Sway

As a business woman, I enjoy reading a good marketing book. When I saw SWAY, the cover enticed me, especially since there was a narration. I enjoyed the offering, though I think it is important to understand something going into it.

This book is written for those who have knowledge of marketing. I did not get a business degree (isn't a law degree just about the furthest thing from that, at least, it was when I received mine). But I have learned business, from my family and from operating a business. I have learned marketing ideas. I do not have any formal training though, so many of the terms are not necessarily familiar to me. I do think the book is written more for persons in the field who have knowledge of set marketing terms.

HOWEVER, I still feel I got a lot out of the book, even having to push through the most technical part of it. The narration was easy to listen to and not confusing--though I do hope that the publisher will offer a pdf to go with the audio book. Anyway, I agree with the author claims that the book is for all levels of business persons, including CEOs who are more interested in running a company and bottom line than in what the marketing team says. There are key ideas and terms to take away.

I mostly enjoyed the stories, built in as illustrations, and could have used more. Stories always help an idea take root. The narration was good, and the book was a quick listen. But I do hope that the publisher provides a PDF.

This book is a guide to help marketing professionals expand their influence and their impact within the company. It provides a blueprint for increasing performance and changing perceptions, so marketing is no longer seen as a cost center but instead as an indispensable revenue generator.

I'm a solopreneur, so much of this went beyond the scope of my business. But it really pounded into my brain the importance of nurturing leads and developing reliable data so you can predict how campaigns will perform. At the same time, it helped humanize the process for me. Because "leads" are human beings, and you need to treat them that way—even as you develop metrics to determine what works and what doesn't.

For actual marketing professionals, this book could be a game-changer. It really hammers on the importance of focusing your energy on proven performers, reusing assets, marketing yourself within the company, and always knowing how to pivot when necessary. For entrepreneurs, it's kind of like diving into the deep end of the pool. You may not learn how to swim, but you'll learn how to keep your head above water.

I listened to the audiobook version, which was very well done. Both the book and the narrator had enough personality to keep the performance interesting.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the audio ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Whether you work in a marketing role or you're looking into making a living in the marketing field, this is the book to read!

What makes it so different?

First of all, it's the author's style which, if you listen to the audiobook, is going to be love at the first hearing! Christina's pleasant voice and occasional jokes are the first combination to get through difficult subjects for marketers such as: "What do marketers do?" or "What do you really do for a living?" which although uncomfortable, are real-life situations that marketing-industry specialists have to go through daily.

As opposed to other books which only give static advice and the well-known "good luck implementing it!", Christina takes a step further and shared from her own experiences as a marketing executive, thus making the reader / listener more engaged with the content of the (audio)book.
One of the most often phrases that you will hear / read will be "Marketing is the revenue knowledge center" and by the end of the book, you will understand why!

Finally, I liked how well-structured the content was and how much information was compressed in only 8 hours (GRIT for the win!). Definitely a great investment with my time!


#Sway #NetGalley