I have my immediate family in the room, including my grandmother. As one of my colleagues mentioned as he was leaving, “It was like I attended a family event.” I responded, “It is.” My network was introduced not only to my family, my culture, my beliefs, and my intentional personal brand. Unfortunately, the video of the ceremony has been lost to the Universe!
Words cannot fully express how grateful I am for the wonderful reception I felt last night… while the cupcakes weren’t fully appreciated, folks ate up the snacks and my sense of style (4-button peach suit and deep purple shirt). I nurtured the success and am grateful for the forces that coalesce to continue the book’s phenomenal success.
We must plant the right seeds at the right time in the right soil. We must water appropriate and tend to the weeds. But still, we cannot grow the fruit. I believe God does the Growing in response to our successful Strategic Habits. Together, everyone achieves this TEAM.
I just finished working out, and eating while watching TV. Sometimes, life is simply great. The TV turned on to a local station replaying Wheel of Fortune… celebrity edition, no less. I think, “hey, why not?”
I already talk about the Wheel of Fortune game show to make another point (more on that later). And now, they’ve done it again:
The first category was “People” — not “people.” The category was branded with the People magazine logo and the phrase referenced what would be found inside People magazine. I wonder if People magazine paid for this “branded category.” No doubt it’s clever promo for the magazine. And it’s interesting to viewers and players of the show.
My point is not to herald Wheel of Fortune (tho I do)… rather, this instance reminds me of how innovative we can be once we view our clients as partners. Together everybody achieves more. Cooperate & grow.
How have you partnered with clients to market your practice(s) or to add greater value to your clients?
Blogs give experts, advisors, and other professionals an easy way to record our thoughts and slowly build up our catalog of intellectual property… it’s also a quick way to produce value-added materials for our clients, prospects, referral partners, friends, etc.
Blogging sounds good in theory, until we have to actually sit down and type everyday… over and above our e-mails and other work!
What if we could blog throughout the day… in the nooks and crannies of our day? ..As simply as leaving ourselves a voicemail? Well, that’s what I wanted to do:
So I figured out how to do it… for free: My audio speaks to the power of putting Podbean & Gabcast together. And from now on, you’ll hear my frequent musings & tidbits — more consistently — leading up to an audio-book like INSTANT BUZZ.
Luckily, it was my book release party (and 30th birthday). It was the biggest event the bookstore (I AM Books in Huntington, NY) ever had; and my book sold out. (This is bitter-sweet since I don’t have books for my speaking engagement on Friday; or for a real estate trade party on Tuesday; back-of-the-room sales is a Thumb-rule; this is a faux-pas.)
