Write a Book? Why Bother?

Okay, maybe that headline is misleading. But in the past two weeks my desk has been flooded with advance copies of books soon to be released by marketing gurus. And you know what? I could care less about books!

I don’t have time to read them, I don’t do book reviews, and I honestly think someone looking for a case study on some sort of marketing tidbit is going to Google “relevant brand marketing” before they run out to the local Borders to surf the shelves.

So the next time you’re at the DMA show, or ACCM, or another trade show for marketers, you’ll have your heavily-discounted book in hand, hoping someone will notice you by your jacket photo and stop and say “hey, I read your book.” But it’s not going to happen.

I’ll tell you what. You’re a marketing guru, you think you can write, you have a great idea or a theory to prove. Save your aggrivation and contribute to the Chief marketer Network. Drop me an e-mail – [email protected] – and tell me what you want to write about. Chances are I’m going to tell you that if you can cut right to the chase and make your point in less than 800 words, then I’m going to let you give it a shot.

You will probably reach a larger audience by contributing to the Chief Marketer Network than you would by putting a book on a shelf. You’ll be doing the environment a favor by not having your publicist send me your book. And you’ll be reaching a relevant audience of marketing executives who – now more than ever – need tips and advice to save their businesses.

And I won’t secretly laugh behind your back when I see you holding that heavily-discounted book at the next conference we’re at!