— Book Report #2

Kennedy Coleman
Nov 5 · 4 min read

“Crushing It How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business & Influence — And How You Can Too” By: Gary Vaynerchuk

“Our choices are infinite when we understand today’s digital environment, as our opportunities.”

— Gary Vaynerchuk (Crushing It! page 9)

For my second ADPR 4300 book report, I used this opportunity to finally grab ahold of one of New York Time’s Bestseller, Gary Vaynerchuk’s books. So when it came time to select a second book for the semester, I wanted to learn more insights about social media’s impact on a person’s or business’ brand and Crushing It! was the choice that caught my eye.

After Vaynerchuk’s hit book, “Crush It!” debuted in 2009, he’s made it apart of his mission to travel all over, educating companies and business professionals about the emergence of the “digital revolution”, coming on the scene with the extension of social platforms having a greater impact than simply communicating with friends online.

Synopsis:

Since the release of that book, “Crushing It!” was written to be the guide of next steps (or first steps) in utilizing social platforms to drive businesses and help budding entrepreneurs maximize the platforms functions to the best of their advantage. 10 years ago, the idea that social platforms leaders including: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Snapchat would have the potential to supply immense success was a hard thing to conceptualize. The very thought that “personal branding” would soon become a top “Career Day” venture like is is today, seemed impossible. With this book Gary debunks the doubts and pessimism about the power of social platforms and attests that the future is only going to continue rapidly adapting toward the digital direction.

Early on, Gary Vee expresses how Generation Z had a pretty solid grasp on the power of influencer marketing and social media’s capabilities. Many kids like my little siblings dream of becoming “YouTube” famous when they grow up, in comparison to how many young adults like me dreamt of becoming child-stars on TV as kids. From this concept, he stresses the fact that desiring to be your own brand is not an outrageous idea, and is becoming more popular everyday.

Intended Audiences:

  1. Those who are striving to become entrepreneurs and want to live life on their own terms.
  2. Anyone else who desire to have a career.

In order for readers to understand the gravity of social platform’s power to shift the way they market themselves & conduct business, he hope readers will be able to learn:

  • How to be informed with the most prevalent knowledge needed to take advantage of each major platforms strengths. If they are already making strides on building their personal brand, or are eager to start, they’ll be equipped with the tools to develop one that flourishes and will be long-lasting.
  • Be able to identify which social platform is best-fit to be the one designated for “pillar content” — while the other platform take on the responsibility of being the extension of your brand’s voice online.
  • Be inspired. Audiences will get a chance to hear testimonials of entrepreneurs who were one stuck with not knowing how to use market their passions and talents in a way that could lead to a career they could have even imagined.
  • Be ready to take risks and hustle if you really, really want it. The stories of entrepreneurs Gary Vee mentions throughout the book serve as examples of what is possible and walking readers through their thought process to finding social strategies that stick.

Key Takeaways

  • Understand how bad you really want it? If you desire to become an influencer or become savvy with social media just to boost the exposure of your business, Gary mentions that it will be tough. However, we have all the access at our fingertips. We just have to intentionally establish a plan, follow though and get out of the way of ourselves.
  • No passion is too far off from being the target of your personal brand. If you’re attached your passion, cause, hobby, service etc. there’s most likely a mass community of people how would like to follow you on the journey.
  • If you can imagine it, it’s possible. Please with the internet, literally any niche can be marketable if you hustle.
  • Stay buzz-worthy and invested in the buzz. For your personal brand or business’ sake and to keep fresh ideas in mind and always have a flow of inspiration at your disposal for what’s next.

“The internet is an entrepreneur’s oyster, and you can use it its pearly platforms to build a personal brand so powerful that the world is not only willing to pay you for your products or services or to promote other people’s products and services, but it might even be willing to pay you to just be you.”

— Gary Vaynerchuk (Crushing It! page 16)

Personal Opinion & Review

I believe that Gary Vee is a very upfront and empowering entrepreneur, CEO, speaker, that gets his message across to the intended audience with transparency. His approach to opening up about his experiences about social platforms impact and it’s ability to help people like you and me leverage them comes across effortlessly, persuasively, and with conviction to really get moving. That said audiences will go away feeling equipped on how to grow their personal brand through use of the platforms they’ll thrive the greatest. This is a book I’d suggest my family and friends grab ahold of too and would give the book a 4.5/5 rating.

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