How To Start A Cult

by Jody Raynsford

** Finalist - Business Book Awards 2022, Sales & Marketing ** 3 x Amazon Best-Seller **

No one gives a damn about your brand. At least, right now, they probably don't. But it doesn't have to be this way. You can change how people feel about you and your brand, and this book shows you how.

If you're confused why your competitors get all the attention and grow like crazy or frustrated why some brands effortlessly attract a devoted following while you watch from the sidelines… this book reveals what they're doing right.

Jody Raynsford, accidental cult leader and brand expert, pulls back the curtain on how to transform the relationship with your audience from thinking of you as a meh brand to an oh-my-god-I-love-this-please-take-all-my-money brand.

How To Start A Cult shows But on one you have to be brave, bold and different. This approach isn’t for vanilla, forgettable brands that don’t stand for anything and don’t want to change.

If you really believe in what you do, deliver a great product and are one of the good guys, things are about to blow up for you…

Jody Raynsford is co-founder of Bad Boy Running, a cult brand with fans so loyal they've literally tattooed themselves with the slogan. For his proper job, he helps brands of all sizes go from forgettable to ones that attract the best talent, get the most attention and whom customers love to buy from.

Genres: Business, Audiobook, Self Help, Nonfiction

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2021

Reviews

[Morven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a non-business person I wouldn't normally read a book like this. But when you're a member of the running cult featured in the book, and the cult leader (the author) asks you to buy, read and review it, you do as you're asked! And if that's not proof that he knows what he's talking about, then I don't know what is.

[Fred Copestake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because it was shortlisted in book awards I'd entered when I wasn't and I wanted to see how wrong the judges were

But they weren't

I thoroughly enjoyed it and have had the chance to speak to Jody since

He's a decent bloke too (as cult leaders go)

So it's only fair I leave a review even if a little begrudgingly

Here goes... hope it helps

What's not to like about a book with a Mandalorian reference?

And many other references and examples that bring this to life

The Rules and Commandments are solid and nicely explained with enough to be able to understand and get stuck into the exercises (which are also supported by other resources)

However it is the writing that makes this a pleasure as you feel as though Jody is sat telling you this stuff.

It is humorous and moves along at a cracking pace

Important points are emphatically made while the reader is not treated as an idiot (which is a good call really as readers are potential cult leaders!)

Well worth the read for anyone trying to mobilise groups of people in an increasingly noisy world

[Annie Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book makes sense, so do the principles. The biggest challenge for any person wanting to build their own brand will be to ditch their previous ideas of what works, or what 'should' work, or what the so-called marketing agencies tell you 'will' work. Many business owners-in-rising are fairly certain that none of it does. This book encourages the reader to think very differently and try to take the 'self' out of the picture which - conversely, when you think about being the figurehead of a cult brand - seems nonsensical. It isn't. As you go through it makes perfect sense to take the ego and emotion out of the equation, to enable you to rise above the flak you might get when becoming clear with your message. There's a lot of reverse thinking in this book, and its not for the faint-hearted. It may actually 'jar' with some people who don't want to change the way they do things, but its resonating with me a lot, and pushing me out of my comfort zone, so I do recommend it.

[Louise Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently creating my cult. I've been waiting for this book my whole life...

I run my own business and I'm bored sick of outdated mainstream marketing, stuffy strategies, underhanded fomo and bro marketing tactics - this book has a totally different flavour and I. for one, am loving it.

Reading about Jody's inadvertent cult following is as funny as it is insightful - and to have the savvy to reverse-engineer it into an 'authentic' (if you know you know) marketing and brand strategy is simply genius.

I'll be integrating the insights and abiding by the rules in my business and I've no doubt it's going to have an incredible impact on just how many people I can help with what I do .

[August Carlsson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I needed to close the book quite a few times, simply because I was getting so annoyed. Jody has a lot of experience and good points, but oh my days, I've never in my entire life read a book that has so much fluff, unnecessary parts and jokes.
I didn’t buy the book because i wanted to listen to his jokes every other line, and I didn't buy the book because I wanted to get teased for 20 pages before he tells me the actual point where i learn something.

This books is for you if you wan't to waste your time 90% of a book, and learn something in the last 10%

[Bálint Táborszki · Rating 3 out of 5]

One half of the book is fluff and filler to turn a blogpost worth of content into a short book.

The other half is an approach to marketing and brandbuilding that focuses on creating a community or ingroup with a well-defind identity around the brand.

Although I don't think the book says anything new on the topic of building and moderating a community, I suppose it's useful to have a concise rulebook or todo list like this to check if one's marketing plan meets all important criteria.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your usual business book!
Entertaining & engaging - so much so I have started creating my own cult and, I am getting more engagement than previously. I also have several very loyal fully indoctrinated followers, including one who like in Jodys book, has tatooed my brand logo on his arm!!

[Maxi Veloso · Rating 1 out of 5]

it’s a sales letter not a book

If you are looking for a deep and meaningful read this is not it. The writer displays the content as if it is a persuasive sales letter trying to convince you how good or bad you are based on your ability to take action.

[Olivia Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best marketing books I have ever read

[Liam Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that offers a unique and practical approach to building your brand and engaging with your customers.
Written with humour and clarity it is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs.

[Fee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, interesting and different ideas and I love the title.

[Luke Houghton · Rating 2 out of 5]

More marketing bullshit disguised as intellectual fare. Avoid.

[Nicholas Chiong · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took the advice too literally now I have an actual cult