The Road to Recognition: The A-to-Z Guide to Personal Branding for Accelerating Your Professional Success in The Age of Digital Media

I have hesitated to write this review in full only in that of the so many wonderful and actionable insights packed into this fantastic book, I’m only just beginning a systematic implementation process. But the the book is good and so meaningful that I figured I’d go ahead and share some thoughts. The first thing that’s readily apparent about The Road to Recognition is the extent to which the authors have poured their hearts and souls into it. They will be the first to admit that the topic of personal branding is, well, quite personal to them. Each feels that they started late in the game in building their personal brands and there’s just a tremendous sincerity in their making the case that others shouldn’t make that mistake. I suppose I would describe myself as someone who has always cared about my reputation and for being perceived according to the traits that I hope I possess and that I’m proud of. But I’d never given the notion of systematically building a personal brand much thought. I might have even been called a skeptic on the topic. That remained the case as my career progressed – in an extraordinarily lucky and blessed fashion – from corporate law to banking to strategic communications. It took about ten pages for me to be fully persuaded of the importance and it’s something that, as someone who has made career changes, I should have been much more cognizant of. I don’t know if I have any more jumps in me, but if so, I plan to be much better positioned and it’ll be thanks to the Road to Recognition. The book itself is a beautifully written blueprint and process (literally, from A-Z) on building and optimizing your personal brand. 26 topics are selected for in depth treatment. Without question, the production of outstanding and shareable content is a recurring theme throughout – as is being a generally decent human being, which I actually think is something well worth acknowledging. In any event, most of the chapters are magnificently written and organized “how to” guides in respect of the nuts and bolts of building a personal brand – content, design, website, Google, LinkedIn, etc. But another special aspect of this book is that it doesn’t shy away from delving into the psychological underpinnings of our own behavior and how it impacts the way we’re perceived. The discussion in the chapter “H is for Helping” is a prime example. One can either help out of a genuine generosity – or in a calculated manner in which the goal is really to help oneself. The irony, as the authors show, is that taking the first approach works infinitely better in terms of benefits redounding back to you. People have tremendous desires to reciprocate and to say thank you for genuine offers of assistance. Related is the chapter “R is for Recognition.” I love this chapter – perhaps because it is one of the few that I have performed intuitively over my life – but it focuses on how having the decency and the appreciation and the gratitude to continually cite and recognize those who have helped make you better turns out to redound quite well in respect of our personal brands. Next, the prescriptions in the book are reasonable and achievable. The authors don’t come at you with the expectation that you’ll implement everything at once. Rather, their message really is: “Start. Start now. And do it the right way.” Finally, the authors practice what they preach. They cite relevant influencers throughout, giving those folks all due credit; and they speak highly in the text of more folks who have been influencers on their own personal lives. And in terms of helping: I’ll end where I began. I’m not sure I’ve read a book recently that felt so sincere in wanting to help folks. In my eyes anyway, this is a book that will stand the test of time and that I expect and hope is deservedly further elevating the personal brands of each of Barry and Seth. Thanks to you both.

I am so happy with this book!! Having seen Seth Price Keynote and impart wisdom and knowledge to many different crowds of Realtors who hung on his every word, I had eagerly awaited the release of Seth & Barry's book. When the book finally arrived in my hands, I was so excited to dive in and get started. I studied graphic design in high school and college and have a strong appreciation for eye-pleasing design, beautifully laid-out pages and excellent grammar, so what struck me was the beauty of this book. It's a joy to read such eye-pleasing pages that were carefully and thoughtfully laid out with precision and flair. The authors practice what they preach in that they involved different industry leaders and quoted them all throughout this book. I teach Realtors for a living and I found myself nodding in agreement as I read each page of "The Road to Recognition." While I can't take any credit for the book, it's filled with the type of content I would deliver if I were to write such a book. It echoes the very principles I teach to audiences and I will certainly be reading excerpts from this book (especially the section on video) to my class attendees. This is a book that every small business owner should purchase and learn from - it's something that every Realtor needs to read! I was so impressed with the content, I purchased a copy for my entire sales team and my husband purchased about 50 for his friends and colleagues. It's an easy and enjoyable read and anyone who buys it will be highlighting instructional, inspiring passages and rereading it over again.

There is no question that in today's world you need to differentiate yourself online for professional career success and as a result, over the years there have been a multitude of books around the topic of personal branding that have been published. Today there are even courses being offered by digital marketers for thousands of dollars to help people promote their personal brand online. Frankly, I would refrain from investing in those programmes and instead purchase The Road to Recognition: The A-to-Z Guide to Personal Branding for Accelerating Your Professional Success in The Age of Digital Media . This book provides you with ideas that you can implement yourself to help you become more visible online. Note that the book does not provide a route map that you will follow step by step. The chapters are structured around an A-Z of topics. So if you are the kind of person who likes to immerse themselves in a topic and are pressured for time, reading and implementing ideas from specific chapters of the book will be ideal for you. You will find online visibility tips related to blogging, getting the most out of using LinkedIn, using keywords, podcasting and using online video to name just some of the topics covered. As someone who has spoken and taught personal branding to students, entrepreneurs and business leaders for more than 10 years I would recommend that you read this book in conjunction with Career Distinction: Stand Out by Building Your Brand by William Arruda (one of the first authorities on the topic of personal branding) and Kirsten Dixson. While "Career Distinction" was published ten years ago, the methodology for unearthing your personal brand presented in the book is a great primer and will provide you with a solid foundation from where you can then use the ideas and tactics shared in "The Road to Recognition" to help you become more visible online. Here are some of the people I think will get the most from reading "The Road to Recognition": - you are an entrepreneur looking to present yourself as a credible leader for your new business - you are a consultant or coach who wants to be found online ahead of your competition - you are a graduate about to embark on your journey into the workforce. But remember that purchasing the book is just the first step. It then requires diligence and commitment to turn the ideas from the pages of the book int action and then results. But when you do so, you will find that you will be on the road to recognition as an authority in your field of expertise.

The Road to Recognition...amazing piece of work! World has changed and anyone with smartphone is now a journalist. Personal Branding looks to be of prime importance (in this digital age) like never before...! Just wanted to say thanks to Barry & Seth!

Ironically, the key thrust felt through this book is Z for Zeal and it's the last letter of the alphabet - which for this book being organised at A to Z, found it's logical place at the back of the book. But no harm done, as it hits home the truth of all that is recommended in this book - that without the energy and passion to go for it, it will be a much harder and uneventful road. I constantly found myself reaching for a pen to write down tips and soon began to realise there are too many to write down! This has to be one of the most practical, useful and actionable resources on the market today. I will most definitely be turning its pages to follow the road to recognition in my own business. Highly recommend

Concise, easy to read, great tactics and strategies. Great reminders of why building a personal brand is paramount to business success.

Great read with quick, with digestible takeaways. The hardest thing with books is being able to take away learning that you can almost instantly apply; not this one, as it's ready made for those who want to be able to find solutions fast. A fantastic book that's easy on the eye and even easier to engage with.

Good advices, nice graphic and design, easy to read. It deals with the topic in a general way to me. If you are new to the subject is fine. Iif you are looking for something more advanced and technical, it is not what you are looking for.