by Paul Simister
on October 14, 2016
The full title of this book by Lindsay Spencer-Matthews is
“Reading Customers Minds: Why Customers Don’t Buy From You And What To Do About It“.
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of Five Stars. This means I think it is Excellent.
Here is my book review.
Very interesting and well worth reading if you have a colour screen
This interesting book is written by a psychologist with 20 years practical experience who has previously worked in sales and marketing.
The author contrasts what you know and what a customer knows using set theory diagrams. I’m a visual thinker so I like the clarity of this approach but unfortunately the diagrams don’t come out well on a standard Kindle reader with its black and shades of grey contrasts. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on December 18, 2015
Reality In Advertising by Rosser Reeves
This is considered to be a classic market text as it introduced or at least popularised the concept of unique selling propositions.
Does it stand the test of time?
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I rated the book at the Five Stars level. This means I think it is Excellent.
Here is my book review.
A marketing classic and a delight to read
This is the famous book credited with popularising the concept of the Unique Selling Proposition. It was first published in 1961. Can a book that is fifty years old have anything to teach us about advertising and marketing?
You bet it does. It starts with perhaps the most powerful statement I’ve read in a business book.”It cost $1,000,000,000 to write this book. We spent that much of our clients’ money and made many mistakes to isolate these principles.” One billion dollars – in 1961! Who knows how much that would be in today’s money. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on December 11, 2015
The full title of this book by Dan Kennedy is
“The Ultimate Sales Letter: Boost your sales with powerful sales letters, based on Madison Avenue techniques“.
In my review posted at Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a Five Stars rating. This means I think it is Excellent.
Here is my book review.
My copy shows plenty of signs of use and that’s probably the strongest recommendation I can give.
When I look at my copy of this book, it shows all the signs of use – the spine cracked, various sections underlined in different colours, others asterisked and there are comments in the margin.
This is a book I go back to when I am preparing to write a sales letter because it is a) very good and b) very well organised. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on December 9, 2015
The full title of this book by Michael Port is
“Book Yourself Solid:the Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even If You Hate Marketing and Selling“.
In my review at Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of Five Stars. This means I think the book is Excellent and Very Highly Recommended.
A book about marketing professional services that’s so good, I wish I’d written it myself.
Michael Port specialises in helping service professionals (accountants, business coaches and consultants, chiropractors, estate agents etc) to market themselves more effectively so that they are booked solid. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on December 8, 2015
The full title of this book by Dan Kennedy is
“The Ultimate Marketing Plan: Target Your Audience! Get Out Your Message! Build Your Brand!“.
In my review posted at Amazon.co.uk, I gave this book a rating of Five Stars. This means I think it is Excellent and is Very Highly Recommended.
Here is my book review.
Better than the earlier version but still not really about creating a marketing plan
I read an earlier version of this book and gave it a four star rating – The Ultimate Marketing Plan: Find Your Hook. Communicate Your Message. Make Your Mark..
I still have the criticism that the title is wrong. Not only do I object to the use of the word Ultimate, it’s not the best that will ever be, it’s also not a book focused on creating a marketing plan.
This is a much better book than No B.S. Direct Marketing which is what this book should really be called. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on June 19, 2015
When I reviewed this book, on Amazon.co.uk,
“How to Create a Million Dollar Unique Selling Proposition” by Bill Bodri,
I gave it a Five Star rating.
This means that I think it is Excellent and is Very Highly Recommended.
Here is my book review.
A terrific resource to help you to define your business in a short statement
When I read this book it was called How To Write A Million Dollar Unique Selling Proposition but, given the very minor change in title, I’m sure it’s the same book.
It is the most comprehensive look at the topic of Unique Selling Propositions that I’ve seen and the author deserves a lot of credit to compile such an outstanding review. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on May 22, 2013
The Brain Audit : Why Customers Buy
(And Why They Don’t) by Sean D’Souza
Book Review rating – 5 Stars
The Brain Audit by Sean D’Souza is an excellent book about creating a compelling sales message that appeals to your buyers brains without resorting to sleazy tactics.
The Red Bags Metaphor
At the beginning of the book, Sean sets up his copywriting system with a powerful metaphor.
Imagine going to the airport with seven bags and checking them in. You get on the flight and land. After passport control you make your way to the luggage carousel or conveyor belt.
Sean’s question is…
“When do you walk away?” [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on May 21, 2013
Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples
Book Review Review – 5 Stars
Tested Advertising Methods : Fifth Edition by John Caples and revised by Fred E. Hahn is considered to be a direct response marketing classic.
John Caples was a naval engineer turned advertising man, and like all engineers, he thrived on feedback and analysis.
The only thing that interested him was advertising that sold and he systematically tested small changes to see if he could find things that worked even better.
The great thing about testing when it’s done properly is that, whatever the results, there are lessons to be learnt. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on May 8, 2013
The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
Book Review Rating – 5 Stars
This is the long-awaited book from Chet Holmes. The full title is “The Ultimate Sales Machine: Turbocharge Your Business With Relentless Focus on 12 Key Strategies.”
The Big Idea in The Ultimate Sales Machine
People over-complicate what is needed for business success.
Chet Holmes believes you just have to:
Focus on 12 key strategies rather than trying to master hundreds of different ideas and techniques.
You implement these 12 strategies with pigheaded discipline and determination.
I fully commend the last point. Too often people try something that looks a great idea in a half-hearted way. They are then disappointed with the results, decide that the idea wasn’t so good after all and move on to the next big thing. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on May 5, 2013
Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch
Book Review – 5 Stars
The full title of the book is Duct Tape Marketing: The World’s Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide
John Jantsch is the author of the Duct Tape Marketing blog. This is widely regarded as one of the best small business blogs on the Internet.”
I think it is a terrific marketing book for small business owners although I don’t get the Duct Tape analogy.
The message John Jantsch is intending to put across is that, just like duct tape, the Duct Tape Marketing system is easy to use, simple, convenient and immensely practical.
What Is Marketing?
There is an excellent definition of marketing in the Duct Tape book. [continue reading…]
