Yesterday Michael Hyatt, Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishing, released his new book Platform. Amazon.com has become the number one place to sell books so having great reviews of your book can quickly move it up the sales ranks. Michael Hyatt put together a launch team and leveraged the relationships he’s built over his many years in the publishing industry to garner 70+ reviews before his book’s release date. People like me received advanced copies and many of us left favorable reviews on Amazon.com. That’s where the angry German comes in. Follow me…I’ll explain using some pictures.
Here’s the main page of Mike’s Platform book on Amazon.com. It shows that he received 78 reviews next to the five stars.
Here’s the summary of the reviews. 77 five star reviews and one 1 star review (angry German).
Here’s the one star review summary. (I call this guy the angry German b/c that’s where he’s from and I think he’s cynical at best and angry at worst.)
This is where it gets fun. As of 8:35pm on May 22nd there were 26 responses to the angry German. His one negative review brought out 26 other responses. A vast majority are readers of the book defending their reviews and Mike’s strategy for his launch that helped him get those reviews. He’s giving away a TON of freebies if you buy the book by May 25th. Michael Hyatt is smart and level headed so he responded to the angry German with a very kind tone.
I am not very smart sometimes and rarely level headed so I responded to the guy with a challenge. I offered to buy him a copy of the book so he could ACTUALLY READ IT. Crazy, but he gave it 1 star and hasn’t read the actual book.
This story illustrates a great truth. The greatest measure of a leader is not their title but the behavior of their followers. Michael Hyatt has been blogging (almost daily) for at least seven years. He is a thought leader. He is a man of integrity. He is one of the most disciplined men I’ve ever met. He is a great father, husband and friend. He’s also humble and open to advice from people he’s just met(that post is about a meeting we had).
In summary, I like Mike. So do a LOT of other people. I’d venture to say the twenty some people who defended Mike are a greater measure of his success and a greater measure of proof of the strength of his Platform than the 77 five star reviews. It’s important to also mention a few names of people that read and endorsed his book. Hover over their names to find out more about them.
Seth Godin
Dave Ramsey
Dan Miller
John Maxwell
Dan Cathy
So congrats on a great book launch Mike. Congrats on being #4 on Amazon.com on your release day. Congrats on building a Platform we can all work to build ourselves now that we’ve got your book to help us find our way.
NOTE:
The angry German hasn’t taken me up on my offer to buy him a book yet. You should buy it though. You can do that here. And hey, if you like it you can leave a review.
My name is Andy Traub and I help people tell their stories in a way that maximizes their impact. If you'd like to create your own custom channel to reach the world then I can help. Just 
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I love how you responded to the angry German. Gives him no excuse not to read the book now.
Thanks bro. How are ya anyway? Shoot me an email. What are you shipping?
Doing well. Can’t complain. Yourself? Just shot you an email with info about the goods I’m shipping.
Love this Andy. Well done.
Thanks Daniel. Much appreciated.
Andy, you are always looking for a reason to buy a book for someone!
You have sent me more than one!
You could return the favor anytime you want.
Funny thing is. I bought the book from Amazon, went over the MichaelHyatt.com and emailed him proof of purchase. I then got a link from them to all the freebies. One of which is the Kindle version of the book. I am almost done with the book before the physical edition arrives. Had the angry German done this, he would be able to write an intelligent rating. The book is awesome. It contains stuff from his blog and podcast, but with added materials and explanations.
Yeah, those bonuses are AWESOME.
This is awesome. Love it!
Thanks. Gotta defend my friend and a guy I look up to A LOT.
Awesome Andy! My favorite part of your post is where you write, “The greatest measure of a leader is not their title but the behavior of their followers.” – that is a PROFOUND truth. Thanks so much for using this example with the “Angry German” to share this insight!!!
Thanks Tor. That was one of those lines that as I wrote it I thought to myself…”Man, that’s good stuff!” Sometimes I even surprise myself.
Great stuff! I love the offer you made to the “Angry German” in your reply. It was clever but also generous. I’m a huge Michael Hyatt fan and one of those 5 star reviews on Amazon. The truth is I’ve given 4 star and even 3 star reviews to authors I both like and admire. I gave Platform the rating it deserved. It is excellent and essential for anyone serious about being heard.
Well said…..let me know if he responds. We’ll send him an autographed copy.
Best comment EVER. I’ll let you know.
Great job, Andy.
As one of the pre-launch members myself, I know how powerful Platform is. I think it is going to change people’s lives. Literally.
The book’s content is simply fantastic, and even though it was written with today’s technology in mind, I firmly believe Platform will be just as relevant 50 years from now. In fact, I’m buying another copy today.
And hey, I’m German as well. Just not an angry one.
YOu don’t sound that angry. I agree with that.
What parts of the book do you think will stand the test of time? They can’t relate to the tool b/c tools change. Thanks for commenting friend.
It’s amazing. How did this guy find the amazon listing anyway? Was he rejected at some point by MH or his literary agency years ago? You bet MH has made a Platform. He gives of himself, he’s formed a community, and he produces great stuff.
Enjoyed the post – and smiled…thanks!
I’m guessing he found it because it was #4 on the best-seller list. Glad I could make you smile.
Great job Andy. I appreciate your passion and leadership.
And I’m serious about paying for the book – let me know if he takes you up on the offer.
Got it bro! Maybe we should run a contest of some kind and give away a few. Let me know if you have any ideas. andytraub at gmail.com
I love this Andy. I was also one of the people that posted in Michael’s defense; and you were spot on with your comments. He has a tribe, and we will defend him (just as you said in one of your other comments). I have been very fortunate to meet Mike and his wife Gail. They are two of the most down-to-earth, fun-loving, giving, and incredible people I know!
I saw your post. well done my friend.
You handle things with real class. We all wanted to tell this guy how it was but when you offered to buy him the book, that was genius!
Calling people’s bluffs is fun. Puts the pressure on them. Thanks for the encouragement bro.
If the angry German doesn’t take you up on the free copy would you send it to me?
It’s always easy to spout off when you use a fake name on an Internet site. Notice how when people challenged the person to do something that would ultimately expose his identity (even to a small number of people), he won’t stand up and take the offer. I also like the other people who question the reviews, basically saying Michael Hyatt paid these people off. I guess people are overly cynical these days.
Yes they are…sometimes I am too. Working on that…
Hover over the name “Andy Traub”: “Really Smart Guy”
THanks brother. I believe that…most days.