 Just because it's not rocket science doesn't mean it's not important |
| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Daniel, Ottawa, ON Canada |
| The most important takeaway I found in the first read through is that honesty always wins in an established market that's playing by an old set of rules. Gary clearly lays out a plan to use the best tools available to succeed in your own space. There are no shortcuts, but Gary provides the map. |
Start living your passion
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Sean Ryan, New York, USA |
| Gary Vaynerhuk is one of the most inspiring people anyone will ever cross. Definitely attend a signing if you can, and make sure you read this entire book. This book helps anyone who might find themselves even 1% unhappy with their work life. They are sure to be inspired to jump into, and be a part of the Web 2.0 movement. Learn how to harness the power of the internet with this book, and realize how to work based off of your passion from Gary Vaynerchuk, one of the most successful entrepreneurs ever. |
Ready to Crush It!
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| Review Date: October 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jordan Rounds, San Diego, CA |
| Gary's book has really got me pumped. I knew what I was wanting to do and now I feel like I have just been procrastinating. I have found way too many excuses as to why I have not done what I have always wanted to do. I no longer have those excuses. There is really no reason anyone can not take the steps to execute their dream. It is obvious that it will take a lot of work and it should. I have thrown ideas around for years about what I really want to be doing. Everyone has a passion, and with that passion comes happiness. After reading this book I just feel pumped and ready to be doing my passion for a living. I will be recommending this book to everyone, and I will be giving it as gifts to many. |
Learn to Crush It in Just a Few Hours
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| Review Date: October 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Shawn Collins, Berkeley Heights, NJ |
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RHXT3UE7222BI I really enjoyed Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion. It's a quick read of a little less than 150 pages. Typically, I'll take a while to read a book, because I sneak in 5 pages here and there, but I liked this so much that I knocked it out in a day.
Crush It! is a sort of inspirational/business read and Gary Vaynerchuk goes through the steps to turn your passion into a successful business.
I could see this book being a catalyst for lots of people that hate what they're doing, but just don't have clarity about what they could be doing.
In addition to the chapters in the book, I thought it was cool that Gary included "Five Ideas I Won't Get to -- They're Yours" as Appendix B. One that sticks out to me is an idea Gary mentioned back in January 2008 at Affiliate Summit - a scrappy, homemade version of ESPN SportsCenter online. |
Why to buy Crush It!
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Josh Humbert, Tahiti |
| Whether you're selling Tahitian Pearls or trying to start a rock band, this book will bring clarity to what you're doing. Gary is a visionary in the new world of communication that we live in and has broken down the steps of his enormous success and shared them in this great book. |
I'll keep this brief and to the point
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| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Rick Yaeger, |
The branding, marketing and customer service games have changed. The old ways won't cut it anymore. The "conversation" that was talked about in The Cluetrain Manifesto is now bigger and more powerful than ever. You either listen to, contribute to, react to and help influence that conversation or you and your business will be ignored out of existence.
Scared?
Good.
Get "Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion" and learn more about the best practices in the new game--social media and personal brand! |
Crush It - Passionate and Authentic
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| Review Date: October 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Mike Rohrig, Portland, OR |
A fantastic book that will have you wanting to jump on your passion in the first 15 pages. That's what happened to me. It is easy to get behind Gary. He comes across as a genuine and authentic. Contrary to other authors who want to lead you to their site or offer by putting in little codes and such, Gary more than once writes, "if you want to know more about X, email me."
I did and he answered. He loves people and you will most likely love him because you will be energized by this book.
Work is what you do when you don't follow your passion. Life is what you live when you do. He gives you the best gift anyone can get - hope. He gives you hope through his story of how he used the tools that allowed him to live his passion.
150 pages may seem like few but I believe the best books are short. No fluff, just filler.
Buy it. |
AWESOME!!
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| Review Date: October 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Thomas Moore, Las Vegas, NV |
| I really enjoyed this book. Ton's of information but short and to the point. Life is too busy to read bloated books these days and this one really cuts the fat. A true Fillet Mignon here and you will be salivating to get your hustle on. This book is for everyone!! |
Gary Vaynerchuk reveals how to Crush It!
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| Review Date: October 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Christopher Abraham, |
Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk is for sure written by a motivational speaker; however, it was also written by a phenomenally-successful self-made businessman and social media maven. Rare is the motivational business book with an actual flight plan and pre-flight check list.
The book was written by dictation, is very spoken-word and accessible, and ends up mixing cocksuredness with earnestness in such a way that is very appealing.
What makes this potentially hubristic book work is that Gary throws open all the windows, doors, closets, and cabinets in his life and his business, revealing his entire coming up, his relationship with business, his passion for sports and for finding unfulfilled markets and fulfilling them.
What is revealed is that there is no overnight superstars and you cannot make money fast and that the real world doesn't goIPO 18-months after launch. He reveals that you need to roll up your sleeves and go for the long haul and in reward you'll probably be able to make fifty-grand for all your hard work -- but, doing what you love and what pops you up first light and puts you to bed just before dawn.
[...]. Even though this book will motivate you to ignite your passion, here's some insight into some of topics based on chapter titles: 1: Passion is Everything, 2: Success is in Your DNA, 3: Build Your Personal Brand, 4: A Whole New World, 5: Create Great Content, 6: Choose Your Platform, 7: Keep it Real ... Very Real, 8: Create Community: Digging Your Internet Trench, 9: The Best Marketing Strategy Ever, 10: Make the World Listen, 11: Start Monetizing, 12: Roll with It, 13: Legacy is Greater Than Currency, Conclusion: The Time is Now, the Message is Forever, Appendix A: Did You Forget Anything?, Appendix B: Five Business Ideas I Won't Get to -- They're Yours.
The book starts with three rules that set the tone and are echoed again and again throughout the book: Love you family, work superhard (sic), and live your passion.
What Gary offers in very casual, spoken, everyman prose is the answers to how to channel your passion, what real hustle looks like, how to attract advertisers, why building a personal brand through social media is crucial, why your business should be build on your personal brand, how social networking can find your next financial opportunity, how companies should use social networks to share their story and brand, how to build legacy -- worth more than money -- to build a successful brand.
One thing I found interesting -- and unique -- in a motivational business book is that Vaynerchuk spent the entire book insisting on a long-game. He tends to offer the sort of advice my grandfather might offer: take care of your family and make sure your family and you are happy, through hard work and through devoting your life to your career and your business -- build it up and keep working your entire life, if that's what it takes.
Do not buy the house in order to flip it, buy the house to live in it, restore it, and give it to your children.
This is sobering advice from someone who often sounds like he's trying to get us rich quick. In other words, I am amazed and impressed by this moral motivational treatise that is actually antithetical to most modern passion-fueled motivational business books.
The book is almost entirely self-centered. The brands of Gary Vaynerchuk, WineLibraryTV, Wine Library NJ, VaynerMedia and the Vaynerchuk family are the source of all of the narratives, which is fine because that's what Gary knows and what Mark Twain recommends, "write what you know." I know that while I couldn't help but see this self-made man and think about that hackneyed NYC joke,
Q: How do you make 50-million dollars?
A: Start with 5-million dollars
When Gary tells of how he turned his father's $5M liquor store into a $50M wine super-store, but even these contradictions don't work against the narrative and good advice because theVaynerchuks are a very tight clan and Gary was there all the way from the beginning and the beginning includes emigrating from Belarus in 1979 as a family, immigrating to Queens with nothing, his dad take a job as a stock boy in a liquor store, and then buying the store, buying another store, building a business, and passing his DNA of work and family to his son, Gary.
This really is an American rags-to-riches story and Gary is a rare bird for exposing himself so completely and sharing his successes and challenges with a great deal of earnestness.
I must admit that I am not a wine connoisseur so I never cottoned to watching Gary Vaynerchuk (@garyvee) every week on his WineLibraryTV video blog. Shame on me because I really never got to know "Gary Vee" until I heard him speak at the end of August at the Gravity Summit in Boston at Harvard. It was then when I asked him for a preview of his upcoming book, Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion.
I was inspired by his talk ([...]). Gary motivated and delighted me with his passion and old-world advice: love your family, work hard, and follow your passion. If you like his keynote and you feel his passion and if you feel your heart race a little just thinking about dumping your current job and crushing it through passion, blood, and sweat, this book's for you.
If you don't end up falling in love with Gary, though, this might not be the book for you.
This is a very personal book that will help break everything down for you. He doesn't just tell you that you can do it, Gary actually breaks down his entire brand, all the successes he has had, and all of the processes and habits and hard work he does -- [...]-- and tell the reader which social networks to use, which video-sharing sites (he likes Viddler because the signal to noise ration is better), and the kind of detail people will find rewarding such as how to monetize, how to find sponsors and advertising dollars, and how it is essential not to obsess about traditional media metrics, analytics, and web site hits -- to think longer-term -- not how many people visit but who.
Gary saves a gift for the end Crush It! Appendix A offers what I like to call a "pre-flight check-list" wherein he creates a list (a wine-reduction, if you will) of all the steps that you should go through and check off -- 21 steps you really should take on your way towards building your own personal brand.
Hell, the book is wee -- only 137 pages -- and I read it in one-hour at the gym on the machines. Was it worth my hour? Well, for $[...] on Amazon it's a no-brainer. Even for the $[...] listed on the dust jacket and what you'll pay at your local bookstore, it still will get your juices going and I am told that these days anything that can get your juices going in this economy is priceless. |
If you have passion for ANYTHING, you need this book
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| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Catherine Bleu, |
The first couple chapters were a little uneventful, but just because it was all back story on Gary, and his life (I've been watching his show @ winelibrary.tv for a while now). This book lays out, step by step, how to build a community and monetize your personal brand.
The most valuable thing I learned from this book was how to create a personal brand. It doesn't matter who you are or what you do, you should have a presence online. |
Off the charts with passion
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| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: William Grieve, oregon |
| Ready to take your energy and follow your pasion??? This book is it. Great job Gary V, can't wait til the next book!! |
Crush It Rocks!
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| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Billy Penn, NJ |
| This is a great book to kick people in the pants to live what they love and eventually through hard work, patience and enough passion.....earn money from it. Crush It is well written and has a "from the heart" feel to it. Gary's story is captivating and his ideas are excellent. Many of my friends have read it and were instantly motivated to go out and Crush It!! I am going to read it a few more times to assimilate everything and totally apply it to my niche and then I will totally Crush it!!! Go Gary! Congratulations on your book! See you in Paramus!!! |
How Passion Can Become Profit
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| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Larry Underwood, Scottsdale, AZ |
Gary Vaynerchuk is an exuberent young man with a passion for marketing; this book will inspire anyone who thinks they should be following their dreams, but have done little up to now, to finally "crush it".
In the end, you'll be asking yourself; why didn't I think of this stuff before? The blueprint Vaynerchuk lays out for us, isn't complicated; it just requires dilligence to use the power of the internet to establish your own personal business strategy---your "brand". If you have as much passion and enthusiasm as this guy, you'll probably be successful in your endeavor.
If you feel trapped by a boring job with people you don't like working with, this could be your escape; but you've got to make sure you're willing to put in some hours establishing your brand identity. If you have the desire to succeed and the passion to make it happen, this could be the most significant book you'll ever read. |
How to Crush It!
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| Review Date: October 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Robert Bogetti, Chicago, IL |
Crush It! Is excellent at achieving it's main goal, driving home exactly what it takes to crush it. It's incredibly simple to do but requires passion, hard work, focus, persistence, and authenticity. Follow your passion with as much intensity as possible, be authentic, be real, be honest and sincere. Gary shows you how to use the latest tools in the social media field to create the largest pool of potential customers. He repeats the simple formula throughout the text to reinforce how fundamental it is but also makes it clear that it's not necessarily easy to do or even possible if you are not passionate about your chosen field, if you do not put in the effort, or if you give up too easily. Examples are given to prove how anyone has the potential to crush it, from baseball cards to stickers, real estate, and more. There are lists of websites to visit for using the latest tools and technologies in social media along with his recommendations. Some of the tools mentioned in detail include: WordPress, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, Viddler, and UStream.tv
Keep in mind that this is more of a high level businesss /marketing / motivational text and not a software programming / application manual. You are given general directions on how to use tools but no actual HTML/CSS/XML or scripting code. You are also not given details on how to design banner ads, blog themes, or webcopy / ad copy. For more details and ideas on design you might want to read "ProBlogger" by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett. |
Gary Vaynerchuk is the REAL DEAL
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| Review Date: October 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Eric Worre, |
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RIAV8FJNEGUT6 Here are my thoughts on the value of Gary Vaynerchuk and specifically his new book "Crush It - Why now is the time to cash in on your passion". I hope it helps you.
