06/05/2006
A few weeks ago Katya Andresen asked if I would review her new book
Robin Hood Marketing,
Stealing Corporate Savvy to Sell Just Causes.
My past experience included working with non profits and working for a non profit and title was intriguing .. so I said, "Send it along." A few days later the book arrived wrapped in a bright yellow jacket shot through with red lines that reminded me of the sun's rays.
Rather than write a formal review I thought I'd post my notes to self which may give you an even better insight into the book.
- Forward begins with a divash quote, "It's about changing the world .. wearing shoes."
- Writing style personal, warm & inviting
- Great quote: "Can brotherhood be sold like soap?" Gerhart Wiebe early 1950s. (page 6)
- Cause marketing is a business
- Non profits are not just about doing good; it takes persuasion not scolding (see page 4)to entice volunteers, donors, other stakeholders to embarce the cause.
- You must give people a reason to buy-in that fits their lives and belief structures not yours.
- Should be required reading not just for non profit marketers but anyone with an interest or responsibility in marketing
- It was with this quote that I knew Katya got it for all marketers not just non profits. - "Marketing is not a
scientific system as much as a messy, living breathing process. With
neglect it shrivels and fades. But with consistent care and attentionit
grows and thrives." (page 58)
- Katya brings a fresh understanding of marketing clocked within sensitivities and concerns of non profits
- It will become a classic for non profit marketers
- Well researched with lots of examples and specific stories
- Smart integrating big brand for profit examples to illustrate points e.g. using Kimberly-Clark to demonstrate how niche marketing can be use. (page 93)
- 2-way communications and building relationships - "At the end of the day the personal connection, not the grand concept, grabs our attention." (page 138)
- Why are not more non profits building blogs.blogs.blogs???
- Chapter 7 - Sharpening the Arrow's Point - how to tell a good story. Profits pay attention. (Page 163)
- Reads almost like a series of short stories and the bulleted format makes for a quick, easy read.
- Last chapter seems to end the book abruptly. Would have liked a conclusion from Katya rather than closing with an interview .. with another person's words and thoughts.
Publisher, Wiley, will provide a free evaluation copy. However, you must be an instructor at an accredited high school, vocational career center, community college, or university and be considering this title for use in your class in order to be eligible to receive an evaluation copy.
The End Story: Katya and I exchanged a few emails had a great conversation and we're in the process of building an author blog to support Robin Hood Marketing and to build the Katya Andresen brand. Stay tuned.
Sidebar: There are no affiliate links on this post.
Technorati Tags: Nonprofit_, Marketing, Robin_Hood_Marketing, Katya_Andresen, Book_Review
03/30/2006
Andy Wibbels' new Blogwild packs a big punch in a small package. Andy sent me a pre pub copy and I think the size - about 7"x5" - is what will go on the shelves. Great for throwing into your briefcase and reading when you travel.
Blogwild is an easy, almost bullet point read, that hits the basics of blogging 101. The book is actually two books for the price of one. In the first section Andy goes from the who-what-where-why of business blogs to how to create and how to promote your work (Yes Divas, although fun in the sun, biz blogging is work..but that's a post for another day!).
The second part is a primer on how to use one of the most popular blogging platforms - TypePad. Sure TypePad has a help page and tech support, but truth be told, it's so much easier to read how to do it in one place. Blogwild helps simplify the process.
Through out the book there are short quick examples to illustrate the concepts and a bonus resource web page that provides great information.
Oh, who is this dude Andy Wibbels you may ask? One of the first guys in the blog space who helped hundereds of small businesses go BLOG WILD! And in the spirit of full disclosure and bloggy friendship and kindness - the first person to ask me to do a podcast on blogs.
Technorati Tags: Blog_Wild, Andy_Wibbels, Business_Blog_Book,
02/20/2006
Poet'slife: A Z-list Blog posted, what sure appears to be, all of the links from Naked Conversations. Nice resource to have if you want to explore any of the hundreds of blogs mentioned in Robert and Shel's book on business blogs.
Sidebar: In true blogger disclosure fashion I'm highlighted in Chapter 6 -Consultants Who Get It.
12/14/2005
Chapter 1 of The Virtual Handshake begins with the quote:
The biggest mistake is believing that there is one right way to listen, to talk, to have a conversation - or a relationship. Deborah Tannen You Just Don't Understand: Women And Men In Conversation.
Good advice for any type of relationship. In this book authors David Teten and Scott Allen have explored that premise within the business arena. The Virtual Handshake discusses the tangible benefits of cultivating online communication channels to build 21st networking connections. Not possible you say? Think again.
Although I've worked on virtual teams for over 7-years, if you told me 12-months ago that some of my best friends and most exciting business projects would happen from relationships made through a blog...well, girlfriend, I'd thought you would have had too many appletinis!
Teten and Allen understand the differences and challenges of virtual communication. "The key disadvantages of remote communications is that it may be harder to identify nonverbal signals: sarcasm, emotion, jokes, etc. The absence of those subtleties sometimes leads to miscommunication in a way that occurs less often when people are speaking."
They also understand the power behind the technology that can build a more successful network resulting in opening doors and closing deals. Tangible results. An easy read that is filled with practical how-to lists. Great holiday gift <wink>
Sidebar: Authors sent me the book for review.
Technorati Tags: The_Virtual_Handshake, David_Teten, Scott_Allen
10/27/2005
Diva speechwriter Jane Genova posted an interesting interview with David Kline the co-author of the book Blog. Jane's interview style is as smart and insightful as her blog posts!
11/16/2004
A few quick thought "finds" -
A must if you're in the job search mode! - Heard it from: Kraneland
Richard Eldeman's blog, Speak-up, is one of the best examples of c-level blogs. R.E. is the president and CEO of Eldeman, billed as the world's largest independent PR firm. My question...why only 13 subscribers? Is Bloglines off or is Mr. Eldeman keeping this a secret?
The audio from Paul's (Radiant Marketing,) interview from Easy Bake Blogs is posted. Nice overview on blogging basics and good tips on promotions and valuable comments from listeners. Since it's an audio you can multi task as you listen and learn!
10/29/2004
There’s a new diva detective on the block…meet sassy Cece Caruso! Cece is West Hollywood cool with the street smarts of a New Jersey Stephanie Plum. In I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason Susan Kandel has crafted a new heroine that is funny, smart and with a panache for vintage clothes.
By trade Cece is a biographer of mystery writers. In I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason, her latest assignment is writting a book about the life of Erle Stanley Gardner, creator of the dashing, never-loose-a-case attorney Perry Mason. Cece’s got the Perry Mason stuff down but capturing the essence of Gardner eludes her. In her research Cece discovers a misfiled letter written by a convicted murder that could help her uncover Gardner’s true personality.
Part of Cece’s charm is that she doesn’t take herself seriously. Her humor is delightful. Cece on why vintage clothes only come in sizes four and six: “Throughout history, voluptuous girls like myself tended to be ravished by impatient mates, their dresses shed in the heat of passion while our petite counterparts, being inherently less desirable, had ample time to hang up their garments, neatly thus preserving them for posterity on eBay.”
The plot has it share of roller coaster twists and turns...add a glamorous, aging movie star with fabulous clothes, her handsome son with a troubled past, a sexy past lover who is a police detective and you’ve a new diva detective series…with style and attitude.
More fun with diva detectives in the Nancy Drew Guide To Life. Hmm..must remember this advice - “Don’t force your date to go to a ballet or other activity that may not be to his liking if he was knocked unconscious earlier in the day.” From The Double Jinx Mystery
Stealing Corporate Savvy to Sell Just Causes. 
