Reviews

Some of these are affiliate links. If you decide to stuff yourself full of tasty information and buy one of these products through the link, you won’t pay any extra and I get paid a percentage.

Review: Made to Stick – Catherine thinks this is a must-read book and in this video review she explains why.

UnBootcamp

What is it: The UnBootcamp is a basic guide (in video) on how to create a meaningful online presence. It includes product creation, viral video, social media and the deadly website sins. It’s not over-long (maybe one or two hours of video per subject), and don’t expect everything to be done for you. You’ll still have to do the heavy lifting here: this is a “why to” more than a “how to”.
Who it’s for: If you’re looking at the stack of marketing textbooks and thinking, “Sigh. I need to learn how to do marketing, not how to be bored to death,” then I recommend the UnBootcamp as an answer to your woes. Also if you’ve tried the old-school marketing and it really doesn’t push your buttons.
Who it’s not for: If you’re already a super-duper marketer this might be interesting for a fresh perspective on how to engage and build relationships, but you might not cover new ground. Still possibly worth it for the consulting session, though.
Who’s it from: Scott Stratten is a funny, practical, emotive and highly watchable dude from Canada who lives on Twitter.
How much is it?: $149 for the basic deal, which includes a 20 minute consulting session. There’s also a super-duper version with the workshop, a website and social media review and a 4 hour block of consulting, which costs $997.
Was it worth it: Yes. I was expecting more meat and so was slightly disappointed, but what I really got was insight into how to use new-school marketing, and how it can be fun.

Third Tribe Marketing

What it is: It’s a resource for internet marketers: an insanely active forum, interview/seminars and two Q&A sessions each month with the best in the biz.
Who it’s for: People who want to sell stuff on the internet without being a sleaze.
Who it’s not for: People who never want to make money online, and people who want to maximise every possible dollar of income, and people who like pushy tactics.
Who’s it from: The Awesomest Team on the Internet: Chris Brogan, Sonia Simone, Brian Clark and Darren Rowse. If you don’t know who those people are, a) go find out immediately and b) they’re online marketers and content producers defined by two main traits: they’re very successful and they’re all super-nice.
How much is it? $47 per month
Was it worth it? Somewhat. I personally get more value from the Remarkable Marketing Blueprint (below), because I find that the forums are too busy and the noise-to-data ratio is too high. Still, a good place to connect with people, and the chance to get direct wisdom from the Big Players is a huge benefit.

More Buyers Every Month

What it is: An almost overwhelming collection of resources on how to make money on the internet. Includes the creative stuff (how to brainstorm productively), technical stuff (how to make an e-book) and the business stuff (how to get people to buy what you’ve made). Also a forum, member-only bonuses and discounted consulting rates.
Who it’s for: People who want to make money online by selling their tasty brainmeats and need a bit of guidance and inspiration on how to do it.
Who it’s not for: People who don’t want to work. Anyone who already knows the hows and whys of product creation and distribution.
Who’s it from: Dave Navarro. (The launch coach and productivity guy, not the rocker.)
How much is it? $797 – last time it was released it had a monthly payment option too
Was it worth it? It’s still in development, so as I write this only the first module (Creating Products That Sell) is complete. But it’s such a rock-solid, comprehensive, newbie-friendly but professional set of instructions that if you’re serious about making money with infoproducts it would be worth the fee for that alone. Eventually Dave will be releasing the modules separately, so if you’re really only keen on one aspect you’d be best placed to wait. Otherwise, get it.

Remarkable Marketing Blueprint

What it is: A course on developing and implementing a marketing plan that works. Includes weekly audio from Sonia, PDF transcripts, worksheets and an incredible forum.
Who it’s for: Businesses who want to develop a solid, respectable and unboring marketing plan that works.
Who it’s not for: Instant-results fiends.
Who’s it from: Sonia Simone, paragon of Nice People marketing and senior editor of Copyblogger.
How much is it? Currently $27/month. When it’s re-released later it will probably be much more. And yes, still worth it.
Was it worth it? YES. The lessons are incredible: thoughtful, actionable and not overwhelming. Sonia could make torturing kittens sound soothing, and when you’re dealing with stuff as stressful as marketing and money and such, that’s important. And the forums have been worth the price of admission alone: full of other nice, helpful, chatty and interesting people in the same situations I am, they’ve been wonderful supporters, a resource suggestion stream, and accountability partners.

