Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy Paperback – 1 Jan. 2023

I came across Mark Schaefer when he was being interviewed on a Business to Business podcast. I was immediately captivated by his advice and strategies about the strengths of community-based marketing and why this is THE future of marketing and growing your clients. I was so impressed I immediately purchased his book Belonging to the Brand. This book is well-organised and researched and easy to digest. The book has some great case studies that really outline the key points of community building and cover the various ways successful communities have grown, evolved and monetised their offerings. I suggest you have a pen and notepad to hand because if you are like me, it will spark a tonne of ideas.As an executive coach, I am always looking for more efficient ways to better connect with my clients and give more value to my audience. Coming across Mark and his book is a game-changer for me; Thanks to this book I have taken the leap and opened my own community.I highly recommend his work to anyone looking to enhance their marketing strategies and cultivate a thriving community. Overall 10/10

That nagging feeling that there must be a better way to market your business? This is the answer. Every chapter fired me up with ideas, and I’m buying it for all my clients.You won’t be able to stop yourself from rethinking your marketing strategy after reading this book. During the pandemic many businesses struggled to figure out how to market themselves in the middle of a catastrophe - and there was a lot of lip-service paid to community, and how we were all “in this together”.Very few businesses actually had a true community gathered around them, and as the initial shock of the pandemic fades, it feels like everyone has gone back to “business as usual”.But people are tired of “business as usual”, they want more.This book will give you a roadmap to offering more. It will show you just how valuable it is to invite people to be a part of something with you.It’s packed full of case studies and examples of companies who have successfully built a business by allowing people to belong.I’m reading it again asap.

In the book “belonging to the brand – why community is the last great marketing strategy”, Mark explains how marketing today is broken. People have had enough of the constant spam through cold calling, email marketing and advertising. He also explains how even modern marketing techniques like SEO does not work for most companies. So, what is a business to do? That’s where Mark explains how forming groups and communities is something humans have done since prehistoric times. Why? Because for humans a community is psychological safety … and as long as a salesperson or a marketer does not try to sell you anything, we will be happy in the community like a pig in dirt. Why? Because a pitch, puts us in flight or fight mode, always has, always will.Mark backs this all up with examples and explanations about how you can build communities in your business, non-for-profit etc.

Really insightful book for both markerts and brands into building communities. Mark has a great way of getting to the core of the challenges faced and the solutions required. Will be looking into his other books off the back off this.

Love it. So much so I’ve bought and shared copies with colleagues

What if great interpersonal relationships were the core of your marketing strategy? This isn't about gimmicks for potential clients but cultivating belonging, collaboration, and mutual appreciation. I've highlighted so much of this book and need to reread it asap.What a great way to focus on helping people who are interested in what you have to offer. It's given me a lot to think about!