Introducing Book-Marketing Guru Steve Harrison, kinda

I’ve been following book-marketing guru Steve Harrison for two years now.  I’ve learned a lot from the various free tele-seminars he’s offered over that period, as well as from the deluge of email he sends out.  But, frankly, I’ve been hesitant to introduce him to you in this blog — I’ll explain that a bit further down.

So why am I introducing you to Steve Harrison right now?

Of course, you guessed it:  I just received some email from him.  And, yes, he’s promoting some of his offerings.  I actually think they are worth knowing about.

For example, this Thursday he’s offering a free tele-seminar with Jack Canfield, the Chicken Soup for the Soul phenomenon.  Jack, in his early days, turned to Steve for advice.  In the tele-seminar, he’ll share some of what he learned in those days, as well as what he’s picked up from his accumulated success.  If you’ve got an hour, you may wish to sign up — it’s FREE.  The seminar is at 2 p.m., Eaastern time, on Thursday.

If you sign up, you will get onto Steve’s mailing list, and you will receive frequent emails about other free tele-seminars.  I’ve listened to a bunch of them, always with a notebook at hand — and I’ve learned a lot.  Tele-seminars , by the way, are a fascinating new way to reach people.  Your listeners sign up in advance and then call in to a designated telephone number at the appointed time to listen to the presentation.  The only cost is for the long-distance phone connection.

Harrison is also promoting one of his high-profile and expensive programs, Quantum Leap Publicity & Marketing Program.  Included in his pitch is a link to a ten-minute video clip featuring Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad .  After his original manuscript was turned down by countless publishers, Robert self-published the book, with a print run of 1000.  He’s now sold over 26 million copies of the 15 books in the RichDad series.  The tale that Robert tells is fascinating.  And it’s provocative — lots of “literary” authors will initially be appalled.  But I think Kiyosaki has a lot to teach all authors with books to sell, once we get past his entreprenuerial posture.

In addition to his Quantum Leap program, Steve Harrison also publishes the Radio-TV Interview Report, which has become a bible for talk-show hosts and producers looking for interesting people to interview.  Growing out of the industry contacts he’s built up through the Report is Steve’s annual National Publicity Summit, where writers can brush shoulders with many of the gatekeepers in the talk-show industry.

And lastly, Harrison may be best-known for his claim to put his client authors on the Amazon Top Ten List.

Here’s where I begin to get queasy.  His tactics here are classic hard-sell internet marketing.  Many internet marketers follow the same formula:  Long, long scrolling copy.  Lots of testimonials.  Bold-face claims of how this program or that will save your life — or make you a ton of money.  A series of “free” bonuses to lure in customers.  And, typically, high product prices.

Steve has taken these tactics and added a clever twist to get top ranking in Amazon.

Yes, this strategy rubs me the wrong way.  BUT still I read the sales pages.  I listen.  I watch testimonial video.  I sign up for free newsletters.  [Earlier this morning, I started cleaning out my 7000 unread emails that have accumulated over the past two years -- mostly newsletters that I was afraid to discard because I just "knew" that each contained some invaluable gem.]

Why have I paid so much attention?  First, the forumula works, up to a degree.  I do get “hooked” by the copy.  But I haven’t yet paid for any of the high-ticket pitches — even though, once I get my own book out, I’ll probably trot right over to one of Harrison’s seminars.

More importantly, I’ve been trying to uncover ideas and strategies that might be helpful to writers seeking to establish a reputation or sell some books.  And I do think Steve Harrison has a lot to offer.  Check him out for yourself — he may make a difference in your career.

QUESTIONS:  Have any of you tapped into Harrision’s offerings in one way or another?  If so, how about sharing your thoughts.  And what do you think about Harrsion’s approach to marketing his own services?  Do his methods have any relevance to writers in general?  These questions might spark a vigorous and illuminating debate right here.  Our COMMENTS section is set up to facilitate such debate.  Not only can you comment on this blog post.  You can also comment on others comments, where they will appear in a discussion thread.

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    Comment by
    Dr. Andrea Levinson
    29 Apr 2009

    I just returned from Steve Harrison's National Publicity Summit. Yes, I paid a lot of money for it. It was worth EVERY PENNY and more! i am promoting my new movie, Death, Taxes… and Chocolate! and the Unabridged Audio Theatrical Presentation of the film script. I have a book I'm helping publish for a friend – It is the first Illustrated guide to Heaven from former Disney, Franklin Mint, artist and Jack Kirby partner Glenn Kolleda's Near-Death Experience called Life Beyond the Fear of Death. Steve's classes and summit gave me the tools to play with the big boys and girls. I speed dated with 89 media people in 3 days. Wow!

    Comment by
    Aviva Goldfarb
    5 May 2009

    Tom, I enjoyed your post because I'm rather hooked on Harrison's pitches and have even contemplated signing up for Quantum Leap for my next book (coming on in '10). But they make me a little quesy, too. There's a culty and sales-pitchy tone that make me feel like I'm going to be a sucker if I get in too deep. I would love to hear from someone who's been to one of his seminars!

