A couple weeks ago, I had a public, online conversation with Gary Vaynerchuk aka @garyvee. He’s on a PR blitz to promote the release of his new book “Crush It.”

If you’re not familiar with Vaynerchuk, he’s a self-trained wine expert who has used social media, online video in particular, to drive exponential growth in his family’s wine business. At the same time, he’s built a kingpin personal brand, signing a seven-figure, ten-book deal in Spring 2009.  Vaynerchuk stands as proof of how participating in one’s customer ecosystem leads to business success.

Here’s a summary of our conversation:

• [Peter Kim] So you’ve got a new book coming out, right? When does it start shipping?
• [GaryVee] Oct 13th BABY! Its dropping like it’s hot!
• [GaryVee] I want people to read it and feel something when it is done, I want them to know why everything I believe in wasn’t possible 5 yrs ago!

• [PK] Speaking of 5 years ago, a lot of people say that it’s impossible to become a star today, like it was back then. True?
• [GV] DUMBEST THING I EVER HEARD
• [PK] That is, there’s a small group of people who were in early on social media stuff, and now there’s too much noise.
• [GV] I mean a super duper star? I understand the point but so many more stars are born todaY!
  PK I disagree, if I was just turned onto this stuff today, I would get mine!!! If u have the chops u can do this! People need to stop thinking about what can’t be done and start thinking about what CAN!
• [Don Carli] Hey Gary… What are the top three “chops?”
• [GV] knowing what the F u are talking about in your subject #2 CARING for your audience #3 having the stamina to work 247365

• [PK] It seems somewhat dissonant, you rose up online yet are capturing value / cashing in offline. Why old fashioned, printed books?
• [GV] I am not romanced by any platform, i want to talk to people and reach them, shit I would use smoke signals if people looked up for them!
• [PK] How has your online activity driven offline sales in your core business?
• [GV] My core business is my personal brand, which means I do good shiz and things happen and opportunities come my way! but yes people buy wine from WL cause of my online presence but not as much as peeps think, because I dont focus on it at all!
• [PK] The concept of “personal branding” has rapidly grown, correlated to your own rise. You’re an independent – how does personal branding apply to people in corporations?
• [GV] U navigate through the corp game….some places wont let u play, u can’t build brand in a corp that doesnt allow u to blog, tweet or FB!
• [PK] I’ve heard Seth Godin recommend that people find another place to work if they can’t pursue their passion there. Do you agree with that sentiment?
• [GV] 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000% that said I would rather people start their own shiz while working, i dont lack of cash flow! yes but cash flow is important and if u arent doing what u love …then what are u reallllly doing?
• [PK] So what advice would you give to people who work in jobs like cleaning office buildings or selling tires? I.e. not white collar people, but more so people who just need to make ends meet?
• [GV] Start talking on the internet about the things u love; seriously …or do vids, TALK and things happen!

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