Review: Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk

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Though this book has been out for some time, and probably read by a good many of you, I still felt this merited a blog post of my own. I’m not the type of person to jump on a bandwagon immediately until I see it’s merits. I never would have bought this audiobook if it hadn’t been for the plethora of good reviews. Business type books are not my first choice, but I must say this one was right up my alley. Read on for the full review.

This was the first time I have ever purchased an audiobook. I prefer the tactile feel of paper, and the parts of one’s brain that get stimulated and exercised by reading. That is not likely to change anytime soon, but this was definitely a quality audiobook, in content and delivery.

At first I thought that it was a bit overpriced for an audiobook. However, due to the added content of the audiobook vs the book, I can definitely say it wasn’t overpriced. Gary amends and adds enough information in the audiobook to make it worth it.

Gary’s unique style and delivery are definitely East Coast. I was pretty skeptical of the guy when I first heard of him- how was this guy different than any loudmouth from the East Coast again? However, when you go through the book it’s pretty obvious Gary is just being true to who he is and definitely living out his book. He’s not selling you a bill of goods so much as sharing with you ideas and principles that have worked for him over the years. Crush It! was the perfect book for me, as I’m graduating this May and heading out into the worst job market in my lifetime.

The bottom line of why this book rang so true in me, as it has in many, is that I am doing what I am passionate about. It helps that there’s quite an industry around what I’m passionate about, all things video, but what about those with not as easily monetizable passions? Gary provides examples and ideas for you, too.

Unsurprisingly, social media plays a big part in the book. Gary’s use of social media in no small part helped his success with Wine Library TV. Gary is quick to point out that though social media is a fantastic way to interact with others and build community, if you’re not being genuine with people it won’t matter which social media service you use. His use of the term “BS detector” made me laugh quite a bit- first time I’ve heard that in a book, audio or otherwise. He wisely points out in the book that if all you’re in it for is new avenues to make sales, then your use of social media will be irrelevant, or just not as effective. You’ve got to care about people before sales-the sales will come, just not as well if you don’t care about the people.

This book is definitely the best one I’ve gone through in 2010. You can buy the audiobook of “Crush It! Why now is the time to cash in on your passion” on iTunes here.

EDIT: Upon further review, it seems as though negative reviews of  “Crush It” come from people who read Gary Vaynerchuk’s blog daily and found it to be a restatement of many of the things he’s said in his blog.

I am not a regular reader of Gary’s, so I can’t come from that angle. Most of this book was brand new to me which is why I view it so favorably.