One Minute Later

See, now I am getting the hang of this blog thing. I am giving you two posts on the same day. And, I am adding a photo to the blog.

Two thoughts about this photo:

1. Yes, that is me. Yes, that is Hootie and the Blowfish. No, this has nothing to do with anything.

2. I look like I am actually in the band. Please notice the casual way I am holding the Evian bottle.

The big news is that the web site for the book is up and running. My good friend Shea Duet designed the site. And now for the address:

http://www.maketherightchoicethebook.com/

The other big news is that I received my advance copy of the book. It was very surreal to actually hold the book. Now, I know it is real. The next step to the reality is hearing what people think of the book. Amazon says it is now shipping the book (almost two weeks before the actual release date). I am sure the other book sellers have copies in stock as well.

I look forward to hearing what you think of the book.

The mighty PR machine behind my book is planning the first ever Joel Zeff e-mailed newsletter. Even though you could sign up for my "newsletter" for years, it never materialized. You can sign up on my web site or send me an e-mail at info@joelzeff.com.

Until, the next posting, take care and continued success.

24 Days Later

Well, a mere 24 days has passed since I started this blog. I know. You are supposed to blog more often. People want the blog. They need the blog. They live for the blog. Okay, good tip.

The PR machine is revving up for the release of the book. Unless you have spent the last week or so camping in the mountains, you should have heard about "Make the Right Choice: Creating a Positive, Innovative and Productive Work Life." As of this post, I have done one podcast interview for something called BNET and an interview for the Houston Business Journal about hiring speakers.

I don't think the podcast is ready yet. As soon as the interview hits the podcast world, I will provide a link. My goal is to speak to one person at a time. And with a podcast, that is pretty much what I am doing. This was my first podcast and I am still tingling.

I would like to provide a link to the Houston Business Journal. Unfortunately, I can't even access the story because you have to be a paid subscriber. I like my Internet content free. It kind of makes more sense, and I am sure the Houston Business Journal, like many other on-line publications will figure that out sooner than later.

And, that is the extent of my PR. Obviously, you can see the similarities between my PR machine and the PR machine for the new Harry Potter book. Unconfirmed sources tell me that the publisher moved up the release date for the new Potter book because they didn't want to be overshadowed by Make the Right Choice.

Here are just a few similarities between Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Make the Right Choice:

Number of Sold Copies:

HP: 10 million copies sold in the first weekend.
MTRC: Slightly less.

Number of cover stories about the book in major publications:

HP: Every magazine. Every news show. Every newspaper.
MTRC: Did I mention the podcast on BNET?

Reports of people camping out and standing in long lines to receive their copy:

HP: Yes, in every city people were standing in line and camping out.
MTRC: There is an unconfirmed report that my mom had to wait until my dad was off the computer before she could order the book.

The beginning of the blog.

This is my very first blog posting. Ever. I am sure all the Internet-savvy kids are rolling their eyes as they read this blog, suck down their Starbucks cappuccino, and download really cool songs for their iPod. I don't even own an iPod.

I am not sure where this blog will lead to during the coming months. The main focus of the blog will be my new book, Make the Right Choice: Creating a Positive, Innovative and Productive Work Life.

I always wanted to write a book. My clients would ask me, "Do you have a book?" Audience members would ask me, "Do you have a book?" Other speakers would ask me, "Do you have a book?" People on airplanes would ask me what I did for a living. I told them I was a speaker. "Do you have a book?" they would ask.

Now, after starting my own business in 1994 (I didn't really start seriously speaking for a living until 1997) I have a book.

What is the book about? Good question. Here is what I wrote on the book's jacket:

In Make the Right Choice, Joel shares
his experience and insight on creativity,
communication, teamwork, passion, and
fun. With wit, a sharp observational eye, and
playful irreverence, he discusses the choices
we all encounter in our careers. We each have
the ability to take initiative and make the right
choice to live a more creative, passionate,
effective, and productive life.

I think that is a pretty good description. As soon as I figure out how to post the entire book jacket, I will. Remember, I don't even have an iPod.

This blog will discuss upcoming book related events; thoughts on work and life; and musings from my travels and speaking events.

Thank you for taking the time to visit the blog. Take care and continued success.