Perusing this forum I'm absolutely astounded at the lack of basic marketing knowledge displayed by many of the members. Yes, I know you come here to learn, but a forum is not always the best place to do that. Sometimes you have to pick up a good marketing book and read it. No, I'm not talking about a how-to-make-money e-book. I'm talking about a "real" book that you can actually hold in your hands, that teaches you about the techniques and fundamentals of marketing. When was the last time you read a real marketing book? Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking forums. They have their place. But nothing beats learning from a good marketing book. You should try it sometime! I just finished reading Purple Cow by Seth Godin. David Jackson
I agree, I read a few marketing books each month. I have read Purple Cow by Seth Godin as well, and I really enjoyed it. At the moment, I am reading Click Here To Order by Joel Comm. I have just started reading it, so I really don't know if it's any good yet. - jens -
I read extensively about marketing and advertising. What many people trying to make money on the web do not realize is that they are practicing a form of direct marketing and there is a wealth of available knowledge in print. Often the best marketing books get stolen but you can usually find some good ones at most local libraries. As with a lot of things, what you do with the information is everything. At a bare minimum practitioners should read: Think and Grow Rich How to Win Friends and Influence People Scientific Advertising and My Life in Advertising ...all real classics and easily found. Copywriting is a branch of direct marketing and one area that will put money right in your pocket if you learn to be better than average. Suggested: Victor Schwab John Caples David Ogilvy Dan Kennedy Joe Sugarman Herschell Gordon Lewis There are a lot of fine business writers out there - but much of the information is repetitious.... helpful, but redundant. Doesn't mean you shouldn't read widely, just that once you understand the essential principles you need to do your own thinking and testing to internalize them and use them in your own business.
Yep. And not just marketing books, but business books in general. People struggle because they're looking for a quick fix solution instead of learning how to start and manage a business. Some of my favorites on business/marketing: The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got by Jay Abraham All Marketers are Liars by Seth Godin Marketing for Dummies - despite the "for dummies" title, it's a very comprehensive book that covers everything a marketing n00b would need to know.
I read the long tail and New rule of Marketing and some marketing books. mixing with forums posted many are useful to me alot.
I will purchased All Marketers are Liars by Seth Godin very soon. He is the best liar (I mean marketer) for me...his blog has awesome content. Few but powerful words...
I'll tell you what I've done. I look for internet marketers that REALLY know what they're talking about. People who I respect. When I find one, I read everything I can get my hands on that they've written. Weather it's an ebook, a forum post/thread, blog or even their own forum. Then I follow their IM progress and try and continually gain more knowledge from them. Try it. Be picky with whom you chose. You might just learn something
Exactly! It always amazes me when posters say a particular author, like Godin, is sooooooo great, yet these posters' sites are STILL dead. You can read something that may seem smart, but out there in the real world is when reality sets in. I follow authors who have sites that have a lot of traffic. For example, I would read the originators of Askmen, and other such sites, if they wrote a book.
Ahhhhhh, I apparently hit a nerve. Oh well ... you know what they say. If the shoe fits wear that sucker!!! David Jackson Ahhhhh ... I hit another nerve. Show us your website dude! David Jackson
You had to quote that, bud? We are just above you. lol Sorry, but that was funny. My post wasn't really meant to attack, I'm sorry if you took it that way. ... But let's get real here.... Anyway, if you like what you are reading, more power to you.
A great book to read about marketing especially branding yourself is the "purple cow" you can learn a lot of interesting stuff about marketing and how to make yourself brandable.
You know what they say. Leaders are readers! I hope you enjoy my book, Jens. I've just finished the manuscript for Twitter Power which is due out in bookstores everywhere mid-February. Very excited about this one as Twitter is such a valuable site for business... and way underutilized. With Twitter being in the news so much, the time is right! http://www.twitterpower.com Joel