On Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at 9pm CDT, Jason will be on CBNC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. Set your DVRs!
The topic of the show is Unleashing the Warrior Within, which also happens to be the title of a book by Richard Machowicz about using the principles of battle to overcome your fears and succeed in life. I’ve seen it. It looks awesome. I haven’t ever seen Bukido in action, but I’m already a fan. I’m looking forward to meeting him.
Speaking of books, I’ve been asked frequently in recent days for an update on the re-release of How to Self-Destruct. Below is what’s been happening since April Fool’s Day, when the new version came out. (If “re-release” is news to you, you should know that there is a new, 208 page version of How to Self-Destruct. It’s done in Q&A style and it kicks the old version’s butt. The new one is orange/red, with guys in boxes (one exploding) on the cover. Don’t buy the version with the apple on it, the apple version is obsolete, even though like a dandelion it refuses to stay gone.) BTW, if you have read HtSD, it would mean a lot to me if you would write a review on Amazon. I’m not saying that I need to maintain my perfect 5 star rating—be honest-ish—I’m just saying that I’d like more than 8 reviews!
The update:
Books sold (new version, wholesale): > 2,700 and counting! This might be small potatoes for a big publishing house, but for a self-published author, selling > 500 is a rare feat. I’m doing almost double that every month. I’ll be happiest when the number tops 20,000, but the trend line looks good so far. Thank you, Greenleaf!
Who’s carrying it: Barnes & Noble, Borders, Hudson’s (yes, it’s in airports!), and all the major distributors.
Next question: What does it take to pull that many books through the system? Let’s see:
TV appearances: CNN, WTTW, CNBC (Have you set your DVR for Tuesday yet?)
Radio appearances: 40+ stations coast-to-coast, though not 93.9 (Melissa!), and not 101.9 either (Mr. Ferguson!)… It’s page 17, isn’t it. Y’all are afraid of page 17… as if the people who listen to you don’t already know!
Print appearances: NY Post, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Arizona Republic, The Grand Rapids Press, Personal Excellence magazine, and others… but not the Chicago Tribune, Pioneer Press, Chicago Sun-Times, or Crain’s.
(With all this hometown no-love, I’m starting to understand how the Chi Sox must feel.)
In person appearances: The Apple Store on Michigan Avenue, Kellogg’s Part-Time MBA Program, University of Chicago, Chicago School of Professional Psychology, HR Management Association of Chicago, bookstores, clients, and private audiences.
Online appearances and reviews: LinkedIn, Facebook, sonshi.com, hubpages.com, NorthShoreInsider.com, amazon.com, wsradio.com, howtoselfdestruct.com, others.
jasonseiden.com: 175 blog posts in 15 categories
Most viewed post: “Gimme one damn reason for staying past 5pm.”
Best category: Q&A
Blog readership from Montana: 1 visitor
Newsletters released since April: 16
Favorable newsletter responses: ~3 per week
Unsubscribes: 1 (I was very disappointed when it happened)
Videos on YouTube: 1 (book trailer)
Videos coming: 4 this summer
Websites: 3 (2 currently running)
Surveys: 1 (at howtoselfdestruct.com)
Ego: Reduced at least 62%. It’s amazing how you can write a book and imagine overnight success and then not become a success overnight.
Client work: yes
Associates: yes
Interns: hell, yes
# of reminders to set your DVR for Tues, 6/24 at 9pm on CNBC: 3
Now you know!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Looks like an interesting book, i’ll get one soon. I saw a description from Amazon. May help me with my carreer and my colleagues.
You might want to check out http://www.TheYESmovie.com. It is a movie Louis Lautman made to share thoughts and secrets of young enterprising millionaires.