Recently, I bought a handful of social media books via Amazon. Since I have been doing some consulting and teaching on the side, I thought this would be a worthy investment. I intend to review each of them here on my blog. First up is "Crush It!" by Gary Vaynerchuk. If you're not familiar with Gary, he started WineLibrary.tv, which is his video blog wherein he gives his (very) honest opinion about various wines. This may sound boring to you, but I would urge you to check it out. You can feel Gary's enthusiasm coming off of the screen.
Using this tool, Gary took his family-owned liquor store from $4 million to over $60 million per year in sales. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly. He is @garyvee on Twitter, where he has amassed a simply huge entourage, with over 850,000 followers as of this writing.
Why? Well, there are a number of reasons:
- Frankly, people want to know how to make a lot of money like he did
- He has an engaging personality
- He actually makes an attempt to respond to others on Twitter, unlike most "celebrities"
His passion for wine has taken him to a number of appearances on national television, including one very notable segment with Conan O'Brien where he managed to get Conan to eat a cigar and dirt while explaining wine flavors.
When I received "Crush It!" via UPS on my front porch, I was a little dismayed that it wasn't thicker (i.e. more pages). My concern was soon allayed as I waded in and started reading.
Much like watching Gary speak, this book has an energetic tone that you don't find in most business-related books. In fact, I'm not sure if I would categorize this strictly as business. It's a morale builder.
In essence, the thesis of Gary's book is this: It takes a LOT of hard work to make a LOT of money. With that in mind, why not work doing something you really are passionate about?
Gary also emphasizes the importance of loving your family above the work, which I certainly appreciate as a father of four and husband of nearly 17 years.
Upon finishing, I was happy to conclude/realize that in many ways I have already been on the right track with my social media efforts over the past couple of years, although reading this book and a few others has led me to start working on a couple of outside projects/sites, too. My guess is that this book will have a tremendous impact on people who are languishing in jobs they hate.
The book is a relatively quick read, and you will find the story to be a compelling one. Raised in New York in a Russian immigrant family, Gary's tale is a modern, web-based version of the American Dream.
Thanks for channeling your passion into this book, Gary. I hope to crush it myself starting....now.
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If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!
Sounds like he's on to something. Thanks for the review Jason!
What were the other books you picked up, Jason? :)
I think the author made a mistake on the name...he should have named it Crouch It.
Gary Vee is definitely someone to emulate in social media. His book is on my list for December.
Oh I can't wait to read it!!! Thank you
Tom Ferry recently posted a video of Gary speaking at his recent seminar - great stuff and worth visiting Tom's website to view it!
I like the review Jason - definitely makes me want to read it! And i definitely like the premise - that it is hard work - so you might as well be doing something you feel passionate about! :-)
Jason, thanks for the review, I am going to get this book as a stocking gift.
Jason,
Thanks for the review. I am going to see about getting Gary's book since we all want to Crush It!
Since no one buying my Christmas gifts will read this post, I'll have to leave Santa a note or buy it myself. Sounds like a great book - thanks for the review and recommendation. Will check out Gary on Twitter also! 850K+ followers -- amazing!
Nice! Jason, when do you sell real estate with all that you do!? You're amazing!
Don - Thanks for saying that. It's a great question. I'm not sure, but this has been a great year for my business. Hoping for a phenomenal 2010!
I will stop by again to see what else you are reading. I think it is important to find something that you love to do first and then figure out how to make money at it.
Jason...
This looks like a worthwhile read that I'll definitely check out!
Jim - If I weren't afraid of being accused of copyright infringement, maybe I would name MY book Crouch It! :)
Candice - The Digital Handshake by Paul Chaney, Twitterville by Shel Israel (I have had the pleasure of meeting both of the authors), along with Groundswell & Socialnomics. I recently reviewed "Trust Agents" here on this blog.
