I can only guess that Scott Stratten (or UnMarketing as he’s known on the internetz) decided to give me an unofficial copy of his new UnBook because he once watched me do karaoke and was so impressed with my mad skillz, he just had a to have a piece of me—and this was all he could afford.
Or maybe it was that we acted like junior high kids together during SOBCon?
Also, before he was ‘wicked famous’, I asked him how much a 30 minute consult with him would be, and he gave it to me for nothing. (Note: 1) Don’t tell him I told you that. 2) He won’t do it now, this was a long time ago, so don’t ask him. 3) His brain-time was priceless. 4) If you’re interested in why giving things away for free is important, talk to David Meerman Scott). 5) Not to put too fine a point on it, but, again, don’t tell Scott that I told you he did that.)
In short, though he’s much taller than me, Scott is a generous, kind, goofball, dad, friend, lover of kids, total geek, brilliant marketing mind, off the wall marketing mind, rooter for everything that isn’t lame, sucky, mean, annoying, same old or over-played.
So…I just read that list (above), actually, I read back through the whole post, and I thought—holy mackerel—it sounds like I’ve been spending a ton of time with this guy. Certain people might get jealous.
But the truth is, I’ve only met him in person once. But I’ve known him on Twitter for over 2 years. He tweets like he is in life. So much so, that when I did finally meet him last fall, I already knew so much about him.
Why in god’s name am I telling you all of this?
Because for whatever reason, he did send me an unofficial preview of his new book, UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging. And it reads just like Scott. Just like if you were at a conference with him and he was sitting behind you nudging you, threatening to throw spitballs in your hair and passing you notes. (cough, cough). This book? It’s like a collection of his notes—the ones the teachers (in this case: the ‘marketing professionals’, the ‘social media experts’), don’t want you to see.
The book arrives tomorrow, September 7th. But just for good measure:
- Scott already went ahead and sold out a 30 city book tour across the U.S. and Canada.
- (Oh, did I mention he’s a Canook? And you know how I love Canadians.)
- And he’s keynoting at the Blog World Expo in Vegas on 10/14.
- And the UnBook is a National Post Business Best Seller (Canadian national paper).
- Also it was the #1 marketing book on Amazon.ca for a few days (and I’m sure it’ll be back soon).
- And, not for nothing, he spearheaded the raising of over $25K on Twitter to help a cool little boy with a shitty, terminal disease get a HUGE wish.
And he did all this by opening his mouth and letting IT out. Through story and through hilarity. By going the opposite way of everyone else in the marketing world, heck, in the business world, heck again, in life.
That’s how he did it…and that’s what the book offers, to you. A book full of juicily passed, under the desk notes. No spitballs included.
Here’s where you can buy the book AND where you can see if Scott’s coming to your town so that he can throw spitballs at you sign your book and meet your wonderful self.
Scott, you rock. Couldn’t be happier for you. And, for all of us, the people that get to read your book.
He’s much taller than you? Who’s not taller than you, Julie? LOL.
Seriously, can’t wait to see this book. Scott seems like a genuinely nice guy and judging from what I’ve seen in social media (including a very generous video he contributed to socmedia101.com), he completely gets this social media business.
Great post.
Ron
You are hilarious, Ron. Hi-lar-i-ous.
Sounds like one that I must pick up….my to read lists never gets any smaller!
I love all of your “UNs” in the beginning. Somehow I just think that he’s going to find out that you told us about his secret, tho.
Looks like a great read, and since I am a marketing book reading whore these days, consider it just purchased.
Unmarketing–that’s the idea I’ve been living with for years. Marketing stinks. Gee, we’ve turned our lives into marketing activities! It went tooo far. Where was that point in my life at which I became a sales person to my soul? Just thoughts…