A summary of things you should know about YouthNation according to Matt Britton:

Introduction

In this episode Matt Britton gives an in-depth preview of his book, YouthNation, where he shows what it takes to stay connected, agile, authentic, and relevant in today’s marketplace.

In his book Britton provides an effective marketing plan with practical advice and strategies for keeping your business brand relevant to the new economy of youth-driven cultures. The goal of the book is to teach you how to use psychographics to target younger markets, craft a brand story that will attract new target markets, build highly engaging online communities, and stay ahead of the competition.

This book is perfect for entrepreneurs who run a business that deserves the attention of millennials, but are having difficulty marketing, hiring, and communicating with the younger generation.

The Book’s Unique Quality (2:51)

I think that I’ve had a very unique experience in spending a lot of time in the board rooms of major corporate marketers and because of that I’ve been able to understand their challenges and needs. I’ve also spent a whole lot of time on college campuses, nightclubs, and places where this culture is really being built, and so I think the experiences I’ve had within being on both sides really has led to an invaluable resource.

The Best Way To Engage (3:35)

I think every chapter provides a unique set of value in its own way and so the reader can go in and look at individual chapters and be able to get an understanding of the key principles. The front half of the book is written about the cultural changes that are being driven by millennials and the back half of the book talks about the marketing and advertising implications to that. So I think the reader can just look at the front part or back part depending on where they are looking to gain the most insights.

The Reader’s Takeaway (13:13)

I would want it to be that anybody who wants to succeed in business right now really needs to fully understand and embrace youth culture to do so. They need to understand that young people are changing the world and the decisions and lifestyle habits are the ones that are disrupting every industry. And in order for them to succeed they need to understand what’s going on with young people and stop ignoring it.

A Deep Dive Into The Book (4:18)

There is massive change going on now in the business landscape and it’s being driven by cultural changes in our population. Right now the big changes are being made not by decisions made in the boardrooms but by movements that are happening on the sidewalks by young, empowered millennials that are leveraging technology and social media to really change the world. These disruptions are causing changes in all corners of our economy and business world and I’ve broken them down to different principles which need to be understood by businesses and understood by marketers in order for them to succeed.

The first major changes that I’ve written about in the book I call from status symbol to status update and that’s basically talking about how millennials and the driving consumer is much more consumed than obsessed with experiences verses the possession and material items. So retailers and providers of goods really need to change the way they come to market and not so much focus on unique selling proposition of their products but of the experiences and stories that can be told from the consumption of their products and services.

I talk about changes in music and popular culture and the huge explosion of outdoor festivals driven by popularity in electronic dance music and how electronic dance music is a massive trend that’s not going away anytime soon and how brands can jump on it.

I talk about since the shift is moving away from the consumption of physical items to the consumption of experiences; young consumers are now focusing on the access of good verses the ownership of good. So it’s the rental or sharing economy and what does that mean and what companies have really thrived by creating marketplaces for the items instead of just traditional retail models.

I also talk about microeconomic changes that are being driven by millennials such as them not wanting to move to the suburbs and instead staying in major cities and the implications for them staying in the cities in terms of them being about to transact with one another. I talk about careers and the evolutions of careers and what millennials want from them.

I talk about the power of the crowd and how the crowd is an invaluable resource for companies that want to source best in class thinking and wisdom.
Lastly I talk about what all these changes mean to the future of marketing and advertising. I stay with television and how the television model with the adoption of all these new technologies is starting to become broken and how companies that have relied on the age old television model really need to reinvent themselves.

I talk about some of the new ways, since we can’t rely on television as much anymore, to reach consumers such as the creation of content and the value of storytelling. I talk about how brands can use data, the social and interest graph, and social media data to be able to actively target consumers.

Lastly I talk about the importance of people needing to be brands and personifying their brands.

My book is really a holistic view of all these changes that are going on and what I found in talking all over the world is that there is such a disconnect. Things that are sort of household names and household habits of millennials who are changing the world are still so out of reach and largely misunderstood by business decision makers and I am hoping this book provides a great resource to tie it all together.

