Would you be interested in reading through the book “The Impact Equation“? This book by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith is about how to build a brand online, and their tagline says it perfectly, “Are you making things happen or just making noise?” The internet sure can be a noisy place, right?
Details: I’d like to connect with locals in the Sacramento area as much as possible, but this is also open to a few non-locals too. We’ll make it easy by doing a couple of “Hangouts” on Google Plus in February or March for 60-90 minutes (we’ll pick a time that works for all of us). I envision two online “hangout” sessions where we talk through the content of the book during the first session and then do a follow-up meeting to chat about ways we can apply the book to our own businesses. This is a great way to bounce around ideas, grow, learn and build some relationships. This will be a safe place where we listen to each other and share ideas. I’d like to see a diversity of industries too. The club would be limited to 10 people.
Book Description from Amazon:
“Anyone can write a blog post, but not everyone can get it liked thirty-five thousand times, and not everyone can get seventy-five thousand subscribers. But the reason we’ve done these things isn’t because we’re special. It’s because we tried and failed, the same way you learn to ride a bike. We tried again and again, and now we have an idea how to get from point A to point B faster because of it.”Three short years ago, when Chris Brogan and Julien Smith wrote their bestseller, Trust Agents, being interesting and human on the Web was enough to build a significant audience. But now, everybody has a platform. The problem is that most of them are just making noise.In The Impact Equation, Brogan and Smith show that to make people truly care about what you have to say, you need more than just a good idea, trust among your audience, or a certain number of followers. You need a potent mix of all of the above and more.Use the Impact Equation to figure out what you’re doing right and wrong. Apply it to a blog, a tweet, a video, or a mainstream-media advertising campaign. Use it to explain why a feature in a national newspaper that reaches millions might have less impact than a blog post that reaches a thousand passionate subscribers.As the traditional channels for marketing, selling, and influencing disappear and more people interact mainly online, the very nature of attention is changing. The Impact Equation will give you the tools and metrics that guarantee your message will be heard.
Are you interested? This is an initial “put out feelers” post to see who might be interested in doing this together. I really enjoyed Brogan & Smith’s first book Trust Agents, so I have high hopes for this one too. Please comment below or connect with me on Twitter or Facebook (or wherever else) to let me know if you’re in. I look forward to digesting this together. Keep in mind this book does come in audio too for those who really don’t like to read.
By the way, one of the great things about social media is having access to authors. I asked Chris Brogan for any tips for doing this book club, and here is what he said via Twitter. Let’s make this a formative read together.
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I did not know they had a new book out, I will have to pick it up. I like your plan to connect with locals Ryan by using the book as a conversational point. I might have to try this myself with some local people. Thanks for always coming up with great ideas.
I’ve been meaning to pick up the book. I think it came out over the past few months. It has really good reviews on Amazon so far, so I’m anxious to read it. I’m pretty sure we read Trust Agents and Crush It together during the previous “book clubs”. Isn’t that right, Tom? You were the Alabama guest.
Yep, you’re right Ryan. I’ve wanted to do something similar in my area to build relationships locally so I may try this.
I’ll look forward to hearing how it goes, Tom. Good for you.
I’d be up for reading it with you, but I’m in Singapore with a 2 year old. Great idea about online book clubs and Google hangouts. I should try it here in SE Asia. Good luck
P.S. The ‘with a 2 year old’ comment was meant to mean that I know the timing would never work out for the hangouts. Late nights don’t work as well as they used to. Not sure if that was clear.
Thanks Tim. It would be fun to read with someone in a different country too. I bet it would be hard to coordinate times though. I used to have two 2-year olds. I know what you mean. Thanks man.
I just purchased this a few weeks ago and haven’t started reading it. If you are still looking for people, I’m in Chicago and would love to participate (late nights always work for me).
Thanks so much Margaret. Let’s see if we can make that work out then. I’ll be picking some potential times soon so we can hash out a time that works for everyone (or mostly everyone). Let’s see if it works out. I’m open to it. I always find it good to read with others for two reasons: 1) It forces me to read the book; and 2) I learn so much from other people’s insight. We’ll be in touch.
Ryan,
You are always coming up with the most innovative ideas! Thank you for all the information you share and for all you do that impacts our Sacramento region community. If you are still looking for people and the day and time works out, I would love to participate in your hangout.
Thank you for your kind comment. Right now our group may be full, though it depends on the times. I’ll be letting everyone know times soon. If it doesn’t work out for someone, I’d love to have you join the group. Thanks Pam.
Sorry for the lateness of this all everyone. Things got really busy for me. We finally have a date on the calendar. May 7th at 3pm. Can you make the meeting? Let me know. Thanks. We’ll meet on Google+. On the other hand, if everyone ends up being local, we can certainly meet at a local coffee house if we wish. We’ll likely meet for 60-90 minutes.