Why Ive Bought Personality Not Included 3 Times So Far

October 24, 2008 · Comments

Last night, a bunch of us attending a book signing for Rohit Bhargava in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rohit spoke first, as is commonplace at such events, and for Julien Smith and I, as authors in process, it was powerful to hear his advice. I think both Julien and I were anxious to ask him tons of questions about book marketing and strategy, but we calmed down our dog-ness and let others ask questions, too. But I want to tell you why I’ve bought this book 3 times (so far!)

Personality Not Included is a great primer on how companies must seek to inject personality back into the way they convey their brands. In many ways, the advice within the book is to re-assert the humanity of businesses. Rohit blends his wealth of knowledge with a great conversational tone, and he gives us much to consider.

The information in the book is easy to consume, but can merit more than one viewing. It’s useful and contains actionable information. It’s just a good solid book on how to drive a little more value out of applying a personal touch to business communications.

Oh, and it also relates a bit to what we think about with regards to trust agents.

My third copy of the book is for me. I gave the other two away. But this one has a great inscription in the front (only because I was snarky and asked Rohit for more ink). I think he’s a great guy, and I’m grateful we’ve spent even more time together at this last event.

If you’re looking for a book to help your company figure out its personality, check out Personality Not Included:

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  • "You have to be kidding me?"

    Why is that? And why did you put a question mark after that sentence? Heh, just kidding. :)

    "Why would you care if Chris makes a few cents off selling a book he genuinely likes?"

    I don't mind that at all. I've even said in the comments on other posts of his that I have no problem with the Google ads in his RSS feed or the ads on the right of the page, because it is clear that they are ads. Deception is what I don't like.

    "He would (I imagine given the rave he wrote) write a post about it even if he didn’t make money."

    That's not the issue. I'm sure Chris really does like the book. But he tagged the post a review. It's not a review. It's an ad. A review should highlight both the positive and negative aspects of a product, not just say, "this is great great great." I doubt his rave would have been quite so... positive... were he not making money each time someone purchased. This would all be irrelevant, however, if he were more up front about what he is doing.

    "It’s simple and smart to use Amazon links not for the money (because it isn’t much) but to see what your audience likes and buys, or doesn’t."

    That's fine, but just be honest about doing it.
  • You have to be kidding me? Why would you care if Chris makes a few cents off selling a book he genuinely likes? He would (I imagine given the rave he wrote) write a post about it even if he didn't make money. It's simple and smart to use Amazon links not for the money (because it isn't much) but to see what your audience likes and buys, or doesn't.
  • I really didn't mean to start a huge argument with this. I should probably just leave it be... on the other hand...

    "I believe Chris properly disclosed the status of the affiliated nature of the links."

    So does this mean you didn't read the post? Because he didn't disclose that at all.

    "For one, it’s widely known Amazon has an affiliate program; second, anyone can mouseover his links and discover the affiliate."

    If you know what affiliate links look like. Many people would not even think to do that and if they did would just see a long URL.

    "Basically, Chris isn’t masking, burying or doing _anything_ deceptive with the links. More power to him that he shares WHY he loves the book."

    But he didn't share the real reason he loves the book... that it makes him money! Heh, just kidding, I'm sure he really does like the book, but come on. Tagging it as a review? It's an ad! I just think it should be labeled as such.
  • Joe
    @Wesley -- I believe Chris properly disclosed the status of the affiliated nature of the links. For one, it's widely known Amazon has an affiliate program; second, anyone can mouseover his links and discover the affiliate.

    Basically, Chris isn't masking, burying or doing _anything_ deceptive with the links. More power to him that he shares WHY he loves the book.

    --Joe
  • How are they obvious? I had to roll over them to see if they were. If not for that I could have read the entire post and had no idea. And even on the off chance that your reader has read your entire 700 word about page with the "disclaimer" at the very bottom, it seems like it's referring to the ads on the sidebar. It says nothing about sneaking advertising into your posts and there is definitely nothing making it clear that this particular post contains affiliate links.

    I'm not saying you don't have the right to dedicate entire posts to advertising your affiliate links, but I am saying that you should be more upfront about it.
  • But they're not snuck, mister. They are flat out OBVIOUS. And I disclose that on my http://www.chrisbrogan.com/about page.
  • Nice job sneaking not one, not two, but three affiliate links into that post advertisement, Chris. :)
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