It is a great book. Basic message...work your TUSH off (I filtered this for the children, LOL)
Trust Agents is also good and I'm a fan of Socialnomic's too.
I heard this was a great book... Tom Ferry also recommended this book too. I have been meaning to buy it... thanks for the reminder!
Great theme Jason, Hard work + Passion = Success. Thanks for your review.
IMHO, an "engaging personality" is what will gain the greatest following. Enthusiasm is contagious. People will feel drawn in and want to be a part of whatever is happening =)
Jason I need to read a book and this sure souns like a useful one. Will try to find it.
I like what Jim said - Crouch it! Congrats on your continued success:) Thanks for sharing the book with us...
The book sounds like it has some sound advice. I like the premise it starts off with. Lots of hard work can lead to making money. So many authors try to convince you that you can get rich by doing almost nothing except investing in their scheme.
Jason, You are right about video being where it is at today! Most folks are not using this form of media to the fullest marketing potential...
Helping you live your American dream...
I Loved the book. . .it summarizes. . work your passion or you are wasting your life.
Jason,
This sounds like a very interesting read and I will have to go out and pick it up. Thank you sir.
I like this one! I'll have to check it out and recommend it for our office book club. Thanks Jason!
I knew I saw him on Ellen! Now I definitely have to get this book! Thanks again Jason!
I figured out the way to success was not to fumble, stumble, slide and grope...so this it. I will check this out. Thanks.
This is why I love AR! Lots of great information and suggestions at our fingertips...thanks for posting, Jason!
Jason,
I'm sorry but this book can't be that good - you say it is the Internet version of the American Dream - well how is that possible when you summarize it by saying, "It takes a LOT of hard work to make a LOT of money. "
Here in 2009 The America I see everyday is the Land of Entitlement. What about those Internet millionaires that open a Click-Bank site and sell everyone else's product and make millions with a few email blasts? Isn't that the true American Dream?
OK, sorry, I almost started a rant - too early for this but I hope you can see how this definately goes against the rub of society today...which is why I want to read it...thanks,
John
You know, I've been letting my reading slide due to time pressures. But it is so important. thanks for giving me a great read to look forward to.
Doing what you love is the way to a rich and satisfying life ... and it sounds like you have stumbled onto it over time by obviously doing what you love.
Thanks for the review ... I'll be reading this book.
I think you've helped sell a lot of these books. I'm buying!
Thanks for all of your terrific comments. As further evidence of why Gary is a rock star when it comes to engagement, I offer this: Yesterday was Gary's birthday, and I sent him a brief email with a link to this post while wishing him a happy day. He actually took the time to write back to me, saying simply, "Thank you so so so much." The guy amazes me.
Thanks for the heads on on a great sounding book! It amazes me how you have time to read!
Hi Jason,
Thanks for the review on the book, sounds like excellent reading and I'm definitely a believer in working at something you love!
Thanks for the link to his video wine blog.
I guess that dispels the theory that videos need to be very short and to the point and professionally done. His video was over 12 minutes long. He only covered two wines. He sat there spitting perfectly good wine into his spit bucket. He talked about non-wine things I could really care less about.
I guess the take home point I got was that if this guy, with these videos, can make a ton of money, then anything is possible. I'm going to get the book. Thanks for writing about it.
Sounds like a good read. Thanks for the tip.
That's funny dude... I just ordered this book on Wednesday of last week. Another person, whom I met from Social Media, also highly recommended it. I'm jacked to read it.
Thanks for the book review, Jason. I've watched many of Gary's wine reviews on his website - always entertaining!
Mike
Jason, thanks for the blog, I'll order this book today. I'm always interested in learning how others succeed, hoping that some of that rubs off on me!
Ty
That looks like a good book. There is so much to learn out there and so little time to learn it.
Passion is the key to success, without it there is no meaning...
Jason,
I'm off to Barnes & Noble this evening and "Crush It" is now on my list! As a former teacher, I'm looking forward to your next book report!
