On Change This, I went ahead and subscribed from their front page, but oh boy, did I have a spark of adding a hurdle to a site signup just to see if folks would take the extra step to subscribe. Fine way to tick people off, but also a simple way to find out if people reallllly want what’s being offered. Hm.

Thanks for the heads up on the ebook…I’ll bypass it for the pile of recommended books (some from you!) that I haven’t yet dug into.

Thanks very much. I’m getting quite comfy here at WordPress. I hardly miss TypePad at all now.

We’re part of what will land BzzAgent their next big gig: their Manual stats.

I have finished reading it now, and much to my chagrin, the book feels a lot like a long defense of what BzzAgent does for a living (which is controversial, as I mentioned), and not much like a Word of Mouth Manual, no matter what volume. I’m relieved I didn’t pay $45 for it.

It does have some fine general info in it and some interesting insights, but if you’re looking for how-tos from pros as the term “Manual” implies, they ain’t here.

I’d be interested to hear what others think when you’ve finished reading.

Whether the book was any good wasn’t the point of this post, but I’ll give my humph to WoM M v. II anyway.

Re: Change This. A week ago I did the same thing and had no problem. Might be a temporary issue. I’d give it a try in a day or two.

Until later,

Kelly

Yup, you and GirlPie are so dead on. I went and downloaded immediately, don’t know when I’ll read it. But at least I have it, and got counted, and that’s sumpin’ (though not everything).

Also went to ChangeThis via SethGodin, and found that they talk about spreading the word, but little details can trip up even the grandest of plans and noblest of purposes: When I got to the end, all pumped up, and they said (essentially) “Subscribe”, and I clicked the link to go do exactly that, I got 404: Page Not Found.

Humph.

His download numbers will be huge, which is just what he’s hoping for. Numeric proof that BzzAgent knows how to create buzz. I hope those of us who grabbed it do get round to reading it, but yes. Lots of folks grabbed it without much likelihood of doing so. Exclusivity has a way of creating phantom urges.

Until later,

Kelly

I thought for a moment that he was instigating what you suggest, but I presumed I don’t the business and was inventing… and here’s your assessment of the marketing goal — HA! I was right, it is smart, your analysis of it is terrifically helpful and clarifying, and I wonder who else grabbed it ‘just because it was offered special and free’ — !

I wrote my two posts (this one and tomorrow’s) without reading it, but I’m about halfway through now and enjoying it.

Quick review: I’m not sure it’s revolutionary.

Smart cookie and how. I will be thinking about the fact that the book is not the point for a long, long time.

Regards,

Kelly

Makes you think that perhaps the content of the book will have some insights as well, doesn’t it? And now he has given us all a story tell tell when we do read and talk about the book.

Smart cookie, this Dave Balter fellow!

Drew

Drew McLellan’s last blog post…Try a whisper

(I know egads and methinks in the same comment. Possibly because I see some very BIG DOG action going on here. Excellent. )

Janice Cartier’s last blog post…The 1 Thing Today