Social media has changed everything. It is now possible for you to take the thing you are most passionate about, create a social media platform, and build a real business that makes serious bucks. In his New York Times bestseller, Crush It! Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion, Gary Vaynerchuck shows you how. In a moment, I will tell you how to get a copy FREE.
First, who is Gary Vaynerchuk? He is the host of Wine Library TV and quite possibly the most passionate person on the planet. Think: human concentrate. Just add video and ba-bam. His energy level is illegal in seventeen states.
Gary’s family immigrated from Belarus in 1978, when he was just a toddler. His dad started a discount liquor business in Springfield, New Jersey and encouraged his young son in his entrepreneurial exploits. While he hated school and did poorly, he excelled at business— especially marketing. He began with a lemonade stand, went on to a lucrative baseball card business, and then graduated to a spot in his family’s retail wine business.
On February 21, 2006, at the age of 30, everything changed. Gary launched a video podcast called Wine Library TV. With his passion, humor, and transparency, he became a new media sensation. As a result, he was invited to appear on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Ellen Degeneres, and Nightline. His Internet videos went viral.
I first discovered Gary by stumbling onto a video of a speech he had delivered. Frankly, I was turned off, mostly because of his coarse language. (He says he is working on cleaning up his act.) I turned it off after about 60 seconds and moved on.
However, when Crush It! hit the New York Times bestsellers list, I decided to give Gary another try. I downloaded the audio version of the book and listened to it while running. I totally bought into his philosophy of work and social media. With his obvious passion, real-world experience, and off-script comments and humor, I became a fan.
The premise of the book is simple: life is too short to spend it on a job you hate. Instead, you need to identify your passion, make use of social media tools to get your message out, and then build a business you love. Sound impossible? Gary did it, and he shows you how in his book.
Granted, he didn’t start from scratch. His dad’s liquor business was already doing about $4 million a year in revenue. But he took it from there and created a $60 million-a-year online business!
Crush It! is a quick and inspiring read. He discusses:
- The role of passion in your life and work
- How to build your personal brand
- Why you must create great content
- The game-changing possibilities of social media
- The importance of authenticity in delivering your message
- How to monetize your passion and create a new life for yourself
The book is short—only 142 pages. I savored every chapter. Even though I listened to the unabridged audio book, I have already started reading the print version. It is that good!
Just to prove how valuable I think this book is, I am recommending it to you despite the fact that it was not published by Thomas Nelson. It was published by HarperStudio, an imprint of HarperCollins. They have graciously made 50 copies of Crush It! available to my readers.
Notice: This offer is now over. I have picked 50 people to receive a free copy of Gary’s book. I have none left. However, stay tuned for future offers. I am leaving the original text intact below for the historical record.
To get a chance at snagging one, you must take the following three actions:
- Leave a comment below. Tell me why you want this book. Be creative. I really do read these comments and base my decisions on them.
- Fill out the special form. I have set up a separate contact form to make it convenient for you to provide your mailing address. Please do not put your shipping address in your comment. This will automatically disqualify you.
- Twitter a link to this post. You can do so automatically by clicking here. If you don’t have a Twitter account, you can use Facebook.
On Friday, March 5, 2010, I will select 50 people, based solely on my arbitrary and subjective evaluation of their comments. If you are one of those selected, Lindsey Nobles on my team will notify you via email. If you don’t hear from her, you can assume you didn’t make the cut.
This space is currently available, but it won’t last long! Click here to find out how you can advertise in this space.
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I love what Gary has done with WineLibraryTV and find his audacious goal of owning the New York Jets oddly inspiring for all its audacity… and I hope he makes it! I'm eager to read more about the approach Gary took and the specific philosophy behind it. Certain I can glean much from his insight and pass it along to clients I work with. Can't wait to read it.
My recent post Reading the Signs
I love what Gary has done with WineLibraryTV and find his audacious goal of owning the New York Jets oddly inspiring for all its audacity… and I hope he makes it! I'm eager to read more about the approach Gary took and the specific philosophy behind it. Certain I can glean much from his insight and pass it along to clients I work with. Can't wait to read it.
My recent post Reading the Signs
Yes, I would devour this book. I am constantly looking for new info on how to become more proficient with social media. My wife and I will use this as part of job. We are leaving in May 2010 to be career missionaries in Germany and social media will be our main form of communication with churches and supporters. I have a passion to become better at this but little direction. I believe this book will help. Thanks for the chance to win this great offer!
My recent post King David And The Sword In The Stone
I recently started reading your blog about a month ago and I really look forward to it. It's insightful and a real blessing. ____Crush it! sounds like a real blessing. I just starting a life coaching business and want to learn how to use Social media in a constructive and positive way. This sounds like a fantastic opportunity to do so. If I am so lucky to be chosen, I promise to dissect it, devour it and make sure it is as dog eared as my most read book in my collection, complete with coffee stains, tears of laughter and angst while I learn the ways and means of Social Media. Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to participate and just be part of this movement.
Michael – I want to say thank you, very much, for being selected to receive a copy of Crush It! I’m so looking forward to diving into it, and I apprecitate the generosity. — Bridget
Darn it. I missed my chance. But I'll definitely get a copy for myself. I'm all about not working a job I don't love. ;-)
Wow… Thanks Michael for selecting me! Looking forward to reading this book!
I would love to receive a copy of Crush It! I have been on Twitter for a year and have been searching for something like this! I tried my own business and made very little money. I have tremendous drive to success, I really just need a bit of help to make it happen. I was very taken this video and think it is what I have been looking for!
My recent post What a Terrific #Followfriday on Twitter!
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I'm too late to be entered to win a copy of Gary Vaynerchuk's book, and anyway my problem is not concentrating on my passion, it's identifying which of several passions to concentrate on while not neglecting the others.
So this comment is kind of thinking out loud (as it were) about Mr. Hyatt's blog. I write novels that I hope will immortalize two of my grandmothers who pioneered Montana. They were both widows who came West in search of a better life for their children. They had little but faith and prayer and indomitable will. Nelliken, born and married in Norway, never spoke English. Lou, who came from St. Louis, lugged a Bible the size of a PC tower.
Having read what I've written, I'll quit. Thank you for helping me define what I didn't realize is my overarching passion. Now I'll look for Mr. Vaynerchuk's book. From what you say, it should help me write my grandmothers' stories to encourage others who face hard times.
My recent post Who's in this Scene Anyway?