Eric Worre |
How to crush it, smash it and succeed
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Scott S, Bell, Elk Grove California |
This book is the real deal. Gary has done a absolutely superb job of drawing out his knowledge and explaining it in his straight to the point way. Part autobiography part journey through business beliefs this book will not disappoint.
Gary points out from the beginning that you must find what makes you happy and work form there but first you must love your family because that will make the base of your business. One of the best lines in the book is "It's never a bad time to start a business unless you are starting a mediocre one"(page 7).
The first chapters explains how important it is for you to start thinking of yourself as a brand and then how to look at how your brand will build your future. The steps you take on social networks will not create your success but will help accelerate it. Brand building can take time so you have to be patient.
One of the most important points is the knowledge that you gain today will help give you leverage for the future. This information could be used in stories or reviews.
The future of business is and will be online and will become more interactive as time goes on. The standard business structure of today will transform into partnerships and joint ventures. Information will be dispensed in a social media platform.
It is important to create good content and relevant product but also tell people what is really going on by being transparent.
What I really liked about his book was that it proves that you too with time can use social media to help propel yourself into your own stardom without using old models that wouldd take forever. You can be the king of a niche or a media 2.0 rockstar but it takes time and effort. The great thing for you is that most people never start and if they do most people fall off and quit.
Some people may not like how brash Gary is but you can not get along with everybody.
Overall this book is amazing and will help you with a blueprint to help build your online presence. It is a fast read at 142 pages with no fluff. Pick it up and crush it
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Crush It + Gary Vaynerchuk = The Real Deal
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| Review Date: October 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jeffrey Slobotski, Omaha, NE |
Gary's passion and drive overflows from this excellent quick, but focused, book. After tuning into Vaynerchuk a few years ago, I can honestly say that Gary is the real deal. He practices what he talks about in this book 110% and the energy is contagious.
Some of the key points that people so often miss is that it not only takes passion, but extremely hard work and patience to succeed. In addition to these chariticteristics, being a trasparent and authentic person is what it will take to win in today's game.
His book not only provides the guiding principles, but directs readers to additional resources to start building their own businesses and brands.
Having had the opportunity to get to know Gary more through the Big Omaha event and elsewhere, I must say that Gary's motivation has been instrumental in my, and countless others, who are working on a daily basis to follow their passion, do what they truly love as well as, most importantly, staying true to what really matters in life.
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The book lives up to the hype...
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: D. Davidson, |
| I've met Gary and applied his knowledge to different business verticals from the heavily regulated finance industry to personal brands and can honestly say his model is as robust as they come. As with any business book, I approached the launch of Crush It! with a sense of cautious optimism since I've been let down so many times by other business books. But this title stands alone in a unique class. So long as they are not my competition, I'm reaching out to as many business people, educators, and passionate creatives about this book. Buy a copy for yourself and everyone you care about! |
Gary delivers THE best Marketing strategy ever - CARE!
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| Review Date: October 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jacqueline Bassett, Boston |
Think you can read these 148 pages in an hour or two? Not if you're really getting it. Not if you want to build your own personal brand as it's packed with details that anyone who wants to, can apply to their own endeavor of building a personal brand.
I went right to Chapter 9 because of the title "The Best Marketing Strategy Ever" and because I had to know why the entire Chapter was only 2 pages. Afterall, isn't Marketing the biggest budget in any company? How then can the best be explained in 2 pages?
Actually, the best marketing strategy ever is explained in LESS than two pages. Gary explains it in one word CARE!
You owe it to yourself, literally, to read Gary's book. |
Permission to "Crush It!"
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| Review Date: October 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Don Snyder, Columbus, OH USA |
Author Gary Vaynerchuck has walked-the-walk and earned the right to talk-the-talk in his first business book focused on building your personal brand and personal wealth by following your passion. I always felt a little 'hokey' admitting to the fact that I love what I do, but with Gary Vee giving his permission to "Crush It!" with the same passion he does -- I don't feel like I'm the only weirdo in the room who doesn't really "need" a vacation.
When your work excites and fulfills you -- your vocation IS is a vacation. |
Yes but No
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| Review Date: October 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Lorenzo Araneo, New Jersey |
I love Gary, I love his passion and I think had I read this book prior to knowing Gary virally as many of us have over the past few years I would of loved this book much more but it was missing, it was missing the CRUSH in CRUSH IT. This book I think is great as a lender, buy one buy a few and get them to the people who are not Internet crazy like The Vayner Chuckers are. I have busted Gary a few times about the Audio version of his book and that's what I will wait for because that is how I know Gary. The wacko cursing dirty jersey boy and it doesnt transcend into his book, at least not this first attempt. I think the next book should come with an audio version. Look if someone buys his book and doesnt know him via video etc then the book as wonderful as it can be can never reach the POW Gary gives plus I know Gary thinks Newspapers are on the out, he curses it up a ton at the videos Ive seen so lets follow up with that thought....Audio Book should be a huge push on his part...after all 90% of his followers are more into the Podcasts and Videos over text on a paper...Audio is the way to go and I cant wait for it to come out on Crush It. In the meantime, I bought 3 and will give them to 3 Freelancers who like this kinda stuff but are not much into Social Media so would never hear of Gary under their current Internet ways. All in all, Gary knows what to do and even on his worst day of marketing and passion its better than 90% of most people's best day. Big Blue Forever (suck it GV, lol).
PS I gave this book 5 stars because the content is still great but when you get spoiled by all the GV videos and ustreams, etc the book can never equal the author. |
Gary Delivers
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| Review Date: October 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Phil R. Dunn, Costa Mesa, CA USA |
Just read it on a kindle - half text reading, half listening to that robotic man while riding my bike.
This book offers an excellent recipe for using the evolving social media and publishing tools available. But it's so much more. It inspires by being rational and magical at the same time. Magical? Yes. The magic of the message -- and, by the way, the reason really productive/successful business ventures are so difficult to launch -- is that you must be motivated in a *BIG* way. Go big or go home - whatever slogan you want to use. Many other books delve into this realm, of course, but it's always great to hear new insights and interesting anecdotes from someone who's been through the wars and delivered the goods.
And beneath the SM tools lie some down-home truths that need to be repeated. Gary artfully weaves discussions on integrity, honor and legacy into the mix. Not bad for a city boy!
Crush It is for people already in business that need a push, and it's especially appropriate for those who are in miserable jobs and want to launch their dream businesses. Good for micro businesses and even those who can afford to stumble a little and dabble in "see-if-it-will-stick-to-the-wall" blog forays.
And.. heck what a giver - Gary even throws up some intriguing ideas for businesses that just might work today (if they're your passion, of course!). |
Just bought copies of ALL of my employees + 5 to give away on Twitter
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| Review Date: October 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Dmitry D. Shapiro, San Diego, CA United States |
| If you want to understand how to communicate in the new world, read this book. It is the Red Pill that will show you how far the rabbit hole goes! Bought it for all of my employees and 5 more to give away. - Dmitry Shapiro - CEO of Veoh Networks, Inc. |
A reason to believe in social media
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| Review Date: October 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Cristin Frank, Buffalo, NY |
Crush it! is not just motivational, Gary does not hold back on giving information. Social media is a business strategy for the long hall and Gary tells you exactly how to do it effectively. He also makes no bones about it - this is a process that takes endurance. This book won't live on your bookshelf. It's meant for your desktop.
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Great Advice, Agree to Disagree
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| Review Date: October 26, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jerm N Wong, California, USA |
Right of the bat, Gary tells the reader that you are free to disagree with what he is saying. That said, Gary has some great advice on growing on a niche market with your passion. He outlines it with three rules: Love your family, Work superhard, and Live your passion. It's aimed for entrepreneurs, but I believe this book talks for many people of all professions. Gary shares his own background, and then builds on how to make a brand for yourself and monetizing on it, though if it's all about money for you, then you've picked up the wrong book. It's more about pursuing happiness and launching a business that would allow you to be happy ten years from now. If anyone's read Time Ferris' Four Hour Work Week, some of the concepts are similar, yet Gary touches on how social media and the internet do help business grow.
Gary loves what he is doing and tries to answer everyone, like he said in the book. So I tweeted him that I loved his book, and he tweeted back to me within an hour, suggesting me to write a review. And I did just that. That's just how dedicated Gary really is, and how "real" he is to his audience.
It's an easy, quick read, definitely in one night or less. Gary's words are motivations and very conversational. At times, I heard his voice talking instead of a mindless British person reading. Gary adds an Appendix in the back that includes five ideas that could be a great brand on the internet, but apparently he's so busy, he's giving these ideas to the readers. I definitely felt more inclined to crush it now. |
Practical, Usable and Accessible Advice
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| Review Date: October 31, 2009 |
| Reviewer: David E. Sabol, Allentown, PA USA |
| Gary Vaynerchuk is a case study in what is possible when passion, creativity and persistence combine. I've been a fan of his for a while and had reasonably high expectations for the book. I wasn't expecting the next "definitive" tome in the growing list of social media "must reads" but I was anticipating getting an inside glance of what makes Gary V. who he is - a genuine, engaging and successful entrepreneur. Not only wasn't let down on learning more about the man, I also found his advice to be sincere, practical and relevant - even in the ever changing social media landscape. Two many pundits and so called experts claim to have the silver bullet for social media success, Gary doesn't claim it (which I appreciate) but he does provide a pretty detailed road map on how you can leverage the increasingly popular medium of social media from blogs and video blogs through Twitter and Facebook to establish you/your company as a player in the space. The most resounding theme of the book - and one I totally loved - was his emphasis on hustle. Rome wasn't built in a day and Gary doesn't believe online success can be achieved overnight either. For anyone who is looking for a great book to give you insight into someone who not only "gets it" and has used it to build a successful enterprise, but also a great starting point for "cashing in on your own passion" it's hard to miss with this book. |
Hate your current job? Crush It is here to rescue you!
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| Review Date: November 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Shaun Chapman, Pittsburgh, PA |
Seriously, if you are tired of not enjoying what you do for a living, stop reading this and buy Crush It right now!
There is ABSOLUTELY no reason for anyone work somewhere they hate these days with all of the possibilities the Internet and sites like Twitter and Facebook offer.
This book isn't just about enjoying what you do for a living. It's about enjoying life and making the most out of it. You only live once, after all. Gary shows you how to get out of your current situation and start enjoying life.
This is an honest book. Very honest. It doesn't lie to you and tell you it's easy. It doesn't tell you that it will happen overnight. It does, however, show you that yes it is possible (guaranteed even...if you care about it enough) to make a living doing what you enjoy most and yes, YOU can do it with enough passion and patience.
Buy it for yourself. Read it. I guarantee you'll want to buy it for everybody you care about. |
Crush It is 100% on Target - a "MUST" read!
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| Review Date: October 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: John B. Spence, Gainesville, FL |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3B2E5ANAXFHNQ I read more than 100 business books a year, and have every year since 1989 -- and I feel that "Crush It" is definately worth reading if you want to understand how to build a personal brand on the Internet. Superb! John Spence |
Pure genius, pure Gary
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| Review Date: October 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Noah St John, Ohio |
I've had the privilege of interviewing Gary twice. The first time I heard him speak, I said to myself, "I have no idea what he's talking about, but I know he's right."
Gary's new book plumbs the depths of his remarkably agile mind and gives you a step-by-step blueprint of how to create your own personal brand.
Gary Vee was born to write this book, and it's full of ideas whose times have come.
Do yourself a favor: grab one copy for yourself and one for a friend. It's an easy read filled with do-able information in classic Gary-speak.
Live long and crush it!
~Noah St. John
SuccessClinic [dot] com |
If You Long for Purpose and Are Ready to Go-Beyond a 4-hour Work Week...
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| Review Date: October 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Shawn B. Phillips, Colorado |
As Andy Griffith would say to Opie in many of their father-son dialogues, "You want it straight, right?
"Right Pa."
Here you go, straight. CRUSH IT! Is a Book, and as much as I love books this one too has the same inherent flaw that my last book and all the other millions out there are cursed with. They are books... and that means they don't do it for you.
All books should come with a WARNING: Your Involvement Required!!! Certainly that would be enough to filter out the vast majority of lottery players.
Once you've accepted that this book too is incomplete without you, run and get it. Get it because Gary does something that too few people or books do--he ignites that intangible, brings your heart and possibility to LIFE.
His energy jumps off the pages and awakens that part inside each of us that scares the hell out of us, that YOU ARE Powerful Beyond Measure. And that means all success, all dreams and all that you could ever wish to be, do or have is within your reach should you decide to accept your full Strength and boundless power.