NOTE: That was just a summary. To get the full deep dive, play the audio clip at 04:18

Notable Quotes From The Book (13:55)

“Experience is the new currency” – Matt Britton

The Credibility/Inspiration Of The Author (1:07)

I am the founder and CEO of MRY which is an advertising agency focusing on digital and social technology to really help brands break through and be remarkable with their consumer.

I work with a lot of major corporate marketers and what I found over and over again with big brands is that there seems to be a major disconnect behind their knowledge of the marketplace as they exist today and really what’s going on in terms of the disruption and change that’s already being driven by youth. For me the book is really meant to be a roadmap for marketers and business decision makers to understand how to navigate the complex changes that are brought about by these youths driving the economy to ensure they are not left in the dust.

Other Books Recommended By The Author (15:06)

Permission Marketing by Seth Godin

More Information About This Book and The Author

Buy YouthNation by Matt Britton on Amazon today
Visit YouthNation.net to learn more about Matt and his book
Follow Matt Britton on Facebook and Twitter

More Information About This Episode

Download the full transcript here (coming soon)
Listen on iTunes, Stitcher , and SoundCloud

Related books:

The New Entrepreneuz by Ronen Gafni and Simch Gluck
What’s Next by Michael Price
A World Gone Social by Ted Coine and Mark Babbitt

What did you like and not like about this episode? Fill out this one minute survey here.

What do you think about Matt Britton’s book, YouthNation? Share your review in the comments below:

The post A Preview of YouthNation with Matt Britton appeared first on The Entrepreneurs Library.

7 Reasons Why You Should Quit Your Job

Is it a good idea to quit your job and chase your dream of being an entrepreneur? Well, there are numerous reasons that tell you not be so foolish as to quit a job that pays you well and helps you live the lifestyle you do and go down the road of uncertainty. But life is too short not to live it to the fullest either!

Need a few good reasons to quit your job and start on your own? Here are 7 that will help:

1) You are stuck.

If you feel that you work, but you never achieve anything, it may be a good reason to quit. Sometimes you get too comfortable in a job to notice that you are stuck in stagnant waters. Do you accomplish anything? Do you make an impact? Do you feel that you have a purpose? If you answered no to any of these, it’s time to move on.

2) You have lost passion.

Do you wake up every day and think – why do I need to go to work? Some parts of your job are sure to suck. But if there are no parts that you look forward to (it doesn’t necessarily have to be fun, it can be motivating, challenging, stimulating, or anything else), it isn’t really the best opportunity for you.

3) Your pay doesn’t reflect your work.

You put in your best at work. But if you are just working to build a career for your boss, it won’t amount to anything in the long run. Your pay including the perks and benefits you get as well as the way it boosts your career matter; and if it doesn’t reflect how much you put in at your job, it’s no good.

4) You want to do what you love.

Sometimes, the job you want isn’t even there; you need to create it. And what better way to do it than to leave your job and start on your business? So, whether you want to write a book, start an online handmade jewelry store, or offer after party cleaning service, the best time to do it is now!

5) You need flexibility.

Certain circumstances may make it necessary to have a flexible schedule; and a regular job may not be able to offer you that opportunity. When J. T. O’Donnell wanted to spend more time with her kids, she moved from the corporate world and concentrated on building her virtual career coaching venture Careerealism.

6) You want to push yourself to the limits.

Can you make it with the skills you have? Can you make the money you have stretch to meet your business needs? Can you create and manage a team that will work towards a better future for them as well as for the business? When you take the entrepreneurial road, you are sure to find out!

7) You desire success.

It’s true that no business can succeed in a day. But it’s also true that your business may have the potential to succeed in time. If you crave to be a success; and are always depressed because you cannot attain it in your present job, it is time to move on and start something where you know you’ll accomplish what you want.

But before you take the leap, you need to exercise caution too. How do you do it?

The best way is to prepare for the uncertain times. Don’t fail to put aside at least the amount that will see you through for 6 months (you’ll still have to pay for food, gas, and such necessities). If possible, opt for a part-time job at the beginning; so that you’ll have a steady source of income when you are waiting for your business to break even.

