Don't Make It Weird: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Being Human on the Internet

by Colleen Nichols

Being an entrepreneur is hard, but being an entrepreneur on social media is even harder.Have you ever actually engaged with someone’s lame dance video on Instagram? Probably not, if you’re being honest. Gimmicks just don’t work, but the pressure of having an online presence can make people do weird things.

Eventually, you have to call bullsh*t. The good news is that when you cut out excuses and ditch the self-sabotaging performances, you can learn to be a real human on the internet.

In Don’t Make it Weird, Colleen teaches you how to bring your whole personality―the messy, awkward, and mundane―to your online presence to create true connection and community. And, of course, to sell to people without making it weird.

Whatever it is you want to do―you can. Just Don’t Make it Weird.

Genres: Business, Audiobook, Personal Development

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2024

Reviews

[Stacy Myers · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is my first 1 star review ever.

I picked this book up because it was new and social media moves so fast. I wanted to brush up on info for our Etsy business page. I had followed her on IG and felt like it would be a good read.

I had to draaaaaag myself through this book. I’m no prude. I can take a little coarse language but good heavens, this book is dripping in foul language! You don’t need to get your point across by using garbage language.

By the end of the book I felt like she was cursing just to curse. To prove she was tough? To prove her worth? I don’t know but I’m pretty sure she could apply to be a sailor today and make the cut.

If you like lots of F bombs and MF flowery language? Grab this book. If you’d rather protect your brain from that ugliness? Pass. I’m sorry I read it.

[Kat Kennedy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was written by Colleen who endorses multilevel marketing companies, also known as MLMs. Some examples of MLMs are Mary Kay, Tupperware, Norwex, Younique, and ColorStreet. There are many more, but all are set with the underlying intention of draining money from their salespeople. Statistically over 99% of people in MLMs will lose money. This author is involved with MLMs and praises them, causing harm to untold numbers of families. Please do not support her by buying this book. If you are in an MLM or know someone who is, there are many wonderful resources on YouTube and other social media platforms. Please take care of yourself.

[Brittany Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book with my staff. It was a great book to motivate them in their sales role. Additionally it created good conversation between all of us for our weekly meeting.

[Janice Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can think of at least 5 business friends who would enjoy this book.

It's more of a workbook than I expected so I think it will be joining me at my desk throughout the year . . . And I think that's the type of coaching I desire in this season. The right voice in my ear daily, but waiting for me to reach out.

If you need some fresh marketing perspectives, this book might just hit the spot.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy her IG posts so I enjoyed this book! It wasn’t too much new info beyond her insta but it was still a fun read. Her down to earth personality makes it feel like you are just sitting there talking to a girlfriend who tells you like it is because she loves you and wants only the best for you.

[Emily Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars as a small business owner I was looking for books to help me with my instagram strategy which is basically non-existent, or was before I read this book.

I didn’t know who the author was so I walked into this one blind. I saw there was one review about this being a promotion of MLM business and I honestly almost didn’t read this book because of that. I’m really glad I didn’t listen, because this was such a helpful, enjoyable, and hilarious book!

I am in general kind of a hater on network marketing style business models, but this book did somewhat change my mind. But the thing is, there really wasn’t a lot about building an MLM in the book, all of the advice felt very relevant to me, a small business trying to build a brand on the internet.

If that’s you, I definitely recommend this book, it was so funny- and better than that highly inspiring and motivating.

[Cheshire Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an entrepreneur, who is just learning about network, marketing and different ways to connect with people and understanding the business while dealing with the negative aspects surrounding it, Colleen Nichols did an amazing job at talking about how to connect with people and state Trudeau yourself. There are so many expectations that we need to stay up tight and keep the professionalism on the top level that we slowly lose ourselves and become robotic or copy paste version of an ideal network marketer.

