Book Yourself Solid, 2nd Edition

The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling

By: Michael Port

Narrated by: Michael Port

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

According to the Small Business Administration, 90% of service businesses will fail within the first five years. They fail not because they don't offer great services and products, but because the owners are extremely uncomfortable with traditional marketing and sales. The result is a frustrated, isolated, and overwhelmed business owner who does not know there is an entirely different, highly successful approach to marketing and sales available—and it's laid out in Book Yourself Solid.

Book Yourself Solid is based on Michael Port's proven system for getting more clients. And it works. In fact, 93% of business owners who have used the system have experienced a 34% increase in their total number of clients and a 42% increase in sales in the first year alone.

Original, wildly inspiring, personal, and provocative, Book Yourself Solid is an easy-to-follow road map for starting and growing your service business based on seven core self-promotion strategies. You'll not only learn how to develop a strong marketing plan and brand identity, but you'll also learn why self-promotion is absolutely critical to your success—and how to do it with passion and purpose. Even if you hate the idea of marketing and selling yourself, this practical, inspirational guide will lift you up and give you the confidence you need to comfortably and authentically market yourself and your services, tap into an endless supply of quality referrals, and watch your business grow. If you're a seasoned professional, you'll find the fresh ideas and tactics you need to keep bringing in new business for years to come. If you're a novice service professional looking for a complete business building system, you'll have the keys to unlock long-lasting business prosperity, security, and abundance for yourself and your family.

Once you make a name for yourself using the seven core strategies for self-promotion, you'll be able to run a profitable, meaningful, and absolutely booked-solid business overflowing with as many clients as your heart desires.

©2010 Michael Port (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"Do your homework! This is not a conceptual, theoretical look at how to succeed as a service professional. Instead, it's just what you need if you're stuck and you'd rather invest in your future (by doing the right kind of work) than complain about it later." (Seth Godin, author of All Marketers Are Liars and Permission Marketing)

Recent Mind Opening Ideas

What did you love best about Book Yourself Solid, 2nd Edition?

This book opened my mind to thinking outside the box to gain new customers. As well it touched on how to do social media correctly

Some really great ideas for building a business

This has some really great ideas for building your small business. It requires a lot of dedication and work to implement them but anything worth doing does.

Excellent book!

What made the experience of listening to Book Yourself Solid, 2nd Edition the most enjoyable?

He is to the point and gives you great ideas and tactics to use. This book was very helpful!

fantastic

what a great book this is. i'm looking forward to going through it several more times👍🏽

Not Entirely What I was Expecting

First off, I loved the narration and writing style. Michael Port has some charisma, so it's not too surprising he was able to be successful in the service industry.

I enjoyed the book, but there were a few parts I would've totally skipped over if I'd had a hardcopy. I remember thinking what is this guy talking about?! That's me though, maybe those will be the parts you need to hear.

I listened to the book about 3 weeks ago, so as I sit here writing the review I'm trying to remember what stood out to me.

The main thing that comes to mind is the necessity for service industry people to also create products. The point Port brought up is that there are only so many hours in a day that you can actually physically be in front of clients and that will eventually limit your earnings.

With a product and a website, you can theoretically "make money while you sleep." IDK if he used that expression, but you hear that phrase thrown around a lot when people start talking about product creation.

I think part of the idea was that even if you don't sell much of your product, having written a book on the subject of your service is going to give you authority in the market. For example, if you are a personal trainer who works with seniors and write a book, "Staying Fit Over 50," and market yourself as the author, even if you only sell two books potential clients will think you obviously know what you're talking about if you're writing books on the subject.

You might take away different things than me, but I'd be willing to bet the $15 you spend on this book is going to be a good investment.

Fresh new ideas to start new product

What made the experience of listening to Book Yourself Solid, 2nd Edition the most enjoyable?

The book gives new fresh ideas to accelerate the promotion of new professional activity. Most of the points are well known, but usually not applied in this order. It is clearly American way to do business. For Spanish marketing style it is a little bit too pushy.
On the other hand the book is too much oriented to service area to offer services and does not give much idea with new, not yet known, products.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not applicable

What does Michael Port bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The audiobook allows to listen while walking, for fully occupied person the only time to dedicate to books.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

It will be appreciated if the next version of the book helps with new product positioning on market.

Some good themes and ideas, but a bit outdated.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to fellow business owners in the service industries. There are good ideas about really breaking down why you do what you do, and who you should be doing it for. Then some strategies for taking action on these themes.

The book does not place as much of an emphasis on using technology and social media, which are some of the most cost-effective ways of building a business personality.

Overall, though, not a bad read, and you can knock it out in a few days. Worth a credit.

Wow!

A must read book with tremendous resources, and advice. This book will be my bible from here on in to "book myself solid". Worth every cent.

Best book on building a freelance business!

Super practical with great action steps. Describes every part of building a successful freelancing career!

Highly recommended! :)

Timely Information

Timely information especially during a time of business planning for the new year. I will incorporate the tips and tools of this book to my 2016 plans.