Go Big: Make Your Shot Count in the Connected World

by Cory Cotton

What stands between you and your dream?  Listed by  Advertising Age  as one of YouTube's hottest brands, Dude Perfect has used its crazy basketball shots to reach and inspire hundreds of millions with a contagious Go Big philosophy. By leveraging the connected world, the Dude Perfect guys' dream became a reality, and now, they want the same for you. Written by one of the dudes himself,  Go Big  tells their story and unveils their five practical principles for taking your passions, skills, and dreams to the next level. Are you ready to Go Big?

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2011

About the author

Cory Cotton, a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, is one of the founders of the five-man trick basketball shot team known as Dude Perfect. Since its appearance two years ago, Dude Perfect has garnered over 45 million views of their online content and has been labeled by Advertising Age as one of You Tube's hottest brands. Cory has spoken in front of millions on television programs such as Fox's Studio B and CBS's Early Show. Cory is involved in promoting several charities, including Compassion International and Visiting Orphans.

Reviews

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly admire what Dude Perfect has done in the world of YouTube video creation and brand development. This book was written in 2011 when their channel was still in its relative infancy (they now have 500 times the views they did back then), which makes their "Go Big" message even more noteworthy. The balance of channel anecdotes and relevant lessons was good. There was a lot of YouTube-specific advice, which might be a drawback for some but for me was fantastic, particularly as I look toward the future and how I want to continue to grow and brand my own 300,000-strong YouTube channel. The "mental leveling" that was discussed, how to handle the growth and influence that you have, was wonderful too.

...because if you don't love what you do, neither will anyone else.

But while passion isn't everything, it is crucial. Passion is a good indicator of where your efforts will be best spent.

The most successful YouTubers out there release content on a regular basis. Their viewers notice it. They come to expect it. And eventually, they come to depend on it.... The key here is to keep your brand on the minds of your audience. And from what we've seen, that's what's so powerful about social media.

[Susy C. *MotherLambReads* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids chose this book as our last audio. They are loyal Dude Perfect fans.

I was interested in hearing how they got started and was really quite impressed with their story. Granted this book was written two years into their success. Now they are multi millionaires.

I liked how the book was geared towards business minded peoeple but also towards so many of their fan base who are kids. They reiterated many times Christian values and principles and hard working ethics to the kids. They give God the glory for all they have accomplished.

Kids gave it 4 stars because they wanted more stories from the guys themselves.

[chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really like how cory worded the stories. i can’t believe i had a dp phase in high school but im happy to see that they’re so successful

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my Blog for my review of "Go Big: Make Your Shot Count in the Connected World" by Cory Cotton - a great book!!

http://thejoyofthewrittenword.com/201...

[Charles Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good and I would recommend it if you like sports and basketball. I rated 3 stars because at times it was boring where other times I didn't want to stop reading it. Like I said this was a good book.

[Sharon Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://hobbiesonabudget.com/2011/09/0...

[Ryan Hurtado · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[cojie76 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool

[Charles Martindell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t know there was more to Dude Perfect than fun trick shots until I saw their video about making the basketball shot from the tower in Vegas. Their casual and authentic references to their faith in God caught my attention.

After that, I watched their documentary about their first tour and I was hooked. Since then, my family and I have grown to love watching their videos together.

But I don’t think this book quite delivers on its promise for a two reasons—one is a problem with me and one is a problem with the book.

The “me” problem is that I seem to have an instinctive aversion to taking career or life advice from a kid fresh out of college. I know there are things I can learn from him, but I just can’t let myself do it.

The book’s problem is with coherence. He clearly want to connect their experiences of viral success online to universal principles applicable to a variety of fields, but at times it feels like he forgets to do that and assumes the reader will be doing the same kind of work they do.

It didn’t give bad advice, but it feels disjointed and it’s not entirely groundbreaking. I eventually ended up skimming much of those sections

Aside from that, it’s got plenty of great stories of their early years. If you’re a fan of these guys, you’ll love the behind-the-scenes insight this book gives!

[Andrew Fast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way to Go [Big] Cory Cotton,
coming up on 1 year as a subscriber to your videos, I recalled mention of this book earlier on but didn't really think to check it out until recently when taking a Sci-Fi break (read- waiting on holds to come in/not committing to 1,000 page monster novels).

