Monday, March 4, 2019

Amplify ~ Book Blog Tour, Review, & Giveaway!


AMPLIFY
How to Grow Your Reputation
and the Kickass Career You Love
by Holly Chessman

Genre: Adult Nonfiction, 180 pages
Category: Women in Business, Entrepreneurship, Career
Publisher: NCM
Release date: November 2018
Content Rating: PG

Book Description:
It’s hard to fit in when you work in a mostly male world, let alone achieve your goals. Women in tech - as in many areas of business - are in the minority in every meeting. It’s difficult to find our voices in a room full of men. Even when we’re ready to share ideas, we often have to shout to be heard, trusted, and respected. It’s time for that to change.

Holly Chessman has used her marketing and business experience to navigate mostly male waters. She's taught people how to build their reputations using online and offline tools - and now she wants you to gain that same success.

Today is the day you start making the small changes you need to grow your voice and, consequently, your career. Small steps with big impact - that’s what it’s all about. Between the tips in this book and the straightforward, step-by-step exercises in each chapter, you’ll see your life change for the better.

As you go through this book, you’ll learn about the Defining You methodology, the exclusive system for accelerating reputation and career growth. You’ll get the step-by-step guidance to reach your goals faster than ever. You’ll develop the means to realize the success you’ve always envisioned: Speak up in meetings. Get the raise you want. Find a job that satisfies you. Do what it takes to meet the goals that are right for YOU.

Take control of your career TODAY and define the “you” you want to be.

To read reviews, please visit Holly Chessman's page on iRead Book Tours.






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BOOK REVIEW
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HALL WAYS REVIEW: From Amplify's empowering cover, to the personal note from the author that came with my review copy and some of the earliest pieces of advice in the book, it’s clear that author Holly Chessman knows her subject matter. And she is seriously accessible, providing her email address to readers ask questions and give feedback, which makes them feel that they are already building a support network.

“Small steps with big impact – that’s what it’s all about.”

Chessman is an amazing self-help cheerleader whose voice jumps from the page to encourage readers. She’s your team captain, standing right by your side and always with an enthusiastic “You’ve got this!” message to keep you encouraged, even when the tasks ahead can be daunting.

And daunting they are given the hurdles women must overcome to be successful. In the introduction, Chessman provides statistics and real examples of what women face in order to be not only heard but to thrive in their careers. She provides tangible, actionable ways to overcome these hurdles, and her energy and belief in the reader is palpable. She makes it clear, also, that Amplify isn’t a book that only women need to read; men can learn a thing or two to help the cause (or at least not hurt it).

“Take that quiet frustration that’s been burning in
the back of your mind and transform it into ACTION.”

Amplify is divided into five major sections. Each section starts with the big-picture overview (which oddly lacks page numbers) explaining the focus of the directive being addressed (for example, “Break Down Barriers,” “Develop Your Goals,” “Amplify Your Voice”). From there, there are chapters that give the action items to achieving each directive, and each chapter concludes with exercises for the reader to perform. While some are a bit cheesy for me as a professional who’s past the mid-life point -- I dissolve into giggles at the thought of looking in a mirror, maintaining eye-contact with myself, and giving myself a Stuart Smalley kind of pep-talk – other exercises are spot-on for women of every age, whether on a career path, life journey, or combination of both (hello, me).

As I read Amplify, I found myself nodding in agreement to Chessman’s advice and approaches. Yes, make both long-term and short-term goals and commit them to paper and make yourself accountable by telling a friend. Yes, educate yourself about how to reach your goals – Chessman gives you a list of resources. Yes, get connected with the online world, which lets you be heard and expands your support network even further. Yes, STOP apologizing! Yes, get your copy of Amplify right now.

"Give credit where it's due including when
you're the one who deserves it."


Even an old dog can learn new tricks, and I have a page full of takeaways I am going to implement into my own business plans and goals. Towards the end of Amplify, Chessman reminds readers that the processes of her “Defining You Methodology” are not a fait accompli – evaluation and re-evaluation are critical. In that same venue, I’d expect Amplify to have several iterations in order for its considerable sources and resources (all listed in the wonderful Appendix) to stay current. 

The author has an informal style of writing that invites readers in to be part of the team, in a we’re-all-in-this-together way that makes it very easy to read. Chessman learned well that when you take a stance, you then give examples to support it. Her elaboration of her points is excellent. There are a few typos, dropped words, and comma errors, but most won’t be distracted by them. I highly recommend the book as one that will be read, re-read, and referenced.

Thank you to the author and iRead Book Tours for providing me a print copy in exchange for my opinion – the only kind I give.


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Named a Top Influencer in Content and Digital Marketing, Holly Chessman fully understands the power of online engagement. As an active advocate of women in business, she is passionate about helping people develop online and offline skills to grow their careers. She has been a leader in B2B tech for close to 20 years, running her own business (Holly Chessman Marketing) as well as empowering businesses with the strategies they need to speed growth and build revenue. Holly is a keynote speaker and a writer, contributing to such publications as Forbes, Maximize Social Business, Social Media Examiner, and more.

She is also not afraid to embrace her nerdy side (as evidenced by her love of Neil Gaiman and her "talking" TARDIS). Learn more at ASK HOLLY or

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

GRAND PRIZE
Paperback Copy of Amplify + $20 Amazon Gift Card + 1-Hour Consultation Session
FOUR WINNERS
Paperback Copy of Amplify
(USA and Canada)
Ends March 15, 2019

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE:
​Feb 25   - Library of Clean Reads - review / giveaway
Feb 26   - A Fountain of Books - review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 27   - Laura's Interests - review / guest post / giveaway
March 4 - Hall Ways Blog - review / giveaway
March 5 - Divas With A Purpose - review / guest post 
March 6 - Books for Books - review
March 7 - Rockin' Book Reviews -review / guest post / giveaway
March 7 - Sahar's Blog - review
March 8 - One Frugal Girl - review / giveaway
March 8 - FLYLEF Reviews - review / giveaway
March 8 - Sammie Reads Book - review / guest post / giveaway





2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. well, I somehow deleted your comment, but yes, I really liked Amplify. I think for *cough* women of a certain age, some of it isn't relevant now because we've slayed those dragons, but overall, excellent tools and information.

      Delete