Idea Catalyst Kit

What it is: A friendly and charming guide on discovering your creative (idea-generating) process, with audio and a delightful PDF illustrated by the inimitable Martin Whitmore.
Who it’s for: People who need to develop concepts: to start their own business, grow something, whatever.
Who it’s not for: Anyone that doesn’t want to change.
Who’s it from: Megan M, a creative, curly and colourful kind woman who is a genius at ideas.
How much is it? $97
Was it worth it? Hmm… for me? Not really. I loved reading it, I find Megan (and Martin, and Naomi) delightful and it was good for systemitising my creative processes. But I generally have very few problems with idea generation, it’s implementation where I fall down. I wouldn’t get my money back, though, because it WAS very entertaining. And it does reduce my fear that one day I’ll wake up and have no ideas left…

Charlie and Johnny Jam Sessions

What it is: Two delightful men chatting for an hour twice a month, about marketing, productivity, positioning and more. Regularly with guests.
Who it’s for: People who want to keep learning and exploring new ideas around their business.
Who it’s not for: Anyone looking for a direct result or how-to.
Who’s it from: Charlie Gilkey (a soft-spoken Southern ex-Marine philosopher and productivity coach) and Johnny B. Truant (the charmingly loud-mouthed punk rock website builder with an anti-marketing plan) along with a galaxy of guests: Naomi Dunford, Dave Navarro, Tim Brownson and others.
How much is it? $25 per month
Was it worth it? Yep! I love these guys and their opposite styles lead to some truly fascinating dialogues. Nothing is solved, but if you can’t pick up a handful of ideas from each call, you’re not trying.

4 Weeks to Video

What it is: A how-to series that teach you how to plan, shoot, edit and promote your own simple (you and a camera) videos for your website.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to include personal, engaging and simple video in their website but doesn’t know how to. Or is stuck and scared!
Who it’s not for: Anyone who wants to make professional-quality glossy video.
Who’s it from: Elizabeth Potts-Weinstein is an engaging speaker of her truth on her website and on Twitter. Her credentials are impeccable: she uses intimate and interesting video to connect with and communicate her ideas to a really devoted tribe.
How much is it? $197
Was it worth it? Yes. Elizabeth is really good at producing content that makes me think, “Heck yes I can do this.” Video is overwhelming for a lot of people, and even once you get past the scared stage it’s hard to focus on your message so you can deliver it engagingly and memorably. While this does cover the technical stuff, most of the value comes from the emotional support that actually gets people to turn on the camera and start talking. If you’re unsure (or you can’t afford the fee), check out the website and try the free quick-start videos. They provide enough information to get you started.

2009 More Buyers Mastermind

What it is: 12 hour-long interviews (and workbooks, and follow-up Q&As) with some of the awesomest people in the world: Pam Slim, Charlie Gilkey, Naomi Dunford, Mark Silver, Brian Clark, Chris Garrett, Laura Roeder, Clay Collins, Michael Martine, Chris Guillebeau, Christine O’Kelly and Sonia Simone. Talking to Dave Navarro. If this does not make you squeal with glee, then you need to learn more about these people right this instant! Or you are a robot with no feelings. (Sorry, emotionless robot.)
Who it’s for: People who want to be playing a bigger game in their lives and businesses.
Who it’s not for: People who are comfy just as they are, thank you.
Who’s it from: Dave Navarro. (The launch coach and productivity guy, not the rocker.)
How much is it? $297
Was it worth it? Yes. Yes yes yes yes yes yes. Whatever business you are in, whatever passions you have, these interviews are mindset shifters. These talks can change the way you look at the world. I am not kidding, this is Big Stuff.

DreamHost web hosting

I pay for a virtual private server that runs a half-dozen websites. DreamHost has the occasional outage, usually pretty brief, which is to be expected for low-end hosting. Their tech support and customer service is excellent.
Starts at $10/month
(Confused? Learn more about web hosting here.)
Use the code BEAWESOME to get a free domain name when you sign up. Sweet!

It’s capable of much more, and one day I will start taking advantage of all the other cool things it can do.