How To Finally Write That Book & Make it a Bestseller w/ Keith Ferrazzi | EP #59

46 snips

Aug 17, 2023

In this engaging conversation, Keith Ferrazzi, author and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight, shares his insights on writing impactful books and building a personal brand. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity over mere commercial appeal and discusses how personal experiences shape successful narratives. The duo also explores the role of AI, particularly ChatGPT, in enhancing the writing process. Additionally, they delve into innovative marketing strategies and the differences between traditional and self-publishing, highlighting the need for collaboration in storytelling.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Brand Definition Through Writing

Define your brand by writing down 10 core sentences.
Expand these into sections and paragraphs, iterating with feedback.

INSIGHT

The Purpose of Books

Books don't just teach; they inspire, entertain, or define brands.
Consider your audience and purpose when writing.

ANECDOTE

Never Eat Alone Origin

Keith Ferrazzi's first book, "Never Eat Alone," originated from an article about his success.
It wasn't his intended brand but led to a large book deal.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Idea man

a memoir by the co-founder of Microsoft

Paul Allen

In this memoir, Paul Allen recounts his journey from an early fascination with computers to the co-founding of Microsoft. The book explores the often conflicted partnership between Allen and Bill Gates, Allen's departure from Microsoft in 1983, and his subsequent ventures in private space travel, sports, music, and scientific research. Allen reflects candidly on his successes, failures, and his vision for the future, providing insights into his problem-solving approach and his impact on various fields.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

A Leadership Fable

Patrick Lencioni

This book explores the fundamental causes of team failure and organizational politics through a narrative about a fictional company, DecisionTech, Inc. It outlines five dysfunctions: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. The book provides practical advice and real-world examples to help teams overcome these dysfunctions and become high-performing teams.

Never Eat Alone

And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

Keith Ferrazzi

In 'Never Eat Alone,' Keith Ferrazzi shares his insights on networking and relationship-building, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections and mutual success. The book outlines specific steps and an inner mindset for connecting with others, highlighting principles such as generosity, constant communication, and reciprocity without keeping score. Ferrazzi draws from his own experiences and those of highly connected individuals to provide practical advice on handling rejection, attending events, and maintaining long-lasting connections in both personal and professional settings.

Exponential Organizations

Kevin Young

Salim Ismail

This book, written by Salim Ismail, Yuri van Geest, and Michael S. Malone, explores the concept of Exponential Organizations (ExOs). It outlines how companies can use externalities such as community, big data, algorithms, and new technologies to achieve performance benchmarks ten times better than traditional companies. The book provides a roadmap for transforming any company, from startups to multinationals, into an ExO by leveraging the 10 characteristics of Exponential Organizations, represented by the acronyms S.C.A.L.E. (Staff on Demand, Community & Crowd, AI & Algorithms, Leveraged Assets, Engagement) and I.D.E.A.S (Interfaces, Dashboards, Experimentation, Autonomy, Social)[2][5][6].

Delivering happiness

A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose

Tony Hsieh

In 'Delivering Happiness,' Tony Hsieh shares his entrepreneurial journey, from co-founding LinkExchange to leading Zappos to its remarkable success. The book emphasizes the importance of company culture, customer service, and employee happiness in achieving business success. Hsieh outlines three core sections: 'Profits,' 'Profits and Passion,' and 'Profits, Passion, and Purpose,' highlighting key lessons such as the superiority of product quality over marketing, the importance of passion in entrepreneurship, and the critical role of company culture in driving success. He also introduces frameworks for happiness, including perceived control, progress, connectedness, and vision/meaning, and how these can be applied to create a happy and productive workplace[2][4][5].

Life Force

How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life & Those You Love

Robert Hariri

Peter H. Diamandis

Tony Robbins

This book, resulting from Tony Robbins' own life-changing journey, brings together more than 100 of the world's top medical minds and the latest research in precision medicine. It provides inspiring comeback stories and advancements that can help extend the length and quality of life. The book is designed for everyone, from peak performance athletes to those seeking healing, and offers strategies to increase energy, strengthen the immune system, and turn back the biological clock.

