During the first week of each month we give away a business book to a reader of this blog. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post. At the end of the week I’ll draw a name from the comments (or my daughter will!) and the lucky winner will be announced here. I’ll post the book anywhere in the world, so the giveaway is open to everyone!
This month we’re giving away two books. Why two? Because I couldn’t choose between them and they complement each other so well! They are Seth Godin’s “Purple Cow” and “The Dip”.
Purple Cow is about making your business remarkable, standing out in a crowded marketplace. From the back cover “In Purple Cow, marketing guru Seth Godin urges everyone involved in creating, designing or selling to think in new ways about their market. By adopting alternative approaches to your business, you and your company will survive to innovate another day.”
The Dip discusses when it’s better to give up, or when to push through obstacles, and most importantly how to know the difference. From the back cover “Every new project (or career or relationship) starts out exciting and fun. Then it gets harder and less fun, until it hits a low point – really hard, really not fun. At this point you might be in a Dip, which will get better if you keep pushing, or a Cul-de-Sac, which will never get better no matter how hard you try. The hard part is knowing the difference and acting on it.”
Note on The Dip, the one I am giving away is the softcover version, so it looks different to this picture which is the hardcover edition. Same great content.
I’ll be drawing this month’s winner next Friday 10th April (yes, I know that’s Easter). So leave a comment and at the end of the week we’ll find out who the lucky winner is!
Helping you to create a real business at home that lets you enjoy life!
30 comments
Natalie Tucker Miller says:
April 2, 2009 at 12:32 pm (UTC 10)
Seth Godin’s books are a wonderful inspiration, esp. now that so many people are choose (facing?) entrepreneurial lifestyles.
Thanks, Melinda, for spreading the love!
Karen Pierce Gonzalez says:
April 2, 2009 at 12:35 pm (UTC 10)
Alternative approaches is the theme of the season!!! Business as usual just isn’t working. It’s great you are offering two books that address the topic.
Best of luck to whom ever wins!
Karen
Catherine says:
April 2, 2009 at 8:21 pm (UTC 10)
Seth Godin – genius. These books are already on my must read list.
Great and rewarding offer to your readers, good luck everyone!
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach says:
April 2, 2009 at 10:17 pm (UTC 10)
Great picks for business books! I remember long long ago (early 2000s or so) there was a recruiting site called The Purple Squirrel that had a unique twist as well.
Personally I enjoy lavender mooses.
Barbara
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach’s last blog post..Rainbows follow ME in search of GOLD – Make Money and Lose Weight
Parick Sesko says:
April 3, 2009 at 12:33 pm (UTC 10)
I havent read any seth godin books but I would like to!
Daniel Munday, Sydney's Fat Loss Expert says:
April 3, 2009 at 1:54 pm (UTC 10)
I recently purchased The Dip and Tribes on iTunes to listen to in the car – recommended as it’s easy listening (and i’m sure easy reading too) but with great messages.
Daniel Munday, Sydney’s Fat Loss Expert’s last blog post..Sydney Personal Trainer Reveals Most Effective Exercises For Your Weight Loss Workouts
Monique says:
April 3, 2009 at 1:20 pm (UTC 10)
What a fantastic competition for wahm small business owners!
I’m just going to try your tweetback link too for your post!
Monique
Anne Maybus says:
April 3, 2009 at 5:34 pm (UTC 10)
Wow! What a great giveaway. I love what I have read of Seth Godin’s work and would love to get my hands on Purple Cow. I am very curious, too, as to how he would tackle a topic like “The Dip”. There is bound to be a unique way of looking at the topic.
Solomon says:
April 3, 2009 at 5:49 pm (UTC 10)
I like to read Seth Godin’s books. I just bumped into your blog, seem to be a real good one. I wanna come often to learn here!
Thanks for the good sharings!
Solomon
Solomon’s last blog post..How do our mindsets play a role in writing killer copy?
Elz says:
April 3, 2009 at 8:26 pm (UTC 10)
I clicked through to your site following an interesting conversation you were a part of on Twitter – glad to find it/ you! And put me in for a chance at Seth’s books!
mindy says:
April 4, 2009 at 9:45 am (UTC 10)
they both sound wonderful thanks for the giveaway
kim v says:
April 4, 2009 at 1:23 pm (UTC 10)
I loe Seth Godin.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
fabrice caduc says:
April 4, 2009 at 7:21 pm (UTC 10)
With those two books I will know when to stick with the purple cow and when I have to admit I have color issues…
Samar says:
April 4, 2009 at 9:23 pm (UTC 10)
I haven’t read any of Seth Godin’s books though I keep referring to his blog for a lot of my business/marketing/branding related articles.