Beyond that, this book has some great information, details on how to execute, but you can find that stuff elsewhere. I have never found that the details are the reason people don't achieve their dreams. With a strong enough reason the "how to" is always uncovered and quickly.
And in this book Gary helps you get out of the way to reveal (not create, for it's in there) your unstoppable why, your passion... your Thunder!
Accept the details but buy this book because it's a piece of a genius, Gary V. and it will get your closer to the Sun.
To Your Life @ Full Strength,
Shawn
author Strength-for-Life, ABSolution
Creator Full Strength Nutrition
[DISCLAIMER:: RE: The 4-hour reference, Gary's take on life and work revolves around finding your passion, following who YOU ARE. From this place there is no work, but rather living your passion and no one would choose to do this only 4 hours a week. And I, like Gary, am eager to do that 80 hours a week. (And yes, I think Tim and his book are brilliant!)] |
A must-read for thriving online
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| Review Date: October 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Erik Marcus, Santa Cruz, CA USA |
Crush It! is a short, smart, and incredibly useful book for anyone who wants to build a thriving online presence.
You know the saying, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach?" This book is an exception to the cliche, since Vaynerchuk has used the Internet to capture the interest and attention of millions of people. In Crush It! he teaches us exactly how he did it.
Vaynerchuk's success can be distilled to two main points: work your butt off, and care like crazy about your audience. He fleshes out this book with all sorts of practical real-world examples about the steps he's taken to build his online empire.
There's no shortage of books in this genre --- the topics covered in Crush It! are being tackled by all sorts of authors right now. But doesn't it make sense to learn your lessons from somebody who is a doer first, and a writer second? I'm a big fan of Vaynerchuk's personal website, where he commonly posts videos about succeeding in the online world. I constantly feel like his insights are six months ahead of what everybody else is thinking.
If online audience building is a game you want to play, you can't afford to pass up reading this book. |
A Must Read
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Phyllis Staines, Jacksonville, Florida USA |
From the moment I picked up the book, I couldn't put it down. Crush-It is a must read and should be on everyone's life plan reading list. Our local book store only had three copies and I bought all three to give my fellow associates who need to memorize Gary's teachings. Gary, if I was a wine drinker I would toast you! Great job.
Phyllis Staines,
Jacksonville, FL |
Follow your passion
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Sean Dawes, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States |
I learned about Gary from one of his keynotes from Inman Conference about a year ago. Been following his wine library shows as well as all of his business videos. Over the past year, he has encouraged many to follow their passion and live versus earning a living.
In this 140 page book, he goes into the background of where he came from for those of us who do not know the whole story and then leads us into how he turned a business into an empire. Giving specific examples on how you can take your business to the next level.
Although dissapointed that it was only 140 pages (I did not want additional pages of fluff but rather the read was so good I found myself wanting more and more of this great content) I enjoyed every page.
Looking forward to another book whenever it comes out. |
Crushing It Daily
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Dino J. Corvino, Wausau, Wi |
Dear Lord...@garyvee is a powerhouse, a workhorse, and a Jet Fan. Okay, so we got that. We have seen him all over the world, talking the talk, walking the walk. It is all right there on the unavoidable surface for Gary. But, you know what, we have seen a ton of jackasses in short sleeves talking about personal brand, social media, and basically trying to pimp the system for what you want to sell. And these idiots somehow think they can dress it up in other things, and it will be better.
The fact is that Gary and his book, like Gary and his company, and Gary and his blog, and Gary and his twitter stream, 100% transparent. He manages to write a book that is clear, concise, focused, and manic in its delivery. This comes from the fact that it is actually a dictated book, not written.
Gary talks about using your passion in ways that matter, in serving yourself...and how going big is never a bad thing. That making the first million is never a bad thing. Gary is this generations Russell Simmons, and I do not say that lightly since Russell Rush changed my life.
Gary is a life changer, a motivational superforce, and the best part, he is not telling you anything you do not already know or think you know. It is all in you, and Gary knows it. He just points it out.
I have bought ten copies of this book, and given all ten away. |
inspired
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Scott Kivowitz, New Jersey |
| I knew that the book was going to be something amazing from the minute I heard about it. The book came in 10/13/09 at 9:30am. I was at work so I couldn't read it but once I got home I started and couldn't put it down. The book is written as though Gary is speaking directly to you. Gary shares details of his family and how he got to where he is today. He shares some of his secrets, tools, methods and ideas to Crush It! I highly recommend picking up a copy of the book! |
Gary Vaynerchuk Crushes It!
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| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Paul Overton, Durham, NC |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1WYR40O3K4PX5 Hey everybody! Paul from dudecraft.com here. Instead of writing a review, I'm uploading the video review from my blog. Love the book. Extremely useful and inspiring. |
Exactly what you need to hear
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| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Billy P. Broas, |
| Gary's book succinctly says what many others in his field are saying: Now is the time to quit the 9-5 and start an online business you are passionate about. I love that he doesn't sugar coat it and straight up tells you that you're gonna have to work your butt off. BUT, since you are doing something you love you won't even feel like you're working. There are only so many waking hours in a day, how do you want to spend them? |
Quick and honest read. Gary is one of my heroes...
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| Review Date: October 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Kevin Gawthrope, Phoenix, AZ |
| It's a quick read, but also a mantra for future reference and inspiration. I read 1/2 the book just last night and it's REALLY good. If you've never heard Gary speak in person or sat through any of his talks on YouTube - then this is a good gathering of all his great points and philosophies - plus some pretty cool stories about his background and childhood. Above all, it's geniune and honest - which is what the whole point of the book is really. |
Quick Powerful Read!!! CRUSHED IT!!!
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| Review Date: October 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: William R. Beck, Florida |
I picked up a copy of CRUSH IT after about two dozen influential friends and mentors suggested it. I figured it would be good but I didn't expect it to be GREAT! It was in fact, a GREAT read filled with potent information. Where a lot of books go on and on with example after example to fill pages. Gary V went to work and brought you the meat and potatoes. Everything you need to succeed in social media is right here. I am looking forward to putting it to work. Heck, Gary has already been to the promised so why not follow his lead? I HIGHLY recommend CRUSH IT!
Even the title is cool! Get it now and prosper! |
You need to read the whole book
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| Review Date: October 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: jeffjaner, Boston MA |
| So - most business books are of the "read the first chapter and last chapter" and that's all you need to get what they're about. Crush It is different. Inspirational from start to finish and the first book I've read that captures the unique opportunity to build and market a business today. Each chapter drives home why you should follow your passion and spells out how to cost-effectively leverage the Internet's long tail. |
Ready for inspiration and motivation? Check this out.
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| Review Date: October 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Andrea R. Caruso, Winter Springs, FL United States |
In Crush It, Gary Vaynerchuk lays out a simple road map for entrepreneurial success. If you're ready to get motivated and stop working to put money in someone else's pocket and work hard to put money in yours, this is a great read.
I picked this book up and read it in less than 24 hours. It is a quick read in which Vaynerchuk's voice, wit and humor shines through.
Don't be fooled - this book will not tell you that it's easy to become an entrepreneur and you can do it overnight. Gary V. didn't build his empire in an evening, and you won't either -- but by following his examples, his wise use of social media and his drive to work hard to succeed, you can start to pave the road to living your passion.
This book doesn't disappoint, though. You leave with a sense that the journey will be difficult, but the end result will be worth it. |
Crush It with passion
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| Review Date: October 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Ingrid Weithers-Barati, California |
| Crush It is a concise supercharged book of information on how to use social networking and the latest technology to build your personal brand. Gary's energy, passion and humor is infused in his message and it comes through on each page. Read this book, get pumped, and Crush It! |
If you do not understand social media you need this!
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| Review Date: November 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jon Zorrer, Linden, NJ |
| This is a great, NO FLUFF book that explains how to use social media. If you have not read it yet what are you waiting for? |
A Must Read for Bloggers
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| Review Date: November 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Lab Clean LLC, Costa Mesa, CA |
| I am new to blogging and did not get an entire understanding of the power of social media. I have been in business for less than 4 years and this book is a must read for anyone who wants some quick easy insight to the power of social media by a proven winner. Thanks Gary for some great insight. |
Now is the time to Read It!
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| Review Date: November 6, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Mary Beth, Santa Cruz, CA |
This is a fun, easy, quick read. And damn entertaining. But don't let that fool you. It's also packed with valuable information that, if used, could change everything about your life.
Like Gary, Crush It, is genuine, intelligent, sometimes brash and always brutally honest. What it never is: apologetic. Gary, in his straight forward, no BS style tells it like it is. He not only details his own journey from obscurity to celebrity, but also makes the case that it's possible for any of us. And, then shows HOW to do it. Imagine that.
Essentially, Gary's supposition is that these unprecedented times translate to huge opportunity for anyone willing to grab it. Instant communication, the thirst for and access to knowledge/information, as well as the fewer than 6 degrees of separation that stand between us, have leveled the playing field, and that field is now ground zero for a whole new game. Gary looks at examples of real life people/companies who are playing this new game and how they are playing it. He analyzes what's worth your time and what's not in the realm of social media. He talks strategy, offers straight-up advice and dissects what's necessary to most effectively navigate this new world. It's all great stuff, but...
this book is not just about social media. The subtext throughout is something much more basic and vastly more personal. Gary's deeper message is this: you can equip yourself with endless social media tools and be savvy enough to use them, but they are of little help if you don't possess passion and the desire to work harder than you ever have to pursue it.
This is not new information. And Gary knows that. What is new, as Gary artfully details, is the ability to channel that passion in this new frontier, to be able to leverage the personal brand you can now build through social media and create a life that you're so excited about, you never want to go to sleep.
The information, the writing style and the message of Crush It! are solid, yet I can see some people reading it and thinking,"Huh? What the hell is this guy talking about?" And, in my opinion, those cases are not a reflection of the quality of content, but rather a reflection of the challenge the book presents to the reader. This book is intelligent, thoughtful and practical, and what will most determine if this book speaks to you, is your mind set when you purchase it. Like anything else, you have to be willing to not only hear what Gary has to say, but to do something about it. This book will not "change your life" if you don't execute. Gary lays down the gauntlet (albeit wrapped in layers of motivation, inspiration & encouragement): Forget where you are now, what you think limits you and what you do/don't know, what matters most is this-are you willing to "work your face off" for your passion? Because THAT is what it is going to take to crush it.
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Crush It! - The Gospel of Self-Branding and Marketing
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| Review Date: November 6, 2009 |
| Reviewer: John Perry, Charlotte, NC USA |
I've been following Gary for a while on Twitter and his blog - this book was highly anticipated - and it certainly didn't disappoint. Gary's theories and methods of social media and viral marketing dominance are well described and easy to follow. This book is not only a blueprint for business success, but you will learn a great deal about general happiness - the theme throughout is a guide to cultivate and live your passions.
Crush It! is the first book I read and reread in a weekend, I couldn't get enough - I bought copies for 20+ of my friends and downloaded an iPhone version so I always have it on hand for reference - I've read well over 100 marketing, sales and self-improvement books over the years and I can honestly say that Crush It! has had more of an impact on me than any others.
Within the last 2 weeks, the Crush It! methods have already contributed to doors opening and revenue increases in my business - and I haven't even scratched the surface of Gary's concepts.
If you're a business owner, Internet marketer, entrepreneur ... if you dream of turning a hobby that you love into your career, don't hesitate to grab this book.
Wishing you all a fantastic time while you Crush It! |
Easy read with simple but powerful ideas.
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| Review Date: November 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jay Owen, St. Augustine, Florida USA |
Gary is a no non-sense kind of guy. His book is easy to read, motivating, and full of great ideas. It really does a great job of explaining the "new frontier" of business and how to position yourself and your ideas to be successful in a social media world. Highly recommended.
[...] |
More Meat, Less Filler
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| Review Date: November 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jen F., San Marcos, CA USA |
| Gary's book provides a great road map for those just starting out in online business and provides motivation for those of us who continue to toil in the trenches. Quick read, but full of information. I love that there isn't 200 extra pages of filler. |
Exactly what the nation needs
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| Review Date: November 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Gretchen Niaki, |
I'm tired of hearing that the world is collapsing because the economy is failing because people aren't spending money because because because... Lets stop that cycle - look inside, instead of at the outer circumstances we face, and evaluate how each one of us can be our best business person. This book inspires one to look critically at what you have to offer, how you can use it and most importantly, is that what you want to do?
This is a fabulous book even if you have no intention of going into business. I love that it makes you really look at who you are being - what do you bring to the table.
My favorite all time quote is "Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you." by Nelson Mandela This book totally speaks that idea.
