Critical to the launch of any book, product, blog, service, etc. is getting massive visibility – getting seen by your ideal audience. To that end Michael Stelzner, founder of Social Media Examiner, and author of the brand new bestselling book Launch: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition, devised a cool strategy for getting the word out about his book.
Mike invited 50 bloggers to write a review of the book. In exchange for receiving two copies of Launch, the blogger is also to come up with a contest to give away one of the books. Pretty clever. By inviting the blogger to write a review (and post the review on Amazon), and hold a contest, Mike is assured of creating a a lot buzz for the book, helping him extend his reach and connect with a bigger audience who may not know about him or Social Media Examiner yet (is that possible?).
I have two copies of Launch. My review will be posted at a later date since I just received the books and haven't had enough time to fully digest the material. And, I'm interviewing Mike about the book so you'll get some additional insights as well in the next week or so.
Do you want to win a copy of Launch?
I'm going to give away both my books because once I read my review copy, I'll happily pass it on to a lucky winner.
Here's the deal.
A core element of Mike's phenomenal success with Social Media Examiner can be summed up in this formula:
GC + OP – MM = G
"Great Content" plus "Other People" minus "Marketing Messages" equals "Growth"
For the book give-away contest I'm going to focus on "Other People" as that is a stand out feature on Social Media Examiner, known for insightful interviews with industry experts. Expert interviews are a major component in that you create excellent content from a credible person outside of your business, that helps, informs and inspires your audience. You also benefit by building a relationship with the expert, helping them get more exposure for their ideas.
To enter the contest to win one of two copies of Launch, you must submit a comment below.
- Tell us what expert in your industry you would most like to interview and why.
- If you have it, please include a link to the expert's website so we can check out them out too.
- Post your entry no later than midnight Eastern on Thursday, June 23.
- I will use random.org to pick the two winners.
By the way, if you haven't done so yet, you can download a free sample chapter of Launch. (While you're on the book site, click on the link at the top of the page that says "Spread the Word." Study what Mike has done to make it super easy for his fans and followers to help him get massive visibility. You can do this too for any product, book or business you want to launch.)
I can't wait to see your entry. And will you please do me a favor? "Like" and tweet this post so we can help Mike spread the word even further…thanks!
JOhn Galt
am I too late to enter the contest? I would most like to interview John Locke.
DeniseWakeman
Congratulations to Sandi Thompson and Kathleen Martin – chosen in a random draw and winners of copy of “Launch” by Michael Stelzner.
DeniseWakeman
My interview with @Mike_Stelzner:twitter is now published. You can read it on the blog, listen to the audio version or download the pdf:
https://denisewakeman.com/marketing-trends/social-media-examiner-success-formula-interview-michael-stelzner/
DeniseWakeman
Hey Kathleen, you’re a winner! I used random.org to select 2 winners of Mike Stelzner’s new book Launch and you’re comment was selected. Please use my support desk to submit your mailing address so I can get your book in the mail: http://denisehelpdesk.com
cluu
I would like to interview Kristina Halvorson because before I read her book – Content Strategy for the Web – it never occurred to me that the web is content. That’s a huge lesson to effective marketing.
Sandi Thompson
Hi Denise ~ I’d like to interview Dr. Michael Arloski. He is a brilliant coach/mentor specializing in wellness coaching certification. He was my mentor and I learned so much from him, which I now share with my weight loss and wellness clients. His website is http://realbalancewellness.wordpress.com/
Thanks for providing a platform for us to sing the praises of others who have influenced us.
