Today, I figured I would help some friends by promoting their personal brands, books and events. What a lot of people don’t realize is that the #1 reason to have a blog is the ability to freely promote other people. When people start understanding and executing on that simple concept, then the world will be a better place and you will network like a superstar. On Monday, the 28th of this month, you will be able to download a free sample of the next issue of Personal Branding Magazine, which means issue 4’s sample will be gone forever. I hope everyone has a good weekend and I look forward to sharing more ideas and running a contest next week. More details to come.
Learn word-of-mouth marketing
My friend and WOM guru Andy Sernovitz is hosting a small-group word of mouth marketing seminar. Usually he only does private training for companies at a very large price, so this is a rare chance for 50 people to get the best introduction to word of mouth that there is. Personal Branding Blog readers receive a $250 discount using the blog code “thisblogisawesome” when you register. You will learn the 5-steps of WOM, construct an action plan, hear case studies, translate WOM into ROI, participate and share.
Personal brand’s of the moment
Philip Kotler has written several marketing books that you should purchase immediately. As someone interested in personal branding, I highly recommend Marketing Management, Principles of Marketing for non-marketers/beginners, and High Visibility, is all about how to become a celebrity brand. These books will give you a great introductory to marketing, so you’ll be able to apply much of what you learn on this blog to yourself. Remember that everyone in the world needs to have a firm understanding of marketing because we are always selling.
David Pogue has written several technology books that are necessary for building your personal brand. Aside from his iPhone book being extremely relevant to the growing mobile culture, he has written books on the many Microsoft Windows operating systems (and Mac). David is the personal-technology columnist for the New York Times. David is also an Emmy award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News and a frequent guest on NPR’s “Morning Edition.” His trademark comic tech videos appear each Thursday morning on CNBC.
Patrick Lencioni is one of the great management leaders of our time. Pat‘s passion for
organizations and teams is reflected in his writing, speaking, and consulting. Lencioni is the author of six best-selling books with over 2.5 million copies sold. After several years in print, his book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team continues to be a fixture on national best-seller lists. His latest work, The Three Signs of a Miserable Job (2007), became an instant best-seller in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and BusinessWeek. He is the founder and president of The Table Group, Inc., a specialized management-consulting firm focused on organizational health. 
Book recommendations
The Illusions of Entrepreneurship is for anyone interested in turning their personal brand into an entrepreneurship “force of nature.” Scott Shane, a professor at Case Western and one of the voices attached to the Small Business Trends blog, and is the master of many business books. He will teach you the reality of entrepreneurship and break down the various myths that have surrounded it. If you ever dreamed about starting a business, but are clueless, this is a great starting point for your brand.
The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is a book by Mike Michalowicz, who started his first business at the age of 24 (my age). His book is spectacular because he tells you exactly how to start a company from his experiences, using the least resources imaginable to make the largest impact. After reading this book, you’ll see that there are simply no excuses why you can’t build your own company today. Whether you’re just starting out or have been at it for years, the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur’s “get real”, actionable approach to business is a much-needed swift kick in the pants. Join their Facebook group, headed by none other than Scott Bradley.
GenderTalk Works is written by Connie Glaser, who is the country’s leading expert on gender communication and women’s leadership issues. She has a nationally syndicated column, which appears in dozens of publications across the country and has been featured on The Today Show, Fox News, CNN and more. This book gives practical advice for bridging the gender gap at work and promoting a more inclusive environment. In today’s working and marketplace environment, GenderTalk Works will definitely promote greater understanding between men and women.
Harmonious Day is a Self-Leading Spiritual Approach for Maintaining Balance and Harmony in Your Life, and Reaching Your Highest Perfection. This book is written by Reverand Jay Speights, who also blogs and writes various columns, one on the The Washington Times and the other is on United Press Internationals ReligionAndSpirituality.com. He provides spiritual coaching for people from all walks of life. In his coaching he uses a multi-faith approach along with meditation, movement, and creative visualization.