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You Can 'Crush It' Too.
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| Review Date: November 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Alexander Padilla, |
| The book is an easy read and straight forward guide to getting yourself established in social media. One can feel Gary's personality and energy, as he tells the reader what needs to be done to develop a significant presence in the social media arena. This is not a 'learn the secrets' book. There is no fluff, no jargon, or insider lingo. I am implementing what he recommends and telling others about this informative and important book. |
good book
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| Review Date: March 4, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Ian Eyberg, |
| good book .... kinda tells me everything I already know... also I don't really buy the author's deal on how he was able to do 'all this' by himself .... he inherited a multi-million dollar business and grew it -- he didn't start it from scratch |
Motivational...Inspirational...Life Changing
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: David Damron, Chico,Ca,USA |
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1UE28IQ0TU1HL I loved this book and will be reading it again in a week after I have digested the first read. Amazing! I just started following Gary about 3 weeks ago and my life has changed since. This book just pushed moved into the Gary-Vee-High-School-Crush zone. I am not lying. My mind has been opened by such opportunities.
Thanks Gary for being an awesome motivator.
Dave Damron
LifeExcursion |
Gary Vee Crushes It And You Can Too!
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Darren O'Neill, Chicago, IL |
It's not hard to explain Gary Vaynerchuk, he's energetic, he's passionate and he believes that you should be spending your life doing something you LOVE. This all comes through in "Crush It!" many times over. This book is a must read for anyone who does business or is passionate about anything. Gary will take you through the steps of creating and growing your on-line brand.
It's a fairly quick read, but full of useful information. It was nice to get a little bit more background of Gary and his family as well as the story of how he started in with all the social media the Internet has to offer. I don't think many people would disagree that Gary is one of the top authorities on using the Internet as a way to grow a brand with very little cash. In the Internet age it's all about being passionate, working harder than the next guy and caring about what you do, and "Crush It!" explains just how you translate that into today's landscape.
I'm looking forward to an audio version of this book so I can refresh and remind myself of all the principals and ideas in this book and to keep me motivated. Thanks Gary! |
Inspiration and Hope in Down Times
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| Review Date: October 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Kennel, Terre Haute, IN USA |
Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
Short review: BUY THIS TODAY! It will change your life and those around you. It is inspiring, meaty, challenging, and full of HOPE! Warning: you may lose sleep.
Long review: I just recently discovered who Gary Vaynerchuk is and now have read his book; I absolutely believe that this will be a book you will not forget. It is so inspiring you may want to read it standing up.
Gary Vaynerchuk's own story will fascinate you as you see how he became who he is. Crush it! has simple lessons and simple rules to success in life, but he shoots ideas and inspiration and logic and honesty like a constant stream of gorgeous fireworks. The author's tone feels like a mentor, teammate, cheerleader, boss, parent, best friend, life coach, and guru.
If you've forgotten or left your dreams and passions behind, those thoughts will come flying back to you as you read. He shows you how you can live and work at your PASSION and not just a job. He tells you how to be flexible and change with the times, not just be rigid in your expectations. He shows you how he does it and how you can see the big picture and the end goal and how to get there, even with setbacks, detours, or roadblocks.
You can read this in one quick sitting, but you'll likely go back to reread it and keep jotting down your ideas. This is an energizing book of HOPE, direction, inspiration, instruction, and even a kick in the rear.
Crush It! is a great gift for entrepreneurs, friends, enemies, bosses, former bosses, people out of work, and the president and CEO of your company.
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Crush It and Take Your Personal Brand to New Heights!
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| Review Date: October 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Kristen A. Jacoway, Alabama |
I ordered the new book by Gary Vaynerchuk, "Crush It: Why NOW is the Time to Cash In on Your Passions" and was captivated at page 1. I can't remember the last time when I sat down and read a book from cover to cover in one sitting.
Personal branding is all about finding out what is unique about you that sets you apart from your competition. Part of the personal branding process is finding out your values, your passions, your vision, and your purpose. Gary tells his family's story of how they came to the U.S. and the hardships they faced when they arrived. It is truly an inspirational rags to riches story and explains how social media made such a huge impact on the business.
Gary (@garyvee on Twitter) is so passionate about the wine business and created [...]. He discusses wine in layman's terms and stays true to his brand. He said that he probably loses 12% of his audience that watches his show for the first time because he is so excited and shouts. If you've ever watched him in action, you can't help but to be as passionate about what he discusses. His book reads much the same way-passion, excitement, engaging, and a real page turner! I could almost hear him reading the book as I read it last night.
If you want to understand the importance of passion in developing your personal brand and how social media can play such a large part in getting you recognition for what makes you and your product / services unique, then this is a MUST read for you. Make sure you have about 3-4 hours set aside because I promise you won't want to put this book down! |
Crushed It!
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| Review Date: October 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Gaetan Giannini, Allentown, PA United States |
It was late last year when I first heard about Crush It! (Harper Studio, 2009) I was interviewing author, Gary Vaynerchuk for my book. The Crush It! may not have had its title at that point but he spoke with passion and enthusiasm about the value of authenticity, hustle, and following your DNA. He really believes that someone can follow their passion and live the life of their dreams. I am happy to say that the sharp wit, business savvy, and zeal that I experienced in my conversations with Gary come across in Crush It!
The book is both a motivational speech and a how-to manual for budding Web 2.0 entrepreneurs, and really anyone who wants to take charge of their lives by doing what they love. Despite being a brief 142 pages, he makes his point strongly without wasting a lot of ink. He discusses indentifying a personal passion, and using social media to build a personal brand that will, through hustle and patience, reward the entrepreneur with happiness and cash. (He stresses the former as the primary goal.) Clearly, anyone new to the world of social media will find this book informative, instructive, and easy to read. Those with more experience in the world of Web 2.0 will also find Crush It! worth a look. I suppose I am a great example of the latter, I live the subject and have written a book, keep a successful blog, teach it at the college level, regularly speak to business and professional groups, and use these techniques every day and I have a page of notes that I made while reading this book.
If I have any criticism it is that Gary does not give much time to using traditional media ( I am talking about PR stuff, not advertising) to create the personal brand that stems from the entrepreneur's DNA. He mentions it briefly in Chapter 11, "Start Monetizing," but doesn't give us the depth he could have. He is a master of the traditional media too. He has been mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, on the Today Show, and on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, just to mention a few of his traditional media appearances..
So, whether you're just getting started or have already made a mark for yourself I will say that you will find a pretty strong return on investment for the $[...] you spend on Crush It!
Gaetan Giannini, author of Marketing Public Relations: A Marketer's Approach to Public Relations and Social Media. ([...])
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Now more than ever - a book that motivates YOU
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| Review Date: October 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Brian Boyd, New York, NY |
This book not only motivates but encourages. You don't need to be a wine expert or a geek to recognize the value this book brings. I use points from this book in almost every meeting I lead - whether a sales meeting or an internal employee meeting.
Click now and buy this book - You will see benefits immediately. |
It's all about the passion
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| Review Date: October 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: D. Parmet, Westchester County, NY |
| I'm a long time Vayniak and I'm halfway through this book. Gary nails it when he talks about passion, family, dedication and work. Like the saying goes, do what you love and figure out a way to make it work for you. We're living in the middle of the self-branding revolution and now is the time to take advantage of it. |
Buy two copies - keep one and share one.
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| Review Date: October 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. C. Manes, East Tennessee |
I had been looking forward to reading this book and preordered way back, needless to say I was stoked for October 13th to get here. My copy of Crush It was delivered Friday and got into it forthwith. It wasn't my intention to read it cover to cover in a 24 hour window, but I did. The narrative was straightforward and on target. It is a good read and hard to put down until you are finished.
Gary makes it clear that that the only place success comes be work is in the dictionary. There are many books, 'business' opportunities and websites that make wild claims of becoming rich overnight with the Internet, unfortunately they are far from being truthful. If you think this book is about how to become rich on the Internet with no effort, this is not your book. The book explains the steps and tools to live a happy life, find happiness at work and become successful with hustle and hard work. Instead investing in those 'Get Rich Work at Home' programs buy this book and read it until you begin to see the light. Then Crush It to reach your professional dreams.
I will end up ordering a couple more copies of this book as stocking stuffers for my two teenagers. I hope just a little of Gary's message sticks with them as they grow up and move into the workforce. |
A highly motivational, must-read!
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| Review Date: October 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jason Ferruggia, New Jersey |
I've owned a successful fitness business since 1994. But the last few years, even during a recession, have been some of my biggest, in large part due to implementing some of the strategies Gary teaches in Crush It. As much as I thought I knew, I realized there was a ton of great ideas and tools I wasn't even using. In Crush It Gary gets you up off your ass and motivated beyond words to absolutely dominate the world. I finished the book in one day and stayed up all night implementing the new techniques I learned from Gary. What I did in the past is going to be nothing compared to what I do in 2010. And I will use this book as my guide. Get your copy now or get left behind.
Jason Ferruggia
Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Chief Training Adviser, Men's Fitness Magazine
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Great read!
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| Review Date: October 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Kimberly Green, Washington DC Metro Area |
| It is written just like he was talking. Gary gives you just enough to get you going but still makes you dig deep to make it happen. Not a self help book. A call to action book! |
Crushing it as we speak
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| Review Date: October 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Kiira Leess, New York, NY |
If you've got something you absolutely love with all that you are, but just need that extra boost from a beyond credited, enthusiastic, and inspiring source, this book is for you. As a blogger myself, I was baffled and slightly embarrassed to see some of the game plans and must do's Gary lays out in this book that I have yet to take advantage of (but am getting after as we speak).
When you start reading the book you immediately realize that this is not just any other piece of literature. The reason I could not put the book down once I started was because it's as if you're having a one-on-one conversation with Gary; a consultation of sorts, and you don't want the conversation to end. His voice comes through so loud and clear. He offers a wide variety of examples and scenarios that can cater to everyone and anyone. Because this book is to help show you how YOU, no matter what your passion, can start to cash in on what it is that makes you tick.
Crush It! is a no BS, straight forward, and honest book that will have you so amped up at the end, you won't be able to contain yourself. Because you know what? It's a realization and a confirmation that as long as you're willing to work your face off for what you know and believe and love, love, love, then you can and will make it happen.
Thank you, Gary, for helping us all to realize the power of our passions by sharing all of you with us. Everytime I glance over at the book, I'm inspired. And more importantly? Beyond happy and excited for what's to come now that I've got the tools.
Crush it. |
Great read which just "oozes" Gary throughout
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| Review Date: October 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jeremy Bise, Abingdon, VA |
| I've followed Gary for a long time and what makes him magnetic is his passion, which is what this book is all about above anything else. After identifying your passion, he gives you the tools and strategies to use them to take that passion to the world and make money with it. If you've watched any of Gary's videos, you can really hear him narrating the entire book in your mind, so you can tell he put his heart and soul in it. The tools in this book have helped put some structure around efforts I was already trying. A great read! I recommend it to anyone looking to capitalize on social media for something more out of life. |
Do what you love and profit from it!
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| Review Date: October 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Michael Petrucci, Washington, DC |
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1K6XWS80K0ZAQ I really don't know the best way to describe this book. It can be so practical sometimes that you can't believe you didn't think of it! But there is a lot that is just overlooked by all of us and Gary spells it out.
He doesn't just give you tips and tricks, he give you specific examples and even sample guidelines!
Crush It! is also pretty short, only 148 pages and fits anywhere. I'm on my second time through it and I'm sure I'll finish it by tomorrow.
There are so many good things in this book that will both inform you and get you fired about. If you know what your passion is (whatever that thing that you want to do 24/7) then you HAVE to get this book!
If you are unsure about how to best leverage social media for both your business or your personal brand (or don't even know what those things mean but want in...) then you gotta get this book!
- Mike - [...] |
A Master's Course in Social Media
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| Review Date: October 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Emanuel Carpenter... Author/Reviewer, Cleveland, Ohio |
Gary Vaynerchuk knows social media like nobody's business. Twitter. YouTube. Facebook. You name it, and he has used it to take his family's wine business from a $4 million company to a $60 million empire. His new book "Crush It" tells the story of this immigrant's journey, his road to success, and how he used online marketing to realize the American dream.
So what exactly does it mean to crush it? It's a term used to plan your dream and surpass all expectations by harnessing the power of the Internet to market and sell it. Vaynerchuk gives tactical instructions on how to use tools like blogs, Flip Cams, and Twitter to build your brand. The author also shares his experience with traditional advertising versus social media. For example he writes:
"In December 2008, I spent $7500 to offer free shipping codes for Winelibrary.com via three marketing/advertising channels---a perfectly placed billboard on the New Jersey Turnpike, direct mail, and radio. The billboard brought in a hundred and seventy orders. The radio campaign did about two hundred and forty orders. Through direct mail we got a little over three hundred. I Twittered out---for free---a free shipping code and got seventeen hundred orders in forty-eight hours."
