Brand Against the Machine: How to Build Your Brand, Cut Through the Marketing Noise, and Stand Out from the Competition

by John Michael Morgan

Ditch traditional corporate branding to create a powerful, recognizable brand Brand Against the Machine offers proven and actionable steps for companies and entrepreneurs to increase their brand visibility and credibility, and to create an indispensable brand that consumers can relate to, thus becoming life-long customers. Discover the aspirational currency that makes your brand one that people want to be or want to be friends with. Learn how to be real with your audience and make strategic associations to establish credibility. Brand Against the Machine will help you stand out, get noticed, and be remembered.

Brand Against the Machine is the blueprint for how to market your brand to attract better clients and stand out from the clutter that is traditional corporate branding and marketing.

Instant Positioning How to instantly stand out from the crowd and position yourself as a resource, not just another service provider The 20/60/20 Why it's important to take a stand and why it's okay to have haters—because it creates a stronger bond with those who love you Ditch your traditional corporate branding and marketing, and exchange it for something memorable. Your customers will thank you for it.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

229 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

John Michael Morgan is the founder of ACHIEVR, a personal development coaching program designed to equip leaders and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to achieve success.

He has served as a private consultant and mentor to bestselling authors, Fortune 500 companies, small business owners, entrepreneurs, celebrities, churches, and some of the world’s largest brands and high achievers.

He is the bestselling author of Brand Against The Machine, which spent 9 months atop Amazon’s Top-Rated Marketing books list and has been labeled “the new definition of branding”.

John is an in-demand public speaker on the topics of leadership, achievement, and marketing. He has spoken across the world at business conferences, associations, and organizations, as well as churches and universities.

John began studying the topics of personal development and achievement when he was a teenager as a way of overcoming a battle with depression. Since then, he has started multiple successful businesses is now on a mission to equip 10 million leaders with the strategies they need to achieve success.

Reviews

[Megan Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to start a business, or just started a business. This is a great book. I mean it. Really, five stars for you go get it.

If you have a business that you would consider successful, you are probably already doing all of the things in this book-so don't waste your time.

I fall into the later category and really want to break the ceiling, you know, jump up to the next level. I expected this book to be full of information and ideas yet unheard, based on the title and the testimonials (which ironically he talks about). If you have read other books on how to brand, market, or start a business, then this will be nothing new. I think I have a "business for dummies" book that covers generally the same content.

I also found it to be rather redundant, and the thought process in organizing the topics seems a bit much.

All this book says is:
"Be authentic, become an authority, build genuine relationships, insert your passion and personality into your business. This will cause your audience to trust you and then refer you. Get comfy with an editorial calendar and make time for marketing your brand. Believe in yourself and don't be freaked out by your fears. Find out what makes you unique and talk about it."

[Owen Greaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, John is a straight shooter, great practical ideas and things to use and think about. This is a must read for everyone in business!

[Jessica Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

John's book is great for a new perspective on marketing and how to authentically brand yourself for success! I've had lots of great takeaways while reading the book and would definitely recommend checking it out to bring your business marketing to the next level!

[Kobe Baloca · Rating 3 out of 5]

- told unconventionally as a series of rants; remarkably relevant for its date of release
- reco for budding marketers but a grain of salt for practitioners
- quick read for bite-sized learning (mktg strats >>)

[Monika Venckauskaite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insights if you are looking into how to find your audience and keep it engaged. What does matter for your brand image and what you need to reconsider.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person who is in the process of building a product and thinking about establishing a brand in a very competitive market, I'm feeling very inspired by this book. Morgan is simply an incredibly convincing writer. It might sound cheesy, but some of my personal uncertainties and fears have subsided, as Morgan has reinforced and reinvigorated many of the gut feelings that drove me to consider building a business in the first place. I don't believe this is intended to be an overtly motivational book, but I'm walking away with a lot more confidence and motivation to follow through with building a brand that both I and my customers will love.

I was going to list some of my biggest takeaways, but there's so much great stuff in this book, that I suggest you just buy it and read it. Even if you're a seasoned veteran in your field, you'll probably gain some interesting new perspectives on how you think about your brand.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy to read but the content is too basic if you are already involved in marketing or running your business for a while. Might be an interesting read for anyone interested in building their own personal brand as well. But definitely worth skimming through and doing a checklist to see if there is anything that has fallen off your focus that you need to plan for. I actually listened to the audio book... he does have a very informal and simple way of writing which probably resonates to freelancers, real-estate agents etc that need just enough info to be dangerous but not too much as they won't have time to implement in depth marketing campaigns.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was written with a lot of humor and very easy to digest. It offered solid advise, but much of it was common sense, or I already knew. One funny thing happened to me while reading it. He said never let someone take you to lunch and pick your brain. My knowledge is worth more than a cheeseburger! Moments later I check my email and sure enough someone wanted to take me to lunch and pick my brain. Unbelievable. I knew right away that it was the right time to discuss moving our relationship forward into a consulting role.

[Dave Applegate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the format of the book. Quick, easy to read sections. I felt like Morgan talked about good concepts but didn't go deep enough. I'd recommend this for an intro to blogging / personal brand / social media book. If you've read a few books on this subject though, it will feel a little repetitive.

[Janna · Rating 2 out of 5]

With my focus on brand marketing, I was intrigued by this book. It proved to be a quick read, and offers great thinking points for those who are newer to marketing, or establishing a new brand and looking for a solid foundation to build on. It would not a recommendation for someone who is experienced in branding, or with a healthy, established brand, as they may find the material too elementary.

[Claudia Cordero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat cocky, yet straightforward and fresh. Perfect for marketing people or someone starting their own business just like me. I liked it a lot and am keeping it as a reference to check back for advice any time.

[Zach Ayers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Put it on the pile.

[Monica Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My most recommended book, good solid common sense advice. I love it!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Insightful and entertaining. I couldn't put it down. For anyone in sales or marketing, it is a must read.

[Amir · Rating 2 out of 5]

His jokes are terrible but he has a standard response given by any, in an entertaining manner. Not an innovative or completely original message but definitely a great start.

[Elina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fast and easy to read, still felt like finishing the book took me ages. If you don't know a thing about marketing, there might be something in it for you.

[Aja Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, clear book on branding.

[Robert Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Morgan is truly one of the modern-day experts on branding. His book, Brand Against the Machine, is proof of that!

[Anne Janzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Morgan offers some useful insight, particularly on the ideas of personal branding. It's an entertaining and quick read.

[Zahedul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book on the evolutionary changes in marketing product/companies/personal brands. A must read for both marketeers and entrepreneurs.

[B · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful, unsubstantiated piffle. Read something like How Brands Grow instead.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect timing for me to read this book.