July 11, 2009 28 Comments

Are E-Riches For You

I’ve never had a more back-and-forth opinion on a book yet. I talk with Scott Fox from time to time on Twitter and on email. He’s a nice enough guy. I like what I know of him. He does things a bit differently than me in some regards, but in others, he is every bit as passionate about the new rules of marketing as I am. With that in mind, I think the book e-Riches 2.0: Next-Generation Marketing Strategies for Making Millions Online is worth reading, if only to understand a different perspective than the typical “kumbaya” version of social that we talk about so often.

I’m really curious to know your take. If you buy this one, would love for you to weigh in. Here’s my video review.

Here’s the Amazon link to check it out further:

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  • http://twitter.com/remarkablogger remarkablogger

    Instead of just drinking more Kool-Aid, it's making you really think. Worth it for that, yes?

  • DanDashnaw

    I was all about taking a look to see how he bridges the gap you talk about, so I hopped on over to his site from the link in your post while watching the rest of your review. Just as his site came up – while and you were mentioning how he's not your typical, off-putting marketing type – his entire website grayed out and a newsletter subscription box crept across the screen, demanding my attention in the worst way possible.

    What do you think I did? I closed the tab immediately. In short, I get where you're coming from, Chris. He may be doing a number of things right, but I'll likely never know about them. He totally lost me at his website's 'marketing 1.0' welcome.

  • jgraziani

    Marketing books are not my thing. I might read this book in sections, when I need specific info to answer a question, rather than straight through. But writing is my thing. After 30+ years of writing professionally I can tell you that a person's depth of knowledge is revealed in “what” they write — how well they know and understand their subject. A person's depth of character is revealed in “how” they write — their style, phraseology, expressiveness. It's likely that we gravitate to writers who style agrees with our own character. I don't know if that's what is happening here — I don't pretend to know what's in someone else's head or heart, but it might be worth thinking about.

  • http://twitter.com/mjbowe Matthew Bowe

    I like the vids… keep doin' them.

    I blogged about what I call “The Fly Swatter Effect” a few days ago http://matthewbowe.com/?p=69 and cover a similar angle as Dan mentions… these days, if something is annoying, we can swat it away. Some people, however still respond to interruption marketing, and it's useful.

    Chris, what I appreciate about you is that you come across honest and critical while also being humble. Hope to see you speak in person some time.

  • http://johnhaydon.com johnhaydon

    This review says more about you than Scott's book. I've been reading your blog for some time now, and notice that you're not about to compromise your honesty in the name of commerce. Two thumbs up to you, my friend.

    Not that Scott has done this, but I wonder how many people ask you to review their book, but in their mind, they think that they've asked you to promote their book.

  • http://twitter.com/scott_fox Scott Fox, Author

    Hi Chris,

    Thanks for your video review of my new book, e-Riches 2.0. I appreciate you taking the time to give it a thoughtful review.

    Of course the best part is that your conclusion seems to be that the book is “a really good starting point for a lot of stuff” to do with Web 2.0 online marketing!

    But you’re right. We do things a little bit differently. As you put it in your video, I am a “bridging person.”

    I write because I believe the benefits of the e-business revolution deserve to be shared with people who are beyond the blogosphere and outside the Twitterverse.

    My audience is small business owners and entrepreneurs who are struggling to understand the benefits of social media marketing (or being online at all!). They need help understanding and prioritizing online marketing techniques. Who isn’t overwhelmed keeping up with blogs, Facebook, RSS, podcasting, Digg, LinkedIn, Twitter, article marketing, PPC, etc? (Other than you of course! ;) )

    So, yes, e-Riches 2.0 is full of inspirational language and dozens of real life success stories. They are there to help show that anyone has opportunity online today.

    Although most books (and blogs and tweets, etc.) preach to the converted who are already active online, e-Riches 2.0 is full of specific examples and how-tos (including plenty of screenshots) that empower “regular folks” to join the Internet revolution that you and I both believe in so much.

    Thanks again for the review, Chris. Looking forward to your new book soon, too!

    Scott Fox
    Author of e-Riches 2.0: Next Generation Online Marketing Strategies
    http://www.ScottFox.com

    p.s. To learn more about this new book, visit http://www.ScottFoxRadio.com to check out a free podcast I recorded just last week. You can hear me explain my approach to modern online marketing and why I wrote e-Riches 2.0. Listen and judge for yourself – free!
    http://is.gd/1uV1a

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    Believe me, I don't make any real money with those amazon links. Like.. a dinner or two worth per month. I wouldn't trade my honesty for that.

    Instead, the reviews are my gut take on a book.

    With Scott Fox, I *really* want to believe. I think there are lots of nuggets of good in here, and I think it's worth owning and dissecting a bit. I think it's the kind of book you should use as an eye-opener to other things you're doing, IF you're marketing or using the web for business.