Vaynerchuk is no hype man though. He readily admits that it takes hard work, sleepless nights, and patience to build your online brand. For some adapters in could take months to years to build an audience, get them to trust that you care about them, and convert them to buyers. His realistic take on building your brand is refreshing.
There is a downside though. Readers who may want to take their business from scratch should not assume that they will create a $60 million dollar company. Not everyone gets a $4 million dollar start. Also, we should keep in mind that the dotcom folks were preaching some of the same things regarding the end of traditional media and the beginning of something new and wonderful before the dotcom bubble burst and the NASDAQ crashed. In today's economy, adapters need more proof that if you build it and they will come.
All in all, if you care about the future of marketing, selling, or becoming an entrepreneur, you will love this book. Vaynerchuk is personal, humorous, and speaks from personal experiences. His teachings are all you really need to master leveraging social media to your advantage.
Reviewed by Emanuel Carpenter
Author of "Six-Figure Cold Calling"
[...] |
I'm doing the damned thing and will CRUSH IT!
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| Review Date: October 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Fitness By Audrey, New York, NY United States |
I bought the book on Saturday evening and finished it within a few hours. Gary's written voice is as lively, straightforward and authentic, as he is in his videos. I was completely new to Twitter and had not used my Facebook contacts to their full potential. Within a few hours, I made several connections and implemented strategies that I would not have otherwise used, or even known about!
I am a certified personal trainer and online coach for Team Beachbody (makers of P90X, Turbo Jam, Insanity and Shakeology). I also have a lifestyle coaching business that I'm about to launch. Gary has revved me up and shown me what to do to make my businesses successful! Thanks Gary!
Check me out at [...] and follow me on Twitter @fitnessbyaudrey
Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion |
garyvee CRUSHED IT! With his Book!!!!
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| Review Date: October 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Kathleen Decosmo, |
garyvee,
I finished reading your book. Quick read, easy to understand and apply. Great job!!! I recommend this book to all people in business or going into business. I also think its an essential book that should be used in a College Marketing Course on the "must read list". Thanks Gary for sharing your expertise and your enthusiasm! :)
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'CRUSH IT' : A MINI-MASTERPEICE (It's in my TV show)
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| Review Date: October 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jonathan Gunson, New Zealand. South Pacific |
This book 'CRUSH IT' is a little masterpiece of career guidance.
It SUCCESSFULLY changed my career path for the wildly better. NO other book has done that.
In fact I was so impressed I put up a program on my TV channel with a link to Amazon. Gary will not know about this yet but one day I hope to meet him.
I'm certainly not part of an orchestrated campaign to promote this book. Simple fact is that until I read this book I did not believe there was a passion-driven career pathway for me at my stage of life - I'm not old, but time rushes by. Now to my delight I see a path illuminated I never knew was even there, and now nothing can stop me. NOTHING.
It's never easy to picture how life might be following a passion. e.g. how will I pay the mortgage if I become a dancer, rock star, missionary, painter? Worse, if a person thinks about this in a steady, mathematical unimaginative way they cannot see the immense implications of the way of thinking outlined in the book. But closed minds can be opened. Give it a shot!
Nothing will dissuade me of the good intentions of this entrepreneur and his old style American honor. So best wishes to you Mr Gary Vaynerchuk. And to you if you've read this far, go grab hold of this book with both hands - I truly mean it.
All the best
Jonathan
[...].
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Inspirational work on how to leverage Social Media to further your brand
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| Review Date: October 26, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Steven Chambers, Las Vegas, NV USA |
I judge a business book by the number of ideas and useable advice I pull from it. Based on this criteria Gary Vaynerchuk's "Crush It" was a sure win for me. Let's face it, social media is changing the face of business, both how it is done and how it is promoted. If you fail to get in front of this train you will be run over by it. Having done well for himself by leveraging the new and evolving internet technologies, the author offers sage advice and the outlines of a plan for others to follow in his footsteps.
The book is short, easy to read and written is a conversational style. He emphasizes the need to tell stories and follows that guideline through out the book. More motivational than technical, this is a good primer on leveraging the internet for existing businesses and for people just starting out. The number one thing I took from this book is that you need to get your name out there, follow the trends and just do what works for you. I would add that you need to be willing to make a lot of mistakes.
I have read some criticism that because the author started with an existing business, his father's $5 Million liquor business, rather than from nothing his advice should be taken with a grain of salt. I completely disagree with that view. While growing a business from $5 million to $50 million is impressive, I am sure that most people would be more than happy to earn an extra $50,000 to $75,000 annually from their online efforts. In fact, with today's uncertain economic climate and the looming failure of social security and medicare everyone would be well advised to take Gary's advice and start building a coffee table business online following his advice. I can think of no better place to start online than by talking about your passion, that thing that most motivates and drives you.
One thing this book isn't is a cookbook for instant success and riches with no effort, although the few negative reviews I have read here fault him for not providing such a guide. He advocates hard work, long hours and study, the same things that have always led to success. The methods haven't really changed,only the medium used to promote yourself and your passion. I would add to his list of things need to be successful a good deal of luck as well, because oftentimes it's not talent, knowledge or skill that wins out, it's being in the right place at the right time. Gary is just asking you to use social networking and marketing to be in more places at once.
Have a business, want a business or simply looking for more economic security in your life? This book is worth a read. Highly recommended. |
Gary Vee Is The Man!
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| Review Date: October 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Rickey Benns, Dallas, Texas |
Hello Gary,
I pre-ordered your book because I knew if your name was associated with it then it would be filled with passion and useful information. One of the things I admire about you is that you give everything of yourself in everything that you do.
I have found that books are just like movies, there are really no "bad' movies or "bad" books. There are just movies that you like and don't like and the same thing pertains to books. Personally I think something can be learned from every book.
I love this book and here's why I love it. You ask a question in the book that to me is worth the price of the book alone. The question was "are you willing to do whatever it takes for the chance to live entirely on your own terms?" The answer for most are "no". It's can be a little frightening to put yourself out there and be willing to do whatever it takes. The funny thing is that when you I ask myself this question I have some ideas of what I might encounter but I can never know for sure.
I haven't worked on a job in more than 8 years now. Personally I would rather die than work for someone else so your book spoke to my very Soul. The very people that need to read your book probably will never know that it exists. Most of the people that will read your book are the ones that already know that following one's passion is the only way to go.
I get so tired of seeing people live these quiet lives of desperation. Your book provides an idea of what is possible if one would just take the first step. Thanks for a very intriguing and inspiring book.
If everybody liked this book it probably wouldn't be a good book. I like the fact that you pushed some buttons. I like the fact that you were authentic and transparent. For those who didn't like it, I'd like to know what kind of results are they producing in life?
You're the man...Gary Vee.
Thanks
Rick in Dallas |
Real advice on social media that is immediately actionable
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| Review Date: October 30, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. L. Zoeckler, Green Bay, WI |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RDGPTRLVGVT4S Here's a 3 minute video where I review Crush It and also talk about what it takes to get the same results as the author: Gary Vaynerchuk |
What a gripping read!
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| Review Date: November 2, 2009 |
| Reviewer: P. Aland, Orlando, FL |
I picked up this book this morning before a flight - read the book on the flight, cover to cover, could not put it down. Gary's passion is completely infectious. I'm someone who had delayed picking up the book because I thought "well I'm not looking to start my own business, I'm happy with what I have" - let me tell you this book has completely changed the way I'm approaching my life - not just my job. Everyone can benefit from Crush It.
Gary's ability to convey his passion and his ideas in such a down to earth manner gives you the confidence to truly believe that if you've got the passion and the drive you can build your own personal brand. |
Crush It! Serves as an Inspiration ~ A "go to" Book for New Media.
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| Review Date: November 2, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Patrick Antrim, Southern California |
Crush It! is for anybody who has passion and is willing to hustle! If you're like me you love reading business and leadership books like: Winning by Jack Welch, Good to Great by Jim Collins, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell, and anything by Ken Blanchard, Brian Tracy or Harvey Mackay. Crush It! will soon be the "go to" book for how to market in this new age of consumer controlled media.
As a business professional, I have run multi-million dollar companies and lead billion dollar portfolios while always wondering where all the money was going. Sure, I saw the spreadsheets and knew the budget breakdowns, but it always seemed like we were spending an awful lot of money on marketing programs that were not delivering as projected. On top of that, every time I looked around I saw people taking every day, seemingly random ideas and succeeding in big ways by simply using the power of the internet and social media. I wanted in.
And now I'm pissed that Crush It! wasn't around a year ago...it would have made my life much easier.
Crush It! serves as an inspirational, educational, and instructional outline on how to monetize your passion. And, after reading Crush It!, it's not hard to figure out what Gary Vee is passionate about - connecting people to their passions through the true benefits of the internet. Sure, he loves wine, the Jets and is a visionary thinker when it comes to the new age of marketing, but Gary's true love is people. I've seen Gary speak multiple times in person and on TV and his enthusiasm for helping people succeed is contagious. However, what's truly impressive is Gary's genuine belief in the "thank you economy." In Crush It! he outlines that the foundation of his success was not in charging for his thoughts but rather in giving them away through social media and the exponential growth power of the internet.
Gary's process is pretty straight forward:
1. Family First. (or none of it will matter)
2. Work hard. (it's not about overnight success)
3. Have passion.
While I think giving up your day job and following your passion is a personal decision and one that takes much consideration, Crush It! could be that one little push you need to redefine your path. In it Gary points you to valuable tools that will help you share your passion with the world while always keeping it real by reminding us that not everyone is going to be "huge" like "Oprah" but the fact that the game is changing and that the opportunity is there is exciting enough to at least try. He'll give you actionable and simple steps and then leave it up to you to put in the effort needed to effectively execute.
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It's on
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| Review Date: November 2, 2009 |
| Reviewer: TCD2010, New York |
I'm just getting ready to finish crush it, started it Thursday, and immediately purchased domain names and began conversations to move an existing, traditional and multi million dollar brand to digital.
many thanks to Gary Vee...i'll be seriously crushing it soon.
TD |
Am I stating the obvious if I write, "the author crushed it!"
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| Review Date: November 3, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Lori J. Bjork, South Bay, L.A., CA, USA |
I sort of fell into blogging and now feel something like what Owen Wilson talks about in the movie "You, Me and Dupree". I've been catching some slack for seemingly languishing, but I feel like the mother ship has finally sent me the message, "it's time".
What I loved about this book is it helped me 1. renew my motivation that I am on the right track and give me just the dose of "if I can, you can" to know I will; 2. that I am better off being myself in order to be the most successful (as I always sort of expected); 3. gave me some good ideas to help me get more eyeballs on my blogs (if you've visited either of my main blogs, CaliforniVacation: SoCal Style or Bjork's BLEEP Blog, you know how I feel about no one seeing my blogs), and 4. he's the first one I know of who has been honest enough to put it out there that in the beginning you may just have to suck it up and considered yourself more or less chained to your Internet Source almost 24/7. I would add to his awesome "crushing it" advice that in the beginning when you have less eyeballs on your blog is the best time to get everything into place so you don't have to do it later when those eyeballs are expecting at least four blogs a week. In the beginning to not be so concerned if you aren't actually posting at least four blogs a week so you can give yourself at least one 24 hour period a week to step away from your Internet Source. I love my topic. I love being on line. I love chocolate. Sometimes too much of a good thing is exactly that "too much". |
Helpful guide to finding and expanding your brand online
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| Review Date: November 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Alla S., |
| In Gary Vaynerchuk's new book "Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion," Gary explains the workings of the modern internet media--which has gone a long way towards overpowering traditional media platforms like radio and newspapers--and how to best utilize it towards forming your own brand and creating a monetary business out of it. In the first half of this book, Gary briefly touches upon his own biography and immigrant parents who came to Queens from Belarus, ultimately opening a liquor store. The business ultimately expanded, but it is Gary who turned it into the multi-million venture it is today. Vaynerchuk recounts his initial marketing strategies where he sent large amounts of money on renting a billboard or buying a radio announcement. This helped. But what ultimately took Gary's family business to new heights, cost way cheaper, and resulted in bringing a larger amount of customers was the internet. Throughout the book, Gary constantly emphasizes the importance of online social media and creating brand awareness--from blogging, to posting videos and audios. What I found especially helpful about this book was a step-by-step strategy that Gary includes in the end of the book. This strategy is meant to serve as not only an example of maximizing one's internet presence, but finding specific ways of targeting consumers relevant to your specific brand. In Gary's case, he started a video blog about wine that ultimately gained enough popularity to not only bring awareness to his liquor business, but to book Gary various speaking engagements that ultimately resulted in this book deal. I found the book short, practical, and easy to read. The lessons of this book can be made relevant to anyone--starting with a basic internet user and ending with a company employee. |
Great book
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| Review Date: November 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Ty Paulhus, |
| This book is really fantastic. It's inspired me to get more focused and to use alot of the things I already do (social media etc.) to help pursue what I've been dreaming about and talking about for years. Highly recommended. |
Live For Today! Build Your Legacy For Tomorrow!