There are plenty of great tips, and I especially liked pointers on how to connect with people properly without being too pushy or making it weird

[Kaili Zeiher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the read! The consistency calculation at the end is gold and I'm excited to apply it! Sure she uses curse words but it just proves the point of being unabashedly yourself. I don't use swear words and I didnt find it uncomfortable or too much. The flow of the book made it easy to read and is so helpful to get away from the awkward and uncomfortable ways so many people encourage you to grow your network marketing business. I am using this for a digital offering/coaching so it's also not necessary to be apart of network marketing to gain from jt. Highly recommend!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, relatable, helpful
This book has practical ideas on how to relate to people online. I wish I could write a review as engaging and funny as the actual book is; Colleen made me laugh multiple times! If you have a business (or think that you might want to have a business someday) this book is for you. It will teach you how to build an online community of people who want to engage with you. Colleen has built multiple businesses, and she shares those things that make people want to buy items she offers and recommends. Great read!

[Alexandra Chauran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book because I am sometimes very weird on the Internet when affiliate marketing for poker sites. This book was a fun, easy, quick read. However, the book only started nearly halfway through. The first half was more of just general motivational speech word salad. The second half was great food for thought and then a fun and funny playbook for… I don’t know… aliens? Would still recommend this book!

[Jaelynn Horton]

Quick read- I didn’t relate to a ton of it since I don’t sell physical products and I’m really not super consumeristic. She talked a lot about recommending things that she had bought and I just don’t buy things that much!! (We’re poor lol). But I did like her advice and ideas on how to show up more as who you are- I liked the lighthouse principle. I’ve seen good feedback from what I’ve implemented!!

[Alaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for those who sell online. Especially great for product-based businesses, although most of the lessons apply to service-based businesses too. I listened to this as an audiobook, but I would recommend getting the physical book (I will now order it), to work through the lessons. Overall, great read and thankful to had up-to-date insight on selling in 2024 and forward.

[Mandy Davenport · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you sell things online, this book could be really helpful to you. I work in marketing and have been asked often to do social media management. If you read it, be warned, Colleen swears like a sailor. The things I learned were very helpful for my role as a marketer and social media manager, and I’m glad to add her insight and strategies to my proverbial marketing toolbox.

[Breayn Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Colleen writes, makes me feel like I’m sitting over coffee chatting with my bestie about life. Colleen is able to talk about building an online business and give you functional tools to make it happen. The journal prompts were super helpful as well! 10/10

[Marley Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I follow Colleen Nichols on instagram and love her stuff! I am not in network marketing but I am an entrepreneur and I love her insight on how to make your real life work on social media for your business!

[Amber Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colleen is the real deal. She speaks from the heart and says it like it is. Her language is foul, def don’t listen with little ears around. She is funny and honest about how to run a successful business. Great advice in engaging with our audience. Loved it!

[Lindsay Disidore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I follow Colleen, which is why I wanted to read her book! She makes social media seem easy and not daunting, because it's all about being yourself--which I love. Highly recommend for small business owners, influencers, and anyone just trying to have the courage to show up with content.

[Carly Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a Colleen fan and/ or have a social media presence for income producing activities (whatever they may be)… read/ listen to this!

[Sabrina Gage · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good I could not stop! You need to read if you are in marketing, direct sales or have a business!

[Marceilla Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a way to stay true to the human side of sales, this is definitely a book for you! Making a sale doesn’t have to change who we are. We can change the narrative of sales.

[Charlotte Pagliaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was real & relatable & the prompts were game changing

[Jenny Garrison-Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable. Funny. For anyone that is trying to sell a product or a service. This is a great read. As a 20 year veteran of direct sales, I love the virtual pitchfork references!

[Danahamm2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colleen is very funny- I wished the book was longer!

[Laura Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audio version. Hearing her read it herself was perfect. Ordered the book to highlight and bookmark a few pages. LOOOOVED IT

[Anna Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for anyone in online marketing or content creators on social media

[Lindsay Fortney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this on audible and it was excellent. She’s really funny and relatable. Super good read if you’re looking to have a successful online sales business / presence they doesn’t feel icky!

[Jennifer Hummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Colleen's no bullshit attitude. She keeps it real and tells you how to just let it go and be yourself when you're in the social media space.

[Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone that has any business in which they market themselves or a product or service on the internet. Colleen is incredibly interesting and intelligent.

[Annette Garsteck · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Everytime you arrive at the intended destination, the next part of your journey will reveal itself.”

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much language, but helpful overall