I'm impressed at the thought that went into not just a brag-blog chronicling their meteoric rise from backyard to the big leagues in under a year! I'd read/seen some behind the scenes to know it took a lot of hard work to make it. But having worked in Higher education with students of all levels of drive/motivation, this made their story extra special to me.

Cory may be a bit heavy-handed in some of the recycled tips for success but I believe it comes from a good place. As a believer I also really appreciate their blending of competition and drive with humbly accepting opportunities to glorify HIM for the new generation.

Main Takeaways for me:
self-confidence
purpose and passion to fuel your fire and keep you energized
giving back
and of course: GOING BIG in everything you feel is worthwhile (and if it isn't worthwhile... don't waste time on it).

thanks Mr. Cotton, keep up the great work!

[Ryan Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this Story "Go Big" gives a message a few books give and that's to dream big and strive to this dream this book should be read by everyone 6th grade and up because of this message. The story Dream Big begins with the start of these people and how they made it to their goal and is still going for even more on their fame. Then, the story takes a turn to giving advice about how to DREAM BIG! Like giving to people what they didn't have, about how to ignore the haters and how these people help and way more that I can't describe cause there's to much to get through and one thing that I think people should remember from this book is that people don't know your future and only you can decide what this future will bring also, how Dreaming Big has to do with this future and most importantly to have FUN! The theme of this story is to strive and have a dream. This is a new outlook on life to those who dream big.

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I needed a book by a youtuber for a reading challenge I'm doing. This is written by one of the guys in Dude Perfect and it's partly the story of the early days of Dude Perfect and partly a self help type book. I enjoyed learning more about Dude Perfect and how they got started and all that. The self help stuff seemed to be mostly of the 'follow your dreams and everything will work out' variety. The author was 24 when he wrote this and part of a hugely successful youtube channel and I found that kind of came across in the writing. Still, a fun, light hearted book. I listened to the audiobook which was read by the author.

[Jjohn_galt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early biography of Dude Perfect and their rise to internet fame. Most of the book talks about their guiding principles, and how those can be applied to your own dreams:
Get Excited
Own It
Blink Later
Inspire Others
Give Back

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it is wanting to make other people make their dreams. This book is also good because the fans that love watching Dude Perfect will also love the book and also will become a big fan of them.

[Hanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice and entertaining book proud of dude perfect

[Davit Hakobyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very moving book and was really good. If you like Dude Perfect than this is for you.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was GREAT. It gives you the steps to accomplish what you want and tells you that if you want to do something, then do it big.

[Karen Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys are obsessed with Dude Perfect, so when I found out there was a book, I had to check it out from the library. Great positivity!

[Andew · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a good book to get influenced by

[Nate Menia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book changed me because it got through to me. i am currently thinking about making a trick shot channel.

[NonFiction 24/7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars, it was pretty good. I would like to see them write another book now since it has been about 10 years since this book.

[Esperanza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but not exactly what I expected. Much more business and general life advice. Love Dude Perfect, but the book just wasn't what I was expecting.

[L R]

