Archive for the "Book Reviews" Category
Apr29

Do you think Facebook is enough?

Posted at 10:26 AM • 2 Comments

As a small business that loves the opportunities presented by the ‘reach’ of the internet, I am continually dismayed by the lack of thought – and later commitment – businesses make to their use of this wonderful tool.

Mitch Joel in his exciting and very readable book, Six Pixels of Separation, takes on all these attitudes, fads, trends and puts them together for you. Yes, it’s chock-full of possibilities, but it’s the attitude and commitment that he insists is necessary.

In a matter of hours you can have a FB account, be on Twitter, and have your own blog. And in seconds – yes, seconds – someone can be doing a search and find you.

If you fear your privacy, Mitch Joel explains that it’s probably already too late. But you CAN take charge of much that’s out there. This book shows you how.

You’re probably thinking that with all that ‘chatter’ on the internet, who is listening? And with all the ‘drivel’, who really cares? Those questions have merit. But, if you’re a small business owner, you’ll realize that all of this chatter, when used for your business, is not about selling, but about creating relationships. It’s about being transparent. It’s about listening to your customers. It’s about conversation!

Not many small businesses get it yet. They think posting activities on FB while letting their website become outdated is okay. Then they wonder why they’re not getting the response they want from the social media. Bottom line, your website is where you send your new customers and friends who are having conversations with you. You build relationships, THEN you share your business.

These are challenging times. These are exciting times. If you want to get a better idea of what can really happen – and IS happening – in the digital world, read this book.

Consider this: we’ve all heard of Six Degrees of Separation…. it’s now Six Pixels!! So hop on the train and find your little niche in the digital world!

Warmly, Ellie's signature

Apr28

Book Review first thing tomorrow

Posted at 10:49 AM • No Comments

Hi all! Sorry I’m running late. I’ll have my book review for you tomorrow (Thurs). Please check back then for Six Pixels of Separation by Mitch Joel.

In the meantime, visit my city site and see all the fun things happening for our big SPRING weekend. See you ’round town.

Warmly, Ellie's signature

Apr21

Does Business Have a Soul?

Posted at 10:41 AM • No Comments


A Millionaire Course, a visionary plan for creating the life of your dreams, by Marc Allen answers the above question with a resounding

YES, business does have a soul.


With familiar quotes included such as:

  • We live in a limitless universe, limited only by our beliefs.
  • Luck is preparedness meeting opportunity. When you prepare, opportunities present themselves.
  • We don’t need money to be happy or fulfilled. In fact, money has nothing to do with it.

The above seem rather… well… silly in the face of your day-to-day business challenges. But – hold on!

In the offering you will be nudged to consider some very serious efforts to create the success of your dreams. The gems of wisdom in this book will not be new to you. Presented in a different way possibly, but not new. Consider the challenges behind some of the following quotes:

  • Celebrate glorious failure!
  • Those who succeed have a clear, focused picture of their success. The level of success they attain matches the expansiveness of their dreams. (The underline is mine.)
  • Unsuccessful people focus on the problems; the success focus on the solutions.

This is not as easy as you might think. Often even avoided because we don’t want to face the reality of our situation. But that’s the point. We can muddle along in dreamland, pretending and fooling ourselves. Or we can accept the challenge, hold fast to our dreams, and make them a reality.

Oh, to be sure, it is neither easy nor without fear or pain. But Marc Allen ever so simply walks us to a different perspective. We tilt our heads and realize that everyone has the same challenges to reach their dreams. But when we consider our business with clear, unblinking eyes, we can have remarkable success by our own definition and we can have soul. This balance is attainable.

I highly recommend this book. It can be read in its entirety, or sections as you need them. It also has a short version in the back for those who may not like to read an ‘entire book.’ (I’ll warn you that you’ll probably be intrigued enough to read more!)

But if you’re looking for a sense of balance while becoming successful, Marc Allen has walked the path and is eager to share it with you.

To your dreams becoming reality…. (this one is for you, friend Vicki!),
Warmly, Ellie

Apr13

You think you know Marketing on the I-way?

Posted at 1:29 PM • No Comments

I love the title of this thought provoking book,
GONZO MARKETING
by Christopher Locke. Of course, if you’re a Hunter S. Thompson reader, you’ll recognize the play on words.

But Gonzo Marketing is most definitely a paradigm shift view of the internet’s role in relationship building, commerce and marketing where “social criticsm, biting satire, and serious commerce meet” – devoid of  mass media, target market, and corporate bullying.

It’s rather exciting to think that just like “he who owns the press has the power”… the little guy now has some weight via cyberspace. You can have your own website/blog, speak your mind, find those with similar attitudes, tastes and interests, and build a presence. Many of the successful ones – whether it’s only a few thousand visitors or millions – are beginning to catch the interest of the corporate world.

The following quote from the book may entice you to look into it:

Bottom line: the fundamental message of marketing must change from “we want your money” to “we share your interests.” In this respect, corporate underwriting is a way – perhaps the only viable way at present – for companies to put their money where their mouth is.

But don’t be fooled. Visitors are becoming quite discerning between sites that are built from passion and create a trust with their visitors … and those that are still trying to ‘sell’.

Here Locke is talking not about advertising or sponsorships, but genuine ‘underwriting’ … where they roll with the interactions on the site. They are willing to allow the open dialogue and comments because they feel they share in the interests of the visitors of the particular site. It is less about ‘branding’ and more about relationship!

Locke discusses the opportunity to once again meet each other as ‘people’ on the internet – not as a number in a market segment. What a grand vision.

I encourage you to take a look at the book. Don’t cheat and rush to the last chapter. Browse each chapter. Then enjoy the final chapter and become part of the subtle, yet provocative changes occurring in marketing and the internet as I write!

Let me know what you think! Success to you, Ellie

PS Aren’t you proud of me? I’m a day early in getting my Wed. Book Review posted.