Book Summaries

Sell Like Crazy is the 1st book by Sabri Suby on how to get clients, customers and sales like clockwork. I’ve read it and here’s my summary.

Now admittedly I came in a little sceptical. This is despite 3 people I know in the real world recommending the book at a recent function (read: long lunch and chit chat) I added here on the Gold Coast. I try to get out at least once a month.

Why skeptical? I have read dozens of business and marketing books already. In fact, I picked up Sell Like Crazy immediately after reading Russell Brunson’s famous Dotcom Secrets.

But yet, I was still intrigued so I picked it up and didn’t stop.

By the way, if you’re looking for a laugh…do a search for Grant’s Sell or Be Sold book cover. Spot the difference much?! 😂 That’s also a solid book recommendation!

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Sell Like Crazy book summary

The whole premise of Sabri’s book is about compelling offers, funnels and conversions. Think of this like a tripod and without either of these 3, you simply be yielding average results.

There is no mistake that he’s a hustler having built King Kong to a multi-million-dollar business here in Australia. Throughout the book, there’s a mild swipe at the naysayers with a solid right hook at the very end.

Sabri started his life as a telemarketer doing cold calls and being called every name under the sun. That experience plus his love for psychology, sales and marketing over the last 2 decades has massively accelerated his results.

Related: 👉 100,000+ People Have Watched This Training Series. Have You Seen It?

The book is broken down into 8 main sections.

Phase 1: Understand and Identify Your Dream Buyer

Customers that need spoon-feeding are the worst. By knowing your dream buyer including their age, frustrations, likes, dislikes and where they hang out, you can craft an offer only they will understand.

Phase 2: Create the Perfect Bait for your Dream Buyer

Yep – bait. Every single day us marketers use bait. That’s why you’re reading this book review…because it’s bait. 😉 Sabri recommends bait that over-delivers on the promise, not just a fancy website with an about me page.

Phase 3: Capture Leads and Get Contact Details

Gulp! Right – total transparency here…I don’t have an email list. For years I’ve avoided it as spamming inboxes isn’t what I stand for. And you know what? I’ve left tens of thousands on the table. Because of Sabri Suby’s book I now literally have the courage to send emails ethically. You’ll learn the differences between commercial and non-commercial emails and how plan ‘friend to friend’ emails convert so much better with higher open rates.

Phase 4: The Godfather Strategy

This is the one secret that has generated the most profit for Suby, and it’s essentially crafting an offer that prospects can’t refuse. Now – I certainly won’t go into detail here (seriously…the book is just 30 bucks) but if you’re strapped for time, then this only this chapter and everything else is merely a bonus.

Phase 5: Traffic

Sabri is a fan of PPC where as I’m an SEO junkie. He spends $1 and gets $2 back. Smart strategy, but requires constant optimization and sometimes annoying the crap of non-interested prospects. On the other hand, I’ve been generating warm leads across my portfolio of websites for years and years. The challenge for many is the initial traction with organic campaigns is super slow and in the current climate of “I must have results now” mentality, PPC is often a better way to go if you can fund it.

Phase 6: The Magic Lantern Technique

This is a chapter that’s just simply too big to actually summarize properly. It does revolve around high-ticket sales through content, content and more content to reduce the skepticism of your prospect.

Phase 7: Sales Conversion

Most people forget conversion rates. Case in point: I just hired an agency to handle this for me because, well, I just suck. In life, we can only master 1 or 2 great things and the rest we should outsource to others. In terms of this chapter, Sabri doesn’t just focus on getting conversions but also eliminating customers from your pipeline. After all, while a customer might have the dollars to convert today…you’re merely creating headaches if you sell the wrong product to the wrong customer.

Phase 8: Automate and Multiply

Scale and scale. Once you’ve got yourself a winning formula then it’s time to constantly refine, improve and scale. This is the backbone of the success behind his King Kong agency. He found a system that worked and multiplied it exponentially. For me, this is something I’m working on through systematizing my own tasks.

Speaking of automation, I learned a ton about automation and scaling up a business from this course recently.

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Who I’d recommend Sell Like Crazy to

Sabri believes his strategy works in just about every single industry. Now – I’m willing to bet it works in most industries BUT it works significantly better with speakers, authors, coaches and consultants. Yes – that includes me. Those that we serve are better able to utilize the tools and resources that we provide.

While it’s a thick book (40mm) the words are actually quite large with Sabri using a lot of illustrations to keep readers motivated.

If you’ve been in the personal development space for a little while, then this book is for you.

Those that I believe would struggle the most are franchise owners who are traditionally locked into their corporate agreements. Likewise, employees with little ambition to run their own business or generate leads for their boss may not find as much value here. While elements can certainly be taken and applied directly to the eCommerce space, I believe that Gretta Van Riel is better suited.

By the way, here’s my offer…

A New Journey: 100,000+ People Globally Have Watched This FREE Training Program 🔥

Essentially if you’re looking to become the best-seller in your space, not just the best product that no one knows about, then the book will go a long way. I personally didn’t buy any of the Sell Like Crazy upsells (time is an enemy of mine) but looking back I can imagine they would be certainly complimentary for the book.