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| Review Date: November 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Nicholas B. Baisley, Oxford, MA |
Gary is a master communicator with his bombastic personality in his videos on the web, and that enthusiasm translates right over into "Crush It!". His philosophy on building wealth and success through monetizing your passion with the help of social media, the web in general, and good old-fashioned hustle are nothing that we haven't heard before, but I think many of us have forgotten! Gary's personal tale is the story of the American Dream. He shows that it is possible to become a success both personally and professionally in this country regardless of economic conditions!
His enthusiasm is contagious and I found myself putting the book down several times just so I could go pursue different aspects of my own business ([...]) that I had forgotten to do. Hit tips on handling social media, creating a dialogue with your audience, and building your personal and professional brands are an invaluable tool for today's internet business. It can be applied across every industry whether it be a service business or a product-driven venture!
As a film critic, I have to build my own personal brand to create credibility among my viewers; Gary's book helped me achieve that, and I've since used this book to educate my viewers on how they could also build their brands whether they were aspiring actors and actresses, or independent film directors looking to get the word out on their new film!
While a lot of the advice in this book appears to be common sense, there are a lot of companies out there that could use this quick read as a refresher course on how to stay active with their audience!
Nic Baisley
Producer/Host - FilmSnobbery
[...]
[...] |
The days of expensive television, magazine, newspaper, and radio ads are gone
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| Review Date: November 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Joshua I. Powell, Pittsburgh, PA |
The game of self-promotion has changed, and it's not just the big guys competing anymore. The days of expensive television, magazine, newspaper, and radio ads are gone. Twitter, Facebook, and the plethora of other social media tools available to you today are free. You can build your brand with minimal resources, if not for absolutely free. Gary steps you through getting started cashing in and promoting what your most passionate about with his book Crush It!
If you're new to the social media world or if your already submersed in it, Gary gives you his blueprint:
* helping you figure out what it is your passionate about
* how to create great content on the web
* choosing your platform
* what tools will best fit your needs
* how and when to monetize
* and don't forget THE BEST MARKETING STRATEGY EVER
The book is inexpensive and the content of it is priceless.
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Great for Experienced Internet Entrepreneurs too
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| Review Date: November 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Will Kriski, Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2NYMXJ0FHJTXN Excellent book! Just finished reading it. All of us can build our own community online around our expertise and gain the freedom we desire. Have the passion, be patient, build a community and eventually monetize that community. I am doing this for online video guitar lesson products and a membership site via Facebook fan page, UStream.tv, Twitter, and other networks at [...]. |
I have A.D.D... and i read this book. You should too!
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| Review Date: November 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. J. Ketterling, |
If your not familiar with Gary V's energy that he brings, you should. Nothing in life is just handed to you. Love your family, love what you do, and hustle, hustle, hustle.
This book is am atomic bomb explosion in a short easy read.
Stop dragging your feet and stop expecting good things to be handed to you.
Take action.
And read this book. |
Crush It is the cure for the daily blues
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| Review Date: November 6, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Bretton Maclean, Toronto, ON |
Even if you've never seen Gary Vaynerchuk's exuberant wine show at winelibrary.tv, trust me when I say that you need to get this book. The amount of information & inspiration contained in these 142 pages just embarrasses books that took three times as much paper to print.
In Crush It, Gary goes through all the steps required to start building your personal brand today. The first step, and the core of the book, is to identify your passion; everything else builds from there. If you're tired of dragging your ass through another tedious day of work, it's time to look at what you love doing the most AND START DOING IT! If you're willing to put in the sweat-equity, this book will show you the most effective ways to channel your energy into a successful & profitable personal brand.
There are no get-rich-quick schemes here, just proven & detailed methods to achieve success doing what you love. Gary is the epitome of the bootstrapping digital entrepreneur; having met him at one of his talks last week, I can also say that he's a hellovah nice guy! To me, Gary represents one of "the good guys" finally making it big; he's hip to the way things work on the internet and in the new business world, he's honest, he's genuine, and above all he's passionate about what he does. Stop taking business advice from writers, and start taking some from a guy who's actually built his own empire! |
A kick in the pants
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| Review Date: November 6, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Casey W. Crites, |
Like the title infers, I found this book to be a total kick in the pants. The things that Gary talked about (social media for marketing) and so on and so forth were things that I've had thoughts about and knew were teeming with promise, but just never acted upon them. Gary shows you exactly how to act on those ideas and make them work for you...and that's through work, hard work, lots of hard work.
This is one of those books that doesn't MAKE you do anything, but gets you excited and want to get up off the couch and start working towards your dream until you can't stay awake another second. In Gary's words, you start 'Crushing It'.
This is a must read for anyone who aspires to be an entrepreneur...a great perspective from a great talent to add to your arsenal. |
Simply Awesome
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| Review Date: November 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: John R. Sedivy, Cape Cod, MA |
I really enjoyed this book - perfect for the entrepreneur and Internet junkie alike. "Crush It!" is conversational, fun, and a quick read - although it's packed with plenty of useful information for both newcomers and those experienced in the Internet alike. I consider myself to be well read in entrepreneurship, the Internet, social media, and marketing, however Gary Vaynerchuk provides plenty of information that I had not even come across prior to reading this book. His message is very similar to Seth Godin's All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World which emphasizes the importance of authenticity and storytelling - however "Crush It" having just been released this year (2009) has more up-to-date and tactical advice for building your business via the Internet.
"Crush It" reminded me quite a bit of The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss - check that one out once you've finished "Crush It" if you haven't done so already.
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simple advice in a complicated world
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| Review Date: November 10, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Kiryn Clay, Sydney, Australia |
it's ironic that Garvyvee's tag line is crush it - being from the wine game n all.
it's also no mistake.
Gary has a story to tell that all entrepreneurs should be listening too , one that's gonna change the game. Stop reading reviews, get in the trenches and BUY this BOOK... it's a one night read, but get your pen and note pad, there's lessons to learn.
I had a blast reading this one - thanks Gary!
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Practical advice for those who want to make a living doing something they love
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| Review Date: November 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Phil Derksen, Fresno, CA, United States |
If you're like me you want to eventually buck the boring day job and have a thriving business. But you need an interim solution doing something you love and that you don't mind staying up late working on. You need to read Crush It.
As usual Gary is extremely inspirational, but this book does not lack in practical advice. He explains how to take something you're passionate about and build a following using social media and the web. He doesn't hide that it's going to take a lot of time and effort to do so. No pulling any punches here. He stresses building your personal brand, treating customers as real people, and building conversations around your business. Towards the end he goes into practical ways to market and monetize what you build.
And you have to check out Gary's posts and videos at [...] |
CRUSHED IT!
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| Review Date: November 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Eduardo A. Mendoza, USA |
| This book is the real deal because the author practices what he preaches. Every time I have e-mailed Gary he has taken the time to answer back within 24 hours. I will be leaving my day job within 4 months because of this book. |
Passionate man
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| Review Date: November 12, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Joseph B. Di Lullo, Southern California |
Of course I do watch winelibrarytv and have created a show myself at TemeculaWineTV on facebook and twitter.
the book is great. Gary is a real motivator. I have seen him speak and met him in San Diego.
Buy the book But, more important find your passion and then "Crush It"!!!! |
Change By Design
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| Review Date: November 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Reddy4Summer, Bend, OR USA |
| Very informative! I will use this book as a reference for a long time. Good job Tim Brown! |
Social marketing tips to follow!
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| Review Date: November 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Angela Brooks, Russellville, Ky |
Gary did a great job putting this book together - he crushed it - He has shared some sites I had not heard of and I now have put to use that made a differance in my blog ranking. He passed along ideas that are BOLD and are very direct. I like it.
He has the branding model key down pat and his passion shows in all he does. He is all or nothing.
I love his straight forward approach. |
Crush It
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| Review Date: November 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Reg, Santa Clarita, Ca. |
| A very well writen book by Gary Vaynerchuk... Its like he is in the room and talking to you... Showing you how he made money on line and its never to late for you... Tips and tricks that are for the little "Newbie"... I toldly recomend this book. I will be putting those thing into my business... Will benefit you in every aspect a great tool Reg B. |
Entertaining, just like the author
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| Review Date: November 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: monkuboy, Temple City, CA United States |
The first time I watched Wine Library TV, I was intrigued. Gary was so unique in a world that most perceive as a subject to be discussed by stuffy, snooty intellectuals. Sure he is over the top at times - my wife refers to him as that "obnoxious wine guy" but he gets your attention and he knows what he is talking about. The video blog is the perfect vehicle for him because it suits his character so well.
One very good thing about his book is this: it is short. I mean that as a compliment, not as in "thank goodness it is over with." There are far too many books out there that have a bunch of useless pages simply to justify a high purchase price or make people think it is filled with knowledge but for most of these books you could cut out a large percentage of the pages and not lose a thing as far as useful information. Gary's book is to the point and it is not one big advertisement for his business, either. His personality really comes across in the words so it is like either you are watching his blog or listening to him in person. This book is about establishing your brand, your true identity that reveals your passion to people, and that is exactly what he does here - his brand comes across nice and clear. He also has a lot of very sensible and useful things to tell you about how to monetize your passion, though it is not a book that worships money. It is about being happy and if you are passionate about something and are lucky enough to make a living from it, then you are doing very well indeed.
There have been some who criticize the book because they say that use of social media is so widespread these days, it has become a ho-hum thing compared to being more cutting edge back when Gary began using it. In a sense that is true; just like in the early days of the internet web sites were very primitive and people who were able to create one had the advantage over those who did not simply because they had a web site. But while web sites are now much more commonplace, that doesn't mean that they are no longer effective. It is what you do with the site that counts, and that is what Gary is trying to get across in his book. It is what you do with your passion that counts. While Facebook, Twitter, etc. have become much more popular, there is still plenty of room for people who are willing to work very hard to be successful. You just have to work harder these days because there is more competition. But if you follow your passions (instead of doing something just for the money) and create a game plan, that still gives you the edge over all the people who don't even bother to try, or whose efforts are half-hearted. The message is if you are passionate, you're going to have fun doing what you do and success will follow.
There's a lot more in the book to like. I don't agree with everything Gary said but I find there is no denying his passion and enthusiasm and that comes across on every page. It is well worth reading even if you've heard it all before, because of hearing it from his perspective as well as letting his words serve as a motivator and reminder. We can all use a kick to get us going!
I felt this was a worthwhile read. It is short and to the point with a great ratio of useful content per page. |
Video CRUSH IT Review
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| Review Date: November 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Brent Krizo, Belgrade, ME United States |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2I0EV96907YHN Here is my short review of Crush It by Gary Vee. Great book. Very informative, motivating and entertaining. Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion |
Get ready to work your face off
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| Review Date: November 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: James NomadRip, St. Pete, FL |
I have rarely felt the need to review a book or even comment on it after a read. I don't believe I've ever left a review here, which will likely be obvious.
In short, I loved the book. I bought a copy locally the week it came out, then ordered another through Amazon to pass along to someone else. It is a very brief read. It could be read anytime a spare hour or two is found.
If you aren't familiar with Gary Vaynerchuk, this book does cover his background pretty well. I had heard of Gary about a year ago through a blog or online mention (Tim Ferriss, I believe). I saw a few minutes of his show but wasn't very interested because I don't drink wine, so I didn't care about the topic of wine (like he VERY obviously did). He seemed kind of funny, but I was too busy to watch a show about wine, and didn't think much more about it.
A month or so prior to this book being released, I began to hear this "wine guy" pop up among people I associated with online and in meatspace. I watched a short keynote speech he gave at an event about Web 2.0. In the video, he gave a passionate, cussword-laden speech about the nature of business and changing times. Everything he said was very spot-on.
"Crush It!" is an expansion of his business keynotes, filling in a bit more detail about the how and why of the changing business world.
Being in business used to be a lot more difficult when the gatekeepers of the big media outlets were the only game in town (radio, tv and print). The little guy could perhaps compete on a very local level, but it took huge dollars to get seen by the masses in years past. With the largely free tools available to anyone with access to the internet, you can get your brand seen by more and more people every day.
