Business Book Review: Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
Vaynerchuk’s Crush It! is a special chance to learn from one of the most significant digital media influencers of our time.
Applying the book to personal branding
In Crush It!, Vaynerchuk reveals the three timeless secrets of his success:
Love your family
Work super hard
Live your passion
These are glaringly obvious in Crush It!. Vaynerchuk’s empathy for others is indisputable. Chapter 9: The Best Marketing Strategy Ever reveals just one word — care.
His work ethic feels unrivalled compared to any business author. Some of his suggestions imply just a few hours of sleep — perhaps reminiscent of the hustle culture of the time. The book was published in 2009, when the world was still reeling from the 2008 Great Recession. While there is now an increased focus on physical and mental health, the underlying message remains relevant — be relentless in going the extra mile.
Perhaps more important than Vaynerchuk’s hard work is his aptitude for smart work. He shares an obvious obsession with paying attention to industry and societal trends. But he matches this with his intuition. He unconventionally encourages you to ignore the analytics. Especially in earlier stages and trust your gut instead. To Vaynerchuk, an audience of just one is cause for celebration.
He speaks of writing back to every comment, message or other communication received from the public. And he does so with a sense of duty unrivalled by other authors.
Finally, he is the poster child for personal brand authenticity. Valiantly advocating for building a personal brand even if you’re working for someone else. For him, living your passion is when relaxing, working and playing all feel one and the same. This is the foundation of successful and sustainable personal branding.
Favourite Quotes
“Building a personal brand through social media is crucial to professional survival and advancement, no matter what your field.”
“Storytelling is by far the most underrated skill in business.”
“The thing that most people don’t realize is that in today’s world your business and your personal brand need to be one and the same.”
“Creating community — that’s where the bulk of your hustle is going to go and where the bulk of your success will be determined.”
“The day you see that one person is reading or watching or listening to you is a day to celebrate. It’s an amazing thing to know someone gives a crap about what’s going on in your world, your life, your brain. Don’t take people for granted.”
“Legacy is the mortar of successful, lasting brands.”
Vaynerchuk is arguably one of the founding fathers of digital media for business. Reading this book 15 years on, it’s easy to see why his success has reached the heights it has.
Yet, despite his level of influence, he remains relatable, authentic and relentlessly empathetic. The personal brand voice for which he has come to be known is unwavering. With the support you’d expect from a friend, you can feel he genuinely wants you to crush it!
Crush It!: Available on Amazon.
