I'm Still Knocked Out by this Fabulous Review

Wow! A triple-scoop serving of gratitude for Clif Bridger's review of my 31 Days5/4/10 book series. When I forwarded the review to our publisher, Alfred Poor of Desktop Wings, Alfred shot back, "Wow! And WOW! That’s great! That’s an amazing review by someone who clearly “gets” the books and what you’re trying to do with them."

So, all humility aside and with the upfront disclaimers that Clif is a friend and that he owns a local bookstore, RBR Books in Leland, NC, where my books are on sale (he also sells them via Amazon), here's the review, reprinted in full:

31 Days To.....
In the great range of self-improvement, professional development, career coaching advice that is available on the market today, there are only a few that stand out from the teeming hordes. Trump, Iacocca, Thiagi, Kiyosaki, are but a few of the luminaries who, over the years, have offered career advice based on real-life experiences. On the whole, their efforts are genuine and aimed at making your a better person, and perhaps a better business person.

There is a new player making inroads in the career coaching market who is distinctive from so many others. Bruce Brown has unleashed his boundless energy on a new endeavor; to help you make a 'quantum leap' in your personal and professional life. His first entre´ into developing a practical set of tools that can be used by anyone in any business, was 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery, first released in 2009. That was quickly followed by 31 Days to Relationship Marketing Mastery, and then, 31 Days to Greeting Card Marketing Mastery in early 2010.


Networking Event Mastery is now in its second, expanded edition. The 2nd edition offers a much richer guidebook to understanding how an individual can optimize business networking events without feeling pushy or out-of-place. Laid out in an easy-to-follow, thirty one day format, Bruce introduces the reader to the concept of how networking isn't really about handing out business cards to everyone at an event. It is really more about establishing and building personal relationships with clients, business partners, and friends.

The approach is very practical. Each chapter is very short. They follow the 31 days of a month (any month). Each day of the month presents simple advice followed by work pages. The readers can take inventory of resources they might leverage in their own efforts to build an effective network. Some might argue that the 31 day format is too didactic, too shallow. It is, however, the right format for Bruce's highly concentrated, fast-moving method. Readers who are moving at the 'speed of Bruce' don't need more than the essential elements being offered and the chance to reflect and write down what they can do to take the next step toward improving their networking skills.

This is not a book based on years of scientific research and endless studies. This is a book based on years of practical experience and drive to engage others in finding mutually beneficial business relationships. Bruce distills his years in marketing, real estate and a wide variety of other relationship-dependent jobs into the 31 Days... series. Bruce's skills as a seasoned writer make the the entire 31 Days... series enjoyable and easy to read.

To add the essential touch for readers in the Wilmington, NC area, Bruce also offers associated seminars and talks on relationship and networking marketing around the area. He can be found every morning (early morning) on Twitter (www.twitter.com/BruceBrownNC) checking in with pointers to daily events in the region and motivational quotations.

The entire 31 Days To... series by Bruce Brown (DesktopWings, $17.95) is available at RBR Books. RBR Books at the Waterford Village Shoppes, Leland's Only Bookstore.

So thanks, Clif, your review of the series and your continued support are much appreciated. Beyond the individual volumes, more of which are in progress, you also really do, as Alfred said, "get" the books and what we’re trying to do with them. - Bruce

American Red Cross - Cape Fear Chapter - NBCC Ribbon -Cutting

The Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross recently joined the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce. Last week we held a ribbon cutting for them at the NBCC offices.



NBCC and Cape Fear Red Cross board member Peggy O'Leary with CFRC board chairman Phil Sharpe.


NBCC board members Mike Leggett (left) and Tony Vlach (right) with NBCC and CFRC board member Connie Reeves in the background.


Outgoing (in a couple of ways) NBCC Executive Director Terry Grillo with NBM magazine photographer Wendy Hunt (who's also an outgoing personality but not changing jobs!).

CFRC lineup: Executive Director Vicki LaBelle, board member Peggy O'Leary, Chairman Phil Sharpe, Community Relations and Event Coordinator Autum Mihm, and board member Connie Reeves.


New NBCC Executive Director Dana Fisher (actually, I guess on that day she was the incoming ED, but she's still an outgoing personality).


NBCC board members Tony Vlach, Peggy O'Leary, and George Murray (President) with ED Dana Fisher.


We had a gaggle of photographers present, so I took THEIR photo!


And yes, the ribbon was successfully cut!


Welcome to NBCC, CFRC! We're proud to have you with us.

QRC Relationship Marketing Events

We recently ran three short seminars on topics from new Quantum Results Coaching 31 Days to Business Mastery books.