This is in no way a "Get-Rich-Quick" book. The 3 major tenets in the first chapter of the "Crush It" methodology are:
"Love your family.
Work superhard.
Live your passion."
Hardly a get-rich-quick strategy unless you skip all the parts where he talks about working until your eyeballs bleed instead of playing video games or watching tv.
Several times throughout the book, he talks about the realities of how hard you will have to work to make even a decent living like you may make at your current job. As he says, if you are even 1% unhappy with your job, you should work to change it. He does NOT suggest quitting your job to become a blogger. But if you want to change and do something you love, work your ass off after work until you can get to that place.
Hard work and hustle is the theme of the book that he never lets the reader forget. He goes into more detail about starting out for the person who may be completely new to the "social media" scene. It is not a detailed "one size fits all" approach to what specifically every person should do for a living. There are several examples of possibilities people could follow that can open eyes, and more than enough to get them started. It's not about selling chachkies and passing that off as a living. It's about working hard, becoming known as an expert in your field and doing something your grandkids will be proud of.
Everyone has something they are passionate about. Something we would be doing if we didn't have to be working (that job that makes you unhappy. If you're 100% happy this doesn't apply). There are ways to do what you are passionate about, and make a decent living doing so. You may not get filthy rich doing it, but there are so many ways to make a living, it only makes sense to use the tools we have nowadays. They have made it far simpler to get started than in the past.
I've been involved with the tech world since well before there were computers in every household and mobile phones existed only in the movies. The tools that now exist and the eyeballs that are on these platforms Gary discusses are changing the way business is done.
It's still a big deal for Gary to get on the Today Show and do a little sniffy-sniff with Matt Lauer, but advertisers are spending more and more money on internet platforms. The numbers of people watching each is changing daily. The little guys without the big dollars the mainstream media channels have available are able to be competitive in this rapidly-changing world. Money follows the attention. More attention is on these internet tools every day.
Work your face off, and you can build a business that thrives, doing something you love to do. This book is a good starting place to start getting the ideas flowing.
I don't work for Gary, have never met him, and am not being paid to say any of this. I still don't drink wine, but when it comes to business, I agree with him. As busy as he is, he answers emails and twitter comments. If there is anything you find unclear about the book, he tries to answer any questions. |
Inspirational and passionate
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| Review Date: November 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: S. Berkowitz, Bronx, NY USA |
| I read this book after having watched appoximately 700 or so episodes of Gary Vaynerchuk's video blog on [...]. In every written word I can hear Gary's passionate voice I know so well from his blog. The book is motivational and instructional and shows how caring, hard work and passion can net you a fulfilling life in every way, not just monetarily. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone, not just people interested in wine or marketing a brand. |
Crush It - fantastic resource for success!
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| Review Date: November 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Nicole L. Smith, Perth, Australia |
| This is a great book if you're both new to the world of creating a business online, or just need to know more than you currently do. Gary also has the benefit of successfully taking a traditional business online and increasing revenue enormously. He has then expanded further into the online realm, by increasing his own personal brand. Gary gives away an enormous amount of practical information, like websites to use and methodologies to adopt, that you can easily start putting into practice while still reading the book. He is very straight up and down, saying it how it is, which is an approach I like. Overall, fantastic read and well worth the purchase!Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion |
Hyper - Motivational Blogging machine
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| Review Date: November 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Paul D Stoltzfus, |
Gary Vaynerchuck lit my blogging fire and showed me how to do it. Most motivational books are just motivational, but not enough to move me to action. Gary gives examples of HOW and WHAT to do with my blog. And he continues to SHOW the theory in action with his own blogging experience.
Passion. Passion. Passion. With a sustainable strategy for success. Anything is better then the big O - $ 0.00 that most of us are now earning with our blogs.
And, Gary reminds me that everyone is different. I need to try different variations ie video, just voice (podcasting), or just text blogging. Everyone has their strength and need to capitalize on their strength and not get caught up in trying to be like "Garry".
If it doesn't make you happy. Don't. Do. It. |
For any one who ever wants to make any money outside their Day Job
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| Review Date: April 12, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Christina Peverill, Cedar Falls, IA USA |
I speak to local high schools and college's about Internet safety, security and personal branding. I always use Gary Vee as an example of how to do it RIGHT! I loved this book! I am extremely careful who I loan it to, as I don't want it off the shelve, even though I've read it twice. Gary has a great deal of explosive energy and passion - and this book is a fantastic channel for more of that passion to infect a greater segment of the population.
"Crush It" doesn't hold your hand through the gamete of online branding, but empowers you to learn it and embrace it and do it right. For the experienced Internet Marketer, this is a nice review iced with passion. For the tech clueless and for anyone who is worried that they may be using Facebook incorrectly, this is a must read!
The number one thing everyone needs to understand is the Internet has changed what it means to be private. There is NO privacy on the internet! (In fact, even this review can come up when someone "Googles" me). Gary shows you how to brand yourself effectively and safely online - and MAKE money doing it.... |
Eye opener for the people lost in there own life.
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| Review Date: April 18, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Daniel Borio, Granville, IL |
| This is one of the most amazing books I have read in a long time. Actually it is one of the only books I have read in a long time. The way he tells you to just get out there and make it happen. Also to care about everyone you meet or are in contact with. Because if not for those people you would not make it and to hustle. All I want to say is Gary thanks you so much for the book. It is an amazing book and it opened my eyes to things I needed to change in my life not just for monetary purposes but just in my life in general and to help better me as a man and a father (know it man be cheesy to say but it is true). |
A quick and motivational read
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| Review Date: June 13, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Matthew Keefe, Boston, MA USA |
| A short and good read. While I don't agree with "every" idea contained in the book I do like the method of explaining the overall purpose. Don't follow the book verbatim, find your passion and Crush It! |
Blueprint for happiness (and hard work)
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| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jon Berry, West Milford, NJ |
Q: How do you turn $20 into $2 Million?
A: Buy Crush It, Add Talent + Passion + Hustle (a LOT of hustle)
If you have followed Gary Vaynerchuk at all for the past two years, the content of "Crush It" will not provide many surprises. What it will do, however, is sum up two years of keynote addresses, Internet videos, chat sessions, interviews, and guest posts into a two hour lesson on life, passion, and success. Gary lays out the formula that has made him a successful entrepreneur, and as he labels his popularity, a triple-Z-list celebrity.
Instead of creating a book that says, "Do what I did and you will be successful too", Gary wrote a book that says, "Be who you are, work harder than ever at being you and doing what you love, and you will be successful too."
Reading this book flows like one of Gary's famous keynote addresses. The reason being that instead of sitting down and writing this book, Gary dictated it to someone who was best at taking his words and putting them on paper. This falls directly into line with the message of being true to who you are. Gary's DNA is to be energetic and passionate, and the person who took his words and put them on paper, well, their DNA is to be good at doing that.
Buy this book and it will inspire you to do great things, but be warned, this is by no means a get-rich-quick or easy approach to changing your life. This is passion, patience, and TONS of hustle.
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Outstanding
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| Review Date: October 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Bruce Williamson, Telford, PA |
| Let's just say what Gary talks about in this book works! I found out about him through some Tweet, and checked out his site, and like what I heard. I was at the book store and couldn't put the book down, so instead of spending countless hours there and spending more on coffee than the book costs, I bought it. And let me tell you, it's just the kick in the a** you need! Everything is clear and to the point. If you love the internet, web 2.0 and want your life back, this is the book for you. Enough already... I'm off to CRUSH IT! |
Crush It - Video Book Review by Dane Findley
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| Review Date: May 11, 2010 |
| Reviewer: D. Findley, Southwestern United States |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3EDT00XJAMCKT Dane Findley of Partners Trust Real Estate in Los Angeles, CA reviews Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion - and talks about the highlights of the book. |
Great job Gary! Inspiring, to the point and from the heart.
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| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Ryan Dixon, Bakersfield, CA |
Bought the book last night and finished it this morning!
Great read- Gary spells it out like no one else. He comes straight from the heart and inspires you along the way.
If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. I am ready to CRUSH IT!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Ryan P. Dixon
@ryanpdixon |
A quick, inspiration-provoking read
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| Review Date: October 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: David Mulder, |
Vaynerchuk has done an extraordinary job "crushing" his own passions and this book makes his business development philosophy accessible to anyone interested in following his footsteps.
The book's main idea is that we need to take our passion, create relevant and engaging content, then patiently construct a brand around ourselves. To that end, we need to be prepared to work hard and put in serious hours; but that's alright, because 20 years ago no amount of hustle could have overcome the bottle necked filter of mass media. Gary persuasively argues that the landscape has changed thanks to ubiquotous and pervasive use of the Web. With social media tools in our bag of tricks, now is the time to deeply pursue our passions (and turn them into a fun career).
Like Gary, I have my own set of passions and had already taken some of the steps he suggests; however, I was stagnating and unsure of where to go next. "Crush It!" has shown me the light. |
Read Crush It and Turn Your Life Around
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| Review Date: October 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Dan Schawbel, Waltham, MA, USA |
Gary has spelled out success in this new internet age in Crush It. It's a short, enjoyable read that will make you want to "hustle" and make something of yourself. You will learn how to use the latest social media tools to start talking about your passion and to engage your community, so that you become a valuable player and make money doing what you love. This book will be on the New York Times bestsellers list this week, no doubt!
Congrats Gary. |
Authentic Business Advice From The Trenches - Not A Professor
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| Review Date: October 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Mark Fitzpatrick, Silver Spring, MD |
Crush It really serves as a Great reminder to everyone, even when we think we're in a good spot, that it's really not only OK but in our best interest to find a way to live our passion....
And in this case also Cash in on that passion. There is a way. Gary strips it to the bone, taking you back to when he was a kid so you know where he's coming from (baseball cards, lemonade stands, wine, etc.). Then he really gives a Blueprint to take your passion and make it your business.
Straight forward. Easy to read. Fun to read. Inspiring. If you don't know Gary, and you're reading this, grab the book now. You'll be glad you did. If you do know Gary, and you're thinking, "Ah, I've already heard it," you're mistaken. Grab the book.
I believe that one nugget more than pays for any book. You'll find that nugget in one or many forms in Crush It. |
Brilliantly Mastered
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| Review Date: October 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: James P. Conley, Chicago |
| This book is absolutely incredible. Once I started reading I could not put it down, I was able to finish the book in 2 hours. My words cannot describe how powerful this book is and will remain to be. |
Everyone Should Read this Book
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| Review Date: October 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Margaret Murray, New York, NY |
| Gary Vee really delivered with this book! A quick, motivating, and inspirational read, he writes with the energy and passion that he puts into his life and work. Crush It should be mandatory college reading. |
I consider my self a realist.....
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| Review Date: January 28, 2010 |
| Reviewer: C. Jolly, Reno, NV |
I bought Gary's book way back in the pre-sell days. I have been following his work for a couple of years now and I was really looking forward to finally getting a little more in depth view on his success.
I have spent a decent amount of time reading through the reviews here so I will go at this in two parts-
MY OWN OPINION-
I bought the book already knowing the brand and the man behind it (as well as I can know him from online interactions anyhow....) and intrigued to learn more. I also understand the "functionality" of using social media to build a brand so I wasn't necessarily looking for the nuts and bolts but more for the theory and ideas behind the actions.
I think Gary did a great job at telling his story in context of the book's purpose. He included a lot of his life's history in the book to support his idea's which I saw as a welcome addition, instead of boring drivel about blahblahblah.com and so forth.
After reading the book I felt inspired and ready to take on the world. I didn't feel as though I gained much knowledge about the workings of social media but I believe this was Gary's intent when he sat down to write. After all, there are more than enough places to learn how to use facebook, twitter, etc. and if you're having trouble figuring them out just ask a teenager.....
As this was part of a multiple book deal I expect we will see more coming in the way of ideas and thoughts and not instruction. We live in a day and age that anyone with the desire can learn to do just about anything. Gary's book just encourages you to share what you learn with the world.
On another note, I was lucky enough to pick up the book when Gary was offering up a bonus. The communication from Gary (haven't had an unreturned email or tweet yet) and the package I was sent (worth over twice the price of the book) sold me for life on Gary's books. Maybe you should pre-sell the other nine books right now.....this was the best $15 bucks I've spent on a book yet.
COMMENTS ON OTHER REVIEWS-
In the negative comments I see many folks saying that there was no step by step or how-to in the book (there was, it was short, you probably missed it, look again). As mentioned, I don't think that is what he wanted to deliver. After all, the title says "Why NOW is the time to cash in on your passion". If it was a how-to book it might have read "How to cash in on your passion right now". If you bought the book expecting something different then it doesn't mean he didn't deliver what was advertised.
