(Note to reader: I’ve a copy of Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julian Smith to giveaway. All details can be found at the end of this post.)
Occasionally you come across a book that changes the way you think. The Cluetrain Manifesto did this for me, as did Seth Godin’s Tribes. Well I think that Trust Agents is another one to add to that list. I say, I think, because strangely Trust Agents contains nothing I didn’t already know, though much of it was bubbling away at a subconscious level. What this book does is to bring these thoughts to clarity, condensing years of experience of interacting on the internet into a set of clear rules that will alter the way I work on a day-to-day basis.
In summary Chris Brogan and Julian Smith suggest that the way to gain influence in any community (especially those based online) is to become, what they term, a Trust Agent. In essence this is a person that helps to facilitate other people’s interactions, adding value along the way. The pair offer a guideline of six areas in which a person can focus to develop their talents as a Trust Agent.
1. Make Your Own Game – This is a technique where an individual finds their own niche, or way of doing business, that separates them from their competitors.
2. One of Us - A mixture of building empathy and conversation with the people you are trying to influence and connecting with the key players in any given market area.
3. Archimedes Effect – Understanding how to spot and manipulate leverage.
4. Agent Zero – Connecting with others and building small but powerful networks.
5. Human Artist – Learning how to interact effectively with people on a daily basis.
6. Build Armies - How to build and lead groups of people to achieve mutually beneficial goals.
Ultimately it is difficult to do this excellent book justice in a short review. What I can say is that the content of the book will change the way you think about the internet. If you are serious about doing business, or building a community, online then this is a must read book.
To have a chance to win a copy of Trust Agents all you have to do is leave a ‘pick me’ comment by 3pm (GMT) October 23, then I’ll pick a winner at random. This competition is open to all.
Alternatively you can buy a copy of Trust Agents here.



{ 35 comments }
Pick me please. I need a good agent for my next novel.
Please pick me.
Sounds great! Pick me please! x
Pick me. Please.
On the other hand, maybe you could pick me?
Sounds interesting, for free! Do I have to say ‘please pick me’?
Hi,
Pick Me! Pick Me! Pick Me!
Elliott
Please pick me
Pick me
I’m in…oh and please pick me1
Pick me!
Please throw my name into the basket! I have “Trust Agents” on my “To Read” list.
Pick Me!, Pretty Please!
Trying to become resident inhouse social media go-to person. Please pick me and share yr wisdom!
Pick me and I will share with my small army how wonderful this book is and build a vast army of more followers for you. I will bring more readers to you and do what I can to sell more books.
Should I just say ‘pick me’ or should I say something about how much this post makes me want to read the book?
Regardless if I win or lose, I can’t wait to read this book and begin building my own army. ( =P Pick me! )
Please pick me. The rest of the office is reading Trust Agents and I’d like my own copy.
Me! Me! Pick Me! Hopefully the 23rd will be my lucky day! Thanks for your insights.
Pick me
Pick me! I’ve been hoping to read this but haven’t yet got a copy.
Please Pick Me!
Pick me – looking forward to reading the book now for some time now – excited about the opportunity to get the book!
Pick me please.
Pick me please. I got this book from the library but would like to own it. Thanks
Trust Agent is on my LI Want to Read List
“Pick me, please” …Wählen Sie mich bitte! Me choisir, s’il vous plaît ! Scegliermi, per favore! Velg meg, behag ! ¡Escójame, por favor! επιλογή μου, παρακαλώ! Kies mij, alstublieft! Valitse minut!
Me, me, pick me!
Oooh! Oh, oh, pick me!
Pick me.
Pick me (if you’re willing to send it to England) because:
a/I’ve plugged the living heck out of this book and have yet to read it
b/I can’t afford to buy it and the library still hasn’t bought it even though I plead every week
Thanks
Rebecca
http://twitter.com/rebeccawoodhead
Pick me, please.
I enjoyed reading this review. Would definitely like to read and implement the guidelines in this book. Please Pick Me.
Pick me! {^_^} Please!
Please pick me!
Oh I may be too late (darn time zones!) but if not pick me!
Kindly Pick Me oh Lord of Free Awesome Agent Book
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