This I Know: Marketing Lessons from Under the Influence - Terry O'Reilly

We are all trying to sell something; at a job interview, a client meeting, on a date or online to friends and followers.  We all have a story to tell and an urge to have it heard.  Like it or not marketing plays a big role in getting our story listen to.  So how does one get heard in this age of persuasion? 

To do anything well takes practice and research and Terry O'Reilly's book is a look into the life of a Marketer who has done both.  His lessons are humours, revealing and he tells them with excellent storytelling skills that make them stick so well.  He also relates them not only to the business but to everyday life.

Yes this book is a must read for anyone starting a business, running a business, looking for a job or working, which pretty much covers everyone.  So if you are curious to learn more about human nature and the art of storytelling, have a read.  

My favourite quotes and parts:

1. Chapter 4 Bieber In A Blender (pg 51-52), The Allen, Brady & Marsh's ad pitch to British Rail, so good!!
2. Unless you have big ambitions, you'll only have small outcomes, so true.  
3. Companies look to sell products, and customers look to buy solutions.  
4. Chapter 7 Start With The End, on the important of presentation skills.  
5. Telling a compelling story that is rooted in your product is the most persuasive way of converting potential customers into paying customers.  
6. Marketing is theatre.  

I will not lie I am a big fan of Terry O'Reilly, love his CBC shows and his first book, Age of Persuasion, I highly recommend them all.  

Make Your Idea Matter - Bernadette Jiwa

Make Your Idea Matter, written by Bernadette Jiwa of thestoryoftelling.com, is a nice quick inspirational read for all entrepreneurs.  Each page is a stand alone point easily digestible.  Yes some points you might already know but if you are a entrepreneur, which can be lonely at times, some reassurance is nice to hear.  My favourite quote:

"The bad news is, it’s all been done before. The good news is, it doesn’t matter, because it hasn’t been done by you.....  What makes anything you do unique is your voice. The story that only you can tell, from a perspective that nobody else can have."

So if you are looking for some insights into branding, marketing, how to pitch your business, the importance of a mission statement or just looking for some business inspiration have a read.

Bernadette Jiwa's Blog: thestoryoftelling.com/blog (Also a good read)

Steal Like An Artist - Austin Kleon

Finished reading  Austin Kleon's Steal Like An Artist, here are a few of the many things that really resonated with me:

1. Fake it until you make it.
2. Practice productive procrastination.
3. When you open up your process and invite people in you learn more.
4. When you are unknown you have freedom to experiment.   You will never get that freedom again once people start paying you money for doing what you do.
5. Be nice the world is a small town.
6. Create an analog and digital workstation.
7. Use a logbook everyday.
8. Nothing is more paralyzing than limitedless possibilities, the way to get over this creative block put some constraints on yourself.  

Who is this book for?  Everyone.  

Some of the advice you will already know yes, but it is so nice to hear it reaffirmed.  Some advice will blow your mind and some you might not fully appreciate at this stage in your career / life / journey.   Regardless you will be better off after this quick and enlightening read, I am.