25-Word Summary: The Four Agreements is a very good book based on Toltec Wisdom. This guide advocates personal freedom and helps the reader shy away from limiting beliefs.

The Four Agreements Summary

I’ve read and re-read this book multiple times over the years. After all, I’m a diehard personal development fan who’s committed to consistently improving over time.

The Four Agreements is a good book which sets forth the precedent that liberty is available to all of us. Once we break away from self-limiting beliefs, we can move into joy and fulfilment, and most importantly – LOVE.

The Four Agreements are:

• Be impeccable with your word.
• Don’t take anything personally.
• Don’t make assumptions.
• Always do your best.

In this book summary, I’m going to drill down on each concept.

Be Impeccable With Your Word

Being impeccable with your word means speaking with authenticity. Be yourself and be true, whether that’s internally or externally.

Avoid the desire for gossip against yourself or others. The power of your words is a reflection of your morality and should be ascending towards a place of peace.

Words are agreements. It’s a tool of magic that can radically transform lives for better or worse. This two-edged sword should be moving towards the direction of love and truth.

Don’t Take Anything Personally

This is certainly something close to home for me personally. My blog started out as a little side hustle and is, today, closing in on half a million people annually. Needlessly to say I have a few haters and trolls who love to use my contact form.

If people are hostile towards you, then there is little value in taking it personally. Often they are merely putting their own shortcomings on display. However, there are times when the opposite is true; there is something that you are falling short on which needs attention.

I have made mistakes over the years and today use my discretion to separate a troll from someone who’s pointing out where I could improve. In other words, you have the complete choice to derive a stronger meaning from their words.

Don’t Make Assumptions

The first step in online business – don’t assume it’s easy. It’s actually very hard.

Much the same could be said for life. Don’t make assumptions on the way you think things will happen. Often things don’t go according to our best-made plans.

To avoid misunderstandings, you should place a big emphasis on clear lines of communication. Don’t believe that people think the way you think, feel the way you feel and take action in the same way you execute.

Always Do Your Best

Most people don’t do their best. They do a mediocre effort even in a world of challenges and struggles. Doing your best requires consistent focus and dedication.

Doing your best is taking the action because you love it, not because you’re expecting a reward.

Page 88 of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Keeping this agreement isn’t easy, but when you do, it finally sets you free.

Because you move away from the pleasing of others to the joy of going the extra mile.

Reading The Four Agreements

The Four Agreements might be 20+ years old, but its concepts are even more true today in our digital world. Because today, more individuals seek freedom than ever before.

This book is easy to read (and therefore easy to summarize) and worth every dollar, despite being a bit repetitive in its nature.

Who I’d recommend it to:

• Those who have struggled to find meaning in their lives
• Fans of Louise Hay and the entire Hay House group of authors
• Individuals needing a practical and easy to read self-help manual

There are many graphics and the writing style is suitable for children as young as 9. For adults, if you want to return to a place of peace, love and progress, then pick up a copy today.

25-Word Summary: The Strangest Secret explains why men today don’t think while in history’s greatest period of growth. With opportunities abound, only 5% make it.

The Strangest Secret Earl Nightingale Book Summary

Need a quick read on a Sunday afternoon? Then you need to read The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale.

In just 30 minutes you can finish this cover to cover. My book summary is slightly less at just 2 minutes.

Regardless, this is a timeless classic in the personal development space. It’s right up there with Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and the less popular book, The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles. These were pioneers at a time when content lived only in print media.

As with any book that I review on the blog, I like to share 3 core concepts:

1. We’re surrounded by opportunities, yet so few take action

The title is The Strangest Secret. So what is the secret? That man (and woman) today, despite being surrounded by opportunities that have taken thousands of years to come to fruition, still choose to resort to comfort.

• 

• 

• 

Comfort based on fears, insecurities or quite often, mere laziness. ‘The good life’ is now being enjoyed by much of the western world with little desire to really climb.

While published in 1956, just 11 years after WW2 finished, it does feel like Earl Nightingale wrote it for modern-day readers. With the internet providing ample opportunities, many are still reluctant to take a step forward.

2. Of those that say yes, very few make it

That’s a hard swallow for many to follow. In the famous words of Seth Godin “This might not work”. That is – the struggle and challenges are guaranteed while success may never eventuate.

Very few make it to the finish line for a variety of reasons. More than often, this begins in the mind. Respectfully, at this time, challenges are based on economic conditions beyond the control of many business owners.

Entrepreneurship is tough. Of those who jump on the train, many will quickly jump off. Producing consistently over time requires solid planting of the mind.

3. Plant your seed and water it often

Starting today, if this journey is for you, then you should plant your seed. For many, that’s an online business that creates cash flow and capital growth.

In my opinion, any seed you plant should be something that you’re genuinely passionate towards and one which can positively influence the lives in the world. It should be value-driven initially, not profit-driven.