Recommended books on entrepreneurship and quitting a job:

The Art of Resignation by Steven Feiner
What’s Next by Michael Price
You Can Retire Sooner Than You Think by Wes Moss
The Freaks Shall Inherit The Earth by Chris Brogan
Everyday Entrepreneurs by Ken Horn

What has been your biggest struggle with becoming self-employed? Share your story in the comments below:

The post 7 Reasons Why You Should Quit Your Job appeared first on The Entrepreneurs Library.

7 Steps To Improve Networking Skills For Entrepreneurs

Underestimating the power of networking is sure to be disadvantageous for an entrepreneur. But why do many entrepreneurs care less about this? It is their idea of networking that adds to the trouble. If you think that it is simply about meeting new people and collecting business cards, you are mistaken.

Business networking skills are something every entrepreneur needs to acquire and improve on. And it doesn’t imply collecting business cards only – it requires much more than that. It is about building and nurturing meaningful relationships in the entrepreneurial world that will aid your success as an entrepreneur.

How can an entrepreneur improve networking skills? Let’s outline the steps to become successful at it:

Step 1: Identify opportunities. Which events do you attend? Well, every industry event is a big opportunity to make new relationships. Be it a trade show, a conference or a workshop, if it is a relevant place with the relevant people, attend it. Also, check the calendar of events at your local chamber of commerce; their events present good opportunities to network with other business-minded people.

Step 2: Plan ahead. Who do you want to meet? How do you approach them when you meet? What do you want to come up as a result of a meeting? Determine the answers to these questions before you take a step. Set smaller attainable goals – such as ‘I will meet 3 new individuals at this week’s events’ instead of ‘I will sign three deals with my contacts.’

Step 3: Pay attention to appearance and manners. Just as you prepare your pitch before a meeting, focus on what to wear and how to behave too. A first impression of an entrepreneur matters. So, dress appropriately for the do. And don’t make your pitch all about hard-selling – it won’t work for your first attempt at networking.

Step 4: Step out of your comfort zone. It is easy to keep talking to the people you know at an event where you don’t know the majority. But if you did this, you fail the purpose. The focus needs to be on how to create new contacts. And while you are at it, don’t waste your time on forming a hundred casual contacts; instead, focus on a few solid ones.

Step 5: Make it a two-way thing. A meeting is essentially a conversation. And it won’t be so if you monopolize it. Talk, but listen too. Ask questions, understand answers and keep a note. Make it about how you can be of help to the other; not the other way around. Don’t let one monopolize your time; and don’t do it to others either.

Step 6: Get the right mix. Exchanging business cards is alright; just don’t put them somewhere and forget all about them. Feed the details into your mobile device. Initiate conversations with the right contacts – both in the real world (you can meet them for a coffee) and on social media (you can email them a helpful resource).

Step 7: Most importantly, stay in touch. The basic idea of networking is simple – you create and nurture relationships with the right people to boost your business. And you need to maintain this to serve its purpose. This doesn’t mean you have to pester them with emails every day, just keep it meaningful – so they know you haven’t forgotten them.

Networking skills can help an entrepreneur land new business. It can also help you avoid a tunnel vision of meeting and keeping in touch with the people in your industry alone. Just don’t treat it like work. You don’t do it when you converse with your personal contacts; don’t do it for your business contacts either.

The real person behind the business is what matters most when it comes to networking.

Do you want more tips and advice to improve networking skills? Here are some books featured on The EL that I recommend:

The Entrepreneur Mind by Kevin D Johnson | Listen to Kevin give a deep dive here
What’s Next by Michael Price | Listen to Michael give a deep dive here
The Seven Levels of Communication by Michael J Maher | Listen to Michael give a deep dive here
Body Of Work by Pamela Slim | Listen to Pamela give a deep dive here
Lean Branding by Laura Busche | Listen to Laura give a deep dive here

The post 7 Steps To Improve Networking Skills For Entrepreneurs appeared first on The Entrepreneurs Library.

