If You 'Crush It', Your Passion Will Rise to New Levels!

I recently listened to the book 'Crush It' by Gary Vaynerchuk. It's an energetic and empowering book that chronicles Vaynerchuk's rise from arriving in the US as a young immigrant to renegade online marketing guru and savior of the family liquor business. Some might argue that the family business was doing just fine, but Vaynerchuk catapulted the business into the 21st century by branding himself and creating an online presence that is both entertaining and informative. While listening to the book you get the sense that Vaynerchuk would have been successful in a multitude of different professions due to his early entrepreneurial accomplishments and free spirit. Interestingly enough, it was the internet and online marketing that gave him an immediate stage with limitless exposure to create the 'Wine Library TV' and a following that continues to grow to this day. Vaynerchuk has the type of personality that would make him successful in conventional TV, on radio or in a host of other mediums, but the internet provided the best of all worlds. It was free and provided almost limitless exposure and opportunities to market the family business as well as monetize his blog. Yes it was a blog that is the platform from which Vaynerchuk launches his weekly show that is watched by thousands, and in which a serious volume of wine is sold among many other things.

Vaynerchuk delivers solid advice in the audio book, read by Vaynerchuk. He speaks of a marathon race that he built upon day in and day out, attempting some things that worked and others that did not. The part of the book that was most impactful to me was his unwavering desire to keep the audience that he had attracted and above anything else value the relationships that had been established with anyone who ever cared to visit the blog and more importantly leave a comment. Vaynerchuk gave example after example of replying to each and every question or comment that was submitted to his blog and how driving all day to personally right a clients wine order that had initially been delivered incorrectly.

Beyond the inspirational stories and great technical advice that is disseminated, the real lesson that is taught is having a passion and pursuing it, at all cost will lead to great happiness and success on many levels, including financial. Vaynerchuk is in the 'zone' often as you listen to him express his desires for his future and his eventual ownership of the New Your Jets. Few people think on the macro levels that Vaynerchuk describes in his personal journey. How the love of family first is the foundation for all other things and that his passion for knowing a great deal about wine, feeds his other passions in life (e.g. good son, business man, future NFL franchise owner).

I actually passed on this book the first time that I heard of it, because I thought it was just another book de jour, and that it was going to be a lot of fluff. I was incredibly surprised to take in the value that was conveyed and the empowerment sub plot. This book is a must read for anyone who wishes to do anything related to marketing online or who is looking to motivate themselves to take action. Vaynerchuk is sure to be around for a long time, as his message of creating and pursuing one's passion will never get old.