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)

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.

Excellent book overall

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

I was getting pretty ticked off by the first chapter - it seemed like it was starting off with too much praise and flattery to me the reader and not enough substance. I was about to turn it off in disgust but decided to listen to a full hour before deciding. I'm glad I did - once he gets past the "you're wonderful and this book will get you the success you deserve" (I hate books like that because that type of flattery usually is an attempt to hide a complete lack of substance) he actually starts giving lots of good advice on referral marketing. Very helpful, I'm implementing a lot of his ideas and highly recommend the book to any small business person looking to grow.

Selling Without Selling, Made Simple

Would you consider the audio edition of Book Yourself Solid, 2nd Edition to be better than the print version?

I found the audio version to the perfect way to turn my car into a university on wheels.

What other book might you compare Book Yourself Solid, 2nd Edition to and why?

I have done courses that cover the topics in this book, but they seem to jump too quickly into marketing instead of doing the ground work first.

Which scene was your favorite?

Developing your foundation was the most valuable part of the audiobook to me. Recognising who I am and what I have to offer, sets up any business person perfectly from the get-go.

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

I couldn't wait to get back into my car to drive to work, just to listen in to Michael again.

Any additional comments?

This is my favorite book on self development so far. Awesome.

Only Read This Book if You Want to Be Booked Solid

This is an excellent read. If you want a book on this subject that is truly helpful, this is it. If you don't want to work at booking yourself solid--if you want a quick fix--you won't find it here. You'll have to change the way you work if you want this system to work for you. And you will have to take your time and WORK to build real relationships for this system to work for you. But, if you work it, it will work. Port shows you how in a smart, funny, down-to-earth, not too preachy way and provides you all of the tools and resources you need to succeed without your having to spend a ton of money to get access. Does he offer other services in his book? Yes. But you'll WANT to buy from this man who adds so much value to your business life in this book. Be prepared to be amazed in a world of the mediocre and unamazing business information.

Book Yourself Solid LOL

Would you try another book from Michael Port and/or Michael Port?

No this book was a wast of money.

Has Book Yourself Solid, 2nd Edition turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes

What didn’t you like about Michael Port’s performance?

That he is a Narcissistic sales man

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Book Yourself Solid, 2nd Edition?

If I cut out

Any additional comments?

If I buy anymore audibl books like this I will drop my membership.

Great Ideas

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

Michael Port has ideas on how to market the service professional. Several reviewers complain that the book is more about selling his product and less on the ideas. Umm, the idea of Booking Yourself Solid IS his product.

The only disadvantage to the audio version is not I need to go back and listen to it again to pull out all the concepts and instructions. The accompanying workbook does help with this.

Highly recommend

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

Michael Port is teaching from experience of someone who has actually booked himself solid. He gives real techniques and tools that work today for you to promote your business, brand, product, or service and get speaking engagements. He offers an excellent unique approach to find partners who can help promote your business.

His authentic approach is very refreshing, appealing and entertaining and is worth many times the price. As an entrepreneur i highly recommend this book to other entrepreneurs, small business owners and sales and marketing professionals.

What did you like best about this story?

That he reads the book himself and didn't hire a book reader

Great for obtaining new resources and tools

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

An animated look into his coaching experiences that gives the connecting moments of "this can be me".

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Book Yourself Solid had the balance of resourceful content as well as laughter. Some of the beneficial resources that have worked great for me are the Book Yourself Solid Direct Outreach and Web Strategies. Although I am familiar with Face book and Twitter Michael Port shares a few additional twist to enhance your current profile.

Great for small business and individual marketing

Book Yourself Solid contains useful information for individuals and small businesses creating a marketing and sales plan. What pleased me was the organization, strategic mindset, and point by point descriptions. Each line of reasoning fits perfectly into a category, which in turn fits into the overall strategy and goals. The information was also of such breadth and depth that numerous situations and techniques were described, with a few given a great detail of coverage.

Productive Marketing Strategies

If you could sum up Book Yourself Solid, 2nd Edition in three words, what would they be?

A must read

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

Which scene was your favorite?

N/A

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

If you are starting a business, this book will help you generate good loyal customers.

No longer overwhelmed by marketing

Any additional comments?

After recently starting a new business I was truly overwhelmed by the concept of Marketing..I then employed a marketing company to do some stuff for me but I was also expected to engage and deliver and was now finding it even more overwhelming as I had deadlines...then I was advised by a mentor to read Book Yourself Solid...This was my first download from Audible as I had just discovered the joys of reading and driving at the same time! Michael's style was engaging and on my level..my biggest learning was to only worry about THOSE I AM MEANT TO SERVE that clarification alone was worth the download, add to that a thorough understanding of WHY I needed Social Media and I can honestly say my money was VERY well spent..dont get me wrong there was loads of other goodies including knowing your ideal buyer etc but for me they were cherries on the other cupcakes..thoroughly recommended for others who find the concept of marketing overwhelming

Read in conjunction with the book.

There are many, many good service professionals out there who don't even get as far as meeting prospective clients, let alone selling to them. This audio gives practical insights into how to find and close more business. It is a practical look at how to succeed at the business development side of of being a service professional. I used this audio gave 'voice' to the book, which also own.

Michael Port adds value and then some

Book Yourself Solid is an essential read for anyone with their own business in the service industry. This book will teach you techniques and principles and then show you how to put them into action so that not only will you be booked solid, but you will give and receive more value than you thought possible.

So enthusiastic and inspiring!

After feeling a little uninspired and lost these past few months, this book has given me a huge boost to kickstart my business and really get out there! Such a great narrator : full of passion and expertise. Fully recommended!