In North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kerry Kasotsky of Health Choice One gathered a room full of people at California Dreaming restaurant to hear a presentation based on 31 Days to Relationship Marketing Mastery.


Nolan Formalarie with Plantation Properties and Lauren Formalarie of Coastal Carolina Concepts hosted a group in Southport on the same topic, relationship marketing mastery.




At the end of the seminar one of the attendees, Mike Canu, with Chews4Health offered to do a quick video testimonial.



And in Leland Marge and I held a luncheon seminar based on 31 Days to Greeting Card Marketing Mastery.


With our focus on networking and relationship marketing, Quantum Results Coaching helps small businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals get the most for their marketing efforts and budget by maximizing the effectiveness of state of edge relationship marketing techniques and strategies.

Our elite Passions Lead to Profit 3-stage coaching program focuses on the personal power and business strength as the cornerstones of efficient, effective long lasting business relationship building.

Three Busy Days in My Life

Why I Think You Should Read "Crush It!"

Wow, what a book!



As I said in the video, Bruce Henderson of Hanover Center was the guy who first told me about "Crush It!"


A few weeks later Buddy Blake, a fellow Realtor at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty in Wilmington, NC sent me a copy as an unexpected gift! Thanks, Buddy!


So now I've read the book and "Whoa, what a powerful book!"

The basic message is: with the new media available thanks to the Internet, anyone can create their own, personal brand and "crush it", but only if they work hard and focus on something they're very passionate about.

My quick take is there are six parts to the book. I like 'em all, but I like the fourth part best.

Part One - Sell 'em - Get people pumped, get out the messages about loving family, working hard, living passions and combining the last two. Makes the points about social media, personal branding.

Part Two - Teach 'em - Major social media and new media Internet platforms, why and how, gives examples.

Part Three - Make it personal - More about branding. Why you should, how you can, and what it will mean personally.

Part Four - Bigger messages - What it really means on this planet and to you!

Part Five - Blueprint - Take it and do this on your own. You can and you should, but if you don't, don't come crying.

Part Six - Gifts - Some examples of possible fields in which to "crush it" that if you don't at least check them out a little, you really don't get it (cuz subject doesn't matter, it's the medium and the method, silly).

OK, so that's my read on this book (first time thru anyway). Here's a link where you can buy "Crush It! it from Amazon (and btw, that's not an affiliate link because they're not allowed in North Carolina with Amazon - so I won't make any money if you buy it). You should also be able to get it soon at RBR Books in Leland because last week we warned our buddy Clif Bridgers who owns that bookstore that we were going to blog about it so he better get in a few copies.


So yes, I like the book. A lot. And I really like the major message and the message behind the message, which is that it's OK to be "you". And in fact, you can become a brand! If you have no clue what I'm talking about, and especially if you're in business, or want to be, you probably better read the book.

And if you want to check my books on Amazon (and, oh yeah, I make money on these), please go to my Amazon Bruce Brown Author Page.

And I'd love it if you subscribed to my newsletter, Bruce Brown at the Edge. It's easy, just fill in the box below and hit Enter.

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Very soon now, LOL

Today may be the day my three new books show up on Amazon, or at least fully. I'm looking forward to it.

As of Sunday night the two book on my Amazon.com author page were the original edition of 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery and Ready, Set, Invest!, the real estate investment book Marge and I wrote in 2007.

Yesterday my three newest books (finally) started appearing on Amazon, but it's funny because only parts and pieces. This morning, as I write this, the covers for the three new books aren't there, but the book descriptions and everything else is.

So now, for a first look, including clickable links to Amazon.com, here are Volumes I-III in the Quantum Results Coaching 31 Days to Business Mastery Series:

Volume I is the Second Edition of 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery. Here's a brief description and reviews from the back cover (note the reviews are based on the first edition - all of which is contained in the Second Edition - we just added more): "31 Days to Networking Event Mastery" by Bruce Brown is an inspiring and powerful book that will teach you how to make the most of business social networking opportunities. The 31 tips -- one each day for a month -- teach you what you need to know to help make valuable new connections that will help both you and your business grow. This second edition is expanded with personalization and action plan pages. "Enjoyable read. No-nonsense clarity and proven things that work (when you work them)." John Milton Fogg, author of "The Greatest Networker" "31 Days to Networking Event Mastery" is a must read, especially in this day and age with so many business professionals in desperate need to reinvent themselves. There are 31 excellent tips that cost little to no money to implement." Curtis Lewsey, co-author of "Appreciation Marketing"