Or a list of your "loved", non-fiction books would be helpful!!!
Kathy Opatka, Full-Fledged Bookworm
Jason, thanks for the book review! I'm heading to the book store. I'm always looking for inspiration to share in my classes.
Thanks for posting. Would be interested in what he says about social media, and about wine. Sounds like a fascinating read both for bloggers and oenophiles.
I like a book that is a quick read and you can enjoy while learning. Thanks for your review and I'll be looking forward to hearing about the other books.
Jason: It is interesting how different things affect different people... differently. For me... if I was wandering through a bookstore... and saw a book with the title CRUSH IT ! and it was displayed like this one is... it is something I would NEVER had picked up and even looked at. It's just me.
Headed over to Amazon right now!
Thanks for the heads up. Now I just have to find the time to read!
Thanks - it's always good to know which books are worth a read and which are not.
Jason - I've been doing the same thing, reading books by Social Media Stars and am in the middle of Trust Agents by Chris Brogan. I appreciate reading your reviews so I can choose my next selections :) Thank you,
Monica
Thanks for the review, can't wait to read it. Always looking for info to get where I invision myself.
... ha this is great ... my wife handed me this book last week !!!! ... now I'll go back and read it :o)
I've been looking for a book to read. Thanks for the recommendation.
Book, schmook... get the vook.
Really. Gary is a bundle of energy and ideas. His book is great but his vook (video book, available as a web version or an iPhone app) is even better.
Check it out at vook.com.
That explains some of the twittering concerning Crush It that was a bit of a mystery to me. Now I know and I think I had better get up to speed. Maybe it would make good Christmas gifts for all of my budding entrepenuers.
Jason - good suggestion. I'll add it to my list of books to check! I appreciate good recommendations like this.
Great review. I will add it to the list. I've heard of this guy, but I've never read the book.
I will have to get the book and read it while I am sipping a glass of good vino.
John Juarez, REALTOR
Windermere Properties of the East Bay
John@CarlMedford.com
510-673-0686
Hi Jason - I like what I'm hearing on your post from your commenters. Passion and enthusiasm. 2 Thumbs up.
Even Gary's line: "I figured out the way to success was not to fumble, stumble, slide and grope" could be turned into a positive - sometimes we have to fumble, stumble and slide to get to first base.
The groping could also be used to get to first base, or is that second base, but probably not good for business.
I jus heard someone else mention his book... I'll have to find a copy now for sure. :) Sounds to me like he's got the formula down to a science.
Jason,
You know what a big GV fan and supporter I am! Thx for the review!
TF
Thanks for the referral on the book. I'll be checking it out and even more, his web presence.
Thank you for the recommendation Jason.
With social media becoming a staple in our everyday lives, I'm heading on over to Amazon right now to check out Gary's book.
Hey Jason - Just got the book from Jon while at NAR San Diego, looking forward to some quiet time soon so I can read it. :-)
I'm about half way through and he has some great nuggets of widsom!
Thanks, Jason. I had not heard of the book, or seen him on Twitter. I did see him on TV once (cannot even recall what show it was) where he was talking about eating cereal and wine together. He is an interesting personality! :-)
This book sounds great! I'm going to order it. And I completely share the philosophy which basically is "Do what you love and the money will follow." Just make sure there is a lot of hard work with it.
Passion for what you do can take you a very long way in any business and he clearly proved that. Now as for book reviews and homeschooling? I'm telling you it works great and it encourages your kids to read more and more because they want to be accepted.
Thanks for the Tip on "Crush It". I'm going to run out and pick up a copy tomorrow. Thanks again!
i say a video he did about a yr ago....i dont remember the details but u will get the idea:
he ran radio, billboard and twiter ads...same ad tha said something about buy a case of wine get one free....that is not the point
the point is the radio and billboard cost him thousands of dollars and twitter NOTHING and he made more money from twitter thant the other 2 combined