I’d love to read these books!
Samar’s last blog post..Introducing: Photo Friday
Craig says:
April 4, 2009 at 9:47 pm (UTC 10)
I’m not a WAHM, but would say a big “yes” if you draw my name from the hat.
Roxanne says:
April 5, 2009 at 10:05 am (UTC 10)
Blast from the past, I remember my work recommending the Purple Cow years ago – great book
Suzanne Holman says:
April 5, 2009 at 2:01 pm (UTC 10)
What a great idea – a book giveaway!
Wonderful way to encourage comments…
And thank you for your twitter response to my question about
WordPress Themes. I like your site!
s:)
Liz Dew says:
April 6, 2009 at 6:58 am (UTC 10)
Seth Godin is essential reading, what a very generous offer.
Liz
Liz Dew’s last blog post..second test
B Corso says:
April 6, 2009 at 10:43 pm (UTC 10)
Thank you for your blog and thank you for the contest. Though I’m not new to the business, I’ve been finding that while others are reading the Twilight series, I’ve been pouring into business books. Seth’s books are on my want-when-the-funds-are-available list and have been reading Build-A-Bear’s book (which I recommend!) and hoping to get the McDonald’s and Starbucks books as well.
I do work from home and there’s nothing better than being there for your children!
Aik says:
April 6, 2009 at 11:19 pm (UTC 10)
Cool! Please count me in. =)
anil says:
April 7, 2009 at 12:30 am (UTC 10)
HI,
@fionad_sos on twitter sent me here and am looking forward to those books..lol..what a way to promote a blog? wow..keep it up
Fiona says:
April 7, 2009 at 12:36 am (UTC 10)
Great books – I particularly like the sound of The Dip.
Kind regards,
Fiona
Swift Online Secretarial (http://www.s-o-s.net.au)
Heather says:
April 7, 2009 at 2:23 am (UTC 10)
I would love to win this. I have been hearing quite a bit about Seth Godin lately, but have never read any of his books. Such a great giveaway!! Thanks.
Heather’s last blog post..Semi-Homemade Doughnuts
Charmaine Dymond says:
April 7, 2009 at 4:46 am (UTC 10)
Wow, just found this site and so glad I did! Lots of great info and awesome giveaways too
Thanks so much for doing this!
Charmaine Dymond’s last blog post..Two events to note
Chetan says:
April 7, 2009 at 9:21 pm (UTC 10)
I want the book.. I am looking for it. Please give it to me!
Deb Frawley says:
April 8, 2009 at 2:19 am (UTC 10)
Hi..I just recently found your blog and started reading. Thanks for all the great information that you share. This is a great idea..a monthly drawing to get people talking and participating. And who wouldn’t like to win a Seth Godin book!
Deb Frawley’s last blog post..Don’t Let Your Bookkeeping keep you up at night!
Jodie Daniel says:
April 8, 2009 at 2:52 pm (UTC 10)
okay… You’ve drawn me in. I’ve never signed up for RSS feeds. But I’m so keen on this prize – that I’m going to do it!!
I just read your post about bad business practices (and commented) and I’m hooked! I think I am going to really enjoy your blog.
I’ve heard great things about Seth Godin… but never got around to reading his book. I’ve heard about the Purple Cow theory – so it would be good to read up on it.
Kirsten says:
April 9, 2009 at 8:39 pm (UTC 10)
Well, I’m again trying to get serious about my business – currently having some of those thoughts mentioned in your blurb about “The Dip”…But I’m struggling through so far.
And with some recent discussions I’ve been reading in a forum about branding, “Purple Cow” wouldn’t be a bad read either.
lotus says:
April 10, 2009 at 5:55 pm (UTC 10)
Hi Melinda, I love your caring voice!
I’m always up for alternative ways of thinking about things, so I”m just having a go and see what happens.
I\m facing a potentially lifestyle-changing time right now, so would benefit from the advice of either one of those books.
Purple cow for new ideas, and the dip for knowing when to push through tough times and when to quit wisely.
Melinda says:
April 12, 2009 at 7:34 pm (UTC 10)
Congratulations Samar, you’re this month’s winner of the book giveaway.
Thank you to all who participated, we’ll be back with another giveaway on 1 May.