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].

Lifespan

Why We Age—and Why We Don’t Have To

David Sinclair

In this book, Dr. David Sinclair presents a bold new theory on why we age, arguing that aging is a disease that can be treated. He discusses recent breakthroughs from his own lab at Harvard, including the activation of newly discovered vitality genes and the role of epigenetics and metabolism in aging. The book explores lifestyle changes such as intermittent fasting, cold exposure, and exercise, as well as emerging anti-aging therapies, to help people live younger and healthier for longer. Sinclair also delves into the philosophical and ethical implications of extending human lifespan, emphasizing that these methods are not against nature but rather a continuation of human efforts to improve health and longevity[2][3][5].

The Future Is Faster Than You Think

How Converging Technologies Are Transforming Business, Industries, and Our Lives

Peter H. Diamandis

Steven Kotler

This book investigates how the convergence of technologies such as AI, robotics, virtual reality, digital biology, and sensors with 3D printing, blockchain, and global gigabit networks will transform legacy industries and every aspect of our lives, including transportation, retail, education, health, entertainment, food, and finance. The authors provide a prescient look at the impending future, highlighting the potential for significant upheaval and wealth creation in the next decade.

Good to Great

Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't

Jim Collins

In 'Good to Great,' Jim Collins and his research team investigate why some companies achieve long-term greatness while others do not. The book identifies key concepts such as Level 5 Leadership, the Hedgehog Concept, a Culture of Discipline, and the Flywheel Effect. These principles are derived from a comprehensive study comparing companies that made the leap to greatness with those that did not. The research highlights that greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance but rather a result of conscious choice and discipline. The book provides practical insights and case studies to help businesses and leaders understand and apply these principles to achieve sustained greatness.

The Martian

Andy Weir

R.C. Bray

The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who is presumed dead and left stranded on Mars after a fierce storm. With limited supplies, Watney must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Meanwhile, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring 'the Martian' home, while Watney faces numerous challenges in his quest for survival. The novel is praised for its blend of science, humor, and suspense.

Project Hail Mary

Andy Weir

In 'Project Hail Mary', Ryland Grace, a high school science teacher, awakens on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there or his mission. He soon discovers that he is the sole survivor of a desperate mission to save Earth from a microorganism called the Astrophage, which is threatening to cause a new ice age. As Ryland regains his memories, he encounters an alien named Rocky, and together they work to solve the scientific mystery and save their respective home planets. The story blends science, humor, and heart, exploring themes of survival, discovery, and unlikely friendships[1][3][5].

null

Sir Michael Howard

Exponential Organizations

Kevin Young

Salim Ismail

BOLD

HOW TO GO BIG, CREATE WEALTH AND IMPACT THE WORLD

Peter H. Diamandis

BOLD is a how-to guide that arms entrepreneurs, activists, and leaders with the tools to positively impact the lives of billions while achieving their biggest dreams. The book is divided into three parts: Part One focuses on exponential technologies disrupting Fortune 500 companies; Part Two explores the psychological aspects of bold thinking, including insights from billionaires like Larry Page, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos; and Part Three discusses best practices such as incentive competitions, crowdfunding campaigns, and community building.

Abundance

The Future Is Better Than You Think

Peter H. Diamandis

Steven Kotler

In this book, Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler present a contrarian view that the future is brighter than commonly perceived. They document how exponential technologies, DIY innovators, technophilanthropists, and the rising billion (the world's poor empowered by modern communication technology) are conspiring to solve global problems such as access to clean water, food, energy, healthcare, education, and freedom. The authors provide examples and strategic roadmaps for governments, industries, and entrepreneurs to address these challenges, offering a optimistic outlook on the potential for technological innovation to improve human living standards[2][4][5].