DeniseWakeman
Hey Sandi, you’re a winner! I used random.org to select 2 winners of Mike Stelzner’s new book Launch and you’re comment was selected. Please use my support desk to submit your mailing address so I can get your book in the mail: http://denisehelpdesk.com
Cathy Goodwin
If I’m asked to choose someone I *haven’t* interviewed, I would interview Michel Fortin, a copywriter whose blog posts are always worth reading. I’ve incorporated some of his ideas into my own business, even when they’re contrary to what “everybody” says.
http://www.michelfortin.com
Julie Isaac
Hi Denise. As a writing coach, I’d love to interview some of the “indie author” ebook superstars like John Locke, who just joined the Kindle Million Club (http://lethalbooks.com) and Amanda Hocking, who, after selling a million ebooks, got a $2 million book deal (http://amandahocking.blogspot.com). They’ve both achieved huge success out on their own, and I’d like to learn not only what they did to achieve that success, but how their mindset contributed to what they’ve achieved.
Judycullins
I would like to interview Kathleen Gage of streetsmartmarketing.com because I’ve already learned alot from her and I’d like to share that and more-because like you, she’s always on top of everything I love in social media and good business growth!
DeniseWakeman
Hi Judy, I’ve interviewed Kathleen a few times and it’s always a blast and high value content!
melaniekissell
Fun contest, Denise — thanks! Tweeted, Liked, Google Plus One’d, and shared with LinedIn groups. 🙂
Since blogging is my all-time favorite social media platform, I’d give my right arm to have the chance to interview YOU. But since I know you’d hate to see me lose my arm …
I’d love to interview Pamela Wilson of the “BIG Brand System” (http://bigbrandsystem.com). No question about it — great design makes your marketing more effective. It delivers your information in a way that it grabs attention, holds the
viewer captive, and makes them remember your message long after you’ve
communicated it. This is the epitome of what Pamela Wilson does BEST.
You shine!
Melanie
DeniseWakeman
Appreciate all your support, Melanie. And, I’d be happy to do an interview with you any time! Thanks for the tip about Pamela Wilson. I’m going to check out her site. Blog on!
melaniekissell
Well, my wacky Wednesday just turned wonderful!
That’s music to my ears, Denise! I’m going to take you up on your offer and I’m so pleased you’re going to check out Pamela Wilson’s awesomeness. When it comes to design, she’s got it wired! Me? I’m design-challenged. I can’t even draw a straight line with a ruler. 🙂
Blog on back at ya!
Melanie
Mike Sheehan
I would like to interview Denise Wakeman. She has been doing this blogging thing for awhile. And has been successful doing it.
DeniseWakeman
LOL, I do a lot of interviews. If you’ve got a project you’re working on and an interview would be a good fit for your market, post an inquiry at my support desk. http://denisehelpdesk.com blog on!
Christine
I would like to interview Donald Trump http://www.trump.com/ . I am very much interested in how having a healthy brain (by living a healthy lifestyle) contributes to success and fulfillment of your dreams or your life’s path. I would like to know his eating, sleeping, exercise habits as well his basic outlook on life. Here is my blog addy: http://innerbeautyworkshops.blogspot.com/
SuzieCheel
Hi Denise,
I would like to Interview Guy Kawasaki as I am currently reading Enchantment and discovering that what he is writing about so resonates with my world of empowerment and change http://www.guykawasaki.com/ I also see him as a change warrior 🙂
Robert Medak
Tell us what expert in your industry you would most like to interview and why. If I had to choose one, it would be Peter Bowerman, (http://www.wellfedwriter.com/) After reviewing two of his books, I would like to learn some writing techniques in a one-on-one setting with Peter.
Kay Ross
Thanks Denise! I’d like to interview Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer at the fabulous http://www.marketingprofs.com website (she’s @MarketingProfs on twitter). Ann is SO passionate about marketing; sharing good information; nurturing a community of marketing people around the world…
I recently received an email from Mike, offering a no-cost download of Chapter 1 of “Launch” – I jumped at that opportunity. In his email, Mike also wrote: “If you offer consulting services, you could interview the author of a hot new and relevant book.” So I’ve offered to interview him (once I read the whole book), and he has agreed. I look forward to hearing your interview with him.