    Believe me, this was a big one.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    Rock on, Scott. I think people should learn your perspective, and should dig a little deeper to understand where you have some really good offerings for their business.

    Best of luck with your book.

    –Chris…

  • http://johnhaydon.com johnhaydon

    Thanks for the reply, Chris. Yeah, it sounds like you respect trust Scott.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    Respect, at least. Trust is a weighted word with me these days. : )

  • http://johnhaydon.com johnhaydon

    In the end, I guess the only thing you can do is trust yourself.

  • janidelman

    Chris, Enjoy all your posts. Can't access your video review, which I'd really like to see. Happy Sunday!

  • http://twitter.com/calgreg greg cryns

    Since I have not read Scott's book I can only really comment about your videos, Chris,

    Keep them coming!

    Some of us respond well to the printed word. Some respond better to videos. They both can have big value. I am inclined to learn more from a video IF I don't play it in the background. So, I must WATCH and LISTEN to the video. That's ok and I now prefer videos for better understanding.

    I can comment on the issue you brought up about Scott's book. It would be helpful if the “work at home” crowd had some verifiable and true case histories to rest on. But they don't. The most successful usually work a home party plan and build a large team offline. Yes, there are always people who do manage that online only, the exceptions that prove the rule.

    Most of the people I know who make a living working from home, do that in conjunction with offline activity. I work with local businesses to introduce them to e-marketing. Thus, I spend a lot of time in the field shaking hands, SELLING and just making myself visible.

    As you mentioned, I think long term success depends on putting your feet into both ponds.

  • steven

    I hate marketing books..

    Using Twitter to make cash? Easy check out http://bit.ly/Twittercash

    How I got $12,000 in 30 Days and a steady $5,000 a month income – http://earncashfromgoogle.com/adsense/how-i-got…

  • steven

    Kool-Aid Is GOOD!

    Using Twitter to make cash? Easy check out http://bit.ly/Twittercash

    How I got $12,000 in 30 Days and a steady $5,000 a month income – http://earncashfromgoogle.com/adsense/how-i-got…

  • leestreater

    Hi Chris,

    Big Fan Here! Thanks for recommending eRiches by Scott Fox, ordered it today!
    Can you recommend an advanced social media work shop…
    Keep up your fine and important work Chris….you are reaching those who appreciate you.
    Lee

    @LeeStreater
    http://www.Facebook.com/LeeStreater

  • subsbase

    I agree with jgraziani. The 'gravitating to a particular writer's style' reason is valid. Psychologically we prefer to learn from those we find easy to understand. And we understand those who are more like us better.

  • http://mattwilson.tv MattWilsontv

    Nobody likes a get rich quick scheme–that's why I hate “squeeze pages”. But come on you've got to make money somehow–but why is this so effective, that's what I never get. How do people actually make money selling someone a pipe dream?

  • KeithBurtis

    Personally, the title turns me off.

  • huangqin

  • Pingback: Conversation vomit: Why aggregating everything everyone says is a stupid idea

  • same23

    Chris,
    After reviewing your post on e-riches, I must say that your take on Paid Search
    is dead on in being the forefront of the media marketing world. Spending on Paid Search skyrocketed last year and will continue to do so.

  • http://blogging.compendiumblog.com/blog/blogging-best-practices chrisbaggott

    But isn't this the myth? I've asked this before and I'll ask again…what % of your visitors are first timers. For the vast majority of business blogs this is somewhere north of 70%….which is a great thing for business and should be embraced. We have lot's of ways to engage people once we have made the relationship including face to face, telephone and email, not to mention social networking tools.

    The hardest part is making the first contact and for most businesses that come through search. I guess my point is that most bloggers will never have many 'readers' but that doesn't mean they wont have lots of visitors, so the key goal really needs to focus on attracting those first timers and building the confidence with them so they want to continue the relationship.

    Thanks for pointing out the book Chris ….I'm going to pick it up and see for myself.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    One of the strangest ironies of my life is that I fly around the world telling people why the web is a great place to build relationships. : )

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    That's just it. The title put me off, too. But then I read the book, and I kept nodding in places.

  • http://twitter.com/rolfgeisser geisser

    just started reading. will get back after finishing.

  • http://www.zoombits.fr/ram/ram-mac memoire pour mac

    Wow, that's a tough one. I mean, sure he's got a right to make a living any way he wants, and maybe the title of the book is slightly skewed to sell better but I can see how it could be misconstrued by newbs as a mixed (or misleading) message.

  • http://www.zoombits.fr/ram/ram-mac memoire pour mac

    Wow, that's a tough one. I mean, sure he's got a right to make a living any way he wants, and maybe the title of the book is slightly skewed to sell better but I can see how it could be misconstrued by newbs as a mixed (or misleading) message.