Because if you do, according to The Strangest Secret, you too can have the floodgates of abundance opening up. That is – success, money, peace and calmness and not necessarily in that order.

But planting that seed is only part of the process. You need to water it. You can’t see the seed, but you still need to water it consistently. For me, that’s through executing every single day.

6 tips from The Strangest Secret

I loved reading this book which took just 28 minutes. The book closes with the following tips:

• Set yourself achievable goals
• Stop knocking yourself down
• Avoid the never-ending excuses
• Trace your thoughts to your childhood
• Describe who you want to be like
• Act the part and show up every day

As I’ve studied hundreds of personal development books over the last 10+ years, the same advice keeps showing up. It’s remarkable that Earl Nightingale wrote this more than 70 years ago which was a big influence on Bob Proctor.

In summary

Today there are opportunities surrounding us. However, there are also challenges in the world which are causing angst among many people.

Start today, because if you’re starting from zero, then you have nothing to lose.

25-Word Summary: Dotcom Secrets by Russell Brunson shows how to increase traffic & conversions through processes, funnels and scripts. It’s the manual for today’s marketer.

Dotcom Secrets Book Summary Russell Brunson

I’ve been following Russell for years, but at the same time, I’ve shied away from him. It’s the whole “guru” thing that frustrates me, but I decided a few days ago to leave my ego aside and read this book.

…And I’m glad I did! Because in life, you don’t know what you don’t know…

With any book, I like to break it down to 3 core takeaways. In this case, I’ve had to stretch this out to 7. Russell really brings the value and How-To instead of a motivational rant on how to become successful.

Let’s begin.

1. The world revolves around funnels

I came to this realization quite a while ago. Funnels make the world go around.

In the past, sales funnels were the domain of big corporate. You’d essentially struggle to break into the market as a small player, until around 10 years ago.

Today, a well-performing sales funnel can release you from your job or, if you do the work, take you to a million-dollar brand.

2. You need a value ladder

This is an income-stack. The value ladder revolves around not just selling to a customer once but selling to them over and over again.

No doubt you’ve heard that it’s significantly easier to sell to an existing customer than to attract a new one. Through a value-driven ladder, you can build additional layers of income, but more importantly, provide more ongoing value for your customer.

3. Build your attraction character

For the average Joe, you can’t jump on the internet and hope people will take you seriously. Case in point: I started this blog in 2011 and only in the last few years have I generated enough trust and reputation in the market to be taken seriously.

An attraction character is someone that achieved tangible results online. Results that were generated by consistently delivering over time. You’ll find many YouTubers doing this very well at this time without the use of affiliates.

4. Stories lead to conversions

In order to build a character, you need a story. That’s an authentic story based on real life experiences. Don’t have a story yet? You need to take action on that “thing” you’ve been putting off.

A story should run like this: You struggled and then you struggled some more. After some time, you found the way and today you’re significantly better off.

And your story shouldn’t revolve around how much money you made, but how you changed lives. Stories surrounding income generated in my opinion are weak. It’s who you become and how you show up in the world that counts.

5. Take a metric-driven approach to funnel building

I used to be an expert mud-thrower. This meant simply seeing what sticks. Today, I’m all about the hard data which has saved me a significant amount of time.

Case in point: This book summary of Dotcom Secrets has enough search volume and traffic to tangibly rank well in Google. And if you know SEO well, then you’ll know what I did just there. 😉

You need to be metric-driven. Those in the software space have done this very well with Inputs and Outputs.

6. Use the Star > Story > Solution parable

Let’s bring it back to creating the expert narrative. You need to use an attraction marketing strategy which is popular in the network marketing space.

That is – you need to be the star with a story. A story of struggle and frustration. And over time, you’ve found the solution. Finally, that solution can be monetized.

Russell Brunson has done very well to monetize his solution within the market.

7. High-ticket sales are on the backend

Don’t be afraid of high-ticket sales. Those who are genuinely serious will jump on board with your back-end offer. For many marketers, it’s often break-even for most of the value ladder until the sale on the back.

The high-ticket sales are a few select customers who have already bought from you. If they have purchased and are happy, then they will know, like and trust you over the long term.

Who this book is for

Dotcom Secrets doesn’t teach you how to generate traffic. Instead, it’s based on creating funnels that lead to conversions.

Traffic can be achieved in 3 ways:

1. Organic content marketing (A slow and long burn taking years)
2. PPC spend on social media (Expensive and requires serious skill)
3. Using affiliates (Hard to enrol unless you have a converting offer)

Essentially, it’s hard to start. It’s even harder to continue going for the long term. This is why there are so few 2-Comma Club and 8-Figure award winners in the ClickFunnels tribe.

But if you’re committed, then you have a chance. That’s who this book is for.

My Call to Action

All content should be driven by commercial-intent.

When you put so much time, effort and energy into your passion, then it should be driven by both metrics (the hard data from Ahrefs) and conversions (a compelling offer) for your audience.

Essentially, you’re in my sales funnel. 😜

In my case, it’s a soft call to action. If you’re like to get started in building an online business, then check out the resources on my blog.