really good

[Tristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I have watched Dude Perfects videos for the longest time and I have always wondered how they got to where they are today! And in this book it explains how they did it and how you can follow your dream to by following a few basic principles.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Dude, Perfect!’ That’s how I would review the book. Cory Cotton, one of 6 members of the Basketball trick shot sensations, Dude Perfect, wrote this book to motivate people with that ‘Go Big’ mindset. Dude Perfect is a huge motivation to me and many else trying to start something fresh, and want to Go Big. Tyler, Cody, Cory, Coby, Garrett and Panda have shot up to one of the top spots on YouTube and talk about it in this book.
Go Big, Make Your Shot Count in the Connected World, has 5 major sections to it; Get Excited, Own It, Blink Later, Inspire Others, and Give Back. Every single section in the book has motivated me in many different ways possible. Let me bring it back a little. Like Dude Perfect, my friend Sam and I started a trick shot channel called, New Dimension Trick Shots and Rube Goldberg's, hoping to Go Big and inspire others. In class, we were given the assignment to read a book (any book) and do a project on it or write a review (this one). We were sitting in class when Sam came up to me and told me I had to read this book. I had heard about it, but I didn’t know much about it. I read the sample, and I was already inspired so much. So we both ended up reading the book. The book has inspired us so much and has told us ways of how to improve our dream and make it so it can Go Big. This book has all the tips and tricks you could imagine for not just starting a trick shot channel, but starting any business or career, or anything else you could imagine.
It all started with, Tyler, Dude Perfects ‘leader,’ betting that he could nail a 30 yard behind the back, over the head shot. Sean, a part time DP member, set the camera up for the shot, followed by a “Dude! Perfect!” Because the camera was at the right angle. That came up with the name for them, which stuck to this day. Tyler, let the ball rip behind his head, “Hoo, Hah” he said, as the ball flew through the net. This motivated them to start something they didn’t realize would be famous in the next two weeks.
After the video was posted the day after the awesome shot was made, Cory explained that he and the team told everyone they knew, about it. This created a chain of shares, which eventually got them to thousands of views… In one week. In three days, they aired on the today show. Wow, I wish I could have been able to do that. This edged them on to make more videos. The following week, they asked if they could make a shot at the Texas A&M field, Kylie Field. Sure enough, they were granted the spot and went to the stadium that week. Tyler stood up at the upper deck of the stadium and let the ball fly. Shank left, wind is blowing hard from right. After 30 minutes of launching basketballs far up in the stadium down to the field, Tyler let the ball fly, and bank in. Everyone went crazy. They never gave up. Cory explains in the book that they titled the shot, world’s longest basketball shot. They weren’t sure if it was, but it drew people into watching the shot.
After those first two weeks, Dude Perfect ended up on the front page of Yahoo. What an honor. They used their tricks and tips and made it to the front page of the most visited site at that time. This brought their fame and motivation for themselves up dramatically.
Throughout the book, Cory is talking to the reader which makes the reader feel, they care and want you to get something out of it. Marketing, business, video editing, and many more tips are included in the book. My favorite tip from Cory was to always have content to engage your viewers. Keep up with your content so no viewer’s get disengaged and unhappy a video isn’t being posted at a certain time. This is huge to me because Sam and I have trouble getting videos up because of a tight schedule, yet this pushes us to keep filming and be motivated. Our friends have come up to us asking over and over when our next video will be up. We have to respond, “We are working on it.” This book has motivated both of us dramatically, pushing us to stay loyal and accountable.
We want to Go Big, and this book definitely helps motivate you and us to get there. I love this book and you should to. Have a positive mindset and stay loyal are huge keys pointed out in this book. Cory, you did an outstanding job, and still are. Pound it, Noggin.

[TBNR [Sparky the Dude] · Rating 5 out of 5]

How am I supposed to review this book? It was just — I can’t think of a good enough word. Dude Perfect went through so many struggles, has done so many amazing things, helped tons of people, walked the ESPY’s red carpet, and they give themselves no credit? They’re the most genuine people I know, and the most kind-hearted Jesus believers ever.

[Walther Lindvall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go Big: Make Your Shot Count in the Connected World written by Cory Cotton is a How to, young adult, humor book. Cory Cotton is one of the Dude Perfect guys and shares his story of the team.
Have you ever had a dream or a goal you want to achieve. Do you know how to get their. Those were the same questions I asked myself. Go Big is a book about achieving what you want. Dude Perfect is a group of five guys which loved basketball shots. They bet lunches on if they could make it across the backyard. They also filmed Tyler (one of the Dude Perfect members) make a shot from the top of Kyle Stadium located at the Texas A&M campus. In one week, their life had changed. They were getting hundreds and hundreds of emails and phone calls from news stations wanting them to be on their show. They were even on the front page of Yahoo News. Now, they make commercials for different companies and Dude Perfect is known worldwide. With this priviledge of becoming successful and happy, one of the members have written this book to share their Go Big adventure and to help you with yours.
A favorite part of the book in my opinion is when they are filming a shot from the top of a church. They start off shooting which they didn’t know would go on for so long. The spend the whole night trying to get this shot. Everyone had lost hope but they weren’t quitting. In the end of a long night, finally they hear a swish sound. The shot was made and everyone was tired and went home.
One of my other favorite part of the book was when they talked about how they sneaked in to see Lebron James playing basketball. They sneaked into a gym and looked at the professional NBA player playing some basketball. They were behind a glass door when they saw someone coming towards them. It was a security guard and he asked if the Dude Perfect guys wanted to come in. Without hesitating, they said yes. When they had the chance, they walked up to Lebron James to show him their videos. Lebron kept replaying the video and said “Man, that’s awesome.” It was one of their favorite experiences and it was certainly fun to read about it.
I really liked this book because I am a strong believer in that you can achieve anything if you just set your mind to it and work hard. Even though this book was about achieving YOUR dream, it was a lot about them achieving their dream. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Boy or Girl, 12 or 21, as long as you want some more instructions and advice on how to start pursuing your Go Big dream. The way Overall, I really enjoyed reading Go Big: Make Your Shot Count in the Connected World by Cory Cotton.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If ever there were a book meant to incorporate QR codes, this is it. The Dude Perfect guys from Texas A & M became famous through their big basketball videos, and the book takes you through their evolution from back yard shotmakers to nationally-known personalities.

