By
It’s been quite a month.
"Congratulations on your book launch."
"Thank you."
"I've noticed your posts are receiving quite a bit of attention and engagement."
"Thanks. As someone in marketing, I always try to apply what I've learned to my work."
"It seems like your book is popping up all over the place."
“I was aiming to create a notable presence. I guess the launch is living up to the book’s name, Unfair Mindshare.” [grin]
So, how’s it really going?
A month into the launch of Unfair Mindshare, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. The feedback and milestones have been both humbling and exhilarating.
1. Overwhelming Reader Feedback
One of the most gratifying moments came from Nathaniel Palmer, who shared:
“Over the last few decades, there have been certain books which emerged just at the right time to explain disruptive, emergent phenomena. Eric Raymond's "Cathedral and the Bazaar" is one, Clayton Christensen's "Innovator's Dilemma is another -- and "Unfair Mindshare" by Derek Weeks is it right now.”
2. The Entrepreneurial Milestone
From a mere concept to a tangible product, the journey of Unfair Mindshare encapsulates the essence of innovation and entrepreneurship. This process included:
- Ideation: There was a big idea in my head. I had a feeling that it amounted to more than just a couple of blogs that would explain the concept. It was a book. And like most entrepreneurial journeys, I started with a sketch in my notebook, a simple yet powerful visual of concentric circles.
- Roadmap Creation: A 25-page document that laid the foundation for the book’s narrative, target audience, and value-driven outcomes for the reader. This also included more market research and interviews.
- Development and Peer Review: A crucial phase where the idea transformed into words, and constructive feedback refined the narrative.
- Production and Launch: The final steps involved meticulous editing, design, and the decision to release digital, paperback, and hardcover versions.
- Promotion and Customer Engagement: Engaging with the target audience and generating sales led to the book's successful market entry.
3. Firsts and Marketing Achievements
The book's launch has been marked by several firsts and impressive marketing statistics:
- Sales Milestones: My first product sale on Amazon was particularly memorable. Hundreds have since followed.
- Bestseller and New Release Accolades: Achieving top positions in multiple categories on Amazon highlights the book's broad appeal.
- Community Engagement: From LinkedIn impressions to website traffic spikes, the response has been overwhelming.
4. Impact Beyond Sales
The book has also created outreach from others who wanted to connect with me about building communities and how to integrate community initiatives better into their demand gen programs. The diversity of those inquiries was surprising. Here are a few:
- VC-backed software company
- Open banking initiative
- IT services company
- Restaurant & cigar lounge
5. Giving Back to the Community
I’ve also sent out over 50 books to deserving folks in my community who have helped me and others over the years. It was so rewarding to place these books in the mail for them. They say, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Sharing my book with others is just part of a much larger journey that many of us are on. We're heading to something bigger on the horizon.
Reflecting on this one-month journey post-launch, it's evident that Unfair Mindshare isn't just a book. It's a testament to the power of community-led growth in a product-led world. It's a beacon for marketers and entrepreneurs alike.
As I continue to engage with readers and industry peers, I'm excited to see where this journey takes us next.
