Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling

Praise for Book Yourself Solid

"Lead generation and conversion is the heart of any marketing enterprise, and Michael Port′s ingenious and practical system is among the best I′ve seen. Read this book and transform your business!"
— Michael E. Gerber, founder of E–Myth Worldwide and author of The E–Myth

"Do your homework! This is not a conceptual, theoretical look at how to succeed as a service professional. Instead, it′s just what you need if you′re stuck and you′d rather invest in your future (by doing the right kind of work) than complain about it later."
— Seth Godin, author of Permission Marketing and Purple Cow

"Going out on your own can be scary. But this book is a welcome antidote to that fear. It brims with savvy advice and nearly overflows with practical, hands–on exercises. Once you absorb the wisdom in these pages, you′ll be ready, willing, and eager to fashion a more rewarding work life. Michael Port is the guy to call if you′re tired of thinking small."
— Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind and Free Agent Nation

"If you′re even slightly uncomfortable with the idea of networking, marketing, or selling, this is the book for you. Book Yourself Solid gives you everything you need to fill your business with ideal clients. Before you′re even finished reading the book, you′ll be inspired to take action!"
—Ivan R. Misner, PhD, founder and CEO, BNI, and coauthor of Masters of Networking

The Secrets to Promoting Yourself to Success

People want your services because you′re good at what you do—and with Book Yourself Solid, you can master a proven strategy for purposeful growth that will maximize the potential of your business.

This extensively updated and expanded Third Edition puts you at the cutting edge of customer relationship management with the latest strategies, techniques, and soft skills for retaining and attracting clients. Discover why more than a million business owners stay booked solid by using:

Step–by–step techniques for developing your personal brand by controlling the narrative, keeping a selective client list, and earning trust Expert tools and rules of thumb you can depend on for pricing your service at competitive rates and easily selling your brand by attracting genuine interest A turnkey, how–to section for building your website, generating visitor traffic, and managing the optimal social media platform

Even if you hate marketing and selling, Book Yourself Solid, Third Edition, will keep clients coming to you.

Acknowledgments ix

Author’s Note xi

Preface xv

MODULE ONE Your Foundation 1

Chapter 1 The Red Velvet Rope Policy 3

Chapter 2 Why People Buy What You’re Selling 16

Chapter 3 Develop a Personal Brand 32

Chapter 4 How to Talk About What You Do 48

MODULE TWO Building Trust and Credibility 61

Chapter 5 Becoming a Likeable Expert in Your Field 63

Chapter 6 The Book Yourself Solid Sales Cycle Process 76

Chapter 7 The Book Yourself Solid Keep–in–Touch Strategy 95

Chapter 8 The Power of Information Products 108

MODULE THREE Simple Selling and Perfect Pricing 125

Chapter 9 Perfect Pricing 127

Chapter 10 Super Simple Selling 141

MODULE FOUR The Book Yourself Solid Six Core Self–Promotion Strategies 151

Chapter 11 The Book Yourself Solid Networking Strategy 155

Chapter 12 The Book Yourself Solid Direct Outreach Strategy 177

Chapter 13 The Book Yourself Solid Referral Strategy 199

Chapter 14 The Book Yourself Solid Speaking Strategy 210

Chapter 15 The Book Yourself Solid Writing Strategy 237

Chapter 16 The Book Yourself Solid Web Strategy 256

PART 1: Designing Your Website 258

PART 2: Getting Visitors to Your Website 270

PART 3: Building Your Social Media Platform 281

Final Thoughts 290

References 293

How to Reach Michael Port 295

About the Author 296

Index 297

MICHAEL PORT is a small business expert and celebrated public speaking coach, host of the Steal the Show podcast, and the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of six books, including Steal the Show, Beyond Booked Solid, Book Yourself Solid ILLUSTRATED, The Contrarian Effect, and The Think Big Manifesto.