    Comment by
    tomcolvin
    5 May 2009

    Aviva, we share the same feelings. Maybe someday, someone with more first-hand knowledge will share a comment with more information. Meanwhile, let\\'s both dream about our forthcoming blockbusters.

    Comment by
    tomcolvin
    5 May 2009

    Thanks so very much for your insightful reply. It\\'s certainly been my hunch that Harrison does open lots of doors. You\\'ve obviously found that to be true. Thanks for sharing.

    Comment by
    Lola Phelps
    1 Jun 2009

    My question is why is he still delivering (posting, mailing, burning) CD's? Would'nt it be more economic and better on the planet if he just posted a downloadable MP3 file for his members. Same thing with the newsletter…what's wrong with PDF. This guy may be brilliant but his methods of delivering media is definitely outdated for the most part. And dont let me get started on that 1-page scrollable website :)

    Comment by
    SuzetteFoster
    13 Jun 2009

    I was at Steve Harrison's National Publicity Summit in NYC in April, 2009 and have just returned from my first Quantum Leap program (year long mentoring program) in Philly. I am writing my first book and am also new to marketing, creating a platform, and getting my message out. I SO appreciate how completely thorough his programs are. Their organization just keeps giving & giving with the training & support. I find Steve and the whole Bradley Communications team extremely professional & fun, of high integrity, and sincerely wants to help all of us be the best we can be. When you love what you do, it doesn't seem like work– B/c of the big investment of time in creating success, they encourage their participants to connect with their passion.
    I'm choosing carefully where I invest my time & money, AND I am blessed to have connected with their exceptional programs. When commenting on the fees being expensive, I would ask each of you to ask yourself, 'compared to what?' I know these programs will more than pay for themselves and guide me to make a profound impact in the world as I share My Story–guiding others not to accept any limitations!

    Comment by
    tomcolvin
    13 Jun 2009

    Thanks for your first-hand report about Harrison's training and marketing opportunities. Just as I expected, there's a lot of value there — assuming the writer is ready for it.

    Comment by
    Lynn Rosenberg
    30 Jun 2009

    You have a "write a book in a weekend" seminar today and I can't find the information. Can you email it to me?

    Comment by
    Vivian Gale
    27 Jul 2009

    I love his Tele-Seminars and have no doubt based on them that the actual trainings would be as excellent. However, they are very expensive. If I had 5k which was the price for the last one it would solve some of my problems and I wouldn't need him. I'd use the money to promote myself.

    I'm also wondering how many people get addicted to going to the seminars and trainings spending thousands of dollars they could have saved by ordering something simple like the Sponsorship Seekers Toolkit for $20 bucks. If we do our own research AFTER listening to him and his guest, we'll get the job done. I've only been addicted for 2 months, but I've learned so much.

    I have this philosophy that the rich get richer and keep the best tools at a price right out of reach for the average or below average person. Once I finish reading and learning how to get sponsors for my book, I will use their money to attend his seminars and trainings.

    Steve Harrison and people like him have done their homework, they are great are research and marketing themselves. They may also have spent allot of time in programs like Toastmasters, preparing themselves to make these big bucks. I am thinking big so I can like them, be in a position to be as effective in what I am doing.

    Comment by
    tomcolvin
    28 Jul 2009

    Vivian, I share your perspective. I "take advantage" of Harrison's free offering with some regularity — and find what he offers to be invaluable. One of these days, when I'm nearing completion of one of my many book projects, I'm very likely to finally sign up for one of his programs.

    Comment by
    David A. Jones
    19 Aug 2009

    Good morning Aviva….I signed with Steve last year – he is the Muhammad Ali of Marketing. For me, I spent money I did'nt have and remorse set in. After 5 months, I asked Steve for my money to be returned. Guess what? He did precisely that! From time to time, I relive that faboulous experience in Philadelphia and come to regret my actions. I knew I was so close to accomplishing my mission, i could smell it….
    Steve Harrison is a business man; but a gentleman first. He actually offered me an opportunity to utilize his Radio/TV Inteview Report – at no charge. I believe he extended this not for his benefit, but for me. You can depend on this man.
    Repsectfully, Dave Jones

    Comment by
    Lauri Flaquer
    27 Sep 2009

    I attended a Tele-seminar and three days later signed up for the Meet the Media Conference in NY. Within what seemed like 5 minutes of signing up for the conference I had packages filled with books, CD's and even fresh baked cookies sent to me. I felt very appreciated and extremely excited about my decision. I'm looking forward to the summit.

    This morning, I'm up early to contact my clients about testimonials. I want to revamp my site before I get to the summit. I'm committed to making my investment work for me.

    Like Steve or no he is an amazing marketer. I didn't have the money sitting around to spend on the summit but I believe it will be the best money ever spent. I left in October and will let you know my experiences and what I think I got for the summit.

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