The Problem With Marketing Books

I love books. But there is a problem with them.

Especially marketing and business books.

To see what I mean, let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, I found myself frustrated.

Despite my best efforts, I wasn't seeing the results I wanted in my fitness journey. 

I had been hitting the gym for years. 

I read books on the topic.

I was following fitness gurus on social media. 

Yet, something wasn't clicking.

My physique wasn't there.

Then, in January 2022, I made a decision that would change everything. 

I hired a personal trainer. 

Now, you might be wondering…

Why would someone who's been working out for years need a personal trainer?

Well, that's the question I asked myself at first. 

But working with personal trainer helped me find my two critical issues. 

1) I wasn't working out with the proper intensity. 

2) I wasn't working out enough. 

After hiring him to train me 1-1...

I got more results in a couple of years than I ever did in 8 working out on my own.

Why am I telling you this story?

To show you the problem with books.

Don't get me wrong. 

As stated, I love books. Especially business books. 

I love them so much that I built an entire newsletter around it (that you can check here).

But they have a limit.

Back to the fitness example. 

The books I read preached about the importance of intensity. 

But, they couldn't tell if I was truly pushing myself to the limit.

This seems like common sense. 

Yet it took someone outside my perspective to see that I wasn't putting in the needed time and effort.

And that's the crux of the issue with books—they're impersonal. 

They can give wisdom and principles. 

But they can't adapt their advice to your situation. 

They don't know your internal struggles, your doubts, or your excuses. 

They can't look you in the eyes and tell you, "You must do this. It's obvious."

Books are invaluable sources of knowledge, and I'm a firm believer in the power of reading.

But they may fall short at turning that knowledge into real results.

They provide a roadmap, but they can't drive the car for you.

Think about it.

Authors can only teach you what they've learned.

But they can't guide you through the nuances of your own journey.

That's where coaching, mentoring, and consulting come into play.

These human interactions offer something that books simply can't—personalized guidance and accountability.

It’s one thing to read a few paragraphs on a topic and have an overall understanding of what you should be doing.

It’s a complete other thing to have a person you trust telling you “It’s so obvious that you should to [insert the thing you should be doing]”.

It’s not about what works. It’s about what works for you.

A coach or mentor can assess your situation.

They can find your blind spots and give you specific advice for your needs.

Think about it like this: imagine you're lost in the wilderness with a map and a compass.

The map tells you where to go.

But it doesn't account for the obstacles or the unique terrain you're navigating.

Maybe it's raining. Maybe you can't use the road they described. Maybe you have the wrong shoes or equipment, or whatever.

A guide can be with you every step.

They offer real-time help based on your specific challenges.

In my fitness journey, hiring a personal trainer was a game-changer.

He held me accountable and pushed me to work harder.

He also gave invaluable feedback and encouragement.

I wasn't implementing generic advice from a book.

He was actively invested in my success and tailored his guidance to fit my goals and abilities.

The same principle applies to marketing and business.

Sure, you can read all the books, attend all the seminars, and follow all the thought leaders on social media.

But until you have someone in your corner who understands your situation and can offer personal guidance, you may find yourself spinning your wheels.

In other words, you will struggle to make progress.

Now, don't get me wrong—books are still an essential part of the learning process.

They offer valuable insights, inspiration, and perspective that can spark ideas and ignite change.

But they should be viewed as just one piece of the puzzle, rather than the be-all and end-all of your education.

The next time you find yourself stuck in your marketing, or seeking guidance, consider finding a coach, mentor, or consultant.

They can provide that personal touch.

After all, sometimes the best advice comes not from a book, but from a real person who's been there, done that, and can show you the way forward.

Hope this brought value.

Talk soon,

Nick