You’ve heard me say this before: people buy who you are long before they buy what you’re selling.  It’s another way of saying people do business with the people they know, like and trust.

In UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging, author Scott Stratten challenges us to think differently about our traditional marketing efforts.  He argues against traditional interrupt and sell marketing tactics and champions a new way of marketing: engaging your past, present and future customers.  Scott advises “If you believe business is built on relationships, make building them your business.”

UnMarketing is written in a way that’s easy to understand.  But don’t let its simplicity fool you.  There is much to be learned in the chapters that make up the book.  Whether you’re new to the concept of engaging your market or not, you will pick up a few great tips to use in your own marketing… er unmarketing efforts.

What I loved most about UnMarketing is the footnotes that you’ll find throughout the book.  Do yourself a favor DO NOT buy the e-reader version of UnMarketing.  All of the footnotes are moved to the end of the book and you’ll miss the witty and insightful comments he makes.  UnMarketing is the first marketing book I’ve read that left me with the feeling that it was being written by someone who’s much like me: witty, sarcastic, and, let’s be honest, geeky 🙂  It’s one of those books where I imagine that if Scott and I were ever to meet, we’d be friends.

The world of marketing has changed.  If you’re looking to better understand the concept of engaging customers and turning them into loyal evangelists of you and your brand or if you’re looking for a funny and insightful book to get you excited about marketing, then pick up a copy of UnMarketing and start unmarketing today!

iChat: Have You Read UnMarketing?

* Did you get inspired into action?
* Were there any a-ha or hell ya moments for you?

Let me know your thoughts by posting a comment below.