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Book ClubFeaturedSeasonal

Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuk

I usually read hard copies of books, but when I knew I’d have to wait before I could read Crushing It by Gary Vee, I bought it on Google Play for only R130 and binge-read it in two days on my phone.

crushing it gary vee

Gary Vaynerchuk or Gary Vee is a no bullsh*t entrepreneur who always adds more value than he asks for (read Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, a previous book club pick) and gives easy to follow practical tips. His latest offering, Crushing It, not only offers strategies you can implement right away but also has real-life success stories of people who have used the same tips to crush it.

READ MORE: The best podcasts that you should listen to this year

The book is divided into two parts. The first lays down the basic principles of becoming a success on your own terms and illustrates how others did so. The second gives social media platform specific advice.

The internet puts you in control

The internet is mainstream and offers you the opportunity to control how the world sees you, how often and in what context. Everyone should create a personal brand*, and if you know your worth and are doing good work, take the chance.

*An authentic personal brand. The thing about the internet is that it exposes you, you can only pretend for so long.

SEE ALSO: a subscription box for book worms

What really matters

Gary Vee goes through 8 important things that really matter, and here are some important nuggets that I thought would be worth sharing.

  • Intent: why are you doing this? Always add value first, because then you can learn to make money later.
  • Authenticity: the more authentic you are, the more people will be willing to forgive your inevitable mistakes.
  • Passion: this will be your backup generator when all other energy sources start to sputter.
  • Patience: living life on your own terms, may require that you go slower than expected.
  • Speed: the market will let you know if you’re not ready.
  • Work: work, work, work. When you first start out, there won’t be time for leisure.
  • Attention: need to learn how to spot under-appreciated attention. Test out new platforms, because when one becomes the next Instagram, you want to be the influencer.
  • Content: document don’t create liberates you from the pressure of having to create all the time. It’s OK to be a novice. Put it up and see what the market does.

“Remember there was a time when Kobe and Beyonce still had to use their last names”.

One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn in digital is that the market decides what’s good. It’s very humbling and keeps you on your toes.

Platform-specific social media advice

If you struggle to figure out which platforms you should be on, Crushing It has great advice. Gary Vee goes through various established and up and coming platforms.

A few top tips for different platforms

  • DMs on Instagram is where it’s at. Find everyone in your niche and offer them value, like working for free
  • have a Facebook page
  • listening is the key to successful engagement on Twitter. Find conversations via hashtags and take part
  • even if you don’t think you’re good on camera give YouTube a try. You’re allowed to learn along the way
  • Snapchat teaches you how to be good. There are no hashtags so you have to build an audience the old way
  • People will likely discover your podcast via other platforms, so make sure its wort their while and produce the best content you can
  • Muscal.ly – work on creating content for the most popular trending hashtags so that people can find you

SEE ALSO: Why grit is the key to success (and not luck or talent)

Read this book if: you want a no BS way of becoming a success on your own terms and hopefully making some money along the way.

Follow Gary Vee on Twitter @garyvee, listen to his podcast here or watch his YouTube channel here.

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