5.0 out of 5 stars A Roadmap to Building a Personal Brand That Truly Resonates

S.S. · December 7, 2024

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Mark Schaefer’s Known is a masterclass in personal branding. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your visibility to the next level, this book offers a clear, actionable framework to help you achieve your goals in a genuine and sustainable way.What sets Known apart is Schaefer’s emphasis on authenticity. Instead of promising shortcuts or gimmicks, he encourages readers to dig deep into their unique strengths, passions, and values. The book is filled with inspiring success stories, practical advice, and tools to help you craft your personal narrative while staying true to yourself.The structure of the book is straightforward, making it easy to follow and implement. Schaefer guides readers through key steps like identifying a sustainable interest, finding an audience, and creating content that connects. His insights into modern digital marketing are invaluable, especially for navigating today's noisy online landscape.If you’re serious about becoming "known" in your field without compromising your integrity, Known is a must-read. It’s not just a branding guide—it’s a call to action for anyone who wants to make a meaningful impact in their niche. Highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars A realistic guide to building a brand that drives your goals and ambitions

B.H. · June 6, 2017

I didn’t think I could develop any more respect for Mark Schaefer having followed his ideas, approach, and career for years, but KNOWN took my appreciation for him and his advice on marketing to the next level.There’s a lot of buzz and chatter out there about personal branding and how to succeed in your career today, which I tend to eye-roll at as it’s usually the same information repeated over and over again. Thankfully, KNOWN is just the opposite as it provides realistic and grounded advice for becoming known in your niche based on your specific goals.Here are three reasons why I recommend KNOWN as a worthwhile read to anyone looking to reach their goals by building a reputation for themselves:1) It sets a reasonable timeline for the process of becoming known. Schaefer is clear throughout the book that everyone’s journey to becoming known for what they do is unique and will likely take a considerable amount of time. As the reader, it helped frame that each person’s experience is different and that patience and grit are required over anything. Being specific about the numbers of years a person worked to grow their business or how much content they created helped to further ground the book’s advice in reality for readers.2) The book is hype-free and actionable which is refreshing. I like a fair balance of theory based strategy as well as specific details on how to execute, which KNOWN did wonderfully throughout the book. My attention was kept throughout the book (which is hard to do) because it felt like it gracefully pivoted between personal experience, step-by-step advice and strategy and examples of others succeeding in the field. The author did a great job of varying what was discussed and how it was discussed to keep it interesting and continually actionable. No fluff to be found here.3) Numerous examples from people of different backgrounds add texture to Schaefer’s advice. I enjoyed that the book had case studies and anecdotes from all types of professionals to illustrate the points made. The people included as examples were diverse as they came from poor and rich backgrounds, rural and urban settings, were a mix of men and women etc. This variety to the examples helped tell a full picture around becoming reputable, illustrating that where you came from and who you are is less of a factor than the work you put into your career and why. The examples made it possible to see some of the nitty gritty details behind the suggested strategies in action.

5.0 out of 5 stars Do This

D.K. · March 16, 2017

I'm 48 and I'm known. So why did I read Mark's book? Well, first, we are working together on a project (full disclosure)... but that's not why I purchased the book. I purchased the book because Mark is a mentor and someone who is both gracious and firm in his sage advice. He always has been - it's what attracted me to spending time with him at events, interviewing him, and engaging with him on social media.The reason why I bought the book is because I have two children that are completing their degrees. My son is getting his PhD in Math, my daughter her Bachelor's Degree in Event Management and PR. Did I mention I'm 48 years old? I am. I was able to ride the skyrocketing growth of digital media to my place in the world, an expert on marketing technology. It's what I'm known for. But I'm not sure that ride will be there for either of my children. I've encouraged them their entire lives to step out from the herd and take charge of their futures... but how?As I turned the last, incredible pages of Mark's book, I set it down, took off my glasses, and was grateful. I'm grateful that Mark wrote a book that solves a very, very difficult problem. In a world where everyone can be known, how do you make yourself known? The next morning, I sat across from my daughter and handed her the book and said, "Do this." That was it... just "Do this." I'm grateful that my kids don't have to spend 40 years of their lives (as I did) without a strategy for planting their flag in the ground and making their mark in the world.And, of course, I've purchased the workbook for my daughter and will purchase the set for my son as well. Thank you, Mark.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great teaching tool.

B.M. · September 28, 2017

I was really surprised and thrilled by how much I liked this book. Typically, if it's a marketing book, I'm trained to sniff out the BS. But with Mark's book, this is probably the first branding book I've read where I have zero hesitancy about recommending it to people. The workbook as well.A great marketing book should leave you with ideas and a pathway to pursue those ideas from what you learned from the book. "Known" does that.

3.0 out of 5 stars A good book, although admittedly I preferred his previous book ...

D.H. · April 25, 2017

A good book, although admittedly I preferred his previous book on Twitter. This was a bit too much in telling stories about those who got Known than in the hard core info I'd found in his Twitter book.

Très bon processus

C.K. · February 20, 2019

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } J'ai beaucoup aimé KNOWN car il prend des exemples vraiment parlant et montre les contres vérités.Je recommande fortement d'acheter le workbook qui l'accompagne pour passer rapidement a l'action.

A book that deserves to be known

P.G. · March 20, 2017

Warhol's idea of everyone's 15 minutes of fame seems quaint now, with the number of "like" monsters on social media who claim to be "thought leaders" or, worse, "influencers". Mark Schaefer has a directness that is welcome (and unusual in a marketing book), and he has a lot of practical advice for anyone wanting to be known for what they do best. This is a great book, written by someone who knows what he's talking about.

Well structured and Insightful

D.A.N. · January 11, 2025

Mark has always been an inspiration behind my blogs and content, esp the human touch he talks about. It has been a pleasure to guest post on his blog and being part of the (grow) community

Very helpful for a beginner entrepreneur

A.A. · May 29, 2019

This book is written with many personal experiences, both from the author as well as those he interviewed. It lends credibility and interest to an otherwise challenging topic. Schaefer breaks difficult concepts down into small steps, exercises and measurements to make it very practical. A must read for anyone starting their own business!

Inspirational, Readable, Actionable.....Can't put downable!

D.G. · July 18, 2017

Buy this book.....why?Because it is FULL of step by step practical advice to help you become KNOWN. Every page inspires, motivates and explains everything in detail. Mark gives case studies to aid understanding....all with one objective in mind, to help you to cut through the noise and clutter out there, to become the authority in your field, to become the trusted adviser. To become KNOWN!This is not fanciful writing, Mark has researched and interviewed those who have become KNOWN in their field of expertise. He has identified the the characteristics and behaviours......all you have to do is read, create your plan (Buy the Personal Branding Workbook that accompanies this book - do the work and you will have a plan) Then implement!!Thank you Mark, this is one of the best books I have read in many, many years. Truly inspirational