Ever hear people use the phrase, “A little help here?”
Like kids playing baseball on a sandlot field, and one big kid hits the ball clear over the fence. It’s out of reach, and they have to climb the high fence or run all the way around. But one of the kids sees a passing pedestrian and pleads, “A little help here?” The ball is tossed back over the fence, everyone shouts thanks, the hero nonchalantly waves, and the game continues.
In the same way as the kids playing baseball, I could use your help, and you could be the hero.
My second book, Salvaged: Leadership Lessons Pulled From the Junkyard, will be released in January. And I need a little help with the release. Nothing more complex than tossing a ball over a fence back into the game: it’s the friendly thing to do, won’t take long, and is actually fun.
Here are five ways you could help — and I hope to make this less snarky than the book:
- Buy the book. Duh. It’s available for preorder on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, the NavPress site, and probably from an underpaid editor who is selling bootleg copies on Craigslist. Please tell me (or the FBI) if you can track him down. We could set up a cool sting operation and catch him in a back alley peddling the book.
- Post about it on social media and include a link to an online retailer. For now this could be, “I just preordered this new book; looking forward to reading it.” Or something like that. A distant friend (we were close once but the donut issue put a damper on our relationship) posted about Junkyard Wisdom and about a dozen people bought the book. That’s an impressive result for a person who does not understand the value of sprinkles. So post something — you’re way more popular than she was so you’ll generate far more sales. As a thank you, maybe I’ll buy you a donut.
- Invite me to speak at an event in early 2019, especially fun events with nice people (the others are okay too). This could be large or small. For my first book I spoke at colleges, churches, book clubs, business groups, and even gave a TED Talk (okay, so the last one might be my imagination). Obviously timing/location are key here, but let’s figure it out.
- Host a book signing event. My inner introvert squirms, but I promise not to use any junkyard language (unless you want me to) and I’ll make eye contact with most of the people in the room (that weird friend of yours might be the exception). Have your people contact my people (which would be me) and we’ll see it if can happen.
- If you blog, host a podcast, or know somebody who does, maybe I can get you an early release copy so you can post a review. You can even interview me to add content. I promise to say something stupid so you can make me look foolish.
Okay, so all of the above aside, remember one thing. There’s a chapter in the book titled, “It’s Good to Have Friends in Low Places.” Leadership is for everyone, no matter his or her station in life, and the chapter focuses on the power of seeing everyone as a person of influence.
Marketing this book is the same. Sure, it would be great to be reviewed by the New York Times, or be a selection for Oprah’s book club. But the smaller platforms are just as important, and often more valuable. Because your voice, your influence, indeed your leadership are just as powerful as any. Don’t think you can’t help just because your Twitter followers are in the dozens, not millions. Every voice matters.
So, how about it? A little help here?