As for him coming from a wealthy family (although I didn't get that impression) maybe he has an advantage over some. Maybe it would take someone less fortunate to use the ideas a little longer than Gary did. Maybe they don't have the money to pay a designer for a website, hire an assistant, buy a camera or anything else. The point of the book is to share your passion, last time I checked that didn't cost anything, which brings us right back to the point of the book- the cost of entry is so low today that anyone can do it!
And if you didn't like this book, don't spend your money on the other leader in the category- Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust
C Jolly
misterfnygy.com
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Start Crushin It!!
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| Review Date: October 29, 2009 |
| Reviewer: John Incantalupo, Sparta, NJ United States |
If you're ready to utilize social media tools to launch your business - or bring your existing business into the 21st century - this book is an absolute MUST READ!!
Gary Vaynerchuk has been vblogging on winelibrary.tv for some time now - bringing great wine knowledge to the masses. What I didn't know is the businessman side of Gary, and his passion for sharing his knowledge about his business with others looking to crush it.
I'll keep the review short - JUST READ IT. It's a fast and important read. I'm giving it to several friends for the holidays - you should too! |
A good start - inspiring to say the least!
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| Review Date: January 23, 2010 |
| Reviewer: J. Savolainen, Finland |
| What this book does best is open your eyes to the vast possibilities of social marketing. Don't think you know it already. The book is inspiring to say the least! The author stresses the importance of living a passionate life and keeping it real - VERY REAL. I'm not exactly new to this subject but I found it excellent nevertheless. You'll get a great springboard for further reading with this one. Go get it regardless of your background. One of the best books I've read over the past 5 years (300 or so books during that period). I highly recommend it. |
Passion, Hard Work, Authenticity & Your Brand!
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| Review Date: January 29, 2010 |
| Reviewer: E. ANDRADE, Seattle, WA USA |
I AM A FREELANCE WEB DESIGNER AND A VAY-NE-ACK. Crush it! is a business book unlike any I have ever read --it's a quick read, too!
There are a few things I don't like about most business books, that I bet you don't like either!
Mo' MONEY
First, I really can't stand the "get rich quick" angle, also closely related is the "make billions working just a few hours a day" idea. These sound too good to be true, because for 99.999% of us, it's not true. Gary doesn't offer any overnight success or leisure wealth, he offers a simple formula -- do what you love the most, do it better and work harder at it than anyone else and you will win.
PASSION
I have a hard time getting into many business books, because they seem so focused on the dollars that I can't relate. Sure, money is nice, everyone needs it. But money is not the reason I went into business for myself! In all honestly, If I had stayed at the design firm I was at before breaking out on my own 1.5 years ago, I would probably be making a larger income there than I am right now. It's not about that. I was working 60, 70, 80 hour work-weeks and realizing that I could do the same thing for myself and have a better investment in my future! Instead of building up someone else's brand, I could build my own and I could do it on my own terms! Crush It acknowledges that success is not only about dollars and cents, long term success has to be fueled by passion!
AUTHENTICITY & LEGACY
I came of-age very actively involved in my local independent music scene, from the ages of about 16 to 20, there wasn't one weekend that I was not out at the local shows supporting small bands and the "do-it-yourself" culture that surrounded that. It was being a part of that culture that made me shy away from design in the first place, associating it with sleazy advertising agencies and the "evil-corporate-machine, blah blah blah." This same anti-establishment attitude is what of course also makes me chuckle to myself when I tell people I am a business owner. Of course, I've grown up a lot since then, but I still have a strong appreciation for business who are really doing it RIGHT, who are honest and who don't let big bucks turn them into heartless machines. It's refreshing to read a business book that acknowledges money is important, but also that the legacy you leave is what really holds weight with the people who matter!
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CRUSH IT will CHANGE the way you look at todays Media!!!
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| Review Date: November 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: P. Minze, |
| If you know Gary in anyway, this book is Gary speaking directly to you. It like having a private meeting, and getting all your questions answered. He brings all the different types of New Media to you and explains how you can use them. GREAT BOOK! |
Building Your Brand With Passion
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| Review Date: November 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Nick J. Throlson, California USA |
| Crush IT is one of the best books I have read I recommend to all my friends & family. Best way to teach anyone about building your brand & living for your passion! |
Cuts through the crap and gets to the good stuff
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| Review Date: November 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Thomas, |
I highly recommend purchasing Gary's book if you're someone who actually cares about building their personal brand and following your passion. If you're not...if you're someone who loves the 9-5 and working in middle management and plays Call of Duty for 3 hours once you get home, then this isn't for you. I warn you actually...if you don't have the hustle to live your passion, then this book will depress you. Why? Because this book tells you exactly what you need to know to build a business around YOU and what YOU care about.
The book itself is a short read. Took me about 2 hours. While short, it doesn't lack anything. Many books fill over 200 pages (this has 142) with fluff, failing to deliver on whatever the tagline of their book was. Crush It cuts through the crap and gets right into the good stuff. Every page is important. Not only that, but he clearly lays out (with a step-by-step list in the appendix) of what you need to do to start cashing in on your passion.
Please note that even though the book is lean and mean, he doesn't give you a "simple/easy" path to riches. He clearly explains that it takes blood, sweat, and tears to truly Crush It. If you're looking for an easy way out of the 9-5, then again, this book is NOT for you.
If you're truly ready to Crush It, I highly recommend.
-JT
[...]. |
You'd think he'd been writing for life !
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| Review Date: November 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: John Spardella, |
| Absolutely brilliant. Gary brings everything together. I'm so grateful I came across this young man and am better because of his teachings including his show. |
Find your passion: Share what you Consume. Social Networking
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| Review Date: November 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: The oilMD, Arizona |
Find your passion:Share what you Consume: social Networking
I saw Gary V. speak at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe AZ Oct 2009
He shared a very good message.
His definition of how to find your passion and make money doing it is simple.
His book shares that message with clear details and passion.
Ask yourself, what do I consume? Then become an interactive expert on the web using all the tools of social networking.
Great message. Great book. Great guy.
Making the web work as the oilmd
Aromatically yours
James Geiger MD
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Inspirational
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| Review Date: November 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Sarah A. Fowler, |
| This will jump-start whatever you're doing. Gary Vaynerchuk really knows his stuff, of course. A very quick read. I need to buy another copy - I keep lending mine to my clients! |
The Best Things Come in Small Packages - Crush It Review
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| Review Date: November 29, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Lee Odden, Minneapolis, MN |
I picked up a copy of Gary Vaynerchuk's book "Crush It" to read on my way to a conference in San Diego. Get the book here from Amazon, not at the airport unless you're funding your own stimulus package for airport book stores. :)
If you're not familiar with @garyvee and Wine Library TV, like I wasn't when first meeting Gary at Blog World Expo a year ago, Vaynerchuck is a poster boy for a small business that has leveraged passion, product and social media to stimulate incredible business growth and community around his brand.
After BWE, the next time I saw Gary was when he keynoted at Affiliate Summit early in 2009. That was an experience. His "tell it like it is" style isn't for everyone, but personally, I like it.
That charisma and personality on stage is great for entertainment value, but it was the real-world insights and tips that he gave from his personal experience building a business using social channels that kept him top of mind for me and caused me to buy the book as soon as I saw it.
I don't know Gary Vaynerchuk personally and he certainly doesn't know me, but I thought it would be a good book to review for the readers of my blog at [...] and also here on Amazon. The book is short, 140 pages or so, but that short form is consistent with his direct approach. It starts by outlining the importance of passion and Gary's three rules for success in business and life: Love your family, Work super hard, Live your passion.
"Passion is everything."
From there he shares his "hard working immigrant makes good" story of coming to the U.S. as a child from Belarus and numerous examples of how "hustle" and business savvy have been a part of his DNA from neighborhood lemonade stands to building up his father's liquor store business from 4 to 50 million to creating another new business of his own, Vayner Media.
"It's never a bad time to start a business unless you're starting a mediocre business."
The essence of this book is to find out what you're really passionate about. Work your ass off, communicating that passion using whatever media format and channels are the best fit for you and the audience you're trying to reach. The passion will show through in the content you create, the connections and community you build and the legacy (more important than short term financial gain) you leave from building the business.
"Story telling is by far the most underrated skill in business."
Along with advice on creating content, choosing the right platform, being authentic, finding like-minded participants on the social web and social media marketing advice, he offers several ideas on monetization (some of which I'll be implementing now), the value of patience and being adaptable.
"Be patient. In time, if you continue to hustle, you'll grow your presence and improve your skills to the point where the fish - really, really big fish, will be jumping straight into your hands."
Vaynerchuck admits his own contradictions, like do what your passion tells you no matter what, but also be adaptable in how you execute on your passion. He also makes a few comments that fly in the face of marketing (social or otherwise) key principles, like don't pay much attention to analytics, but go with your gut.
"Anything is better than zero."
Despite contradictions and rare advice that would make most marketers cringe, there's no mistaking the success Vaynerchuck has achieved following "The Best Marketing Plan Ever" which he shares in the latter part of the book. He even goes so far as to offer a checklist and several business ideas he says he doesn't have time to go after himself, so go for it.
"Legacy is greater than currency."
For those looking for step by step instructions on how to develop a social media strategy and the specific tools to execute, this book has some of that, but it's more about inspiration than "how to". To get anything out of a workshop or testing social tools yourself, you need to be inspired first anyway.
I think "Crush It" is an excellent book offering personal stories that illustrate the importance of passion, patience, hustle and the value of doing what you need to do to be happy. Success takes hard work and this book does a great job of showing anyone the framework for making what really makes them passionate and turn it into an online business.
Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion |
Just buy it.
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| Review Date: October 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: C. Siltanen, Los Angeles, CA |
| An absolutely inspiring book. Short, meaningful read to get off the couch and start doing something you love. |
One of the best books I've read in awhile without fluff
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| Review Date: February 25, 2010 |
| Reviewer: A. M. Bullock, Dallas, Texas |
| This is one of the best most practical business books I've read in awhile. He really gets you thinking and literally tells you how to do everything. I new this business transition was happening and was starting to incorporate a lot of these technologies at my existing employer, but Gary got me thinking about how I could do this for myself. I read in two sittings. It's worth every dime and more. Sometimes Gary comes across a little over the top and some statements will turn you off - but that's Gary. There were a few conflicting arguments like you have to hustle and work until 3 in the morning and get up at 6, but you have to put family first. I don't know too many people that can survive on 3 hours of sleep and are some how working this hard and putting family first. But look past all that, hear his message about what you can do and where business is headed, because he's right. Then tackle it with every ounce of energy while keeping life balance. |
Start a business based on your expertise
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| Review Date: March 2, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Marcia Layton Turner, Upstate New York |
Crush It! isn't your typical "how to start a business doing what you love" guidebook. Rather than diving into the boring nitty gritty of permits and legal forms, Gary starts at the beginning, asking "what are you passionate about?" And for those of us who have been running our own businesses for a while, this is a thought-provoking refresher. The forms and paperwork are the easy part of starting a business - figuring out what really makes your heart fulfilled is more difficult.
In addition to having me re-evaluate how I do what I do, Gary also weaves in some interesting history about how he used video and social media to build an empire. I found this to be the most useful, practical information in the book and well worth the cover price. Great book!
Marcia Layton Turner
Association of Ghostwriters
[...] |
Why Gary Crushed It
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| Review Date: March 5, 2010 |
| Reviewer: A. Ellwood, New York, NY |
The best teachers are the ones that don't have to theorize and hypothesize what they've concocted should work. The best teachers just have to tell their own success story and recount the pivotal moments that changed their lives. That is exactly what Gary does. With his trademarked enthusiasm, he delivered a quick read worth rereading immediately after I finished it the first time.
If you want to see the future of business and have a blueprint for how you can be a big part of it, this is the first book you need to read. |
straight talk about branding
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| Review Date: March 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: William R. Weber, Pitman, NJ |
| This book hold nothing back. It is a real guide for getting on the social networks and establishing yourself as a brand. It warns about the true commitment which must be made. It also gives step by step instructions. I followed the steps and now I am branded on five networks. Well worth the money. |
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No video reviews found for this product.
Everything has changed. The social media revolution has irreversibly changed the way we live our lives and conduct our business. There are billions of dollars in advertising moving online, waiting to be claimed by whoever can build the best content and communities. Despite this change, most people keep working at jobs that don’t make them happy and businesses continue to ignore the major marketing and public relations benefits that can be found online. 
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