Volume II is 31 Days to Relationship Marketing Mastery. Here are early reviews, again from the back cover: "31 Days to Relationship Marketing Mastery" by Bruce Brown is an inspiring and powerful book that will teach you how to make the most of your business relationships. The 31 tips -- one each day for a month -- teach you make a positive contribution to the relationships you have with customers and colleagues. This expanded edition includes personalization and action plan pages. "Bruce points out that the most important parts of relationship marketing are attitude, buy in, and communications." David M. Merrill, WilmingtonNetworkingEvents.com. "I like the personal effort espoused here for people to take charge of their world of work. The commitment to work at the process will ensure success." Raymond K. Smith, LMFT, West Hartford Counseling Service




Volume III is 31 Days to Greeting Card Marketing Mastery. Here are some early reviews (from the back cover of the book): "31 Days to Greeting Card Marketing Mastery" by Bruce Brown is an inspiring and powerful book that will teach you how to use simple greeting cards to accelerate your business. The 31 tips -- one each day for a month -- teach you what you need to know to get new customers and clients, as well as build loyal relationships with existing customers and colleagues. This expanded edition contains personalization and action plan pages. "This book is on point and presented as a results driven, no nonsence guide to getting results. Every page presents a clear, actionable idea capable of producing tangible bottom-line results." Clif Bridges, RBR Books, Leland, NC "I love this book! Bruce starts out with very practical things that we all know we ought to do, like sending Thank You cards, and then makes several surprising suggestions about how to make a real impact with your clients using Greeting Cards." Maran Banta, Atlanta, GA


And of course the original edition of 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery is still available. The first edition has the tips only, no workbook pages or suggestions. Some will prefer that one (even though the cover now looks pretty drab, to me at least, LOL).

Will ebooks Kill Printed Books?

Are print books dead?

This past weekend at Bob "Bob the Teacher" Jenkins SIMPLE program in Wilmington, NC I meet a very impressive woman. Felicia Slattery went to college on a public-speaking scholarship and has made speaking and effective communications her life work.

Felicia has written a pretty cool book, which I bought with real (plastic)money. The title is CA$H in on Communication. This book is for home-based and small business owners and could be your essential guide to effective, inexpensive communications. I didn't find it on Amazon (yet, it just very recently came out), but you can contact Felicia at 630-554-0636 or felicia@communicationtransformation.com.

Anyway, to get to the point here, yesterday on Twitter Felicia (@feliciaslattery) sent a Tweet about a New York Times article of interest to anyone on any side of the book authoring and publishing business. Click the link in this sentence to see what the New York Times says about the business side of ebooks versus print.

How Can Authors Use Social Media?

This 4 minute video of Chris Brogan speaking at O'Reilly's Tools of Change in New York has some direct answers.

Does Everyone Want to Author a Book?

As you know, I write. I write articles, blog posts, an email newsletter and books. Lately, because I've recently published one book and have three more due out any day now (wooohooo!), people who know me and people I meet ask me often how we got 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery published so quickly.

It turns out (and this may be no surprise to you, but it was to me), lots and lots of people, both business people and people who aren't in business have books in them they are driven, eager or at least interested in getting out.

When I attended Bob "Bob the Teacher" Jenkins SIMPLE program in Wilmington, NC last weekend there were lots of conversations about book publishing. Several in attendance already have books in print (some quite recently) and many others want to publish.


On of the attendees, Kristen Eckstein, owner of Imagine! Studios works with people who want to publish a book but need help with either a whole range of services from cover design to butt-kicking, with editing, development and physically registering and publishing 100% in your name included. Kristen will also provide services a la carte. You can contact Kristen at 336-510-9629 or kristen@artsimagine.com.



My publisher is Alfred Poor with Desktop Wings, Inc. Alfred is a (young) old friend who has written and published more books than I have fingers and toes and is now working with a select group of authors in what can best be described as joint ventures. Alfred is keeping this side of his business on the down/low (ooops) so it's best if he talks with you about it directly. Here's his super secret office phone number 215-453-9312 and private email: apoor@verizon.net.

I'm going to explore this topic and post about it occasionally in the next few months, but it's not going to become a business for me. I'll likely work out some kind of finders fee or affiliate deal with Kristen and Alfred and maybe other services I find, so there's that, but I'm only going to promote people I've met and with whom I've either had good first hand experience or who have been recommended by people I know. Two degrees of separation at most.

If you know of other great folks, companies or services (other than traditional book publishing houses, or vanity press) that you know totally rock, please send me their info at bruce@quantumresultscoaching.com.