Famously Helpful

by Justin Blaney

Marketing is broken. It doesn't matter if you're pitching for a new job, filling seats at a benefit or selling an amazing new product, the world is too cluttered for your message unless you can spend millions of dollars on advertising.

The old system is dead, but radical change creates a fleeting window of opportunity for those who are willing to change themselves. Successful marketers of tomorrow are flipping the rules upside down. This new era has abandoned self-promotion and hype for an others-centered approach. In today's economy, marketing starts with helping. There is no better way to grow, no better way to cut through the hot mess, no better way to reach your audience than to help them. Become famous for your helpfulness and watch how your life changes. You might never have to look for another customer, donor or job again

230 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2015

About the author

Dr. Justin Blaney, D.M., is a professor, serial entrepreneur, and author of twelve books, including Relationshift: Unleash the Surprising Power of Relationships to Change Yourself, Remake Your Life, and Achieve Any Business Goal and Evan Burl and the Falling, a four-part novel with over 100,000 copies sold. Justin has founded and sold multiple companies in industries ranging from advertising to consumer goods. Currently, Justin runs a digital marketing agency that has generated more than $250 million in revenue growth. He teaches at Foster School of Business, University of Washington and created the first course on influencer marketing at a major university. One million people follow him online, and his work has received over a billion views in dozens of countries. He created an app that features daily meditations on living well, which can be found along with all his other links at blaney.app. Justin lives in Seattle with his wife, Anya, and the world’s cutest mini-bernadoodle, Arlo.

Reviews

[Abbey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be unhelpful. This could have been a blog post online. It didn't need to be a book. Blaney basically claims that "helpeting" is a new form of marketing where you spend your budget considering how helpful you can be to your client base and/or customers. You must appear to be genuine and want nothing in return but really you just want to be known for being helpful and increase trust with your audience so they come to you when they need you. This sort of helpful marketing or self promotion increases your value without being flashy or in your face. So you might buy an industry article and send it out to your clients... or find other ways to increase their knowledge/competency while placing you in a position of credible gatekeeper. Other ways are of course free samples of your work or product. Likewise you can donate to their causes, buy their products or comment on their web articles.

This is all good information. It's manipulative to act like you're better than regular marketing because you're helpful. I think he should have just owned it. Also, not a book worth of information here.

[Yvonna Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book arrived in my mailbox for free -- I had responded to an email asking if I would like to receive an early copy. I had it on my "want to read" list, so I was very happy to see it. It's an advanced release copy, so there are a few typos. The material in the book was helpful, in fact I actually read every page. I am already starting to use Blaney's "helpeting" (as distinguished from "marketing) ideas. These ideas resonate with what seems right and good in the world. It just feels right to focus on helping people rather than making money. Blaney's point that what worked in marketing 20 years ago no longer applies is absolutely correct. He shows us a better way.

[Shannon Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Famously Helpful, Justin explains why he believes our system of marketing is broken in a world overly saturated with advertising dollars. Justin explains why we need to change this system to better serve our needs, so we benefit more from our efforts. Read this book to find out how you can better market yourself and your business.

[Juanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this book it was very helpful. It's definitely readable. Justin done a good job with his writing skills.

[Alan Schell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting and well presented new approach to marketing. I feel every sales/marketing organization should make this required reading.