One of my favorite parts about 
blogging is the people. I love connecting with you guys on here, twitter, facebook and through email, but my favorite part is meeting up in person. So when I get an opportunity to do so, I jump at it.
Tuesday night, Mr. Chris Guillebeau himself came through Bloomington, Indiana as part of his 63 city Unconventional Book Tour. We had about 20-30 people come out [including ManVsDebt himself] and it was a really good time. Chris & Baker both spoke for about 10 minutes about the book and gave a little background to their stories. There were cupcakes, wine and a bunch of good conversations with smart thinkers and some new friends. Somewhere in between all of that, Chris somehow found time to shoot the following video with me for you guys.
[Can’t see the video? Here’s the direct link]Unconventional Book Giveaway
Here’s a secret – I think book giveaways are boring. They usually just end with the blog owner giving the book away and then…..nothing. That’s it. Next blog post. Nothing. So I wanted to do things differently. The giveaway won’t “end” when the books are given away, that’s when it just begins to start.
Back when I won a review copy of Chris’ book, I already had a copy on order, but I told him if I won I would take it & leave it at a bookstore or coffee shop. I’m going to do that, and I want to involve you.
The basic idea is simple:
- Win a copy of the book
- Get the book in the mail and read it.
- Pass it On
Insert Secret Mission Here That Will Rock Your Face
For the people that get a copy of the book. Inside the book there will be instructions, and a link to a site with some secret information for your mission and some some other stuff for the guys that win. If this sounds kind of vague, it’s supposed to [I’m tapping into my inner spy].
I’m not going to hound you if you win and just read the book and put it on your shelf, but I think ideas are more powerful when they’re shared, so hopefully this will be a fun way to encourage that. Chris’ book has helped me a lot and I’d love for it to help you & others.
So You Want A Copy?
I’m giving out 2 copies to The League and 2 to all the fans of BIT on Facebook [I’m giving the last one out in person].
Sign up here:
If you’re only on 1 of the 2, you can find the links to sign up for the other here:
If you’re on neither, you should probably sign up for at least one [all you have to do is click “like”]
If you’re on both already, congratulations. You’re officially my favorite.
Also, if you sign up for the newsletter, you’ll get a sweet email series I’m working on in the next 10 days.
Like I said, even if you already have a book, you can still sign up and try to win, because the whole point of this giveaway is to “give it away.” Novel idea, huh? So sign up [I’ll give you the whole weekend & pull names on Monday], pass it along and get in on a secret mission. It will be fun, I promise.
Secret mission, you say? You know I love those!
I just saw your post [everyone check it out here] literally 5 minutes after I posted this 🙂 I agree though, secret missions make life a lot more fun 🙂
I WANT TO WIN AND BE PART OF THE SECRET MISSION!!! PICK ME!!
(By the way, when did you get a blog? Ha!)
I have to say this is one of my favorite book giveaways ever. Love the idea of a secret mission and might end up stealing it myself. 😉 Way to go, evil blogging twin.
I’ve been writing it a couple months or so. There this really cool thing where you write online and connect with other people. I saw this one the other day, something about heroes & destiny. you should check it out, I think you’d like it. Glad you liked the idea, I figured I’d have to switch it up a bit, with everything being “unconventional” and all 🙂
Love this secret mission! Will have to sign up for this. I’m going to Chris Guillebeau’s Chicago stop on his Unconventional Book Tour tomorrow night; SO excited!!!
Yay! And I agree, meeting up in person is a wonderful opportunity to solidify the connection we’ve already made online. Some things, technology can never replace. Good stuff, Joel!
It’s gonna be awesome. Make sure you meet Chris, he’s awesome. [I was going to try & come up, but I have a race back here on saturday]
Have fun!
Definitely!! And have fun at your race!
WEEEEEE SECRET MISSIONS!!!!
Just signed up for the email list (I wasn’t on it before…what the frack?!?)
This makes me say my favorite word: YAGA!
– JC
Also…I noticed in the video with the camera lighting that it looks as though Joel has some manly 5 o’clock shadow “chops”. So without further adieu…here is the next profile pic of Mr. Joel Runyon
🙂
I’ve been told that before. Actually have a picture somewhere…never to be found again :).
🙂
Haha, It’s gonna be a fun one.
That’s awesome you were able to get a video with Chris. Unfortunately I missed him when he came through my NJ. I was planning to go but had car issues.
Anyway, I read Chris’ book and it’s completely rad. Just signed up for The League in hopes of scoring one of your copies so I can pass it along (I’m not parting with mine!)
Thanks Hugh!
I was pumped to see Chris again. He’s always fun to hang out with and I was really glad he decided to do a video for me. I’ll be doing the drawing monday, so stay tuned!
Great post. I haven’t read the book yet. Got fight club in my hands at this moment. But I sure will. Thanks!
It’s a great read. Enjoy it.
Joel,
I am most impressed with you. Your unconventional way of giving away books and then the opportunity to write a personal message inside them is quite inspiring. I may be using this method so that I may encourage and push others who are growing as well. I love it.
Well Done.
Thanks Tim. I’ve found that a little creativity & effort makes things a lot more fun & interesting.
Just went to Chris’ meet up in Chicago!!! The unconventional book tour is awesome! This spy thing is great. I can see this growing into something bigger. Ha, make a spy/mission section of your blog. Make your readers do “impossible” things! Oh how the tides have turned.
I was planning on coming up, but I had a race the day before. Also, I may have to use that idea and make it a recurring thing, if it turns out well this time around. Don’t worry, I’ll give you credit.
Nice to meet you that night Joel! I could never give my book away since Chris has signed it for me but I am requesting that our library order one. Now anxiously awaiting your book 🙂
It was great to meet another nonconformist here in Indianapolis! I thought I was gonna be able to buy them there & have Chris sign a few copies but they ran out 🙁 Sad day.
Re: about that book. I better get on it, huh? 🙂