A summary of things you should know about What’s Next? according to Michael Price:

Introduction

In this episode Michael Price takes a deep dive into his book, What’s Next, where he gives you a guide for surviving and thriving in the real world.

In his book, Price teaches you how to decide if college is right for you, how to escape Corporate America and pursue your passion, and how to use the Internet for continuing education, networking, building a business, and turning your passion into profit.

This book is perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 33 who are seeking an all-inclusive guide to finding the right education and entrance into the world today.

The Book’s Unique Quality (4:40)

The book is tailor-made for millennials and a more comprehensive book. In addition to entrepreneurship it touches on a lot of other topics like education and employment. This has personally worked for me and I see it becoming a trend working for a lot of others.

The Best Way To Engage (6:00)

It depends on the age level and the station of life the reader is in. The reader can jump in and pick up from where they are in their life in that particular point of time. The age group of a millennial is between the ages of 15 to 33.

The Reader’s Takeaway (19:46)

I would want the reader to really understand the impact of the world that we live in today and most importantly the world that we are going to live in tomorrow.

A Deep Dive Into The Book (7:51)

The book opens up in chapter one titled Welcome to the Real World. I believe that millennials are extremely unprepared for the real world and I think it’s largely consequence of the way we were raised and the society we were brought up in. You can have all the opportunity in the world but if you don’t have a large sector of people that are willing to embrace that opportunity and know what to do with it, you have a big issue. We have the most highly educated generation in history but at the same time they are also the most unemployed generation in history. A lot of these issues are covered in the book and help break down the history of that.

Chapter two explores the notion of the internet age, social networking, real world networking and how to build business. This chapter helps people understand this phenomenon that we are seeing.

Chapters three and four discuss education. These chapters help the reader really understand what education is and what it’s not. These days there are so many different ways to educate yourself in terms of learning whatever it is necessary to get you to the next point in your life. The reader will get a lot of insight into that and alternative solutions should they not be able to or desire to go the traditional route of education.

In Chapter five we get involved in the brand building component of business and entrepreneurship. This book takes the reader down this path to entrepreneurship but it focuses very heavily making sure that they survive and thrive in their career as an employee. I believe that employment is the new training ground for entrepreneurship.

Chapter six is titled Surviving Corporate America and has 15 of the best pieces of advice that I could provide working in the corporate environment at a very high level for several years.

And chapter seven is titled Escaping Corporate America. This chapter helps give real insight to what you can expect when you take the plunge to quit your job and to go all-in as an entrepreneur.

In chapter eight we discuss some basic financial literacy skills which sadly aren’t taught in schools but its key for success in the real world.
The book closes out in chapter nine by providing a message to parents who have already raised a millennial or are currently raising a millennial.

NOTE: That was just a summary. To get the full deep dive, play the audio clip at 07:51

Notable Quotes From The Book (21:38)

“My fellow millennials, are you prepared for the real world?” – Michael Price

The Credibility/Inspiration Of The Author (0:37)

I am an entrepreneur, an author and a millennial. I also founded I Can Be Society.

After explaining my unhappiness with my job at the time to my dad he suggested I write a book. I knew I had the ability to write a book and as I looked back on my life from the ages 15 to 28 I wanted to show how education and career fit together.

Other Books Recommended By The Author (22:40)

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

More Information About This Book and The Author

Buy What’s Next? by Michael Price on Amazon today
Visit MichaelPriceless.com to learn more about Michael and his book
Visit ICanBeSociety.com to learn more about Michael’s platform to help inspire people
Follow Michael Price on Twitter and Facebook

More Information About This Episode

Download the full transcript here (coming soon)

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher , and SoundCloud

Related books:
The New Entrepreneurz by Ronen Gafni and Simcha Gluck
The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth by Chris Brogan
Freedom After the Sharks by Geoff Hudson-Searle

Relevant advice and tips:
7 Signs That You Have What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur
7 Unique Styles Of Entrepreneurs

What did you like and not like about this episode? Fill out this one minute survey here.

What do you think about Michael Price’s book, What’s Next? Share your review in the comments below:

The post A Preview of What’s Next with Michael Price appeared first on The Entrepreneurs Library.