Launch: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition [Kindle Edition]

I feel jilted by this book. Perhaps it is not the author's fault, but from the subtitle ("How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition) one would think that the methods expounded in the book ought to be applicable to just about every business. As it turns out, Michael Stelzner's book is only intended for people and businesses who are starting blogs and conducting business primarily online. These methods would be of little practical value to someone starting a neighborhood cafe or hair salon, for example. That is not to say that local businesses shouldn't avail themselves of the tools of social media to promote themselves, but they don't need Mr. Stelzner's book for that.

Also, Mr. Stelzner is not quite honest when he portrays himself as a social media neophyte before he started Social Media Examiner. As he himself relates, he was already an experienced entrepreneur with his white paper business (whatever that means), had already organized online events and knew (or knew of) many of the key players who could help him when it came time to launch his blog. It has been my experience that experts are far less accessible than he would lead you to believe. They may be very happy to receive exposure, but they are notoriously lethargic when it comes to return the favor! I speak from considerable experience in this regard!

All in all, this book will be useful to some (just see how many positive reviews have been posted by Mr. Stelzner's friends and acquaintances), but it is hardly a panacea and is of limited applicability to local businesses.

If there had been more examples I would give this book a five. I wish I could give it a 4.5 but you cant.

Why use Content Marketing Instead of Traditional Marketing?
The idea behind Michael A. Stelzner's new book Launch is that you use two types of fuel to propel your business past your competition, primary and nuclear content marketing fuel. "People want valuable insight, access to great people, and recognition before they want products and services", said Stelzner.

Consumers no longer trust traditional marketing. Even though the trust in marketing has changed, people have not. They still prefer to do business with people that they know and trust. Content marketing allows you to build trust with consumers before you begin trying to sell them. Then they are more likely to buy from you because then have become to trust you and believe that you can help them solve whatever problem they may be facing.
With content marketing, you can answer businesses three big questions:
1. How can you attract leads prospects and opportunity without actively selling?
2. How can you gain access to influential people in your industry?
3. Is there an easy way to connect with and gain the trust of prospects and customers?
Introducing the Elevation Principle
The elevation principle is prospects and customers meet their core desires by helping them solve their basic problems at no cost.
This is worth repeating. The Idea is that you are going to help your prospects and customers solve their most basic needs at no cost to them, by providing highly desirable valuable content.
How will this help your business?
It will allow you to:
* Gain trust and attract attention
* Draw important people to your business
* Achieve rapid growth
* Spread the word about your business more cost effectively then traditional marketing

My final thoughts on Michael A. Stelzners new book Launch

This is a really good book and I do recommend it for people who are looking to propel their business forward using content marketing. What must be understood is that content marketing takes time and dedication. Not everyone will have the success that he had, but you can use content marketing successfully if you are willing to invest the time that is needed.

I would have like to have seen more examples within the book and a few more plans in action, especially of smaller firms. The great thing is you can subscribe to social media examiner blog and see the work in action.

Reading this book has made me rethink how I am marketing my business and the direction that my business is headed and where I want to go. I highly recommend this book if you are ready to work and move your business to new heights.

I must admit that I received this book for free as a review copy.

This is not the reason I am giving this book high reviews. I really did enjoy the book and think that it can really help small businesses even the playing field or even move them beyond their competitors.

I love books written by someone who has truly walked the path, and who generously shares the practical how-to steps for replicating their success, leaving nothing out. Mike Stelzner has done exactly that with Launch. He draws from his deep well of experience spanning a decade launching two very successful businesses and quickly becoming a leading authority in both.

Just take a look at the incredible success of SocialMediaExaminer.com - one of the top business blogs on the web today and the successful online Summits that Mike founded too. And, previous to making a huge mark in the social media arena, Mike was known as the King of White Papers.

Mike's teachings absolutely work - this book is a must-read for anyone serious about building a sustainable empire on a solid foundation in today's fast-moving, new media world.