I'm not sure exactly who the best audience would be for this book; I assume teen and twenty-somethings, although I did get some inspiration from it. I really didn't know much about them, and watched many of the videos, even many not referenced in the book. I think it could have been edited somewhat, as I found some of it repetitive. It could be used a chapter at a time. It's pretty readable, with lots of white space, margin notes, use of orange accents, and quotes.

I was actually a little disappointed in a few of the videos after reading about them. The stadium: impressed. The airplane and the California Capitol: not so much. The thumbnails led me to believe they would be a bit more spectacular. And after a bit, the constant plugs to buy the Dude Perfect app for $1.99 became very annoying.

The book has great insights to how social media can change things, and I liked many of the points they made. After suffering for hours and not giving up on the cross shot, they make the point, "surviving the worst times became the best". You can't let trolls turn you into haters, and the trolls WILL show up. When having to work together as a group, Cory realized, "your hate is somebody else's hobby". They often emphasized creativity and packaging, were grateful to others, and explain that giving back is more than charity.

There is much of their story to admire. I still wonder why they didn't mention the Magic-Larry Bird commercials for McDonald's! And, never take practice shots-- film every one of them, because you never know!

[Sam Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Go Big
Book Review - Sam Robertson

Right out of the gate I knew this book would be hard to review. I’ll just say it now. It is not a story. There is no plot. It is kind of a success story, but without the story part. The book is Go Big by Cory Cotton. It is a book about starting an online business by the creators of Dude Perfect on YouTube. I read it because it links in perfectly with my GHour project. It was a great book even though there was no story to it.The story was told from a 3rd person format. It takes us through the journey from their very first video to when they had billions of views. It is a non-fiction book, about the 5 guys: Cory, Coby, Cody, Tyler, and Garett.

The story was told from a 3rd person format. It takes us through the journey from their very first video to when they had billions of views. It is a non-fiction book, about the 5 guys: Cory, Coby, Cody, Tyler, and Garett.

It is a very good book and tells you many tips to success. The book is mostly about starting a business online but many of the things they tell you relate to any business. What I liked about the book was that it was not just a boring robotic copy of business tips. They actually put it to their story and linked all their tips to their story.

The writing was very good. Even though they are not authors of writing majors the writing still flowed. I was able to sit down and actually read. I would recommend this book to anyone that is trying to start a business online or offline.

All in all it was a great book for anyone who wants to start a business. It was easy to read and was not painful to sit down and read for 20 minutes at a time. There were small entertaining stories sewed into many great things to know about businesses.

[Mar'ah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go Big, Make Your Shot Count in the Connected World, by Cory Cotton is a remarkable book! The journey they have taken is full of practical tips that you can apply in your own circumstances if you so desire. If you have the passion and the motivation, you can GO BIG too!

My Thoughts: Basketball. I hate basketball. I never liked it as a kid and I am not fond of it still. So needless to say, I was extremely skeptical of this book when I was given the chance to review it. The cover did not exactly catch my attention either...college kids jumping and having fun. I am an adult, I don't jump and rarely have fun...what in the world could I possibly have in common with what I am about to read?


I grudgingly opened the book and began reading and before I knew it, the entire afternoon slipped away and I had finished the entire book...I could not put it down! I was so awestruck with the passion, the honesty, the integrity of these guys that I felt honored to have been able to read their account of how they became Dude Perfect.

This is one of those books that I will save on the shelf for just the right time for my boys. Soon enough they will need to gather their thoughts and decide where they are going with their passion. The Dude Perfect gentlemen have blazed the trail already, the have asked the questions, they have understood the hard work that living your dreams can take! I am very impressed with this book and I am giving it five stars!

*I was given a complimentary book from Tyndale House Publishers, this did not effect the content of my review as they are my honest thoughts.