Kay Ross, Hong Kong
Prasant Naidu
Thanks Denise for this innovative contest 🙂
We are Indian social media insights and update site and we also cover different sm casestudies. We are trying to find sme business who are trying to breakthrough the social media sector. Recently we interviewed(http://lighthouseinsights.in/2011/05/interview-with-authors-of-social-media.html) the authors of India’s fist book on social media(@smsbeyond:twitter ) but going further we want to do podcast interviews with businesses such as @farm2kitchen:twitter etc. The idea is to show people how small business can use sm and build its own community . In this case farm2kitchen is selling vegetables over Facebook and helping busy working professionals.
Chuck Williams
Awesome! I’m in a lot of industries, but I’d prefer to interview someone from the internet marketing industry. That person would be Gary Vaynerchuk. The reason why should be fairly obvious, but for those who don’t know, I think Donny Deutsch said it best in his book “The Big Idea” when he said “it’s hard to argue with a kid in his 20’s making $50 million a year”. I really try to embrace the whole “making money by helping people” mentality, and obviously he is doing the job better than most people.
If you didn’t already know, it’s http://garyvaynerchuk.com/ 🙂
Anonymous
Hey Denise
Mike’s idea is a great one – not only does he get reviews and buzz, but it gets extended by the competition.
I have two websites, so I’m going to tell you TWO people I’d like to interview. (You’ll see why this isn’t cheating in a moment). I have a bass guitar website – and on the bass guitar the person I’d sell my children to interview is called James Jamerson. Jamerson died nearly thirty years ago in near poverty and obscurity – yet he was one of the musical geniuses of the twentieth century. Jamerson was the bass player in the house band for Motown in the 60s and played on more number one hits than Elvis, The Beatles, Madonna and Lady Gaga combined. (I’ve been playing some of his lines today, so he’s high in my thoughts).
My ‘real’ entry would have to Jeff Sexton of http://www.jeffsextonwrites.com. He’s a copyriter and writing instructor…and I’d love to interview him!
Paul
Jessica Martinez
Hi Denise,
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to win what I know will be a great book.
In answer to your question, I would LOVE to have the opportunity to interview author, teacher, and speaker, Beth Moore (www.lproof.org) , if I could choose to interview anyone in my niche. The market I write for and am extremely passionate about is Christian women and Mrs. Moore is one of those people that, when you hear her speak and teach the Word of God, you know she’s doing what she’s been called to do and that she’s passionate about what she does.
Her material is always based purely on scripture and she writes and speaks the Truth in every piece of material she either authors or teaches on. I would love to sit down and talk to her one on one.
Thanks again for this fantastic opportunity.
Warmly,
Jessica Martinez
Founder – God’s Chosen Princess
http://www.facebook.com/GodsChosenPrincess
Sandy Sidhu
I’d most like to interview Chris Brogan because he always seems to be writing what I need to hear at that very point in time. He is always on the mark! And he’s down to earth.
Tina Cook
I’d most like to interview Brian Solis http://www.briansolis.com Why? Because he has the most innovative views on Social Media Marketing and, as a futurist, has really stretched my mind. So would welcome the opportunity to dig deeper into the points he explores on his blog.
Thanks Denise for running this contest. BTW, I’ve ordered my copy of Mike’s new book already but if I’m lucky enough to be randomly selected will give to a fellow South African who is about to launch something BIG! Probably be the 2nd copy of Mike’s book on this continent, I wonder?
Can’t wait to read your review and hear your interview with Mike! Your interviews are always brilliant!
Anonymous
Writer’s Digest contributing editor Jane Friedman is the expert in my field of creative writing that I’d most like to interview. Jane’s a brilliant thought-leader in the publishing world. She thinks outside the box, is not afraid to embrace new technology, and gives back generously to the writing community with timely news and information posted on her blog: There Are No Rules http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/ (thanks, Denise, for the opportunity to share this!)
Congratulations to Mike on the launch of his book. He’s doing ALL the right things to get the word out. LOVE your innovative ways, Mike. Kudos!