UnMarketing: Everything Has Changed and Nothing is Different

Finally got around to reading this after seeing it on so many 'must-read' lists. The conversational style makes it feel less like a dry textbook and more like a late-night chat with a mentor who actually gets it. I found the core message about building relationships instead of just shouting into the void to be incredibly refreshing. Some of the social media tactics are clearly from a different era, but the foundational principles of community building are timeless. I walked away with a dozen notes and a whole new outlook on how to handle my newsletter and direct outreach.

Ever wonder why your social media posts feel like shouting into a hurricane with no one listening? This book tackles that head-on by teaching you how to build a community rather than just a following. The authors use a lot of humor and down-to-earth suggestions that make the concepts easy to digest during a commute. I particularly liked the section on handling trolls, though I think that advice is a bit simplified for anyone who isn't a white male in a safe niche. Regardless, the 25 or so actionable ideas I pulled from these pages made it a great investment.

If you are looking for a marketing book that doesn't make you want to fall asleep, this is definitely the one. It’s written more like a conversation than a lecture, and the humor throughout kept me turning the pages much faster than I usually do with business literature. I really appreciated the focus on 'un-learning' the bad habits we’ve all picked up from traditional sales training. Even though some of the social media content is a bit dated, the principles of trust and transparency are more relevant now than ever. Every business owner needs to read this to understand why their old-school marketing isn't working anymore.

This book is probably the best entry point for anyone starting from zero in the modern digital landscape. Stratten focuses heavily on the concept of 'evangelism' and how to turn customers into fans, which is vital for small business owners today. While I would have appreciated more bulleted lists to summarize the action items, the short chapters kept me engaged through the whole thing. It’s a very quick read that cuts through the typical corporate jargon we see in this genre. Just be prepared for a very heavy focus on Twitter, which feels a bit weird in the current year.

Look, marketing books are usually a chore, but 'UnMarketing' manages to stay light on its feet with a very engaging writing style. The authors take a 'common sense' approach to digital networking that feels more human than the usual data-driven strategies. I did feel that the book was a bit haphazardly put together, jumping from big-picture philosophy to granular tactics without much of a bridge. One minute you're talking about brand integrity, and the next you're looking at specific Twitter maneuvers from seven years ago. If you can filter out the dated platforms, the heart of the book is solid gold.

After hearing so much about Scott Stratten's stage presence, I decided to pick this up on a whim. The 'pull' vs 'push' framework is a game changer for anyone tired of traditional, intrusive advertising methods. I loved the emphasis on being authentic and the reminder that every interaction is actually a marketing opportunity, whether we realize it or not. The chapters are bite-sized, which is perfect for busy entrepreneurs who only have ten minutes to spare between meetings. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the typical business book that usually takes 300 pages to say what could be said in fifty.

Truth is, the authors have created a manifesto for the modern era that every business owner should probably have on their shelf. The book is filled with practical, actionable suggestions that focus on the 'human' element of digital marketing rather than just the algorithms. While some of the jokes fall flat and the ego can be a bit much, the insights into how people actually interact with brands are spot on. I’ve already started implementing their suggestions regarding customer service as a marketing tool. It’s an easy, quick read that manages to be both entertaining and deeply educational for the right audience.

As someone who has been in the marketing game for a decade, I found the 'UnMarketing' perspective to be a mix of brilliance and irritation. To be fair, Scott has a remarkable way of looking at brand engagement, but his ego frequently gets in the way of the message. Those little footnotes and asides that start off as 'funny' quickly become distracting and feel a bit self-indulgent after the tenth one. Still, the general message of stopping the 'push' marketing and starting the 'pull' is something every creator needs to hear. It’s worth a read, just skip the filler.

The chapter on trade shows going virtual was surprisingly prophetic, but the rest of the book feels like a bit of a time capsule. Frankly, the information is starting to show its age, particularly when it comes to specific platform strategy and monetization. However, the writing remains very engaging and the core ideas about relationship building still hold up quite well under scrutiny. I found the structure a little chaotic as it bounced around between different concepts without a clear roadmap. It’s a good refresher for veterans, but new marketers should take the specific platform advice with a massive grain of salt.

Not what I expected given the hype, and honestly, the 'toxic positivity' vibe made me roll my eyes more than once. The 2017 revised edition is already ancient history in the tech world; the obsession with Twitter (now X) makes half the tactical advice completely irrelevant for someone trying to launch on TikTok or Instagram today. It felt like the authors were trying too hard to be the 'cool kids' of marketing, which came off as forced and slightly arrogant. I’m giving it two stars because the evergreen principles about being a decent human in business are still okay, but there are better, more current options out there.